Mrs. McPhealy's American: A Novel

With a one-way ticket to Scotland, the story begins...

The entire rural town of Locharbert is abuzz because Hollywood director Steve McNaught is moving in. Putting two failed marriages, three sons, and a drinking problem behind him, he embarks on a quest for the uncomplicated life of his ancestors in the home of his distant relative, Mrs. McPhealy. 

But from the start, the newcomer is eyed with suspicion, not least by ex-hippy and local midwife, Georgie. Drawing on his well-honed charm, Steve tries to woo her, and though there is spark, she sends him packing ... until she doesn’t. Everything would be on track, if Steve could only lose his tendency to see the world through a camera lens, if only the funny local characters, like the tinkers on the shore or the randy postmistress, weren’t begging to be put on the screen. Georgie warns him against turning her town into a film set, but the die is already cast. He makes matters worse by buying up the dilapidated cottage by the shore where Georgie grew up and which she has always hoped to restore. Rejected and dejected, his drinking back in full swing, he packs up his film reels and returns to California. 

And then, months later, in the daft days of Hogmanay, Steve reappears, sober and brandishing his newly edited film. The secret life of Locharbert is about to tumble out.

About Clair R. McDougall

Claire R. McDougall was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, her family settling in rural Argyll’s wild and rugged countryside, with its ancient ruins and standing stones. She studied philosophy for four years at Edinburgh University. After earning her MA, she spent four years on a Haldane scholarship to gain a Master of Letters at Christ Church, Oxford, studying Nietzsche. After moving to the United States, Claire worked as a journalist, before opting to pursue creative writing full time. She has written eight novels and their attendant screenplays. She is the author of four published books: Veil of Time (Simon and Schuster 2104) Druid Hill, Iona, and Hazel and the Chessmen.

Praise for Claire R. McDougall's Mrs. McPhealy's American

“Linguistically charming prose—witty and acerbic, with the hint of a lilt—animates the story’s two main characters and quirky supporting cast. McDougall excels at filling in the individual backstories of a populace suspicious of outsiders and caught somewhere between the shadows of the past and a modern world that threatens to upset their ties to the earth and the sea....this is a tale told with warmth, humor, and appreciation for the uniqueness of its small enclave on the edge of the sea.

A delightfully composed and engaging read, propelled by vibrant characters.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“This hugely enjoyable love story is very much a Scottish-American creation by a fine writer who is steeped in the culture of both nations. Earthy yet mystical, Mrs. McPhealy’s American recalls for me elements of the iconic movie Local Hero. It is graced with strong men and women who emerge out of distinctive cultural experiences and delight us with their all too human failings and foibles. A wonderful array of great characters who will stay on in your memory, such is the emotive strength of Claire McDougall’s writing.”

—Billy Kay, Writer/Broadcaster, winner of the Mark Twain award, Scots media person of the year, author of Scots The Mither Tongue and The Scottish World

“Coming down with a case of “cianalas” and longing for Scotland? With a sip of single malt scotch and a good book—say, Claire McDougall’s new novel—you’ll be transported to wee Locharbert,  where three Tinkers, a comely midwife, and a troubled American filmmaker prove that there’s no such thing as an uncomplicated life. You’ll laugh out loud with libidinous postmistress Delia Crawford: ‘it’s just the height of nonsense, so it is.’”

—Judith Fertig, author of The Cake Therapist and The Memory of Lemon

“Claire McDougall’s writing has the lilting cadence of poetry. Her novel, Mrs. McPhealy’s American is a charming, richly crafted tale set in Scotland that offers unique characters, exquisite detail, and subtle humor. It is rich in themes of love, legends, and Scottish history. The reader will be captivated.”

—Barbara Bartocci, author My Angry Son and Nobody’s Child Anymore