The Mistress and The Daughter : A gripping saga of family secrets and life-changing choices from Evelyn Hood for 2026

THE QUEEN OF SCOTTISH SAGAS ?? A heartfelt historical read about survival and long-buried secrets from Sunday Times bestselling author Evelyn Hood! For fans of Catherine Cookson and Dilly Court ??'Compelling from the start, heartfelt and beautifully written.' Rosie Clarke ?????Can they forge new futures after the death of a patriarch?Paisley, Scotland, 1929Isla McAdam is summoned to Paisley by a lawyer following her husband's suicide, only to discovers that she was never truly married to Kenneth McAdam, a shameless man who had been leading a double life. Ainslie, his daughter by his lawful wife, warns Isla to stay away from their family, but Isla has nowhere else to go and moves with her two children into a tiny room of the run-down tenement building Kenneth left her. Kenneth's unscrupulous actions have left very little to support either of his families and when tragedy strikes, Ainslie's mother, Catherine, becomes increasingly unstable, creating havoc for both Isla and Ainslie. Despite being thrown together in unexpected and distressing circumstances, Isla and Ainslie gradually realise that they can offer one another support. But when secrets from Isla's past spill out, her current life becomes intolerable, and both Isla and Ainslie face life-changing choices that lead them in unforeseen directions. Storytelling at its best, Evelyn Hood is the original bestselling Scottish saga writer 💫Previously published as McAdam's WomenPRAISE FOR EVELYN HOOD'If you like Catherine Cookson, you'll love Evelyn Hood's books.' - Lizzie Lane`Evelyn Hood's characters step off the page and into your heart.' - Sheila Riley`This is addictive and heartfelt storytelling, with colourful characters you'll never want to say goodbye to.' - Jane Lark'Loved the strong, relatable characters. A lively, refreshing read.' - Kate Eastham'Wonderfully descriptive, with memorable characters and a true sense of place.' - Tracy Baines'Faultless historical detail and emotionally complex characters makethese engrossing and intelligent Evelyn Hood's sagas deeply satisfying' - Maisie Thomas`Evocative, beautifully rich, brilliantly detailed and meticulously researched - this story transported me and kept me up way past my bedtime - a triumph of a story. I very highly recommend Evelyn Hood' - Renita D'Silva'Scotland's Catherine Cookson' - Scots Magazine`Hood is immaculate in her historical detail' - Scottish Herald'Quite simply, I couldn't put it down. A rich and rewarding read' - Emma Blair'Evelyn Hood has been called Scotland's Catherine Cookson. Unfair. She has her own distinctive voice' - Scots Magazine`Touching, romantic and unforgettable' - Reader Review`Love all her books' - Reader Review`Evelyn Hood produces the best of stories' - Reader Review`I cannot put her books down' - Reader Review`Love everything Evelyn Hood writes' - Reader Review`Evelyn Hood is a fantastic writer, bringing the past to life and drawing you right into the story' - Reader Review