{"product_id":"the-deadly-inheritance-of-everest-macdonald-in-conversation-with-a-j-west","title":"The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald - in conversation with A.J. West","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJoin us at Night Owl Books on Monday, 30th November at 8pm, when award-winning author A.J. West will be discussing his new book, \u003cem\u003eThe Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald \u003c\/em\u003e- inspired by the real historical figure of Scottish poet Everest Macdonald - with Helen Graham, author of \u003cem\u003eDisappearing Acts \u003c\/em\u003eand \u003cem\u003eThe Real Mackay\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cem\u003e. \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePurchase a copy of either book via this page to receive a free ticket to our event - while spaces last! Please note, copies of \u003cem\u003eThe Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald \u003c\/em\u003ewill be the special, sprayed edge edition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA.J. West will be in conversation with Helen Graham, followed by a book signing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSelect 'local collection' to pick up your copy from Night Owl. Alternatively please select a Royal Mail option, and I'll arrange for a copy to be shipped straight to you. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout \u003cem\u003eThe Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome inherit a fortune. She inherited murder…\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1917. As the Great War rages on the continent, Everest Macdonald is summoned to her father's deathbed and entrusted with a final urgent request: she must uncover the truth behind the murder of her uncle, the celebrated Victorian actor William Terriss, a crime that has haunted her family for twenty years.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 1897, Terriss was stabbed to death outside London’s Adelphi Theatre, a killing that shocked Victorian society. The murderer was swiftly arrested and confined to Broadmoor, the case declared closed. Yet, years later, a sealed package of evidence is passed to Everest by her dying father, which casts doubt on the official verdict and the haste with which it was reached.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDrawn back to wartime London, with her husband and children left behind, Everest begins her investigation, following a trail that leads her into the world of late-Victorian theatre, where fame and fortune mask obsession, envy and cruelty. With time running out and her father’s strength failing, Everest must uncover what really happened on the night Terriss died, and shed light on the unsettling legacy he left behind. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBased on an extraordinary true story, \u003cem\u003eThe Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald\u003c\/em\u003e is a dark, atmospheric historical mystery and a compelling adventure, as an unlikely investigator risks everything to pursue one of the most notorious killings of the Victorian stage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardback, 300 pages, publishing on the 8th October 2026.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout A.J. West:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA.J. West’s celebrated novel \u003cem\u003eThe Betrayal of Thomas True\u003c\/em\u003e was an instant Sunday Times bestseller. He is an award-winning former BBC journalist and broadcaster from Buckinghamshire. He writes for newspapers and magazines and appears regularly on national television and radio. AJ’s debut novel, \u003cem\u003eThe Spirit Engineer\u003c\/em\u003e was awarded the coveted HWA Debut Crown Award.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout \u003cem\u003eDisappearing Acts\u003c\/em\u003e: \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eLottie has lived in a magical world of stories and imagination under the shelter of her beloved grandfather, a famous comic actor, for as long as she can remember - but now he’s dead and she’s stranded in a houseful of cousins, her strict Victorian uncle only noticing her when she steps out of line. Using her imagination, she begins to navigate the real world on her own terms, lurching from one idea to the next, taking risks and keeping secrets, determined no one will stop her pursuing her theatrical dreams. Eloping with an aspiring actor at seventeen, Lottie realises too late she has handed control of her life to her charming unpredictable husband who quickly discards the plans they made together and forms a very different kind of travelling theatre company.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA game of wits ensues, each vying for control in a world of comedy, illusions, and sleight of hand as they tour the length and breadth of the country till tragedy strikes and the future is suddenly impossible to imagine.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePaperback, 352 pages, published May 2026.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003eAbout Helen Graham:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cb\u003eHelen Graham\u003c\/b\u003e published her debut novel, \u003ci\u003eThe Real Mackay\u003c\/i\u003e: \u003ci\u003eWalter Scott’s Favourite Comedian,\u003c\/i\u003e in 2024, based on true events in the life of her ancestor, Charles Mackay. \u003ci\u003eDisappearing Acts: The Real Mackay’s Granddaughter, \u003c\/i\u003ealso based on true events\u003ci\u003e,\u003c\/i\u003e was published in May 2026, and set in the evolving world of British theatre in the 19\u003csup\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century. Originally a knitwear designer, Helen has directed award-winning short films, co-founded a community film festival and raised a family. She grew up in Oxfordshire and now lives in Edinburgh.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEvent times:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvent: 20:00 - 21:00, followed by signing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDoors: 19:50\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVenue information:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNight Owl Books, 1 Bridge Street, East Linton, EH40 3AG.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFAQs\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003e- Will I be sent an e-ticket before the event?\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease note that we will have a guest list on the door on the night of the event, and you will not be sent an e-ticket for it - simply let us know your name\/the name of the person who booked your ticket when you arrive, and we'll check you in! \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA note on Covid precautions: if you feel unwell on the day, please err on the side of caution, and please take a lateral flow test before attending, if you can.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Night Owl Books","offers":[{"title":"The Deadly Inheritance of Everest Macdonald by A.J. West","offer_id":57216269615482,"sku":null,"price":18.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Disappearing Acts by Helen Graham","offer_id":57216269648250,"sku":null,"price":9.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0614\/2178\/1163\/files\/NightOwlBooksAJWestTheDeadlyInheritanceofEverestMacDonald.png?v=1788098784","url":"https:\/\/nightowlbooks.co.uk\/products\/the-deadly-inheritance-of-everest-macdonald-in-conversation-with-a-j-west","provider":"Night Owl Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}