"Borrowed Hills: A Gripping Saga of Land and Violence"

Scott Preston's debut novel, "The Borrowed Hills," delves into the devastating impact of the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic on Cumbrian farmers, portraying a visceral tale of desperation, violence, and the relentless struggle for survival in the harsh landscape. Through the character of Steve Elliman, the novel captures the unsparing brutality of the disease's aftermath, painting a vivid and bleak picture of rural life in the Lake District. With stark prose and moments of startling beauty, the novel offers a viscerally vivid portrayal of a dysfunctional relationship with the land, imbued with knife-sharp black humor but little hope.