The Watchmaker's Wife – Haddington book launch with Janis Mackay at Haddington Library

Join Janis Mackay as she talks about her latest historical fiction novel, The Watchmaker's Wife (parts of which are set in Haddington!).

To reserve your free ticket, please email [email protected] or call 01620 827827.

About the book: 

In this novel inspired by the real-life story of a woman deceived, Johanna is determined to make the best of her marriage to watchmaker Willie Lockhart. Swept away to a tiny house in quiet Haddington, reality sets in as their family grows. With her mother’s words, ‘Ye’ve made yer bed, now lie in it’, ringing in her ears, she seeks solace in memories of the man she loved, who was lost to the Great War.

The more Willie tests her mettle the fiercer grows her love for her dead soldier, a man she barely knew. As a marriage built on lies, drink and fiddle music chips away at her dignity, the past becomes a happier country.

This is the story of one woman’s hopes, struggle and survival.

About the author:

JANIS MACKAY spent five years in Caithness writing poems and novels inspired by the landscape of the far north of Scotland. In 2009 her first novel for children, Magnus Fin and the Ocean Quest, won the Kelpies Prize and in 2013 she won the Scottish Children’s Book Award with The Accidental Time Traveller. She is a creative writing teacher and also tutors in the subject at Edinburgh University’s Centre for Open Learning. A professional storyteller for over 20 years, she coordinated the Storytelling Forum’s Apprenticeship Scheme. On a Northern Shore was her first novel for adults. The Watchmaker’s Wife, inspired by the life of her grandmother, is her second novel for adults. Janis lives in the Scottish Borders.