SYNOPSIS (The story in brief)

The Book of Secrets (Vintage)
In a creaking old house, in the Far North of New Zealand, lives an old woman called Maria, who some call the 'witch of Waipu.' It is more than fifty years since she has lived as part of the community. Maria is descended from a line of strong women who have followed the fierce and charismatic preacher, Norman McLeod, across the world. McLeod and a group of crofters set off from Ullapool in the Highlands of Scotland in 1817, headed towards Nova Scotia. The crofters had been dispossessed from their homes following 'the clearances' by their landlords, after the battle at Culloden.

After nearly forty years at Cape Breton, in Nova Scotia, some of the settlers moved on to Australia, looking for more fertile land and easier living. In all, they built six ships: the "Margaret", "Highland Lass", "Gertrude", "Spray", "Breadalbane" and "Ellen Lewis" McLeod, by this time, was recognized as a great leader, but his attitudes were harsh, particularly towards women who had opinions of their own.

Some people wanted to follow him to the ends of the earth, but others chose to stay behind. Disaster struck in Australia, when three of McLeod's sons died of typhoid within six weeks of each other. McLeod petitioned Governor Grey for land in New Zealand, and a settlement in Waipu was established in 1853.