​★★★★★ The Case of the Emigrant Niece is a captivating historical fiction novel by David Cairns, set in the 1800’s and spanning Australia, London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the Scottish Highlands. Written in the first-person point of view, from the perspective of Findo, the book follows his journey as he builds a new life for himself in Melbourne, and partners with his friend, Errol, in a fraud investigation. The novel is a work of fiction, inspired by real people, places and events. Extensively researched, and historically accurate, this book will appeal to readers who enjoy historical fiction.  The novel has a definite Sherlock Holmes vibe, and I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery, suspense and intrigue.  Summary: A Sherlock Holmes-esque mystery, with two memorable and eccentric criminal investigators.  Readers' Choice Book Awards.

Lovers of historical adventure tales must put this on their lists.  We follow two friends in the Victorian era across the Australian goldfields and regions of Scotland as they seek to trap a fraud and restore a fortune.  You will appreciate the many-layered sensitivity to Scottish culture and period detail, and a pace which keeps the reader engaged right up to the denouement.” CJ Sole, Massachusetts

I have just finished reading your new book and I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it, reading it over a period of two days.  Your overall attention to historical fact, location facts and descriptions is impressive particularly in the area of descriptions of cities and places therein.  I very much enjoyed the way you develop the characters and describe the relationships and the interaction between them. At the same time you wove into the story very nicely local history such as the Greyfriars Bobby piece, Euston history etc. Of course, I also learnt a whole deal about Australian history which I found fascinating. The pace of the story increased as it developed and left me unable to put it down until my eyes were fuzzy and I had to sleep. First thing the following morning after dog duties etc I had to return to it. I also enjoyed the challenge of the Scottish vernacular that you used although I must say I had to read it out loud a couple of times to really understand it.  Robin Adair, Florida

I have read very few historical detective novels, but really enjoyed the incredible details you continually inserted to make it feel like the mid-nineteenth century.  Further, the info about England and especially Australia truly gave the book a feeling that you were right there with Findo and Errol.  To think that it took over 90 days to travel from Australia to England at that time.  What a trip!   The book turned out to be a real page turner for me.  You really did well as a writer pulling me from chapter to chapter.  The setting of the mining camp was so well done with such detail, I had to finish the chapter because I thought I had mud all over me after finishing the last sentence of the chapter.   Robert Price, Texas