Book Review: The Scotland Project

Reviewed by Tomi Alo

A riveting novel where the pursuit of the truth is relentless and dangerous 

Mathieu James, an investigative journalist for the International Herald Tribune, has spent years haunted by the tragic event of London’s 7/7 terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of his parents and dozens of other innocent victims. While the perpetrators of these horrifying attacks perished in their suicide mission, there have been international rumors of a fifth mastermind behind the whole ordeal. 

Driven by an unwavering sense of justice, James is determined to uncover the truth and bring light to the shadows of conspiracy and deceit surrounding the attacks. As he digs deeper into the web of secrets and makes connections to an unknown figure from Africa, he unearths a threat far more deadly than he imagined.

The Scotland Project is an intriguing, page-turning debut that puts a fascinating spin on events that changed the world. It delves into the lives of those dedicated to uncovering the hidden crimes and protecting the nation, how easily terrorists are radicalized, and the ever-present threats these terrorists pose on a country.

Fults’s writing style is simple and knowledgeable in the third-person omniscient. We hear from a large cast of characters; through their perspectives, we get a multi-dimensional view of the events. So, while James is meeting with one of his sources at a bar in Schiphol International Airport, we are also drawn to a dangerous meeting happening at the same location that will cost the lives of many. 

Despite the privileged, almost godlike view we’re given, Fults strikes a perfect balance, revealing enough for readers to engage with without giving away too much. This neither disrupts or slows down the novel’s pacing. 

The Scotland Project features compelling and complex characters that add even more depth to the intricate story. I loved Mathieu James. He exemplifies how journalists should operate. Even though he is deeply invested in uncovering the truth behind the London 2005 and Paris 2015 attacks, he never loses his moral compass. He goes to great lengths to ensure his methods are ethical, his sources credible, and his stories well-documented.

“For journalists, it about sharing information with the public. Creating transparency that governments—and others, like criminals, terrorists and dictators—aren’t willing to provide.”

On the radicalization of terrorists. Fults tells a story of Igor Kozlov, a man who believed that a terrifying statement in the West could ease things for his family back in Belarus. His character shows us how easily people’s minds can be twisted or nurtured by both internal and external factors to do heinous things. Terrorism is never a simple or isolated act of violence; it’s a complex interplay of desperation, ideology, and manipulation that turns individuals into instruments of fear and chaos.

“They are either approached and groomed, or they form an individual or group radicalization on their own. Motivation is always where it starts: where does the anger come from, and what do they hope to achieve?”

The Scotland Project checks all the right boxes: inventive storytelling, thrills, likable characters, and an always engaging plot. If you love a good crime, NCIS-style novel, I highly recommend this book.

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