Cruel is the Snow: Murder under Trust at Glencoe

This book is the fulfilment of a promise I made to myself over 30 years ago, from visiting Glencoe in the Highlands. There, I spoke to many residents, and for the first time learned the story of one of the most barbaric episodes in British History. The massacre of 38 members of the MacDonald Clan in the early hours of February 21st 1692, and the resulting death of up to 100 more that fled the village in a Blizzard from British Troops. My Scottish ancestry left me with a determination to uncover the heroes and villains of this Matter. The story is told through the eyes of a fictional resident, Annella McDonald. Though she is the only fictional character in the story, all events described are based on eye witness accounts, court transcripts, and official records. The events described actually happed, and the perpetrators were guilty of the most serious crime to the people of Scotland. Cruel is the Snow, is by necessity, a violent and shocking novel which makes portions of it disquieting to read, but I believe it is a history that should never be forgotten.

Steve Challis was born in 1948 in the United Kingdom. The son of a farmer, Steve grew up in the rural Cotswold’s following 5 years of service in the military (Royal Air Force). Steve joined the Hampshire Constabulary in 1969, serving as an officer for 21 years. In 1995, Steve left the Police Force and became active in politics; he joined the UK Independence Party in 1998. Steve campaigned in several local and National Elections, culminating in his being selected by the Party to fight for the Parliamentary seat for the Eastleigh Constituency, in the UK General Election, in 2001. Following his defeat in the election, Steve continued to actively campaign with the party. In 2006, Steve met his wife Eva, via the internet, and in 2007 they became engaged. The following November, Steve moved to the USA and he and Eva were Married in Ketchikan, southeastern Alaska. In 2009 the couple settled in Kentucky, where they bought a farm, and in 2010 opened a Firearms training School. In 2014, Steve became a US Citizen. He is the author of several historical fiction books.