New Novel Steps Back in Time to Aberdeen in 70s and 80s

Mike Kernan's 'Stopping to Rain' takes a trip down memory lane to the late 70's and the booming 80's in the Granite City.

It's set in the west of Scotland, before the main character flees to Aberdeen to escape her past. 

She experiences the Gothenburg parade, nights out on Belmont Street and a trip up north to Pennan, during the production of Local Hero. 

Mike, 66, wrote his first novel 'The Fenian' during lockdown which received outstanding reviews from readers.

The retired journalist explained why he chose Aberdeen for his second novel.

"When I was growing up in the 60's and 70's, Aberdeen seemed like such a remote place.

"We used to go on holiday to places like Arbroath and Montrose, and that seemed in itself, this enormous trek, and then we thought 'Aberdeen's even further away.

"I wanted somewhere that was far enough away that this character was unlikely to bump into people from her past."

Having grown up in the west coast, Mike sought out help in order to capture Aberdeen from the era. 

With the help of various history groups, including Aberdeen and North East Family History Society, he was able to delve into the nostalgic nightlife, events and famous spots of the Silver City.

However, he wanted to draw focus on one event in particular, after he recalls Gothenburg hero, Mark McGhee, living just a few streets away from his childhood home. 

"This football team started coming to Glasgow - we were all fans of Celtic or Rangers - and suddenly you had Alex Ferguson and this team of upstarts who came to Glasgow and not only were they not scared of us, but started beating us on the regular basis.

"That's when we really got to know of Aberdeen."

The book is available to order now.