Books by Margaret Cook

When floods devastated South East Queensland in 2011, who was to blame? Despite the inherent risk of living on a floodplain, most residents had pinned their hopes on Wivenhoe Dam to protect them, and when it failed to do so, dam operators were blamed for the scale of the catastrophic events that followed. A River with a City Problem is a compelling history of floods in the Brisbane River catchment, especially those in 1893, 1974 and 2011. Extensively researched, it highlights the force of nature, the vagaries of politics and the power of community. With many river cities facing urban development challenges, Cook makes a convincing argument for what must change to prevent further tragedy.

Fergus MacBeath has inherited from his Highland family rare skills as a healer and perhaps other esoteric knowledge. He is rescued from near-fatal injury at Soltre Abbey Hospital, and in time becomes the chief physician there, the medicus. With seeming supernatural abilities, he is regarded among thecountry people as a saint. He is a maverick however and defies Church orthodoxy relating sickness to sin, using Soltre's wealth, bequeathed over centuries, for the welfare of the Borders people. The lands and possessions are coveted by Church and State, who plot to seize them, but Soltre seems to be immune from their intrigues. Until - Fergus falls disastrously in love. Suddenly the defences of the sanctuary are breached as royal greed and divine paranoia conspire, unleashing savage and unholy violence. Who will survive the wreckage?

New Edition with completely up-to-date course and assessment content based on SQA changes in April 2017