Murder, marital troubles and the murky world of
football corruption collide into one woman’s life in
this dramatic new novel, set against political
upheaval and Sectarianism in Glasgow in 2011.
Forty-two year old Izzy Campbell wants more to life than husband
who is over fond of a drink as well as a fanatical Rangers
supporter. For as long as she can remember she’s always put her
family’s needs first, but with her son turning eighteen she decides
it’s time things change. Izzy signs up to volunteer at the Citizen’s
Advice Bureau and enrols to study for a part time degree in Social
Sciences, where she meets fellow student and SMP candidate,
Bridget, who encourages her to start a career for the first time,
something her husband Jim does not support. Meanwhile, Jim’s
security company is preparing to make a bid for a contract with his
beloved Rangers, in spite of the Club’s reportedly murky finances.
So when Izzy encounters charismatic journalist, Sean Docherty
who reveals to her that he is investigating alleged financial
corruption at Rangers, she finds her loyalties torn. However, hoping to protect her husband, and with her interest
piqued in more ways than one, she finds herself offering to help Sean with his research unaware of his family
connections to the murder of a young Celtic fan. A murder her husband witnessed.
Growing up in Glasgow, in a staunchly Protestant home, with a Rangers fan for a father, Keddie Hughes is no stranger
to the blight of Sectarianism which she refers to as ‘Scotland’s secret shame’. However, she’s quick to highlight that her
story isn’t only about the problems surrounding football. As a self-proclaimed woman entering the ‘third age’ she
wanted to create an authentic and relatable character in the form of Izzy. Through her main protagonist, Keddie
acknowledges the struggles that women can often go through —from self-doubt to loneliness and feelings of
invisibility— when faced with the prospect of their children growing up and moving away. Combining her own
experiences as a psychologist and executive coach, Keddie hopes that her character’s journey will provide inspiration
and understanding to others and show them that even small changes can add up to make a big difference in life.
An engaging and relatable story of one woman’s personal evolution and transformation against a backdrop of social
and political upheaval in Glasgow, Small Change by Keddie Hughes is the perfect next read for fans of commercial
fiction with an edge.