Tuesday, October 02, 2012

The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsely

Genre: Mystery/Historical Fiction
Publication Date: 1st October 2012
Pages: 430
Book Source: Sourcebooks & NetGalley

Synopsis: Verity Grey abandons her comfortable job at the British Museum to seek adventure on an archaeological dig in the wilds of Scotland. But when she arrives on site, she discovers that the excavation is being led by a discredited and eccentric old man who has forsaken scientific evidence. Instead, the entire team is following the word of a local boy who claims that he saw a ghostly Roman soldier in the fields.

As she becomes entangled in a subtle web of treachery and danger, Verity begins to believe that there is a Roman sentinel haunting the site. And he's there to do more than guard the bodies of his fallen comrades...

My Thoughts:
The Shadowy Horses was my first Susanna Kearsley even though I have The Winter Sea, Marianna and The Rose Garden sitting on my bookshelves *shamed face* lol

The Shadowy Horses is a beautiful blend of mystery, history and romance, throw in a ghost, and a boy with second sight and it's a match made in heaven.

I don't think I need to say much more, I recommend this one without hesitation and here's just a few reasons why I loved it -


Attribution: Colin Babb
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  • set in Eyemouth, Scotland ... the Scottish borders area of Scotland; wild, rugged beauty
  • who can resist the Scots brogue *swoon* ... not me
  • or a Scotsman for that matter ;)
  • the Scots terminology, slang, colloquialisms, the dry humour
  • just enough archeological detail
  • loved the Scottish history - the Herring Queen Festival, The Great Disaster of 1881 and the tapestry made by Eyemouth women to record in stitches the names of the 189 lost fishermen on Black Friday

Susanna Kearsley's writing reminds me a little of one of my all time favourite authors Barbara Erskine, that beautiful, lyrical, haunting style I love. If her other books are anything similar then I know this author will fast become a favourite. My biggest dilemma ... which book next??


Ooh nearly forgot the trailer ... just the music makes me want to visit





Want to know more about Susanna Kearsely? Check out her website







25 comments:

  1. I've only read this one and Mariana and loved them both!

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    1. I think I'll read The Winter Sea next but I'm glad to hear you loved Mariana!

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  2. Cool review :) And I had not seen the trailer before

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  3. Your first Kearsley? If I had of known that you owned The Winter Sea and The Rose Garden and hadn't read them I would have been nagging you constantly. Read them! Oh so good!

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    1. Nag away Marg, can you believe I've bought them all and then only read the one I received for review?? LOL Shameful!
      I think I'll read The Winter Sea soon though, everyone seems to love it!

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  4. OK I loved your review. So much so that I bought this on Kindle and have been reading all afternoon. Great so far. It's just what the Dr. ordered. I love the way she writes. 1st person is always my fav and yes she is a lot like Barbara Erskine one of my very favorites as well. So atmospheric!
    Thanks for the heads up I look forward to reading more of her. Look forward to your reviews.

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    1. YAY I'll watch out for your review! Glad to hear you agree on the Kearlsey/Erskine similarities. Lady of Hay, Kingdom of Shadows and Child of the Phoenix are on my all time favourite list.

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  5. I didn't realize that you haven't read her yet!! I'm so glad that you loved it. I have to read it soon!! I love Erskine and I think they're very close to writing styles!!!! I want a Scotsman myself!!! Off to watch the video!!!!

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    1. I know! All of those books waiting and only one read ... disgraceful lol, but I'll be changing that soon Staci. Have you read all of Erskine's? Favourites??

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  6. You have so many wonderful adventures waiting in the pages of Kearsley's novels.....she's absolutely one of my favorites! The Winter Sea and Mariana are tied for my favorites, but The Rose Garden is amazing too! Just pick one! (And I love Barbara Erskine, too, but Erskine is a little spookier than Kearsley.)

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    1. Well lucky me since I have all of them lol ... lots of goodness to look forward to :)

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  7. Ohhhhhhhh I think I need to check her out!!!!

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  8. I liked this book and loved the extras you added to your review.

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    1. Thanks Nise, can't remember if I've already seen your review, will have to pop over and check.

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  9. Oh wow - you have just answered my question I asked on my blog comment....I will buy this book. So you have not read The Winter Sea? You must! I loved that book. This one seems to have the same sort of feeling, albeit different story. Mariana is on my radar to read sooner than later. I do love Kearsley's writing.

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    1. The Winter Sea is up next Deanna, everyone raves about it, so I know I'm going to love it :)

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    2. and YES you need to buy this one Deanna, since you're already a fan of Kearsley's writing anyway.

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  10. P.S. - I really appreciated the little details you threw into this post, and loved the bullet point statments as to why you liked this story.

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  11. I'll have to get my hands on this one Sheree....you know how much I love a good Scottish romance. I've am yet to read anything by this author so I'll have to bump her up my 'to-read' list.

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    1. I was thinking about you as I was reading it Karen, I know you'll love it!!

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  12. I have those other two books sitting on my shelf too ;)

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  13. Ohhhhhhhh I like the sound of this one even though ghost stories are generally not my thing but archaeology and Scottish setting has me sold :)

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