Author: Susanna Kearsley
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publication Date: 7th April 2015
Pages: 528 pages
Book Source: Sourcebooks & NetGalley
Synopsis: For nearly 300 years, the mysterious journal of Jacobite exile Mary Dundas has lain unread — its secrets safe from prying eyes. Now, amateur codebreaker Sara Thomas has been hired by a once-famous historian to crack the journal's cipher. But when she arrives in Paris, Sara finds herself besieged by complications from all sides: the journal's reclusive owner, her charming Parisian neighbor, and Mary, whose journal doesn't hold the secrets Sara expects.
It turns out that Mary Dundas wasn’t keeping a record of everyday life, but a first-hand account of her part in a dangerous intrigue. In the first wintry months of 1732, with a scandal gaining steam in London, driving many into bankruptcy and ruin, the man accused of being at its center is concealed among the Jacobites in Paris, with Mary posing as his sister to aid his disguise.
When their location is betrayed, they’re forced to put a desperate plan in action, heading south along the road to Rome, protected by the enigmatic Highlander Hugh MacPherson.
As Mary's tale grows more and more dire, Sara, too, must carefully choose which turning to take... to find the road that will lead her safely home.
It turns out that Mary Dundas wasn’t keeping a record of everyday life, but a first-hand account of her part in a dangerous intrigue. In the first wintry months of 1732, with a scandal gaining steam in London, driving many into bankruptcy and ruin, the man accused of being at its center is concealed among the Jacobites in Paris, with Mary posing as his sister to aid his disguise.
When their location is betrayed, they’re forced to put a desperate plan in action, heading south along the road to Rome, protected by the enigmatic Highlander Hugh MacPherson.
As Mary's tale grows more and more dire, Sara, too, must carefully choose which turning to take... to find the road that will lead her safely home.
My Thoughts:
It
pains me not to love a Susanna Kearsley novel but there you have it, I liked it but I didn't love it and I was just a little disappointed with A Desperate Fortune. Don't get me wrong, it's not a
bad read, maybe it suffered from my high expectations.
I
won't rehash the synopsis, suffice to say I enjoyed Kearsley's trademark
present and historical timeline and the segue using the 1732 diary of Mary
Dundas, daughter of a Jacobite exile. Amateur cipher-breaker Sarah Thomas
travels to France after accepting the job of deciphering Mary's encrypted journal.
It's
slow but if you stick with it you'll be rewarded ... *cough* halfway
through
- highlander Hugh MacPherson.
- the dual narrative is seamlessly executed but
I could have happily lingered in Mary's world but that may have had more
to do with the enigmatic and reticent Mr Macpherson.
- no insta-love. Without giving
anything away let me just say I liked the natural progression of relationships
in both storylines. The romance is subtle, tender and quite lovely.
- I liked Sarah's portrayal and her challenges
with Aspergis.
- the author's notes regarding Mary Dundas and
other characters, real and imagined, her inspiration for A Desperate
Fortune and research made for fascinating reading.
- did I mention highlander Hugh
MacPherson??
Recommend: yes provided you have a decent supply of patience
Connect with Susanna Kearsley
This sounds good and Kearsley is definitely an author I want to try. However, I don't have a huge amount of patience right now so this may go towards the bottom of the TBR stack for awhile. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI still absolutely recommend Kearsley's writing Katherine ... maybe start with The Winter Sea or The Shadowy Horses :)
DeleteWell, you're the second review I've seen that said this was just 'okay'. So, I think I'm gonna pass. I wish it had been better for you!
ReplyDeleteme too Brandie, I love Kearsley's writing but this one didn't quite hit the mark.
DeleteIt was a bound to happen :/
ReplyDeleteyeah they can't all be winners but I know some have loved this one!
DeleteBummer :(
ReplyDeletea little but there were still things to love ... HA Hugh MacPherson :)
DeleteHa. Love your review. I'll put it on my maybe list. Obviously a touch of the Scottish helped!
ReplyDeleteOH yeah, Hugh was one of the best hero's I've read in a long time, almost made up for the slow half of the book.
DeleteWas waiting for this review. Sorry it disappointed a tad but nevertheless I am going to look out for this book.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what you think Mystica, my patience was rewarded but it's not my favourite Kearsley. I hope you enjoy it!
DeleteI tried to get into this book, but was impatient, may pick it up again later. Sad, since she is a favorite author of mine.
ReplyDeleteI feel the same Nise but I'm kind of glad it's not just me :)
DeleteI actually own a few of her books but haven't read them yet. I am sorry this disappointed you. It is always hard when it's an author you adore
ReplyDeleteYeah that's the disappointing part but it happens sometimes and I'm still a fan lol. Start with The Winter Sea Kimberley :)
DeleteI actually own a few of her books but haven't read them yet. I am sorry this disappointed you. It is always hard when it's an author you adore
ReplyDeleteI haven't read Susanna Kearsley yet and this was actually the only one on my TBR. I think that I will change that up since you normally like her writing, but this was just alright for you. It sounds like I may get a better feel for her writing if I start with something else of hers. Thanks for the great review.
ReplyDeleteI like Kearsley but haven't read all of them yet, someday I'll catch up. I like how Aspies are showing up in novels these days. It's a new world.
ReplyDelete