Following the death of her last living relative, Hetty Deveraux leaves London and her strained relationship behind for Muirlan, her ancestral home in Scotland - now in ruins. As Hetty dives headfirst into the repairs, she discovers a shocking secret protected by the house for a hundred years.

With only whispered rumours circulating among the local villagers and a handful of leads to guide her, Hetty finds the power of the past is still affecting her present in startling ways.

Guess I am the one here who isn't as enthusiastic...
I must admit that - if this would have been my first book by Sarah Maine - I wouldn't have read another!
Thankfully I started with "Women of the Dunes" which was way better in my opinion. Maybe she developed her writing being this her second novel!

Anyway, what to say - I hated Theo. His behaviour, his demons and his absolute "I am the master" air towards people AND birds, no I can't stand him.
This whole book was so bleak and grim, there was nothing light in neither time-line.
And there were so (too) many views and opinions (like Cameron's ideas) described, I skipped over them.

Well, and for Hetty, it took her so long to decide, I don't like women who can't speak up. She should have told Giles a long time ago to get lost, instead of letting him and bossy Emma keep on doing their project.

But I have to admit as well that towards the end the book became better, more gripping - but still - the Women of the Dunes are better.

On its way to Switzerland...
And then off to Icila please :-)

This has arrived safely in the Swiss Alps... and joined a few other rings and rays which suddenly decided to defy social distancing and showed up to party at my house. I'll try to sort them all out and get them read... and sent on to their next destinations. I hope you are all well and healthy! My husband arrived from France and has had to quarantine here in Switzerland. The good news is that he was allowed to come home, but we are trying to keep our distance to the extent possible!

This is here as a bookcrossing ring. As ever, I enjoy reading books set in Scotland. I did find I connected more with the story towards the end - it felt like things took a little too long to be set into place. I agree with others that Hetty's inability to speak up drove me bonkers, and because Theo is such an unpleasant character I did rather wish the contemporary sleuths had found the information about his syphilis... It was nonetheless an interesting read despite the busy time I am currently mired in.
Thanks so much for sending this and making it available.

Driven from Switzerland to France, this was posted on closer to the tides... Enjoy! and thanks, Kiki, for making it available. I hope everyone is healthy..

Delivered directly (and safely) from our charming mailman's hands.
What a beautiful view you have penelopewanders. I miss Switzerland.
Thank you kiki for sharing.

I loved this book, entirely.
First and foremost I loved the scenery, Skye and the Hebrides Islands so beautifully described as by Peter May. You see and you smell the sea going in and turning.
I think that the many views and opinions were necessary to understand the whole of the story at the end.
Yet, Hetty's so called friends were a bit difficult to put up with but don't forget that she just lost her parents and Gile had been a strong honest support.
Thank you for sharing kiki.

Reserved for VBB Women in Fiction.

On its way to mcsar in Canada. Thank you for choosing it.

Arrived in the middle of the week. Thank you.