The Hermitage
10 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by lakelady2282 from Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Thursday, October 26, 2023
It is October 1937 and Vere, Roger and John all catch the 10am Taronga Zoo ferry, interested to see why they have been invited to stay at The Hermitage on Sydney Harbour. On the pier they are met by a golden retriever named Daphne.
When they arrive their hosts, Bernard Halliday and Celeste Williams, realise there has been a mistake with the party. Two are from 1937 but one guest is from twenty years earlier and will prove to be a challenging case.
Despite the beauty of the Hermitage, Roger quickly discovers that no-one can leave and all three guests are having trouble with their memory. Vere, a lover of mysteries, decides they are trapped in a locked room mystery of their own, but can she solve it before it is too late?
Bookring for this book:
meganh
penelopewanders (post from within Europe)
Icila Europe
Delphi_Reader (Greece, happy to post anywhere)
Ythan UK (happy to post internationally
cestmoi (US/Canada shipping)
JennyC1230 US
Swazieb US
djf1968 California
When they arrive their hosts, Bernard Halliday and Celeste Williams, realise there has been a mistake with the party. Two are from 1937 but one guest is from twenty years earlier and will prove to be a challenging case.
Despite the beauty of the Hermitage, Roger quickly discovers that no-one can leave and all three guests are having trouble with their memory. Vere, a lover of mysteries, decides they are trapped in a locked room mystery of their own, but can she solve it before it is too late?
Bookring for this book:
meganh
penelopewanders (post from within Europe)
Icila Europe
Delphi_Reader (Greece, happy to post anywhere)
Ythan UK (happy to post internationally
cestmoi (US/Canada shipping)
JennyC1230 US
Swazieb US
djf1968 California
Journal Entry 2 by lakelady2282 at -- Controlled Release, Victoria Australia on Friday, December 1, 2023
Released 9 mos ago (12/2/2023 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, Victoria Australia
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
The book is on its way to Victoria Australia. I hope everyone enjoys it. Best wishes
Debbie Robson
Debbie Robson
Collected from my mailbox this morning. Thank you lakelady2282, I look forward to reading this book of yours.This photo is from (the Bradleys Head to Chowder Bay Walk) along the north shore of Sydney between the Taronga Zoo ferry and Chowder Bay ferry, right in the area of the book's setting.
I was surprised when I first received this book to see how thin it was and how widely spaced the writing was, particularly after reading the writer’s huge book Crossing Paths some years ago. This story was intriguing and spare in it’s wording. It read almost like a play as the different scenes were set during each day. Three people unknown to each other were invited to The Hermitage in 1937 Sydney and travelled by ferry to get there. A real time warp in it’s slow paced telling, I enjoyed the setting as well as the slowly paced unveiling of the reasons Roger, John and Vere were invited.
I quite enjoyed this mysterious story not quite set in one era, the conclusion of which still left a little to the imagination.
Thank you for sharing your work with me Debbie, off to the next reader shortly.
I have added a photo of a derelict mansion along the North shore walking trail, maybe something like the Hermitage?
Journal Entry 5 by lakelady2282 at Lake Macquarie, New South Wales Australia on Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Hi Peoples
I have just posted a new edition (with dedication to my grandparents) today. The book is winging its way to France.
Happy reading everyone.
Debbie
I have just posted a new edition (with dedication to my grandparents) today. The book is winging its way to France.
Happy reading everyone.
Debbie
Journal Entry 6 by 
penelopewanders
at Saint-Loup-des Vignes, Centre France on Thursday, January 18, 2024
penelopewanders at Saint-Loup-des Vignes, Centre France on Thursday, January 18, 2024
This arrived here a few days ago, but I was waiting to receive the BCID, which I've now entered in the book.
I should be able to read this one quickly as it's not very long, but it will have to wait its turn nonetheless. Thanks for sending!
I should be able to read this one quickly as it's not very long, but it will have to wait its turn nonetheless. Thanks for sending!
Journal Entry 7 by penelopewanders at Saint-Loup-des Vignes, Centre France on Sunday, January 28, 2024
penelopewanders at Saint-Loup-des Vignes, Centre France on Sunday, January 28, 2024
This doesn't really fit any of the Goodreads labels I have readily available.. is it paranormal / magic? is it sci fi/dystopia/ fantasy? is it a mystery?
Here as a bookcrossing ring sent by the author, I think this novella is a bit of all that.
It takes a bit of time to cotton on to what is happening (and have we really understood by the end?), but it's easy to take this and read it in one sitting.
The imagery was stong, although at times I felt I lacked an overview of place, as I had the impression that if I were familiar with Sydney and the areas around it, I would have more of a sense of the strangeness.
This is indeed all very strange, and I imagine the dream-like quality is intentional. An interesting read, thanks so much for making it available.
This next heads to a bookcrossing friend here in France - I'll just double-check her address.
Here as a bookcrossing ring sent by the author, I think this novella is a bit of all that.
It takes a bit of time to cotton on to what is happening (and have we really understood by the end?), but it's easy to take this and read it in one sitting.
The imagery was stong, although at times I felt I lacked an overview of place, as I had the impression that if I were familiar with Sydney and the areas around it, I would have more of a sense of the strangeness.
This is indeed all very strange, and I imagine the dream-like quality is intentional. An interesting read, thanks so much for making it available.
This next heads to a bookcrossing friend here in France - I'll just double-check her address.
I was able to post this yesterday after lunch with my brother and sister-in-law in the suburbs of Paris.
Thanks so much for making this available, lakelady2282.
Meanwhile I hope February is a happy month - enjoy, icila!
Thanks so much for making this available, lakelady2282.
Meanwhile I hope February is a happy month - enjoy, icila!
Back from a little invigorating trip in North Brittany (nothing to do with Sydney weather) I found this strange little book in my mailbox. Thank you penelopewanders.
I loved to travel by ferry when visiting my daughter working as a trainee in Sydney and living in Manly. Let's see where lakelady2282 is sending me.
I loved to travel by ferry when visiting my daughter working as a trainee in Sydney and living in Manly. Let's see where lakelady2282 is sending me.
I read it in one setting, it went more and more unsettling but in a good way for a novel. I can't say much more without spoiling. Like the previous readers I think it is meant to let us try some theories.
Thank you for sharing lakelady of Macquarie.
Soon to be sent to Delphi_Reader.
Thank you for sharing lakelady of Macquarie.
Soon to be sent to Delphi_Reader.
In the mail towards Delphi_Reader. Enjoy !
The Hermitage arrived safely in Delphi yesterday.This is a hectic time of the year for me, but hopefully it won't wait too long to be read.
Thank you very much for sharing everyone!
Journal Entry 13 by 
Delphi_Reader
at By Mail, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Delphi_Reader at By Mail, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases on Wednesday, March 20, 2024
Released 6 mos ago (3/20/2024 UTC) at By Mail, A RABCK -- Controlled Releases
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
I read The Hermitage in one go a few days ago. I found it an interesting read due to the "bizzare" ambiance and the lively pictures and I enjoyed reading it. But simultaneously I kept thinking that this is one of those reads that don't stay with you for long. I was right, as I start to forget it already. I feel that that the characters had much potential, but the book was too short to fully develop them, while the world building was a bit too vague for my liking. Maybe if I had been more familiar with the setting, some references would have make more of an impact to me. Also, the books featuring plots that are a bit too surreal or otherworldly tend to leave me somehow confused.
All in all I found this a very decent read to pass the time but I think it had potential for something more.
Thank you very much for sharing!
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The book is now on its way to Ythan!
It's here, I look forward to reading it.
Thanks very much.
Thanks very much.
While staying at The Hermitage you may feel you'll never be able to leave but when it is time to leave, you'll be gone before you know it.
Journal Entry 16 by 
Ythan
at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Ythan at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom on Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Released 5 mos ago (4/16/2024 UTC) at -- Controlled Release, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
Off to cestmoi.
This arrived last week and it is a very slim book! I am reading a book for my bookclub next week then this is next on the list. I am looking forward to it. In a funny sort of coincidence, I just sent Crossing Paths to bookcrosser Herchelle!
I agreed with previous posters - I did enjoy this but I felt like the story was just starting - what happened to John? What was Celeste, really?
I can't say more without spoiling it, I loved the premise (a bit mystery, a bit supernatural, a bit spiritual), I just felt it was truncated.
Having said that - I did like the way each chapter was like a vignette of their lives.
I'll be sending this off to JennyC1230 this week.
I can't say more without spoiling it, I loved the premise (a bit mystery, a bit supernatural, a bit spiritual), I just felt it was truncated.
Having said that - I did like the way each chapter was like a vignette of their lives.
I'll be sending this off to JennyC1230 this week.
Received in the mail today. Thanks for sharing! Will contact Swazieb and send as soon as I finish reading. ❤️
My Review: Really interesting story. I liked the characters and the setting. Very good ending too.
I have Swazieb's address and plan to send this book soon.
I have Swazieb's address and plan to send this book soon.
Journal Entry 21 by JennyC1230 at -- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA on Saturday, July 20, 2024
Released 1 mo ago (7/22/2024 UTC) at -- BookRing, -- By post or by hand/ in person -- USA
CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:
If you have found this book, welcome to Bookcrossing and thank you for taking the time to let us know about its journey. Feel free to enjoy the book and pass it along to a friend, neighbor, family member or co-worker, or simply leave it somewhere for another lucky reader to enjoy as you did! This book isn’t your type of read? No problem, don't feel obliged to read it, just be kind enough to help it on its journey. If you join, please use my name as your referring member: JennyC1230.
Sending to Swazieb. Tracking USPS #94001111206210693605275
Sending to Swazieb. Tracking USPS #94001111206210693605275
I received in today's mail & will start reading it tomorrow.
I finished reading the book last night. I thought it was okay, but needed more. It just seems to skim the surface of what it could be to make great story. All in all I did enjoy reading it & thank you for letting me read it. I will be getting it on its way shortly.
Is now on its way to djf1968.
...and it has arrived in California. Is there someone after me in this ring? If not, I'm going to hang onto it until my queue shrinks a little.
