"A beautifully written, chilling and riveting story where two stories crash violently together causing a disturbance in time."
A feverishly seductive story, it whispers, cajoles, beckons from history until the past forcefully assaults the present. When Ruth’s estranged father dies she returns to Edinburgh and discovers the hidden diary of her ancestor Thomas Erskine. Fascinated by his story Ruth finds herself in extraordinary danger when she starts to delve into the past. The prologue offers a warning, while the first chapter thoroughly sets the scene in 1760 as 10 year old Thomas witnesses a murder and sees the shadow of the dead man as it leaves the body. Barbara Erskine has based the story on her own family history, she paints a picture with a beautiful delicate balance and inner strength as the drama starts to unfold. Ruth’s story stands resolute in this time, and with a delicious shiver of fear I let the story take me where it willed. I always knew where I was, even as the past pushed ever closer. Spellbinding and gorgeously readable, as all becomes clear The Ghost Tree really is the most perfect title - highly recommended.
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| Primary Genre | Modern and Contemporary Fiction |
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Another superb book from Barbara Erskine guaranteeing a superb read.
Having read most of Barbara Erskine's books, I must say I find The Ghost Tree to be her best to date.... Read Full Review
Ghosts, pirates, criminals and voodoo ... All are waiting between the pages of this amazing book. Hold on tight as Erskine takes us on an amazing journey between 18th century England/Scotland and the present day. An absolute must for loyal readers, and if you are new to Barbara Erskine's books this is a great one to start with! Unputdownable.
Another brilliant time slip novel from Barbara Erskine, but this time based on her own family history! Thomas Erskine comes to life brilliantly, first as a small boy, then as a grown man and father, in eighteenth century England and Scotland. We are pulled effortlessly into the atmosphere and customs of the time, as the action switches between there and the present day. Ghosts, pirates, criminals, voodoo ... this exciting and enthralling story has it all. Highly recommended for both loyal and new readers.... Read Full Review
Another excellent book from the number one time-slip novel author. The present day and the 18th century running side by side in an extremely interesting approach to sharing ancient family history with the populace!
I love Barbara Erskine's books. Her writing is so effortless to read and keeps you turning the pages, long after you should really have been going to sleep.
Her latest novel is written this time with a different slant and based on a past revered ancestor (her 5 x great grandfather Thomas Erskine) which was very interesting and she has done so much research to put the flesh on the bones of the stories which were passed down through her family about him.
I did find this novel a bit harder to get into initially but after a few chapters it started to sort itself out and I was off.... Read Full Review
