"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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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
Before you follow the path into your family's history, beware of the secrets you may find... The new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author. The past is about to become the present... Ruth has returned to Edinburgh after many years of exile. Left rootless by the death of her estranged father, she is faced with the daunting task of sorting through his possessions. Amidst the dust of her old life, Ruth discovers a hidden diary from the eighteenth century, written by her ancestor, Thomas Erskine. As she sifts through the ancient pages of the past, Ruth is pulled into a story that she can't escape. As the youngest son of a noble family Thomas' life started in genteel poverty, but his extraordinary experiences propel him from the high seas to Lord Chancellor. Yet, on his journey through life, he makes a powerful enemy who hounds him to the death - and beyond. Ruth has opened a door to the past that she can't close, and meets a ghost in her family tree who wasn't invited. She will have to draw upon new friends and old in what will become a battle for her very survival... The inspiration for The Ghost Tree lies in Barbara Erskine's own personal history - branching back to the days of Thomas Erskine, her great grandfather, five times removed. Once again, the Sunday Times bestselling author brings the past to life in vivid, spellbinding colour.
The Ghost Tree features in the following genres: Modern and Contemporary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Books with reviews by our Reader Review Panel, Family Drama, Sagas, Books of the Month, eBooks of the Month, General Fiction, Fiction, Recommendations, Romance / Relationship Stories
The Ghost Tree is available in Paperback, Hardback, Ebook (Epub)
The Ghost Tree was written by Barbara Erskine and published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
£11.26