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River of Destiny [Hardcover]

Barbara Erskine
4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (182 customer reviews)
RRP: £14.99
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Book Description

5 July 2012

From the bestselling author of Time’s Legacy and Lady of Hay comes a thrilling new novel, River of Destiny, an epic story that spans Anglo Saxon Britain, Victorian Suffolk and the present day.

Perfect for fans of Kate Mosse’s Labyrinth.

An Anglo Saxon burial ground that must not be disturbed.
A Victorian tragedy of forbidden love.
And an ancient curse whose power grows ever stronger…

On the banks of the River Deben lies a set of barns dating back to the Anglo Saxons, and within their walls secrets have laid buried for centuries.

Zoe and Ken have just moved into one of the barns, ready to start a new life away from the hustle and bustle of the city. To the outside world they seem like an ordinary couple, but underneath they are growing ever more distant by the day. And the strange presence Zoe feels within their home, and the shapes she sees through the cloying mists on the river are getting harder to ignore.

Whilst farmers are ploughing the land surrounding them, human bones are found and when the police arrive it becomes clear that the remains are much older than first suspected… Are they linked to a Victorian tragedy the locals whisper about? And what should they make of the grassy mound which has remained untouched across many centuries, but has now been disturbed with seemingly devastating consequences?


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River of Destiny + Time's Legacy
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Product details

  • Hardcover: 448 pages
  • Publisher: HarperCollins (5 July 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0007302304
  • ISBN-13: 978-0007302307
  • Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 16.4 x 4.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (182 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 18,653 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

Praise for Barbara Erskine:

‘Her forte is mood, atmosphere and the toe-curling frisson’ Elizabeth Buchan, Sunday Times

‘Barbara Erskine’s storytelling talent is undeniable’ The Times‘

‘Marvellous escapist stuff’ Woman and Home

Review

Praise for Barbara Erskine:

‘Her forte is mood, atmosphere and the toe-curling frisson’ Elizabeth Buchan, Sunday Times

‘Barbara Erskine’s storytelling talent is undeniable’ The Times

‘Marvellous escapist stuff’ Woman and Home


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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
130 of 133 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Unputdownable! 24 Jun 2012
By J. Turner TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
This is an excellent novel by Barbara Erskine, who seems to improve with every book she writes. Zoe and Ken move to a quiet barn conversion in Suffolk, much against Zoe's wishes, so that he can indulge his competitive streak through his love of sailing. Left to her own devices, Zoe finds that she is best by strange dreams and visions, and it seems as if the barn's past is coming back to haunt her. Meanwhile, she falls for scarred, solitary Leo... and they find their love and their lives running parallel to the lives of those who loved and lived before, in particular the stolid Victorian smith, Daniel, unwilling lover to the Lady of the Big House... and the Saxon smith, Eric, who has created a mystical sword for his Lord. With consummate skill, Ms Erskine weaves a fantastic tale of loves thwarted and loves lost, of malice and magic and ancient curses, and shows why she is still Mistress of the timeslip novel, leaving others in the shade! I couldn't turn the pages fast enough! Superb summer reading, with plots and characters that stay with you long after the story has ended. Recommended!
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60 of 64 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars As expected. 27 Jun 2012
By Hiraethus o Gymru VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
I have yet to read a Barbara Erskine book I have not loved, even if at times her tendency to stretch historical fact jars a little where my love of accuracy is concerned. For the sake of her sheer storytelling prowess I read them purely for the pleasure of escaping to a world of the paranormal presented in such a captivating manner. There are, to my knowledge, no "real" historical figures in this tale, and as a totally fictional novel I found it an excellent read. From page one, any of Barbara's books become virtually unputdownable, if such a word exists, and this is no exception. It will take its deserved place in my complete collection of Barbara's works, which have been read and reread numerous times over more years than I, and probably Barbara herself, care to remember. I look forward to the next work by this talented and fascinating author.
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34 of 36 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars River of Destiny 30 Jun 2012
By Damaskcat HALL OF FAME TOP 50 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)
Zoe and Ken have moved from London to a converted barn in Suffolk so that Ken can do more sailing. Zoe is less than happy with the move as she is not keen on sailing - except in calm weather - and the move has meant her giving up a job she loved.

Their immediate neighbours seem a mixed bunch; loner Leo with his badly scarred face and Rosemary with her obsession with public rights of way and her quiet husband Steve. Then there's the family from hell who use the third barn as a holiday home. Zoe feels uncomfortable in her barn and senses other presences though Ken is not aware of them. After he's seen a ghostly Viking ship he starts to take her fears more seriously.

Fans of Barbara Erskine will recognise some of her trademark ingredients - especially when you add in the two stories from the past intertwined with Zoe's in the present day. From the time of the Viking ship there is Eric who forges the sword known as Destiny Maker. In the nineteenth century there is Lady Emily Crosby and her lust for Daniel Smith the blacksmith. Evil haunts both stories from the past and spills over into Zoe's life in the twenty first century.

I thought the story was well constructed and compulsive reading. I particularly liked the way the same themes are woven into all three stories. I liked Zoe as a character and I thought the Watts - the family from hell - were well drawn especially the children, Jackson and Jade. I thought the differences of opinion between the locals and the crusading Rosemary were well done and believable. This is a tense page turner which may attract new readers to Barbara Erskine's work and is sure to please her many fans.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Good Story
Really enjoyed this story on my kindle while I was on holiday. I have read several of Barbara's books and have always enjoyed them I like the way she has two stories running at... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Joan Stanfield
5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!
Yet again Barbara Erskine has written a book I couldn't put down!!! I have read all her books and loved them all. I would recommend this book to all.
Published 2 days ago by Babs
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantasic read
I love the way Barbara has brought old and new together to give a throughly good story. Couldn't put the book down.
Published 2 days ago by Mrs M A Ody
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
As always, Barbara makes you feel the history and know the people involved in the story. It's. A great escape from today's world.
Published 7 days ago by Den
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great historical story
I love Barbara Erskines books so I expected to enjoy this one too. This didn't disappoint. It's another great story woven between past and present. Read more
Published 8 days ago by Leessi
5.0 out of 5 stars Mystery
Really enjoyed this book though I enjoy this authors work. I like the way she puts so much mystery into her writings which sometime make the hairs on the back of your neck stand on... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Fred
5.0 out of 5 stars Another page turner!
I always love this author and was not disappointed.The story line follows several groups and several centuries apart. Read more
Published 9 days ago by Carol
4.0 out of 5 stars A good book
I agree with previous comments, this isn't one of Barbara's best but I'm still a huge fan of her books and still found the story spooky and entertaining, she always paints a good... Read more
Published 9 days ago by Miss Laura M Maher
4.0 out of 5 stars Anglo Saxon Ghosts
I loved this book as it gives the reader a great insight into our history around Viking raids etc, the author makes you feel part of the past and present, I always enjoy her books.
Published 11 days ago by kim Dawson
4.0 out of 5 stars Standard fare from Barbara
Usual format of past meets present in conflict but if you like this sometimes formulaic style, and I do, this is a good page turner. Excellent beach read.
Published 12 days ago by Mrs. Penelope J. Jaquet
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