Before you follow the path into your family’s history, beware of the secrets you may find… daunting task of clearing his house, believing he had removed all traces of her mother. Yet hidden away in a barely used top-floor room, she finds he had secretly kept a cupboard full of her possessions. Sifting through the ancient papers, Ruth discovers the diary and letters written by her ancestor from the eighteenth century, Thomas Erskine.
As the youngest son of a noble family now living in genteel poverty, Thomas always knew he would have to make his own way in the world. Unable to follow his brothers to university, instead he joins first the navy and then the army, rising through the ranks, travelling the world. When he is finally able to study law, his extraordinary experiences and abilities propel him to the very top and he becomes Lord Chancellor. Yet he has made a powerful enemy on his voyages, who will hound him and his family to the death – and beyond.
Ruth becomes ever more aware of Thomas as she is gripped by his story, and slowly senses that not only is his presence with her, but so is his enemy’s. Ruth will have to draw upon new friends and old in what becomes a battle for her very survival – and discover an inner power beyond anything she has imagined.
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The Ghost Tree by Barbara Erskine is a fascinating contemporary and historical tale that is grounded in fact. The author has taken the life of her ancestor Thomas from the eighteenth century and woven a story around his life – part fact, part fiction.
There are two time periods linked by a diary and those who do not rest. The storyline is complex, intriguing and at times downright spooky. To combat the spiritual, we need to cry out to the Lord and defeat the forces in His name.
All the characters are well drawn, eliciting a variety of emotional responses from me.
I enjoyed The Ghost Tree. It was cleverly constructed and held my attention throughout.
I liked how she found out her history and how the story played out a little suspense there
Wow, this book was exceptionally good; a real page-turner.
A fictional story based on the author’s several times great grandfather, it slips between the 18th Century and present day.
Very well written and researched; I cannot recommend it highly enough.
A wonderful blend of genealogy, ghost story and modern day crime.
Once upon a time, there was a woman who had just lost her last living link to her family history, and while disturbing and heartbreaking to say the least, that was just the beginning of her troubles…as I did mention her father was her last LIVING link?
Quick cast of characters assembled…we have Ruth and her friends…Harriett, Finlay, Malcolm, and an assortment of kind souls…then there’s Timothy the rodent/scoundrel/potential brother, April the rodent’s definite sister, and we must not forget our shades of the past, Thomas Erskine and (just maybe) Andrew Farquhar…the GHOSTS! The story is written both in past and present times, allowing us to visit between the two simultaneously, and letting Thomas truly have a voice in the here and now. I found it rather interesting how Ruth and Thomas interacted, and how drawn into the “dialogues” with him she would become. The world around truly ceased to exist for a spell, and while fascinating, it was also dangerous what with Thomas’s past still clinging to him like a fatal disease. The lengths to which that darkness would go to get the revenge he sought were astounding…in the creepiest and messed up sense of the word possible. Can you imagine holding on to some past hurt to the degree that you are continually dragged through time virtually unable (and unwilling) to be sated?
In the end, it was definitely a LONG one…though size doesn’t truly matter when it comes to a novel — it’s the writing and the story itself that count…but a page-turner nonetheless. Now, there are a few dry bits, but when put into perspective, they are to build the history; nothing more nothing less. I mean, one can’t truly move forward without knowing where you’ve been, right? If you like a bit of mystery, a helping of history, and a hearty touch of the paranormal in your reading, this one is most definitely for you!
**ARC received for review; opinions are my own
I Have to admit though I usually love this author’s work this really wasn’t my favourite of her books.
I did finish The Ghost Tree though it took me much longer than a book from this author usually does to complete.
I still think this was a somewhat solid read just not quite up to what I’ve come to expect.
This is definitely in her usual style but in this story, Erskine has delved into her own family tree for her inspiration and maybe there lies some of the problem.
I just wasn’t as invested in the overall story unfolding here as I usually am maybe because it failed initially to grab and retain my attention.
I also found this overly long and I did find my attention wavering throughout.
Skipping back and forth this tale is told cleverly managing to weave a story steeped in history, suspense and ghosts that feel they have an axe to grind from past through to present.
There were two distinct narratives being told here and I think I was slightly more in tune with what had gone against what was to come.
But all strands do eventually convene at a single point in time.
I became more invested here the further I read but I also felt this ended rather abruptly and things were not explained fully to my complete satisfaction.
So this was very much up and down for me some things appealed to me more than others.
I failed to establish a good connection here and that did affect my overall experience
I will still be reading this author’s next book as she is one that has become an auto-buy for me over the years: But this one just wasn’t really my complete bag and I did struggle slightly.
This was as usual excellently written and that I cannot fault it on.
I voluntary reviewed an Arc of The Ghost Tree
All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
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