From the bestselling author of The Firebird, comes an exquisitely crafted novel of modern-day and historical intrigue.For nearly 300 years, the mysterious journal of Jacobite exile Mary Dundas has lain unread—its secrets safe from prying eyes. Now, amateur codebreaker Sara Thomas has been hired by a once-famous historian to crack the journal’s cipher. But when she arrives in Paris, Sara finds … Paris, Sara finds herself besieged by complications from all sides: the journal’s reclusive owner, her charming Parisian neighbor, and Mary, whose journal doesn’t hold the secrets Sara expects.
It turns out that Mary Dundas wasn’t keeping a record of everyday life, but a first-hand account of her part in a dangerous intrigue. In the first wintry months of 1732, with a scandal gaining steam in London, driving many into bankruptcy and ruin, the man accused of being at its center is concealed among the Jacobites in Paris, with Mary posing as his sister to aid his disguise. When their location is betrayed, they’re forced to put a desperate plan in action, heading south along the road to Rome, protected by the enigmatic Highlander Hugh MacPherson.
As Mary’s tale grows more and more dire, Sara, too, must carefully choose which turning to take…to find the road that will lead her safely home.
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Just finished this book and it was sooo good. It’s been awhile since I’ve read a good historical fiction. But, even better, it’s historical and modern at the same time.
I love Susanna Kearsley. I have, and would, read anything she writes. I highly recommend this and any of her books!! You will not go wrong
This set of books is incredibly romantic and time’-travelling. If you enjoy that type of thing, her books are for you!!!!AND MEEEEEE.
This is my favorite Susanna Kearsley book- I have read and enjoyed all her books. I really liked the way this was tied in to the Jacobites & how the ending was a surprise – a good surprise. Once I had finished it I wanted to re-read it with the knowledge of who each character really is & how they fit together. A very good read!
I love all of her books.
The main characters, Sara and Mary, are from two different timelines but are woven so neatly together that one does not mind the regular flips from one story to the other. There is great detail and suspense in this book that I had a hard time putting it down!
I also really loved how well Kearsley threaded Sara’s life with Asperger’s syndrome. It was deftly handled without being trite or condescending. It was real and tender.
There’s so much to love about A Desperate Fortune: old diaries, codebreaking, perilous journeys, Jacobites, a hot Frenchman, past and present storylines. Here for all of it! I can’t speak to the representation of Sara’s Asperger’s in the present day storyline but it seemed like it was handled well. I especially liked the contrast between how her cousin watched out for her all these years and how Luc accepts her as is and instinctively knew how to help her because his brother also has Asperger’s. Mary’s storyline in the past was quite engaging—never a dull moment once her journey began. It was such a different look at the Jacobites and it was good, albeit hard, to see the very real toll it took on families. Her own love story was wonderful and a well paced slow burn. And I appreciated that it took second place to her adventure and to her forging her own identity as a young woman apart from the expectations placed on her.
The author’s choice of words put you into the scenes and you could easily be a part of the story. I love all of her books.
Interesting reading. I have read several of Ms. Kearsley’s books and she is a great storyteller. I love the going back in 2 time periods and the interwoven history with a touch of supernatural magic and mystery.
Great mix of historical and present day, loved the characters, setting and the way each book stands alone but overlaps. Books you’ll re-read, great series.