“Riley’s engaging and mesmerizing story of self-discovery and love…can be perfectly read as a stand-alone. This book will appeal to readers of Edwardian novels and Jane Austen-style fiction.” –Library Journal (starred review) “[Lucinda Riley] is a master of plotting…This substantial book is a surprisingly quick and easy read, with engaging characters, a tantalizing glimpse of Edwardian … tantalizing glimpse of Edwardian society, and dual storylines that are inventive and intriguing.” –Historical Novel Society
In this spellbinding novel, two independent women–separated by a hundred years but linked by forces larger than themselves–discover the secrets of their birth in the spellbinding third book of an epic series by New York Times bestselling author Lucinda Riley
Star D’Aplièse is at a crossroads in her life after the sudden death of her beloved father–the elusive billionaire, affectionately called Pa Salt by his six daughters, all adopted from across the four corners of the world. He has left each of them a clue to their true heritage, and Star’s clue leads her to an antiquarian bookshop in London, and the start of a new journey.
A hundred years earlier, headstrong and independent Flora MacNichol vows she will never marry. She is happy in her home in England’s picturesque Lake District–just a stone’s throw away from her childhood idol, Beatrix Potter. But when circumstances carry her to London, and into the home of one of Edwardian England’s most notorious society hostesses, Alice Keppel, she finds herself a pawn in a larger game; forced to choose between passionate love and duty to her family. That is, until a meeting with a mysterious gentleman reveals answers Flora has been searching for…
Star’s voyage of discovery takes her deep into Flora’s remarkable story, and into her own past. But the more she uncovers, the more Star begins to question herself, and her place in the world.
Ideal for fans of Downton Abbey and the historical fiction of Kate Morton and Kristin Hannah, The Shadow Sister is the “perfect curl-up-in-an-armchair read” (Daily Mail) for anyone who wants to travel through the lush English countryside and explore the lives and loves of the British aristocracy.
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This was a beautifully written book and I didn’t want to put it down once I’d started it. The character’s are well defined and you get totally wrapped up in the unfolding mystery surrounding the modern and past storylines. I loved it . The series gets better and better
I haven’t read any of the other ‘sister’ books, but this one hooked me because one of the characters owns a shop for rare books, and I love old bookshops! The novel works perfectly as a stand-alone, and is the story of Asterope, known as Star, who is searching for her roots. The other attraction for me is that it is set in the glorious Lake District close to my home, in Edwardian times, and features Beatrix Potter as one of the characters, Mrs Keppel, who was the long-time mistress of King Edward VII, and even the King himself. Sounds unlikely? It is all woven together brilliantly, and makesw for a very entertaining read. I’ll be looking for the other ‘sister’ books in the series soon.
A journey of discovery spanning from Edwardian England to the present day; moving between London, Kent and the Lakes District of Cumbria.
I am now totally addicted to this brilliant series, and am eagerly awaiting the next episode.
This series is wonderful, so sad to hear of Lucinda’s passing.
This is a wonderful series of adopted sisters from around the world. So detailed and well written.
The Seven Sisters series was great
I have not read any of the other books in the series, but on the whole, I enjoyed this book. I found the first five chapters very dry, but it suddenly takes off at chapter six and I was hooked. It’s a long story at 665 pages long, yet, for me at least, it never felt like that. I was there with the characters, immersed in the story, and I liked the different time periods and all the characters. I’ve read long stories that have been full of unnecessary padding, but I’m pleased to say that this wasn’t one of them. It’s a gentle human story and a very engaging read.
I am completely absorbed in this series by Lucinda Riley. This is the third I’ve read and I tore through it in about five days.
Star is one of the six adopted daughters of the recently deceased Pa Salt – a wealthy and mysterious man who raised his girls in a mansion on the shores of Lake Geneva in Switzerland. Shortly before his death, Pa Salt gave each daughter a clue to her origins, leaving it up to each to decide whether to pursue her history. Each daughter’s exploration is the reason for the series.
Star has always been the quiet one, tightly connected to her sister Cece who has been Star’s mouthpiece all her life. Now 27 years old, Star begins a search for her origins and finds it also involves examining her relationship with Cece. That journey is one thread running throughout this book.
A second thread concerns Flora MacNichol – an outsider in British society during the reign of King Edward VII. She too is slowly learning about her origins — a secret nearly everyone knows except Flora. What’s more — Flora’s story turns out to be connected to Star’s.
Along the way, Riley creates some quirky characters. Including the King’s mistress, Alice Keppel, who becomes Flora’s mentor. One aspect of this author I have come to admire is how skilled she is at staying true to who each character is and how each would react.
It’s a page turner, a look back at rich Edwardian society, and a story of taking risks in order to experience love. Occasionally you might encounter a bit of trite writing, but, for me, it didn’t detract from the read.
Reading the whole series. Each a tale of one of the adopted daughters of world traveler who has left them each, at his passing , information and a clue of their birthplace in every corner of the world. Each book at least 400+ Pages you find hard to put down