Friday Recommends...

My Friday Recommended Read 

is 

River of Destiny

by

Barbara Erskine

From Goodreads

From the bestselling author of Time's Legacy and Lady of Hay comes a thrilling new novel, River of Destiny, whose epic story spans Anglo Saxon Britain, Victorian Suffolk and the present day. On the banks of the River Deben in Suffolk lies a set of barns dating back to the Anglo Saxons, 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 more distant by the day. And when Zoe becomes close to local recluse, Leo, she finds her attraction to him undeniable. Whilst farmers are ploughing the land surrounding the barns, sets of human bones are found and when the police arrive it becomes clear that the bones are much older than first suspected! From an ancient burial ground to a Victorian murder, Erskine will have you gripped as the mystery unfolds across the ages.

My 5***** Review

In River of Destiny Barbara Erskine has cleverly combined stories from three very different time frames:

In Anglo-Saxon Suffolk, we watch as the sword known as Destiny Maker is forged in a land riddled with mistrust and ancient superstition. In nineteenth century Suffolk, local blacksmith Daniel Smith is helpless as Lady Emily Crosby, in her quest for an heir, begins her deadly game of sexual dominance. In modern day Suffolk Zoe, Ken and Leo are disturbed by events seemingly out of their control, and yet as the evil which haunts them threatens to spoil the very fabric of their life, we start to understand the power of ancient magic.

Barbara Erskine never disappoints her readers. Her ability to weave written magic is present in every word, and the consummate ease with which she threads together all the pieces of the mystery makes for compelling reading. 

It's a real treat to get new Barbara Erskine novel. I know that time will stand still, and I won't be able to do much else but read on to the end of the novel - she really is that good !