Whispers in the Sand
3.5/5
()
Currently unavailable
Currently unavailable
About this ebook
"A gripping time-slip suspense story." —The Bookseller
Recently divorced, Anna Fox decides to cheer herself up by retracing a Nile cruise her great-great-grandmother, Louisa, made in the mid-nineteenth century. Anna carries with her two of Louisa's possessions—an ancient Egyptian scent bottle and an illustrated diary of the original cruise, a diary that hasn't been read in a hundred years. As she follows in Louisa's footsteps, Anna discovers in the diary a wonderful love story from the Victorian past—and the chilling, more distant secret of the little glass bottle. Meanwhile, two men on the cruise are developing an unfriendly rivalry for Anna's attention—and a disturbing interest in Louisa's things. Most frightening of all, Anna finds herself the victim of a threat that grows in strength and darkness as the dramatic stories from three different eras intertwine along the mysterious waters of the Nile.
What Readers are Saying
"The images she creates are fantastically interwoven in a mysterious romance. I couldn't stop reading."
"Great! Chilling and full of betrayal, revenge, and heat."
"All Barbara Erskine's books have the excitement, detail, slight historical slant, and twists which make the reader look over their shoulder."
"I found myself gripped by the story of Anna and her ancestor, Louisa. The two stories are skillfully threaded together with a magical blend of the stunning descriptions of Egypt and the love stories that enfold the two women."
"It is a mystery that is unfolding before your very eyes. A real page-turner."
Barbara Erskine
Barbara Erskine is the author of thirteen bestselling novels and three collections of short stories that demonstrate her interest in both history and the supernatural. Lady of Hay, her first novel, has now sold over three million copies worldwide.
Read more from Barbara Erskine
Jesus Through Pagan Eyes: Bridging Neopagan Perspectives with a Progressive Vision of Christ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Time’s Legacy Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Distant Voices Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5River of Destiny Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to Whispers in the Sand
Related ebooks
Whispers in the Sand Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Truth About Jesus : Is He a Myth?: Illustrated Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOsorkon: Ruin of Sekhmet Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Truth About Jesus: Is He a Myth? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDiscover the Truth About Jesus and the Secrets of Bible Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Truth About Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGleanings in Buddha-Fields (Barnes & Noble Digital Library): Studies of Hand and Soul in the Far East Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Truth about Jesus : Is He a Myth? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Nick Noelle, Thicker Than Blood Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGleanings in Buddha-Fields: Studies of Hand and Soul in the Far East Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTHE SOUL OF A BISHOP: The original unabridged 1917 edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bible Unveiled: Including "The Truth About Jesus" Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHarbinger of the Storm Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The One Woman: A Story of Modern Utopia Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Truth About Jesus (Illustrated Edition) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKwaidan Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Aromatics and the Soul: A Study of Smells Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Confession of Lucifer, Fallen Angel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsArk of Blood: ARKANE Thrillers, #3 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Truth About Jesus & The Bible Unveiled Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Shattered Goddess Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Truth About Jesus - Is He a Myth?: Illustrated Edition Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Soul of a Bishop Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSoul of a Bishop Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsQueen of Static: Worldmender, #2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOrdinary Wonders: Stories of Unexpected Grace Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Esther Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStephen A Soldier of the Cross Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGathering Shards Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Tour A Story of Ancient Egypt Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Historical Fiction For You
The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Demon Copperhead: A Pulitzer Prize Winner Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The House of Eve Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cloud Cuckoo Land: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Invisible Hour: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Canterbury Tales Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Yellow Wife: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek: A Novel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5East of Eden Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Island of Sea Women: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Lady Tan's Circle of Women: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Rules of Magic: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Hallowe'en Party: Inspiration for the 20th Century Studios Major Motion Picture A Haunting in Venice Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The House Is on Fire Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This Tender Land: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5That Bonesetter Woman: the new feelgood novel from the author of The Smallest Man Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Sisters Brothers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Pale Blue Eye: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Red Tent - 20th Anniversary Edition: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Euphoria Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lost Journals of Sacajewea: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Sold on a Monday: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Rebecca Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book Woman's Daughter: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Second Life of Mirielle West: A Haunting Historical Novel Perfect for Book Clubs Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5I, Claudius Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Quiet American Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tinkers: 10th Anniversary Edition Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Clockmaker's Daughter: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for Whispers in the Sand
10 ratings4 reviews
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Not a bad read, not Erskine's best, but certainly good enough to pass the time on a longhaul flight!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Follows the dual storyline of Anna and her ancestor Louisa both embarking on an Egyptian cruise. Louisa is gifted a small bottle which houses the warring spirits of the priests of Isis. In Anna's time she takes the bottle back to Egypt and it triggers the spirits again. This was more supernatural than some of Erksine's other books but it worked. The characters were interesting, but there was the usual slightly violent/menacing males which seem to be a trademark of Erskine's books.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is my first book by Barbara Erskine but if given the chance to read another I will certainly do so. I found myself thoroughly loving (most of) the characters and certainly the locale of this book. I have a fascination for books that take place in Egypt; so mysterious, so old. In this tale Anna Fox is recently divorced and is feeling totally diminished by an ex-husband who used her as nothing more than a social secretary. Encouraged by her aunt she takes off to Egypt to follow in the footsteps of her somewhat famous great-great grandmother, Louisa Shelley, a water-colorist. Louisa has left a diary of her experiences and a mysterious scent bottle.The story is told in three parts; Anna's current day adventures, Louisa's Victorian tales and the mystery of two Ptolemaic priests who are looking to reclaim the scent bottle and it's "Tears of Isis." The three stories are seamlessly bound together as Anna starts seeing the sames visions of the priests that Louisa did. As Anna reads Louisa's diary and becomes more involved in Louisa's life she becomes more afraid of the ghosts of the priests. In her current world her new acquaintances on the cruise ship in Egypt including two men who both want different things from her - including Louisa's diary - try to woo her for their own purposes. Just who can Anna trust?This was a fascinating book with a good story at its core. I enjoyed Anna's present and Louisa's past. Anna's relationship with Toby (one of the two men) was fun and well developed. The other man, Andy was not as well developed and he seemed a bit one note but it didn't detract much from the overall book. I found myself turning the pages wanting to know what would happen to Anna and what did happen to Louisa.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Whispers in the Sand by Barbara Erskine was first released in 2000 to rave reviews. When I saw that Sourcebooks was offering a review copy, I was so excited. Why?? Barbara Erskine is my favorite author and has been since I read Lady of Hay. In fact, I remember that I had to order the book online with my first computer. I had to order it from the UK and when I did receive it I was thrilled. It took me a few years to read it...not because it was a bad book but because I wanted to savor it and didn't want it to end. I think I even took it along on my first trip to Ireland. Finish it I did and I think it was also one of my first reviews on my blog. I am not a reader who will reread a book but Barbara's books I definitely will.That said, chapter one opens with this paragraph: " May there be nothing to resist me at my judgement; may there be no opposition to me; may there be no parting of thee from me in the presence of him that keepeth the scales." " It is thirteen hundred years before the birth of Christ".....The chapters of the story are told in alternating voices; Anna Fox, as she is on her cruise in Egypt as a vacation away from the stress of her life, of Louisa, Anna's great-grandmother who took a similar cruise in the Victorian era and lastly the ghosts of the dead priests. All these stories combine to tell a powerful spooky story of love, hate, evil, curse's on ancient relics and secrets of a diary. The way that the author told the story had me immersed from the first page and I could not wait to pick it up again, even staying up late to finish it. The research is impeccable and the writing is easy to read, I felt like I was right there with Anna as she discovers more of her great-grandmother's story. I give this book 5 stars and I highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction and specifically the Egyptian era. You will not be disappointed.