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16th out of 30 books
—
21 voters
The Shadowy Horses
by
Susanna Kearsley (Goodreads Author)
"Brooding and atmospheric. .. lovers of all things Scottish are going to adore this work." --RT BOOK REVIEWS
"Ms. Kearsley has woven archaeology, history, mystery, the paranormal, and love together, to create a wonderful story." --RENDEZVOUS
THE INVINCIBLE NINTH ROMAN LEGION MARCHES FROM YORK TO FIGHT THE NORTHERN TRIBES. AND THEN VANISHES FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY.
Archaeolo...more
"Ms. Kearsley has woven archaeology, history, mystery, the paranormal, and love together, to create a wonderful story." --RENDEZVOUS
THE INVINCIBLE NINTH ROMAN LEGION MARCHES FROM YORK TO FIGHT THE NORTHERN TRIBES. AND THEN VANISHES FROM THE PAGES OF HISTORY.
Archaeolo...more
Paperback, 432 pages
Published
October 2nd 2012
by Sourcebooks Landmark
(first published January 1st 1997)
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I really didn't like this story from Susanna Kearsley. This is the fourth novel by her that I've read and there is definitely a formula she follows. Sometimes the formula works for me and sometimes it doesn't.
I did like the setting of the archeological dig and the insertion of the Roman history that went with describing what the archeologists were looking for and discovering. I also liked the many references to the Scots language and traditions.
What I didn't care for was the romantic story line...more
I did like the setting of the archeological dig and the insertion of the Roman history that went with describing what the archeologists were looking for and discovering. I also liked the many references to the Scots language and traditions.
What I didn't care for was the romantic story line...more
Another excellent novel from Susanna Kearsley. Verity Grey is a Finds Supervisor, who works on archaelogical digs in various parts of the country. She has a job opportunity in Scotland near the village of Eyemouth in Berwickshire. Peter Quinnell an eccentric researcher into the lost Roman Ninth Legion, is settled at Rosehill a house just outside Eyemouth and is searching in the field at the house for a Roman Marching Camp, which he is convinced belonged to the Ninth. There is no evidence for thi...more
When Verity Grey arrives in Eyemouth, Scotland, for an archaeological dig, she doesn't know exactly what to expect. When she meets eccentric Peter Quinnell, who's financing the dig, she's intrigued by his theory that he's found the lost Ninth Legion of Rome. However, Quinnell isn't working off solely archaeological evidence; there's a Roman ghost, and a small boy who can speak to him.
I thought the style started out a little overly descriptive (I could feel myself skimming a little in the early...more
I thought the style started out a little overly descriptive (I could feel myself skimming a little in the early...more
7 likes
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4.5 stars
The Shadowy Horses was my first Susanna Kearsley even though I have The Winter Sea, Marianna and The Rose Garden sitting on my bookshelves *shamed face* lol
The Shadowy Horses is a beautiful blend of mystery, history and romance, throw in a ghost, and a boy with second sight and it's a match made in heaven.
I don't think I need to say much more, I recommend this one without hesitation and here's just a few reasons why I loved it -
The Shadowy Horses was my first Susanna Kearsley even though I have The Winter Sea, Marianna and The Rose Garden sitting on my bookshelves *shamed face* lol
The Shadowy Horses is a beautiful blend of mystery, history and romance, throw in a ghost, and a boy with second sight and it's a match made in heaven.
I don't think I need to say much more, I recommend this one without hesitation and here's just a few reasons why I loved it -
- set in Eyemouth, Scotland ... the Scottish borders area o...more
2 likes
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This is the first book by Susanna Kearsley I've read, and it exceeded my expectations. I loved everything about this story. The author created the perfect Gothic atmosphere that pulled me in.
Verity Grey is an archaeologist hired for a dig in Eyemouth, a village on the east coast of Scotland. Her new boss has spent his life searching for clues about the fate of the Ninth Spanish Legion, a Roman legion who disappeared possibly in Britain during the early 2nd century. He's believes the answers to t...more
Verity Grey is an archaeologist hired for a dig in Eyemouth, a village on the east coast of Scotland. Her new boss has spent his life searching for clues about the fate of the Ninth Spanish Legion, a Roman legion who disappeared possibly in Britain during the early 2nd century. He's believes the answers to t...more
Mar 29, 2012
Stacey
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Fans of Elizabeth Peters, MIchael Crichton's Timeline, Elizabeth Lowell
This novel went way beyond my expectations, into "truly delightful" territory. I had expected something a little less fiction and a little more fluffy (Kind of like Elizabeth Lowell, who writes stories involving art history, book history, studies of artifacts, etc. - but whose writing is not nearly as good).
This novel has a perfect mix of history, romance, and mystery.
The plot begins immediately, with an archaeologist re-tracing her route on a bus after managing to sleep through her train stop....more
This novel has a perfect mix of history, romance, and mystery.
The plot begins immediately, with an archaeologist re-tracing her route on a bus after managing to sleep through her train stop....more
"You've only got one chance to get it right."
I am not sure which is my favorite book from Kearsley. Each one is unique in their own way, but I can always count on the budding romances, the suspenseful scenes, the harrowing twists, and a dab of supernatural occurrences that are a penchant in all of her wonderful novels.
The Shadowy Horses is based in Scotland, about an archeologist who is invited to join an excavation to find the long lost fleet of the Legio Nona Hispana (Ninth Spanish Legion), da...more
I am not sure which is my favorite book from Kearsley. Each one is unique in their own way, but I can always count on the budding romances, the suspenseful scenes, the harrowing twists, and a dab of supernatural occurrences that are a penchant in all of her wonderful novels.
The Shadowy Horses is based in Scotland, about an archeologist who is invited to join an excavation to find the long lost fleet of the Legio Nona Hispana (Ninth Spanish Legion), da...more
This book is a wonderful cross between a cozy mystery and an historical thriller... that would have been better had it been the first part of a trilogy.
I loved the careful setup that came along with The Shadowy Horses. The Scottish town, the characters, and their engrossing work are all beautifully rendered. Kearsley's worldbuilding is unmatched-- I don't often say this about a book, but I truly felt both like I was there and that I enjoyed the experience.
That said, the story in which all of th...more
I loved the careful setup that came along with The Shadowy Horses. The Scottish town, the characters, and their engrossing work are all beautifully rendered. Kearsley's worldbuilding is unmatched-- I don't often say this about a book, but I truly felt both like I was there and that I enjoyed the experience.
That said, the story in which all of th...more
Apr 20, 2013
Miss Ami E. Bowen
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
100-books-in-2013
Overall impressions: A spine-tingling good atmospheric mystery that will keep you turning pages out of sheer curiosity deep into the dark of night.
I was lucky enough to be chosen as a winner in a goodreads book giveaway and received this book in the mail to read and hopefully review. Well, I must admit it was different than what I'm used to, being one of the rare adult contemporary romances to cross my path in quite awhile seeing as my genre of choice is Young and/or New Adult. My mind had nearl...more
I was lucky enough to be chosen as a winner in a goodreads book giveaway and received this book in the mail to read and hopefully review. Well, I must admit it was different than what I'm used to, being one of the rare adult contemporary romances to cross my path in quite awhile seeing as my genre of choice is Young and/or New Adult. My mind had nearl...more
So I think I had overly high expectations for this book. It has lots of things I love--archaeology! Romans! mystery! a little bit of fantasy/paranormal! and Scotland! But I was just a little disappointed.
The plot of the book is as follows: we have a young lady from London coming up to Scotland on contract to do some archaeological excavations. But there are weird things happening to the excavation...could it be...haunted?
The best thing about The Shadowy Horses is the atmosphere--Kearsley seems...more
The plot of the book is as follows: we have a young lady from London coming up to Scotland on contract to do some archaeological excavations. But there are weird things happening to the excavation...could it be...haunted?
The best thing about The Shadowy Horses is the atmosphere--Kearsley seems...more
Feb 09, 2013
Jennifer
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
if-its-not-scottish-its-crahp
What I liked:
- the archaeology and Roman history lessons,
- the main premise,
- the setting,
- Wally, Jeannie's dad.
Ha, no, really, I did like most of the secondary characters - even the annoying ones. I enjoy reading Kearsley's books - though they tend to be populated with similar characters, it's fun to see them in slightly different positions this time around.
What I didn't like:
- The 'sinister' plot. Why was that even in there? Made no sense and was just dumb, especially the big...finale?...more
- the archaeology and Roman history lessons,
- the main premise,
- the setting,
- Wally, Jeannie's dad.
Ha, no, really, I did like most of the secondary characters - even the annoying ones. I enjoy reading Kearsley's books - though they tend to be populated with similar characters, it's fun to see them in slightly different positions this time around.
What I didn't like:
- The 'sinister' plot. Why was that even in there? Made no sense and was just dumb, especially the big...finale?...more
Feb 08, 2013
Functional Dilemma
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
this-ship-wont-sail
I picked up this book on a whim, expecting it to be different than the normal fantasy books that I read. I thought that it would be about an archaeology dig with a bit of paranormal happenings. Or something. Quite a bit of the book not only met my expectations but surpassed them by actually being interesting. There was more paranormal stuff than I expected but, again, it was a pleasant surprise. I found myself often smiling while reading conversations, although the characterization was a little...more
Oh, this book.
I absolutely, unabashedly loved this book. Susanna Kearsley's prose is vivid, but not distracting or overwrought, so that I felt as a reader completely comfortable in the little world she created. I found myself thinking I'd like the author to narrate my life -- I'm sure she'd make it much more colorful than I see it. Verity, this novel's heroine, is smart and funny and believable. Unlike the female protagonists of many contemporary novels, she is not an empty cipher onto which rea...more
I absolutely, unabashedly loved this book. Susanna Kearsley's prose is vivid, but not distracting or overwrought, so that I felt as a reader completely comfortable in the little world she created. I found myself thinking I'd like the author to narrate my life -- I'm sure she'd make it much more colorful than I see it. Verity, this novel's heroine, is smart and funny and believable. Unlike the female protagonists of many contemporary novels, she is not an empty cipher onto which rea...more
Verity is an archeologist, taking a chance on a temporary position at a site in rural Scotland. Not knowing all the details up front, she soon realizes that she is on a hunt for ancient Roman artifacts - and that there is more to this search than can be explained by science. Trying to resolve what she sees with what she KNOWS, Verity's summer is even more complicated by the presence of one particular Scotsman, rounding out this story of history and slow-moving romance.
Turns out, I really like Su...more
Turns out, I really like Su...more
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Well, it wasn't as hard to finish reading as I thought.
I think I was expecting to read more of the ghost Sentinel's story rather than Verity's, but to be fair, she is the protagonist of the novel.
To be honest, I wasn't very impressed by the Latin references. I already knew "veritas" meant "truth" and I figured it wasn't that hard to guess if you knew what "verification" meant.
Also, the use of Scottish terms felt awkward to me, as if forced to fit into the speech, because the rest of the dialogue...more
I think I was expecting to read more of the ghost Sentinel's story rather than Verity's, but to be fair, she is the protagonist of the novel.
To be honest, I wasn't very impressed by the Latin references. I already knew "veritas" meant "truth" and I figured it wasn't that hard to guess if you knew what "verification" meant.
Also, the use of Scottish terms felt awkward to me, as if forced to fit into the speech, because the rest of the dialogue...more
I really enjoyed this book, much more than I had expected. I knew the book would include a little history, a little mystery and a little romance/basic novel story, but.... the story and the characters were much more deeply developed than I expected.
The basic premise of the book is that Peter, on the search for a missing Roman legion (the Legio IX Hispana), hires a variety of people to help dig on his property in the hope that the legion will be found there. Some of these people (Verity, Adrian a...more
The basic premise of the book is that Peter, on the search for a missing Roman legion (the Legio IX Hispana), hires a variety of people to help dig on his property in the hope that the legion will be found there. Some of these people (Verity, Adrian a...more
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
Archaeologist Verity Grey, coaxed to a dig by Adrian, a former boyfriend and often a fellow worker, finds a world apart—a world rich with mystery, ghosts and, psychic energy, besides all the incredible people that open up a whole new world for her.
Eyemouth in Scotland, steeped in the lore and the blood of past people that inhabited the land, welcomes Verity into its midst and whispers secrets to her in its mist. Even before she arrive...more
Archaeologist Verity Grey, coaxed to a dig by Adrian, a former boyfriend and often a fellow worker, finds a world apart—a world rich with mystery, ghosts and, psychic energy, besides all the incredible people that open up a whole new world for her.
Eyemouth in Scotland, steeped in the lore and the blood of past people that inhabited the land, welcomes Verity into its midst and whispers secrets to her in its mist. Even before she arrive...more
This book basically was contemporary fiction with a bit of the paranormal and romance thrown in. As always, Susanna blends these genres beautifully. Her descriptions in this and other of her books make me feel as if I'm right there in the setting with the characters. And speaking of characters, they are so lifelike that I feel as if I actually know them as people. In this book, some Scots dialect was thrown is and the definitions are logically included since the main character, Verity Grey, is a...more
Book #62 Read in 2012
The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley
Verity heads to Scotland to take part in an archaeologist dig. She gets a little more than she bargained for when she meets Robbie, a young boy with psychic abilities, and realizes that his visions are driving the digging locations. But, the boy seems to be spot on with help from The Sentinel, a ghostly figure overseeing the dig. Verity, in spite of herself, begins to believe in ghosts. Along with the ghost story, there is romance brewin...more
The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley
Verity heads to Scotland to take part in an archaeologist dig. She gets a little more than she bargained for when she meets Robbie, a young boy with psychic abilities, and realizes that his visions are driving the digging locations. But, the boy seems to be spot on with help from The Sentinel, a ghostly figure overseeing the dig. Verity, in spite of herself, begins to believe in ghosts. Along with the ghost story, there is romance brewin...more
“Just as tall trees are known by their shadows, so are good men known by their enemies” – Chinese Proverb
The title, THE SHADOWY HORSES, comes from the first line of WB Yeats’ poem, HE BIDS HIS BELOVED BE AT PEACE. The poem describes death as horses running across the field as the narrator comforts his loved one. Yeats’ poem serves as a metaphor as Verity faces crossroads in her life.
Verity is an archaeologist, working at the British Museum, when she is offered an interview for a dig in the Borde...more
The title, THE SHADOWY HORSES, comes from the first line of WB Yeats’ poem, HE BIDS HIS BELOVED BE AT PEACE. The poem describes death as horses running across the field as the narrator comforts his loved one. Yeats’ poem serves as a metaphor as Verity faces crossroads in her life.
Verity is an archaeologist, working at the British Museum, when she is offered an interview for a dig in the Borde...more
I read this book because of the 9th Legion and Rosemary Sutcliff. It is mystery set in the lowlands of Scotland. A group of archaeologists are searching for evidence of the fate of the lost Roman Legion. There are gothic elements including a little boy with second sight and the role of the supernatural, weather and landscape in shaping events. The book is 15 years old now and is clearly an early work by an author with great potential. I found it a tad old fashioned even for the late 1990's and w...more
I know there are quite a few Susanna Kearsley fans out there...and I am one of them! Not only is she a fantastic writer but she is a fellow Canadian - its great to support a talented writer from your own country. A Susanna Kearsley book always reemphasizes for me why I love reading and why quality writing always wins out over filler and flash. Instead of focusing this post on reviewing The Shadowy Horses though, I am going to discuss more why I love Susanna Kearsley and highly recommend this aut...more
5 likes
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Oct 02, 2010
Michelle
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
kelly boyce
This is the third book I've read by Susanna Kearsley. I liked the Winter Sea - it's otherwordly romance was different, and I enjoyed the meandering pace of it. It even "got me" in the end. When I read Marianna, however, which was a good story, I felt like I had read it before. Perhaps when you use such a specific plot device as was evidenced in these two books, it can seem repetitive. So when I started on The Shadowy Horses, I was a little worried that I was going to be reading the same book yet...more
2 likes
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I never read anything by this author before. I was in my local drug store book section when I saw this book.
I had to buy it because :
1. It mentioned horses, and there is not animals that I love more than horses.
2. It was set in Scotland. I love books that are set in Scotland.
3. It has ghosts, paranormal touch to it.
Let me say, I did not regret buying the book.
This is a very good book. It has all the elements that I like in adult fiction. It has touch of paranormal, some romance, mystery, hi...more
I had to buy it because :
1. It mentioned horses, and there is not animals that I love more than horses.
2. It was set in Scotland. I love books that are set in Scotland.
3. It has ghosts, paranormal touch to it.
Let me say, I did not regret buying the book.
This is a very good book. It has all the elements that I like in adult fiction. It has touch of paranormal, some romance, mystery, hi...more
So I won this ARC book through someone but I don't know who. It just showed up one day on my doorstep and I said "yay me I won". I know it was not goodreads, but I won it none the less.
I really enjoyed this historical mystery/romance by Ms. Kearsley. Knowing that I was an ARC, yes there were many grammatical errors (that I assume were addressed before main editions were published),the romance between Davy and Verity was a bit weak could have been written much better( but I let that slide since i...more
I really enjoyed this historical mystery/romance by Ms. Kearsley. Knowing that I was an ARC, yes there were many grammatical errors (that I assume were addressed before main editions were published),the romance between Davy and Verity was a bit weak could have been written much better( but I let that slide since i...more
My faith in Susanna Kearsley is 100% restored!! Although I really did not like Season of Storms, and I wasn't too crazy about Marianna, The Shadowy Horses had just the right mix of accomplished heroine, supernatural intervention, triumph of the underdog and happy ever after to make this an excellent read.
Perhaps the drama in the final chapters was a bit too confusing and the foreshadow was a bit too subtle. As reader, I was not totally sure - even after the fact - of why who was where. That sai...more
Perhaps the drama in the final chapters was a bit too confusing and the foreshadow was a bit too subtle. As reader, I was not totally sure - even after the fact - of why who was where. That sai...more
The fate of the Ninth Spanish Legion is one of those mysteries of History that will probably never be definitively answered. The Shadowy Horses revolves around one of the theories: That the Legion marched north into Scotland and was ultimately destroyed by native tribes.
In the late 90's, Verity Grey, an archeologist, travels to a small fishing village in Scotland to interview for a position on a dig. The man funding the dig, the rich and possibly mad Peter Quinnell, has made it his life's work...more
In the late 90's, Verity Grey, an archeologist, travels to a small fishing village in Scotland to interview for a position on a dig. The man funding the dig, the rich and possibly mad Peter Quinnell, has made it his life's work...more
I think I have read too many books involving ghosts (or read about them) I kept wondering if the sentinel here was a hottie and if they would hook up ;)
Let us forget about that and get to the story. Verity is an archaeologist, she loves her job but wants back to digging. So in comes Scotland, and a mysterious job she knows nothing about. Plus an ex-boyfriend who tells her to come. She has a logical mind, she likes order, but it does prove that she has an open mind too. For that I liked her, some...more
Let us forget about that and get to the story. Verity is an archaeologist, she loves her job but wants back to digging. So in comes Scotland, and a mysterious job she knows nothing about. Plus an ex-boyfriend who tells her to come. She has a logical mind, she likes order, but it does prove that she has an open mind too. For that I liked her, some...more
Susanna Kearsley has really become one of my favorite authors, I have read many of her books and have very much enjoyed all of them. The Shadowy Horses is set in Scotland and Kearsley does a wonderful job of adding rich details to bring out the beauty of the land. The main character, Verity Grey, is intelligent and dedicated to her work and I enjoyed reading the book from her point of view.
There is some supernatural elements thrown in that added some tension to the story. A ghost, a Sentinal, w...more
There is some supernatural elements thrown in that added some tension to the story. A ghost, a Sentinal, w...more
Once again - Ms. Kearsley has outdone herself. I found my self being unexpectedly delighted that the main character didn't find herself in the past, but then again, she kind of did. My heartstrings felt toyed with due to my impatience to see something bloom between Verity and David. I too fell in love with him and Peter. Very well thought out characters.
Adrian, a well written character as well, I wanted to smack so hard. But that would be my untactful American side compared to the stoic and verb...more
Adrian, a well written character as well, I wanted to smack so hard. But that would be my untactful American side compared to the stoic and verb...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| new authors | 2 | 41 | Jan 18, 2013 03:39pm |
Aka Emma Cole.
Susanna Kearsley studied politics and international development at university, and has worked as a museum curator.
Her first novel Mariana won the prestigious Catherine Cookson Literary Prize and launched her writing career. Susanna continued her mix of the historical and paranormal in novels The Splendour Falls, Named of the Dragon, Shadowy Horses and Season of Storms.
Susanna Kearsle...more
More about Susanna Kearsley...
Susanna Kearsley studied politics and international development at university, and has worked as a museum curator.
Her first novel Mariana won the prestigious Catherine Cookson Literary Prize and launched her writing career. Susanna continued her mix of the historical and paranormal in novels The Splendour Falls, Named of the Dragon, Shadowy Horses and Season of Storms.
Susanna Kearsle...more
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May 07, 2013 10:18pm
Thanks Emma,
I've read four of Kearsley's novels and...more
May 08, 2013 04:51am