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The Tiger's Mark
Two men, one woman. She loves them both but can’t choose between them. One she idolises. One awakes her passion. Then another man’s evil tears their world apart.
Singapore. Grand mansions. Extravagant lifestyles. Steamy tropical weather. Riots and tiger attacks.
Minerva Edmondson has had the tiger’s mark on her from birth. Her pregnant mother died after being attacked by a tiger. Then at the age of twelve, when a tiger attacks Minerva, leaving its mark on her, her grandmother tells her of a prophecy that has a far-reaching effect on her life.
After a difficult childhood protecting his mother and siblings from his brutal father, Oliver Barrett takes his family to live at Rumah Kebun, the Edmondson’s plantation house.
Oliver is Minnie’s best friend. He loves Minnie and when she’s eighteen years old, awakens her passion. Minerva is torn between Oliver and Julian Sutcliffe who she’s idolised since she was twelve, but she can’t choose.
Then in 1854, the worst riots Singapore has known rage throughout the settlement. Oliver joins his grandfather, Joss Edmondson, and many other men, to quell the rioting. Oliver suspects his father is in league with one of the Chinese secret societies and responsible for stirring up the rioters. Minerva, frustrated that she can’t fight—she’s as good if not a better shot than the men— has to remain at the Edmondson nutmeg plantation.
By the end of ten days of rioting, Minnie has to fight to protect her family and her life.
Singapore. Grand mansions. Extravagant lifestyles. Steamy tropical weather. Riots and tiger attacks.
Minerva Edmondson has had the tiger’s mark on her from birth. Her pregnant mother died after being attacked by a tiger. Then at the age of twelve, when a tiger attacks Minerva, leaving its mark on her, her grandmother tells her of a prophecy that has a far-reaching effect on her life.
After a difficult childhood protecting his mother and siblings from his brutal father, Oliver Barrett takes his family to live at Rumah Kebun, the Edmondson’s plantation house.
Oliver is Minnie’s best friend. He loves Minnie and when she’s eighteen years old, awakens her passion. Minerva is torn between Oliver and Julian Sutcliffe who she’s idolised since she was twelve, but she can’t choose.
Then in 1854, the worst riots Singapore has known rage throughout the settlement. Oliver joins his grandfather, Joss Edmondson, and many other men, to quell the rioting. Oliver suspects his father is in league with one of the Chinese secret societies and responsible for stirring up the rioters. Minerva, frustrated that she can’t fight—she’s as good if not a better shot than the men— has to remain at the Edmondson nutmeg plantation.
By the end of ten days of rioting, Minnie has to fight to protect her family and her life.
374 pages, Paperback
Published September 23, 2024
About the author
Ellen Read
32 books105 followersMulti Award Winning, multi genre author, Ellen Read, is the author of The Thornton Mysteries – cosy murder mysteries set in Australia. Ellen also writes ghost stories and thrillers. Her latest book is a fantasy, based on the Triple Goddess of Celtic mythology and soon to be published by Serenade Publishing.
When she’s not writing, she’s reading, painting or taking photographs.
Ellen loves to read fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She particularly loves history and stories of ancient myths and legends. Authors such as Agatha Christie, Mary Stewart, Robert Graves, Edgar Allan Poe, and Victoria Holt have influenced her work.
www.ellenread.com
https://linktr.ee/ellenreadauthor
When she’s not writing, she’s reading, painting or taking photographs.
Ellen loves to read fiction, non-fiction, and poetry. She particularly loves history and stories of ancient myths and legends. Authors such as Agatha Christie, Mary Stewart, Robert Graves, Edgar Allan Poe, and Victoria Holt have influenced her work.
www.ellenread.com
https://linktr.ee/ellenreadauthor
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 1, 2024
Great story!!
This story was Unique!!
The characters were Great!!
Ellen Read weaved history into the Great plot!!
This story was Unique!!
The characters were Great!!
Ellen Read weaved history into the Great plot!!
October 3, 2024
This is an amazing book! An historical fiction filled with action, adventure and a love triangle.
I can't wait for book 2 and 3!
I can't wait for book 2 and 3!
September 21, 2024
“The Tiger’s Mark” – book one in a trilogy by award winning author Ellen Read. I can’t wait for Book 2.
Set in steamy hot and volatile Singapore during the Victorian Era in the mid 1800s, this story is certainly not sunshine and happiness.
However – I found it riveting. A certain amount of history mixed with love, tragedy, betrayal, villainy, riots and tiger attacks. – at times it is scary.
Although this is very different from Ellen’s previous books – it still includes references to fauna, food, customs etc from the era in Singapore – which assists to transport the reader into the story, something I find Ellen very adept in doing.
The characters are believable and fit well with the story. Minnie, the main character, is very likeable, independent and capable, developing from a 12 year old girl to a young woman in this story – torn between her love for 2 men. [of course the reader knows which one is right for her]. The setting of the grand mansion and the extravagant lifestyle of her family does not shield them from violence and tragedy.
All in all – a very very “Good Read” – an exciting story – and I am very much looking forward to Book #2 and #3.
I do suggest you read the Glossary before you read the story.
Set in steamy hot and volatile Singapore during the Victorian Era in the mid 1800s, this story is certainly not sunshine and happiness.
However – I found it riveting. A certain amount of history mixed with love, tragedy, betrayal, villainy, riots and tiger attacks. – at times it is scary.
Although this is very different from Ellen’s previous books – it still includes references to fauna, food, customs etc from the era in Singapore – which assists to transport the reader into the story, something I find Ellen very adept in doing.
The characters are believable and fit well with the story. Minnie, the main character, is very likeable, independent and capable, developing from a 12 year old girl to a young woman in this story – torn between her love for 2 men. [of course the reader knows which one is right for her]. The setting of the grand mansion and the extravagant lifestyle of her family does not shield them from violence and tragedy.
All in all – a very very “Good Read” – an exciting story – and I am very much looking forward to Book #2 and #3.
I do suggest you read the Glossary before you read the story.
October 18, 2024
Set in 1800’s in Singapore, living on a nutmeg plantation in an opulent mansion, Minerva Edmondson has had the tiger’s mark on her since she was born, after her mother was attacked and killed by a tiger on the day that Minnie was born.
At the age of 12 her grandmother tells her of a prophecy that will affect her for the rest of her life. As Minnie is growing up she realises that she loves two men, one is Oliver who lives on the plantation, who she has grown up with and then there is Julian her blonde haired Apollo.
The Tiger’s Mark has lots of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages with enthusiasm, with love, heartache, loss, tiger attacks and raging riots.
Thank you to Ellen for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
I look forward to reading books two and three as book one ends with an amazing cliffhanger.
At the age of 12 her grandmother tells her of a prophecy that will affect her for the rest of her life. As Minnie is growing up she realises that she loves two men, one is Oliver who lives on the plantation, who she has grown up with and then there is Julian her blonde haired Apollo.
The Tiger’s Mark has lots of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages with enthusiasm, with love, heartache, loss, tiger attacks and raging riots.
Thank you to Ellen for sending me an ARC copy of this book.
I look forward to reading books two and three as book one ends with an amazing cliffhanger.
March 13, 2025
Gripping historical romance set in the luscious tropics of Singapore.
Spanning over almost ten years, told in three seperate timelines, we meet precocious, independent and naive Minnie when she is twelve. Minnie, while living in her grandparents expansive mansion on a nutmeg plantation appears to lead an idyllic life of privilege and wealth, however, her short time on earth has been fraught with tragedy and unfortunately there is more to come.
🐅 love triangle
🐅 misunderstandings
🐅 sumptuous setting
🐅 loveable characters
🐅 betrayal and revenge
🐅 secrets, lies, manipulations
🐅 heartbreak and tragedy
This emotive book is written beautifully. Ending on a crushing cliffhanger, I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.
Please be mindful there are a couple of trigger warnings.
I was sent this book by the author and all opinions are my own.
Spanning over almost ten years, told in three seperate timelines, we meet precocious, independent and naive Minnie when she is twelve. Minnie, while living in her grandparents expansive mansion on a nutmeg plantation appears to lead an idyllic life of privilege and wealth, however, her short time on earth has been fraught with tragedy and unfortunately there is more to come.
🐅 love triangle
🐅 misunderstandings
🐅 sumptuous setting
🐅 loveable characters
🐅 betrayal and revenge
🐅 secrets, lies, manipulations
🐅 heartbreak and tragedy
This emotive book is written beautifully. Ending on a crushing cliffhanger, I’m looking forward to reading the next in the series.
Please be mindful there are a couple of trigger warnings.
I was sent this book by the author and all opinions are my own.
September 29, 2024
I read the ARC of
TheTiger’s Mark by @ellenreadauthor
This is a sweeping saga set in late 19th century Singapore and is told from the European trader point of view. It follows the fortunes of a wealthy merchant dynasty founded by Joss Edmondson and his wife Arabella, who have created a family home and estate at Rumah Kebun. They are surrounded by extended family, adopted family and the European trading community - also an army of Chinese, Malay and Indian servants and workers.
Despite or maybe because of their wealth and social position, the family have enemies, added to which there are political rumbles of dissent within the indigenous community of the island. It is also a time of simmering unrest with threatened turf wars between rival Chinese drug and slave traders.
Each generation of the Edmondson family has been touched by tragedy which seems curiously linked to the spirit of the wild tigers that roam the jungles of the island- but is this true or just superstition? And is Minnie, the Edmondson’s free spirited grand-daughter marked by this link to the wild cats.
This is a fascinating portrait of the history and culture of Singapore at that time. The exciting, and sometimes violent, adventure moves on at a pace and with a captivating love triangle at its heart, which could doom the next generation of the family, I was drawn to keep reading
The book finishes on a cliff hanger, but this will be a fast release series so we won’t wait long for the next instalment.
Lovers of James Clavell’s Asian Saga books, will love this book.
A gripping ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
#ellenread
#thetigersmark
#themarkofthetigerseries
#booksbyellenread
#easyreadspublishing
#historicalromance
#historicalfiction
#bookstagrammer #newrelease #booksbooksbooks ooksbooks #lifeisdeliciousinsingapore
TheTiger’s Mark by @ellenreadauthor
This is a sweeping saga set in late 19th century Singapore and is told from the European trader point of view. It follows the fortunes of a wealthy merchant dynasty founded by Joss Edmondson and his wife Arabella, who have created a family home and estate at Rumah Kebun. They are surrounded by extended family, adopted family and the European trading community - also an army of Chinese, Malay and Indian servants and workers.
Despite or maybe because of their wealth and social position, the family have enemies, added to which there are political rumbles of dissent within the indigenous community of the island. It is also a time of simmering unrest with threatened turf wars between rival Chinese drug and slave traders.
Each generation of the Edmondson family has been touched by tragedy which seems curiously linked to the spirit of the wild tigers that roam the jungles of the island- but is this true or just superstition? And is Minnie, the Edmondson’s free spirited grand-daughter marked by this link to the wild cats.
This is a fascinating portrait of the history and culture of Singapore at that time. The exciting, and sometimes violent, adventure moves on at a pace and with a captivating love triangle at its heart, which could doom the next generation of the family, I was drawn to keep reading
The book finishes on a cliff hanger, but this will be a fast release series so we won’t wait long for the next instalment.
Lovers of James Clavell’s Asian Saga books, will love this book.
A gripping ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.
#ellenread
#thetigersmark
#themarkofthetigerseries
#booksbyellenread
#easyreadspublishing
#historicalromance
#historicalfiction
#bookstagrammer #newrelease #booksbooksbooks ooksbooks #lifeisdeliciousinsingapore
September 5, 2024
Ellen Read excels in storytelling. Her characters are believable and well layered, the setting is interesting and beautifully detailed and the story moves along at a varying pace. There were times I found myself gripping the book and then unable to turn the pages fast enough. The story has the same descriptive style as her Thornton Mysteries but with much more grit and an edginess that I liked.
The Tiger’s Mark is an historical fiction story taking place in 1845 Singapore. I admit, I had to find Singapore on a map to get a feel for the story and to understand parts of its history. By the way, do not skip the extra material provided by the author as it gives so much insight and sets the stage for a breathtaking and heart pounding reading experience.
Characters! There are many and they all play a role. Minnie thinks she knows what happened while Oliver knows most of what happed. Then there’s the one who masterminded the whole thing, Reginald Barrette, leaving the reader to put all the pieces together. OMG! What a convoluted puzzle!
The Tiger’s Mark begins in 1845 when Minnie is nearly 12. We read as she grows, develops and flourishes on her grandparents’ nutmeg plantation. The daily life sets the stage; but there’s a wickedness smoldering and waiting for the right time to catch all unawares, including this reader.
There is a rawness to this story that kept me on edge. Minnie has been marked by a tiger before she was even born and confronted again at age 12. Is this a sign of something???
Disclosure:
I received digital ARC from the author.
A Gripping ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Tiger’s Mark is an historical fiction story taking place in 1845 Singapore. I admit, I had to find Singapore on a map to get a feel for the story and to understand parts of its history. By the way, do not skip the extra material provided by the author as it gives so much insight and sets the stage for a breathtaking and heart pounding reading experience.
Characters! There are many and they all play a role. Minnie thinks she knows what happened while Oliver knows most of what happed. Then there’s the one who masterminded the whole thing, Reginald Barrette, leaving the reader to put all the pieces together. OMG! What a convoluted puzzle!
The Tiger’s Mark begins in 1845 when Minnie is nearly 12. We read as she grows, develops and flourishes on her grandparents’ nutmeg plantation. The daily life sets the stage; but there’s a wickedness smoldering and waiting for the right time to catch all unawares, including this reader.
There is a rawness to this story that kept me on edge. Minnie has been marked by a tiger before she was even born and confronted again at age 12. Is this a sign of something???
Disclosure:
I received digital ARC from the author.
A Gripping ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 28, 2025
Book one of a trilogy set in Singapore in the late 1800s. Meticulously researched, the reader almost feels they are there having tiffin on the veranda with the elite British ruling class as they try to maintain standards in a hot and wild country.
Minnie has never known any other life, and her love for her home and the raw beauty of Singapore runs as deep as her love for her cousin, Oliver. But as Minnie matures into adulthood, simmering tensions erupt in the country she loves, mirroring her growing confusion about her love for Oliver and her long-held attraction for the handsome and suave Julian.
Beautifully written, the author brings the characters vividly to life on the page, especially that of young Minnie. Although strong and raised to be independent by her grandfather — the legendary founder of the colony — when Minnie’s loyalty is tested, her naivety and innocence cause her to make a choice that will have devasting consequences for her and Oliver.
A quick and engrossing read; we are left on a cliffhanger that makes me very pleased the other two books are already published. A 5-star read for those who enjoy historical romance with a generous dash of intrigue and action.
Minnie has never known any other life, and her love for her home and the raw beauty of Singapore runs as deep as her love for her cousin, Oliver. But as Minnie matures into adulthood, simmering tensions erupt in the country she loves, mirroring her growing confusion about her love for Oliver and her long-held attraction for the handsome and suave Julian.
Beautifully written, the author brings the characters vividly to life on the page, especially that of young Minnie. Although strong and raised to be independent by her grandfather — the legendary founder of the colony — when Minnie’s loyalty is tested, her naivety and innocence cause her to make a choice that will have devasting consequences for her and Oliver.
A quick and engrossing read; we are left on a cliffhanger that makes me very pleased the other two books are already published. A 5-star read for those who enjoy historical romance with a generous dash of intrigue and action.
November 4, 2024
Ellen Read writes beautiful stories and this trilogy promises no less.
Having lived my childhood in the Far East, I can attest to the authenticity and accuracy of the detailed and painstaking description the author has made of Singapore in the 1800s. In fact, this book transported me back to the Far East and brought back many memories, so much so I am almost convinced that I was part of it all!
A touching and poignant story told amidst this amazing backdrop; I am certainly ready to dive straight into the next book!
Having lived my childhood in the Far East, I can attest to the authenticity and accuracy of the detailed and painstaking description the author has made of Singapore in the 1800s. In fact, this book transported me back to the Far East and brought back many memories, so much so I am almost convinced that I was part of it all!
A touching and poignant story told amidst this amazing backdrop; I am certainly ready to dive straight into the next book!
August 21, 2024
The Tiger's Mark is Book #1 in The Mark of the Tiger series. There are 3 books in total. The Tiger's Mark is an exciting opening to the series. I hope you enjoy it.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews