#BookReview -@LoveReadinguk- ‘The Ghost Tree’ by Barbara Erskine

Today I am super proud to bring you my spot on the blogtour for the fabulous Barbara Erskine courtesy of LoveReading UK for which I am an Ambassador and general buzz-noise maker!

The Ghost Tree is out in paperback now from all good booksellers.

About the book…

Before you follow the path into your family’s history, beware of the secrets you may find.

The past is about to become the present…

Ruth has returned to Edinburgh after many years of exile. Left rootless by the death of her estranged father, she is faced with the daunting task of sorting through his possessions. Amidst the dust of her old life, Ruth discovers a hidden diary from the eighteenth century, written by her ancestor, Thomas Erskine. As she sifts through the ancient pages of the past, Ruth is pulled into a story that she can’t escape.

As the youngest son of a noble family Thomas’ life started in genteel poverty, but his extraordinary experiences propel him from the high seas to Lord Chancellor. Yet, on his journey through life, he makes a powerful enemy who hounds him to the death – and beyond.

Ruth has opened a door to the past that she can’t close, and meets a ghost in her family tree who wasn’t invited. She will have to draw upon new friends and old in what will become a battle for her very survival…

The inspiration for The Ghost Tree lies in Barbara Erskine’s own personal history – branching back to the days of Thomas Erskine, her great grandfather, five times removed. Once again, the Sunday Times bestselling author brings the past to life in vivid, spellbinding colour.

This novel has added significance in that it is based on a relative, Thomas Erskine, who the reader first meets as a boy in 18th century Edinburgh, witnessing a murder. The story then moves to the present day Ruth who,going through the possessions of her deceased father, finds a diary.

Her need to belong and feelings of displacement take her on a century spanning journey through time and the diary becomes a central part of this.

However, in wanting to find her roots, Ruth may get way more than she bargained for…

Exploring love, loss and family ties, obligation versus self determination as well as how, when looking for a place to fit in can involve overlooking the need to be yourself, ‘The Ghost Tree’ is my first Erskine novel but absolutely won’t be the last.

I love the way that she writes, bringing places and people to life so effortlessly yet so memorably. Ghosts may be haunting Ruth but they may not be the only thing that clutches her in it’s grip and will not let go. This is a book that will keep you up way after bedtime!

About the author…

An historian by training, Barbara Erskine is the author of six bestselling novels that demonstrate her interest in both history and the supernatural, plus two collections of short stories. Her books have appeared in at least twenty different languages. She lives with her family in an ancient manor house near Colchester, and in a cottage near Hay-on-Wye.

Twitter-@Barbaraerskine

             @Lovereadinguk

Links-http://www.barbara-erskine.co.uk/

https://www.lovereading.co.uk/