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The Ghost Tree cover art

The Ghost Tree

By: Barbara Erskine
Narrated by: Vivian Helbrun
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Publisher's Summary

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

The new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author.

Ruth has returned to Edinburgh after many years of exile, left rootless by the end of her marriage, career and now the death of her father, from whom she had long been estranged. She is faced with the daunting task of clearing his house, believing he had removed all traces of her mother. Yet hidden away in a barely used top-floor room, she finds he had secretly kept a cupboard full of her possessions. Sifting through the ancient papers, Ruth discovers the diary and letters written by her ancestor from the eighteenth century, Thomas Erskine.

As the youngest son of a noble family now living in genteel poverty, Thomas always knew he would have to make his own way in the world. Unable to follow his brothers to university, instead he joins first the navy and then the army, rising through the ranks, travelling the world. When he is finally able to study law, his extraordinary experiences and abilities propel him to the very top and he becomes Lord Chancellor. Yet he has made a powerful enemy on his voyages, who will hound him and his family to the death – and beyond.

Ruth becomes ever more aware of Thomas as she is gripped by his story, and slowly senses that not only is his presence with her, but so is his enemy’s. Ruth will have to draw upon new friends and old in what becomes a battle for her very survival – and discover an inner power beyond anything she has imagined.

©2018 Barbara Erskine (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about The Ghost Tree

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The Ghost Tree

Thank you, Thank you, Ms Erskine for another, mouthwatering, unable
to stop listening, an extraordinary Sublime Novel ! I have been an avid Fan when ‘The Lady Of Hay’ first came out in Paperback

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  • 11-06-2019

fantastic!

What a journey! love love love it! Had me hooked in the first few minutes and didn't want to stop listening. very engrossing storytelling thank you Barbara Erskine

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Captivating

It is addictive, so hard to put down. I was sad to have it end but pleased with the prolog which has Intrigue me to do some Google search. I totally love this book it was awesome. Yet another fantastic book from Barbara this is why she is my favorite author.

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Enjoyable

Lovely story to listen to. I binge listened. Sometimes the story line was a little rambling, but overall enjoyable.

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Ok if you can cope with malicious poltergeists

This was a bit much for me... Truly nasty hauntings, rape and murder... Not particularly enjoyable. I wasn't fully engaged with the main character and the plot felt somewhat contrived and humourless. I've listened to other Erskine novels before and enjoyed very much, but this didn't draw me in to the same degree. The main character does truly stupid things, like going for lonely walks and refusing help, when she knows there is a rapist on the loose who is stalking her. Her friends also leave for work reasons, leaving her alone in isolated locations although they too know she is being stalked. I know it's intended to create tension but it stopped being believable for me. I think it's wonderful the author created a story around her family history but it just felt like it was trying too hard to be a thriller, without enough character development for the main present day character and with no final confrontation, either in the past or the present day, to properly resolve the build up. Not my cup of tea. English and Scottish History buffs may enjoy.

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Not for me

Barbara Erskine has always was been one of my favourite authors but this book missed the mark for me. I struggled to keep listening but, for the sake of past books I persisted. Sadly I could not continue knowing that there was another 14 hours to go. It was too long winded and repetitive for me.

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