The lovely people at Waterstones sent me a review copy of Kate Mosse's new book The Winter Ghosts, it arrived on Saturday morning and I read it over the weekend. They have the hardback for £10.99 and the cover is beautiful, it would definitely make a lovely Christmas present for someone.
Kate Mosse has written five previous books including the huge bestsellers, Labyrinth and Sepulchre. I have only read Labyrinth but I really enjoyed it so I was very much looking forward to receiving and reading The Winter Ghosts.
People should be aware that this book is a lengthened version of The Quick Read that Kate Mosse has already published entitled The Cave. I have to say that the length was one of the only problems I had with this book. Whilst it was lovely to be able to fit this in over the weekend, I would also have liked it to have been a little longer as some parts of the book felt rushed. I enjoyed Kate Mosse's detailed descriptions in Labyrinth and I felt that The Winter Ghosts was lacking these in places.
We meet the main character Freddie Watson in 1928. He experiences a snow storm in the foot-hills of the Pyrenees and crashes his car. He has to seek refuge in an isolated village where he meets Fabrissa and over the course of one night they share stories of extreme loss and grief.
Freddie lost his older and only brother George in the First World War and he is still searching for answers. In Fabrissa he finally meets someone who can understand and share in the feelings that he has. However, the next day Freddie wakes from a dangerously high fever and nobody has heard of Fabrissa or the others that she had spoken of. Freddie sets out to find her as he promised the previous night and in doing so uncovers secrets that have been hidden for over six hundred years.
As the title suggest, this is a very Wintry read but don't expect a traditional ghost story, the books is extremely atmospheric and the reader has to make their own mind up about certain aspects. The Winter Ghosts explores grief and loss; I loved how Kate Mosse showed how these feelings are often the same, even when under different circumstances and six centuries apart. Mosse highlights the way in which war affects families and the fact that the consequences of war endure long after peace has resumed.
This book leaves you with an incredible feeling of hope and peace making it a very suitable book to read around Christmas time. If you haven't read anything by Kate Mosse then give it a go but don't miss out on her other books as they are excellent.
12 comments:
Great review! I was planning to read this too, still waiting for my copy!
Looking forward to your review of the new Marian Keyes too. :)
Bookalicious- thank you! I hope that you enjoy reading it too. I have to admit that I am really taking my time over the new Marian Keyes but I have loved what I have read so far!
Thanks for the great review! I have read Sepulchre, which I loved. I spied this in my local Smith's the other week.I reckon this is another book to go on my tbr pile!
Hugs, Bethxxx
Thank you for this review, Dot.
I spotted this book on Saturday during a trip into the "big" bookshop in town. I noticed the cover first and loved the look of it, then I got caught up in Christmas present buying and didn't go back to it...but, now I will.
Thanks again,I quite fancy the sound of this one after reading your comments.
Beth- Thank you! I haven't read Sepulchre yet but I have heard a lot of positive things so I shall have to get hold of a copy!
Kim- The cover is lovely isn't it! You are very organised doing your Christmas shopping already, I have only just started thinking about it!
Thanks for the great review! I think this book looks gorgeous but I have stayed away from it so far because I was really disappointed with her last book - really enjoyed her first though. I'm torn!!
Karen- Thank you, I'd only read her first book which I really enjoyed so I was excited to read this one. It is a lot shorter than her other books though so has a slightly different feel.
Excellent review! I loved Labyrinth as well, but Sepulchre's been sitting unread on my shelf for quite a while and I need to get on that. I'll have to add this one to the list.
Alayne
thecrowdedleaf.wordpress.com
Great review. You have me looking forward to reading this author. I didn't get this book, but Sepulchre is on its way to me and I am looking forward to reading it.
Alayne and Nicole- I look forward to reading your reviews of Sepulchre, I still need to get a copy but a lot of people have said really good things about it!
I have had some trouble with Kate Mosse in the past and as i know this is on its way shortly I am hoping its the book that converts me to her once and for all!
Simon- I have only read Labyrinth which I did enjoy! You might like this one though, it is really short so has a different feel to her other books.
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