The Herbalist’s Secret
Two small lifeless bodies lay on the sand, arms carefully placed by their sides. On the other side of the loch stands an imposing house. It’s almost as if it gives a silent howl of distress, echoing over the hills, making the birds turn their gaze down to the beach where the two bodies lie, awaiting discovery.
1889: Kitty Gray dreams of attending university and becoming a doctor, but when she is married off to Charles Maclean, one of Glasgow’s richest and most eligible bachelors, her aspiration suddenly slips far from reach.
Exiled to her new remote home in the Scottish Highlands, with its gargoyles, gothic arches and turrets, Kitty seeks solace in creating a restorative herb garden. Combining her medical knowledge and new-found fascination with herbalism, Kitty spends her days absorbed in a world of herbs and their healing properties until a devastating tragedy strikes…
2003: Caitlin Black arrives at Ardbray House determined to restore the crumbling mansion and Kitty’s walled garden to their former glory, enlisting the help of long-time housekeeper Greer Mackenzie. But as Caitlin delves deeper into the history of this once magnificent home, she uncovers a past haunted by misfortune and grief. And beneath the blood-red roses that climb beside the bay window of the drawing room, a human skull is about to be unearthed.
The truth that has held Ardbray House captive for so long is surfacing, and with it, the heart-breaking secret of the herbalist who once lived there.
An evocative, beautifully written, and unforgettable mystery that will transport you to the wild and beautiful Scottish Highlands. The Herbalist’s Secret will have fans of Fiona Valpy, Louise Douglas, and Rhys Bowen completely mesmerised.
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Reviews of The Herbalist’s Secret
…that perfect blend of historical fiction and contemporary mystery… Heartwarming, and heartbreaking, The Herbalist’s Secret’ will remain with me for a long time.
Truly incredible…I couldn’t put it down and read it in a single day… inspiring, heartbreaking, and unforgettable… a book I recommend again and again.
Wow where to begin… this author reeled me in from the first page and I devoured it at speed… There is so much to laud about this book, the style of writing, the characterisation, the plot … and there is even a recipe for ginger cake! What is not to love!
An enchanting read that took me from the very first chapter on a journey that will stay with me for a long time. I was hooked from the first page, beautiful.
A riveting debut, an original premise, an enigmatic heroine, and a compelling Highland setting, The Herbalist’s Secret is a book you will not want to put down… heartwarming and enchanting.