It's a pity that Susanna Kearsley's novels aren't more readily available here in the US. Kearsley is a Canadian author, who I was introduced to via Cornflower (one of my reliable sources for good reads). It's strange to think I have to order Kearsley's books all the way from the UK when we're neighbors with Canada, but alas, that's the weird world of publishing for you. If you're looking for a well written, engaging historical novel with a dash of romance, look no further, Sophia's Secret is the book for you. Kearsley dips into Scottish history in this novel.
I do think the cover illustration is a bit misleading however. The book seems to have been retitled and rejacketed in its paperback form. It was originally published as The Winter Sea, which is appropriate to the story. Here it all looks a bit menacing, which wasn't necessarily the feel I got from the story, though there is indeed a certain amount of page turning suspense to it.
There are two parallel plotlines in Sophia's Secret, which are cleverly told. This is a story within a story, both set in Scotland but one in the present day and one in 1708. Carrie McClelland is a successful author who travels to Cruden Bay to research her latest book, which is based on one of her own ancestors, Sophia Paterson. When Carrie first sees Slains Castle she feels an instant connection to her ancestor and the story she's writing takes on a life of its own. Although now in ruins, a bustling 18th century Slains Castle was once the seat of the Earl of Eroll who took part in the 1708 plot to bring King James VIII back to the Scottish throne. Slains provides both inspiration for Carrie's novel and the setting for Sophia's adventures.
"I couldn't say how far away I was when I first saw the ruined castle on the cliffs, a line of jagged darkness set against a cloud-filled sky, but from the moment I first saw it I was captivated, driving slightly faster in the hope I'd reach it sooner, paying no attention to the clustered houses I was driving past, and feeling disappointment when the road curved sharply off again, away from it. But then, beyond the tangle of a wood, the road curved back again, and there it was: a long dark ruin, sharp against the snowbound fields that stretched forbiddingly between the cliff's edge and the road."
Sophia ends up at Slains, the Erolls being distant relations, after the death of her family, where she gets caught up in royal intrigues. With Queen Anne on the throne and a newly united England and Scotland, being a Jacobite is a dangerous thing. She must learn how to converse with the many visitors, not all of them friendly to the cause, without giving away any secrets.
The stories flip back and forth, but as Carrie begins writing her story Sophia takes over the action making things feel very organic, and the lines between the two stories is sometimes blurred, and your find yourself not realizing you've switched from one period to the next. Often with two storylines one overtakes the other, but these two were so intertwined they flowed nicely. Kearlsey introduces the idea of genetic memory into the story to explain Carrie's abilities to draw on the past so flawlessly without having to depend on any sort of paranormal device, which can often feel clunky and unrealistic. Kearsley has also done her homework as the historical aspect of the story is carefully detailed. You can see photos of the real Slains Castle here. All I can say is--What a view! It must have been something in its day. I've already got Mariana on hand to read very soon.
One more small note: You can check out the author's website here. She notes that The Winter Sea is going to be published in the US by Sourcebooks in the fall of 2010!