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lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
THE GARDEN OF PROMISES AND LIES by Paula Brackston is a well-written and entertaining mix of historical fiction, fantasy, time travel and suspense. It is the third book in the Found Things series and readers will benefit from reading the series in order as there are references to events in previous books. The novel is set in and around Marlborough, a market town in the English county of Wiltshire in a mix of contemporary times and 1815.
Our protagonist, Xanthe, and her mother Flora live in Marlborough above their antique store, The Little Shop of Found Things. Xanthe has found that she can time travel to address injustices, an ability known to a few as Spinning. Also, objects sing and whisper to her. When Benedict Fairfax shows up in contemporary times coerces Xanthe’s assistance and an antique wedding dress calls to her at an auction, she knows that the two are somehow connected and she will once again be time traveling. But how will she determine what the dress needs her to do? Will the Spinner notebook she discovered provide the necessary information and will she be able to interpret it accurately? Who can she trust in the past?
Xanthe has gained some confidence in herself and her ability to understand what the found objects need her to do. However, she is still learning what it means to be able to travel to other times and places. Fairfax is well-portrayed as her nemesis and his motivations are personal to his history and upbringing. Secondary characters provide the emotional support that Xanthe needs at this juncture of her understanding of Spinning. They also bring realism to life through their quirkiness, hobbies and personalities.
Paula Brackston does a great job in giving the reader a sense of both time and place, and her descriptions help the reader to travel with Xanthe. The story has history, mystery, suspense, danger, deceit, uncertainty, secrets, a villain, hope, friendship, duty to family and much more.
Despite a somewhat slow start, overall, this is a steadily paced novel that brings history to life with an entertaining story that is both suspenseful, dramatic and emotional. Be prepared for the imagery to engage your visual, tactile, auditory and olfactory senses. While the climax was not a total surprise, the cliffhanger ending left me wanting more.
Readers that enjoy time travel mixed with suspense and history should enjoy this novel. I look forward to reading more books by Paula Brackston.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Paula Brackston for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 15, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
Our protagonist, Xanthe, and her mother Flora live in Marlborough above their antique store, The Little Shop of Found Things. Xanthe has found that she can time travel to address injustices, an ability known to a few as Spinning. Also, objects sing and whisper to her. When Benedict Fairfax shows up in contemporary times coerces Xanthe’s assistance and an antique wedding dress calls to her at an auction, she knows that the two are somehow connected and she will once again be time traveling. But how will she determine what the dress needs her to do? Will the Spinner notebook she discovered provide the necessary information and will she be able to interpret it accurately? Who can she trust in the past?
Xanthe has gained some confidence in herself and her ability to understand what the found objects need her to do. However, she is still learning what it means to be able to travel to other times and places. Fairfax is well-portrayed as her nemesis and his motivations are personal to his history and upbringing. Secondary characters provide the emotional support that Xanthe needs at this juncture of her understanding of Spinning. They also bring realism to life through their quirkiness, hobbies and personalities.
Paula Brackston does a great job in giving the reader a sense of both time and place, and her descriptions help the reader to travel with Xanthe. The story has history, mystery, suspense, danger, deceit, uncertainty, secrets, a villain, hope, friendship, duty to family and much more.
Despite a somewhat slow start, overall, this is a steadily paced novel that brings history to life with an entertaining story that is both suspenseful, dramatic and emotional. Be prepared for the imagery to engage your visual, tactile, auditory and olfactory senses. While the climax was not a total surprise, the cliffhanger ending left me wanting more.
Readers that enjoy time travel mixed with suspense and history should enjoy this novel. I look forward to reading more books by Paula Brackston.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Paula Brackston for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for December 15, 2021. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
babs_reviews's review against another edition
5.0
What a lovely addition to the series. This one kept me more on the edge as Xanthe has to face the past so to speak. I so much enjoy stepping into other eras and admiring some parts of life and despising others.
This series has been a fun one to follow and I absolutely adore the way Brackston writes it. I've got more questions than answers and I'm eager to start book 4.
This series has been a fun one to follow and I absolutely adore the way Brackston writes it. I've got more questions than answers and I'm eager to start book 4.
sunshine169's review against another edition
5.0
So many things happened in this book that I was begging for in the previous books and it made me so darn happy...
However, that ending has ruined me and I need the next book IMMEDIATELY! Although I know these things take time to write... I will try to regain my patience.
However, that ending has ruined me and I need the next book IMMEDIATELY! Although I know these things take time to write... I will try to regain my patience.
mgsingfiel_99's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book so much and love the era that Paula chose for this book. I’ll admit I really only know it from Jane Austen but it was really fun and, as always, I enjoyed learning more about it too. I also love seeing Liam and Xanthe’s relationship form in this book and am so happy she has some close friends and cannot wait for the next one!
nikkineat's review against another edition
3.0
Rounded up to 3 stars. For at least 60% of the book Xanthe’s naïveté was grating and I seriously contemplated DNF’ing the book. This is the third book in the series, so this is not her first time spinning through time… as such, you’d think she’d have learned from those experiences. Instead, she seems to stubbornly bumble along without proper planning or thought. The last third of the book picked up and I ended up getting engaged in the story, but I’m torn on whether I will continue this series (despite the cliffhanger ending).
jujubee9's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The plot structure was a bit different than the previous books, making things more interesting, as well as the new abilities the main character develops. The conflict was more focused on getting rid of an adversary than helping someone who is in need (like the first two books).
tmeds's review against another edition
5.0
Fantastic 3rd book in the series! Love how Paula writes her stories. Cant wait for the outcome in her next book!
laramarler's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Another fun book in the series. Loved the regency time period!