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A Splendid Ruin

A Novel

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About this listen

“This is a spellbinding page-turner of a book.” (Kristin Hannah, New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale.)

A mesmerizing novel of dark family secrets and a young woman’s rise and revenge set against the backdrop of the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

The eve of destruction. After her mother’s death, penniless May Kimble lives a lonely life until an aunt she didn’t know existed summons her to San Francisco. There she’s welcomed into the wealthy Sullivan family and their social circle.

Initially overwhelmed by the opulence of her new life, May soon senses that dark mysteries lurk in the shadows of the Sullivan mansion. Her glamorous cousin often disappears in the night. Her aunt wanders about in a laudanum fog. And a maid keeps hinting that May is in danger. Trapped by betrayal, madness, and murder, May stands to lose everything, including her freedom, at the hands of those she trusts most.

Then, on an early April morning, San Francisco comes tumbling down. Out of the smoldering ruins, May embarks on a harrowing road to reclaim what is hers. This tragic twist of fate, along with the help of an intrepid and charismatic journalist, puts vengeance within May’s reach. But will she take it?

©2021 Megan Chance (P)2020 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved. Fiction Historical Fiction Revenge Tear-jerking
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Everything I enjoy, glitz amd glamour along with danger and intrigue and a strong woman

Great story and performance

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An enjoyable story, it certainly didn't evolve predictably. The mental institution was interesting, and I finished the book hoping for a sequel.

a good story

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I have to say that I loved listening to this story - the descriptions were often beautiful and also so good you could feel, hear, taste, see whatever was being described. The reader told the story so well with the right amount of emphasis and the pauses perfect. I have to say that I think I may have struggled to read this but listening was just perfect and I was sorry to reach the end.

Wonderful story, wonderfully told

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The story follows May Kimble, who loses her mother in 1904 and moves to San Francisco to live with her wealthy aunt. But instead of finding comfort, she walks into a web of family secrets.
The first half of the book kept me guessing. Why does May's cousin sneak out at night? What's behind her aunt's addiction to laudanum? Just when you think things can't get worse, May's uncle has her locked up in an asylum. Then the 1906 earthquake hits, and everything changes.
Robbins does a good job bringing the characters to life, especially as May changes from a helpless young woman to someone fighting for justice. The story moves between fancy ballrooms and dark opium dens, showing both the glitter and grime of old San Francisco.
While some twists were predictable, I stayed interested because I wanted to see May succeed. It's a solid historical drama about survival and revenge, even if it follows some familiar patterns.

A Tale of Betrayal in Old San Francisco

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This was my first experience with historical fiction and I really enjoyed it. I found the narrator kept me engaged and the story unfolded at a nice pace. The ending may be a little disappointing for some but I enjoyed it. Wouldn't mind looking into some more of this author's work.

An Enjoyable Listen

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