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The Story Spinner

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The Story Spinner

By: Barbara Erskine
Narrated by: Jess Nesling
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The instant Sunday Times No. 1 bestseller.

A Welsh princess. A Roman general. Their love story lost to time…

The land of the Silures, 382 AD

Elen is a princess promised to a general of Rome. Macsen came to Wales seeking an alliance that would advance his quest for power.

Despite warnings her marriage is destined for heartache, Elen is determined to honour her vows.

But this union will change her destiny forever…

Camp Meadow, 2024

Cadi is a writer who has discovered Elen’s lost story. As she puts pen to paper, she hears the sound of ghostly marching feet.

Opening the gate to the ancient meadow behind her cottage, could the secret behind Elen’s fate lie closer than she thinks?

But someone is desperate to keep the past buried, plotting to destroy the meadow…

Can Cadi uncover Elen’s story before it’s lost to time?

The Sunday Times bestselling author returns with a spellbinding tale of love, ambition, and secrets that have lain silent for over a thousand years…

PRAISE for The Story Spinner!

‘A delicious feast of love, drama, suspense, mystery, history, and a ghostly magic… Simply unputdownable!’ Santa Montefiore

‘Intriguing, dramatic, beautifully researched, with characters that bring past and present alive’ Rachel Hore

‘On my best books of the year list.’ Elizabeth Chadwick

‘Beautifully written and vividly evoking the magic of lost worlds, this novel is so breath-taking in its scope that it left me longing for more.’ Alison Weir

Readers LOVE The Story Spinner!

‘I loved this book! What a great story! Both gripping and thrilling I could not put this book down! Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘The characters make the story. It sucked me in and kept me reading. I'm sorry to have finished it’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

‘I thought about this book even when I wasn't reading it which, to me, is the sign of a good book.’ Reader review ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

©2024 Barbara Erskine (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers Destiny Fantasy Ghosts Historical Historical Fiction Horror Heartfelt Royalty
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Critic reviews

Praise for The Story Spinner:

'Barbara Erskine is one of my favourite writers … The Story Spinner is another delicious feast of love, drama, suspense, mystery, history, and a ghostly magic that is Barbara's alone … this book is very special' Santa Montefiore

‘I enjoyed The Story Spinner hugely. Intriguing, dramatic, beautifully researched, with characters that bring past and present alive.' Rachel Hore

‘Barbara Erskine is the Grande Dame of the time-slip novel and this is her best yet. Gripping, constantly intriguing and brilliantly satisfying.’ Peter James

‘There is romance, mystery, history, long-buried feuds and secrets all wrapped up in Barbara’s marvellously evocative descriptions. For lovers of top-quality historical and time slip fiction.’ Carol Drinkwater

‘I looked forward every day to my reading time knowing this was waiting for me – what a treat! Definitely going on my best books of the year list.’ Elizabeth Chadwick

‘Barbara Erskine is a divine storyteller, a clever spider who spins a golden web around her readers. This is a glorious dual-narrative tale, full of wonderful characters, atmosphere and magnificently researched history.’ Jane Johnson

‘What a wonderful book! Unputdownable. It has all the ingredients Barbara Erskine's fans would expect; real history, myth and mysticism all sewn together into a gripping plot.’ Deborah Swift

Praise for Barbara Erskine:

‘Her forte is mood, atmosphere and the toe-curling frisson’ Elizabeth Buchan, Sunday Times

‘Barbara Erskine’s storytelling talent is undeniable’ The Times

‘Marvellous escapist stuff’ Woman & Home

All stars
Most relevant
This is the first book by this author that I have listened to. I liked the mix of historical missed into present day and how it became woven together. A little far fetched and it did go on a bit too long, but I enjoyed it all the same. It wouldn't put me off listening to another by this author.

Interesting historical aspects.

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I love Barbara's work especially her stories set in Wales. I live in Herefordshire quite near Hay so they are set in countryside I know and love. These are magical stories and when Meryin appears I know I am going to revel in the magic and the beautiful Welsh lyricism of the area.

Wonderful, magical and enchanting.

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The narrator was excellent and the story is enjoyable. I would say this is a cosy easy listening book not quite as good as say on the Edge of Darkness, The Warrior Princess or Sands of Time.
This book is shorter and doesn't have the depth of characters or history. But. having said that I still enjoyed it.

Enjoyed this book but bot quite as much as other time slip books by the same author.

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I have read a few of erskines books but feel this was a bit too long. I kept zoning out

A little snapshot of history

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Very enjoyable book. It has been awhile since I have read one of Barbara Erskine’s books and I wasn’t disappointed. I now have a lot of books to catch up on.

Enjoyable

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