Jessamine

I loved this latest book by Shani Struthers, she is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and I find myself eagerly awaiting her novels. I was concerned about reading this novel when I saw that the main character, Jessamine, had lost her husband in tragic circumstances and worried that it might be too dark for me. However, after reading a couple of her previous novels, and loving them, I thought I'd give this one a try. I'm so pleased I did! I was struck by the author's insight and understanding into a very sensitive area of human experience. She handles the subject of grief extremely thoughtfully and gently, weaving a beautiful and engaging story which takes the reader through a personal journey of love, loss, trauma, friendship and hope. Shani does this magnificently using the soul-tingling back drop of the atmospheric Scottish West Coast. I was very surprised by an earlier review by BarbaraM calling the reader who would rate this book highly as being 'undemanding' as I am a VERY demanding reader. My favourite authors being Jane Austen, Tracey Chevalier, Kate Atkinson and Sarah Waters - perhaps BarbaraM would call their prolific writing ability 'production line' too? I can't bear internet Trolls!! Don't let her put you off, Shani Struthers, I want to read more of your work!

I want to live in Skye Croft, let me just get that out there first. Oh my gosh, this book…My disclaimer is that I knew before the first page that I would enjoy this book based on reading Shani’s past writing. She has a magical way with prose, her descriptions are sublime, and the reader is submerged into the emotion of every scene.I wouldn’t exactly call Jessamine a ghost story. That’s just too simple. It’s a haunting story of lost love and guilt and how the past can destroy the present by holding on too tightly. It’s also a mystery that unravels slowly and draws you in to the point you think you won’t be able to breathe without answers.Jessamin was blissfully happy and desperately in love with her slightly older husband, but blames herself for his death because of a stupid fight before the accident that took his life. He took care of her in life and in death, left her financially, if not emotionally secure. She continues to hold onto him, convinced he is still with her in spirit. James is the only thing she wants really, so, she retreats to a place that did give her comfort as a child – an old painting of an unnamed loch in Scotland. Her only clue to its whereabouts is the area her grandfather came from.Glenelk has a tiny population and is deep enough in the Highlands to retain a touch of Celtic magic. Shani Struthers captures the entire area with such vivid enticing imagery, that there was a couple of times that I stopped reading to look at pictures. She made me want to be there among the people, glens, fairy pools, and mountains.The Highlands are almost a character in there own right in this book, one of a number of fascinating characters. Each so fully developed, that they were ready to walk of the pages into real life.It’s through loss that Jessamin connects with the other main characters, each holding onto their own almost as tightly as she is. The problem for all of them is moving forward means letting go and none of them are capable of doing it alone.I laughed and I cried reading this. I felt the characters exhilaration when life began to creep back into their blood, but also their fear. If I can described it, it would be like emotions tied up and as a reader I was desperate for the characters to break free.This really is a must read. A absolute gem of a read, especially now during the winter months when it’s perfect for curling up by a fire.

Having read nearly all Shani's books this is my favourite it's based in my favourite place Skye,it was a sad but happy book and haunting not in a scary way...a beautiful ghost story which will make you cry... jessamine was a wonderful character that you will like from the start. Stan who is a lovely old man with stories to tell that connects with her,Maggie the shop owner who sees into people's minds and Maccallin stand offish ways stans grandson ex army who had his own bad memories. Wonderful book just loved it .

I downloaded this novel almost as soon as it came out but 'saved' until I visited the Kyles of Lochalsh and Skye in June. It was the perfect read for the ever changeable weather which passes for 'spring' on the west coast of Scotland. The shifting mist, the stunning scenery helped to get me into the mood for the supernatural element in this novel and made me appreciate all the more the themes of redemption and 'moving on.' I felt Jessamine's grief at being widowed and wondered how I would cope in similar circumstances, would I want to hold on to my husband's spirit or free him to go to a better place? Jessamine is similarly conflicted although she is helped by the lovely people who live in Glenelk to come to terms withe her grief. In turn she helps them to confront past wrongs and find their place in the sun. At times, the writing was so intense that I was carrying my iphone around with me and reading snatches whenever I could. I wanted to know how it would all resolve itself - would Jessamine let husband Jamie go towards the 'light'; would Stan live long enough to get the closure he sought and deserved; would she be able to convince Fionnlagh that he, too, deserved peace and happiness in his life? And that she was the woman who could heal his troubled soul? I wanted to know what part the painting Jessamine remembered from her childhood played in resolving all the above issues. Read this book and you really will start to believe in second sight, faerie pools and the mysticism which is part and parcel of this most beautifuk part on the world, Shani Struthers goes from strength to strength as a writer and I look forward t reading more of her work.