Monday 23 September 2019

A Glitter of Gold - Liz Johnson

Anne Norris has moved to Savannah, Georgia in an effort to escape her past. The past where trusting in a man led to disaster with serious long-term results.  Carter Hale is struggling to keep the local museum in business, and to find the wreck of a ship talked about in the pages of the 18thcentury diary he owns. 

When Anne turns up at the museum and shows Carter the gold sword hilt she found on the beach after a hurricane, they must join forces to try to find the ship – and perhaps in the process find love.

I really enjoyed this book, with the interwoven stories and the common thread of searching. Rebecca’s search for her brother in the 16thcentury, told in the diary Carter was given as a boy, Anne’s search for freedom and peace as well as for the shipwrecked Catherine, and Carter’s search for his own self-worth and place within his family and the conclusion to his life long search for the Catherine.

The story is told wonderfully, with truly engaging characters and interesting back-and-further-back stories.  I felt for Anne, and liked Carter.  And there was someone I was suspicious of, with good reason, it turned out! When the inevitable ‘breaking’ of Anne’s secret happens, I was surprised that Carter wasn’t more angry or upset at the news, although perhaps he was flattened by the strength of Anne’s rage!  And I also wonder how her story can be kept out of the press ongoing – especially considering how much her landlady clearly dislikes her.  My favourite bit of the book though was the story of Rebecca. It was completely engrossing, and the storm was written especially well. I could almost feel the spray and hear the creaking and groaning of the ship crashing through the waves!

Overall, a very enjoyable read with well rounded characters, interesting and complex back stories, a well described setting and the air of mystery around the search for the Catherine.  I found it hard to stop reading late at night, which is always a great indicator of a top novel!

4.5 stars

You can read a fun Q&A with Liz (and find out why I picked the quote used in the graphic) here:  https://readingismysuperpower.org/2019/08/06/author-interview-and-a-giveaway-liz-johnson-a-glitter-of-gold/


For transparency, I work with Revell books in the UK, but I am not required to write any specific review. All views herein are my own.

No comments:

Post a Comment