The Rose Garden

The Rose Garden follows Eva, who returns to Cornwall after her sister's death to scatter her ashes at their childhood summer home, Trelowarth House. Upon arrival, Eva begins experiencing unexplained phenomena that transport her between present day and the 18th century. In the past timeline, Eva encounters Daniel Butler, a charismatic figure involved in Cornish smuggling operations during 1715. The story moves between both time periods as Eva navigates her growing connection to the house, its gardens, and its former inhabitants. Eva must make choices about where she truly belongs while uncovering historical mysteries tied to Trelowarth's rose gardens. The novel interweaves romance, historical detail, and supernatural elements against the backdrop of Cornwall's rugged landscape. The narrative explores themes of grief, destiny, and the ways in which the past can echo through time. Through its dual timelines, the book examines how places can hold memories and how love can transcend conventional boundaries.

Readers call this a moderately engaging time-slip novel that falls short of Erskine's other works. Many note the book has a slow start that picks up around the halfway point. Readers appreciated: - The Cornwall setting and historical details - The ghost story elements - The parallel storylines across time periods - Strong character development for Eva and Daniel Common criticisms: - Too much focus on modern-day romance - Plot moves slowly for first 200 pages - Supporting characters lack depth - Multiple subplots don't fully resolve Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon UK: 3.9/5 (220+ ratings) "Expected more chills and supernatural elements" appears frequently in reviews. Several readers mentioned struggling to finish but finding the ending satisfying. A common sentiment from Goodreads reviews: "Not her best work, but worth reading for Erskine fans."

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The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters A country doctor becomes entangled in the lives of an aristocratic family whose crumbling estate harbors dark secrets and unexplained phenomena.

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley A writer researching the Jacobite rebellion experiences genetic memories of her ancestor's life in 18th-century Scotland while staying in a coastal castle.

Lady of Hay by Barbara Erskine A journalist undergoes hypnotic regression revealing her connection to a medieval noblewoman, leading to parallel narratives across eight centuries.

🌹 While researching for The Rose Garden, Barbara Erskine spent time exploring the rugged Cornish coast, which serves as the atmospheric setting for much of the novel. 🌹 The book intertwines two time periods - contemporary times and the 18th century - a signature style that Erskine has become known for in her historical fiction works. 🌹 The novel draws inspiration from real historical events, including the Jacobite rebellions and the complex relationship between England and France during the 1700s. 🌹 Barbara Erskine began her career as a historian, earning her degree from Edinburgh University, which helps explain her meticulous attention to historical detail in The Rose Garden. 🌹 The practice of time-slip fiction, which The Rose Garden exemplifies, became popular in the UK during the 1990s, with Erskine being one of the pioneers of this genre blend.