Book Review
The Herbalist's Secret
Annabelle Marx
Book Description:
Two small lifeless bodies lay on the sand, arms carefully placed by
their sides. On the other side of the loch stands an imposing house. It's
almost as if it gives a silent howl of distress, echoing over the hills, making
the birds turn their gaze down to the beach where the two bodies lie, awaiting
discovery.
1889: Kitty Gray dreams of attending university and becoming
a doctor, but when she is married off to Charles Maclean, one of Glasgow's
richest and most eligible bachelors, her aspiration suddenly slips far from
reach.
Exiled to her new remote home in the Scottish Highlands, with its gargoyles,
gothic arches and turrets, Kitty seeks solace in creating a restorative herb
garden. Combining her medical knowledge and new-found fascination with
herbalism, Kitty spends her days absorbed in a world of herbs and their healing
properties until a devastating tragedy strikes...
2003: Caitlin Black arrives at Ardbray House determined to
restore the crumbling mansion and Kitty's walled garden to their former glory,
enlisting the help of long-time housekeeper Greer Mackenzie. But as Caitlin
delves deeper into the history of this once magnificent home, she uncovers a
past haunted by misfortune and grief. And beneath the blood-red roses that
climb beside the bay window of the drawing room, a human skull is about to be
unearthed.
The truth that has held Ardbray House captive for so long is surfacing, and
with it, the heart-breaking secret of the herbalist who once lived there.
Buy Now:
My Five-Star Review:
1889 - Kitty’s dreams do not come true after her marriage. Eventually, sent to Ardbray House in the Scottish Highlands, Kitty begins to find her true passion through growing and working with herbs.
2003 – Caitlin Black wants to buy Ardbray House to turn
it into a spa – a refuge from society. Greer, the caretaker of the house for decades,
is not sure about Caitlin’s ideas for the place. Greer has been protecting the
house and caring for the spirits that haunt it since Kitty’s death.
The Herbalist’s Secret is an interesting story that
draws you in and keeps you interested. I will definitely look for more books in
the future by author Annabelle Marx.
About the Author:
Annabelle Marx has worked in
marketing and event production as well as running her own food business,
winning two Great Taste awards. She’s an alumna of the Faber Academy and in the
process of completing an MA in Creative Writing at Bath Spa University. Annabelle
finds inspiration in the places she spends time in, most often the Highlands of
Scotland. Her debut novel, The Herbalist’s Secret is published on 27th October
2023.
Connect with Annabelle, she’d love to hear from you: Website: www.annabellemarx.com
