The Vanished Days is the third book by Susannah Kearsley in her Slains/Scottish series and, as a huge fan of the first two (and her books in general), I was really excited to dive back into this world.

Set across two timelines – 1685 and 1707 – this story reintroduces us to characters met in the previous books, including the Moray and Graeme families of Inchbrackie.

I just love the way the author breathes life into real historical figures, hooking the reader from the start and allowing you to connect with an array of engaging characters – particularly the narrator (Sergeant Adam Williamson) who talks directly to the reader throughout making you feel as if you’re being told the story directly by a confidante.

Vanished Days was beautifully researched providing a perfect mix of real-life history, intrigue and romance, with a cracking twist that I really did not see coming!

As with The Winter Sea and Firebird before it, I couldn’t put this book down and really hope that the author continues writing in the Scottish/Jacobite universe in future!

I really love Susanna Kearsley's books and have read them all so was delighted to hear of this new title and it is did not disappoint. Full of wonderful characterisation, fabulous setting, a gripping story - I couldn't put it down - thank you!

I am an avid fan of Susanna Kearsley, and often wait with much anticipation for her newest novel. This one did not disappoint in the slightest!

I almost do not know where to begin in my review in order to fully convey how much I enjoyed reading this novel. Due to the style of writing, character development, twists and turns of the plot and attention to detail, Kearsley has once again written a bestseller here.

One thing that did surprise me about this book was that it differed slightly from some of Kearsley’s other works in which there is a ‘time-slip’ element. This book was set between different times, but not times far apart, more times separated by memories and the journeys of the characters as they retell parts of their lives. This did not have a negative effect on the book- if anything, it made it much more immersive as a work of ‘historical fiction’ rather than entering the sometimes whimsical ‘time-slip’ genre.

Upon finishing the book, Kearsley writes about her research and the historical background that helped her writing and I commend her for being so thorough. This certainly shines through in her writing, making the book a believable and intriguing story, where you can truly imagine yourself viewing lives of those from times gone by. The characters were wonderfully developed and the ending held a twist that I did not see coming… I cannot recommend this novel enough.

I have been eagerly awaiting this book since I saw it appear as a pre release on Amazon over a year ago . I love Susanna Kearsley , I've read every book and loved them all , I was so excited to see this appear on Netgalley and even more so when I received a copy.
You get swept away into this story from the first paragraph. Susanna Kearsley has a way of writing that intrigues you as soon as you've started reading. If you've read previous books then there are so many character's you recognize making an appearance through the storyline. It's so nice to get a glimpse into their lives in a setting before their own stories .
This book is slightly different than the other's I've read in that although it's a dual time in essence, both timescales are set in the past with no present time influence.
As with all the previous work I've read the historical detail is phenomenal and you can picture the scenes playing out in vivid detail. The political and religious
Unrest is palpable and the tension at times is gripping .
The characters are wonderful and you get so involved in their story, you care about the outcome. Lily is a widow who has come forward to claim her husband's share of money owed from the failed Darien venture Adam has been tasked with legitimizing or disproving the claim . Nothing is as it seems and you are left eagerly turning the pages as the mystery unfolds.
I absolutely loved this book. There are so many twists and turns you are constantly wondering what is going to happen next and it's never what you are expecting. I thoroughly recommend it.

The Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley


There are many who believe they know what happened, but they do not know the whole of it. The rumours spread, and grow, and take their hold, and so to end them I have been persuaded now to take my pen in hand and tell the story as it should be told…

Beautiful words , by a great storyteller. The Vanished Days tells the tale of Lily who has been widowed , she goes to collect her sailor husband's wages and is turned away.
It's a very different telling of a true moment in English / Scottish history of the Jacobite uprising..
It's full of suspense , intrigue , the horror of the time , and the danger to women caught up in it all.
5 stars.

I am a recent convert to Susanna Kearsley and now I will read everything she writes! So much gorgeous writing and research, love it.