Whispers in the Sand

by Barbara Erskine

Book Overview

Past and present collide on a richly mysterious Nile cruise... From the bestselling author of Lady of Hay comes this atmospheric and gripping page-turner. Recently divorced Anna Fox decides to cheer... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0140299092
• ISBN13: 9780140299090
• Release Date: January 2001
• Publisher: Penguin Books
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 7.4" x 1.3" x 4.5"

Customer Reviews

Not a Diary

This a response to the reviewer who said the diary was written in the 3rd person. Its not the diary, that we read. Anna has the only copy of the diary and it is written in the first person [see first entry of diary]. Barbara has written the diary portions of the book like its done in film. We the readers are transported back in time to watch the action unfold while unseen Anna is reading the passive diary. Diaries are not written with conversation.

Engrossing

This is a very exciting novel which grabs your attention from the first words. Anna is recovering from a recent divorce and decides to follow in the footsteps of her famous great grandmother, an artist of some renown, and make a trip to Egypt. She embarks on a luxury cruise from Luxor to Aswan, carrying with her two of her great grandmother Louisa's glass scent bottles and her diary. The story then switches backwards and forward to encompass the stories of both women. I found it to be a book which I couldn't put down and on several nights, was horrified to see that it was 2 am ...not only was I still engrossed, but was literally bug-eyed with the drama of it..be warned!

Enjoyable, Scary, Thought Provoking

I enjoyed this book about a haunted scent bottle. The story is told from 3 different time periods, and that makes it even more interesting and intriguing. At times it was creepy, eerie, and even a little scary. I thought the plot and ending was very complete and left me with no unanswered questions except what would happen next.... At times it was a little confusing about the different gods, priests, places, etc. but mostly I believe because I listened to this book instead of read it, so it was not as easy for me to refer back to earlier parts if need be. Learning and exploring through Egypt with the characters was enjoyable. I agree that at least some of the main characters were annoying, but I didn't think it was too odd that Serena was familiar with Isis or other egyptian rituals, etc. It made sense to me that it could easily be possible since she was on a cruise to egypt and probably had some kind of interest in the culture, history, etc. There is also a romantic aspect for the two main characters. Overall I enjoyed this ghost story and would recommend it to others. This was my first book by this author and already plan to read others by her.

A touch of the occult

This is an exciting novel which grabs your attention from the word go ! Recovering from a recent divorce, Anna decides to follow in the footsteps of her famous great,great grandmother, an artist of some renown and make a trip to Egypt. She embarks on a luxury cruise from Luxor to Aswan, carrying with her two of her great grandmother Louisas' legacies- a glass scent bottle and her diary. The story then switches backwards and forwards to encompass the stories of both women.I found it to be a book that I couldn't put down and on several nights, was horrified to see that it was 2am and not only was I still engrossed, but was literally bug-eyed with the drama of it..be warned !!

Fabulous book!

This was a great novel ... i actually bought it used on a whim and i think it's been one of my best catches:) It's actually inspired me to take my very own cruise down the Nile. If you love history, romance, archeology, suspence and all things British ... this is the book for you!