A beautifully told and intriguing mystery about two generations of Scottish women united by blood, an obsession with the past, and a long-hidden body, from the author of The House Between Tides.
This is truly one of the best books I have read this year.
It has everything you need for a great story; suspense, great location, fabulous characters and a mystery that kept me guessing right up to the end of the book. If you enjoy the books of Susanna Kearsley or Kate Morton, you will enjoy this one
A definite "could not put this one down" read. 5 stars all the way.

Beautifully wrought, fascinating mystery spanning centuries in Scotland. I enjoyed the different viewpoints and the descriptive language. I’m a sucker for a good mystery and this one was gripping from the get-go!

In modern Scotland, 1890s Scotland, and ancient Scotland runs the legend of Ulla and the men who play a part in her life. The legend is somewhat mirrored in 1890 and in modern times Libby Snow has come to excavate and track down her own history. Short of a bagpiper or man running around in a kilt, this book had something for everyone: mystery, romance, history, friendship, etc. I wouldn't have minded a kilted rogue! (In case you were wondering.) With three timelines, sometimes you forgot where you were on one of them when you switched to a different one. It also made for a lot of moving parts and characters. As I usually find with multiple timelines, one interests me more than the others. Sadly, in this case I didn't care for the story of Ulla, which was the basis for the whole story. Otherwise I found the book enchanting, a bit predictable, but lovely none the less.

Women of the Dunes is a beautifully written historical tale about treasures, mysteries, murder, and even a little bit of a romance.

The story is told in three alternating viewpoints which includes a Norsewoman in the 9th century, a 19th century woman, and Libby who is an archaeologist. The story slowly but beautifully connects the three timelines together.

The author effortlessly builds upon her research and experience in this historical tale which heightens the story even more.

And.. let me just say how much I want to go to Scotland now! The metaphors and visualization in this novel is amazing!

In all.... this was an enjoyable read with a cozy mystery at it's finest! I read this in a day... so that must tell you something ;).

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Atria for the advanced arc in exchange for a honest review.

Published to GR: 7/17/18
Publication date: 7/24/18

Mystery set in Scotland. It is told between two generations of women. Well written, with interesting characters.
This book is very atmospheric and a compelling read.

Libby was searching for the truth about the legends in her family's past. Rodri was determined to prevent her finding out his family's secrets. Together they discovered that their pasts were inextricably mixed. Ranging from Scotland to Newfoundland to Oslo, and from Viking times to the early 1900s to the present, this intriguing tale captures and holds the reader's interest. The romance is almost incidental to the solving of the mysteries. – Ruth Isabel

I thoroughly enjoyed this story that transitioned between three different time periods seamlessly. It centered around a historical site in the far north of Scotland where murders were committed, treasure was buried, and lovers were separated. A solid read and I would recommend it to those who enjoy reading Kate Morton and Susanna Kearsley.

It isn’t often that I finish a book and immediately look to see if I own any others by that author so that I can start reading another. “Women of the Dunes” by Sarah Maine was that good! Betrayal, murder, romance, archaeology, myth, handsome Scottish men… this one has it all!

The author laces together a story of different generations with three alternating time lines. Set in Ullanessm, an island off the western coast of Scotland, Libby Snow arrives to excavate the site of Scottish legend Ulla in an attempt to find burial sites and artifacts. Ulla is a Viking who arrived with her lover, several warriors and treasure centuries ago. The travelers are met by a monk who tries to save the lover’s life but fails. Several legends and poems are written about them and they even inspire the name of the island.

Libby has long had the desire to visit Ullanessm after hearing stories of her great-great-grandmother, Ellen, who previously lived and worked on the island. However, shortly after arriving, Libby discovers a body… an unexpected body that cannot be connected to the legend since it is clearly much more recent.

She then meets the handsome caretaker of Sturrock House, Rodri, who seems to be hiding some secrets of his own.

What happened to Ulla, her lover, the monk and the treasure? What will Libby find? What is the identity of the latest body? Lots of questions that the author fully answered.

Such a great story that was perfectly written. The three story lines were expertly woven together to complete the picture of all three generations. Her writing made me feel as if I was there on Ulanessm. A great book with an excellent ending that would be a perfect vacation/beach read.

Oh, by the way, “The House Between Tides” is next; I’ll let you know.

Publication Date: July 24, 2018
Genre: Women’s Fiction, Historical, Mystery, Suspense
Cover: Perfect and beautiful!
Rating: 5 stars
Source: I received this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity to read this great book!

#NetGalley #WomenOfTheDunes #SarahMaine

I wish I had read this about a month earlier during the time I was visiting Scotland because it would have made a wonderful story even better! Sarah Maine has written an engrossing tale of an old Scottish myth, complete with a dig for buried treasure, a budding romance, murder and mystery.

The story centers around Libby Snow, a young archaeologist who becomes involved in an excavation on a Scottish island that also has a connection to her own family history.
The story is told in the form of three different time periods, slowly weaving the ancient legend together and revealing the truth about the past.

I looked forward to reading this each day and it is definitely one of my favorite reads this year. It had everything to offer that I love about historical fiction. Mystery and history lovers will enjoy this as well.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an advance copy and give an honest review.

Great Book!!! This book covers 3 different time eras of “Women of the Dunes”, Ulla, Ellen and Liberty Snow. I love the name Liberty “Libby” Snow. Each of the women have their secrets and their stories to tell, Libby (present day) is an archeologist on a search in Scotland for the clues in the Dunes to support her grandmother’s tales of legends in the headlands. Also intertwined is the story of the Sturrock’s, the owners of the land surrounding and including the legend church and buildings. They have stories to tell of their own.
I absolutely loved this book. I remember listening to my grandmother tell stories of when she was little, and they were nothing like the folklore of legends we learn about here.
Sarah Maine has a phenomenal way of taking you seamlessly between all 3 women, from the eighth-century Ulla, to her grandmother's grandmother, Ellen and then forward to Libby. She had me hooked when the boat sailed in from the north in the first chapter. I can’t remember the last time I had enjoyed the banter and conversation between two people so much and couldn’t help but fall in love with both of them, Rodri and Libby.
I highly recommend this book, great read, so enjoyable, and it was written so well, the Irish way of speaking was so fun to read. I was drawn in and cared about every character, except Mungo and Lalia, never liked them. Alice, Maddie, Angus, the boys. It was all great!!!! I have already purchased another of Sarah Maine’s books and will definitely be reading more of her.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Atria Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. This one gets 5****s.

Libby as an archaeologist wanted to do more than unearth the past history of Ullaness which was the backdoor to where she grew up in Newfoundland by her grandmother'. She was seeking answers to the mystery surrounding a legendary love tale that has been told to her since a child, and now this tale was accompanied by an actual valuable artifact from such a period. The intrigue is unmistakable, there is an invisible pull, a lure that grips you as you read this book, as ancient mysteries are finally being unearthed entwined with the tragedies of unrequited love, greed, and a bit of present-day madness that was evil to the core, but well executed. The budding attraction between Libby and Rodri was as unexpected as the results from their archaeology dig. A masterful production well orchestrated with the ideal players and a sound storyline, which slowly entwines you into its mysterious pages, which gives off an unexpected but true melody to this book, a great read.

This was a wonderful book about an archeologist who goes on a dig in Scotland to discover the history of a woman of legend. She is also there to discover more about herself. This was written well and kept me wondering what would be discovered.

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a review copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion of it.

Libby Snow has always wanted to visit Ullaness, a rugged island on the west coast of Scotland. Not only does the island at the center of Women of the Dunes, by Sarah Maine, have a beloved legend, she also has a mysterious family connection that she longs to get to the bottom of. She finally gets her wish when she and her boss get permission to lead a small team in an even smaller archaeological job on Ullaness. For some reason the ranking family on the island won’t let them do much and it appears that Snow is not the only one with buried secrets.

We meet Libby just as she’s about to meet the man in charge of Ullaness, Rodri Sturrock. Rodri is the baronet’s (his brother) agent on the island and, for reasons we don’t learn until much later, he is adamant that the archaeological team sticks to a very limited mission. At times, Rodri is a bit of an alpha-hole. It’s hard to blame him, though, considering that he’s holding his family and businesses together by the skin of his teeth. His business partner and housekeeper describes him as a force of nature. She’s not wrong; Rodri has a habit of sweeping everyone around him along with his plans. Fortunately, Libby is used to work with people with strong personalities. The trick is to carry on with with what you’re doing while they bluster and, when the opportunity arises, try and steer them away from their worst impulses.

While the tensions rise between Rodri and Libby, on one side, and his sister-in-law and her boss on the other, we get glimpses of the events that inspired the legend that Libby heard from her grandmother. We also see one of Libby’s ancestors tangle with another pair of Sturrock brothers. Eventually, it all connects—with some lovely echoes in all three timelines—but I don’t want to ruin the stories for other readers. I will only say that the novel made me feel like the stories were playing themselves out, over and over, until a new group of people could finally make things right.

The more I read of Women of the Dunes, the more I enjoyed it. The characters were absolutely wonderful, especially Libby and Rodri. The best part, I think, was the atmosphere of the rural, somewhat-adrift-in-time island of Ullaness. There are parts of the book where I could almost hear the gulls and smell the salt air. My only quibble is that I wish there could have been more Vikings.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, for review consideration. It will be released 24 July 2018.

This book had me hooked by the second chapter . The author entwines the stories of three different women of different times and how they are all entwined together . Let me take you to Scotland where the lives of Ulla , Ellen and Libby come together .
The characters are well written and complex. The author has written some very strong women . Ulla a 18th century Norse woman . She has escaped her abusive husband with his brother . Which starts all of this intrigue . She is left on the shore with a dying man and the priest who actually holds her life in his hands . She is such a good character . I just wish the author would of brought her out just a little bit more . She would of been a great character to get to know. From what we get from her she is so distraught over the death of her love . There is such a darkness around her at some points in the story . Ellen is the second character entwined with Libby and Ulla. She is a maid at the Sturrock mansion and is torn between two men . She is in love with Alick , the sweet younger brother who likes to talk and be around Ellen . And then there is Mungo the older brother who in my opinion is a very abusive man . Ellen to me seems just a little naïve most of the time . She is scared and also trying to keep a roof over her sick mothers head . We do see her have a bit of a back bone towards the end of the book and there is actually more to Ellen then the author lets on at first. Now Libby is the linch pin that pulls the other two characters together . She is an archeologist and knows all the stories behind Ulla and her past . When she starts to figure things out you see Libby become a really strong woman and she takes on those that want to destroy the happiness that she has found at the Sturrock house. There is so much going on with each of these woman you just can't stop reading .
The author takes us on an adventure with twists and turns . I started this book in the evening and I honestly couldn't put it down . The characters are really complex and you just want to see how they all fit together . I loved the mystery and the intrigue . There are three voices in the book but they all blend together. The only thing I have to say is it did kind of lag in a few spots . Over all I truly enjoyed this book and the characters . This is the first book I have read by this author and I truly love her writing style . You don't get confused with each character and you actually start to care for each character. So when this book comes out I would say put it on your summer reading list . You will be sucked into the story and the scenery and love of Scotland .

Women of the Dunes was atmospheric and intriguing - this was a great book for feeling like you've traveled without ever leaving your reading chair. I felt totally transported to the Western Coast of Scotland. A great read for a rainy afternoon in the fall. Thank you, NetGalley!

A story that spans the lives of 3 groups of people in a small Scottish town. The mystery and folk lore are intertwined and begin to become uncovered by Libby Snow who us, jerself, part of that history. A good mix of folk tale and mystery, Really enjoyable.

Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and the author for a free advanced copy.

*3 ½ stars rounded up to 4*

When I am reading a synopsis of a book and I come across the word Scotland, I don’t have to read any further. Scotland is my absolute favorite location for a book. “Women of the Dunes” is a charming story that tells the legends of two women and the story of our modern day archeologist Libby.

There are three time lines at play here, a bit much but not confusing. The setting was absolutely beautiful, and you throw in a few Viking men, a beautiful Norseman woman, pagans, Victorian age Christians and their young maid, a modern day brooding Scotsman and you definitely have a recipe of romantic proportions. I have to admit, I did not go into this book thinking romance would play this big of a part; I enjoyed it none the less. Once I got passed the slow start I adored all the characters. Except Libby, she was a little flat for me. For a
modern day educated woman she was a tab bit slow for my liking.

This was my first read from this author but I can honestly say it will not be my last. I would recommend this book for lovers of this genre.

This was my first try at reading a book by Sarah Maine. The backdrop of this story was the most intriguing part, but the main characters fell flat for me and were uninteresting.

I really enjoyed this story, which focuses on a modern-day archaeologist’s connection to an ancient legend on the western coast of Scotland. More character depth could have been achieved — the players have complex lives that could have benefited from closer writing. Overall a great story for those who enjoy historical fiction.

A rich and wonderfully researched novel peopled with nuanced and fascinating characters--The storyline is haunting and fresh.