I really enjoyed the book, finding most of the characters interesting and engaging. The main story is woven around Libby and the family of landowners that are involved in her archaeological dig. She has familial links to the area, and as the story plays out we find out what exactly happened on the peninsular those hundreds of years ago. The interweaving of the three stories is well done, and although I found Ellen to be a slightly annoying character, not quite believing her obsession with the ancient legend, I found myself reluctant to put the book down - always a good sign.

I'm not sure I'd call it a "mystery" - with the legend of Ulla and her deadly entanglement with two brothers signalled from the beginning, it wasn't hard to guess what had happened in the Victorian mystery part of the story. However, the story romped along at a good pace, and it was well-written. I'd certainly be happy top read other books by this author, and if I'd paid for this book, I wouldn't be disappointed.

This merits a good, solid 4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for the eARC.
Such a lovely story, I absolutely loved this book.
Three women are connected through three timelines: Ulla, Ellen and Libby. In the present, Libby is preparing for a dig in Western Scotland, after having spent much of her childhood staying with family in Newfoundland listening to stories of Ulla, the Norsewoman who arrived in Scotland after escaping her brutal husband with his brother, her lover. Generations later, Ellen escapes Scotland to start a new life in Newfoundland. Libby, fascinated by the myth of Ulla, is ecstatic to be able to make her dream come true: digging into the past, hopefully learning more about Ulla and her own ancestors.
The three storylines were lovingly told and easy to follow, and each was fascinating, really absorbing and it was hard for me to put the book down ... I didn't want the book to end. Great atmosphere too, it reminded me a bit of books by the great Daphne du Maurier. Fantastic read!

Thank you Netgalley and Atria Books for the ARC

Woman of the Dunes is the intriguing story of three strong woman centuries apart and history repeating itself. Norsewoman Ulla in 800 a.d., escaping a brotherhood of Vikings, Ellen in 1890, keeping the legend alive and Libby in modern times, digging it all up and finding the answers.
We're on the westcoast of Scotland, between the ruins and an old mansion. The landscape and surroundings are so vividly described, we basically live among the families in each part of history. The chapters flow as invisible as the tides, moving seamlessly between periods.
History, treasure and mystery all come together in a convincing finale with only one question left...and here comes the brilliant Epilogue that gives us the last answer, or does it? Superb!

This is a beautifully written novel that tells the tales of three women (and several men not mentioned in the title) in a tiny Scottish town in three vastly different time periods. It's fascinating how the lives of the characters living in each time period are connected to one another, and how their lives coincide and differ. After a bit of a slow start, this book quickly picked up steam and kept me enthralled until the very end. The quiet, isolated, coastal Scottish setting is at times beautiful and romantic, and at others, lonely. All in all, an enjoyable read that I may read again at some point.

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely loved this book. Told by several people in different centuries, with different talks and themes. The settings are wonderful - Newfoundland and Scotland. Norsemen, Pagans, Christians, Archeologists are interwoven in the overlapping stories. I love the idea of connections - both familial and friendships. We have two main characters that are intent on solving the centuries old mystery(ies), an arrogant professor, a conniving sister in law, 3 different sets of warring brothers. It is a beautiful story and the conclusion was a satisfying ending. I felt as if l were actually on the dig with Libby. How important for her to see this mystery through.

I can't recommend this book enough.

*I would like to thank the author/publisher/NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review*

This is a beautiful story that takes place in Scotland. Full of history, folklore, and tradition, I found this to be a nice, refreshing read, somewhat like living among the Scottish without ever leaving my den.
Liberty Snow is a hard-working, determined archeologist who jumps at the chance to participate in a dig along the coast of Scotland in an area dear to her heart. Her ancestors have a history here, and her grandmother’s folk tales have always intrigued Libby. Not long into the process of excavation, Libby unearths a body, and in the hand of the skeleton is a cross necklace, identical to one that Libby’s grandmother passed on to her.
Crossing over three different eras of time along this same bit of coastline, the story unwraps how a chance stop by a pirate ship led to murder, envy, love and the theft of invaluable religious artifacts, and how these same emotions repeat themselves to those that come along years later. Beautifully written with crisp characters and vivid descriptions, it lulls you into the mindset of the story. Each era has a unique story, yet the three intertwine. This would be a perfect book to read while sitting at the ocean, listening to the waves and feeling the sand warm your feet.
(I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. Thank you to Atria Publishing and NetGalley for making it available.)

A wonderful and complex book that follows three women of different era's in Scotland

4 fascinating Scottish stars to Women of the Dunes! 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟

The description of this book captivated me. My alter ego in college enjoyed archaeological digs, so I’m up anything with an excavation involved, multiple timelines, and history.

Women of the Dunes is told in three timelines, including a Norsewoman in the 9th century, a 19th century woman, and a contemporary archaeologist, Libby. A Scottish island, Ullanessm, draws people to it with its ancient stories and myths, including the main characters. How the three timelines intersect is natural and fulfilling.

The author has clearly done impeccable research, and her own background in archaeology shows. In the end, this is an interesting tale of betrayal, murder, love, and redemption, shrouded in a cozy, easy-to-read, comforting historical mystery.

Thank you to Sarah Maines, Atria Books, and Netgalley for the copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will be recommending this novel for those who love a good story: love, betrayal, mystery, murder, and forgiveness fill the pages of this book. For those who love Susanna Kearsley.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Atria Book for providing me an ARC of Women of the Dunes by Sarah Maine in exchange for an honest review.

The story goes back and forth between three timelines which described the lives of three women. The first timeline is about a Norsewoman in the ninth century named Ulla who escaped her evil Viking husband with her lover and sailed to Scotland. There, Ulla meets a monk upon her arrival and asks him to help to save her lover who was seriously wounded. Her lover dies, but a legend is birthed.

The second timeline is about a Scottish servant woman in the nineteenth century named Ellen who lived on the estate where the legend of Ulla was born. Ellen is obsessed with Ulla’s story. She ends up leaving Scotland and moving to Newfoundland, but never forgot the legend and passed it on to her daughter who passed it on to her grand-daughter, Libby.

The last timeline is about Libby, a young archeologist in the twenty-first century. Libby finds the perfect job; she is hired as a lead archeologist on a project which will take place in the birthplace of her grandmother. The project is to dig a mound where, it is believed, Ulla’s lover was buried. In preparation for the dig, Libby visits the site and discovers that the mound hides many secrets which could change everything she heard about the legend.

This is a fantastic read. The book has all the elements of a great story: love, betrayal, murder, and forgiveness. This book will be available at your favorite bookstore on July 24, 2018.