A must read for any history buff. As the story winds through the era that would find Scotish lands changing hands with every new challenge, Susanna Kearsley places the focus on the people who would love their homelands enough to stay through the troubles. Well researched and written, Kearsley makes the story come to life.

I love Susanna Kearsley’s writing style so I was glad to finally read her new book. I enjoyed that the 1707 storyline was solving a mystery, which helped keep the story moving. And she always has compelling characters. It was a bit of a slow read and sometimes got bogged down in more historical background of things we didn’t really need, so I wish the pace moved a little better because I started this a few times and put it aside. I also was a little confused on some details of the twist and I wonder if the final version had ironed some of that out or if it was the same. All in all, I’m always happy to read one of her books so I’m glad to have read this one!

A step back in time that encompasses a tale of betrayal and poverty while finally moving forward. Susanna Kearsley slowly draws you in and finding life after becoming a widow will keep you captivated until the end.

The Vanished Days by Susanna Kearsley is a long, winding tale of love, betrayal, poverty, and the struggle to rise above every difficulty. Kearsley brings the 1700’s to life with all its grit and pain. This is an excellent read.

I've always enjoyed Susanna Kearsley's books in the past so I was excited to get this one too. I had a bit of a hard time getting into The Vanished Days but I did enjoy the narrator as I read and listened along. I have been to Edinburgh so I loved the setting and was easily able to picture everything that went on in my mind.

You might especially enjoy this book if you've read The Winter Sea since this is the prequel to that.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 5 October 2021

One of these days I'm going to finish this book. It's a multiple time line story of the American Revolution and not a lot is happening at first.

Susanna Kearsley's writing is beautiful, poetic, and engaging. I am remiss that I didn't write a review before now- but I really enjoyed the book and want to read the entire series, now. The story takes place during the Jacobite revolution (late 1600s/early 1700s) and follows the romance of Lily Aitcheson, a young widow who comes to claim the inheritance of her deceased husband, and Adam Williamson, a man who investigates her claim. It's apparent Kearsley did her research and the reader is left with a rich experience of conflict and love with historical accuracy.

I have read a few books by Susanna Kearsley before reading The Vanished Days. This one fits right in with those in that it is well written, well researched, consistent with the author's writing style. Fans of historical fiction, particularly as related to the Scottish Jacobian time period will enjoy this book. It has echoes of Outlander, but not quite as sexually risque or graphically gory in its descriptions of the damages of war. If I am being honest maybe because of the length of the book combined with my own reading mood, it took me much longer than usual to read the book and I found myself getting confused at the storylines of the many characters. However, I enjoyed The Vanished Days and, as become customary when I read this author, I wanted to learn more about the actual history of that place and time period as I was reading.

I absolutely love historical fiction books but unfortunately I really did not enjoy this book. I found the plot weak and couldn’t engage with any of the characters.

The Vanished Days is set in the late 17th and early 18th century, primarily in Edinburgh against the backdrop of the Union with England and rumored return of the exiled Jacobite king and his court. It is a dense and deeply researched novel, with extensive notes about where the story deviates from historical fact, characters that are created, and small anachronisms that pop up when writing for a modern audience.

There are at least 3 intertwined timelines, a host of characters that recur in each timeline, and a blanket of intrigue and carefully omitted details over it all. The outset is a bit of a slow build, but it does eventually pick up steam. I would recommend either keeping a list of characters or making sure that you have enough time to read it in large sections - it does manage to bring everything full circle, but the ending happens all at once, in something of a plot line avalanche. If you like hefty historical fiction, especially if you like the Outlander series but could do with a little less time travel or fantasy elements, this is a solid bet. It’s got adventure, intrigue, and romance, but it’s historical fiction first, so I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who isn’t already interested in that genre.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

It was a really intriguing book. It took me a little time to read, because I really wanted to think through everything that was happening. All in all it kept me captivated and made me think as well.

Overall, I thought The Vanished Days was not what I had expected at all really! What it was though was a many layered mystery with elements of adventure, endurance, and romance as well, all set in a tumultuous and often overlooked place and time.

I LOVE Susanna Kearsley and her books have been some of my favorites so it pained me to struggle so much to get into this one. I don't know if it was the length or just the topic but for some reason I felt like I kept forcing myself to pick it up and ended up DNF'ing halfway through. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

A really engaging read...Kearsley transported the reader to the vivid imagery of Scotland, and kept the readers on the edge of their seats throughout the reading. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this!

Susanna Kearsley is on a very short list of authors that I consider an auto-buy. They are always impeccably researched and beautifully written. I really enjoy how most of her books are structured with a duel plot line.

I started to read this and it didn't grab my attention within the first 50 pages. I stopped reading at that point. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This is a beautifully written book about life in the early 1700's in England. Tensions are building between France, Scotland and England. During this upheaval a widow tries to collect her husband's wages and is challenged. This book is not filled with action but describes life during this period on time. By the little snipits of background it is apparent a lot of research went into this book. Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read it.

If you haven’t started this series, I would say that this addition could be read alone. I’m sure you wi be interested in the other books to discover what happens to the characters.

This book is a prequel to this Scottish series so I was delighted to read this and not feel as if I would be confused. I am looking forward to reading the other 2 books as the story has such rich characters and enticing plot. The time line alternates to provide the historical aspects to which the narrator presents as he proceeds to write “the truths” from the past. I was drawn into the storyline and the various characters who all seem to have their own motives for their actions. I look forward to seeing how it plays out in the previously published books.

I love Susanna Kearsley books so much and was excited to get this one! She weaves dual timelines so seamlessly- I love being able to read from multiple perspectives and not get confused.

Where do I even begin? I absolutely LOVED this book from cover to cover. The Vanished Days is historical fiction at its very best.

This is a thick book clocking in at 400+ pages, and yet I blew through it in record time because I couldn't put it down. It's a slow burn for sure, but definitely one worth journeying on. I'll spare you the details on the plot, though know going in that this is the prequel to The Winter Sea. The story alternates between dual timelines and along the way we meet a whole smattering of characters. Take heart, though, as it's a nod to the wonderful writing that it wasn't difficult in the least to keep track of it all. There is history here, mystery, romance, intrigue, and gorgeous writing. It became clear quickly that Kearsley did her due diligence in researching for the book, so rich in Scottish history it was. I was absolutely intrigued and enamored by this and learned so much, and it was yet another check in the "win" box for me here.

What stood out here the most was the intricate storytelling and the strong sense of place and time throughout. It's not always the case when I turn the last page of a book, but The Vanished Days has genuinely stuck with me. has struck with me. This book would make an excellent book club pick!

A true masterpiece, I cannot sing this book's praises enough. I highly recommend to all fans of historical fiction and anybody looking for an atmospheric, immersive read to get lost in. This book would make an excellent book club pick!

Many thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the gifted e-copy!