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Waiting Sands
“Dearest Raye… I’ m writing to ask if you can possibly come to Ruthven for a few days. My twenty–first birthday falls next Sunday… I would feel much less frightened if you were beside me until after midnight on Saturday.” Dependable Rachel Lord hasn’t heard from her school friend Decima Mannering for over two years when, out of the blue, she is invited to Ruthven, the fairytale Scottish castle her friend will inherit on her coming of age. Her arrival is met with relief by Decima, who is convinced her husband Charles means her harm. Is Decima in her right mind? Or is Rachel being duped by her worldlier friend? As the eve of Decima’s twenty–first birthday approaches, a shocking event leaves Rachel with no doubt.
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
1 person is currently reading
316 people want to read
About the author
Susan Howatch
95 books563 followersSusan Howatch (b. 1940) is a British novelist who has penned bestselling mysteries, family sagas, and other novels. Howatch was born in Surrey, England. She began writing as a teen and published her first book when she moved to the United States in 1964. Howatch found global success first with her five sagas and then with her novels about the Church of England in the twentieth century. She has now returned to live in Surrey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 13, 2022
This was rather engaging, original and unusual, but everyone was actively trying to gaslight everyone else at all times with increasingly hysterical overtures, so that it drained me. 3.8
August 5, 2011
I first read this in 1973 as a 14 year old and, except for the general mood of the book, I didn't remember any details except the name of the character Decima.
I was glad to revisit this book after finding it in my library. Rachel is drawn into the events that would lead to murder at the old secluded Scottish estate of her school friend Decima. Decima had been hauled around Europe by her promiscuous mother as a child and had found moving to her father's remote home in Scotland a great relief when her mother died.
After marrying Charles, an Oxford professor and celebrated scholar 4 months after meeting him on a double date with Rachel and her friend Rohan (who had wanted Decima himself), cold fish Decima had an unhappy marriage. She enjoys flirting with young men and getting them stirred up but she is self-involved and cold inside. She does not and cannot love anyone. She has no contact with Rachel, who lives in London, until the eve of her 21st birthday.
Rachel answers Decima's frantic plea to come to the estate for her 21st birthday. Charles, she says, wants to kill her. He wants her to sell the estate but she refuses. Her father had loved Charles and left it in his will that Decima would have the estate on her 21st birthday but if she died prior to that, it would go to Charles who wants to live in the city and not out in an old place with no hot running water nor electricity.
As it turns out, there is a soap opera in progress when Rachel arrive.She falls in love with Danny Carey who is trying to have an affair with Decima. Rohan is very hostile with him. Danny's sister Rebecca is having an affair with Charles who she loves for his intellectual qualities and Roshven (the house) is a place with smoldering passions- of love, hate, and deadly jealousy and rage. Decima is a cold dead fish inside and is using everyone for her own purposes.
As midnight strikes and ushers in Decima's 21st birthday, both Charles and Decima are found murdered after the birthday party he threw for her that she failed to attend because she was out drinking with Rohan. Who killed Charles and why? Who killed Decima and why? Who has a secret so dangerous that 5 years later , it must be kept to protect the guilty even if it costs Rachel and others their lives? Read and find out.
This is a really fun read but there is enough twists and mystery to keep you chilled to the bone to the last page (where yet another surprise shows up).
I was glad to revisit this book after finding it in my library. Rachel is drawn into the events that would lead to murder at the old secluded Scottish estate of her school friend Decima. Decima had been hauled around Europe by her promiscuous mother as a child and had found moving to her father's remote home in Scotland a great relief when her mother died.
After marrying Charles, an Oxford professor and celebrated scholar 4 months after meeting him on a double date with Rachel and her friend Rohan (who had wanted Decima himself), cold fish Decima had an unhappy marriage. She enjoys flirting with young men and getting them stirred up but she is self-involved and cold inside. She does not and cannot love anyone. She has no contact with Rachel, who lives in London, until the eve of her 21st birthday.
Rachel answers Decima's frantic plea to come to the estate for her 21st birthday. Charles, she says, wants to kill her. He wants her to sell the estate but she refuses. Her father had loved Charles and left it in his will that Decima would have the estate on her 21st birthday but if she died prior to that, it would go to Charles who wants to live in the city and not out in an old place with no hot running water nor electricity.
As it turns out, there is a soap opera in progress when Rachel arrive.She falls in love with Danny Carey who is trying to have an affair with Decima. Rohan is very hostile with him. Danny's sister Rebecca is having an affair with Charles who she loves for his intellectual qualities and Roshven (the house) is a place with smoldering passions- of love, hate, and deadly jealousy and rage. Decima is a cold dead fish inside and is using everyone for her own purposes.
As midnight strikes and ushers in Decima's 21st birthday, both Charles and Decima are found murdered after the birthday party he threw for her that she failed to attend because she was out drinking with Rohan. Who killed Charles and why? Who killed Decima and why? Who has a secret so dangerous that 5 years later , it must be kept to protect the guilty even if it costs Rachel and others their lives? Read and find out.
This is a really fun read but there is enough twists and mystery to keep you chilled to the bone to the last page (where yet another surprise shows up).
March 15, 2017
A rather typical Gothic plot: heroine invited to an isolated estate where everyone acts weird and she seems to be in danger. The story was OK but not really worth digging up a copy of the book. I deducted a star for the most ridiculous example of insta-love I've read so far. Our heroine and her love interest know each other for maybe 48 hours, exchange a single kiss, and it's love everlasting. Several years later, she is still single and pining for him, based on two days casual acquaintance! As an interesting aside, this is the second Gothic novel from the 1960s that I have read this year involving quicksand.
September 1, 2021
Shy and somewhat sheltered Rachel Lord has always lived in the shadow of stronger personalities, particularly her childhood friend Rohan Quist and more recently the glamorous Decima. When she is invited to a house party at a remote Scottish estate to celebrate Decima's birthday, she is drawn into a tense sextet of shifting allegiances, infidelities, and ultimately murder. Howatch's third Gothic showed her tightening the screws on the reader. Rachel makes for an appealing heroine; the atmosphere is well-drawn, and the book rockets to a nail-biting conclusion.
September 18, 2023
Rachel Lord receives an unexpected invitation from her long-lost school friend, Decima Mannering. Decima, who is about to turn twenty-one and inherit a Scottish castle called Ruthven, expresses her fear and asks Rachel to visit. Rachel, known for her dependability, decides to accept the invitation.
Upon her arrival at Ruthven, Rachel becomes increasingly concerned for Decima's well-being. Decima is convinced that her husband, Charles, intends to harm her, and her behavior seems erratic. Rachel must determine whether her friend is truly in danger or if there's another explanation for her behavior. As the story unfolds, shocking events reveal the truth about Decima's situation, leaving Rachel with no doubt about the dire circumstances they face.
It's disappointing when a book with a promising concept doesn't quite live up to your expectations, isn't it? Sometimes, even if the idea is intriguing, the pacing and execution can make a significant difference in how enjoyable the reading experience is. It seems like the story might have had potential, but the slow pace and execution didn't make it as engaging as you had hoped. It's always a bit frustrating when a book falls short of what you were anticipating.
Upon her arrival at Ruthven, Rachel becomes increasingly concerned for Decima's well-being. Decima is convinced that her husband, Charles, intends to harm her, and her behavior seems erratic. Rachel must determine whether her friend is truly in danger or if there's another explanation for her behavior. As the story unfolds, shocking events reveal the truth about Decima's situation, leaving Rachel with no doubt about the dire circumstances they face.
It's disappointing when a book with a promising concept doesn't quite live up to your expectations, isn't it? Sometimes, even if the idea is intriguing, the pacing and execution can make a significant difference in how enjoyable the reading experience is. It seems like the story might have had potential, but the slow pace and execution didn't make it as engaging as you had hoped. It's always a bit frustrating when a book falls short of what you were anticipating.
November 1, 2017
An enjoyable gothic mystery with a little bit of romance. A more appropriate title for this novel would be "Web of Lies".
July 1, 2016
Apesar da história começar sendo narrada pela personagem Rachel, alguns dos outros personagens tem direito a passagens com seus pensamentos, como se trocássemos de protagonista ao trocar o "narrador". A personagem que move toda a trama é Décima, ex-amiga de escola de Rachel.
Décima fora criada por sua mãe, indo de um país para outro, acompanhando a promiscuidade da mulher até esta morrer e o pai levá-la para sua propriedade na Escócia.
Durante o período que ficou em Genebra, interna em uma escola para moças, Décima e Rachel se conheceram e se tornaram amigas, apesar de serem totalmente diferentes, tantos fisicamente quanto em caráter.
Foi através de Rachel, num encontro duplo bolado por Rohan (amigo de infância de Rachel e primo de Charles) que Décima conheceu Charles, um professor de Oxford e autor célebre, com quem veio a se casar alguns meses depois. A maior parte da história do livro se passa cerca de dois anos depois deste casamento.
Décima manda a Rachel uma carta, convidando-a para se hospedar em sua casa na Escócia, para que pudesse participar do seu jantar de aniversário de 21 anos. Após sua chegada Rachel fica sabendo por Décima que esta teme por sua vida, pois se morresse antes de completar 21 anos seu marido herdaria tudo e ela tinha quase certeza de que ele pretendia matá-la.
Temos então as opiniões de cada uma das pessoas desta casa sobre Décima e seu casamento. Todas afirmam que Décima é uma descarada que flertava com todos os homens que podia, humilhando o marido e que era fria feito um bloco de gelo.
Rachel se apaixona de cara por Daniel Carey, ex-aluno de Charles e que está hospedado com a família em companhia de sua irmã, Rebecca. Daniel havia tentado se tornar amante de Décima, mas mudara de ideia ao perceber que ela desejava apenas usá-lo. Enquanto isso sua irmã se tornara amante de Charles. Além destes personagens temos Rohan, o primo que estava sempre passando as férias com o casal e que era apaixonado por Décima desde que a conhecera. Resumindo, todos os homens queriam Décima, que era uma vaca com todas as letras maiúsculas. Ela havia sido amiga de Rachel na escola e, depois de casar, se quer tornara a entrar em contato com a moça, exceto quando necessitara dela. Além disso ela queria todos os homens aos seus pés, mas não se envolvia fisicamente com eles porque era fria... nem o marido podia se aproximar dela. Décima só amava Décima.
Bem, a véspera do aniversário da bruxa chega, os convidados chegam e ela desaparece com a lancha em companhia de Rohan (até este ponto muitas brigas e diálogos agressivos tiveram lugar entre todos os personagens, sugestões foram feitas, conversas escutadas por detrás de portas e por aí afora, com a pobre Rachel sem saber em quem acreditar).
Os convidados estão todos a mesa quando Décima e Rhoan voltam totalmente bêbados e provocam uma cena, humilhando Charles e até mesmo Rachel. A esta altura eu mesma queria matar esta mulher ruim!!!! Pois bem, Rachel coloca Rohan na cama, vai ao seu quarto, passa pelo quarto de Décima para saber se ela está bem (mesmo depois que a bruxa-vaca a humilhou porque estava ofendida por Daniel ter preferido a "amiga" a ela) a escuta falando com alguém (um homem) desce e encontra Charles morto.
Não vou entrar em muitos detalhes, mas certas coisas acontecem e segredos surgem numa espécie de pacto, especialmente após encontrarem o corpo de Décima, que havia sido jogada pela janela de seu quarto e morrera na queda. Tudo isto se passa até um pouco além da metade do livro, na primeira parte. A segunda parte se trata do que aconteceu aos personagens nos cinco anos seguinte (uma descrição superficial) e o retorno a Roshven (propriedade de Décima e onde os crimes haviam ocorrido), com a solução do duplo assassinato, assim como a solução do romance.
Não é um livro excepcional, mas é divertido. Ele prende a atenção e provoca curiosidade. Décima é uma peste, que de cara parece boazinha, mas que aos poucos vai se mostrado como realmente é através dos olhos dos outros. Rachel, a protagonista, é boazinha demais. Se ela fosse decidida (pelo menos no que diz respeito a não levar desaforo para casa) eu teria gostado mais. Rebecca é uma esnobe que se acha melhor por ter conhecimento literário, filosófico, etc. Charles é um egocêntrico muito do convencido pelos mesmos motivos que Rebecca, Daniel é um arrogante e convencido que, na casa do antigo professor (que um dia respeitara) pretende se tornar amante da esposa do homem... não tenho como respeitar um cara destes...sério. Por ultimo Rohan, um chato total. Eu sei que os personagens não inspiram simpatia, mas eu fiquei curiosa com o que aconteceria a eles :-)
Décima fora criada por sua mãe, indo de um país para outro, acompanhando a promiscuidade da mulher até esta morrer e o pai levá-la para sua propriedade na Escócia.
Durante o período que ficou em Genebra, interna em uma escola para moças, Décima e Rachel se conheceram e se tornaram amigas, apesar de serem totalmente diferentes, tantos fisicamente quanto em caráter.
Foi através de Rachel, num encontro duplo bolado por Rohan (amigo de infância de Rachel e primo de Charles) que Décima conheceu Charles, um professor de Oxford e autor célebre, com quem veio a se casar alguns meses depois. A maior parte da história do livro se passa cerca de dois anos depois deste casamento.
Décima manda a Rachel uma carta, convidando-a para se hospedar em sua casa na Escócia, para que pudesse participar do seu jantar de aniversário de 21 anos. Após sua chegada Rachel fica sabendo por Décima que esta teme por sua vida, pois se morresse antes de completar 21 anos seu marido herdaria tudo e ela tinha quase certeza de que ele pretendia matá-la.
Temos então as opiniões de cada uma das pessoas desta casa sobre Décima e seu casamento. Todas afirmam que Décima é uma descarada que flertava com todos os homens que podia, humilhando o marido e que era fria feito um bloco de gelo.
Rachel se apaixona de cara por Daniel Carey, ex-aluno de Charles e que está hospedado com a família em companhia de sua irmã, Rebecca. Daniel havia tentado se tornar amante de Décima, mas mudara de ideia ao perceber que ela desejava apenas usá-lo. Enquanto isso sua irmã se tornara amante de Charles. Além destes personagens temos Rohan, o primo que estava sempre passando as férias com o casal e que era apaixonado por Décima desde que a conhecera. Resumindo, todos os homens queriam Décima, que era uma vaca com todas as letras maiúsculas. Ela havia sido amiga de Rachel na escola e, depois de casar, se quer tornara a entrar em contato com a moça, exceto quando necessitara dela. Além disso ela queria todos os homens aos seus pés, mas não se envolvia fisicamente com eles porque era fria... nem o marido podia se aproximar dela. Décima só amava Décima.
Bem, a véspera do aniversário da bruxa chega, os convidados chegam e ela desaparece com a lancha em companhia de Rohan (até este ponto muitas brigas e diálogos agressivos tiveram lugar entre todos os personagens, sugestões foram feitas, conversas escutadas por detrás de portas e por aí afora, com a pobre Rachel sem saber em quem acreditar).
Os convidados estão todos a mesa quando Décima e Rhoan voltam totalmente bêbados e provocam uma cena, humilhando Charles e até mesmo Rachel. A esta altura eu mesma queria matar esta mulher ruim!!!! Pois bem, Rachel coloca Rohan na cama, vai ao seu quarto, passa pelo quarto de Décima para saber se ela está bem (mesmo depois que a bruxa-vaca a humilhou porque estava ofendida por Daniel ter preferido a "amiga" a ela) a escuta falando com alguém (um homem) desce e encontra Charles morto.
Não vou entrar em muitos detalhes, mas certas coisas acontecem e segredos surgem numa espécie de pacto, especialmente após encontrarem o corpo de Décima, que havia sido jogada pela janela de seu quarto e morrera na queda. Tudo isto se passa até um pouco além da metade do livro, na primeira parte. A segunda parte se trata do que aconteceu aos personagens nos cinco anos seguinte (uma descrição superficial) e o retorno a Roshven (propriedade de Décima e onde os crimes haviam ocorrido), com a solução do duplo assassinato, assim como a solução do romance.
Não é um livro excepcional, mas é divertido. Ele prende a atenção e provoca curiosidade. Décima é uma peste, que de cara parece boazinha, mas que aos poucos vai se mostrado como realmente é através dos olhos dos outros. Rachel, a protagonista, é boazinha demais. Se ela fosse decidida (pelo menos no que diz respeito a não levar desaforo para casa) eu teria gostado mais. Rebecca é uma esnobe que se acha melhor por ter conhecimento literário, filosófico, etc. Charles é um egocêntrico muito do convencido pelos mesmos motivos que Rebecca, Daniel é um arrogante e convencido que, na casa do antigo professor (que um dia respeitara) pretende se tornar amante da esposa do homem... não tenho como respeitar um cara destes...sério. Por ultimo Rohan, um chato total. Eu sei que os personagens não inspiram simpatia, mas eu fiquei curiosa com o que aconteceria a eles :-)
October 6, 2022
A pulpy gothic thriller in which literally every character seems to be trying to gaslight every other character. Some of the atmosphere is sacrificed to make room for a lot of bitchy, soapy conversations and while it fizzles a little bit toward the end it is overall a fun, fast paced, atypical gothic.
March 14, 2011
This book is very entertaining and had me guessing how Howarch would work it all out. She really does well with the mystery genre. She reminds me of Mary Stewart. This one takes place in an old home on the shores of Scotland. A murder is destined to be committed, can it be stopped? Who will do it and why? Great characters and engrossing story.
October 8, 2011
Library. Reread.
I love Susan Howatch. Nice, clean romantic suspense set in the wilds of Scotland. Well written, the story hangs together pretty well and the plot moves pretty quickly. Complicated characters leave you guessing.
Great beach read :)
I love Susan Howatch. Nice, clean romantic suspense set in the wilds of Scotland. Well written, the story hangs together pretty well and the plot moves pretty quickly. Complicated characters leave you guessing.
Great beach read :)
November 3, 2021
This book was a great gothic horror/romantic murder mystery with a tight plot and despicable characters that I loved to hate. I didn't guess who the real murderer was until the very end and was happy he got just what he deserved!
May 10, 2010
The only reason I can imagine for having read this mystery novel is that someone--but who?--recommended it. Nothing remains in memory. Must have read it quickly.
June 30, 2010
Reread 2 oldies I have on hand and enjoyed them again very much. Lots of detail, set in England, rather dark and mysterious; surprise ending. People aren't who you think they are.
June 22, 2021
Didn't like the characters at all, except the dog.
September 3, 2021
6 people (a married couple, a brother and sister and two platonic friends) visit a large remote mansion for a birthday party weekend, which leads to multiple romantic intrigues and ... murder!
There was too much swapping of declarations of love between the 6 characters in this story for my liking. It just got confusing. The drama comes from the usual murder and suspicion, and there is a climax where all is revealed. The heroine is fairly dull, and it wasn't a very exciting read, as there was never any real suspense. I've read a lot better in this genre
There was too much swapping of declarations of love between the 6 characters in this story for my liking. It just got confusing. The drama comes from the usual murder and suspicion, and there is a climax where all is revealed. The heroine is fairly dull, and it wasn't a very exciting read, as there was never any real suspense. I've read a lot better in this genre
March 25, 2018
Wrtten in the 1960's so obviously dated (The manor has no electricity!). Multiple POV by every single main characters, Suspenseful ending even if its quite tame by current standards, lots of melodrama of he-said she-said, The Manor and the Moors could have used a bit more exploring and description by heroine. Still good cozy read; reminded me of Dorothy Eden.
August 26, 2021
i needed quit long to finish this book. i liked the plot i just couldnt get really into this book, if that makes sense. i liked the writting was good but it was simply not for my i am pretty sure other people would love it but it was not one of my favourites. that doesnt mean that i wouldnt recommend its worth the read but i am not gonna read it a second time
January 18, 2023
This is what is written on the back of the book. "Rachael had been waiting, too. Waiting for an end to the nightmare that had already taken two lives and now threatened more. Someone Rachael knew and loved had become a murderer and had turned the handsome old Scottish Manse into a place of horror." Now Rachael needs to find out who.
December 12, 2025
I closed this book and am left with a feeling of WTF! I find all the characters to be insufferable.
None of them acted in a way that a sane person would. Everyone is lying to everyone. Everyone is trying to take what wasn't theirs to take.
Ultimately, a web of lies, infidelity, betrayal, and hate leads to two people being murdered in the dead of night.
None of them acted in a way that a sane person would. Everyone is lying to everyone. Everyone is trying to take what wasn't theirs to take.
Ultimately, a web of lies, infidelity, betrayal, and hate leads to two people being murdered in the dead of night.
May 22, 2017
Not bad, but not as engaging as other Susan Howatch novels I've read.
May 4, 2018
I read the first few pages and thought the story line would be interesting. But it soon took a turn for the worse.
June 12, 2020
The author has written some wonderful novels, but this is not one of them. Has some good moments, but I can only suspend belief so far and I found the heroine colourless.
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July 28, 2024Lovely old-school gothic
June 29, 2025
Fun, summer read that takes me back to my gothic suspense reading roots. Great setting on a remote Scottish island too.
June 26, 2023
Challenge: March Mystery Madness 2022 2x2 - Buddy read/Janelle/Too Fond of Books. An isolated castle on the northern mainland of Scotland with no roads leading in. One woman is the catalyst for turmoil in three couple's lives. Who will the waiting sands claim? Who will endure? A gothic romantic suspense that has all the elements of the dysfunctional love of Wuthering Heights and character names that echo those of du Maurier. Everyone tries to figure everyone else out thinking they know each other well yet are constantly grappling with that belief. The ending is a bit rushed with a remaining couple getting married a bit too fast before they have had time to process what they have witnessed. A good read for unpacking attitudes about women in the 60s/70s in regard to independence and sexual coldness. Was nice to revisit this author in a buddy read.
March 2, 2013
This Gothic suspense novel was different from the kinds of things I usually read, and I really enjoyed it. I bought it (actually a volume with this and another Howatch novel, The Devil on Lammas Night) at a library used book sale several years ago, and I finally got around to reading it. It was a quick read, set in the exotic locale of a remote country estate in the Scottish Highlands, with a little bit of mystery, some romance and a lot of suspense. The ending is quite satisfying, and now I'm looking forward to reading the second book.
January 25, 2008
Rachel receives an invitation to stay at a castle in Scotland, along with some others - all of whom seem suspicious of each other. Tragedy strikes, and Rachel conceals some of what she knows until years later. Exciting and suspenseful story.
January 3, 2008
Although I prefer her later work (the Starbridge Series), this early romantic suspense novel by Howatch shows what a craftsman of writing she is. Recommended for a good undemanding novel.
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February 18, 2008Howatch, Susan
January 24, 2009
I'm not much into romance reading...but I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book! It was a straight read with no stops. Absolutely breathtaking!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews