Secrets of the Sea House

by Elisabeth Gifford, Cathleen McCarron (narrator), Douglas Russell (narrator)

Scotland, 1860. Reverend Alexander Ferguson takes up his new parish, an isolated patch on the Hebridean island of Harris. His time there will change his life, but the Sea House, on the edge of the dunes keeps its silence long after Alexander departs. More than a century later, Ruth and Michael buy the grand but dilapidated building for the family they hope to have. But their dreams are marred by a shocking discovery.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Scotland, Historical, Mystery, Fantasy, Book Club

Audible Audio

Published April 3, 2014

Reviews

[Kate Forsyth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intriguing and atmospheric novel set in the Hebrides Islands of Scotland, the narrative moves between the contemporary story of Ruth and her husband Michael, and the islands in the 1860s when crofters are being forced to emigrate and science and religion are in conflict.


Ruth and Michael are living in, and renovating, the ramshackle Sea House on the Hebridean Island of Harris. Ruth is haunted by feelings of fear and grief, and worries they have made a mistake in sinking all their savings into this remote and run-down house. Then they discover, buried beneath the floorboards, the tiny bones of a dead child. Its legs are fused together, its feet splayed like flippers. The discovery unsettles Ruth, reminding her of her dead mother’s strange tales of a selkie ancestry. She begins to try and find out how the skeleton came to be buried under the house.


The story moves to 1860, and the alternating points of view of the young and handsome Reverend Alexander Ferguson and his intelligent yet illiterate housemaid, Moira. Alexander’s obsession with mermaids and selkies, and his forbidden attraction to the daughter of the local laird, lead to grief and betrayal and death.


The weaving together of the two threads is masterfully done. The story is powerful, beautiful, and magical, and Ruth’s struggle to overcome the shackles of the past is sensitively handled. Hard to believe this is a debut author – definitely one to watch.

[Jeanne Adamek · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like slow burn--books filled with lush descriptions that let me slowly feel and see the "place" and see and hear the characters. I love the anticipation. I do not see it as filler but more of a intimate way of bringing me in. A secret that is just for me. Elizabeth Gifford wrote a number of really beautiful passages for "place" whereas I never got a insightful feeling of the characters. For me the story wasn't really a slow burn, but more of a smoldering with a promise to flicker up that never quite made it.
2.5 stars

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5) Although nearly 130 years separate the two protagonists, they are linked by the specific setting – a manse on the island of Harris – and a belief that they are descended from selkies. In 1992, Ruth and her husband are converting the Sea House into a B&B and hoping to start a family. When they find the remains of a baby with skeletal deformities reminiscent of a mermaid under the floorboards, Ruth plunges into a search for the truth of what happened in their home. In 1860, Reverend Alexander Ferguson lived here and indulged his amateur naturalist curiosity about cetaceans and the dubious creatures announced as “mermaids” (often poor taxidermy crosses between a monkey and a fish, as in The Mermaid and Mrs. Hancock).

Ruth and Alexander trade off as narrators, but we get a more rounded view of mid-19th-century life through additional chapters voiced by the reverend’s feisty maid, Moira, a Gaelic speaker whose backstory reveals the cruelty of the Clearances – she won’t forgive the laird for what happened to her family. Gifford’s rendering of period prose wasn’t altogether convincing and there are some melodramatic moments: this could be categorized under romance, and I was surprised by the focus on Ruth’s traumatic upbringing in a children’s home after her mother’s death by drowning. Still, this was an absorbing novel and I actually learned a lot, including the currently accepted explanation for where selkie myths come from.

Originally published on my blog, Bookish Beck.

[Rebecca Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book on Amazon and I am so glad I bought it after I kept delaying reading it and assuming it would be ok, but nothing special. I was wrong. It was fantastic and although it's only just turned April, it will probably be one of the best books I read this year.
I loved the writing - atmospheric and so descriptive - I really felt like i was on the islands and could smell the salty tang in the sea air. The dual timeline (sometimes I find this distracting because you can lose your flow, not in this case), selkie/mermaid myths, romance and mystery all made the book hard to put down. There were some sad parts, particularly in the parts of the book set in the 1800's, however events such as these happened then, so it adds to the reality of life back in that time.
The book didn't become boring with the mystery and surprises popping up throughout and I'll definitely recommend this book.

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely story and a really solid debut novel. I love a book with duality timelines, and even after reading only a few chapters I knew I was going to savor this book until the very end!

The story is based in a remote rundown house in the Hebridean island of Harris, Ruth and her partner decide to renovate the house and in doing so unearth the skeleton of a a baby with fused legs - a baby mermaid. To find out what tragedy befell the baby she proceeds to uncover the history of the house and its previous occupant, a Victorian reverend who was determined to discover and prove the existence of mermaids.

The author cleverly weaves the well know legend of the Selkie (seal people) into the story, and the history of the fable added a real richness to the book. The setting of the book was brilliant, the harsh beauty of the Hebrides was the perfect backdrop to delve into the haunting Victorian legend and tragedy.

There was a really good balance of both timelines, and I never thought that either one went on to long before flipping back to the other. I did enjoy the Reverends parts slightly more though, just because his fervor to prove that Selkies were real was so intense, and the Victorian age of discovery is always interesting to delve into.

Overall a really entertaining book. I can easily see Elisabeth Gifford fast becoming as popular as similar authors such as Kate Morton, Rachel Hore and Lucinda Riley.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quite an intriguing read, especially as I love myths and mystery. However, I didn't find myself really connecting with any of the characters, so failed to truly fall in love with this story.

[Arie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected to really love this one, but instead after finishing I just felt a faint sort of "meh".
It deals with... well, a lot, but somehow you never feel at all connected to the characters, and the whole story somehow takes all the magic out of everything too. I found myself putting it down for weeks at a time and only reading a chapter or so before abandoning it again. Not badly written, just really not for me.

[Renita D'Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

An intriguing mystery, alternating between the remote Scottish islands in the 1860s and present day. I liked Moira very much, her voice was very authentic. Liked Alexander Ferguson and his quest, his earnestness, his faith and his desire to do the right thing. Enjoyed it.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I must say I was really looking forward to reading Secrets Of The Sea House, I particularly loved the cover of the book and the description on the back had me very intrigued as to the story within the pages.

Without going into too much detail so as not to spoil the story, Secrets Of The Sea House revolves around a Sea House and the secrets that lie within. We are taken into the past as Reverend Alexander Ferguson spends time on the island of Harris aster taking up his new position in the parish. His life is changed forever by his time spent on the island, and the secrets remain hidden in The Sea /house for a long time. In the present day, Ruth and Michael buy the building with the intention of building a loving home where they can raise a family. But soon they make a shocking discovery – buried in the house are the bones of a baby, with the child’s legs fused together – a mermaid baby. But what happened to the baby? And who buried the bones?

I really enjoyed this story. I liked how the story was set both in the past as well as the present. I was fascinated by the stories from the past, and what had happened in the time that Reverend Alexander Ferguson was on the island.

I particularly enjoyed the scenes in the present day as Michael and Ruth discover the bones and realise that there is a lot more to the house than they first originally thought. Along with them, I was surprised by what they had found, and their situation made me want to read on because I desperately wanted to know what has happened. How had the bones got there? What had really happened? I was particularly willing Ruth along as I wanted her to find out the truth, and her determination to uncover the secrets had me hooked.

The setting of The Sea House was a very striking one, I had a lot of vivid images in my mind whilst reading the story and the descriptions really brought the story to life. At times I felt as though the Sea House was a character in itself, it was so bold and had so many secrets, and I loved how it was central to everything.

I sometimes worry about dual-stories and that they won’t work, but this one was excellent. The two stories went together brilliantly and they each enhanced the other story. I didn’t have a favourite part, I felt that they were both equally as strong, and it made for a gripping novel. Secrets Of The Sea House is a haunting and compelling novel that I would recommend.

[Anneliese Tirry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ooit zal ik er geraken, hoop ik, op de Outer-Hebrides en op Orkney, maar voorlopig moet ik het doen met boeken.
Ik heb dit boek graag gelezen. Het bevat een goeie mix van geschiedenis, folklore, mythe, trauma en goede afloop ;-)
Ik ben blij dat ik nu meer weet over Selkies en hun vermoedelijke oorsprong, en sta in verwondering over hoe lang verhalen worden/werden doorgegeven op deze eilanden, blijkbaar zelfs vanuit de Ijzertijd.
Een ontspannend boek, een boek waardoor ik enkel meer kan verlangen naar de eenzame kusten van die Schotse eilanden.

[L · Rating 4 out of 5]

A haunting tale containing exquisite poignancy and delicacy, which lingers upon one’s consciousness…

This beautiful novel is an acutely arresting tale of life’s hidden mysteries and secrets, which touches upon the true meaning of life. Set within a lush historical backdrop, you are transported into the heart of the rugged harsh lands of Scotland, 1860. The time-difference between the past and modern-day adds a touch of realism, for you are able to connect deeper with the text as it is given a fresh outlook of authenticity. Brought to mind were novels such as Diana Gabaldon’s epic ‘Outlander’ saga and other more contemporary fiction, such as Bee Ridgeway’s stunning debut ‘the river of no return’. Also the hit television drama/ thriller series ‘Marchlands’ is similar in the way that a house holding many secrets links three different groups of occupants and time zones together, in an almost spine chilling way.

I was lost within this sumptuous story that totally mesmerized me so I was unable to tear my gaze from the pages. Complete with bibliography and a map this new novel is impressive and certainly worth a read.

Set in Scotland, 1860 the story begins with the account of Reverend Alexander Ferguson and his time as newly ordained priest in Harris. A century later and the story switch to a current theme, wherein Ruth and Michael buy ‘The White House’ on the Island. This one house fuses together the past and the present with such singularly imaginative thought and original concepts, as to leave you in awe of such an unexpected storyline. There is a slightly gothic, archaic feel to this tale that adds to the chilling suspense, reminiscent of The Woman in Black or classic horror stories. The use of vivid imagery and wonderfully detailed descriptive passages were so deftly written that it was brought to life, with every word evoking personal memories and touching on thought.

Some quotes I liked ~

“Every so often the gaslights in the wall sconces gave an almost imperceptible flutter, minute winds troubling the gas flame as if each globe contained its own climate.”

“The moon was completely round in the blackness. There were bright lines of its phosphorescence along the waves, continuously moving through the darkness and then disappearing.”

This was a delightfully unexpected tale that left me surprised by how it pushed the boundaries of a modern mystery, by cleverly combining a mythical (almost fantasy-like) twist. The secrets surrounding Ruth’s new home are only the beginning of a much deeper saga, as characters are forced to delve into their own pasts so as to move forwards in the future. Completely compelling and utterly fascinating the provocative prose was arresting, together with an under layer of hidden inner meaning that will touch each reader individually. This quite personal story I found to be enlightening, as I explored one house shrouded in secrets; barely visible in a veil of obscurity.

I would highly recommend Elisabeth Gifford’s fictional novel, to fans of author’s such as Barbara Erskine. My rating of 4.5 stars is based on how surprising this story was.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets of The Sea House is a dual-time novel set on Harris, an island in the Hebrides. The story is played out an old, almost derelict house known locally as The Sea House. The modern story is related by Ruth who with her husband has bought the Sea House, they intend to renovate it and open it up as a guest house. Work comes to a halt when the remains of a small child are found, buried deep under the house. The bones are estimated to be over 100 years old, but it is the fact that the legs of the skeleton are fused together that is most unsettling for Ruth - could this be a 'Selkie', one of the seal people, a mermaid? Ruth is determined to find out more about her new home and it is when she starts to uncover the story that the reader is introduced to the Reverend Alexander Ferguson who was the parish priest and lived in the Sea House back in 1860.

This is a wonderfully colourful and evocative debut novel from an author who clearly knows and loves the Hebrides. The magical stories of the Selkies are cleverly woven throughout the story, adding to the mythical quality of the story and the flowing prose.

[Cleopatra Pullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Ruth and Michael move into the Sea House in the Hebrides they are finally realising their dream of opening a guest house and settling into their new home when the macabre discovery of a skeleton of a baby, legs fused like a mermaid, is found buried under the floor boards and disturbs Ruth’s peace of mind.

Ruth is determined to find out more about the baby and the trail soon leads to Reverend Alexander Ferguson who was a previous inhabitant of the house and also had a keen interest in mermaids. The story is divided into chapters narrated by Moira, the Reverend’s maid, Alexander and Ruth all battling their own demons.

I am still unsure about this book, the writing was good but all the way through my head was saying the belief in mermaid or Selkie’s as they are known in Scotland is not credible in the present day. I found I enjoyed Ruth’s story more than Alexander’s who was pompous and with a thinner back story than Ruth’s.

I would try another book by this author as the book clearly had that something special that kept me reading.
I received this book from Amazon Vine

[Catherine Pinkett · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5* At first I was really enjoying this book. It focuses on the myths and legends of selkies in the Scottish Islands. It is based on present day and flips back to many centuries ago when a reverend in the area also has an interest in the stories. About half way
through it concentrated too much on the past narrative and for me it became repetitive and boring. The ending wasn't all that satisfying with some loose ends unresolved from the present day .

[Almond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came across this book by chance, a random selection in a second hand bookshop. The title and notion of mermaids appealed to me, other than that I was not expecting too much. However, I am so pleased that this book found me. Such a haunting tale with depth and insight into the way of life, and troubles of the Scottish Islands in the 1800's. One of the best books I have read this year.

[Blodeuedd Finland · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a book of mystery and legend, and set in in modern times and in the 1800s.

First there is Ruth who came the Hebrides cos her mother said she had come from there. But she does not know anything more than that or who her father was. She also had a really crappy home after her mother died and she has some issues from that. This book is then also her discovery of her own past. And she also wants to find out about the house they live in as they find a "mermaid" baby under the floor. The selkie myth also behinds the two stories together as Ruth's mother said they came from selkies.

Back in time reverend Alexander Ferguson comes to the far away Hebrides and his new parish. He is trying to find out about the truth about mermaids/selkies. Back in his time we also see through the eyes of Moira, his maid. She did not have an easy lot in life. The laird of the isle is evil and evicts his people and sends them to Canada cos he wants the land. And living there was hard to begin with. And while I read about these two I wondered how the baby got there, but there is much to go through before that.

I also loved the explanation she used for the selkie myth. it is one that has been known, but yes like Alexander I would have loved the idea of real selkies. I will not tell you anything more cos if you do not know the explanation then you can be surprised here.

Some books I read fast, some I read slower. This one was one of the slower ones as I had to take it all in, the prose was different too and it's one of those books you read and reflect on.

[Damaskcat · Rating 2 out of 5]

This sounded like my sort of book – the past intermingled with the present – but I found I couldn’t really care about any of the characters to any great extent. Ruth and Michael buy an old manse on the Hebridean island of Harris in a state of disrepair intending to renovate it and turn it into a B&B. They find the skeleton of a baby with its legs fused together in a shape reminiscent of a mermaid’s tail buried under the floorboards.

The modern story of Ruth and Michael is alternated with the story of Alexander Ferguson, the minister who had lived in the house in 1860 and with the story of Moira – evicted from her home by the family’s landlord. I thought the book was interesting but I couldn’t quite believe in the characters and I wanted to shake Ruth at times as she couldn’t see what was under her nose. Ruth’s own past gets in her way as well and could easily prevent her achieving the sort of life she wants to live.

Usually I can immerse myself in this sort of story but I felt the characters were a little wooden at times and I didn’t feel that the way Ruth and Michael’s practical problems were solved was terribly convincing. It seemed a little too good to be true. The information about mermaids and selkies was interesting and stopped me awarding it one star but overall the book wasn’t that good I felt and it was something of a chore to finish reading it.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this moody, atmospheric Scottish tale. We have 2 heroines from 2 different times whose lives mesh through the house by the sea. As usual with these split time line stories I preferred the earlier one. This covers the clearances off the land and the poverty of the people, very harsh and brutal. Our girl, Moira comes to work for the Reverend and he is studying the possibility of mermaids. Moira is gritty and determined while our modern heroine, Ruth, is more broken and unpredictable.

Don't want to give away the story but definitely worth the read/listen.

[Marleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story:

In 1992 Ruth and her husband Michael buy an old and dilapidated house on the Hebridean island of Harris intending to renovate it and turn it into a guesthouse. It isn’t long after they start working on the house when they make a gruesome discovery. Underneath floorboards they find the old remains of a baby with its legs and feet fused together. It is a discovery that will awaken old memories for Ruth. Memories she has been trying to suppress for a long time; memories that can threaten her sanity and her future.

In 1860 Reverend Alexander Ferguson, newly ordained and filled with all the right intentions takes up his post on Harris. A fan of Darwin’s recently released theories and fascinated by the myths about Selkies and mermaids, the enthusiastic and innocent man has no idea that his time on the island will change his life irrevocably. The truth about what happened on that island and in that house will remain hidden for over a century.

Ruth has her own reasons for being obsessed with mermaids and Selkies. In order to uncover the secrets from the past she will have to take a close look at her own past and the pain she has suffered. It is a journey which could bring her the peace of mind she hasn’t known for decades or destroy everything she holds dear.

My thoughts:

This is an interesting and very clever book. There are two stories in this book and both of them are equally powerful and fascinating. The connecting theme in this book is that of mermaid and Selkie myths. The main narrators of both stories, Ruth and Alexander Ferguson both have reasons to be interested in these myths. But, while Ferguson’s interest is mostly a result of curiosity and a quest for scientific proof, Ruth’s interest is mainly personal, emotional and painful.

When the story starts almost everything, except the location in which the story is set and the names of the main characters, is a mystery. And those mysteries are only slowly uncovered. Ruth’s quest to find out exactly what happened over a century ago - why there was a baby buried underneath the floorboards in the house she has bought - initially appears to be about uncovering a fascinating mystery. It only slowly becomes clear why both the discovery and what it might mean has such enormous importance for her. With every new bit of information about what happened in the past, Ruth is brought back to her own past and memories she’s been more or less successfully suppressing for decades; memories that may destroy her future unless she finds the courage to face and deal with them.

Surprisingly enough it wasn’t either Ruth or Ferguson’s voice that was strongest for me in this book. The character that really struck a note with me was Moira, Ferguson’s uneducated but very intelligent servant. Through her eyes we get the clearest picture of exactly what happened during Ferguson’s time on Harris. The stories about how the poor tenants were forced to emigrate to Canada so that the landowner would have more ground to graze his sheep was heartbreaking – especially since it is so very similar to the forced emigration from Ireland around the same time.

I really liked that this book managed to keep on surprising me. Revelations are slowly shared with the reader without giving away all of the secrets contained in the story until the very end of the book. The mix between myth and reality was fascinating, especially since the lines appear blurred at times. And while it is possible to have found a logical explanation for everything that has happened in the story by the time it ends, it is equally easy to hang on to some of the mythical aspects of this book.

This is a story about the things that haunt us and the power they can have over our lives. This is the story of one woman and one man who, separated by a century, each have to find their true path in life through dealing with the myths that have formed their pasts and personalities. Through a wonderful blend of myth, fact and historical conjecture combined with a fascinating story, Elisabeth Gifford gives her reader a story that will stay with them for a multitude of reasons.

[Sharon Terry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really quite enjoyed this book, though I got frustrated with the switching from the past to the present. I found myself more interested in the story of Alexander Ferguson and his complex life than in the modern-day protagonists Ruth and Michael.

The young couple, Ruth and Michael, buy the "sea house", hoping to turn it into a guest house once they have completed renovations. This house was inhabited in the 1860s by a young, newly ordained minister, Alexander Ferguson, so it has a history of sorts. However, during renovations, they make a gruesome discovery: under the floor of the house, someone has buried the bones of a little girl whose legs were fused together - an extremely rare congenital condition called "sirenomelia" and colloquially known as "mermaid syndrome". This discovery awakens in Ruth unhappy memories of her mother, who committed suicide by drowning and who had filled her head with stories about "mermaid people" and "seal people", when she was a little girl. In addition, Ruth doesn't know who her father is, either, so she spends much of her time haunted by these memories.

The Alexander Ferguson story does eventually solve the mystery of the little girl buried under the house, but it unfolds so slowly and episodically that I found myself intrigued with it, so that I would feel unwillingly jerked into the present whenever chapters about Ruth appeared!

Ferguson finds a little "wild" girl named Moira sleeping rough on the island, and takes her into his household, where she becomes a capable and devoted servant. She was in hiding before he found her, trying to escape the fate of those inhabitants whose properties were taken by the English as part of the "clearances" of Scotland. Ferguson finds himself attracted to the local Lord Marstone's daughter, who infuriates Moira by appearing to "throw" herself at him; little does he realise she sees him as an escape from a virtual imprisonment by Lord Marstone – she is the daughter of his former wife's lover.

At the same time, Ferguson, enraptured by the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin, is trying to prove that, somehow, a subset of humans might have evolved from seals – giving rise to the many folk tales and "sightings" of "seal folk" in the islands. His attempts turn into an all-consuming obsession: he stays up late at night, reading and eventually ruining his health.

Alexander's life is both tragic and complicated – his research ends in disappointment and disillusionment when he attends a lecture by a much more diligent researcher who convinces him that it was the sealskin clothing worn by northern people coming to the islands that gave rise to “seal people” beliefs. He is also helpless to control the fate of the desperate Miss Marstone. In all, I felt much more sympathetic to him than to Ruth, who at least does achieve some peace and happiness.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets of the Sea House isn't something I'd ever have picked up of my own accord, and it had the great misfortune of being read at the same time as the phenomenal S. by JJ Abrams and Doug Dorst (my absolute favourite read in a long time.) Despite all that, I ended up enjoying it much more than I expected to.

There's always a sense of obligation with book club books that I've stupidly left until the week of the monthly meeting, then have to tear through at lightning speed. I usually end up resenting the book a bit (which I know is daft and entirely my fault, but still, it happens.) In this instance though, I actually found myself enjoying the surprising little story so much that I set S. aside for a few days to read this in increasingly lengthy bursts.

Secrets of the Sea House is told from three different perspectives. There's modern-day Ruth, who begins renovating an old sea house only to find the remains of a "mermaid baby" buried under the floorboards. And then in regular flashbacks to 1860, there's vicar Alexander and his wild maid Moira. I enjoyed the historical sections more than the modern ones. Ruth's backstory heaps tragedy atop tragedy, to the point that I couldn't empathise with her as a "real" character because her misfortune felt too unlikely. But Alexander's quest to discover the truth behind selkies and mermaids made for a compelling story, as did the clearance of the island under its cruel governor. Towards the end, there's quite a long time jump in which I would love to have read much, much more about Moira. She was easily my favourite of the three, torn between her desire for revenge for her family's deaths, and her loyalty and devotion toward Alexander.

If I'd have judged this book by its cover, I would have guessed it to be a run-of-the-mill romance, so am very glad I was persuaded to give it a chance.

[Review originally published on my blog at Line After Line].

[Louise Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seem to be reading a lot of books about spooky old houses lately. Not sure what that says about me, other than I like books about spooky old houses, obviously! This one has a dual timeline, set in 1860 and the present day on a Hebridean island called Harris.

In the present day, Ruth and Michael have bought an old Vicarage with the intention of completely renovating it. They have overreached themselves financially, and it doesn't help that the skeleton of a child has just been found beneath one of the rooms, creating a hold up while the police investigate. Distracted from her work, Ruth sets about investigating the history of those who had lived in the house before them, particularly a Victorian clergyman who appeared to be completely obsessed with selkies.

The story is told from three points of view: Ruth, the Rev Alexander Ferguson, and Moira his maid. Ruth is not immediately likeable, but that's due to her past history. I found Alexander's narrative a bit hard going at first, as I've never been keen on stories written in that old style of English, even if it is historically accurate. Moira's story seemed a little bit repetitive, but in the end she became my favourite character.

So at first this story was heading for a solid four stars, but then I became swept up with the characters and their lives, particularly the Victorian timeline and Alexander's tales of mermaids and selkies. I'm English, so I don't know much about Scottish myths and legends, but I found this aspect of the story particularly fascinating. I also enjoyed Alexander's journey from a kind-hearted, slightly naive vicar to - ah, well that would be a spoiler!

Anyway, this one is definitely going on my list of favourite reads and I've already downloaded another book by the same author. Recommended!

[Susanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dual timeline tale of a couple who discover the remains of an infant buried in the house they bought on a Scottish Island, and the minister who lived in the house in the 1860s, the fate of the Scottish peoples and stories of the 'selkies' from Scottish lore.

I really enjoyed the Rev. Ferguson and Moira chapters - his more than hers though. The modern day chapters were good, but I found something lacking. I expected more of a tie between the two timelines (unless I missed something), and there were parts (of both Ruth and Moira's stories) that I felt could have been eliminated without detracting from the story. I never fully understood what Ruth did (yes, she provided anatomical drawings of lizards for an academic book, but it felt like that was forced in just so the author would have the "lizard brain" as a convenient explanation for what Ruth felt and did), and Moira's intent on revenge was half-hearted.

Not knowing a lot about the selkie legends, it was quite fascinating to hear of one possible explanation for them. The author also obviously did a lot of research into conditions in the Scottish isles at the time.

I like the narrators of Ferguson and Moira, but Ruth's was a bit clipped and too precise at times.

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read

Elisabeth Gifford is another new writer for me, and I am so pleased that I discovered her, and her amazing story telling.
This dual timeline is set on the coast of the Outer Hebrides. In the 1990s Ruth and her husband Michael buy an old church manse which yields a buried secret while they are renovating. In the same house in the latter half of the 19th century, the Reverend Alexander Ferguson is researching the legend of the Selkies.
An incredible story weaving between the two time frames; it had me hooked from beginning to end.
So well written and researched; I loved it.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed 'secrets of the sea house' especially following the history of the manse. I did get slightly lost at times with the different characters - set in Scotland so lots of 'mc' surnames.

Having three characters tell the story was a lovely idea as well as switching from the past to present. Some parts are sad, but are sensitively written. Location and conditions are very well described that you can picture the island as if your in the middle of the scene.

Would recommend this book as I thoroughly enjoyed it; but would pre warn that it's not a light hearted read.

[Clare Tasker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the split narrative in the book between the modern day voice of Ruth and the Alexander and Ruth from the 1800s, which gave a great contrast and pace to the book, but there were also interesting parallels between the two. The descriptions of the island were really vivid and brought it to life for me, you could almost smell the peat fires and the sea spray. I thought one of the 'twists' was a bit predictable and poor Leaf one of the minor characters got a bit of a rough ride for being vegetarian but I really quite liked it

[Kali Napier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is similar to Anna Mazzola's The Story Keeper, and Sarah Moss's Night Waking, both books I enjoyed. However, Secrets of the Sea House offers something unique -- an explanation for Selkies / mermaids / Finnmen myths. It seemed totally plausible and the moment I finished the book I did a little Google searching to learn more -- always a sign of a good book.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful novel set in the harsh island of Harris.the story of this place is told by different characters from different times and is a rich mix of legends and personal lives.it's about identity and the power of love I really enjoyed the writing.

[Tracey Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has an interesting blurb which drew me to it. Although nicely written, I came away feeling slightly deflated and puzzled, as I expected more of the story to explain itself. Having said that, I like the way the author writes so I will definitely read another one by her.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

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