Shadows in Scarlet

by Lillian Stewart Carl

Amanda Witham sees her new job at an eighteenth-century house as a career move, just part of the history business, nothing personal. Then archaeologists finds a man's skeleton buried in the garden behind the house. ... Why was he buried in the garden when eighteenth-century records say he died in battle?

Genres: Mystery, Romance, Ghosts, Fiction, Paranormal, Ebooks, Scotland

248 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2001

About the author

Author bio:

Lillian Stewart Carl's work often features paranormal/fantasy themes and always features plots based on mythology, history, and archaeology. Most of her novels take place squarely in the twenty-first century, where the past lingers on into the present, especially in the British Isles, Lillian's home away from home.

She is the author of nineteen novels so far, including the Jean Fairbairn/Alasdair Cameron mystery series---America's exile and Scotland's finest on the trail of all-too-living legends.

Her newest novel is Fairbairn/Cameron number six, THE MORTSAFE.

Of her mystery, fantasy, and sf short stories, twelve are available in a collection titled ALONG THE RIM OF TIME, and thirteen, including three from "Best Of the Year" anthologies, are collected in THE MUSE AND OTHER STORIES OF HISTORY, MYSTERY, and MYTH.

All of Carl's work is available in electronic as well as paper form.

She has also co-edited (with John Helfers) a retrospective of Lois McMaster's Bujold's science fiction work, titled THE VORKOSIGAN COMPANION, which was nominated for a Hugo award.

Reviews

[Kathy KS · Rating 2 out of 5]

This ghost story/romance seems very uneven. The first third of the book simply dragged and I nearly gave up on it; it seems like we simply were reliving the heroine's daily routine, over and over (well... routine). Anything additional simply was buried in the repetitive day to day.

The middle third, at least, began to move a little more. The plot began to develop more and the action began to move outside the confines of the Colonial Williamsburg house.

The final third became more like an older gothic romance: heroine goes to castle in Scotland to do a job, meets handsome man, mysterious spooky things happen. Because of this familiar, comfortable, flow I began to enjoy the book more (I did read all of Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, et al, in my younger days!). The very end was a little weak; perhaps it would have been better to end while still in Scotland, rather than returning to Virginia.

Although most of the characters were interesting enough (whether you liked them or not), it might have been nice to see Wayne's develop even more of a spine and finally face his mother. He definitely made strides during the book and you wanted to cheer him on because he seemed to be a nice guy who could be a faithful friend.

Some readers would not be quite as picky as I. It's not a bad book, at all; there are just more enjoyable one out there: read the aforementioned authors or Diana Gabaldon for the whole time travel Scots angle!)

[Laura Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

***SPOILER ALERT***

I really enjoyed this book. Generally paranormal romance is NOT my thing, but this really reminded me of AMMIE, COME HOME by Barbara Michaels which I LOVED as a teen. It had the same vibe.

I had assumed that the ghost was going to be the romantic lead and that she'd fall in love with him, but their love would not be consummated (like 'cause how could it?), she'd solve his mystery, bring him peace, and he'd disappear, leaving her sadder but wiser.

Boy howdy was I wrong.

This was so much MORE.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

SHADOWS IN SCARLET – G
Lillian Stewart Carl – 9th book (Gothic)
Amanda Witham enjoys wearing the eighteenth century garb while working as a tour guide at Williamsburg, Virginia's Melrose House. When archeologists discover two-century-old bones in the nearby garden, Amanda received visits from the ghost of James Grant who persuades her to uncover the truth about his untimely death. Upon traveling to Scotland Amanda finds herself embroiled in his past that could lead to her present demise. *** Although I had some problems with details James’ ghost (having lived with one for three years—but that’s another story), it was critical for the plot. This is a classic gothic, with a bit more sex, full of atmospheric detail, good dialogue, and suspense that builds to a exciting final confrontation. This was a very delightful book, overall, and one lover’s of the gothic genre will enjoy.

[Loretta · Rating 3 out of 5]

While reading this I presumed this was Ms. Stewart-Carl's first fiction because of the explicit sex in it. I have read that writing such novels is the best way to first get published as a fiction writer. However, when reading the book jacket info about the author I discovered this is actually her ninth book! All I can say is that this book features her usual form i.e. a cash strapped single woman who with raging hormones, mystery, ghosts (and this story the ghost actually interacts with the main characters) and a brave handsome male hero. I can't say I particularly liked this story. It features Scotland and Scots and some history of Scotland in early American history but not enough to really make this story interesting. I ended up flipping through the last chapter or two because I was just plain bored with it.

[Narielle Living · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! The story takes place in present time with the location shifting between Williamsburg, VA and Scotland. The combination of history, murder and a ghost makes for a very good read.

We meet Amanda, a graduate student, when she is working as caretaker/reenactor for one of Williamsburg's historic houses. When a body is unearthed in the yard, the ghost of long-dead James arrives. Lillian Stewart Carl brings the reader a cast of characters that are entertaining and likeable, people that you feel you may know (especially if you live in the Tidewater, Virginia area).

I was delighted to find this supernatural mystery and am looking forward to reading more of her work.

[Cat. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subtitle kind of sums it up. Set in Colonial Williamsburg of today. Follows one of the "interpreters" who is also the caretaker of an 18th century house. A skeleton is dug up from the archaeological site behind the house, and soon Amanda is being haunted by a handsome Scottish ghost. She is even allowed to travel with his bones as they are sent to be buried in his ancestral home. Except he doesn't want that--he wants revenge on his murderer--who of course is long dead!

Bizarre book! But a fun, if somewhat predictable, story line. Amanda falls for the ghost, and then when he gets out of control, she really falls hard for the "new generation" in his home and they end up married.

[Anna Lee Huber · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently stumbled upon Lillian Stewart Carl thanks to the suggestion of a fellow author, and, I must say, I'm thrilled to have a new talented writer to glom. She writes in several genres, including romantic suspense, as seen in the novel highlighted here. Shadows in Scarlet is a ghost story, among other things, a sub-genre I rarely read because it can be difficult to handle well. Stewart Carl handles it with aplomb. The premise was intriguing and believable, and the ghost both charming and chilling.

[Krista · Rating 2 out of 5]

A historian heroine, working in reenactment, who just happens to encounter an actual ghost - seemingly a heroic ghost - in her house? With that setup, I should have loved this book. Unfortunately the ghost story turned more creepy than Gothic, and by the time the plot moved to Scotland, I just wanted it to be over.

[Ivonne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Esperaba otra cosa de este libro, no fue malo pero tampoco fue muy bueno.
Comenzo lento pero fue mejorando como por la mitad.
Ya para el final como que: "cuando se soluciona todo pues"