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Margot Hart sõidab Iirimaale, et kirjutada kuulsa Deverilli perekonna ajalugu. Ta peatub Deverilli lossis, millest on saanud uhke hotell, kus mõned külastajad olevat küll kummitusi näinud.
Kui Margot tahab paljastada Deverillide minevikusaladused, peab ta rääkima ka praeguse lord Deverilli Jack Patricku ehk JP-ga. Viimasel ajal hoiab JP omaette ega suhtle eriti kellegagi. Aga kui Margot on juba kord midagi pähe võtnud, teeb ta selle teoks. Ta võidab JP usalduse, ootamatult ka sõpruse … ja satub otse pere lahkhelide keskele.
JP tunneb ennast lossi müümise pärast süüdi, muresid viskisse uputades ei saa ta arugi, et tal on tekkinud alkoholiprobleem. Tema abielu purunes, poolõde ja kasuema Kitty on perekonna valdustest loobumise pärast JP peale veel teises ilmaski vihane.
Ootamatult võidab Margot enda poole ka JP poja Colmi ja toob muutusi mitme inimese ellu. Kas tal õnnestub lõhenenud perekond jälle kokku tuua? Millise ränga hinnaga mõistab ta, mis on elus tõeliselt tähtis?

Santa Montefiore on sündinud 1970. aastal Inglismaal ja üles kasvanud Hampshire’is. Ta on abielus ajaloolase Simon Sebag Montefiorega. Santa Montefiore menukast „Deverillide kroonika” sarjast on varem ilmunud „Armastuse ja sõja laulud” (2017), „Deverilli lossi tütred” (2018), „Deverillide viimane saladus” (2019) ja „Salatunnid” (2021).

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2021

437 people are currently reading
1826 people want to read

About the author

Santa Montefiore

84 books2,679 followers
Santa Montefiore is the number one bestselling author of over thirty novels and has sold over eight million copies worldwide. Her books have been translated into twenty-five languages and she won an RNA Award for The Temptation of Gracie in 2019, which is currently in development for film. Born in England in 1970, she grew up in Hampshire and now lives in London with her husband, writer Simon Sebag-Montefiore, their daughter, son, and dog Simba.

Shadows in the Moonlight is the first novel of a trilogy following the character Pixie Tate, with Secrets of the Starlit Sea following in summer 2025. Santa loves to hear from readers and you can find her at www.santamontefiore.co.uk.

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5 stars
1,348 (40%)
4 stars
1,256 (37%)
3 stars
608 (18%)
2 stars
117 (3%)
1 star
40 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 239 reviews
Profile Image for Tshegofatso (atime2sharebooks) .
33 reviews7 followers
September 18, 2021
I didn't expect to enjoy this book so much. I was absorbed by the book from the first page.

I never thought that a book set in Ireland; focusing on the history of the Deverill family; and the castle they owned for more than 300 years, would be my type of read. But when a castle is haunted by ghosts and spirits that are cheeky and have a bone to pick with the living, wouldn't you keep reading? I would and I did...

The story starts with us learning that a woman called Margot has been hired to be the Writer in Residence of a popular hotel. The hotel had previously been the home for the Deverills; a castle that they had owned for 300 years. Margot's task is to write a book about the castle and the family.

The research required for the book forces her to become close with a man called JP. There were eight Lord Deverills and JP was the eighth.

Margot becomes close with JP and discovers the Deverill family secrets. But can she be trusted?

Without giving spoilers, I'd say this is a story about reconciliation; about a family that has drifted apart and now needs to mend things.

It's a story about love and friendship. Although this was nothing like 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐎𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞; the friendship element in the book made me think about how Rob's friendship (from Eleanor Oliphant) helped with Eleanor's healing process... How acts of kindness can change someone's view of life.

It's a story about appreciating the afterlife. One that forces you to consider spirits, earthbound spirits and ghosts. It's not a horror story... well I don't think any reader would get scared as they read the book. The author just found a brilliant way to show how the living and the dead remain connected. They remain connected by love, because wherever love exists nothing can destroy it, not even death.

Note: This book is book 5 in the Deverill Chronicles but it reads well as a standalone.
Profile Image for Elke Eelbode.
553 reviews62 followers
October 23, 2021
Het 5e deel over de Deverills was voor mij toch wat minder dan de vorige 4 delen. Ik vond het te veel herhaling uit de vorige boeken. Er kwamen ook te weinig nieuwigheden naar voor en het ontbrak wat aan diepgang. Wel een vlot geschreven boek.
494 reviews3 followers
September 18, 2021
I find it disingenuous of the publisher of Santa Montefiore's novel 'The Distant Shores' not to mention that this was in fact #5 in her Deverill Chronicles series. I only discovered this when reading other people's reviews. Of course this accounts for why I found many of the characters one-dimensional, as the author tried to fill in the backstory of these people for new readers in a paragraph or two, whereas readers familiar with the series would already know about them. The main character Margot who is writing the history of this family is just too good to be true: she is attractive, she is an independent woman, she charms everyone she meets at first sight, she cures a man of alcoholism in one chapter and repairs family rifts as if she is darning a hole in a jumper. I kept reading, hoping there would be more substance, but it developed into a paranormal spirit-fest. The best part of the book was the absolutely gorgeous descriptions of the countryside.
Profile Image for Tracy.
687 reviews54 followers
March 28, 2023
DNF. I've really enjoyed this series up until this book. At page 122 I couldn't take it anymore. The idea of another 250 pages was enough to put me to sleep. I don't care about the main character. It's too slow. Too much predictability. So, I'm moving on. The first 4 books I highly recommend though...
Profile Image for Analia.
762 reviews
January 28, 2025
5/5 ⭐


¡POR DIOS!Piel de gallina con ESE FINAL, OHMAYGAAD! La maldición del castillo hasta la última página. Cómo me hiciste sufrir Santaaa. Aclaremos: Tiene final feliz

El fin de una saga que trata de una familia que ha estado perseguida por la tragedia, el drama, el escándalo y el éxito, que se inicia con Barton Deveril, quien construye el castillo y sembró una terrible semilla de la que brotó la planta de judías que engendró generaciones de titanes y un sufrimiento eterno.
Muchos personajes de los libros anteriores ya no están entre éstas páginas y otros, ya son adultos mayores así que… Siento nostalgia, tristeza, una mezcla de emociones porque, si bien la autora en sus palabras finales nos dice que, en un futuro quizás escriba acerca de los antepasados de los Deverill de los siglos XVIII y XIX, me duele despedirme de todos ellos.
En éste volumen Kitty ha muerto hace cinco años y es un espíritu que no puede ir hacia la luz, hay nuevos secretos por desvelar y una escritora que está dispuesta a sacar a la luz todo lo que ésta dinastía tiene guardado desde hace trescientos años. Margot quiere escribir acerca de los Deverill y para ello, viaja a Irlanda para conocer al actual Lord Deverill. Allí conocerá a un hombre arrepentido, solo y aferrado a la bebida con el que creará un fuerte vínculo; También conocerá al hijo de este, Colm, que está dispuesto a ayudarla a recorrer la historia familiar. “En tierras lejanas” es una novela que nos habla del perdón, los secretos, el volver a empezar, avanzar y dejar el pasado atrás es parte de la trama que, una vez más, AMÉ y disfruté leyéndola. 
No voy a negar que sufrí con JP (hermanastro de Kitty) por su historia y los recuerdos de su vida, pero tiene una evolución brutal que yo creo es todo un ejemplo; Es también el cierre a la historia de Kitty que en la dimensión que habita tenemos capítulos donde ella nos relata lo que ve y algunas de sus travesuras.
Mención aparte al tema de los espíritus que me gustó leer sobre ellos, cómo lo aborda la autora a través de Dan, un médium amigo de Margot, la cual no creé en ellos. Yo tampoco creo en ellos, pero es imposible no emocionarse hasta las lágrimas ante ciertos diálogos. “En tierras lejanas” cierra perfecto la saga con personajes secundarios que tienen su papel importante y una vez más, donde el paisaje Irlandés y la majestuosa descripción del castillo, me ha parecido lo mejor de toda la novela.
Con tristeza me despido de éste culebrón y como siempre YO LE REZO A MONTEFIORE.
Profile Image for Rosa.
346 reviews23 followers
July 7, 2022
Este último libro de la serie es prácticamente un resúmen de todos los anteriores, no aporta nada digno de mención, os lo podéis ahorrar perfectamente
365 reviews21 followers
February 13, 2023
Ya todos saben que amo a Santa Montefiore.
Este es el quinto libro de la saga de los Deverill. Pero a diferencia de los otros, este se puede leer solo porque a medida que vas leyendo, el libro te cuenta la trama de los anteriores.
Y además en este libro se habla del perdón, el arrepentimiento, el agradecimiento y la reconciliación.
Margot Hart es una famosa escritora que es contratada por la dueña del hotel donde funciona el castillo de los Deverill y tiene que investigar el castillo y a sus antiguos residentes. Así que ella decide hablar con el actual lord; JP es un hombre que desde que vendió el castillo no tiene ninguna relación con el resto de su familia y vive recluido, pero Margot cambiará muchas cosas en la vida de JP.
Colm, el hijo del lord, descubrirá lo que es mejor para los futuros Deverill.
La historia tiene toques mágicos, y apariciones de Kitty que le da una mirada distinta a muchas cosas.
Por supuesto, hay menciones a y nexos con Argentina, ya que la autora ama nuestro país y se siente muy conectada a él.
También hay algunos personajes entrañables y otros que no lo son.
Al terminar el libro, tenia lagrimas en los ojos, porque no solo Kitty tiene que despegarse del castillo, sino que yo debo despegarme de esta historia que tanto me gusta.
Lo recomiendo muchísimo; es un maravilloso cierra para esta saga.
Profile Image for Jultri.
1,218 reviews5 followers
February 27, 2024
This started off well, young historian/writer coming to stay at a castle hotel to write a book about the Deverill family, its owners for 300 years. The book descended into unrealism halfway through and I'm not talking about the myriad of spirits and ghosts roaming about. Alcoholism was cured in the blink of an eye and everyone, I mean everyone, got a HEA. The characters were one dimensional for the most, the story too long in some places.

I did not realise this is Book 5 in a series and frankly it did not bother me
one bit to jump straight to this book. What bothers me is the title which appears to have little or nothing to do with the story itself.
Profile Image for Vygandas Ostrauskis.
Author 6 books155 followers
March 9, 2023
Prie tokių knygų reikia priprasti, bet pripratus būtų blogai: gali nebepatikti logiški, psichologiškai pagrįsti, įtikinantys romanai, kurie nėra tokie lengvi, kad skaitydamas plauktum paviršiumi ir nesinorėtų nerti į gelmes. Tingumo būsena klastinga, iš jos sunku išsivaduoti. Tokios mintys kilo pradėjus skaityti šią knygą, bet ir nutraukti skaitymą nesinorėjo, nes tai pirmas bestselerių autorės Santos Montefiore romanas; smalsu, kaip tas „bestseleriškumas“ pasiekiamas.
Tad knygą perskaičiau ir negaliu teigti, kad tai bloga knyga; tiesiog tai ne mano knyga, bet tinkanti paskaityti paplūdimyje ar šiaip neturint ką veikti.

Vaiduokliai skaityti netrukdė. Prie nelogiškumų pripratau (gal pavyko išjungti savyje alogizmų filtrą?). Nenuvylė ir pasakiškai laiminga romano pabaiga – juk tokios bestselerio taisyklės... Šiek tiek nervino gan žemas literatūrinis teksto lygis ir, – kai suvokiau, – profesionalus veiksmo ištęstumas.

Sutinku su vienos skaitytojos nuomone: perskaičiau atsitiktinai, bet kitos šios rašytojos knygos manęs nebesudomins...

Apie šią knygą galima parašyti ir labai trumpai: šiuolaikinė pasaka, kai patvirkusi žurnalistė (tai ne mano, o autorės nuomonė: „kunigas ją pavadintų nuodėminga, kai kas laikytų kekše, bet turbūt devintajame dešimtmetyje ji yra šiuolaikinė“), netikėtai tapusi rašytoja-rezidente, rinkdama medžiagą naujai knygai susipažįsta su tikro lordo palikuonimis ir tampa Ledi. Jei patinka tokios knygos, skaitykite.
Profile Image for Živilė Matijaškienė.
353 reviews8 followers
January 17, 2023
LT/EN

Lengvas romantiškas kūrinys.
Deverilų šeimos istorija buvo labai įdomiai perpinta, bet pats knygos turinys buvo gan nuspėjamas.
Paranormalių reiškinių pusė nelabai sužavėjo, nors buvo įdomus pateikimas. Dar nesu skaičius knygos kurioje šmėkla/siela/poltergeistas turėtų ne tik balsą, bet ir energetinę būseną.
Aš nesu skaičius kitų Deverilų serijos knygų, tačiau ši tikrai nesuviliojo tęsti kelionės.
Visumoje knyga tikrai leido atitrūkti nuo tikrovės ir nuklysti trumpam į Airiją.
-------------------------------------------------------
It was light, romantic read.
Deveril history and story was intertwined and engaging, but the book itself was predictable.
Paranormal activities wasnt impressing, although it was interesting point of view in a book. I have not yet read a book where phantom/soul/poltergeist would not only have a voice, but an energy field.
I haven't read other Deverill book series, but this book didnt convince me to do so.
Overall it was a good escape from reality.
Profile Image for TracyGH.
746 reviews101 followers
March 5, 2023
Loved this series on The Emerald Isle.
I highly recommend reading it from Book 1 to Book 5 as there are a lot of characters to keep sorted but worth it as the characters find a place in your heart.
Strong Downton Abbey vibes.
Profile Image for Sophie.
62 reviews21 followers
July 3, 2023
I used this somewhat poorly written book to boost me out of a reading slump, and let me tell you, it worked !! Although the character development and the writing style is a bit juvenile, I had so much fun reading this. The Deverill chronicles are meant to be enjoyed as a guilty pleasure.
20 reviews
August 29, 2024
Eindelijk toegekomen aan deel 5…na drie jaar in de kast te hebben gestaan. Misschien omdat het ook al zo lang geleden is dat ik op zomervakantie ben geweest. In ieder geval weer volop genoten van dit gezwijmel op m’n zwembadbedje. Ik was blij met de herhalingen omdat de eerste vier delen zo lang geleden waren. Deel 6 staat thuis op me te wachten. Zou dat dan nu écht de laatste zijn - aangezien in elk dankwoord sinds deel 3 staat dat dit het laatste Deverill boek is?
Profile Image for Maria Paskaleva.
58 reviews1 follower
November 25, 2024
Това е петата книга от поредицата за семейство Деверил. По мое мнение най-слабата книга. Оставям 3.5⭐
Profile Image for Karyn.
228 reviews18 followers
February 24, 2025
I heard the audio version on Libby.
Margot an author, visits Ireland to write about the Deverill Family History.
There are some who are eager to help and there are some who come in her way, to stop her from writing the family history.
The book has a supernatural touch to it and the audiobook, is a good way to get an idea.
There is family drama, hidden agenda, secrets and misunderstanding in the story.
The spirits, reside in the castle that once belonged to the Deverill Family. Some are not happy, Some are waiting to cross over and some live in regret. The Castle is converted into a hotel, where these spirits get the way just for fun and thrills.
Overall, a very nice read if you like large family stories.
Profile Image for Tobias Grey.
326 reviews
July 18, 2022
Este libro ha sido una decepción. De hecho, no parece escrito por la misma autora que los anteriores de la serie. Le sobran páginas y le falta argumento.
Profile Image for Manuela Gonzalez Bird.
70 reviews4 followers
February 21, 2023
Este libro sería el quinto de la saga de los Deverill, aunque en verdad es como un apéndice. O sea, no es necesario leerlo para saber cómo concluye la historia de la familia, ya que eso pasa en el cuarto y este no aporta ningún dato que la modifique, sino que “ toma prestados “ algunos personajes, los escenarios y su pasado. Desarrolla una narración aparte sobre una escritora joven que se instala en el castillo, devenido en hotel, con el objetivo de escribir un texto sobre su historia y la familia a quien perteneció por 300 años. La descripción de los paisajes de Irlanda y las sensaciones relacionadas a su naturaleza, las cabalgatas y la mención a Argentina nos muestran, una vez más, el cariño especial que la escritora siente por ambos países, son parte de su sello personal.
Continúan apareciendo los espíritus de los que ya no están, aportando una mirada diferente sobre la muerte muy interesante y esperanzadora, que la propia autora, en varias entrevistas, ha manifestado compartir.
Este libro se lee rápido, es ágil y engancha. No es el que más me gustó de Santa, y no era necesario para la historia, pero me resultó agradable zambullirme por un rato más en Ballinakelly, después del final de la saga de Deverill, que me encantó . Se ve que a la autora le costó también desprenderse de ella.
Profile Image for Janice.
248 reviews4 followers
August 29, 2021
I have reservations about the Deverill series, a trilogy that grew into 5 books, so far. That is the problem, there are so many characters, including those that are spirits, that " resolution" becomes difficult. Here the previous main character Kitty is a narrator from the spirit world, a device I find unsatisfactory. At least this book was set in one place , the castle in Ballinakelly, in Ireland and didn't dart about the world or in time, a particular weakness in part 2., "Daughters of Castle Deverill. "
The first part of this book tried to fill in the background to remind old readers or to introduce new readers which made it slow. The ending I found predictable, a love story which was obvious from the time Colm was introduced. The miracle cure of JP from alcohol dependence was also far too easy, as any listener to The Archers would know !
I look forward to books from Santa Montefiore that are not part of this series as I think that such a good writer has gone too far down this road.
2 reviews
August 29, 2021
I was so happy to see that Santa had written another book about the Deverills. I would highly recommend The Distant Shores but if you haven't read all the previous Deverill books you have a real treat in store. It is not necessary to read them to enjoy this book but it would make it even more pleasurable. I love the way Santa weaves a mystical and spiritual element into her books her opinion is so reassuring as I hold the same beliefs. Santa has the ability to craft such twisting and unexpected events into her storylines. I finished it this morning crying and laughing ...what a great writer to be able to create empathy with her characters and plot that produce such emotion in her reader! I cannot wait for the next installment. I am so happy that Santa is a prolific writer and I will have something new to read soon. These books are so cinematic I am surprised they haven't been made into films.
Profile Image for Ellen Bossink.
265 reviews12 followers
May 7, 2021
Deel 5 alweer van deze prachtige Deverill serie. Genoten!
Profile Image for Мартин Колев.
439 reviews5 followers
April 23, 2024
Далечни брегове - Санта Монтефиоре

"Скръбта е просто любов,която няма къде да отиде.."

Има книги,които те докосват заради нещо,което си преживял или преживяваш в момента и колкото да е рядко,се срещам с такива творби. Една от тях е тази заради проблема с алкохола на единия от главните герои - да гледаш как един човек,мъж,глава на семейство,собственик на имот,ако щете,просто се разпада ,посяга към чашката,защото няма на кого да сподели какво го мъчи и бива низвергнат заради това ,а и той самия не намира изход от ситуацията и воля да се пребори. Да гледаш как любим човек се губи и не търси път обратно е страшно .

А когато си загубил въпросния човек и се чудиш как да продължиш,дали той те наблюдава отгоре ,дали е намерил светлината,дали изобщо има такова нещо,а и ти самия да откриеш пътя не обратно,а напред ,тогава пропадането е всеки ден,без значение дали имаш чашка,бутилка или бидон .

Такива тежки теми се засягат в тази последна книга от поредицата за династията Деверил,на фона на призраци,на пристигаща писателка,взема си творчески отпуск,но винаги готова да напише нещо интересно,но тактично , страстите,които ще разбуни и пожар,който може да изпепели всичко,до което се докосне . Това ви очаква като достоен край ,в който да си поплачете,да ви стане скучничко,а защо не и да намерите отговор на въпрос,който ви тормози - мога ли да го направя,да се взема в ръце и мога ли да живея нормално с толкова затворени чувства в мен..
Profile Image for Artemiz.
933 reviews33 followers
August 6, 2021
So in this fifth book of Deverill Chronicles, Margot Hart travels to Ireland to write about the Deverill family. Her grandfather has been friends with Harry Deverill, so he has told her many stories about the family and their castle, and when Margot is looking for an idea for a new book, she is pitching Deverill biography to her publisher. And she is sent to Ballinnakelly, to live in Deverill Castle Hotel and to write their story.
Of Course there are those who are interested in the book and those who do not want such a book to see the light of day. The current Lord and his family are most affected by this project, so among them are those who do not want their still bleeding wounds to be reopened, but there are those who see it as their opportunity to tell their side or their “version” of the story.
Since this story starts twenty years after the last book, there are some characters who have already left, some are leaving and some can not close the door behind them since there are still things to do, lives to observe, hopes to keep alive and feuds to keep alive.
It is a libronovella so of course there is drama and romance, unbelievable things and moments full of tears. You can’t stop reading, since every page can bring something new.

Will it be the last book of the trilogy? We’ll see :)
Profile Image for Cheryl Briggs.
217 reviews
March 8, 2025
This Deverille saga book series has been amazing ! Each one delving into more family members and their secrets.
A shorter book than the rest, it is set in 1980's and rounds off the whole story .
I disagree with other reviews saying it's boring and a bit far-fetched.
If you've read the others then definitely read this one. Santa Montefiore is a very talented author and I love her stories.
399 reviews2 followers
July 15, 2022
I was a bit disappointed in this final volume of The Deverills. It lacked the excitement of the previous books. While I did like Kitty's role in the story it seemed out of place a bit to me. I would not complain if the author decided to continue with the series either!
73 reviews1 follower
April 24, 2021
Makkelijk te lezen boek voor in je vakantie ofzo. Leuk verhaal, wel erg voorspelbaar en weinig diepgang.
Profile Image for Agnieszka.
118 reviews1 follower
August 11, 2021
Weer een leuk verhaal over Deverill's. Ik heb er van genoten. Jammer dat het zo dun en een kort boek was. Op naar volgende verhalen van Montefiore.
Profile Image for Suzanne.
47 reviews7 followers
March 24, 2022
Helaas heeft dit boek me niet kunnen meeslepen, zeker niet vergeleken met de eerdere delen.
Profile Image for Jo.
201 reviews
July 19, 2022
I enjoyed this book, I didn't realise it was part of a series until I read the acknowledgement. You don't need to read the others to enjoy the book thankfully.
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