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A Woman Made of Snow
A gorgeous, haunting and captivating novel of a century-long family mystery in the wilds of Scotland, and one woman's hunt for the truth.
Scotland, 1949: Caroline Gillan and her new husband Alasdair have moved back to Kelly Castle, his dilapidated family estate in the middle of nowhere.
Stuck caring for their tiny baby, and trying to find her way with an opinionated mother-in-law, Caroline feels adrift, alone and unwelcome. But when she is tasked with sorting out the family archives, Caroline discovers a century-old mystery that sparks her back to life.
There is one Gillan bride who is completely unknown - no photos exist, no records have been kept - the only thing that is certain is that she had a legitimate child. Alasdair's grandmother.
As Caroline uncovers a strange story that stretches as far as the Arctic circle, her desire to find the truth turns obsessive. And when a body is found in the grounds of the castle, her hunt becomes more than just a case of curiosity.
What happened all those years ago? Who was the bride? And who is the body...?
Scotland, 1949: Caroline Gillan and her new husband Alasdair have moved back to Kelly Castle, his dilapidated family estate in the middle of nowhere.
Stuck caring for their tiny baby, and trying to find her way with an opinionated mother-in-law, Caroline feels adrift, alone and unwelcome. But when she is tasked with sorting out the family archives, Caroline discovers a century-old mystery that sparks her back to life.
There is one Gillan bride who is completely unknown - no photos exist, no records have been kept - the only thing that is certain is that she had a legitimate child. Alasdair's grandmother.
As Caroline uncovers a strange story that stretches as far as the Arctic circle, her desire to find the truth turns obsessive. And when a body is found in the grounds of the castle, her hunt becomes more than just a case of curiosity.
What happened all those years ago? Who was the bride? And who is the body...?
304 pages, Paperback
First published October 7, 2021
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1418 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 223 reviews
December 13, 2021
Rounded down from around 4.5 stars ⭐️
A woman made of snow flicks between two generations of a family. Caroline moves to Kelly Castle with her husband and daughter. However, the wife of an ancestor seems to have been wiped from history. Soon a body is found, can Caro work out these mysteries?
I absolutely loved this book! I have never before read anything quite like this. I am always drawn to a good mystery novel but this one was unique. I particularly loved the sections involving the Arctic and Inuit. It was so full of atmosphere and taught me so much that I did not already know. I found myself devouring the book and felt so moved by some of Elisabeth’s words. There are some really beautiful quotes woven through this novel.
I have two small niggles that dropped the star rating for me slightly. Firstly, there was initially a spooky/ghostly feel to the book that was soon dropped and wasn’t picked up again, which I was a little disappointed with. Secondly, I initially really did not like the character of Caro. I cannot pinpoint why but I just really couldn’t connect to her. This did eventually change and by the end I liked Caro, she seemed to grow as a character which I appreciated. Overall, I didn’t like the ending…because I desperately wanted the book to continue. I was gutted to have to put this one down!
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good mystery novel. This is particularly great to read during the festive period! I want to thank NetGalley, Atlantic Books and Elisabeth Gifford for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
A woman made of snow flicks between two generations of a family. Caroline moves to Kelly Castle with her husband and daughter. However, the wife of an ancestor seems to have been wiped from history. Soon a body is found, can Caro work out these mysteries?
I absolutely loved this book! I have never before read anything quite like this. I am always drawn to a good mystery novel but this one was unique. I particularly loved the sections involving the Arctic and Inuit. It was so full of atmosphere and taught me so much that I did not already know. I found myself devouring the book and felt so moved by some of Elisabeth’s words. There are some really beautiful quotes woven through this novel.
I have two small niggles that dropped the star rating for me slightly. Firstly, there was initially a spooky/ghostly feel to the book that was soon dropped and wasn’t picked up again, which I was a little disappointed with. Secondly, I initially really did not like the character of Caro. I cannot pinpoint why but I just really couldn’t connect to her. This did eventually change and by the end I liked Caro, she seemed to grow as a character which I appreciated. Overall, I didn’t like the ending…because I desperately wanted the book to continue. I was gutted to have to put this one down!
I would recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good mystery novel. This is particularly great to read during the festive period! I want to thank NetGalley, Atlantic Books and Elisabeth Gifford for allowing me to read this book and give my personal thoughts.
July 5, 2021
Political idealist Caro has big plans for herself and Alasdair when they marry after the war is over. However, honeymoon baby Felicity puts paid to her plans and the couple locate to Scotland when Alasdair takes up a lecturing post at St Andrews. They live in a simple grace and favour cottage next to Kelly Castle, Fife which is owned by Alasdair’s mother, Martha. The estate and castle, like many others, is in financial straits and plans need to be made. Martha offers historian Caro a job as the castle archivist through which they learn some incredible facts about the family’s past. The story alternates between 1949 chiefly from Caro’s perspective and we follow a storyline from the nineteenth century involving Oliver, Alasdair’s great grandfather.
This is a very enjoyable, well written historical novel with colourful scenes which come alive as you read. There are some excellent descriptions of Kelly Castle from which a real atmosphere exudes. Similarly good are descriptions from Oliver’s time which is firmly set in its historical context in Dundee with the jute factories and whaling ships. Oliver’s story is absolutely fascinating taking us from the castle, aboard a whaling ship where he serves as a surgeon and into the Arctic. There are some superb descriptions here with some wonderfully colourful characters. I especially enjoy the inclusion of the Inuit and we get a strong sense of their traditions and so on. This part of the story is heartbreaking in places and is very vivid. Society views especially of native people are very unsettling to us in the twenty first century but are in the context of the times and this is very clearly demonstrated by Oliver’s mother. She is not a pleasant woman and through her the class divisions and differences are also shown. I love the air of mystery that surrounds Alasdair’s heritage and this evolves well through the storytelling. The early hints at ghostliness do fizzle out though which I think is a shame. The characterisation is good as are the relationships between some of them, at times there is misunderstanding and at others abrasion and dislike. Although the ending is satisfying it is a bit too neatly tied up in a pretty bow in my opinion.
Overall, though this is a compelling and very interesting read. It’s clearly been well researched and the author has piqued my interest to go to Dundee and it’s museums to learn more about the connections between Scotland and the Inuits.
With thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic Books, Corvus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
This is a very enjoyable, well written historical novel with colourful scenes which come alive as you read. There are some excellent descriptions of Kelly Castle from which a real atmosphere exudes. Similarly good are descriptions from Oliver’s time which is firmly set in its historical context in Dundee with the jute factories and whaling ships. Oliver’s story is absolutely fascinating taking us from the castle, aboard a whaling ship where he serves as a surgeon and into the Arctic. There are some superb descriptions here with some wonderfully colourful characters. I especially enjoy the inclusion of the Inuit and we get a strong sense of their traditions and so on. This part of the story is heartbreaking in places and is very vivid. Society views especially of native people are very unsettling to us in the twenty first century but are in the context of the times and this is very clearly demonstrated by Oliver’s mother. She is not a pleasant woman and through her the class divisions and differences are also shown. I love the air of mystery that surrounds Alasdair’s heritage and this evolves well through the storytelling. The early hints at ghostliness do fizzle out though which I think is a shame. The characterisation is good as are the relationships between some of them, at times there is misunderstanding and at others abrasion and dislike. Although the ending is satisfying it is a bit too neatly tied up in a pretty bow in my opinion.
Overall, though this is a compelling and very interesting read. It’s clearly been well researched and the author has piqued my interest to go to Dundee and it’s museums to learn more about the connections between Scotland and the Inuits.
With thanks to NetGalley and Atlantic Books, Corvus for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
February 1, 2022
3.5 Stars
An entertaining and engaging Novel.
Newly married, Caroline and Alistair move back to Kelly castle with their small baby, a rundown family Scottish estate, set in a remote location. Caroline finds the tension rising with a mother in law to please. To keep busy she takes on the role of sorting the family's archives and discovers a century old mystery, which takes her as far back as expeditions to the Arctic Circle, a body found buried in the grounds of the castle and a missing diary that can explain all the above.
I really enjoyed the mystery to this story, I can't resist a novel where family secrets from the past stir up tension and intrigue in a new generation of a family. I loved the setting of the story, good strong characters that fit well with the story. A great sense of time and place really bring an atmosphere to the book.
I enjoyed the read and a perfect novel to cozy up with by the fire for Jan/Feb reading.
An entertaining and engaging Novel.
Newly married, Caroline and Alistair move back to Kelly castle with their small baby, a rundown family Scottish estate, set in a remote location. Caroline finds the tension rising with a mother in law to please. To keep busy she takes on the role of sorting the family's archives and discovers a century old mystery, which takes her as far back as expeditions to the Arctic Circle, a body found buried in the grounds of the castle and a missing diary that can explain all the above.
I really enjoyed the mystery to this story, I can't resist a novel where family secrets from the past stir up tension and intrigue in a new generation of a family. I loved the setting of the story, good strong characters that fit well with the story. A great sense of time and place really bring an atmosphere to the book.
I enjoyed the read and a perfect novel to cozy up with by the fire for Jan/Feb reading.
June 22, 2022
A Scottish castle, a mystery, and an Arctic voyage, what’s not to like? Add in some likable characters and some others decidedly unlikable and it makes for a very interesting read. Given that some of the story is set in the Arctic Circle this historical novel is a bit different. The story starts in 1949 in Fife. I wasn't convinced I would enjoy it initially as the prologue seems to come from a ghostly presence. Ghostly influences are not my favourite but it was quickly dealt with and only occurs in that short prologue as the story then moves back in time to 1944 when Caro is engaged to Alasdair. Then it shifts to Kelly Castle in 1949 after Caro and Alasdair are married..They have moved back Kelly Castle and his dilapidated family estate. With a small baby, Felicity,and a very big change in Caro's, until then, independent lifestyle plus a mother in law, Martha, who seems to Caro to criticise all she does, Caro Gillan feels adrift and unwelcome. When she is given the job of sorting out the family archives, Caro feels more useful .She discovers a century old mystery and a Gillan bride that there are no photos of and no record of. her existence Yet Alasdair's grandmother is the proof this woman exited and had a child, Eugenia. Who was this woman and what happened to her? She is not the only woman that goes missing during the course of this story. Later, a discovery of bones in the grounds of the castle leads to more questions. Caroline uncovers a story that moves from Scotland to a whaling ship that is headed for the Arctic Circle. This all makes for very interesting reading.
As the story progresses the reader is introduced to members of the Inuit people. The racist treatment handed out to these people from others is very sad to read. And for those who struggle with scenes of animal cruelty the harpooning of whales is difficult to read. But please don't let that deter you from reading as this is a very good, enthralling read.
Stunning settings, some lovely moments, some heartbreaking scenes, a love story, combine with family relationships explored . It is interesting to see how the relationship between Caro and Martha, develops over time. I am sure there are those who will be able to relate. An atmospheric and very enjoyable story that had me captivated. Definitely a recommended read.
As the story progresses the reader is introduced to members of the Inuit people. The racist treatment handed out to these people from others is very sad to read. And for those who struggle with scenes of animal cruelty the harpooning of whales is difficult to read. But please don't let that deter you from reading as this is a very good, enthralling read.
Stunning settings, some lovely moments, some heartbreaking scenes, a love story, combine with family relationships explored . It is interesting to see how the relationship between Caro and Martha, develops over time. I am sure there are those who will be able to relate. An atmospheric and very enjoyable story that had me captivated. Definitely a recommended read.
January 24, 2024
Decent historical story about motherly love set mainly in Scotland, but also sailing into the Arctic region of Northern Canada.
To me it was interesting that the story touched on the jute industry and its link to whaling, but I would have been happier if the author had delved deeper into both topics, and especially in connection with the Inuit part of the story.
The issue of racism in Scotland made me more than embarrassed and uncomfortable, it was downright barbaric. After a fairly slow paced story I found the ending to be a smidgen rushed.
To me it was interesting that the story touched on the jute industry and its link to whaling, but I would have been happier if the author had delved deeper into both topics, and especially in connection with the Inuit part of the story.
The issue of racism in Scotland made me more than embarrassed and uncomfortable, it was downright barbaric. After a fairly slow paced story I found the ending to be a smidgen rushed.
October 17, 2021
Loved the cover, the location and the history interwoven with the rest of the story.
As a Fifer, this book intrigued me from the start. I did find it a little frustrating that though based on Kellie Castle, the book renamed it to Kelly Castle: for me, rename it completely or stick with the original spelling of the name…
Leaving aside this minor frustration, how was the book itself? There was a lot I enjoyed to it: anyone who has firsthand experience of gaining a mother-in-law will recognise the dance that Caroline and Martha engage in. I loved the familiar areas being mentioned, the history so casually sprinkled through the text: from the mentions of the Jute Factories in Dundee to the brief mentions of the impact of the Second World War. It made for interesting reading. And then the interludes of Alasdair, Martha, and Pippa’s family mystery interspersed through the more modern sections. All of this mixed with the sense that it was a mistake to trust Diana: but was my instinct here correct?
I loved the way the story of Charlotte, Mary, and Louisa was shown, both through flashbacks and the elements of diary and other heirlooms. It made much of the story seem more real. I enjoyed this read and gave it four stars.
As a Fifer, this book intrigued me from the start. I did find it a little frustrating that though based on Kellie Castle, the book renamed it to Kelly Castle: for me, rename it completely or stick with the original spelling of the name…
Leaving aside this minor frustration, how was the book itself? There was a lot I enjoyed to it: anyone who has firsthand experience of gaining a mother-in-law will recognise the dance that Caroline and Martha engage in. I loved the familiar areas being mentioned, the history so casually sprinkled through the text: from the mentions of the Jute Factories in Dundee to the brief mentions of the impact of the Second World War. It made for interesting reading. And then the interludes of Alasdair, Martha, and Pippa’s family mystery interspersed through the more modern sections. All of this mixed with the sense that it was a mistake to trust Diana: but was my instinct here correct?
I loved the way the story of Charlotte, Mary, and Louisa was shown, both through flashbacks and the elements of diary and other heirlooms. It made much of the story seem more real. I enjoyed this read and gave it four stars.
October 7, 2021
I’ve become a great fan of Elisabeth Gifford’s previous books having read and enjoyed The Sea House, The Lost Lights of St Kilda and my absolute favourite, The Good Doctor of Warsaw. I’m pleased to say A Woman Made of Snow incorporates all the elements I’ve enjoyed in the earlier books – fascinating period settings, atmospheric locations, a combination of mystery and love story, and a cast of well-crafted characters. I mean, what more do you want in a work of historical fiction?
The book moves back and forth in time between 1949 and a century earlier. Caroline (Caro) is trying to balance the demands of motherhood with her desire for independence and to navigate the increasingly tricky relationship with her mother-in-law, Martha. Her counterpart in the earlier timeline is facing a similar conflict between the expectations of society and her desire for personal freedom. Her affection for a member of the Gillan family, destined to remain unrequited, nevertheless inspires a loyalty that will remain undiscovered for years.
For me, the standout sections of the book were those set in the Arctic aboard a whaling ship. These positively oozed atmosphere, capturing both the beauty of the scenery and its inherent dangers – the intense cold, the risk of frostbite or of ships becoming icebound or even crushed in the shifting ice. It also introduced me to a way of life I had limited knowledge of before, about which I’ll say no more so as not to spoil your enjoyment of the story.
Those who enjoy the mystery element of a story will be gripped by the gradual accumulation of clues to the identity of the body found in the grounds of Kelly Castle. Mirroring the research that goes into writing a work of historical fiction this involves diaries, letters and photographs. However prepare to be surprised when the answer is finally revealed, and to find yourself a little tearful at the end of the book.
As well as being an intriguing mystery and a touching love story, what I enjoyed about the book was the way it also explores more serious issues such as prejudice, inequality, and social class. A Woman of Snow is another thoroughly absorbing read from the pen of Elisabeth Gifford.
The book moves back and forth in time between 1949 and a century earlier. Caroline (Caro) is trying to balance the demands of motherhood with her desire for independence and to navigate the increasingly tricky relationship with her mother-in-law, Martha. Her counterpart in the earlier timeline is facing a similar conflict between the expectations of society and her desire for personal freedom. Her affection for a member of the Gillan family, destined to remain unrequited, nevertheless inspires a loyalty that will remain undiscovered for years.
For me, the standout sections of the book were those set in the Arctic aboard a whaling ship. These positively oozed atmosphere, capturing both the beauty of the scenery and its inherent dangers – the intense cold, the risk of frostbite or of ships becoming icebound or even crushed in the shifting ice. It also introduced me to a way of life I had limited knowledge of before, about which I’ll say no more so as not to spoil your enjoyment of the story.
Those who enjoy the mystery element of a story will be gripped by the gradual accumulation of clues to the identity of the body found in the grounds of Kelly Castle. Mirroring the research that goes into writing a work of historical fiction this involves diaries, letters and photographs. However prepare to be surprised when the answer is finally revealed, and to find yourself a little tearful at the end of the book.
As well as being an intriguing mystery and a touching love story, what I enjoyed about the book was the way it also explores more serious issues such as prejudice, inequality, and social class. A Woman of Snow is another thoroughly absorbing read from the pen of Elisabeth Gifford.
June 21, 2021
A Woman Made of Snow is a strange historical drama. The main story is happening at the end of 1949 and the mystery takes the readers back to the end of the nineteenth century. I say it’s strange because the story has too many storylines, too many voices. Some of those storylines work well into the main story but some do not go anywhere.
It’s a family drama, it has difficult in-laws, misunderstandings, traveling to faraway places, bigotry and mysteries that are resolved with talking to the right people. It’s a historical story that is too politically correct. The thought behind this story is interesting, just the end result could be better.
It’s a family drama, it has difficult in-laws, misunderstandings, traveling to faraway places, bigotry and mysteries that are resolved with talking to the right people. It’s a historical story that is too politically correct. The thought behind this story is interesting, just the end result could be better.
June 27, 2021
With grateful thanks to corpus netgalley and Elisabeth Gifford for an arc in return for an honest opinion.
Firstly I have to say this is one of the most beautiful books I've read in a long time,
Elisabeth Gifford has done it again.
This being a dual timeline and worked seamlessly, it brought a tale of a family saga from the mid 40's and dating back to the 18 hundreds when a a great grandmother went missing under very odd circumstances the story of Caro Martha and alasdair and young flissy and a beautiful Scottish castle its a story of love loss interfering mother in laws but a beautiful story emerges we all need friends no matter what I really can't praise this book enough and can highly recommend a fabulously poignant tale I would love to give more stars but sadly one can't
Firstly I have to say this is one of the most beautiful books I've read in a long time,
Elisabeth Gifford has done it again.
This being a dual timeline and worked seamlessly, it brought a tale of a family saga from the mid 40's and dating back to the 18 hundreds when a a great grandmother went missing under very odd circumstances the story of Caro Martha and alasdair and young flissy and a beautiful Scottish castle its a story of love loss interfering mother in laws but a beautiful story emerges we all need friends no matter what I really can't praise this book enough and can highly recommend a fabulously poignant tale I would love to give more stars but sadly one can't
November 14, 2023
I picked this book on a whim but so glad I did, the parts set in the arctic were interesting and I found the whole story engaging. This is first book I have read by this author but will look for others.
January 19, 2023
Dual timeline mystery set in Scotland. A voice of a long-buried body opens the novel. It moves to the 1940s to introduce main characters Caro and Alasdair. After the war, they marry and move to a small house on the grounds of Kelly Castle (instead of London as they had planned), near Alasdair’s mother. Caro is unhappy with this situation. In going through the family records, she discovers a mystery, which takes her mind off her troubles. The other timeline pertains to the mystery and takes place in the 19th century and involves Alasdair’s great grandfather, Oliver.
The author weaves the two timelines together to gradually reveal the answer to the mystery. There are several similarities between the timelines, with common themes such as the changing role of women, the relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, friendship, prejudice, and class differences. It includes a story of an arctic whaling expedition and the crew’s interactions with the indigenous people.
This book brings together a number of my areas of interest – maritime travels, adventures in the extreme cold, gothic elements, and two historic periods that are portrayed in an atmospheric manner. I enjoyed this story as both a satisfying mystery and a pleasing blend of intriguing topics.
The author weaves the two timelines together to gradually reveal the answer to the mystery. There are several similarities between the timelines, with common themes such as the changing role of women, the relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, friendship, prejudice, and class differences. It includes a story of an arctic whaling expedition and the crew’s interactions with the indigenous people.
This book brings together a number of my areas of interest – maritime travels, adventures in the extreme cold, gothic elements, and two historic periods that are portrayed in an atmospheric manner. I enjoyed this story as both a satisfying mystery and a pleasing blend of intriguing topics.
December 19, 2021
Historical fiction that features a century old mystery set in a Scottish castle. Could there actually be a novel more perfectly suited to me than this? I think not. And what a treat this one was from start to finish. Gorgeously written and pitch perfect to both of the eras of its setting, I absolutely loved this novel with its family secrets and skeletons rattling around in the closets (or buried on the grounds, as they were).
I found the exploration of the mother-daughter-in-law relationship quite fascinating. The use of multiple character perspectives allowed for a more engrossing story where we could see the internal struggles from both the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, affording us a unique insight into where the communications between each were breaking down, despite best intentions from both parties. It gave me much to think on as I approach the years where my children are all becoming adults.
‘For in the breaking and remaking that it takes for two families to come together, they would learn to welcome a new little earthquake, a small and unique person who’d need everyone to rethink the world all over again.’
I really can’t recommend this novel highly enough and I also can’t fault it at all. Hauntingly atmospheric and utterly engrossing, fans of historical fiction and age-old mysteries are sure to adore this one as much as I did. I can’t wait to read more by this author – and I just happen to have a couple more by her already on my shelves!
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for the review copy.
I found the exploration of the mother-daughter-in-law relationship quite fascinating. The use of multiple character perspectives allowed for a more engrossing story where we could see the internal struggles from both the mother-in-law and the daughter-in-law, affording us a unique insight into where the communications between each were breaking down, despite best intentions from both parties. It gave me much to think on as I approach the years where my children are all becoming adults.
‘For in the breaking and remaking that it takes for two families to come together, they would learn to welcome a new little earthquake, a small and unique person who’d need everyone to rethink the world all over again.’
I really can’t recommend this novel highly enough and I also can’t fault it at all. Hauntingly atmospheric and utterly engrossing, fans of historical fiction and age-old mysteries are sure to adore this one as much as I did. I can’t wait to read more by this author – and I just happen to have a couple more by her already on my shelves!
Thanks to Allen & Unwin for the review copy.
October 6, 2021
A Woman Made of Snow is a captivating and vividly evoked historical drama set across two interconnected timelines and centred around a century-long family mystery within the Gillan clan. Beautifully written, unexpectedly gripping and decidedly astute on relations with the in-laws, it is a very readable story of one woman struggling to find her way amidst domestic upheaval and an overbearing mother-in-law. The freedom that she enjoyed during the war has led independent Cambridge history graduate, Caroline “Caro” Winters, to imagine a rather different life for herself and husband-to-be Alasdair Gillan post-war, namely mixing in the academic circles of London. That was until Alasdair’s only offer of a post came from St Andrews and Caro discovered she was expecting a baby. Living in a simple cottage within the grounds of Kelly Castle, Alasdair’s isolated family estate in Fife, Caro finds herself part of a family very different to her own and struggles to rub along with her mother-in-law, Martha.
In an effort to keep hold of the crumbling family estate, Martha employs Caro to resume the work of her late husband and complete the family history. A long-standing family mystery surrounds the identity of Alasdair’s great-grandmother, with the woman in question legitimately married to his grandfather, expunged from all records. To historian Caro the mystery is manna from heaven that not only immerses her in her husband’s family history but, more importantly, sparks her back into life. When bones are discovered within the grounds of the estate, Caro’s quest goes from curiosity to something far more significant and decidedly darker. Narrated largely from the perspective of Caro with contributions from Martha, mother, son and daughter-in-law soon find themselves becoming co-conspirators in a bid to bring the past to light. A second timeline from the 1800’s follows the life of Alasdair’s great-grandfather, Oliver Gillan, as he progresses from boy to man and leaves Kelly Castle for medical studies in Edinburgh and in a twist of fate serves as surgeon on the whaling ship undertaking a risky voyage to Baffin Island and the Arctic. Revealing just what did happen to Alasdair’s great-grandmother, and what she did to deserve being removed from all records, along with the identity of the bones proves a fascinating story that shines a light on Scotland’s Arctic whaling history and the Inuit culture, both hitherto completely unknown to me.
An undercurrent of tension in the relationship between Caro and Martha runs throughout the 1949 timeline and is brilliantly observed. Desperate not to repeat the frosty welcome that she received from Alasdair’s exacting grandmother and hopeful of making a friend out of her daughter-in-law, the mystery provides Martha with the key to making sense of her past and ultimately embracing the future in Caro. What stands out in this novel, be it in Kelly Castle, the jute mills and whaling ships in Dundee or the Arctic, is the exquisite sense of place that Elisabeth Gifford conjures up. Moving back and forth between timelines, the book is a sweeping, well-researched and truly evocative affair with a terrifically satisfying mystery element.
In an effort to keep hold of the crumbling family estate, Martha employs Caro to resume the work of her late husband and complete the family history. A long-standing family mystery surrounds the identity of Alasdair’s great-grandmother, with the woman in question legitimately married to his grandfather, expunged from all records. To historian Caro the mystery is manna from heaven that not only immerses her in her husband’s family history but, more importantly, sparks her back into life. When bones are discovered within the grounds of the estate, Caro’s quest goes from curiosity to something far more significant and decidedly darker. Narrated largely from the perspective of Caro with contributions from Martha, mother, son and daughter-in-law soon find themselves becoming co-conspirators in a bid to bring the past to light. A second timeline from the 1800’s follows the life of Alasdair’s great-grandfather, Oliver Gillan, as he progresses from boy to man and leaves Kelly Castle for medical studies in Edinburgh and in a twist of fate serves as surgeon on the whaling ship undertaking a risky voyage to Baffin Island and the Arctic. Revealing just what did happen to Alasdair’s great-grandmother, and what she did to deserve being removed from all records, along with the identity of the bones proves a fascinating story that shines a light on Scotland’s Arctic whaling history and the Inuit culture, both hitherto completely unknown to me.
An undercurrent of tension in the relationship between Caro and Martha runs throughout the 1949 timeline and is brilliantly observed. Desperate not to repeat the frosty welcome that she received from Alasdair’s exacting grandmother and hopeful of making a friend out of her daughter-in-law, the mystery provides Martha with the key to making sense of her past and ultimately embracing the future in Caro. What stands out in this novel, be it in Kelly Castle, the jute mills and whaling ships in Dundee or the Arctic, is the exquisite sense of place that Elisabeth Gifford conjures up. Moving back and forth between timelines, the book is a sweeping, well-researched and truly evocative affair with a terrifically satisfying mystery element.
April 1, 2025
2 generations, chapters alternating between them. Quick easy read
October 24, 2021
Keep yoyr wits about you and your knowledge of family trees clear in your head as ancestry plays a major role in this split timeline of a story set in Scotland in the 1950s and in the Artic Circle 100 years earlier.
The current timeline finds Caroline disenchanted with life in the Kelly grounds, stuck in the cottage with baby Felicity whilst husband Alasdair continues his career. When the cottage floods they are forced to move in with Alasdair's mother and Caroline is dreading the criticism she often gets, magnified by the move and unable to do things her own way.
Luckily her displacement offers her the opportunity to research the family and try and discover who the woman was who was left out of the family tree. And her mother in law turns out to understand Caroline more than she expected. Hope is scattered across the narrative which does help to break up the incredible loneliness and sadness that left a space where there should have been joy.
It is a journey of prejudice and hardship, of love blighted, thwarted and unrequited, but amongst the backdrop of social ignorance the story is told beautifully and sensitively. It reminds the reader of how very different lives were lived generations ago and the trying circumstances that often befell women.
It is best read for the detail and intricacies of family history as the author does this far better than a few references in this review can do!
Well worth a read.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Pigeonhole for a really rather brilliant read.
The current timeline finds Caroline disenchanted with life in the Kelly grounds, stuck in the cottage with baby Felicity whilst husband Alasdair continues his career. When the cottage floods they are forced to move in with Alasdair's mother and Caroline is dreading the criticism she often gets, magnified by the move and unable to do things her own way.
Luckily her displacement offers her the opportunity to research the family and try and discover who the woman was who was left out of the family tree. And her mother in law turns out to understand Caroline more than she expected. Hope is scattered across the narrative which does help to break up the incredible loneliness and sadness that left a space where there should have been joy.
It is a journey of prejudice and hardship, of love blighted, thwarted and unrequited, but amongst the backdrop of social ignorance the story is told beautifully and sensitively. It reminds the reader of how very different lives were lived generations ago and the trying circumstances that often befell women.
It is best read for the detail and intricacies of family history as the author does this far better than a few references in this review can do!
Well worth a read.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Pigeonhole for a really rather brilliant read.
October 20, 2021
Caro’s married life is not quite what she anticipated.
It’s impossible to convey just how exquisite a writer Elisabeth Gifford is. From the very first line of A Woman Made of Snow to the final full stop, the beauty of the writing is almost luminous so that I loved this book. I can’t decide if I feel sorry for readers who’ve yet to discover Elisabeth Gifford’s writing because they are missing literary fiction of the highest quality, or jealous of them because they have such a wonderful treat in store.
Settings and descriptions are completely transporting in A Woman Made of Snow. Elisabeth Gifford writes with a painterly, almost photographic, quality that is just wonderful. I was completely entranced by her descriptions because they have the power to move the reader emotionally at the same time as providing a glorious sense of place. The landscape of ice is especially evocative and takes the reader on the same journey as Oliver as clearly as if they were by his side.
The plot is captivating. Weaving history, societal attitudes, mystery and relationships into a dual timeline that mesmerises the reader Elisabeth Gifford entertains completely so that I felt the emotions of Oliver, Charlotte, Caroline and Yarut as intensely as if they were my own. In fact, I felt a whole range of emotions reading A Woman Made of Snow from deep rage towards Sylvia through admiration for Charlotte to joy in other aspects that I can’t mention for fear of spoiling the read for others. I thought the manner with which the strands of the story became linked together was exceptional. A Woman Made of Snow is an absolute masterclass in entrancing writing.
I found all the characters real and vivid because alongside the drama, the more prosaic aspects of their lives add veracity to who they are, making them feel authentic. I loved watching the dynamics of the relationship between Martha and Caro unfold and found the feminist strand of the narrative developed through Charlotte hugely appealing. However, what touched me more than I anticipated, was the respect that Elisabeth Gifford gave to more minor characters like Mary and to the Inuit people so marginalised by the whaling fleets. This had the effect of making A Woman Made of Snow even more arresting and affecting, especially when underpinned by the meticulous research that has obviously gone into the story for the historical aspects.
Alongside the feminism and mystery in A Woman Made of Snow, other themes provide a rich texture that combine into a read that is of the highest quality. Attitudes to race, identity, social status, travel and exploration, the environment, the arts, family relationships, marriage and parenthood are just some of the aspects that pulsate through the narrative. A Woman Made of Snow might be a gloriously entertaining story, but it’s also a thought provoking and contemplative one too.
Evocative, entertaining and emotional, A Woman Made of Snow is a gorgeous book and I adored it.
It’s impossible to convey just how exquisite a writer Elisabeth Gifford is. From the very first line of A Woman Made of Snow to the final full stop, the beauty of the writing is almost luminous so that I loved this book. I can’t decide if I feel sorry for readers who’ve yet to discover Elisabeth Gifford’s writing because they are missing literary fiction of the highest quality, or jealous of them because they have such a wonderful treat in store.
Settings and descriptions are completely transporting in A Woman Made of Snow. Elisabeth Gifford writes with a painterly, almost photographic, quality that is just wonderful. I was completely entranced by her descriptions because they have the power to move the reader emotionally at the same time as providing a glorious sense of place. The landscape of ice is especially evocative and takes the reader on the same journey as Oliver as clearly as if they were by his side.
The plot is captivating. Weaving history, societal attitudes, mystery and relationships into a dual timeline that mesmerises the reader Elisabeth Gifford entertains completely so that I felt the emotions of Oliver, Charlotte, Caroline and Yarut as intensely as if they were my own. In fact, I felt a whole range of emotions reading A Woman Made of Snow from deep rage towards Sylvia through admiration for Charlotte to joy in other aspects that I can’t mention for fear of spoiling the read for others. I thought the manner with which the strands of the story became linked together was exceptional. A Woman Made of Snow is an absolute masterclass in entrancing writing.
I found all the characters real and vivid because alongside the drama, the more prosaic aspects of their lives add veracity to who they are, making them feel authentic. I loved watching the dynamics of the relationship between Martha and Caro unfold and found the feminist strand of the narrative developed through Charlotte hugely appealing. However, what touched me more than I anticipated, was the respect that Elisabeth Gifford gave to more minor characters like Mary and to the Inuit people so marginalised by the whaling fleets. This had the effect of making A Woman Made of Snow even more arresting and affecting, especially when underpinned by the meticulous research that has obviously gone into the story for the historical aspects.
Alongside the feminism and mystery in A Woman Made of Snow, other themes provide a rich texture that combine into a read that is of the highest quality. Attitudes to race, identity, social status, travel and exploration, the environment, the arts, family relationships, marriage and parenthood are just some of the aspects that pulsate through the narrative. A Woman Made of Snow might be a gloriously entertaining story, but it’s also a thought provoking and contemplative one too.
Evocative, entertaining and emotional, A Woman Made of Snow is a gorgeous book and I adored it.
August 6, 2021
Life hasn’t panned out as Caro expected. Rather than lecturing history at a London university alongside her new husband Alasdair and continuing to exercise the independence she found during the war, she finds herself a young mother, transplanted to her husband’s family estate in Scotland and living within a stone’s throw of her rather over-attentive mother-in-law, Martha.
The Gillans have lived at Kelly Castle since Alasdair’s great-great-grandparents; but due to financial necessity Martha is considering turning over the property to the National Trust. In order to do so, she asks Caro to complete the family history of the property begun by her late husband, from the time of the Gillans reclaiming it from ruins, and in particular to investigate a mysterious ancestor who seems to have been wiped from the records.
Who could resist the mystery of a family tree with one name blacked out? Who was “Mrs Gillan”, Caro’s husband’s great-grandmother and wife of Oliver Gillan, and what did she do to deserve being deleted from history? But matters take on a sinister turn when a freak flood in the garden of Caro and Alasdair’s cottage in the grounds of Kelly Castle leads to the discovery of bones. Could this be the missing Mrs Gillan?
“A Woman Made of Snow”, by Elisabeth Gifford, is a great story that kept me guessing right to the end. Moving between Caro’s life in the 1940s back to the 1800s, the author gradually reveals more about the various Gillan ancestors and the world they inhabited, from the jute mills of Dundee to the whaling boat Narwhal, and its dangerous voyage to Baffin Island and beyond in the hunt for whale oil.
Being an outsider is a theme that runs throughout this book, from Caro trying to fit in with the ways of Kelly Castle (in an overheard conversation to make you shudder, she hears herself referred to by her new sister-in-law as “very grammar school and suburban”!), to the orphaned children staying at Kelly in the holidays with Oliver, to Oliver’s mysterious wife, and even Caro’s mother-in-law Martha - once a new bride at Kelly herself. The author perfectly portrays the disconnect Caro feels entering a family that’s more different from her own than she’d anticipated, and the awful, fake cheerful politeness shown by Martha to Caro, and vice versa, as both try to establish their place. But the most intriguing character of all is the lost Mrs Gillan, Oliver’s wife. To say more would spoil the story, but I enjoyed getting to know this character and her place in the family’s history.
This is a great book, and one I would recommend to others - it is an intriguing mystery, with family strife, period detail and romance all there for good measure!
“A Woman Made of Snow” is released in the UK on 7th October 2021. Many thanks to NetGalley, Atlantic Books and of course the author for providing an ebook copy.
The Gillans have lived at Kelly Castle since Alasdair’s great-great-grandparents; but due to financial necessity Martha is considering turning over the property to the National Trust. In order to do so, she asks Caro to complete the family history of the property begun by her late husband, from the time of the Gillans reclaiming it from ruins, and in particular to investigate a mysterious ancestor who seems to have been wiped from the records.
Who could resist the mystery of a family tree with one name blacked out? Who was “Mrs Gillan”, Caro’s husband’s great-grandmother and wife of Oliver Gillan, and what did she do to deserve being deleted from history? But matters take on a sinister turn when a freak flood in the garden of Caro and Alasdair’s cottage in the grounds of Kelly Castle leads to the discovery of bones. Could this be the missing Mrs Gillan?
“A Woman Made of Snow”, by Elisabeth Gifford, is a great story that kept me guessing right to the end. Moving between Caro’s life in the 1940s back to the 1800s, the author gradually reveals more about the various Gillan ancestors and the world they inhabited, from the jute mills of Dundee to the whaling boat Narwhal, and its dangerous voyage to Baffin Island and beyond in the hunt for whale oil.
Being an outsider is a theme that runs throughout this book, from Caro trying to fit in with the ways of Kelly Castle (in an overheard conversation to make you shudder, she hears herself referred to by her new sister-in-law as “very grammar school and suburban”!), to the orphaned children staying at Kelly in the holidays with Oliver, to Oliver’s mysterious wife, and even Caro’s mother-in-law Martha - once a new bride at Kelly herself. The author perfectly portrays the disconnect Caro feels entering a family that’s more different from her own than she’d anticipated, and the awful, fake cheerful politeness shown by Martha to Caro, and vice versa, as both try to establish their place. But the most intriguing character of all is the lost Mrs Gillan, Oliver’s wife. To say more would spoil the story, but I enjoyed getting to know this character and her place in the family’s history.
This is a great book, and one I would recommend to others - it is an intriguing mystery, with family strife, period detail and romance all there for good measure!
“A Woman Made of Snow” is released in the UK on 7th October 2021. Many thanks to NetGalley, Atlantic Books and of course the author for providing an ebook copy.
August 23, 2021
I enjoyed this book,but at times felt like it didn't really know what it was trying to be? Mystery,detective story,family drama?
The strands at times felt a bit too separate for me.
There was a certain level of predictability to the plot too.
That said,I enjoyed the characters,and the setting.
It was an easy read (which for me is not an insult).
Some historic bits in there that were of interest,so all in all I was a happy reader.
The strands at times felt a bit too separate for me.
There was a certain level of predictability to the plot too.
That said,I enjoyed the characters,and the setting.
It was an easy read (which for me is not an insult).
Some historic bits in there that were of interest,so all in all I was a happy reader.
November 7, 2021
Historical fiction is not my favourite genre of book, I have to confess, but the lure of a generation old mystery is what persuaded me to read this one. Set over two different timelines, the story centres around the family living in Kelly Castle.
Caro is our leading lady in the most modern of the two timelines and has married into the family who live at Kelly. Set in a post war timeline, she is an ex university professor who typically gave everything up to raise a family. Her mother in law asks her to research a mystery surrounding a missing bride from the family records and the mother to her husband's great grandmother. Amazingly, at the same time as she is researching this, a set of bones are discovered at the castle and she begins to investigate who they could belong to. I found Caro difficult to warm to - she seemed to be forever moaning about her husband's relationship with his mother and was suspicious of everyone and everything. She was very insecure within her marriage and I struggled with the relevance of this to the storyline.
Oliver is our main character in the storyline set waaaaay back and is Father to the great grandmother I mention before. I liked Oliver, I liked how he stood up for what he believed in on more than occasion. He was a romantic and was championing for equality in a time where it was unheard of. Oliver becomes surgeon on a ship that is beginning an expedition to whale hunt in the Antarctic. The only slight issue with this is the lack of medical knowledge Oliver has - 1 year in med school? Perhaps that was enough back then?!
The story itself lacked suspense - I felt it was only the last couple of chapters where I didn't want to stop reading. Prior to this, it was very long and drawn out. The events that unfolded were very unbelievable and although this is a work of fiction, it still needs to feel believable. It also felt somewhat rushed in the part that was supposed to be the exciting bit that the whole book had built up to. It left me feeling quite disappointed. I was also disappointed at the mistake in character's names during one part of the book - Alasdair was the husband of Caro and his name was used instead of Oliver's at the start of one of the chapters, quite a glaring mistake to have been missed.
Overall, I have given this a 3/5 - it wasn't amazing but I don't think it was dreadful and I do think it will really appeal to some people who are huge historical fiction fans.
Caro is our leading lady in the most modern of the two timelines and has married into the family who live at Kelly. Set in a post war timeline, she is an ex university professor who typically gave everything up to raise a family. Her mother in law asks her to research a mystery surrounding a missing bride from the family records and the mother to her husband's great grandmother. Amazingly, at the same time as she is researching this, a set of bones are discovered at the castle and she begins to investigate who they could belong to. I found Caro difficult to warm to - she seemed to be forever moaning about her husband's relationship with his mother and was suspicious of everyone and everything. She was very insecure within her marriage and I struggled with the relevance of this to the storyline.
Oliver is our main character in the storyline set waaaaay back and is Father to the great grandmother I mention before. I liked Oliver, I liked how he stood up for what he believed in on more than occasion. He was a romantic and was championing for equality in a time where it was unheard of. Oliver becomes surgeon on a ship that is beginning an expedition to whale hunt in the Antarctic. The only slight issue with this is the lack of medical knowledge Oliver has - 1 year in med school? Perhaps that was enough back then?!
The story itself lacked suspense - I felt it was only the last couple of chapters where I didn't want to stop reading. Prior to this, it was very long and drawn out. The events that unfolded were very unbelievable and although this is a work of fiction, it still needs to feel believable. It also felt somewhat rushed in the part that was supposed to be the exciting bit that the whole book had built up to. It left me feeling quite disappointed. I was also disappointed at the mistake in character's names during one part of the book - Alasdair was the husband of Caro and his name was used instead of Oliver's at the start of one of the chapters, quite a glaring mistake to have been missed.
Overall, I have given this a 3/5 - it wasn't amazing but I don't think it was dreadful and I do think it will really appeal to some people who are huge historical fiction fans.
October 16, 2021
I’m such a huge fan of this author and always look forward to new books from her. A Woman Made Of Snow is a beautifully written, dual timeline book which is part love story, part mystery and a completely amazing read.
The story follows two timelines one set in 1950 & the other 1870’s. Unusually for me I enjoyed following both timelines equally, soon warming to the two main characters Caro and Oliver who despite being a century apart were having to deal with similar issues to each other. The wonderful descriptions of Oliver’s job as a surgeon on board an artic whaling ship was fascinating and I really enjoyed learning more about it. The author has a great way of describing the cold, stark beauty of the Arctic which made me feel like I was actually there experiencing everything alongside the characters. Some of the descriptions of the killing of the whales and seals did make my stomach churn but it was very interesting to learn more about the innuit and their traditions. Caro’s story was also very interesting as I would have loved to have a research job like she did, trying to solve an old family mystery. It was great to follow the two timelines together and see the secrets gradually be revealed.
This story has some amazing historical detail and the author has clearly done her research as she manages to bring both periods to life. There are some quite serious issues discussed in the book like prejudice and social class which I found very interesting to learn more about. Oliver’s mother perfectly demonstrated societies views in the late 1800s and I found myself very glad that things have moved on.
Overall I loved this book and will be recommending it to everyone. There is something wonderfully immersive to this book which made if very hard to put down as I was so absorbed in the story. The gradual revealing of the secrets was brilliantly done and I thought the end was hugely satisfying.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Corvus for my copy of this book. If you’re a fan of dual timeline historical fiction then I highly recommend this book!
The story follows two timelines one set in 1950 & the other 1870’s. Unusually for me I enjoyed following both timelines equally, soon warming to the two main characters Caro and Oliver who despite being a century apart were having to deal with similar issues to each other. The wonderful descriptions of Oliver’s job as a surgeon on board an artic whaling ship was fascinating and I really enjoyed learning more about it. The author has a great way of describing the cold, stark beauty of the Arctic which made me feel like I was actually there experiencing everything alongside the characters. Some of the descriptions of the killing of the whales and seals did make my stomach churn but it was very interesting to learn more about the innuit and their traditions. Caro’s story was also very interesting as I would have loved to have a research job like she did, trying to solve an old family mystery. It was great to follow the two timelines together and see the secrets gradually be revealed.
This story has some amazing historical detail and the author has clearly done her research as she manages to bring both periods to life. There are some quite serious issues discussed in the book like prejudice and social class which I found very interesting to learn more about. Oliver’s mother perfectly demonstrated societies views in the late 1800s and I found myself very glad that things have moved on.
Overall I loved this book and will be recommending it to everyone. There is something wonderfully immersive to this book which made if very hard to put down as I was so absorbed in the story. The gradual revealing of the secrets was brilliantly done and I thought the end was hugely satisfying.
Huge thanks to Anne Cater for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Corvus for my copy of this book. If you’re a fan of dual timeline historical fiction then I highly recommend this book!
October 21, 2021
Here is an author who gets better and better, I have loved all of her books but this one, in my opinion, is her very best yet. I was utterly captivated by the story and particularly enjoyed learning about the whale boats of Scotland and the inclusion of the Inuit people. It is a triumph, so beautiful and at times so very heart breaking, there's one particular part that brought tears to my eyes. It is haunting and lyrical and steeped in history.
In 1949, Caro and Alisdair are living at his family home; Kelly Castle. The Castle is old and run down, rurally isolated and not at all what the young couple had planned. The arrival of their baby daughter, so soon after their marriage changed their plans for high flying careers and whilst Alisdair is employed locally, Caro's dreams of obtaining a job in academic research have been put on hold. She also has to endure the well-meaning, but frustrating interference from her mother in law.
There's a mystery in the family. There's no records to say who Alisdair's great-grandmother was. The records seem to have been wiped clean, all the family know is that she disappeared, leaving her small daughter behind. When Caro takes on the task of sorting through the family archives, she feels like she has a purpose again, and can use her brain. After a bad storm, the remains of a body are found buried under a tree in the Castle grounds; is this the mystery woman? Caro is determined to find out.
The author then takes her reader back to the late 1880s and we meet Charlotte and Louisa, two young women who spend their holidays at Kelly Castle, then owned by their aunt - a woman who is not very welcoming to the two girls.
This is a wonderfully written, sweeping story that is a love story, as well as a years-old mystery and as the reader travels from Scotland, to the Arctic, on a whaling boat crewed by hardened men, the mysteries deepen.
Elisabeth Gifford excels in creating characters and places that spring to life, be it the harsh conditions upon the ship, or the coldness of a stone castle in the wilds of Scotland, the reader is there, truly experiencing just what the characters see and do. The transition back and forth between the two eras is seamlessly done and the two time lines are woven together cleverly and expertly.
It's a fascinating look at class and family relationships too, the horrendous snobbery and dreadful treatment of some of the characters is utterly heartbreaking at times and left me feeling more than a little upset. The author doesn't hold back, there is no sugar coating here and the at times it is harsh and unrelenting, but it is always beautiful and sympathetically done.
A wonderful story that I recommend highly.
In 1949, Caro and Alisdair are living at his family home; Kelly Castle. The Castle is old and run down, rurally isolated and not at all what the young couple had planned. The arrival of their baby daughter, so soon after their marriage changed their plans for high flying careers and whilst Alisdair is employed locally, Caro's dreams of obtaining a job in academic research have been put on hold. She also has to endure the well-meaning, but frustrating interference from her mother in law.
There's a mystery in the family. There's no records to say who Alisdair's great-grandmother was. The records seem to have been wiped clean, all the family know is that she disappeared, leaving her small daughter behind. When Caro takes on the task of sorting through the family archives, she feels like she has a purpose again, and can use her brain. After a bad storm, the remains of a body are found buried under a tree in the Castle grounds; is this the mystery woman? Caro is determined to find out.
The author then takes her reader back to the late 1880s and we meet Charlotte and Louisa, two young women who spend their holidays at Kelly Castle, then owned by their aunt - a woman who is not very welcoming to the two girls.
This is a wonderfully written, sweeping story that is a love story, as well as a years-old mystery and as the reader travels from Scotland, to the Arctic, on a whaling boat crewed by hardened men, the mysteries deepen.
Elisabeth Gifford excels in creating characters and places that spring to life, be it the harsh conditions upon the ship, or the coldness of a stone castle in the wilds of Scotland, the reader is there, truly experiencing just what the characters see and do. The transition back and forth between the two eras is seamlessly done and the two time lines are woven together cleverly and expertly.
It's a fascinating look at class and family relationships too, the horrendous snobbery and dreadful treatment of some of the characters is utterly heartbreaking at times and left me feeling more than a little upset. The author doesn't hold back, there is no sugar coating here and the at times it is harsh and unrelenting, but it is always beautiful and sympathetically done.
A wonderful story that I recommend highly.
October 11, 2021
“A Woman Made of Snow” - ‘A gorgeous, haunting and captivating novel of a century-long family mystery in the wilds of Scotland, and one woman's hunt for the truth.’ Those adjectives couldn’t be more apt! I was literally swept away to the imposing Kelly Castle in Scotland and the wilderness of the Arctic Plains, with the whaling boats, the Eskimos and the freezing conditions.
The 1949 prologue set my intrigue roaring and it didn’t take me long to feel a part of the Gillan family and desperate myself to trace the family history of Oliver’s ‘missing’ wife. The dual timelines were superbly connected and were portrayed between the chapters with exact precision. The Arctic scenes set in the early 1880’s were researched meticulously and the author has evidently carried out extreme investigations into the whaling boats of that time and Scottish harbours and its inhabitants.
This historical family drama is as much a crime mystery as the family saga itself and truly kept me guessing. Powerfully poignant and at times emotional, the romantic relationship between Oliver and his wife was just beautiful and often made me feel quite teary. The issue of what was expected of married women and their relationship with their mother in laws of the 1940’s was a dominant feature too and was very interesting to read about. There was also a lot of sentiment to the story; the passing of the years, missed relationships, unrequited love and life and death. All of these struck a chord with me and made the story so much more than a missing piece of a family tree.
I was incredibly taken with “A Woman Made of Snow”. An appropriate title for the book once you’ve finished and understand it’s meaning. I’m surprised how bereft I am now it has finished, having devoured each page with fervour but taking my time to savour each word.
Elisabeth Gifford is the author of this magnificent masterpiece and the first book I’ve read by her, although having had many published. I shall certainly be looking to buy her past novels and is an author I’ll be avidly watching out for in the future, for more beautifully and fulfilling stories.
#AWomanMadeOfSnow - 5 stars
The 1949 prologue set my intrigue roaring and it didn’t take me long to feel a part of the Gillan family and desperate myself to trace the family history of Oliver’s ‘missing’ wife. The dual timelines were superbly connected and were portrayed between the chapters with exact precision. The Arctic scenes set in the early 1880’s were researched meticulously and the author has evidently carried out extreme investigations into the whaling boats of that time and Scottish harbours and its inhabitants.
This historical family drama is as much a crime mystery as the family saga itself and truly kept me guessing. Powerfully poignant and at times emotional, the romantic relationship between Oliver and his wife was just beautiful and often made me feel quite teary. The issue of what was expected of married women and their relationship with their mother in laws of the 1940’s was a dominant feature too and was very interesting to read about. There was also a lot of sentiment to the story; the passing of the years, missed relationships, unrequited love and life and death. All of these struck a chord with me and made the story so much more than a missing piece of a family tree.
I was incredibly taken with “A Woman Made of Snow”. An appropriate title for the book once you’ve finished and understand it’s meaning. I’m surprised how bereft I am now it has finished, having devoured each page with fervour but taking my time to savour each word.
Elisabeth Gifford is the author of this magnificent masterpiece and the first book I’ve read by her, although having had many published. I shall certainly be looking to buy her past novels and is an author I’ll be avidly watching out for in the future, for more beautifully and fulfilling stories.
#AWomanMadeOfSnow - 5 stars
October 12, 2021
This was an intriguing story from the start set in the latter part of the Victorian era and the late 1940s.
Caro has just moved to Kelly castle with her husband Alisdair, trying to negotiate a tricky relationship with his mother who is wary of this latest family member she tries hard to settle in at Kelly.
Meanwhile on her part trying to unbend and accept Caro into the family fold she offers her the job of the castle archivist in the hope she can shed some light on the "lost" Gillan bride who went missing many years before, just wiped out of history.
So Caro sets out on a historical adventure to try and find the missing lady with no name or apparent past.
But soon human remains are uncovered within the grounds setting off speculation that this could be the missing bride.
A charming tale that spans generations and in investigating a dark part of Gillan history this foray into the past and across continents actually brings the modern family members closer together.
A study in family relationships and the intricacies of mixed and blended families and finally acceptance.
Only marking it down a point as I was offended by the whaling scenes (sadly its historical fact and did tie into the story so this purely due to my own triggers and is something which might not upset other readers.)
Caro has just moved to Kelly castle with her husband Alisdair, trying to negotiate a tricky relationship with his mother who is wary of this latest family member she tries hard to settle in at Kelly.
Meanwhile on her part trying to unbend and accept Caro into the family fold she offers her the job of the castle archivist in the hope she can shed some light on the "lost" Gillan bride who went missing many years before, just wiped out of history.
So Caro sets out on a historical adventure to try and find the missing lady with no name or apparent past.
But soon human remains are uncovered within the grounds setting off speculation that this could be the missing bride.
A charming tale that spans generations and in investigating a dark part of Gillan history this foray into the past and across continents actually brings the modern family members closer together.
A study in family relationships and the intricacies of mixed and blended families and finally acceptance.
Only marking it down a point as I was offended by the whaling scenes (sadly its historical fact and did tie into the story so this purely due to my own triggers and is something which might not upset other readers.)
December 2, 2021
Caro, husband Alisdair and baby move to his family home, Kelly castle in Scotland. A storm uncovers a secret in the garden. Caro wants to investigate to see find out what happened in the past. The discovery leads to family secrets. In another timeline the story follows Oliver and his two friends Louisa and Charlotte.
I really enjoyed this story. I like a dual timeline story that goes back and forth from the present to the past. The present follows mainly Caro as she investigates the family history. It has a side story of her relationship with her mother in law Martha.
The main story is the past and it follows Oliver, Louisa and Charlotte. This for me was my favourite part of the story. A third part of the story follows Oliver on a whaling ship in the Antarctic. This was my least favourite part of the story but is crucial to the whole plot.
I really enjoyed this book. There was enough to keep my interest and I wanted to know the why and who. I especially enjoyed the book towards the end as everything was explained but did feel that some of the story was wrapped up with a neat little bow.
I haven't read anything by this author before but read more in the future.
Thank you to the publisher via Readers First for the book to review.
I really enjoyed this story. I like a dual timeline story that goes back and forth from the present to the past. The present follows mainly Caro as she investigates the family history. It has a side story of her relationship with her mother in law Martha.
The main story is the past and it follows Oliver, Louisa and Charlotte. This for me was my favourite part of the story. A third part of the story follows Oliver on a whaling ship in the Antarctic. This was my least favourite part of the story but is crucial to the whole plot.
I really enjoyed this book. There was enough to keep my interest and I wanted to know the why and who. I especially enjoyed the book towards the end as everything was explained but did feel that some of the story was wrapped up with a neat little bow.
I haven't read anything by this author before but read more in the future.
Thank you to the publisher via Readers First for the book to review.
October 10, 2021
This is a wonderful dual timeline story set in Scotland in 1949 and the Arctic during the 19thC. Caro and Alastair Gillan have moved to Kelly Castle, a dilapidated family estate. Alasdair has been offered a post at St Andrews whilst Caro is asked by his mother to sift through the household genealogy archives, to finish writing up the family history. She unearths a long lost mystery concerning a missing wife and finds herself on a voyage of discovery where there may have been a murder.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was gripped from page one. It’s vividly and evocatively written. The segments set in the Arctic seem very well researched - the descriptions of the landscape are amazing. It’s such an engrossing and engaging read with some fascinating characters and an intriguing plot line. I didn’t know much about the Inuits and their way of life so I found this part of the tale very interesting and quite the eye opener. It touches on racial and class discrimination as well as there being a moving love story which is sure to bring a tear to your eye. Highly recommended.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was gripped from page one. It’s vividly and evocatively written. The segments set in the Arctic seem very well researched - the descriptions of the landscape are amazing. It’s such an engrossing and engaging read with some fascinating characters and an intriguing plot line. I didn’t know much about the Inuits and their way of life so I found this part of the tale very interesting and quite the eye opener. It touches on racial and class discrimination as well as there being a moving love story which is sure to bring a tear to your eye. Highly recommended.
October 13, 2021
This is one of those beautifully written novels that you can't help but get swept away in. Every evening, I looked forward to settling down with this book because I was so fascinated by the story and so eager to know what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed how this book took part in two different timelines so we could understand the story from the points of views of the characters. While I really enjoyed being with Oliver, Charlotte, and Louisa, my favourite characters were definitely Martha and Caro. Both of them were such strong women who came from two different backgrounds and were bonded by their love of their home and environment.
I don't often read a lot of historical fiction novels, but my favourite ones are the ones that revolve around a mystery. While I wasn't thoroughly satisfied with how the book's core mystery (the body buried at Kelly Castle) was wrapped up, I still really liked this book. I'd be very eager to read Elisabeth Gifford's future novels.
I don't often read a lot of historical fiction novels, but my favourite ones are the ones that revolve around a mystery. While I wasn't thoroughly satisfied with how the book's core mystery (the body buried at Kelly Castle) was wrapped up, I still really liked this book. I'd be very eager to read Elisabeth Gifford's future novels.
October 10, 2021
I loved this dual timeline story of a woman who moves to a remote Scottish castle with her husband after WW2 and becomes embroiled in the mysterious history of her husband’s missing great grandmother, who has been expunged from the family records. The plot thickens upon the discovery of a body, and the unearthing of some diaries charting a voyage to the Arctic.
This is beautifully written, heartbreaking and also explores the changing position and roles of women in society.
Highly recommended.
Read with The Pigeonhole.
This is beautifully written, heartbreaking and also explores the changing position and roles of women in society.
Highly recommended.
Read with The Pigeonhole.
August 19, 2022
A Woman Made of Snow is both a beautifully written love story and a absorbing mystery. It flicks between two generations of a family. Caroline moves to Kelly Castle with her husband and daughter. However, the wife of an ancestor seems to have been wiped from history. Soon a body is found, can Caro work out these mysteries ?
If you're looking for a haunting yet beautiful read that deals sensitively with history, culture and familial love, I recommend that you pick this up.
If you're looking for a haunting yet beautiful read that deals sensitively with history, culture and familial love, I recommend that you pick this up.
September 26, 2021
Thank you to #NetGalley for allowing me to read #AWomanMadeOfSnow by#ElisabethGifford
Caroline Gillan has followed her husband to his ancestral home in Scotland when he obtains a position at a university there.
But being at home with a small baby and no way of getting around resentment starts to fester both against Alasdair and his mother Martha who seems to criticise everything Caro does. Trying to put the family’s archives in order seems to be a way for Caro to feel part of the family and when she is told of a mystery surrounding Alasdairs grandmother she can’t wait to get started. Going back and forth over a century this story tells a tale of love and fear. A story that will capture your attention and keep you reading.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Caroline Gillan has followed her husband to his ancestral home in Scotland when he obtains a position at a university there.
But being at home with a small baby and no way of getting around resentment starts to fester both against Alasdair and his mother Martha who seems to criticise everything Caro does. Trying to put the family’s archives in order seems to be a way for Caro to feel part of the family and when she is told of a mystery surrounding Alasdairs grandmother she can’t wait to get started. Going back and forth over a century this story tells a tale of love and fear. A story that will capture your attention and keep you reading.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 2, 2021
Thank you to the publisher for this ARC.
I found this to be an interesting read, I enjoyed that it covered different timelines and places.
I really enjoyed following Caro as she looked into the family history and unravelled what had happened.
The descriptive nature of the author ensured that you can really immerse yourself in the story and the different settings.
I found this to be an interesting read, I enjoyed that it covered different timelines and places.
I really enjoyed following Caro as she looked into the family history and unravelled what had happened.
The descriptive nature of the author ensured that you can really immerse yourself in the story and the different settings.
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