The Shadowy Horses

by Susanna Kearsley

The Invincible Ninth Roman Legion Marches from York to Fight The Northern Tribes. and then Vanishes from the Pages of History.

Archaeologist Verity Grey has been drawn to the dark legends of the Scottish Borderlands in search of the truth buried in a rocky field by the sea.

Her eccentric boss has spent his whole life searching for the resting place of the lost Ninth Roman Legion and is convinced he's finally found it—not because of any scientific evidence, but because a local boy has "seen" a Roman soldier walking in the fields, a ghostly sentinel who guards the bodies of his long-dead comrades.

Here on the windswept shores, Verity may find the answer to one of the great unsolved mysteries of our time. Or she may uncover secrets someone buried for a reason.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fiction, Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy, Scotland

432 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

New York Times, USA Today, and Globe and Mail bestselling author Susanna Kearsley is a former museum curator who loves restoring the lost voices of real people to the page, interweaving romance and historical intrigue with modern adventure.

Her books, published in translation in more than 20 countries, have won the Catherine Cookson Fiction Prize, RT Reviewers’ Choice Awards, a RITA Award, and National Readers’ Choice Awards, and have finaled for the UK’s Romantic Novel of the Year and the Crime Writers of Canada's Arthur Ellis Award for Best Novel.

She lives near Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

(Aka Emma Cole, a pseudonym she used for one novel, Every Secret Thing, a thriller which at the time was intended to be the first of a trilogy featuring heroine Kate Murray, and which may yet be finished, some day. Meantime, Every Secret Thing has been reissued under Kearsley's name, and the Emma Cole pseudonym is no longer in use.)

Reviews

[Navessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really good.

I love me some Roman history, and I've read more books set in the UK than anywhere else, so this book pretty much sold me at "female archaeologist searching for the lost ninth Roman legion in Scotland".

I probably would have given it a solid three stars for that alone, but with such a gorgeous setting, lush prose, wonderfully developed characters - including a few very grey side characters, a likable, brainy MC with integrity and nerve, and a love interest that you fully understand her attraction to - ghosts, a psychic child, and a captivating plot, I had to bump it up to five.

Truly, I enjoyed this so much that I bought all of this author's other books after reading it.

Proof:

[Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a decent, slightly old-fashioned romantic suspense novel (though the suspense here is pretty understated) with a ghostly twist. Verity Grey is an archaeologist who takes a job up in the Scottish Borderlands on a dig that maybe - just maybe - is the final resting place of the legendary lost Ninth Roman Legion. Verity's new boss is convinced of it, even though the evidence is murky at best. His reason? A local young boy with the Sight has seen a ghost of a Roman legionnaire stalking the grounds. Hmmm.

Add a tall, dark and handsome love interest, and you've got a pretty good mystery going here. Parts of this book rate 4 stars, maybe even 5, but I feel like I have to drop my rating because there was a big chunk in the middle where I got bored with the plodding mystery and super-slow-burning romance and skipped ahead, even though this is a fairly short book.* It's still sitting on my shelf,** so one of these times I'll give it another shot and maybe my rating will go up.

The Shadowy Horses was recommended to me by an author friend who said it reminded her of Mary Stewart's books.

* Okay, not really all that short; it’s 350 pages.

** This would be the bookshelf in my bedroom, which is reserved for books I REALLY plan to read, or reread. (Otherwise they go down to the basement bookshelf.) Only problem is, this book has been taking up room on my bedroom bookshelf for like three years now.

Content note: no explicit content, but the couple does sleep together.

[Sarah Mac · Rating 1 out of 5]

- Sarah's Reading Guide for The Shadowy Horses -

(1) Open google.
(2) Load a picture of dry toast. Example:



(3) Stare at toast for 3 minutes.
(4) Leave the room. Trim your toenails.
(5) Return to the computer. Stare at toast for another 3 minutes.
(6) Close picture.

Congrats! You've successfully duplicated the Shadowy Horses experience. Be proud -- you've saved yourself untold pain by not bothering with the tepid characters, bland plot, excruciating infodumps, cutesy humor, & nauseating romance of this book.

Thank you, & goodnight.

[Christy Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a lover of history and archaeology. I always wished I could find an artifact of a bygone era in my backyard or while hiking in the wilderness. Deciding to read The Shadowy Horses by Susanna Kearsley was very easy. It checked all of my boxes: Roman history, archaeological dig in Scotland, supernatural goings-on, family drama and a bit of romance.

Verity Grey, a finder expert, takes an invitation from her ex-boyfriend to interview for a job in Eyemouth, Scotland. The job entails a potential dig site where Peter Quinnell, an infamous archaeologist, thinks the Roman Ninth Legion may have been before they disappeared from history. Verity is entranced by Peter, even if his theory is not probable. She meets David, also an archaeologist, and is immediately smitten. While not completely convinced that the Ninth would have been as far north as Eyemouth, Verity wants to help Peter. The only “evidence” he has is the psychic observations of a young boy named Robbie. Can Verity search for the truth based on little more than the supernatural haunting of shadowy horses and a Roman sentinel?

The characters make this novel. Verity is a strong and likable character. She’s intelligent and kind. She has a great sense of humor and a strong sense of protectiveness towards those she loves. She finds herself quickly falling for the charms of Eyemouth and David. Peter easily wins her affection. It’s her stubbornness to protect those she loves that pushes her to prove Peter’s theory is true, even if it is difficult to believe. The secondary characters round out the story nicely. Every single one of them - Peter, David, Robbie, Jeannie, Granny Nan, Adrian and Fabia - adds to the total flavor and ambiance. Kearsley does such a good job at making them feel so real and full of life. Every interaction carefully develops the relationships, building tension and drama, or love and connection.

Realistic elements are juxtaposed with supernatural ones, each helping to reveal and explore the mystery of the Ninth Legion. The details of science and technology build the realism of an archaeological dig. Kearsley’s description of the dig and the history of the Roman Legions helps to explain how real discoveries are made and catalogued, as well giving a fantastic history lesson. Learning about the Roman occupation of England and the surrounding areas is so intriguing. Add to all of this a little boy’s psychic powers and a Roman sentinel ghost and I found myself enraptured.

While I did love so much about this novel, there are some sections that feel off track or at least aren’t as on point with the purpose of the novel. I liked hearing about the history of Eyemouth, but I’m not sure it was really necessary or related to the mystery. While interesting, those sections felt like they dragged a bit and kept me from the haunting and Roman history I wanted to hear more about. Some character relationships also felt like they were distractions, until the end of the novel revealed interesting information. The resolution of some family drama felt both rushed and incomplete. On the whole, it was a layered novel that was enjoyable and satisfying and I would try more of her novels in the future.

[Barb · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really didn't like this story from Susanna Kearsley. This is the fourth novel by her that I've read and there is definitely a formula she follows. Sometimes the formula works for me and sometimes it doesn't.

I did like the setting of the archeological dig and the insertion of the Roman history that went with describing what the archeologists were looking for and discovering. I also liked the many references to the Scots language and traditions.

What I didn't care for was the romantic story line which felt completely forced and rather juvenile. There was too much repetition on the whole, repetition of descriptions without any elaboration or development of the idea being described. There were far too many details about the cats and about the booze everyone was drinking.

The descriptions of the main characters being a particular way, "a difficult woman" for one and "mad" for another, were never supported by any actions or behaviors that would make them believable.

The characters were not well developed and events were not believable. The author set up the story to unfold around an archeological dig but then turned the dig into a soap opera where the professionals are constantly staying out late, and sleeping in late and acting indifferent to the profession that brought them to this location in the first place.

It seemed like the author started out in one mind and then changed her idea about where the book would go in the middle somewhere. This story doesn't hang together well at all, and I'm not sure I will be reading any more of Kearsley's work. And what's with the cover art? It has nothing to do with the story at all.

[Zaynab · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadowy Horses turned out to be an enjoyable combination of mystery, romance and history. Set in the Scottish borderlands, it was fun to learn some of the language alongside Verity Grey :)  Kearsley kept me enraptured with her amazing imagination... Another one of her happily ever afters... Do read!

[Berengaria · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

Susanna Kearsley's special blend of romance and the paranormal can be hit or miss depending on the characters & plot of each individual novel. I've DNFed two but really enjoyed one other of hers (Mariana).

Although I'm NOT a romance fan, I am a big fan of the paranormal.

In "Shadowy Horses" that would be the ghost of a Roman sentry still making his rounds 2000 years after his death...and now watching with great interest as archaeologists start to dig up his former fort.

Kearsley takes great pains to paint the Scottish setting in vivid detail. And while she does a great job of it for the most part, she breaks the spooky tone a little too often to take us on wild touristy sprees to local celebrations, crack some jokes about haggis and repeatedly point out how much a Scots dictionary comes in handy when talking even to lowland Scots - Ca' canny there now, ye thrawn lass!

Oh yeah, and the love interest simply HAS to put on a kilt at some point, right? Right?


If a pretty decent ghost story with a slow burn romance, some interesting tidbits of Roman history as well as a heaping portion of ALL THINGS SCOTTISH sounds yummy, then this is the novel for you.

I rather enjoyed it...even if I skimmed the romantic plot line (ew, stinky socks).

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shadowy Horses was another quick, enjoyable read by Susanna Kearsley. It's not a time-slip like the others that I've read, but more of a contemporary ghost story, although it's really not what you would call a chilling one. I expected a bit more of an eerie, Gothic atmosphere, and got more Scottish flavor instead (which is really not a bad thing).

The story centers on an archaeological dig in an old fishing town where a mad old scholar believes he's found the final resting place of the Roman Ninth Legion. I enjoyed the details of the dig and the cast of characters involved. I even liked the romance aspect of it. All-in-all, it was just the kind of escape I was looking for at the beginning of my summer holidays.

[Jessie Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read This Review & More Like It On Ageless Pages Reviews!

A thoroughly satisfying mix of history, the paranormal, with a dash of romance to flavor, The Shadowy Horses does not disappoint. A bit more romance-orientated than my previous read by this author (Mariana), I can still easily endorse Susanna Kearsley as fast becoming one of my favorite authors; one that is adept at creating a wide array of individual characters, as well as intricately setting up an atmospheric read. She delivers every time, and this is no exception. If I was impressed after reading Mariana, I am entering full-on fan mode after finishing this offering from Kearsley in less than a day. Taking on the well-known mystery and search for the Roman Ninth Legion in Scotland, I was hooked early on. I simply could not put The Shadowy Horses down, but was conversely reluctant to finish once I was firmly engrossed in the novel.

Kearlsey's descriptive (and it is very descriptive - from the countryside to the "not-posh" sitting room, Kearlsey crafts an easily imagined setting) and detailed style is present and used with a dab hand from the first chapter, to the benefit of both the locale and for the wide array of characters on the page. Both suspenseful and engrossing, each aspect of the novel, from the mystery to the romance to the supernatural, were all summarily well-handled and solid, with none detracting from the streamlined plot. These were characters who came alive for me as a reader, all with varying degress of characterization, as well as ones who made me care about each of them. This is a dynamic cast, with each character fully distinct, and, by and large, even with psychometric/psychic Robbie, one that doesn't strain credulity or irritate the reader. I do wish there had just slightly more of an antagonistic presence for most of the novel, but the minor conflicts and issues that were there, were enough to create increasing tension throughout the story.

The first person POV of protagonist Verity Grey makes it easy to root for her through her struggles to accept what is going on in Eyemouth; her inner monologue reinforces the first impression of an impulsive, smart, and very independent woman who can more than handle herself. The strength of the novel, much like with Mariana, lies with main character Verity. The other elements of the novel are well-done and unique, but it is Verity who takes the cake (with some help from an accent Scotsman with a love of history!), and who will stick out in my memory. I appreciated the restraint with which the author took to the romance - it's a large part of the novel, but it doesn't drown the plot in melodrama or too much of a love triangle.

The final conflict (and revelation of the antagonist) was a bit dry (ha!), but a nicely rounded denouement makes up for that slight misstep. Though Mariana will remain my favorite Kearsley (for now!), I loved The Shadowy Horses and think that this is an author that continues to impress and grow as a writer. This is an author who is very talented with crafting believable characters, with creating an atmospheric setting, and with making the past come to life. Well done and I can't wait for my next Kearsley read!

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
I won this book in a contest hosted by Reading Between the Wines and Sourcebooks.



Shadowy Horses is centered around Eyemouth, which is an actual fishing port located in south-east Scotland. The story references actual places and events including The Ship Hotel, the fish auctions and the Herring Queen Festival. While it hasn't actually been verified that Eyemouth is the last resting place of the Ninth Roman Legion, this is what the fictional character Verity Gray is drawn to. Actual evidence had yet to be discovered, only the protestations of an eight year old boy that claims he's seen and spoke with someone who walks the fields... a Roman soldier that died over two thousand years ago.



The Shadowy Horses is my third read by Susanna Kearsley and while it's not my favorite, it still managed to guarantee that this is one author I will be reading everything she writes. This gothic tale felt more subdued than I had anticipated based off the enticing summary but was still wonderfully intriguing. The main character Verity was a strong and intelligent character that was a joy to read about. While I didn't see the necessity to include a budding romance into this potentially enigmatic story line it ended up being a lovely addition making this an extremely well-rounded story. The ending was strangely dramatic and felt out of place from the way I thought the story was going but still left me altogether satisfied. I will most definitely be seeking out more from Susanna Kearsley.

[Heather K (dentist in my spare time) · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5 stars**

I would have stayed up all night last night to finish this book if my daughter didn't wake up and call for me. It was one of those books where you say to yourself "I'll just finish this one chapter" and do that over and over again until you look up and 2 hours has gone by.

I always love Susanna Kearsley's writing and this book was no exception. Her prose just envelops me and drags me deep into the plot to the point where the world around me grows murky. I get sucked into these beautiful, haunting, romantic settings that she creates.

This book takes place in Scotland, like so many of her other stories. It deals with the excavation and history of something called the lost Ninth Roman Legion. The story effortlessly weaves historical facts with paranormal elements and dashes of romance.

I didn't like this story quite as much as "The Rose Garden", one of my all time favorites. I thought that the ghostly elements could have been even more prominent and the romance and family secrets further explored. I still am giving this book a high rating because I loved it overall and have such respect for Kearsley's style.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. From the back cover: The invincible Ninth Roman legion marches from York to fight the northern tribes, and then vanishes from the pages of history.
Archaeologist Verity Grey has been drawn to the dark legends of the Scottish Borderlands in search of the truth buried in a rocky field by the sea. Her eccentric boss has spent his life searching for the resting place of the lost Ninth Roman Legion and is convinced he has finally found it--not because of any scientific evidence, but because aa local boy has "seen" a Roman soldier walking in the fields, a ghostly sentinel.."

Verity is recommended to join the dig to the boss (Peter) by her ex-boyfriend, Adrian and leaves London to interview for the job in Eyemouth, Scotland. An addition to Peter & Adrian, the rest of the small team comprises of a hometown man & archaeologist - David Fortune, Peter's granddaughter, Fabia, and of course Robbie, the young lad with the gift of the second sight. There are a cast of interesting secondary characters as well. Verity is intrigued and joins the dig and despite being a skeptic about ghosts and psychic abilities, things happen that can not be otherwise easily explained.

This is a fairly early Kearsley novel (1997) and it shows. Some of the important characters could have been fleshed out more and there could have been more about the excavation itself and how decisions about where to dig and the various techniques that are used. The setting was charming, and the Sentinel is intriguing. Not only can Robbie see & communicate with him to some degree but the border collie, Kip, also can see and interacts with the Sentinel. I found that to be an interesting detail as we know that some animal species are able to sense things that we humans cannot.
I liked learning some Scottish words and history as well as some local flavor.

Since Robbie's psychic abilities are a big part of the story, I was interested to read in the reading group guide in the back of my edition of the book, that "at least one highly-respected archaeologist,
Canadian J. Norman Emerson, publicly acknowledged his use of psychics to aid him on digs.." Elizabeth Chadwick, a historical fiction novelist also has used a psychic to help unearth details for her research. I had no idea.

Overall, a pleasant read but I keep searching for one her novels to be at the same level as The Winter Sea Of course that was written 11 years after this novel.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

He Bids His Beloved Be At Peace

I hear the Shadowy Horses, their long manes a-shake,
Their hoofs heavy with tumult, their eyes glimmering white;
The North unfolds above them clinging, creeping night,
The East her hidden joy before the morning break,
The West weeps in pale dew and sighs passing away,
The South is pouring down roses of crimson fire:
O vanity of Sleep, Hope, Dream, endless Desire,
The Horses of Disaster plunge in the heavy clay:
Beloved, let your eyes half close, and your heart beat
Over my heart, and your hair fall over my breast,
Drowning love's lonely hour in deep twilight of rest,
And hiding their tossing manes and their tumultous feet.
-William Butler Yeats, 1896

Loved this. Just as I've loved every other Susanna Kearsley book I've read. And yes, if you've read her book The Firebird, this book is linked to it, predating it by about 20-25 years. This one stays in the present though, not delving back into history like the other two I've read. There is a historical premise though, and yes just a lit bit of the supernatural as well.



It takes place in Eyemouth, Scotland, and as usual, her romantic descriptions have me wanting to pack my bags and hop on a plane. This is a romance, if you were wondering, although a slow and steady one, as opposed to hot and heavy. And there was just a little mystery mixed up in there as well. Her characters are fabulous, and by the end of the book, you feel like you know them all personally.

Highly recommended to those of you who love your history with little romance sprinkles on top.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel went way beyond my expectations, into "truly delightful" territory. I had expected something a little less fiction and a little more fluffy (Kind of like Elizabeth Lowell, who writes stories involving art history, book history, studies of artifacts, etc. - but whose writing is not nearly as good).

This novel has a perfect mix of history, romance, and mystery.

The plot begins immediately, with an archaeologist re-tracing her route on a bus after managing to sleep through her train stop. She's received a teasing letter from an old flame about an amazing dig in southern Scotland, and is on her way to the Scottish borderlands to find out if she wants to work on it. The man financing and leading the dig has a reputation for being a bit mad, which she doesn't find out until she meets him. It turns out he's looking for the fabled Lost Legion, the Legio IX Hispana.

The author throws in a ghost - "The Sentinel" - and a psychic boy, which at first I thought I wouldn't like. Fortunately, the supernatural stuff does not ruin the story or the characterization, both of which are compelling.

I found myself liking all of the characters, even the "villains" (for everyone is only human, after all, and since this isn't fantasy, there's no battle between Good and Evil), but I think the Sentinel steals the show.

The plot, from the first page, picks up speed like a boulder rolling down a hill, and I couldn't put the book down until I had turned the last page. The suspense builds smoothly, as does the romance, with the romance taking a near backseat to the mystery. There were even twists I didn't expect!

The author mixes in some basic archaeological information, about the process, how things are done, and why they're done - which will help an archaeology-ignorant reader understand the dig, but briefly threw me out of the story on occasion, since I already know a bit about archaeology.

I definitely plan on reading more from this Canadian author.

[Christine Spoors · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book begins with the main character Verity sitting on a bus in the pouring rain. I spend a lot of time doing that myself so I instantly began to love this book. It's set in Eyemouth, a port town in the Scottish Borders, and I love the way Kearsley writes about Scotland. It is clear from the very first page that she did a lot of research before beginning this book!

This book only has one POV and we follow Verity, an archaeologist, as she moves to Eyemouth to take part in an archaeological dig looking for the Ninth Roman Legion, which was never been discovered. I really liked her POV, she was a great character to read from. The book has a hand full of other characters, who are also taking part in the dig, and it was great to get to know them all.

Where her book The Winter Sea featured ancestral memory, this book links to the past via a ghostly sentinel and an archaeological dig. I felt like I learned a lot about archaeologists and their field work whilst reading this book. It was pretty creepy at times with the ghostly goings on but it's not a horror, it's all very realistic.

This book is quite a slow burn, in terms of plot and romance, but I really enjoyed it. I love Kearsley's descriptive writing style and she sets the scene so well. I love being outside in the wind and the rain, so I appreciate that she always takes time to describe the weather and the landscape.

At the beginning of the book Kearsley dedicates it to the people of Eyemouth and thanks them. She mentions that she does not belong to Eyemouth, simply that she visited it to write about it and hopes that she did it justice. It's so refreshing to see a North American author writing about Scotland without scrambling to claim some part of it through a long lost ancestor.

I'd definitely recommend this book, especially to those new to Kearsley's writing. It's only 420 pages so a good place to start!

[C. (Comment, never msg). · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked Susanna Kearsley’s third outing best! An archaeological site in Scotland is a sublime setting. Three stars don’t reflect how much I enjoyed this novel, which a few factors shaped. “The Shadowy Horses”, 1997, is about a disputed third-century Roman camp. The loveable landowner is rich but the university needs evidence to approve a student workforce. His proof is the neighbour’s son.... meeting a spirit from that legion!

The impact wavered because Susanna didn’t clarify any primary genre. Unless eking out a series, you don’t spend a novel seeking the focus. Choose the tone of adventure and trim the rest. I was caught-up in what seemed to be naturally-budding romance, with a psychic sideline. The soldier wasn’t foreboding as per the synopsis. Verity dared to propose approaching him for information. Susanna unfortunately blew past that thread.

Confirmation of the site came from neither effort nor the paranormal. It was a weak gimmick in which a pottery sherd was overlooked in an envelope! The work, psychic boy, and spirit were nullified and there was nonsense about not having Verity’s phone number. The book closed without a grand discovery. Out of nowhere, two characters fell into danger and one became a villain; to manufacture a mystery. A genre has to be established and emphasized; a curveball can’t sprout it.

Enthralling books describe feelings, not gestures. They aren’t screenplays. An atrocious faux-pas for which I guarantee to dock a star, is to portray whistling via teeth! Susanna committed that thrice! Lastly, linguistic flavour belongs to dialogue, not to narrating. I love foreign words but grimaced at a fellow Canadian writing “tyres”, “washing-up”, and trying to sound Scottish besides in speech. Had Susanna cut the bugaboos and solidified a genre; I would delight in the rich layers from which her story was made.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story with a ghost and a child psychic wouldn’t generally appeal to me, but there is something very retro about Susanna Kearsley’s writing style that I enjoy. We meet her main character, Verity Gray, as she arrives at an excavation site in Scotland, where her new boss is attempting to find evidence of the elusive Ninth Roman Legion, and even from her initial bus ride into town, we know there will be more discovered here than old bones.

Kearsley's Scottish setting is charming, her romantic involvement is sweet and understated, which is a welcomed relief from those authors who think they need to describe sex to us as if they were writing an instruction manual, and her discussions of the Roman archeological site are interesting and sometimes informative. There is a very weak, unsurprising “surprise” twist, but I was able to overlook that in favor of the easy unfolding of the characters.

This one wasn’t as good as the other Kearsley’s I have read, but it was an earlier effort and not flawed enough to put me off of reading another when I can fit her into the reading schedule. We all need a guilty pleasure--for the time being, Kearsley is mine.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have loved the Kearsley novels I had read up til this one, and while I don't know that I enjoyed this one quite as much, it was still a wonderful way to spend several evenings. The description calls it "brooding and atmospheric" and those are apt descriptors. This one is a re-print, and it does feel a bit dated, and not just because no one whips out their smart phone (I actually enjoyed that bit!), but rather there is something about the language. I really don't care for certain words, especially the name of Christ, being used as a swear word. Just go ahead and write in a curse word (or don't) and be done with it. Her newer books don't have this that I remember, so in that way, perhaps her writing has evolved. Or perhaps they do just use that as a swear word a lot in Scotland? Anyway, either way, not a favorite element of mine. To be fair, it's not prevalent, but once is enough for me in this case.

This one also doesn't quite have the depth of the other two that I've read, so perhaps that why it wasn't quite the page turner that the others were for me. There is not a huge focus on the romance in this story either (as in no surprises), but it is believable and compelling, and the story doesn't lack for it not being focused on very much. There is a lovely, haunting atmosphere as much of the story is set on the site of what is believed to be, by some characters, the final resting place of Rome's Ninth Legion. I loved the historical bits; Verity visits a museum and talks to other experts in the field. There's also a dog and a cat and a cute little boy, so lots of enjoyable, cozy elements, despite this really being a ghost story at it's core.

Perhaps it reminded me of a mixture of Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt, which for me, is certainly a compliment (though I admit not to having read as many Stewart's as I have Holt's). Despite not loving it to bits as I did say, The Rose Garden, I'm glad I finally read The Shadowy Horses.

(I won The Shadowy Horses from a giveaway on Peeking Between the Pages - www.peekingbetweenthepages.com).

[Lynn Put · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say, I think Susanna Kearsley could write the back of a cereal box and I'd think it was marvelous, lol. There's just something about her writing style that I truely love, she's one of my favorite authors. The Shadowy Horses was no exception, the setting was modern day Scotland with our main character Verity Grey an archaeologist accepting a job to help find the truth as to whether the lost Ninth Roman Legion is buried in a rocky field by the sea. This story has everything, a charming hot Scottish leading man , great supporting characters, a wonderful setting (the windswept shores of Eyemouth Scotland), a ghostly sentinel, a loveable romance and a young boy who has the gift of "second sight". Kearsley's books always have a way of staying with me and wanting more.

[Melodie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was not up to the standards I have come to expect from this author.Story premise was interesting and the characters with all their contrasts and foibles should have carried the story. But it all fell flat for me.
At times there was too much detail and others not enough. It was as if the author got bored with her own story and just wanted to get it done and over. I was reading along and all of a sudden we went from zero to sixty. Neatly tied up with a bow and happily ever after? Huh?

[TL *Humaning the Best She Can* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some samples of the beautiful writing:

"The man, to my eyes, looked enormous, a great dark giant who moved over bracken and thorn with an effortless stride. He might have been a spectre from a bygone age, a fearless border laird come to challenge our rude intrusion on his lands--but the illusion lasted only a moment.

"The sea was close beside us now. I could the choppy froth of waves beyond the thinning wall of mist, and the jutting silhouettes of jagged rocks. The rain had stopped. Between the racing clouds a sudden gleam of sunlight flashed, and disappeared, and flashed again, and finally stretched a searching finger out to touch the clustered houses curving round the coast ahead of us. "

"The pungent smell of damp earth touched my nostrils like a sweet seductive scent, and I couldn't help but feel that tiny catch of excitement deep in my chest, that tingling thrill that all explorers must have felt from time immemorial. Because you never knew what worlds were waiting underneath that ground, to be discovered. That was the beauty of it -- you never really knew. "

"The lights flickered briefly and I suddenly realised how dark it had grown outside--the shadows closed around us and vanished again as the warm glow hummed to life. And then the sky exploded, and the storm came down like vengeance.

As always, it never takes long to pull you into the story *happy sigh*

This isn't a complicated or plot but the way it unfolds, I didn't mind at all. I enjoyed meeting Verity and seeing things through her eyes. Her name, is very appropriate for her, and the story :).

It was enjoyable as well, seeing Robbie as a little kid, before the events of 'the firebird'... he was so adorable and tenacious haha. Brian's attitude did annoy me, but I understood where he was coming from.

Also was fun, getting some bits of the folklore and traditions of our setting. Eyemouth is a small but rich town and sounds like the type of place to settle down in. Too bad we can't transport the people from Susanna Kearsley's book there as well :).

Only quibble I had is a minor one but I would have loved to see more with Robbie's Sentinel and the dig... to follow how everything turned out. The ending though, was a nice touch so I'll not complain... much ;-)

The order I found out after the fact, to keep things straight, to read these books in: Shadowy Horses, Winter Sea, Firebird .. but no harm done if you don't :)

Can't recommend this woman's writing enough <3

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I liked:
- the archaeology and Roman history lessons,
- the main premise,
- the setting,
- Wally, Jeannie's dad.

Ha, no, really, I did like most of the secondary characters - even the annoying ones. I enjoy reading Kearsley's books - though they tend to be populated with similar characters, it's fun to see them in slightly different positions this time around.

What I didn't like:
- The 'sinister' plot. Why was that even in there? Made no sense and was just dumb, especially the big...finale? (I had no idea what actually happened after reading twice).
- The constant pointed references to the dang cats. I was so confused by the emphasis that I thought these cats were reincarnated soul twins of some long lost Roman lovers (I know! My mind, it wanders to weird places. I guess I read too much PNR.)
- The "romance" - though I knew going in that I was going to be disappointed. I loved The Winter Sea - both couples in that story had a lot of personality and chemistry. But I've read three novels by SK since then, and they've all been tepid. Which is frustrating, because I want to love her hot Scottish heroes. I get closed door, sure, but this was almost high school-ish - pretty bookish type lands the rugby player - two rushed kisses and she's wearing his varsity windcheater. Or something.

And that's another thing. First these characters are described as well-respected intellectual nerdy archaeologists...and within a chapter they are all pretty much heavily boozing and hooking up and sleeping late to work off hangovers, etc. I AM IN THE WRONG CAREER!

[Lyuda · Rating 4 out of 5]

One cup of ancient Roman Legion history, one cup of archaeology tidbits, one cup of modern Scottish coastal village atmosphere, full dollop of paranormal element and one tablespoon of the Scots language.
Mix all ingredients together.
Sprinkle romance and mystery on top and enjoy this wonderful creation!

Warning:
Consumption can lead to:
1. Impulsive internet search on everything to do with Roman Legio IX Hispana and its disappearance.
2. Overwhelming desire to visit the east coast of Scotland and, specifically, a certain small village.

This is my second book by the author. I loved “A Desperate Fortune” but was not too keen on reading the author's other books for their paranormal element. But I'm so glad I did!

This is a beautifully designed tale. The main storyline revolves around an ancient mystery - what really happened to the Roman Legio IX Hispana. Not only does the author weave together an interesting story about the archaeological dig and the relationships that form and stretch during the dig, but she also brings the past in and effortlessly weaves it into the story.
The description of life in a small Scottish coastal village was beautifully done. I felt I was right there with the characters, enjoying a friendly banter over drinks, smelling a sea air, sightseeing.
The only criticism I have is that ending felt rushed and abrupt.
And now to the author's book list and bigger TBR pile...

[Alan (on December semi-hiatus) Teder · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Bonny Love Among the Ancient Romans
Review of the original Seal Books paperback edition (May, 1997)

[3.5 rounded up]
My GR friend Berengaria wrote such an entertaining review of this book that I couldn't resist giving it a read as well, even if romance and the paranormal are not my usual genres. Archeology, ancient Romans and Scotland were enough of a draw however. Fortunately I was able to source a nice copy of the original Canadian paperback from 1997 in the Toronto Public Library system. Not only was the 25 year old paperback in good condition (I suspect that its being classified as "Science Fiction" might have caused it to languish somewhat among the stacks) but it was also an autographed copy. That Susanna Kearsley was a Canadian author previously unknown to me was a bonus.


The surprise advantages of the Toronto Public Library system, surreptitiously autographed books by local area authors 🙂

The romance and the paranormal did not actually play that strong a part in the story. Archeologist Verity Grey joins a dig near Eyemouth in Scottish Border country which turns out to be a search for the supposed lost Ninth Legion of Roman (aka Legio IX Hispana). The Ninth Legion disappeared from history and has variously been assumed to have been either annihilated by Scottish tribes or simply reassigned to another part of the empire with the orders being lost to the record.

There is a smouldering crush brewing between Verity and one of the other participants in the dig. In the background there are suspicious actions from some of the others, one of whom is Verity's past lover. It is gradually revealed that the reason for the site of the dig is because a local young boy with the 'second sight' is able to perceive a Roman sentinel guarding the location. It also becomes evident that someone is plotting to sabotage the endeavour. It all comes to a climax in the midst of a storm with perils from both nature and human. Will the sentinel reach out across time to save our heroes?


Modern reconstruction of a wall and ditch segment from a Roman marching fort such as would have been constructed by Legio IX Hispana. Image sourced from Quora.

I found The Shadowy Horses to be an entertaining read which was well atmosphered with the local characters and geography. It provided both a smattering of Scots dialogue and quite a bit of background on archeology and about the era of Roman Britain and the types of legionary fortresses which were constructed then.

Trivia and Links
The lost Ninth Legion of Rome has been the subject of a considerable number of books, plays, documentaries and films which can be seen listed on Wikipedia. Rosemary Sutcliff's novel The Eagle of the Ninth (1954) is one of the earliest.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone recommended Susanna Kearsley (and this book by her specifically) as a nice option if looking for something in the vein of Mary Stewart. And it really does hold up. Delightful ambiance, charming Scots, and mysterious ghosts. I mean, really, what more do you need?

Well, maybe a more cohesive climax.

The story builds nicely with a slow-burn romance and hints of some danger just around the corner. But when the danger does come, it feels rather out of left field. I also didn't care much for the direction the romance eventually went, but that's more personal taste.

If you enjoy Mary Stewart or Elizabeth Peters, you should enjoy this one.

[Toni NB · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 rounded up to 3 stars.
Set in Scotland which automatically gives it a star.

Verity is called to assist in an archaeological site whose purpose is to find the elusive Roman Ninth Legion. I knew nothing about this so I was happy to go off on little Google tangents on my own as the story progressed. Plus the sprinkling of Latin and Scots is always welcome to my linguaphile heart.

Nice enough story. Contemporary gothic light with a dash of magic thrown in.

Quick summary of characters:
Verity meets the other members of the dig:

Peter - the archaeologist in charge with a somewhat unfortunate reputation for being a little eccentric/mad/etc
David - the Scotsman that Verity is attracted to
Robbie - a little boy with the gift of sight
Jeanine - Robbie’s mom
Brian - Robbie’s dad, a bit of pirate who’s smuggling vodka and other items on his fishing boat.
Fabia - Peter’s granddaughter
Adrian - Verity’s former beau and a colleague
Nancy - David’s mother; also Peter’s friend from his younger years, and we learn she’s been keeping a secret from Peter all this time. It’s quite obvious what the secret is.
The Sentinel - the ghostly soldier that Robbie communicates with, who only speaks and understands Latin.

I think this was one of Kearsley’s earlier book. I’m willing to read more by her. Hopefully the others are a little more toothsome.

[Keertana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Shadowy Horses, oddly enough, threw my preconceived notions regarding Kearsley's work right out of the window. After having read The Winter Sea, I expected Kearsley's prose, plot, and characterization to follow a similar pattern, but I found myself pleasantly surprised. While her writing style does, once again, transport readers into a rich, ethereal atmosphere, little else about The Shadowy Horses was similar to The Winter Sea. Yet, despite the fact that Kearsley lacks a formulaic approach, the way most authors with a large back log tend to have, I fell in love with The Shadowy Horses just as much as I did with The Winter Sea, albeit in a slightly different way.

Verity, the protagonist of The Shadowy Horses, is a far cry from the gentle personalities shared by both Carrie and Sophie of The Winter Sea. Instead, I find her to be a much more modern, ambitious woman, driven by her passion for her history and her belief in the impossible. When she arrives in the Scottish Borderlands on an excavation, she knows nearly nothing about her mission. It isn't too long, however, before she realizes that this dig isn't for just a mere artifact or two, but rather for the lost Ninth Roman Legion. And, the only evidence substantiating that the army is, in fact, on this property? Merely the word of a young boy, Robbie, who claims to have seen the ghost of a Roman Sentinel roaming the grounds. Before Verity can dismiss the excavation as a fraud, however, and simply walk away, the ghosts around her force her to question not only her sanity, but everything she has ever believed to be true.

Oddly enough, I found the presence of the plot to be diminished in The Shadowy Horses. Although its premises is intriguing, as is the mystery contained within these pages, The Winter Sea seemed far more focused on a direct plot line than this novel did. Yet, that isn't a detriment in the least. The Shadowy Horses focuses on Verity and, moreover, her interactions with those around her. As Verity becomes part of the lifestyle at this excavation, forming relationships with those at the dig, she finds it harder and harder not to care and simply walk away. In fact, she eventually doesn't want to at all for she finds herself believing Robbie too.

What's more, the enigmatic presence of Davy, another archaeologist on site whose family ties him to the Scottish Borderland, is a little too distracting to turn away from. Despite the fact that The Winter Sea contained not one, but two, romances, The Shadowy Horses is the more romantic of these two novels, perhaps because the romance is not quite so understated or perhaps, simply, because there is space to focus largely on the development of one sole romance. Whatever the reason may be, I enjoyed the love story that played out between Davy and Verity far more than I did either of the romances in The Winter Sea - and I really adored those romances when I read them. Needless to say, there was something tangible about the relationship between Davy and Verity, something about the chemistry sizzling in the air between them, that made me fall head-over-heels for their slow-burn love. Or, perhaps, it is simply the fact that I enjoy Verity far more as a protagonist than I did Carrie or Sophie of The Winter Sea.

With The Winter Sea, Kearsley's driving purpose is to finish the story: finish the story Carrie is writing about Sophie, finish the story she herself is writing about these two heroines to give them an ending worthy of their distinct personalities. With The Shadowy Horses, however, the historical aspects are not so much the main focal point as much as the general atmosphere of the novel is. Verity becomes entrenched into this small town, complete with its belief in Robbie's "second sight" as they like to call it. For a practical, intelligent woman to succumb to local legend, all while falling for a born-and-bred Scot in the process, somehow appealed to my senses just a tiiiny bit more. It helps, too, that she fights off exes with ease, truly harboring no lingering feelings for them to the point where she can work comfortable alongside them to further her career. All the little aspects to Verity's personality molded together into a protagonist I truly did love and hold dear to my heart.

Nevertheless, it seems that with Kearsley one aspect of the story or another seems to be sacrificed along the way. As I mentioned, the historical aspects to The Shadowy Horses weren't as strong as they were in The Winter Sea, a disappointment due to the fact that I became intensely involved in the Jacobite Revolution while reading the former in a way I never became while reading the latter, concerning the Ninth Roman Legion at any rate. Still, both these novels are incredible works of historical fiction - beautifully written, richly crafted, and widely researched. In my eyes, no one book is better than the other, the positives and negatives of both neatly balancing one another. If it isn't already clear, Susanna Kearsley is a must-read for fans of historical fiction. (And, trust me, if you enjoy romance in any capacity you'll want to meet Davy...for sure!)

[Lark of The Bookwyrm's Hoard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Named of the Dragon (review), The Shadowy Horses reminds me of Mary Stewart’s novels, with a little less suspense and considerably more archaeology — not to mention a ghost. A Roman legionary, in fact, possibly from the legendary and ill-fated Ninth Legion, Legio IX Hispana. The Ninth Legion was stationed in Britain, and all but disappears from the historical record after 108 CE, though a few inscriptions suggest at least a detachment may have been at Nijmegen (Netherlands) after 120. The real-life fate of the legion is still unknown, the subject of scholarly speculation and research over the years. One theory, popularized by Rosemary Sutcliffe in The Eagle of the Ninth , is that the Hispana marched north into Caledonia (Scotland) and met with some disaster. Ms. Kearsley has taken that theory and crafted a wonderful novel of belief, love, and obsession. Her ideas of what befell the Ninth make sense, though there is no way to prove it.

Kearsley writes beautifully. Her characters are well developed and depicted with (for the most part) warm, almost affectionate precision. Sally Armstrong reads the audiobook, and has done a good job with the various voices and accents, from cultured Anglo-Irish gentry to upper-crust English to “braed Scots.” The heroine’s Scots dictionary proves invaluable in translating Scots terms for the reader as well as for Verity herself.

All the threads of the story held my attention, from the interpersonal relationships of the group of archaeologists working on the dig and others connected to the Rosehill household, to the young psychic, Robbie McMorran, and the ghost only he can see, to the quest for the Ninth Legion itself. The growing feelings between the heroine (and first-person narrator), Verity Grey, and archaeologist and local son David Fortune are only one thread among many in the Rosehill tapestry — or perhaps I should say, one piece in the archeaological puzzle. Ultimately, Kearsley brings all the bits together seamlessly, with no missing or extra pieces; I can only admire the way all the details dovetail when finally seen from the right angle.

I love the subtle delicacy with which Kearsley writes romantic relationships. Verity is drawn to David Fortune from the start, and he to her, but their relationship evolves slowly, initially through small glances and oblique comments. Their first kiss comes well after the half-way point, more than two-thirds of the way through the book. Like Stewart, Kearsley never goes into graphic detail, though the general gist is never in doubt. Her heroines’ tendency to draw a curtain over physical intimacy reads as reticence rather than prudishness, a sense that what happens between lovers is theirs alone, and not to be shared.

I loved the book almost as much as The Winter Sea and as much as A Desperate Fortune. I’m going right on to The Firebird, which links The Shadowy Horses to The Winter Sea through the present-day presence of Rob McMorran, now a grown man, and the 18th-century character, Anna, the daughter of two characters from The Winter Sea. And I’ll be making room on my physical bookshelves for Kearsley’s books; I’ve quite fallen in love with them, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be rereading and relistening to them for years to come.

[Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You've only got one chance to get it right."

I am not sure which is my favorite book from Kearsley. Each one is unique in their own way, but I can always count on the budding romances, the suspenseful scenes, the harrowing twists, and a dab of supernatural occurrences that are a penchant in all of her wonderful novels.

The Shadowy Horses is based in Scotland, about an archeologist who is invited to join an excavation to find the long lost fleet of the Legio Nona Hispana (Ninth Spanish Legion), dated to have disappeared without a trace around AD 107-108.

I can still hear the Scots brogue whispering sweet nothings in my ear, and the theatrical Northern Irish dialect that eloquently relayed the Celtic myth of Mannanan, the cockney English accent of the insufferable, yet loveable colleague and friend. Its not only that I feel what the characters are feeling, its almost as though I am one of them; feeling the crisp summer wind, hearing the crashing waves beneath the promontories, seeing the small lively town of Eyemouth, Scotland. Its hardly a wonder why I finish these books with incredible speed. Its downright perfect, each one, they are.

I know that I have mentioned this many times, but yet again Kearsley has dug up the past and brought it to blazing life. Now that the adventure is over, much to my dismay, and I will be eagerly awaiting to see what new rough diamond she will choose to make glint for us next.

The dead live, I say, and always will live with me, forever.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Verity Grey arrives in Eyemouth, Scotland, for an archaeological dig, she doesn't know exactly what to expect. When she meets eccentric Peter Quinnell, who's financing the dig, she's intrigued by his theory that he's found the lost Ninth Legion of Rome. However, Quinnell isn't working off solely archaeological evidence; there's a Roman ghost, and a small boy who can speak to him.

I thought the style started out a little overly descriptive (I could feel myself skimming a little in the early pages), but settled down and developed a particularly good sense of place. The historical mystery is compelling, the supernatural bits appropriately creepy, and a nicely understated but convincing romance rounds out the book. If you like Barbara Michaels (and I do), this might be right up your alley.