The Winter Sea

By: Susanna Kearsley

Narrated by: Rosalyn Landor

Length: 15 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

History has all but forgotten...

In the spring of 1708, an invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeeded in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim his crown.

Now, Carrie McClelland hopes to turn that story into her next bestselling novel. Settling herself in the shadow of Slains Castle, she creates a heroine named for one of her own ancestors and starts to write.

But when she discovers her novel is more fact than fiction, Carrie wonders if she might be dealing with ancestral memory, making her the only living person who knows the truth-the ultimate betrayal-that happened all those years ago, and that knowledge comes very close to destroying her...

Please note: This novel has also been published under a different title: Sophia's Secret.

Please note, this title is the original recording, which is now known as Sophia's Secret

©2010 Susanna Kearsley (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Winner, Romance, 2012

"Rosalyn Landor provides delightful Scottish accents for many of the characters Carrie meets inside and outside her novel....Landor adds a poetic edge to her storytelling while at the same time giving a dreamy aura to the historical side of the story." ( Audiofile)

I'm Addicted

I just finished my second listen in less than 2 months. I missed the characters and location so much, I had to go back. Wish there was a sequel.

In addition to being just what I needed - a book that isn't complicated or serious - The Winter Sea is also well performed.

A great read!!

Where does The Winter Sea rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I loved the audiobook.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Sophie because of her struggles but she survived with the love of her life.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The tone of voice and the switching of characters by listening I knew who was who.

Just what i needed

I don't think i remember the last book that made me cry , heartbreaking with a twist of romance .

Okay story, predictable plot.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I really liked the idea of this book but I have to admit that I was looking forward to it being over. The history details were good and I enjoyed them, I am a fan of European history so it was right up my alley but it was a bit of a slow read for me.

The ending was very predictable. It is easy to figure out what was going to happen to the main historical characters very early in the book. The author also sets the modern characters up very early so you know their outcome also. The voice of the main character seemed a little old to me. Maybe it was the slight accent but to me her voice just didn't fit right. Her many Scottish accents were well done though.

Overall a slow read and a bit predictable. Not something I would listen to again.

What was the most interesting aspect of this story? The least interesting?

The history was interesting. I enjoyed that aspect of the book.

Past and present merging

Interesting novel with romance mixed with mystery in a historical setting Gallant men who at times seemed a bit too alike. And too unbelievably focused on the heroine but the story was heartwarming. Enjoyed the historical background

Fascinating read

I liked the way the author wove the life of the modern day characters with the historical characters. I enjoy reading novels that make history come alive.

Loved the accents and performance

Would you consider the audio edition of The Winter Sea to be better than the print version?

Yes, because of the Scottish accents in the reading. Wouldn't be near the fun to have to read to yourself.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Graham, easy going, strong character, wit

Have you listened to any of Rosalyn Landor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Yes, a little.

Any additional comments?

Would have got a 5 star except for the ending. Didn't like the ending because of the departure without the daughter. Find that hard to believe even in those times.

Once I stopped falling asleep to it, it was good.

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The pace of the story dragged terribly. I couldn't fight it, so I used it fall asleep for weeks. Once the story picked up I could actually listen to stay awake, sort of.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

A more sprightly tone of voice. But really it was a romance hiding as a historical novel, so it is par for the course.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes, that's why I fell asleep.

Could you see The Winter Sea being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

I could. Natasha Richardson.

Any additional comments?

The end of the story is actually good. They say in the book that you can't end sad, and they work with that in a good way. I wish the whole book had been as captivating.

An Excellent Choice

If you could sum up The Winter Sea in three words, what would they be?

Captivating & brilliantly surprising

What did you like best about this story?

When I was wondering why I had bothered if the story wasn't going to go well - the author totally surprised me. I love happy endings and with this one is seemed that it wasn't possible.

What does Rosalyn Landor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

With this book she moved into the top three position in my favorite audio performers. She brought all of the diverse characters to life - and made them all seem real.

Who was the most memorable character of The Winter Sea and why?

Sophia - and her bravery and ability to do what is best for the ones you love.

Any additional comments?

I usually get the question to compare to another book or author - and with this one I thought of the similarities with Lauren Willig and the The Secret History of the Pink Carnation series where you follow two stories - once historical and one in present time. I did not think it anything like the Outlander series and I love that series.

This is my first from this author and I look forward to more from her.

Trully enjoyed it!

Great historical fiction/romance novel. Very nicely performed; I trully enjoyed it! I could picture myself in Scotland!