Shadow Music

A Novel

By: Julie Garwood

Narrated by: Davina Porter

“Action, drama, desire, revenge: Shadow Music includes all the necessary ingredients for romantics to plunge into the moors, mountains and magical myth of medieval Scotland.”—The Roanoke Times

Prized for her exquisite beauty, Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel, the daughter of one of England’s most influential barons, is a perfect bargaining chip for a king who needs peace in the Highlands: King John has arranged Gabrielle’s marriage to a good and gentle laird. But this marriage will never take place.

Upon her arrival in Scotland, Gabrielle is immediately entangled in Highland intrigue, as a battle royal flares between enemies old and new. For two sadistic noblemen, underestimating Gabrielle’s bravery and prowess may prove fatal. Colm MacHugh, the most feared man in Scotland, makes no such mistakes about the captivating princess. Under his penetrating gaze, neither Gabrielle’s body nor her heart is safe.

“No one does historical romance better than Garwood. . . . Gabrielle is an enchanting heroine.”—The State (Columbia, S.C.)

“A compelling historical romance.”—Publishers Weekly©2007 Julie Garwood; (P)2007 Random House, Inc.

Shadow music

Beware! This is not unabridged so therefore 2/3 of the story is missing. Great story and well performed but I would strongly suggest the full story with the unabridged version.

Hands down my favorite audio book.

LOVE this story! The performance is top notch, I listen to it again and again!

Meh.

Davina Porter is fabulous, as always. The story was good enough, but it seemed to gloss over a lot and it was disappointingly predictable. Could have been much better. And why the title Shadow Music? There’s nothing in this story to indicate anything might be related to it. It seems like Ms. Garwood could have put in a bit more effort.

Is anyone else confused by this plot?

Firstly, I’m confused why the author made a mistake in her own book when referencing her earlier novel Ransom. Gillian brings back Ian Maitland’s son, Alec, not Ramsay’s brother, Michael. However, in this book Broderick, who is the boy’s godfather, says his wife brought back Michael! Did anyone else notice that?
The plot surrounding this Gabrielle being “banned” is so ridiculous I cannot even read more. So in the early 1200s everyone is supposed to know what happened to her throughout Scotland and England and St. Biel to where she would be unable to travel? She was a noblewoman of royal blood, this whole “she has no king” would not happen. Her father is a powerful baron and she would, unfortunately, probably been inspected to see if she was still a virgin. Also it does not make sense that her father would just leave her to travel on her own when he knew the other two barons were there. I think more research is need here for how life was like around 1207 CE! I don’t know the plot holes in the book do not make any sense

parts from the book were cut out

ok I love this book and read it a hundred times so I thought I would buy the audio version. At first I thought I wasn't paying close enough attention and just missed parts. Then I started looking for it and too many things are missing. I don't know if the author approved this but I am so disappointed. guess I have to go back to reading this book.