Mystery, History and Legend: Named of the Dragon by Susanna Kearsley
Susanna Kearsley's Named of the Dragon blends mystery, Celtic legend, the paranormal, and understated romance against the atmospheric landscape of South Wales. Literary agent Lyn Ravenshaw arrives in the small village of Angle hoping for a peaceful Christmas escape, but unsettling dreams and an unusual encounter soon draw her into a mystery rooted in the area's history and legends.
With its ancient castles, restless spirits, intriguing characters, and hints of romance, the novel offers the kind of quietly suspenseful atmosphere Kearsley readers have come to appreciate.
Here's MK McClintock's review of Named of the Dragon.
This review was originally published in 2017 and has been updated to give this wonderful book a fresh look.
A Reader's Opinion
Memorable, moving, and beautifully dramatic! Named of the Dragon by Susanna Kearsley follows the story of Lyn Ravenshaw, a literary agent suffering a heartache that has haunted her for too many years. One of her effervescent authors invites Lyn to spend the Christmas holiday in South Wales, a prospect that sounds both charming and, in some ways, necessary. Lyn needs a chance to get out of her own head and the memories that hold her in pain. Upon arrival in the small village of Angle, Lyn meets a cast of fabulous characters who will forever change her life.
Dreams are unleashed during cold, restless nights, and matters worsen when a young widow and mother to a special boy believes Lyn is someone else. Something else, deeper and unexpected, lurks in the shadows around Lyn. Is it the talented novelist, his brother, the kind caretaker, or the brooding playwright who is causing Lyn's heart to race a few extra beats and terrifying a young mother?
The paranormal is netted within a fascinating history, and the subtle yet intense romantic elements I've come to appreciate from this author emerge at the perfect moments, both understated and beautiful. The author gives the reader's imagination leeway to draw their own final conclusions between two characters whose paths seemed destined to cross. Splendidly crafted and atmospheric, Named of the Dragon is a must-read.
Genre: Multi-Genre Fiction
Pub Date: October 6, 2015
Page count: 336pp
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Rating: 5 Stars
Content Rating: 1 Heart
Reviewed by: MK McClintock Format Read: Paperback
Source: From the reviewer's personal library.
About the Book
A haunting tale of intrigue from New York Times bestselling author Susanna Kearsley.
SOMEWHERE IN THE HEART OF LEGEND LIES THE KEY TO HER TERRIFYING DREAMS
The charm of spending the Christmas holidays in South Wales, with its crumbling castles and ancient myths, seems the perfect distraction from the nightmares that have plagued literary agent Lyn Ravenshaw since the loss of her baby five years ago.
Instead, she meets an emotionally fragile young widow who's convinced that Lyn's recurring dreams have drawn her to Castle Farm for an important purpose--and she's running out of time.
With the help of a reclusive, brooding playwright, Lyn begins to untangle the mystery and is pulled into a world of Celtic legends, dangerous prophecies, and a child destined for greatness.
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