The House Between Tides

Author/Guide: Sarah Maine

Why a Booktrail?

1910, 2010: Two women separated by years but connected by a mysterious house.

ISBN: 978-1501126918
Genre: Fiction, Historical

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What you need to know before your trail

Following the death of her last living relative, Hetty Deveraux leaves London or Muirlan, her ancestral home in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.
She plans to rescue the house from decline and turn it into a hotel but the shocking discover of human remains puts an end to that. Investigations show that the person didn’t die from natural causes.
Hetty is curious to know more and discovers that Muirlan was once the refuge of her distant relative Theo Blake, the acclaimed painter and naturalist who brought his new bride, Beatrice, there in 1910.
But Beatrice and Theo both disappear from society and no-one seems to know what happened to them. With his paintings, Hetty plans to discover just what secrets this mysterious house holds.

Locations

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Travel Guide

This must be one of the most remote and gothic houses in Scotland. The story is largely set in the Outer Hebrides, on an island, so the community who live there are literally cut off from the rest of …well…the world.

The house back in 1910 is gorgeous. Artist Theo Blake spends his time painting and enjoying the land, often in the solitude that pervades the island. Wife Beatrice comes here and immediately finds the setting cold and claustrophobic but that is also the state of her marriage.

But the island is also one of stunning scenery and fascinating bird life. It’s where Hetty finds a piece of her heritage. This would indeed be a lovely place for a hotel and golf course but as in the book, the locals are afraid that this would spoil the ambience of the place.

The setting of this crumbling estate in a remote and claustrophobic place is the ideal place for a story of regret and past secrets coming to light. This setting provides the spit of the sea, the fret of the morning wind and the cold, gripping winds which batter the locals and battle with the squawking birds who provide the eerie background music throughout.

Streetview Maps

B) Outer Hebrides - "Muirlan Strand"

B) A gorgeous view of the Hebrides

Booktrailer Review

Susan: @thebooktrailer

There’s just something very fascinating about old houses which have kept secrets for years. Where a once grand and iconic house is now but a shadow of its former self. The isolation and the chills felt throughout sent shivers up my spine and when the bones are found, I settled in for an very atmospheric ride.

Although slow in places, the pace of the story I felt really lent itself well to the overall story. Hetty goes on quite a journey of discovery and I was fascinated to see where it would all lead. Can’t say I didn’t feel tempted to shout ‘ Get a grip’ to Hetty on more than one occasion. She’s a bit of a wet weekend. But stick with it and the story set in the past more than makes up for driving the story forward.

I just really loved the setting of this book and the cover really illustrated this well. The island seemed a fascinating place and the story an immersive read that whilst not overly taxing, was a lovely read and I really want to go and find an old house now to investigate – although not with bones inside.