Women of the Dunes

The new novel from the acclaimed author of The House Between Tides, winner of the Waterstones Scottish Book of the Year 2018!

‘Sarah Maine is a master of Scottish historical fiction’ Sunday Post

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It is the women who are keepers of tales.

Atmospheric, intoxicating and filled with intrigue, this sweeping novel is an epic story spanning the centuries, that links three women together across history.

Libby Snow spent her childhood hearing stories and legends from long ago. Now an archaeologist, her job is to dig deeper into the past, but her excavation at Ullaness, on Scotland’s west coast has a very personal resonance. For the headland of Ullaness holds not only the secrets of the legend of Ulla, the Norsewoman, but also begins the strange story of Ellen.

Libby’s grandmother passed on these tales - of love, betrayal and loss - but the more Libby learns at Ullaness, the more twisted the threads become. When human remains are discovered in the dunes, it becomes clear that time, and intention, have distorted accounts of what happened there. Is it too late to uncover the truth? Or is Libby herself in danger of being caught up in this tangled web of fable and deceit?

Praise for Sarah Maine:

‘An echo of Daphne du Maurier’ - Independent

‘Maine adroitly weaves together the three strands of her novel’ Sunday Times

‘Maine writes beautifully about the wilderness’ - The Times

‘Maine skillfully balances a Daphne du Maurier atmosphere with a Barbara Vine-like psychological mystery…’ - Kirkus