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A Gathering of Ghosts

By: Karen Maitland
Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
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Summary

Pagans tackle the Knights of St John with terrible consequences in the new medieval thriller by Queen of the Dark Ages, Karen Maitland. Set on the wilds of Dartmoor, this is a ghostly tale for fans of The Essex Serpent or C. J. Sansom's Shardlake series, and The Burning Chambers by Kate Mosse.

1316. On the wilds of Dartmoor stands the isolated Priory of St Mary, home to the Sisters of the Knights of St John. People journey from afar in search of healing at the holy well that lies beneath its chapel.

But the locals believe Dartmoor was theirs long before Christianity came to the land. And not all who visit seek miracles. When three strangers reach the moor, fear begins to stir as the well's waters run with blood.

What witchcraft have the young woman, the Knight of St John and the blind child brought with them?

The Sisters will need to fight for everything they hold dear as the ghosts of the Old World gather in their midst.

©2018 Karen Maitland (P)2018 Headline Publishing Group Limited
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Critic reviews

"A dark read...fear and hysteria are portrayed with claustrophobic skill." (The Times on The Plague Charmer)

What listeners say about A Gathering of Ghosts

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Review

I really enjoyed this book but I enjoy every book by this author sadly I have now read all of them. Looking forward to any more that is written

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Gripping from Start to Finish

I loved this book. I know Dartmoor, its tors and its legends well, but to hear this tale woven with magic and mystery set in a landscape so beautifully described has been a joy.
Karen Maitland rarely fails to hit the mark, her intricate stories abound with historical fact that comes from detailed research and yet - unlike some other well known writers of "historical fiction" I could name - the underpinnings do not show.
The story is so cleverly written that she captures the feel of the times, and the atmosphere of that period, perfectly, one feels as though one was "there", but at no time do I feel that I'm having the author's research notes force-fed to me at the expense of the plot. I
The narration was incredibly good, Jonathan Keeble gave each character their own "voice" with local dialect and intonations captured with skill and accuracy. Listening to the Devon burr took me straight back to when I too lived on Dartmoor, and became part of the mystery of the place. The Epilogue taught me bits of folklore that I'd missed in all my years of living beside a Stannary Town, and was a fascinating explanation of who, what and why.
In summation - I didn't want this book to end, and will certainly listen to it again.

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A wonderful book

Loved it simply loved it. Historical fiction at its best with wonderful characters, descriptive narrative that takes you back into the mists of time.

It’s a dark book full of superstition and Christian beliefs which butt heads. It’s set during Edward II reign when there was a famine on.

I enjoyed a Company of Liars but this novel surpasses it. Well written and well read.

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Amazing tale. I loved it.

As with all Karen Maitland's books, this tale is wonderfully researched. I found myself rooting for the three protagonists more and more as the story progressed. Hot footing it over to Google for images and information of the area and tinners history. I highly recommend this book. Bravo!

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Interesting history but too much magic

I enjoyed learning about the famine and the tin miners on Dartmoor but there was a lot of complicated pagan spiritual details that were hard to follow at times. Jonathon Keeble remains my favourite narrator

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Nice job!

Good research and background work on religious and labor themes. Well worked into the tale.

Ms. Maitland loves this period and it shows. She manages to make it a damp, grimy and grim experience for the reader.

Nice use of the pagan elements that are still visible in places, but go unnoticed or ignored by modern day folks.

She has continued to mature as a writer. Job well done.

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Good weird

Again, Maitland weaves a tale full of creepy goodness and draws on history of ancient Celtic/Anglo Saxon ways.
Keeble is a good narrator and his characterisations suit the story.
I do wish it had been a female narrator as the protagonist is female.
Enjoyable and weird and a good.

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Amazing narration by Jonathan Keeble

The book is indeed good but the narration makes all the difference. He is superb!

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love love love!

Karent Maitland cant write books fast enough for me! Everyone is a terrific read that keeps you 'turning pages' till the end. You wont be disappointed.

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Enjoyable listen

Overall an enjoyable book with great narration. I will be looking out for the authors other work.

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