The Splendour Falls

As usual, the story line was excellent, the development of characters was unusually good, and the mystery took several turns which left one guessing at times. The setting made one feel as if he/she were there in France. Loved it.

The promise of more historical content at the commencement of the novel never followed through. A satisfying, if somewhat slow-paced read. I generally have difficulty suspending disbelief about romances flourishing to full commitment in less than two weeks.

One of the few books where supernatural elements are not at play. The book was written in 1995 and it shows in the technology described. Despite an occasional jarring reminder that the book is little older than I realized, it's an enjoyable story.

I have loved every Susanna Kearsley book I have read - my favorites being The Firebird and The Winter Sea. Her writing and the plot lines have just gotten stronger and stronger so I was expecting a lot from The Splendour Falls. I didn't realize it was a reissue of a much earlier book. I guess I wish they would stop doing that - or at least labeling very clearly the original publication date. I do hope Susanna Kearsley comes out with a genuinely new book soon - in spite of not liking this one I'm more than ready to give her another chance based on her other writing.

The Winter Sea, was my first Susanna Kearsley novel, which I really liked - it had an original storyline - so I thought I'd try another one of her books and chose The Splendour Falls. I have found out by reading the reviews that this was her first book and was re-printed. It's too bad she didn't go through it before it was re-introduced and re-write some of it because it has the potential to be a very good book, but as it stands now there are too many flaws for it to be one of her best.

I had the same problem as other reviewers - I had to keep going back to prior pages to try and discern who was who since the characters weren't well-defined. I found it unbelievable that such close relationships developed in a couple of days and the whole story seems to take place in a week, so I never bought into the story. Some of the descriptions were cliché and over-filled with adjectives so the mood kept changing from one paragraph to another. I understood what Ms. Kearsley was trying to accomplish in her writing, which is why I stuck with it - I could feel it just out of her reach, but it never came together. It was still a good read, though, written in an easy style so I kept with it, but I was glad when it came to an end - two chapters too long. I'm not giving up on her, though, and I think I'll try The Firebird next.

I find myself walking the streets of Chignon....I see, smell, touch and taste all that the author writes. Her books are simple, compelling and magical by combining fiction with touches of history. Love her stories!!

Loved this book as it twisted between modern time and past lives of the character. Her writing gives a beautiful description of Scotland's coast and what life was like in the past. Makes me want to visit there now!

Loved the book. Susanna Kearsley has a way of captivating her readers and leaving them spellbound. I anxiously await her books. Read in just a few days I love being transported to different times and places and feeling like I was walking along with them. Terrific read!

I have read all of Susanna Kearsley's books, this one was very different. The main character did not go back in history like in the other books. This was a good read,but not historical like her books are famous for. I still would recommend the book, it is worth reading. SLH

I love Susanna Kearsley's books. Her usual epic historic story telling is a bit off in "The Splendor Falls"
This one felt a little shallow. Some of the main characters are not fully developed and this leaves you wondering how the heck do they fit in with this story. The upside of this book is the detail of the city and landscape is incredible and will have you planning a European vacation.

I love Susanna Kearsley, but I was not paying close enough attention to her backlist of titles when I preordered this book. It was originally published in 1994 and this is just a reissue. While you can see a spark of the excellent storyteller she becomes, it is definitely not one of her better works and is definitely dated. If I knew it was an old book, I probably would have bought it any way, but my expectations would have been adjusted. It was okay, but her more recent stuff is better.

This dual timeline story is nowhere near as complex as The Winter Sea or The Firebird, but it has plenty to praise. The usual clever story and backstory, endearing characters, vibrant and often funny repartee, local color and much more.

Rambles on and on...I got frustrated waiting for something to happen. Quite predictable and not believable on any level. More fantasy... Not like the other Kearsley books which usually are great and keep moving along. This one seemed to have too much fill-in - page after page.

My first time with this author. I'll be checking into her other works immediately. This was a wonderful, complicated, mystery. It has a wealth of interesting characters. More than once, as information was revealed, I uttered aloud, "Oh no!" Surprising and entertaining to the very end and more than a little sad. I was delighted with the ending.

While I love Susanna Kearsley this book was a disappointment. I had a hard becoming interested in the story line and had to force myself to finish... I expected more from this author. She has so much more to offer as all of the other books grab you and are a pleasure in reading. I hope the next one is better.

I absolutely adore everything that she has ever written. Half way through her books I kind of grieve because I know the story is half over. Yep, I know that's silly, but it makes me treasure every word.

I only recently discovered Susanna Kearsley's books and have been devouring them. This one was my favorite. Took me back to my teenage years reading Mary Stewart and I was equally enthralled. Loved the story, scenery and characters. A wonderful gothic romance and mystery. Could not put it down, and completely satisfied at the end. Lovely.

I love the detail and research Kearsley puts into her books. This is no exception. The story had me enthralled, the backdrop was exquisite and I'm so pleased I was able to find a used version for sale! A definitely read for any lover of historical fiction with a mystery/romance twist!

This is the second Book by Susanna Kearsley which I have read. I so much enjoy her style, entertaining, suspenseful, and just a great good read, no smut, for those who dislike that. So many authors think it is what makes a book good. I have thrown books away because they fill me with disgust. Not these however, they are great and I look forward to reading many more written by her. Anne