The Waiting Sands

by Susan Howatch

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Dearest Raye,' Decima had written...'I'm writing to ask if you can possibly come up to Ruthven for a few days. My twenty-first birthday falls next Sunday, and it would be such a relief if you could stay until after the celebration dinner party which Charles is giving for me on Saturday night. Please come, Raye. I may be behaving very stupidly by panicking like this, but I would feel so much less frightened if I knew you were beside me at Ruthven till after midnight on Saturday...' Dependable show more Rachel Lord hasn't heard from her friend Decima for over two years when out of the blue she is invited to Ruthven, the fairy tale Scottish castle that Decima will inherit on her coming of age. Her arrival is met with relief by Decima who is convinced her husband, Charles, means her harm. Is Decima in her right mind? Or is Rachel being duped by her worldlier friend? As the eve of the 21st birthday celebration approaches, a shocking event leaves Rachel in no doubt. show less

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3 reviews
Rachel receives an invitation to stay at a castle in Scotland, along with some others - all of whom seem suspicious of each other. Tragedy strikes, and Rachel conceals some of what she knows until years later. Exciting and suspenseful story.
A nice little murder mystery that is fairly quick and easy to read. Perhaps a little old-fashioned, but that's part of its charm. Some twists you can see coming, but others are a surprise.
mysteries

'Dearest Raye, ' Decima had written.'I'm writing to ask if you can possibly come up to Ruthven for a few days. My twenty- first birthday falls next Sunday, and it would be such a relief if you could stay until after the celebration dinner party which Charles is giving for me on Saturday night. Please come, Raye. I may be behaving very stupidly by panicking like this, but I would feel so much less frightened if I knew you were beside me at Ruthven till after midnight on Saturday.' Dependable Rachel Lord hasn't heard from her friend Decima for over two years when out of the blue she is invited to Ruthven, the fairy tale Scottish castle that Decima will inherit on her coming of age. Her arrival is met with relief by Decima who is show more convinced her husband, Charles, means her harm. Is Decima in her right mind? Or is Rachel being duped by her worldlier friend? As the eve of the 21st birthday celebration approaches, a shocking event leaves Rachel in no doubt show less

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60+ Works 8,201 Members
Susan Howatch was born on July 14, 1940 in England. She graduated from the University of London in 1961 and served as a law clerk and secretary in the early 1960s before becoming a full-time writer. She writes in a variety of genres, including mystery, romance, and historical fiction. Her books include The Dark Shore, April's Grave, Penmarric, and show more the six-volume Starbridge series. (Bowker Author Biography) show less

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Original title
The Waiting Sands
Original publication date
1966

Classifications

Genres
Fiction and Literature, Mystery, Romance
DDC/MDS
823.914Literature & rhetoricEnglish & Old English literaturesEnglish fiction1900-1901-19991945-1999
LCC
PR6058 .O912 .W35Language and LiteratureEnglishEnglish Literature1961-2000
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Members
101
Popularity
320,586
Reviews
3
Rating
(3.13)
Languages
Dutch, English, German
Media
Paper, Audiobook
ISBNs
16
ASINs
7