Named of the Dragon

Lyn, a literary agent, is invited to spend Christmas with a couple of authors in Wales. The Overdrive description makes this sound sombre and creepy: nightmares that have plagued her since the death of her baby… painful memories… meets Elen, an emotionally fragile widow… mysteriously afraid for her son’s safety. But although Lyn and Elen’s respective backstories are sad, Named of the Dragon is not. It has warmth and a web of relationships like something from a comedy of manners.

(Lyn’s client/friend Bridget is spending Christmas with her latest boyfriend and insists that Lyn come too: James wants a new agent and Bridget wants Lyn to distract him, because Bridget’s got her eye on another man. Another writer, who mistakenly show more assumes that Lyn’s turned up to hound/recruit him. And then there’s Elen and how she fits into this community…)

I liked the historical details about Tudor kings and the references to Arthurian legends, and how they were woven in with everything else. I enjoyed Lyn’s confidence in dealing with writers with strong personalities and the delight she finds in exploring the scenery and history of coastal Wales. The mystery of her dreams and Elen’s fears was a good amount of suspense with a hopeful resolution.

I still have half a dozen Kearsley novels to read. This is a very comforting prospect.

“Oh, brilliant. A fall from up there would be much more impressive.”
“I’m not going to fall.”
“No, you’re not,” he agreed, “because I’m coming with you.” [...] “That’s far enough,” he said. “You can see all you need to see from here.”
But in defiance I went one step higher, spreading my stance to the buffeting wind and enjoying the feel of achievement. I felt like I was standing on the prow of some great ship, with all the other towers bowed beneath me, supplicant. All around me, to both west and east, a muddy-bottomed tidal river flowed and pooled about the castle walls, the water slow and idle now, with nothing to defend. show less

Susanna Kearsley’s Named of the Dragon is a slow-burning psychological suspense novel with a mystical undercurrent, weaving Arthurian legend into a modern-day setting filled with secrets, dreams, and emotional healing. While not a traditional fantasy, it subtly blurs the line between myth and reality, offering readers a story that is more introspective than action-packed—and surprisingly moving.
The story follows literary agent Lyn Ravenshaw, who is still reeling from a personal tragedy when she’s invited to spend Christmas in a quiet Welsh village. What begins as a peaceful getaway quickly turns into something more unsettling, as Lyn becomes entangled in the troubling visions of a local woman who believes her child is in danger. show more Though Lyn is initially reluctant to get involved, it’s her outsider perspective—and perhaps her quiet empathy—that enables her to see what others can’t.
Lyn is not your typical heroine. She’s not reckless, overly brave, or immediately convinced of supernatural threats. In fact, her skepticism and emotional guardedness make her feel grounded and real. But it’s her own past, and her quiet grief, that creates a bridge between her and the child’s mother. That connection allows her to step into the role of protector with a depth that doesn’t feel forced—it grows naturally from her personal journey.
The Arthurian elements—dreams, ancient namesakes, and whispered myths—add a layer of atmospheric intrigue. While it’s clear that the story draws from Arthurian legend, the connection isn’t as deep or richly explored as it could be. Readers hoping for a more immersive dive into that mythology might feel a bit underfed. Still, the subtlety of those references works well within the framework of a modern psychological thriller, enhancing the story rather than overtaking it.
The relationship between Lyn and Gareth Vaughan, the brooding local playwright, mirrors this balance. Their romance, while slightly rushed in places, feels more like a natural extension of their developing friendship. There’s a slow trust-building process between them, complicated by pride, misunderstandings, and the echoes of their mythic namesakes. It adds a satisfying emotional tension without overshadowing the larger mystery.
That mystery—centered on the danger surrounding the child—unfolds with careful pacing, more concerned with atmosphere and character than high-octane thrills. It may feel slow to some readers, but there’s a thoughtful payoff in how the threads come together, especially as Lyn grows into someone who’s not just reacting to her past but beginning to move beyond it.
Named of the Dragon is a quiet, intelligent novel that mixes myth, mystery, and emotional depth. It’s less about solving a crime and more about understanding the hidden forces—personal and mythical—that drive people to fear, love, and act. Though the Arthurian elements could have been explored more deeply, they lend the story an evocative edge. With rich atmosphere and a strong emotional core, this book offers a compelling look at how grief and legend can intertwine to shape destiny. show less

Sometimes when you begin a book in the evening you think, oh, I'll just go to bed at a reasonable hour. I will caution you, don't start this if you want some sleep. I could not put it down, I had to stay up and finish it. Those of us who remember Mary Stewart's Merlin books will really enjoy this. If you don't know that series, find it and read this as well! A captivating story about a modern woman, a literary agent, who dreams about dragons and her lost child. So I was expecting dragons, right? Nope, she travels to England for the Christmas holidays with her writer client and encounters some unexpected people, including a child she is supposed to protect. The quotes at the start of each chapter give a nice precursor to the action in show more the chapter. All the characters are well drawn, and the mystery is solved with sufficient drama. There is also romance as well. Highly recommended. show less

4.5 stars
This is my first Susanna Kearsley book but will certainly not be my last.
Mythical, magical, and alluring, I savored NAMED OF THE DRAGON. Quotes from Tennyson, Shakespeare, and others head up the chapters and sections, a foreshadowing of events to come. As a lover of Tennyson and Arthurian legend, with a special fondness for Merlin, the hints of otherworldliness focusing on their lore and actual historical events drew me like a moth to a flame.

It’s always a pleasure when the locale is so vividly painted that it and its history are as integral to the story as the characters. Wales is very much alive in NAMED OF THE DRAGON

The characters are realistically drawn and it’s easy to imagine spending time with them, even Gareth. He show more struck me as not so much a jerk as wary and guarded. He was actually my favorite male character. Lyn is reserved and classy yet relatable. She possesses a sense of humor as well as many other admirable qualities and I enjoyed her immensely.

There’s a subtlety that inexorably drew me in and I relished the gradual build up while the parallels between the modern day mysterious doings and mythical/historical “events” had me questioning every characters intentions and actions.
The climax was all I could have hoped for and the ending was spot on. Ms. Kearsley’s back list has been added to my list and I can hardly wait to begin our next adventure.
Reviewed for Novels Alive TV & Manic Readers show less

Lynette Ravenshaw is a widowed literary agent in London, presumed to still be grieving the loss of her son during childbirth. At the request of one of the authors she represents, Bridget Cooper, she decides to head to Wales for the Christmas holidays. They will be staying with an award-nominated author looking for a new agent. What she doesn't know is that Bridget is looking to seduce a local playwright and only wants Lyn to accompany her for the express purposes of keeping company with their host in Named of the Dragon by Susanna Kearsley.

Bridget Cooper is a popular author with a reputation of being difficult. Lynette, or Lyn, has been Bridget's agent for four years, and although she finds Bridget taxing at times she actually likes show more her. It is primarily for this reason that she decides to forego her family's Christmas in Canada and travels to Wales for the holiday with Bridget. Unbeknownst to either of them, the next door neighbor to their host is also widowed and with an infant son. Elen Vaughan might be considered flighty or taken with flights of fancy, but she thinks she's heard the voice of Merlin and dreams that the "white dragon" from the local tower is after her son. Being exposed to an infant is difficult enough for Lyn, but her dreams seem to be mirrors of Elen's dreams. Is this the reason that Elen has latched onto Lyn as the one meant to save her son?

Named of the Dragon is a reprint of an older title by Ms. Kearsley and I'm glad it's back in print. This particular story takes elements of Arthurian legend and Merlin's prophecies, mixed with the history of the Tudor family, specifically Henry VII, into a modern story of a fatherless son, a whimsical mother sworn to protect her child, and the mystery surrounding his paternity. Added into the mix is the friendship between Lyn and the local playwright, Bridget's quest to seduce the local playwright, and the author hosting their holiday visit plans to romance Bridget. Yes, it does sound deliciously twisted, but Ms. Kearsley takes these twists and provides a delightful story that borders on being gothic. I found this to be a fast-paced read and was only slowed down by several severe migraine episodes. (I hated putting Named of the Dragon aside, but since it was difficult to hold my head upright I allowed the migraine to override my reading preference.) I enjoyed the history, folklore, and legends provided in the story, as well as the romance and intrigue. If you've never read anything by Ms. Kearsley then Named of the Dragon is a good place to start. If you've read any of her current works, then you'll definitely want to grab a copy of Named of the Dragon. I've said it before and it bears repeating, I look forward to reading more from Ms. Kearsley in the future. show less

At the urging of one of her authors, literary agent Lyn joins a small group spending Christmas at an old manor house in Wales. Haunted by the loss of her son, she is desperate to find some peace, especially with the promise of signing a favourite author. But when she arrives at the manor, she is immediately drawn into a mysterious affair involving a child and an ancient legend.

The vivid Welsh landscapes were a highlight for me; from rugged coastal villages to ancient ruins, cliff‑side chapels, and brooding castles. The way Arthurian folklore is woven through the narrative adds a rich, atmospheric layer that deepens the mystery. Overall, it’s a captivating read that kept me immersed from start to finish.

Finally back in print after being unavailable for many years, this is a terrific book. Unlike Kearsley's later work, this sticks to a contemporary storyline, with hints of history and Arthurian legend in dreams. The characterizations are delightful.

Agent Lyn Ravenshaw accepts the invitation of one of her authors to spend Christmas in Wales. Bridget, her boyfriend James, his brother Christopher, and their neighbors are all quite welcoming--except the local playwright, Gareth Gwyn Morgan, who suspects Lyn of plotting to steal him from his own agent. Lyn, still devastated by the loss of her baby five years ago, is initially quite shaken to learn that there is a small child living next door. When Stevie's mother, who fears that he will be show more stolen by a dragon, latches onto her as his savior, even Lyn's dreams turn strange. But there are hints of real danger, not just the products of a disordered mind. Gareth may be her only hope of saving the boy.

Not as paranormal as some of Kearsley's novels, and not as much of a genre romance. But very satisfying all the same. show less