A suspense novel with romantic overtones and a touch of magic thrown in. Set in a small fishing village in Portugal
Time, and most of Portugal, has almost forgotten Luminosa, a small fishing community on the Alentejo coast. A cluster of white and blue cottages huddle under the cliffs overshadowed by the great manor of Herdade Albatroz whose family has ruled the village since the days of Napoleon. Far off the tourist route, nobody visits Luminosa by chance.
When a ruthless American racketeer turns up, the peaceful village's way of life could be ruined forever. But will other visitors--Piper Pines, seeking news of her long dead Portuguese mother, and Leo Shine, bereft of a father and brother accused of terrible crimes--help or hinder his objective to drag Luminosa into the twenty-first century?
Wonderful settings and characters
I've never been to Portugal, but reading Susan Roebuck's new book, Rising Tide, made me feel as though I were there. The description of the small town of Luminosa, a remote fishing village on the Alentejo coast is so well depicted I could smell the sea salt.
Luminosa sets the stage for a charming tale that is part mystery, part romance, and part thriller, with just a touch of magic thrown into the mix. The twists and intrigue kept me turning the pages, but even better were the characters, particularly the citizens of this village, characters so lovingly portrayed that I wanted to spend more time sitting in the local cafe, the Luminosa sea breezes wafting in, sipping coffee with them. I'd recommend Rising Tide to any reader who loves stories that transport you to a new place to share with characters so genuine they seem to walk off the page.
The Tide is Rising
I have been to Portugal only once - to Sagres years ago - but within a few pages, I was transported back there to the tranquil pace of the villages, the women sitting outside their houses, the flowers, the sunshine and the crashing waves of the Atlantic Ocean. This is a story of discovery and of secrets. Why shouldn't Piper go to Luminosa? Why is her father so frightened for her safety there? But his daughter is an independent spirit. She must discover the answers for herself. In her quest to do so, we met some colourful characters so well drawn I felt I knew them and was sad to bid them farewell on the final page. The plot and the settings kept me engaged throughout. The tension built up, as the tide rose higher, until the final crescendo. Each book I read of Susan Roebuck's is so different from the last but each one keeps me hankering for more from this talented author.
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