Helpful Score: 5
Our book club read this and Sara Gruen is one of our favorite authors. At first you find all of the characters rather obnoxious-spoiled brats of a privileged society. Everything seems to be a lie and their relationships are shallow. However, they find a goal in the middle of the war. Without a word to their families they go to Scotland seeking the Lock Ness Monster. This American threesome continues lying and being disrespectful in Scotland where they find three small sleeping rooms at a rather simple inn and bar. Maddie begins to see life as it really is through the eyes of the people that work at the inn and bar; and the townsmen that visit it. Food is scarce, soldiers come home lamed, there are air raids, and she discovers the truth about her husband, Ellis and their friend Hank. She is curious about the innkeeper, Angus and both of their pasts are revealed. A very interesting, story that keeps you reading till the last page!
Helpful Score: 4
This was good, not great. I found it a little hard to get into initially. However, as the story progressed I enjoyed the development of the friendships between Maggie, Meg, Anna and Angus. I found Maggie's husband, Ellis, and his friend Hank to be thoroughly obnoxious - but their attitude toward others was thoroughly believable especially given the time frame. The mention of the war seemed to be thrown in as an afterthought at times. Good location descrpitions of Scotland and the Loch Ness monster area. Decent read.
Helpful Score: 3
This book was a very interesting read. The characters were very believable and real. Reading about WWII bombings and blackouts in Inverness Scotland while the characters searched for The Loch Ness monster was very adventurous and gave the book a bit of a fantasy feel. Watching Maddie's transformation as her marriage is failing gives the book a romantic edge when Maddie falls in love with the proprietor of the inn. The book held my interest until the end and had a very magical feel as the characters realized that "the monsters we seek may be right in front of us".
Helpful Score: 1
This novel is set in the time period of World War II and while most are preoccupied with the what is happening in the world there is a society that feels they are above. Three young socialites go on an adventure to prove ones father right and to return into his good graces. Being naive about their new surroundings, one bends to fit in, while the others do not dare step down from their entitled station. Being in a strange land unknown things are abound.
I really enjoy the stories by Sara Gruen. This one did not disappoint me. When I first started reading I really did not care for the characters but by the end Maddie had another friend.
I really enjoy the stories by Sara Gruen. This one did not disappoint me. When I first started reading I really did not care for the characters but by the end Maddie had another friend.
Helpful Score: 1
I really wasn't sure I would like this book by the way it started, (I am not usually interested in stories about "rich" people),but it quickly became interesting. I ended up having very strong opinions of all the characters in the story. Although, at first, I really did not care for the main character, Madeline, she grew into a kind person with standards and morals. Her husband, Ellis, on the other hand became more and more horrible until I completely despised him. I found the side characters every bit as interesting as the main characters and all in all I truly enjoyed the book. I believe the setting, Scotland during the war, added depth to the story but did not distract. I would highly recommend this book and look forward to reading more from Sara Gruen.
