Readin' and Dreamin'

Whenever I'm in a reading slump I can always count on a Susanna Kearsley novel. They're readable, engrossing, and just plain good.

A Desperate Fortune was a bit different than her last few novels. There was no time travel, instead we just went back and forth between two women from two time periods. What connected them was a journal written in code.

The story takes place in France, with Sara in modern time, and Mary in the 18th century. Employed by an author who needs the information from Mary's journal, he employs Sara to go to France and decode it. In the journal and in France, Sara finds more than she bargains for.

The story was a bit slow going, but I didn't seem to mind. I liked the pace and I liked the characters of both Sara and Mary. There was also a lot of intrigue and romance and mysterious side characters.

Fans of Kearsley's other books should also enjoy this one.