*Blog Tour: A Woman Made of Snow by Elisabeth Gifford

Today I'm on the blog tour for the fantastic A Woman Made of Snow by Elisabeth Gifford*. I very kindly received a proof copy from the publisher to enable me to take part in the blog tour. 

A gorgeous, haunting and captivating novel of a century-long family mystery in the wilds of Scotland, and one woman's hunt for the truth.

Scotland, 1949: Caroline Gillan and her new husband Alasdair have moved back to Kelly Castle, his dilapidated family estate in the middle of nowhere. Stuck caring for their tiny baby, and trying to find her way with an opinionated mother-in-law, Caroline feels adrift, alone and unwelcome.

But when she is tasked with sorting out the family archives, Caroline discovers a century-old mystery that sparks her back to life. There is one Gillan bride who is completely unknown - no photos exist, no records have been kept - the only thing that is certain is that she had a legitimate child. Alasdair's grandmother.

As Caroline uncovers a strange story that stretches as far as the Arctic circle, her desire to find the truth turns obsessive. And when a body is found in the grounds of the castle, her hunt becomes more than just a case of curiosity. What happened all those years ago? Who was the bride? And who is the body...?

Elisabeth Gifford grew up in a vicarage in the industrial Midlands. She studied French literature and world religions at Leeds University. She has a diploma in Creative Writing from Oxford OUDCE and an MA in Creative Writing from Royal Holloway. She is married with three children and lives in Kingston upon Thames. A Woman Made of Snow is her fifth novel.

My thoughts?

I absolutely devoured this meticulously researched story which was set in dual timelines. In 1949 we meet Caro & Alasdair who are leaving the bright lights of London to settle in Scotland with their new baby, Felicity and are staying at Alasdair's family pile - Kelly Castle - although they'll be staying in the cottage in the grounds. His mother, Martha is over-bearing, difficult and believes her way is the right way. She's always suggesting ways Caro can do things better.

Having been an independent woman during the war, her mother-in-law truly annoys her and when there is a flood at the cottage and they need to move in with Martha, it really is the last straw. Alasdair seems to be seeing more of his ex Diana which also worries her.

When Martha offers her a historical job looking and deciphering the family archive Caro feels more useful as well as sparking her back to life. She discovers something which she can't let go of until she knows the truth..

In the dual timeline in the 19th century we meet Oliver, Alasdair's grandfather, who had a very demanding mother. We also learn about the Jute factories in Dundee and whaling in the Arctic Circle. It's also where we meet Charlotte, Louisa and Mary. Oliver makes a rash decision when the girl he's always loved refuses to marry him and it sees him set sail on an Arctic whaling voyage. He meets the love of his life quite unexpectedly and things are not at all well when he bring his little family home to Kelly.

I loved how the stories so easily intertwine and inside these stories there were characters I grew to love. I really so recommend the book, as it's just so good.