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The Splendour Falls    by Susanna Kearsley Amazon.com order for
Splendour Falls
by Susanna Kearsley
Order:  USA  Can
Sourcebooks, 2014 (1995)
Hardcover, Softcover, Paperback
* *   Reviewed by Wanda Plourde

The story begins with young queen Isabelle, waiting for her husband to come to her. The French castle is under siege and Isabelle must hide something very precious and valuable in the tunnels underneath Chinon. The treasure is never forgotten. The tale fast forwards.

Harry is determined to persuade his cousin Emily Braden to join him at Chinon castle and help discover Plantagenet Queen Isabella's treasure. Emily finally agrees to go. But when she arrives at Chinon Castle her cousin is nowhere to be found. At first Emily does not worry. While there, she befriends a young man, Paul, and his brother Simon. Emily feels that she can trust Paul and shares her growing concern about Harry.

Paul and Emily investigate and find evidence that Harry had been at Chinon. Both have a feeling that the many tunnels underneath Chinon hold the answers they seek. Emily cannot help feeling a certain dread as the one man that her cousin was supposed to meet is dead and the dead don't talk.

I really enjoyed the unfolding of this mystery, which has treasure hunting, history, and a scenic French castle all rolled into one story, with really interesting people in the mix, and romance brewing in the air. Splendour Falls took me on an atmospheric adventure where I felt like the one looking for the treasure. I like Susanna Kearsley's precise and well executed writing style.

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