The Sacrifice Stone - Softcover

Harris, Elizabeth

3.78

209 ratings by Goodreads

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006490395 ISBN 13: 9780006490395

Publisher: HarperCollins, 1998

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A dramatic story of intrigue, romance and revenge, from the author of The Quiet Earth and The Twilight Child, set in present day Provence and Roman Britain, France and Italy in the year AD175.

The present day: Beth Leighton arrives in the ancient Roman town of Arles, accompanying her brother Joe who is researching the early Christian martyr St Theodore, an obscure child saint who was killed by a Roman officer for refusing to make a sacrifice to the state gods of Rome.

Arles, AD175: Sergius Cornelius Aurelius, the officer accused – an ex-legionary who lived and fought at Hadrian’s Wall. He has a story to tell, and his soul cannot rest until the truth is known about a moonlit night at the temple of Mithras that ended in violent bloodshed.

Moved by the story and by her historical surroundings, Beth feels a tangible, mysterious presence. Then she meets Adam, a film researcher, who also feels inexplicably pulled by the past. As they explore the beautiful Provence countryside together, where the pagan Romans clashed with the Christians and martyrs were thrown to the lions, their interest intensifies to obsession and the ancient world, both magnificent and barbaric, becomes frighteningly real...

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Review:

‘Spooky, romantic, intriguing’
Sarah Broadhurst, Bookseller

‘Elizabeth Harris is a skilful writer, who weaves a spellbinding story’
Barbara Erskine

From the Back Cover:

A dramatic story of suspense, romance, intrigue and the supernatural, set in present day Provence and Roman Britain, France and Italy, from the author of 'The Quiet Earth, The Twilight Child' and 'The Herb Gatherers'.

The present day: Beth Leighton arrives in the ancient Roman town of Arles with her brother, Joe, to investigate the story of a child martyr. Legend tells that a young boy was killed by a Roman officer on a moonlit night at the pagan temple of Mithras, a victim of sacrifice.

Arles, AD 175: Walking the same streets is Sergius Cornelius Aurelius, an ex-legionary and the officer accused. Haunted by his past and by a perilous enemy who skulks in the shadows and will not show its face, he has his own story to tell.

At first Beth dismisses the tale. So why, then, does she feel a tangible, mysterious presence wherever she goes? Then she meets Adam, a film researcher, who is driven, inexplicably, to find the truth behind the legend. As they explore the beautiful Provence countryside together, their interest intensifies into obsession and dangerous emotions are unleashed as the ancient world, both magnificent and barbaric, becomes terrifyingly real...

"A feast of mystery, romance and spine-chilling drama."
PRIMA

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