Barbara Erskine’s new novel The Ghost Tree is a tale of tracing ancestry, exploring the life of her great grandfather, five times removed, Thomas Erskine, who rose from genteel poverty in Scotland to become the Lord Chancellor in 1806. Barbara is a former Patron and continuing supporter of Essex Book Festival.

Ruth has returned to Edinburgh after many years of exile. Left rootless by the death of her estranged father, she is faced with the daunting task of sorting through his possessions. Amidst the dust of her old life, Ruth discovers a hidden diary from the eighteenth century, written by her ancestor, Thomas Erskine. As she sifts through the ancient pages of the past, Ruth is pulled into a story that she can’t escape.

As the youngest son of a noble family Thomas’ life started in genteel poverty, but his extraordinary experiences propel him from the high seas to Lord Chancellor. Yet, on his journey through life, he makes a powerful enemy who hounds him to the death – and beyond.

Ruth has opened a door to the past that she can’t close, and meets a ghost in her family tree who wasn’t invited. She will have to draw upon new friends and old in what will become a battle for her very survival…

Barbara’s new novel The Ghost Tree is a tale of tracing ancestry and explores the life of her great grandfather, five times removed, Thomas Erskine, who rose from genteel poverty in Scotland to become the Lord Chancellor in 1806. Thomas famously had a ‘second sight’ and the novel explores how this impacted his life and career.

An historian by training, Barbara Erskine is the author of eighteen novels, at once demonstrating her interest in history and the supernatural, plus several collections of short stories. Her books have appeared in at least twenty-six languages. Barbara’s first novel, Lady of Hay, has sold over three million copies worldwide to date. She lives in Hay-on-Wye.

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Barbara Erskine remains the mistress of the time-slip novel. Alison Weir

Her forte is mood, atmosphere and toe-curling frisson. Sunday Times

Barbara Erskine’s storytelling talent is undeniable. The Times