The Condemned

Echoes from the Past, Book 6

By: Irina Shapiro

Narrated by: Wendy Wolfson

Some women are born to defy fate.

Cornwall, 1620. Mary Wilby flees her brutal uncle’s house to board the Lady Grace as a colonial bride bound for Virginia. She prays that marriage to plantation owner John Forrester will bring the peace and security she craves, but she soon discovers her new husband harbors deadly secrets. Only one man offers her hope of escape from this waking nightmare: Walker, a half-English, half-Native American man haunted by his own tragic past. But their carefully laid plans for escape take a devastating turn…

Present day. When Quinn Allenby discovers a woman’s remains sealed within a Cornish cave, the bone hair comb buried alongside shows her visions of unspeakable doom. And as she witnesses Mary’s desperate struggles in the New World, Quinn’s own life unravels: her twin sister Jo has vanished, and her family stands on the brink of collapse.

Quinn has always understood what it takes to survive, but can Mary’s haunting legacy teach her the true power of taking control of her own destiny?

A powerful story of courage, betrayal, and the unbreakable bonds that transcend time. Perfect for fans of Diana Gabaldon, Susanna Kearsley, and Barbara Erskine.

©2019 Irina Shapiro (P)2019 Irina Shapiro

Always an exciting new case for Quinn to solve!

Can't wait for Book 7 -- each book has two storylines unfolding simultaneously! As Quinn works to solve ancient mysteries using her supernatural gift, another present day plot and story is revealed. Love the characters! And love the variety of historic time periods -- all different! Keep the books coming Ms. Shapiro!

Ughhhh this series 😩

So amazing my second favorite after Petras n right in front of Valentina. I’m jus so in love with echoes from the past omg. Every book eats me aliveeee🥲 10/10. I wish the voice actor could make more emotional voice though. She has to speak the emotion instead of imbuing her voice with it.

Beautiful work

In 1620, England is trying to stabilize their new colony in Virginia and women are asked to go to the New World to marry men they've never met and start families. Mary is terrified to leave the only home she's ever known, but it's the only way to escape her abusive uncle. She bonds with her fellow wives during the voyage, but her intended is less than she hoped. A chance meeting in the forest with a stranger gives her hope her life could be something more. But in a time of unrest in Virginia, a step in the wrong direction could be deadly.


In 2015, Quinn is called to a seaside cave, where a skeleton is found, evidence of a crude medical procedure and a birth evident. But she can't focus on the body when she receives news that her twin sister is missing. Through war-torn Afghanistan, Germany, and colonial Virginia, Quinn isn't just reconstructing the life of a long-dead woman, but her own reality as the puzzle pieces of her past fall into place.


The historical work Shapiro puts into her writing is always fantastic. People have the idea of colonists who went to the New World as happy families who grew corn alongside the indigenous people and loved in cozy cabins. The truth is messier with colonial aggression, "main order brides," and a history that paints the settlers in a less than flattering light. Then there's this bit about the lost colony of Roanoke that had me going down a research wormhole, something I always enjoy.


On the question of the Native Americans (Side note, I use this term as this is what my husband and his family describe themselves as. Others may dislike this term and we should take individual wishes into consideration.) described in this book, I always hold my breath when someone is introduced. Since going to college and marring my husband, I've learned more about tribal culture and the backstories of forced relocations and "re-education." So I'm always a bit annoyed with how some books "fetishize" the Native experience. But Shapiro didn't do that. The ones seen in the book were written as actual people with real struggles. The added conversations surrounding the differing religions and social hierarchies was also true to form, and I really appreciate the added depth.


Overall, I thought this book was amazing. Between the narrative talent of Wendy Wolfson, the sweeping storyline, and the twist near the end that left me reeling, this installment was another hit.


Touched

Cried when the met, cryed like at least twice. Though of my daughters all the time. Thankful for today 2025 life In Cartagena Colombia. Singnificantly touched. Thank you mrs Shapir😭

Beautiful Tragedy

As with all of Ms. Shapiro's books in this series, readers know that Quinn is investigating death for the Echoes series. It's still always shocking to learn the details of the person's life whose remains are discovered. I'm glad that I'm not endowed with the gift of sight. I'd become too emotionally involved in the victim's story. I can't wait to see what's in store for Quinn's newly discovered family members.