Game More, Pay Less
Kindle Unlimited
Unlimited reading. Millions of titles. Learn more
Read now
OR
£5.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon Media EU S.à r.l.. This price was set by the publisher.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will pre-order your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships and Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Nicola Cornick
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Phantom Tree Kindle Edition

by Nicola Cornick (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 out of 5 stars 3,507 ratings

‘There is much to enjoy in a sumptuous novel that slips between present day and 1557.’ Sunday Mirror

“My name is Mary Seymour and I am the daughter of one queen and the niece of another.”

Browsing antiques shops in Wiltshire, Alison Bannister stumbles across a delicate old portrait – supposedly of Anne Boleyn. Except Alison knows better… The woman is Mary Seymour, the daughter of Katherine Parr who was taken to Wolf Hall in 1557 as an unwanted orphan and presumed dead after going missing as a child.

The painting is more than just a beautiful object from Alison’s past – it holds the key to her future, unlocking the mystery surrounding Mary’s disappearance, and the enigma of Alison’s son.

But Alison’s quest soon takes a dark and foreboding turn, as a meeting place called the Phantom Tree harbours secrets in its shadows…

*************************************************************

Readers love Nicola Cornick:

‘Alluring and hypnotising… I was hooked from page one.’

‘A haunting and mesmerising story.’

‘Atmospheric and filled with tension and danger.’

‘Full of dark twists and spooky turns. Brilliantly written, unguessable and page-turning.’

‘Spellbinding, with a narrative that left me bewitched. Not to be missed!’

‘A fabulous read. I was completely enthralled, and kept guessing throughout.’

Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    323 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HQ
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    29 Dec. 2016
  6. File size
    882 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

From the Publisher

bestselling historical books;bestselling fiction books;historical novels;top fiction books

bestselling historical books;bestselling fiction books;historical novels;top fiction books

bestselling historical books;bestselling fiction books;historical novels;top fiction books

bestselling historical books;bestselling fiction books;historical novels;top fiction books

Product description

Review

Praise for Nicola Cornick:

‘A fascinating tale with intriguing twists.’ Barbara Erskine

‘I was hooked from the first pages.’ Gill Paul

‘You just can’t put it down. Brilliant!’ Katie Fforde

‘A gorgeous novel, so fresh and original. And the tension! I was on the edge of my seat.’ Jenny Ashcroft

‘There is much to enjoy in a sumptuous novel that slips between present day and 1557.’ Sunday Mirror

‘Ms. Cornick is first-class, queen of her game.’ Romance Junkies

‘A rising star.’ Publishers Weekly

‘Fans of Kate Morton will enjoy this gripping tale.’ Candis

‘This compelling yet poignant and at times frightening story calls out to every historical fiction lovers out there to read it and enjoy its glory forever’ Book Stop Corner

‘Her books are fabulous’. New York Times bestselling author Julia Quinn

‘A sumptuous, spell-binding story’ Sara Manning, Red Online

About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Nicola Cornick has written over thirty historical romances for Harlequin and HQN Books. She has been nominated twice for a RWA RITA Award and twice for the UK RNA Award. She works as a historian and guide in a seventeenth century house. In 2006 she was awarded a Masters degree with distinction from Ruskin College, Oxford, where she wrote her dissertation on heroes.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01HX6RFQ0
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HQ
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ 29 Dec. 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ ePub edition
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 882 KB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 323 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1474050692
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer reviews:
    4.4 out of 5 stars 3,507 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Nicola Cornick

Nicola Cornick

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Nicola Cornick is a historian and author who works as a researcher and guide for the National Trust in one of the most beautiful 17th century houses in England. She writes dual time novels that illustrate her love of history, mystery and the supernatural, and focus on women from the footnotes of history. Her books have appeared in over twenty five languages, sold over eight million copies worldwide and been described as "perfect for Outlander fans." Nicola also gives writing and history talks, works as a consultant for TV and radio, and is a bookseller at the Wantage Bookshop.

Her new dual time novel, 'The Secrets of the Rose' is set during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715 and features the Northumbrian heroine Dorothy Forster, whose family owned the mighty Bamburgh Castle. 'The Secrets of the Rose' will be published by Boldwood Books on 7th February 2025 in all formats and is up for pre-order now!

Nicola loves to chat to readers about history, reading and writing.

Join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

You can also sign up for Nicola's newsletter on the Boldwood website.

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
3,507 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find this time travel book engaging, with a historical narrative that seamlessly blends fact with fiction. The story features well-developed characters and moves smoothly between past and present, with one customer noting its brilliant weaving of history and time travel elements. Customers praise the book's readability, with one mentioning they couldn't stop reading it, while another describes it as a spellbinding tale from start to finish. Customers appreciate its gripping nature, with one noting it doesn't let go until the very end.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

180 customers mention ‘Readability’170 positive10 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as a compelling and entertaining read, particularly suitable for holiday reading.

"I absolutely loved this novel. First of all, the characters, past and present, are totally convincing...." Read more

"...I found this an enjoyable novel. The time travel part of the book is handled well and not too unrealistic...." Read more

"...adaption into the modern world a little skimmed over but overall a lovely read with some touching moments and just a hint of the supernatural...." Read more

"...have before but I just wanted to say something as the book kept me enthralled all weekend, not wanting to leave the tale at all and madly trying to..." Read more

155 customers mention ‘Story quality’142 positive13 negative

Customers enjoy the historical narrative of this book, describing it as a thralling and intriguing tale with many twists and turns.

"...As well as appreciating the historical research that made the historical settings vivid, I was also convinced by the settings, depictions of three..." Read more

"This is a time travel book, telling the story of two women; both orphans...." Read more

"...but overall a lovely read with some touching moments and just a hint of the supernatural. Would definitely read another by this author." Read more

"...to be precise; I have never come across that before and found it really engaging...." Read more

45 customers mention ‘Written quality’42 positive3 negative

Customers find the book well written, with one customer specifically praising its beautiful structure.

"...Mary Seymour is key to the quest. The novel is beautifully structured as it moves between past and present with an engaging and quite intricate page..." Read more

"...the storyline about Mary, but the book overall was interesting and well written." Read more

"...In a nutshell, The Phantom Tree is cleverly constructed, brilliantly written, and an excellent read!" Read more

"...more of the story I found out why she was like this and appreciated the narration a lot more...." Read more

44 customers mention ‘Time travel’44 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the time travel elements in the book, appreciating how history and time travel are skillfully woven together, with one customer noting how the story jumps between present and past.

"...I felt that theories unpinning it as regards the inter-relation of past and present, and time were fascinating. Story-telling at its very best." Read more

"This is a time travel book, telling the story of two women; both orphans...." Read more

"...It was so refreshing to have a time slip where one of the characters is dwelling in the present but belongs in the past, Tudor England to be precise..." Read more

"A very enjoyable book with an unusual plot, an element of magic & time travel, a section of history and a strong sense of romance & ties between..." Read more

24 customers mention ‘Character development’24 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, particularly noting its rich cast of great characters and the use of historical figures, with one customer highlighting how the story is told through the perspectives of two main characters.

"...I loved the fact that Mary Seymour is a real historical figure – the daughter of Henry VIII’s last wife Katherine Parr and her next husband Thomas..." Read more

"...The modern day lead character was believable and only ever so slightly irritating...." Read more

"...The historical scene setting is good and the use of well known historical characters adds depth while Alison's story adds the contemporary twists..." Read more

"...cleverly written and hard to put down towards the end, with well drawn characters. I shall be reading more books by this author." Read more

24 customers mention ‘Pacing’18 positive6 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with several noting how it moves smoothly from past to present, and one customer highlighting its well-structured narrative flow.

"...beautifully structured as it moves between past and present with an engaging and quite intricate page turning narrative...." Read more

"...A wonderful tale of growing up in past history, then moving swiftly to current day thanks to magic and mystery...." Read more

"...The rest of the book was all a bit too Mills & Boonish to me...." Read more

"...the story intriguing and wanted to find out the ending ,it kept me interested and gripped. A 99p bargain via Amazon too!" Read more

6 customers mention ‘Fiction’6 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the blend of fact and fiction in the book.

"...directions and draws on a large cast of characters both real and fictional but the central theme is one of shared family history and tragedy...." Read more

"...It is a fictional account based loosely on fact,and is a time travelling story which takes you seamlessly back and forth between the 1500s and the..." Read more

"REALLY ENJOYED THIS NOVEL, VERY IMPRESSED WITH ALL THE HISTORY ANS FACTUAL INFO, EVEN CHECKED SOME OF IT OUT MYSELF...." Read more

"...written book, I love the time travelling genre and fact mixed with fiction. Couldn't put it down and the ending was perfect in my opinion...." Read more

6 customers mention ‘Grip’6 positive0 negative

Customers find the book gripping, with one mentioning it doesn't let go until the very end.

"...From the beginning the story captures the imagination and does not let go till the very end. An excellent read." Read more

"Gripped from the first. Mary Seymour abandoned into a careless family with distant cousin Alison. One travels in time and one has the sight...." Read more

"...Complicated at times but gripping and very plausible story line. Author 's research spot on...." Read more

"From a normally 'non fiction' reader...this was a fantastic, gripping, escape. Set in an area I know well and a real page turner...." Read more

Compelling historical time-travel novel.
5 out of 5 stars
Compelling historical time-travel novel.
My first read of 2019 - and what a read it was! A joyful amalgam of historical fiction, time travel, and love story, "The Phantom Tree" was a compelling tale. My first time reading Nicola Cornick, but definitely not my last. The author brought the past to life with vividly rendered, well-researched prose that highlighted both the positive and the negative aspects of life in the sixteenth century. The story is told via two timelines, one in the sixteenth century and one in the present day, which are linked inextricably. The premise being that time is not linear, but deeply layered. A 'time-slip' novel, this book will appeal greatly to lovers of Diana Gabaldon's 'Outlander' series, as well as most other lovers of historical fiction. Yes, it makes you suspend belief with the time-travel and the telepathic communication, but the author incorporates this SO well with the dual story-lines that the reader becomes fully immersed in the narrative. I am now eager to search out more of this author's work. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars rounded up Read my entire review of "The Phantom Tree" on my blog, Fictionophile.
Hide
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry, we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • CAROL MCGRATH
    5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Sophisticated Time Slip
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 8 April 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I absolutely loved this novel. First of all, the characters, past and present, are totally convincing. Mary Seymour, whose voice tells much of the story ,is wonderfully drawn against the background of what happened to her father and uncle, and her upbringing as a poor relation amongst the collection of cousins at Wolf Hall. Alison Bannister , the invented character in this story, is equally convincing. As Alison Banestre , cousin to Mary and another orphan living at Wolf Hall during the mid sixteenth century, she escapes her persecuted to the future. Her mission in life is to return and find her baby son. Mary Seymour is key to the quest. The novel is beautifully structured as it moves between past and present with an engaging and quite intricate page turning narrative. It was unputdownable and rates as one of my favourite reads of this year. As well as appreciating the historical research that made the historical settings vivid, I was also convinced by the settings, depictions of three Elizabethan mansions and intrigued by the gothic atmosphere of this novel. I felt that theories unpinning it as regards the inter-relation of past and present, and time were fascinating. Story-telling at its very best.
    12 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • S Riaz
    4.0 out of 5 stars The Phantom Tree
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 1 June 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is a time travel book, telling the story of two women; both orphans. One is Alison Banestre, the second Mary Seymour, the daughter of Katherine Parr and Thomas Seymour. This is, of course, an alternative history, as Mary Seymour is supposed to have died young. However, although she is not mentioned in historical records past her second birthday, her fate is unknown. In this novel, Alison (a fictional character and not based upon any known person) and Mary Seymour meet at Wolf Hall.

    Both of these young women, have a prickly relationship with each other. They share the fact that they are both, essentially, unwanted. When Alison becomes pregnant, she is sent away in disgrace and her son, Arthur, is taken from her. However, Alison finds a door to the present (or the future, as she obviously sees it) and plans to escape with her son and create a new life. Having travelled between times she suddenly finds the door closed and she is stuck in the present day. Before leaving, she made a pact with Mary, asking her to find Arthur and send her word of where she can find him.

    When Alison comes across the portrait of a woman believed to be Anne Boleyn, only she knows it is of Mary Seymour. The discoverer of the painting is a television historian, with whom she previously had a relationship. Alison believes the portrait contains clues to help her find her son, but she needs Adam’s help to investigate and that involves her opening herself up to be possibly hurt. For Alison is surviving, and surviving well, in a place, and time, that was initially utterly strange and unfamiliar to her.

    This novel tells the story of what happens to both Mary and Alison, along with the investigation by Alison of the portrait and possible clues to the whereabouts of her son. Can she find a way back to find him? Can she cope with the sense of loneliness, and loss without him? I found this an enjoyable novel. The time travel part of the book is handled well and not too unrealistic. Of course, Alison is young when she first arrives in the present and it is evident that she does not cope well at first, but she does manage to make a realistic life for herself. I enjoyed the story featuring Alison more than the storyline about Mary, but the book overall was interesting and well written.
    15 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • claire newbolt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 July 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I would have loved more of Mary's story and I felt Allison s adaption into the modern world a little skimmed over but overall a lovely read with some touching moments and just a hint of the supernatural. Would definitely read another by this author.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Wendy McFarlane
    5.0 out of 5 stars as we all sometimes do who love a good tale
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 January 2017
    Verified Purchase
    After reading House of Shadows I was eager to receive this from Amazon. I won't relate the story as many have before but I just wanted to say something as the book kept me enthralled all weekend, not wanting to leave the tale at all and madly trying to guess, unsuccessfully, the outcome for both characters from past and present. It was so refreshing to have a time slip where one of the characters is dwelling in the present but belongs in the past, Tudor England to be precise; I have never come across that before and found it really engaging. I have to admit at the beginning I had to re read bits as I was confused as to who belonged where but once settled in it was such a grand read. I cried buckets as the story reached it's conclusion and felt, as we all sometimes do who love a good tale, a little bereft to leave the characters and lost as to what t read next. It's a beautiful tale, a little different and that adds to it's charm I feel. I hope the author is working madly on number three as I can't wait to see what she comes up with next! Highly recommended.
    12 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Susanne Bodenstein
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great book
    Reviewed in Germany on 25 November 2017
    Verified Purchase
    A truly captivating book, dealing with both 'real' historic people and those created by the author. This book started well and only got better, it combines two rather contrary heroines -and time-travel. Delightful.
    Report
  • HV Beswick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping, believable and atmospheric
    Reviewed in the United States on 24 May 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Loved loved loved this book. Gripped from the first page to the last. Highly recommend this author and I’ll be buying more of her books !
    Report
  • SCB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Time travel
    Reviewed in Italy on 2 September 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The book is well written and quite captivating, I think one of the best novels I have read of this author.
    Report
  • Bree Yardley
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Timeslip. Great Writing
    Reviewed in Australia on 21 May 2017
    Verified Purchase
    I really enjoyed the twists and turns of this timeslip romance, where the heroine has come from the past, and has to work out where her future lies.
    The writing is lyrical but not purple prose-y. The characters are nicely drawn, although I would have liked to see Richard given a little more depth, since he... Well, I don't want to spoil it for you :-)
    The love story is really nice, and the angst of Alison well written. Choosing between a love in the now, or a love in the past was handled nicely, and the ending satisfying.
    I will be looking for more of this author's work.
    Report
  • paula anne schofield
    4.0 out of 5 stars Daughter of queen who loved not wisely
    Reviewed in the United States on 1 February 2025
    Verified Purchase
    What a story! Yes it is fiction But whatever did happen to Mary Seymore---daughter of Henry VIII's widowed queen and the love her life who proved to be a traitor. Well written, well researched, quite enjoyable, and educational as well.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report