Once again, Nightingale effectively draws in the reader to a suspenseful tale of intrigue in the world of Travelling Players. Initially, I found the tale "all-action-little-atmosphere" as it raced through setting the story in place relative to 'Harlequin's Riddle'. However, the atmosphere ~ that magical sense that draws a reader into the heart and being of the story ~ developed most satisfactorily once the backstory was introduced. Briefly, so as not to spoil the plot twists, the main character Mina is effectively tutored in storytelling by a companion of the road, Sophia. In return, Mina gives back some of her skills and furthers her ability to complete the quest to find her brother. Storytelling is indeed a gift and this novel brought out the rich tapestry of such a craft. The fantasy of ‘Tarya’ is again present as a mythical realm. This aspect of the novel perhaps entreats an important theme: a story teller’s code of ethics to cause no harm and take care of your audience. That’s a tricky narrative to evoke, a perspective which the author has taken to an accomplished level. (Acknowledgement: I received this e-book as an ARC, and agreed to provide an impartial review). ( )

As with all series, the reader should have read the first Harlequin’s Riddle. In Columbine’s Tale a short prologue provides a concise and engaging summary for the purposes of catch up, with many useful reminders of the story so far. Columbine’s Tale opens with Mina on the run, determined to find her brother, Paolo, and this time, she believes she knows where he is. She’s being pursued, too. Thinking she knows who by, she’s in terror for her life as she tries to escape the clutches of the Gazini players who are determined to keep her. Then Mina encounters Sofia, a master story teller, and together with their team, the two travel the countryside and, through the power of telling stories, hand back dreams stolen by the players. Mina is determined as ever to undo the wrongs of others, and her quest leads her into increasing danger. Mina’s quest is thwarted by menace and betrayals and as the story unfolds, petal by petal, old betrayals are healed and new secrets revealed.

Through Mina and Sofia’s eyes, Nightingale portrays story telling as a gift, one that gives something to the listener, which she juxtaposes with the approach of the players who steal peoples’ dreams and hand them back to audiences as entertainment. But that is only the tip of this complex, intriguing and beautifully told novel.

Columbine’s Tale is told from multiple points of view and the main plot lines are carefully interwoven. The use of jump cuts works well as does the building of suspense, culminating in a dramatic edge-of-seat flourish and a denouement that leaves the reader wanting the third and last in the series.

Nightingale’s characterisation is impeccable, and with the fewest words she conjures a convincing three-dimensional cast. Descriptions are detailed and evocative, providing the reader with a powerful sense of place. Nightingale makes not only her imaginary Italy alive in the mind of the reader, but also her etheric realm, Tarya, in all of its layers and complexity. The prose is gentle, soft and acts on the psyche like balm. Tales of Tarya is a series to sink into and savour.

Nightingale plays with the fourth wall as Mina learns to tell stories from master story teller, Sofia, and here the reader is introduced to the craft of story telling and finding the heart of a tale from a special and mythic perspective. The metafictional element works and invites the reader to consider the true value of the narrative form.

Ultimately, Columbine’s Tale is about creativity and healing, of good versus evil, of the use and misuse of magical powers – the power to create and to destroy – and the all-important moral message underpinning the series, that creativity should be life-giving, not life-taking. In all a delightful and insightful read. ( )