Most helpful customer reviews
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Reprint of an old Gothic Suspense classic from a legendary author., Aug 7 2009
Having only been away in a boarding school or on the isle of Capri with her father, Favel Farrington is still innocent in the ways of the world. So when Petroc "Roc" Pendorric shows up, Favel is swept off her feet. It is not long before they are wed. Favel is thrilled to be Roc's wife, but also sad due to the recent death of her father. To help her get passed her father's fatal accident, Roc takes Favel and travels to various romantic cities.
Favel is nervous when she finally arrives at her new home in Cornwall. The Pendorric home is a huge stone mansion with four wings set upon the cliffs of a beautiful beach. Tradition is to keep family members under the same roof, so Favel worries that Roc's family will not like her. Morwenna, Roc's sister, seems to adore Favel immediately. So does Charles, her husband. The couple has preteen twin daughters who are only similar in their outward appearances. Lowella seems bright and hyper. She loves people and is up for challenges. In contrast, Hyson is subdued, reads a lot, and only speaks when she has something meaningful to say. Roc's parents are deceased. His mother, Barbarina, died tragically at a young age. Everyone whispers about an old curse. It is said that the Bride of Pendorric always dies young and then haunts the halls until the next Bride dies and takes over the haunting. The twins totally believe the curse. But everyone else informs Favel that it has simply been a long run of bad luck.
Favel begins to visit their sick and elderly neighbor, Lord Polhorgan. Few actually like Lord Polhorgan, but Favel enjoys his company and their chess games. Visiting the man also lets Favel get away from her new home, where strange accidents have begun to occur. Lately Favel is hearing music and getting glimpses of a lady wearing clothes from a past time. The twins claim it is the ghost of Granny Barbarina. The only time Favel feels safe at home is when Roc is close by her side. But Roc is never around when the accidents and strange events occur. His attitude seems to be changing as well. Often Roc seems to be a total stranger to her. Favel begins to wonder if she really will soon be the next Bride of Pendorric spirit.
**** FOUR STARS! This is a reprint of a Gothic Suspense novel by the legendary author known as Victoria Holt. The story did not hook me instantly. It actually began slow. However, the tension built as the tale progressed and I had no idea if the curse was real or not. Older Gothic stories did not always have happy endings. That fact is what kept me fascinated with the genre when I was a teen. I never knew if the heroine would be okay in the end. The only problem I had with those suspenseful novels was the long-winded narrations. This title is no different in that regard. I found this story to be too slow due to unnecessary explanations, various descriptions with explicit details, and even some reminiscing fluff. But again, this was how Gothic, Romantic Suspense books were written in the past. All-in-all, fans of this talented author and/or of the old, spooky, Gothic tales will be extremely pleased. ****
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
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4.0 out of 5 stars
Perfect book to snuggle up to on a rainy afternoon, Jun 6 2009
Eking out a living with her widowed father in his art studio on the island of Capri, Favel is swept off her feet by visitor Roc Pendorric and they are married, although her happiness is marred by the sudden death of her father. Upon arrival at Roc's Cornwall estate, Favel learns of the legend of the Brides of Pendorric - married into the family for their money and die mysterious deaths at a young age and then destined to haunt the halls until another bride dies and takes her place. Not surprisingly, things soon begin to go bump in the night - is it possible that the ghost of Roc's mother really does haunt the home? Is Favel destined to be the next Bride of Pendorric to die and haunt the mansion, or is something more sinister involved?
As Favel begins to experience unusual accidents she begins to wonder about her husband Roc. Did he really fall in love with her or was there an ulterior motive? How did he happen to show up at their studio in Capri? Just a coincidence or did he know her father beforehand? What about the three former lovers of Roc? Do they want Favel out of the way? Or is it Favel's sister or one or her two young daughters? Who is the mysterious wealthy old man in the large estate who takes an uncommon interest in Favel?
Packed with plenty of mystery and intrigue, as well as the appropriate gothic spookiness of Cornwall and those ever present mists (let alone getting locked in that old tomb with all those caskets - yikes!), this tale should keep the reader guessing until the very last page. While Holt isn't quite up to the perfection that is Du Maurier, she's still a gifted storyteller and fans of that classic "romantic suspense" genre might want to check this out.
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by Victoria Holt
by Victoria Holt
by Victoria Holt
by Victoria Holt
