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deannah's review
3.0
This was reading really derivative of Jane Eyre but without the plot development but then the ending was unexpected so I gave it another star.
hazelbright's review
4.0
Having been a complete Victoria Holt fanatic when I was about nine years old, I thought it would be interesting to read some of her work again when I saw this one at my library. I picked it up on a lark, planning to make a great deal of fun of my child self, all swept up in romance novels. In fact, the novel still holds up after lo, these many years, and contains many of the elements I look for in a good novel: character development, a few new facts to learn, a view of the world from a perspective different from my own, a visit to a life I will never live, descriptive writing that shows rather than tells, good suspense, and a fun puzzle to solve. Also, the language is glorious. I guess I was not such a dumb kid after all!
lnatal's review
4.0
We are born, we suffer, we love, we die, but the waves continue to beat upon the rocks; the seed time and the harvest come and go, but the earth remains.
bookgyrl's review
3.0
Rated on the fact I read this when I was a young teenager and still remember it.
raehink's review
4.0
One of the big three classics in the gothic romance world. A young governess tries to connect with her pre-teen charge. As she works toward success in her profession, she discovers love amidst deep dark family secrets. An escapist treat.
ectoplasmjames's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
sunsoar25's review
3.0
This novel is going for Jane Eyre meets Rebecca, but it never quite gets there. Decent storyline, but difficult for me to really connect with the characters.
kellyhager's review
2.0
I bought this because it was described as Jane Eyre + Rebecca. And I can see that, but it's the two of them as written by an author who is much less skilled.
It's about Martha Leigh, a new governess. She's on her way to this spooky old estate in Cornwall where she is to work for a man, Connan TreMellyn, and his young daughter, Alvean (which means "little Alice" in Cornish). The man's wife (also named Alice) may or may not be dead.
There's another little girl, Gilly, who is mute and seems to keep getting Martha and seemingly dead Alice confused.
And of course, there are spooky goings-on and Martha may or may not be going crazy when she feels people watching her all the time.
It was a fun read, but not a great one.
It's about Martha Leigh, a new governess. She's on her way to this spooky old estate in Cornwall where she is to work for a man, Connan TreMellyn, and his young daughter, Alvean (which means "little Alice" in Cornish). The man's wife (also named Alice) may or may not be dead.
There's another little girl, Gilly, who is mute and seems to keep getting Martha and seemingly dead Alice confused.
And of course, there are spooky goings-on and Martha may or may not be going crazy when she feels people watching her all the time.
It was a fun read, but not a great one.
avhollow's review
3.0
An engrossing read that follows a young governess as she is appointed to a house where the previous mistress is believed dead, but mystery surrounds the dead. Her body was unidentifiable, clues remain behind that she may not have been running off, and a mysterious presence seems to haunt the house. Martha Leigh is determined to give her new charge the love and attention she needs, and get to the bottom of the mystery that haunts Mellyn house. A believable romance with a flawed and well-rounded character unfolds in the process.