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3.21 AVERAGE
3.21 AVERAGE
I had this book sitting on my shelves for years. Now that I have finished reading it, I have no idea why I didn't pick it up sooner. This was a fast read and was very interesting. I enjoyed the mystery in the writing. This was a nice fun summer read.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Granted, the copy I read was missing the first 66 pages, but that's okay because Mary Stewart's romances generally start the same ... female writer in a scenic cabin encounters two men in the night - one good and one bad and then she has to see through both their subterfuge, etc.
And, of course, it was funny to be reading about a Scottish beach vacation while on the beach (a very different beach) in Mexico.
In short, a light comfortable read, but in no way comparable to my favorite works by her.
And, of course, it was funny to be reading about a Scottish beach vacation while on the beach (a very different beach) in Mexico.
In short, a light comfortable read, but in no way comparable to my favorite works by her.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s not the usual from Mairs. Same premise - single girl on holidays in dramatic location gets involved in some mystery-alas the story structure, characters, suspense are all hard to be interested in. Lost interest in Rose Fennemore very rapidly as she made her fast judgements on the two male characters. She picked the boring one and stuck with him. There was no chance of anyone else was there. The most dull MS story of all.
Kind of a cosy, low-stakes mystery in a beautifully-written setting. Felt like it was from the fifties - I was surprised when I saw the publication date.
Kept my interest but wasn't anything to gush over. But. I want to read more by this author--she's got some talent that reminds me of du Maurier...
2.5 stars? This one was just okay, definitely not my favourite of the Mary Stewart books I've read. It had a very slow start (I was quite bored initially) and even when things start happening, the plot is not all that interesting or exciting. The "mystery" feels like it's over almost before it's begun! I didn't particularly connect with the narrator, and there was really no romance at all in here (only the barest hint of a possibility of one), so it didn't have that as a subplot to evoke an emotional response from me. I was left just feeling pretty "meh" about it. I did like the setting and the appreciation that several of the characters had for the wildlife.
The Stormy Petrel ranks in the lower tier of Mary Stewart books. It has neither enough romance nor suspense to satisfy the romantic suspense reader who loves Mary Stewart's better known books, such as Nine Coaches Waiting or Madam, Will You Talk?
The plot, such as it is, is slight. Our heroine, Rose Fenemore, a Cambridge English professor on holiday in the Hebrides Islands of Scotland, writes poetry and science fiction on the side. She is seeking a quiet place to write while she waits for her brother to join her. We learn little about Rose aside from the fact that she has no romantic attachments. On a wild and stormy night, two men appear at the door of her rented cottage. Both appear to know the island and the cottage well, and both are hiding secrets. Ewen MacKay is definitely more of a charmer than the reserved "John Parsons". It only takes a few days for the mystery of their appearance and relationship to be unraveled. But as one threat is removed, another appears in the form of Hartley Bagshaw, a real estate developer who wants to bring a first-class tourist development to the isolated island. Rose, her brother Crispin, and "John"/Neil, set out to discourage Hartley from his plans. The beauty of nature and the tiny birds, the story petrels decide the fate of the planned development. If only that would happen in real life. Sigh.
The writing, as is to be expected, is clear and beautiful, filled with descriptions of the Scottish landscape and wildlife--even the midges. I could wish that Mrs. Stewart had written a stronger plot to go along with the descriptions. But even slight Mary Stewart is better than most other writers.
The plot, such as it is, is slight. Our heroine, Rose Fenemore, a Cambridge English professor on holiday in the Hebrides Islands of Scotland, writes poetry and science fiction on the side. She is seeking a quiet place to write while she waits for her brother to join her. We learn little about Rose aside from the fact that she has no romantic attachments. On a wild and stormy night, two men appear at the door of her rented cottage. Both appear to know the island and the cottage well, and both are hiding secrets. Ewen MacKay is definitely more of a charmer than the reserved "John Parsons". It only takes a few days for the mystery of their appearance and relationship to be unraveled. But as one threat is removed, another appears in the form of Hartley Bagshaw, a real estate developer who wants to bring a first-class tourist development to the isolated island. Rose, her brother Crispin, and "John"/Neil, set out to discourage Hartley from his plans. The beauty of nature and the tiny birds, the story petrels decide the fate of the planned development. If only that would happen in real life. Sigh.
The writing, as is to be expected, is clear and beautiful, filled with descriptions of the Scottish landscape and wildlife--even the midges. I could wish that Mrs. Stewart had written a stronger plot to go along with the descriptions. But even slight Mary Stewart is better than most other writers.
Entertaining, but I wish there had been more tension or chemistry between the main characters.