Heritage of Shadows

by Madeleine Brent

It is 1890 and Hannah McLeod, an 18 year-old English girl, is living in Paris, where she works at a small restaurant. Only her neighbour, Toby Kent, a struggling artist, knows the strange and horrifying secret that makes her afraid to return to England. Then one night, rescuing a stranger, Andrew Doyle, from attach by Montmarte apaches, Hannah unwittingly becomes entangled in circumstances that force her to flee from France to England and take up the mysterious offer she had received to become French tutor in the household of a Mr. Sebastian Ryder. But why should Mr. Ryder want to employ her? Does he know something about her of which she is unaware? Are there still more secrets in her past? A Heritage of Shadows is the haunting story of a girl, ignorant of her true identity and convinced that she is forever denied love on account of her shameful past, who is plunged into a world of nightmarish intrigue. As the tale unfolds, carrying her from England to Mexico and back again to Paris, Hannah finds herself caught up in a vicious struggle between two men of great wealth and power - a struggle which threatens her life - before the final discovery of where her happiness lies. Madeleine Brent, the bestselling author, has once again written a story packed with drama and suspense. It vividly recreates the atmosphere of the 1890s, exposing the darker and more sinister elements that lurked below that outwardly respectable era.

Genres: Romance, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Gothic, Historical, Fiction, Gothic Romance

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Madeleine Brent is a pseudonym used by Peter O'Donnell.

Reviews

[Suzanne]

Let me start by saying: I love, love, love Madeleine Brent. But I wish someone had warned me about this book.

Most of Brent's heroines are overcoming something from their past, but the revelation about this character's past life was a little too much for me. So I am warning all of you Brent fans out there while trying not to give away the plot: this is called A Heritage of Shadows for a reason. The revelation in this book is very dark and quite depressing. I read this as a teenager and would not recommend it to any teen. I really found it disturbing.

I suppose if you like dark, disturbing tales you won't mind this book. However, I read Brent because her books are usually feel-good tales, without too much angst. So if that's the reason you like Brent I'd suggest you avoid this one.

[Diane Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good book by Madeleine Brent. The title refers to the heroine's (Hannah McLeod) past. That past is revealed around page 160 and was quite a shocker. Yes, as usual, Hannah overcomes her past but it really is a distressing past. Be forewarned!

[The Daydreamologist · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.8

There's something about Madeleine Brent's books that I find so appealing. Perhaps it’s their unconventionality, or the way the heroines are unpretentious (they all have been that, so far), I don't know...let's call it their Madeleine-Brentness.

A Heritage of Shadows was slightly different from Brent's other works- I can't say much without spoiling things, but it felt more insightful, reaching far into those dark, hidden shadows of our world, and how we, in our ignorance, blame those who are forced to stand under those shadows for thier exsistance, when they are not to blame at all.

There were certain messages the author tried to send throughout the book, which I loved:

"If you get kicked by a horse in Paris, there's no sense in blaming France"



"Ah, well. Let's enjoy today."




"Aren't you anxious to hear about the trick that was played on you?"
"Yes, naturally I am," I said, "but it's no more important than your success. I mean ... oh dear, what do I mean? Well, if there was a trick, then either there'll be an outcome or there won't, and if there is an outcome, it might be good or bad for me, and if it's bad I might be able to prevent it or I might not, and if not, I shall just have to put up with it as best I can."


Warning: Subjects such as child slavery, brothels, revenge, and murder are described in the book. I would say that it's appropriate for ages 14 and up. Perhaps even 15.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Longer and darker than previous novels, the seventh gothic novel by Madeleine Brent (aka Peter O'Donnell) tells the story of Hannah MacLeod, an 18 year old Englishwoman living in Montmartre in 1890s Paris. Hannah has a troubled past--just how troubled will eventually become apparent to the reader--and a hand-to-mouth present working in a waitress at a cafe. One night, her intervention to stop a crime will set in motion a series of events that will bring past, present and future together in unsettling and dangerous ways. Although full of Brent's trademark details about places and customs, as well as adventure and suspense, the novel adds a devastating dimension of moral cruelty, if not outright wickedness. Besides Hannah, who is sympathetic but never an object of pity, Brent creates memorable secondary characters, heroic, well-meaning, flawed, engaging, and, to re-use an appropriate word, wicked--in particular, the redoubtable and delightful Mrs. Flora Hesketh. Definitely worth seeking out and a signal accomplishment both within Brent's set of novels and within the genre itself.

[Wai Zin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second Madeleine Brent book.
The plotline is just an average one.

What stands out from this novel is the character of the Heroine, Hannah McLeod.

I initially thought she must have ice water in her veins.

But I was wrong.

She was a resilient young lady who lives in the present and doesn't dwell on the past and feel sorry for herself. A lady after all the abuses and inhumanity she suffered, who retained her kind and pure soul.

Her character alone makes this book a worthwhile read.

And I'm really glad that she ended up with the right guy. :-)

[Jannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

This one is a tough one to review for me. It was a rollercoaster of shocks and blankness and rather sharp turns with a heroine who seemed to accept absolutely all the horrors that came to her past bravery to the point of fatalism. I liked Hannah but also I felt it a bit of a struggle to connect to her despite the fact I did admire her character, until her full past was explained (and it was a shock to read it.)
Even then she had almost a complete and utter detachment from human feeling in terms of finding revenge or hatred or just showing true feeling to the horrible horrible things she endured. And the hurt. There was a lot rhat she was happy to just sweep away under a rug and I could understand up to a point that this was a defensive reaction it was still frustrating. I did feel like she was almost sleep walking. Nevertheless she was possibly one if the strongest and admirable characters Ive read in fiction and I only wanted more terms of retribution on her behalf..damn it was depressing. Even in the end. im just glad she got SOME form of a happy ending!

Urgh I feel so unbalanced by this book. I must say though I couldn't stop reading and kept wanting to get back to it whenever I had to take a break. The author writes immensely readable books. But this is in a different league. Its much more angsty and doesn't necessarily leave you with that feel good warmth

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a ride. I got really emotional in this one. Be warned, it is shocking in places. Not for the faint-hearted.

I really enjoyed it, though. I didn't think I would, as the main heroine is very matter-of-fact about everything, very little emotion. Everything is just pushed away and forgotten. It did, however, really suit her, given her past, and helped her with the events in the book, so I appreciated who she was and warmed to her.

I don't want to say anymore, as I will give things away, but if you have a strong constitution, it is worth a read.

[Yue · Rating 2 out of 5]

My least favorite among MB books. The Victorian period is well portrayed -far from the romantic notion we get in other books. Hannah is such a strong character, she went thru so many things -things that may have led another woman to suicide, but she values her life so much.

All men in this book -except for Toby Kent- were assholes.

A really depressing book, which I was not looking for since the last book I've read left me depressed enough.

[Bettye McKee · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been many years since I read this book, but I still remember the Butterfly Girl. It is an intriguing story, as are all of Brent's books, but this one has more. More of what, you say? I don't know, but the back story is only revealed in increments which keeps the intrigue going.

[Eben Holwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely one of his darker stories, so expect to shed a few tears. I wouldn't give it to my teen daughter to read as it deals with sexual abuse, although not in a graphic way, but disturbing, none the less. While it is disturbing and sad in parts it's also a beautiful story, of overcoming pain and trauma, maintaining dignity and self worth after being a victim of great abuse, and the determination of the human spirit. It has humor and heart and the love story is one of my favorites.

[Ana Lopes Miura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this. It’s one of my favorite books and I’m a bit sad that I discovered it at the age of 40 instead of as a young girl, because I would have revisited it every year and it would have shaped me.

Madeleine Brent is hands down my favorite writer of Gothic romance/romantic suspense. Not only are his books evocative, thrilling and delightful, it’s an amazing feat for a dour looking middle aged English man to be able to give his female protagonists such a truthful voice. Hannah is the most beautiful character I’ve encountered and Brent bathed her in dignity and self-worth.

I’m about to begin Moonraker’s Bride, which is a lot of people’s favorite book by him and I so hope to enjoy it that much, but I can honestly predict that it won’t top A Heritage of Shadows in all its dark, compelling, satisfying glory.

[Robert Fontenot · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this is not a gothic, it is gothic adjacent. The writing is great and the heroine is unlike any other that I've read in the genre. The first three quarters of the book is really fun but after that, when the action moves to Mexico (the books spans three countries), things start to drag and indeed this whole part could have been pretty easily excised.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows young Hannah MacLeod who has lived more life in her eighteen years than most have by the time they're fifty. When the tale opens she is working twelve hours a day at a small bistro in Montmartre, living in a one-room apartment that ranks just above a garret, and is pleased as punch to be doing so. Her perplexing attitude is explained through the hinting of some horror in her past which led to her fleeing her native England for Paris and the comforting anonymity of her current life. She has no family and only one friend, one Toby Kent, a boisterous sailor/impressionist painter who is gone for months at a time but when he's in town provides some companionship and a nice dinner or two. In return for this, Hannah cleans his clothes and sits for the occasional portrait.

Unfortunately for Hannah and, as any suspense novel reader knows, self possessed but mysteriously haunted young women of independent means can never outrun their past for long. Events overtake Hannah and she is forced to return to England in an attempt to avoid disaster. She takes refuge teaching French to a rich merchant's two teenage children. The rich merchant, however, seems to know of her past and soon Hannah is caught up in a play for power and revenge that stretches back for decades and somehow involves her. Eventually we learn just exactly how heavily Hannah paid for her self possession and how much more she is forced to pay the demons that haunt her.

This book was like popping a particularly fine piece of foreign chocolate in your mouth. The layers that emerge, one on top of another, alternately surprise and delight you. I felt very protective of and close to Hannah and any scene Toby was in made me laugh. Which was a good thing because Hannah's story ended up being much darker than I was expecting and the moments of humor much appreciated. A sweet, enjoyable read. I went back to the library today and got two more Brent books.

[Charybdis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paris, 1891. Hannah McLeod, 18 years old, lives in a shabby room in Montmartre and works as a waitress since she was 17. She can speak English and French fluently, is obviously well educated, but is secretive about her parents and how all this came about, even to us, the readers. Half way through the book this is explained and it turns out to be the main reason behind about everything that happens in the book. Although she doesn't want to return to England, circumstances force her to take a position as French teacher to the children of a wealthy industrial in England. It may be that he has some ulterior motive for hiring her....

Most of the gothic elements are there: first person narrative, likeable sensible but not beautiful heroine in peril and a mystery to be solved. No eerie mansions, however.

I liked the book a lot, but for the last sixth part which seems to be added to make up for some required amount of pages. Here the author uses a contrived coincidence to further the story, one of my pet peeves. If most of the last part were omitted, the ending would have been so much more satisfying.

The storytelling was excellent; I love the sensible tone of the heroine and the beautiful dialogue. No irritating flippant wisecracking as a lot of modern first person books tend to use. Descriptions of the setting and time made everything very real en interesting.

I'd recommend this book and would rate it 8 out of 10 (the 9 would be given if the book had ended without the last 1/6th part).

[Anneceleste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darker than the other books written by Brent but not in a melodramatic way. The usual plot is there: young, strong, abused and very forgiving heroine, whith one loyal friend who isn't always there to protect her. She moves from Paris to England, Mexico and back to Paris, finds her true identity through a lot of perils but everything ends well whith a twist.
I have read (all 5-stars but starting from my favorites):
A Heritage Of Shadows
Merlin's Keep
Moonraker bride
Tregaron's Daughter
Stranger at Wildings
Golden Urchin

[Christin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed the previous books I have read by Brent but I did not really care for this one. It was not quite as mysterious or adventurous as some of the others are. I would not take the time to read this one again.

[Cathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this was the last one of Madeleine Brent’s for me to read. I wish there were more. I loved this one too and it ended exactly as I wished it to. The part concerning her past troubles was a bit unsettling but it was well handled.

[Dorcas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite MB by a long shot. It's hard to go into a synopsis without giving something crucial away so I won't. But the overall tone of this one is a little....I don't know...sordid. And far fetched.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am on a Madeleine Brent kick. This one was kind of lame-o. Not as good as the others.

[Cande Tuyarot · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
Comencé este libro esperanzada de encontrar una historia plenamente empalagosa. Lamentablemente, el romance fue el 15% de este libro. Aun así, la historia fue fascinante.
Hannah, es una protagonista con la que fácilmente pude sentir simpatía y empatía. Toby Kent, el mejor HOMBRE de este libro. Andrew Doyle, un idiota.
Centrándome en la historia, debo decir que el motivo por el cual Hannah vuelve a Inglaterra me pareció muy pobre, pero puedo hacer caso omiso a eso.
Equivocadamente creí que Hannah y Gerald iban a terminar enamorados, y cuando, a mitad del libro de mi cuenta de que no era así, no pude evitar sentir decepción.
Aunque trate de engañarme, nunca me cayo bien Andrew Doyle, aunque no puedo dejar de reconocer que es un hombre con valores; esto se ve reflejado cuando el deplorable Sebastian Ryder revela el secreto de Hannah- no puedo creer que haya sido victima de trata- Doyle tuvo un buena reacción. Y debo admitir que liberar a Hannah del neuropsiquiátrico hizo que se gane mi simpatía.
TOBY KENT, EL MEJOR HOMBRE.
Hannah es constantemente victima de las acciones de los demás. Cuando acepta casarse con Doyle creí que su vida iba a cambiar para mejor. Y aunque ella no lo amara, con el tiempo, podría llegar a hacerlo. Lamentablemente, él estaba enamorado de su prima, y lo demostró delante de todos, humillando a Hannah, y generándome un ataque de llanto.
Llegado el anteúltimo capitulo estaba enojada porque venden este libro como novela romántica, y un romance como tal no es. Pero llegó el ultimo capitulo, donde el MEJOR HOMBRE de este libro, TOBY KENT, declara su amor a Hannah, y le propone un matrimonio totalmente sano y lleno de amor. A pesar de ser de un momento para otro, me gusto la decisión de emparejarla con Toby.
Para hacerlo un poco mas realista, hubiese estado bueno tener algunos puntos de vista de Kent.
Por ultimo, quiero reconocer a Hannah, una protagonista fuerte, dulce, agradecida, que no se auto compadece de si misma y que busca su libertad. También voy a reconocer a Toby cuando decide explicarles a todos la historia de Hannah, y pretende defenderla a toda costa.

PD: TOBY KENT, EL MEJOR HOMBRE

[Nik Morton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Madeleine Brent’s historical first-person novel A Heritage of Shadows was published in 1983.

It’s 1891 in Paris and eighteen-year-old Hannah McLeod is a waitress in La Coquille restaurant. She’s bilingual and is especially useful to the owner when English patrons dine there. She lives in a modest garret and conceals her real past and has invented an alternative which she doesn’t volunteer but which is available if pressed. She gets on well with the other staff but her only true friend seems to be a neighbour across the landing, Toby Kent, an Irish artist, for whom she occasionally poses (fully clothed).

One night on returning from her stint in La Coquille, she rescues a stranger who was being attacked by thieves. This leads to some complicated relationships which entail her taking up employment as a French teacher for two children of Mr Sebastian Ryder in England. ‘As soon as we were seated Mr Ryder said briskly, ‘Grace’. We all bowed our heads and he thanked the Lord for what we were about to receive, but in a manner which seemed to hint that he would have managed very well without the Lord’s help’ (p88).

Gradually, we learn about Hannah’s tragic past, some of it quite salacious though never graphic. ‘I have a heritage of shadows, long dark shadows thrown by my past. They are not of my making, yet I must walk in those shadows all my life’ (p197).

Hannah is a well-drawn, likeable character, made of stern stuff; bold, forthright and honest – a marvellous heroine. There are several other characters of interest, too who come into her orbit – for good and ill. There is a reason why Mr Ryder had employed her. There is a betrayal, a kidnapping, and a confrontation with Mexican bandits – plenty to keep those pages turning.

Well-written, well-visualised, this is a most satisfying read.

Madeleine Brent was one of the best-kept secrets of the publishing world. She was the pseudonym of Peter O’Donnell, creator of Modesty Blaise which he scripted for a comic strip, which then became the first of a series of 13 best-selling thrillers.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read and enjoyed six of Madeleine Brent's novels, before this one. I believe I started with what is probably the best of them, Moonraker's Bride. Though "Madeleine Brent" is the pen name of a male author, he did a marvelous job of writing a female perspective and creating strong female characters. I've enjoyed everything of his I've read, so far. Nothing else has quite matched Moonraker's Bride, in my opinion, but they've been very readable. They tend to rely on some unbelievable coincidences, and they're formulaic, but they're still highly enjoyable.

While A Heritage of Shadows fits that same "proven formula" in many ways, in some key elements it's significantly different. To spell out how it differs, however, would reveal a huge spoiler, so I won't go into it. Suffice it to say that it's much darker in subject matter than everything else I've read from this author. I didn't care for this, and unfortunately, the way that the heroine reacts to certain events in her life makes her less relatable to me. I suppose I understand what the author was going for... The character has a defense mechanism that has allowed her to survive shocking and horrific experiences—but at some point it's frustrating to see someone keep turning the cheek. She's a little too perfect for me. I can't completely believe in her absolute self-control and lack of negative human emotion.

I do like that we get a fair bit of interaction between the hero and heroine, but... Well, it leads to more spoilers if I get into details. I just didn't find this book quite as enjoyable to read, for a variety of reasons.

[Mark Atlas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Heritage of Shadows begins with an exciting start, and the roller coaster takes off without waiting. The 1880's description is piquant, and the characters of a century ago are portrayed with incredible nuance. Peter O'Donnell is truly brilliant for not only period sets, but period-thinking and behavior. The author's painstaking research is evident regarding passports and politics for the time.

Madeleine Brent (alias for Peter O'Donnell) was British & died in 2010 while I was in the middle of reading all his 'Madeleine Brent' series after having discovered him. His books are best read in order of publication. I found each book a great experience, and a lesson in authorship. It is impossible to favor any one book. His settings and situations are so piquant and unique, that you are taken in to yet another totally believable world. Each of the Madeleine Brent series are a non-soppy adventure romance. My imagination finds his characters and scenes effortless, and I always fail to identify the villain. All of the 13 Madeleine Brent Books are a gripping experience.

[Julie A · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one was definitely a little bit of a departure from other Madeleine Brent books. It was much more serious and dark. Be forewarned some of the subjects were very hard to read. But I do applaud Brent (Peter O'Donnell) for the subject matter. It was gutsy of him to write this in 1983. We sometimes get swept away by these stories and forget the things that women suffered during that time. I don't want to give any spoilers so I will leave it there, but it was actually a great teaching moment when my daughter read this at 16 or 17 to let her know what the Victorian world was like for lower class women.

Hannah is a bit hard to figure out at first, she seems so detached from all that is happening around her. That is until you learn about her past and it all makes so much sense. Her bravery and refusal to become bitter are so amazing. And the love interest is in my top 3 Brent love interests! ;)

I don't know how he did it every time, but every book was always almost impossible to put down!

[Swapna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story picked up interest with some exciting twists from chapter 9 onwards right till the end. I found Hannah irritating, when she resignedly accepts her fate and does not seek any answer from her tormentors, esp. when she wants to spare her biological mother from the truth. The parts about the so-called respectable gentlemen lusting after virgin girls and the Victorian sex trade was shocking and deplorable.

[Tahsina Syeda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good one from Brent. I always like how the author focuses more on the psychology and character of his FMC than the romantic subplot. And Hannah actually has a real shadowy past, which is much more interesting than what we usually get from prudish gothic novels. Not sure the last part, set in Mexico, goes with the rest of the book, so I am giving this book three stars.

[Talia · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heroine who is truly admirable. Like 'Moonraker's Bride', I feel like this book made me a better person by allowing me to follow the story of such a decent young woman. Strength and dignity overcoming an immensely difficult past... And what a story!

[Marna · Rating 3 out of 5]

For a man, he wrote Hannah well. In fact, all of the women in the book are complete, yet completely different. There are twists in the plot, and a very satisfying ending.

[Miroslava Cajkova]

I really enjoyed this book from begining all the way till the end. I felt so sorry for what a young girl went through.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

B.fiction, historical fiction; orphan discovers her background; from stash, discard