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Sons of the Wolf
Ada and Harriet had never met anyone like Mr. Wolfson, the strangely magnetic, darkly funny man who was to be their new guardian. Who, confined to a wheelchair and flanked by two fierce dogs, both welcomed and intimidated the girls. And who had equally mysterious sons, Julian and Frances - one was as good-natured as the other was evil. But evil, as Harriet soon discovered, ran rampant through Abbey Manor and the surrounding moors. Especially in the moonlight...
230 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
63 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Michaels
96 books693 followersBarbara Michaels was a pen name of Barbara Mertz. She also wrote as Elizabeth Peters, as well as under her own name.
She was born in Canton, Illinois and has written over fifty books including some in Egyptology. Dr. Mertz also holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in Egyptology.
She was born in Canton, Illinois and has written over fifty books including some in Egyptology. Dr. Mertz also holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in Egyptology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
March 29, 2015
Sons of the Wolf reigns as one of Michael's darker, more serious works. Devoid of typical humor, atmosphere is different than usual, as is the turnout. Written with a meek Victorian tone and set in the repressed ages, the heroine Harriet is much like other characters in the novels, only a little more watered down with speech. (I suppose Michaels did this to stay truer to the setting.) This novel lacks the sophistication in some of Michael's other works, suffering from a depressed tone
Suffering from a depressed tone, the malnourished plot lacks the sophistication of later works. Neither dreadfully horrible nor boring, characters do not hold the trademark charm of Michaels. What happens to them is of less relevance, and at times they even got on my nerves. The ending doesn't fit what I read, with the romance seeming stuffy, out of the blue, and unrealistic. Not to mention - why should there be a romance there at all?
The man she ended up being with wasn't admirable or appealing, and I would think Harriet would have shunned him from the start after some of his actions. He did redeem himself, but through most of the novel he came across as obnoxious, self-indulgent, and overbearing. Rather than having a happy ending, it was supposed to be conveyed as one, but instead left me with a suffocated feeling.
There is a definite gothic touch on the pages, complete with wolves, full moons, crumbling castles, and cynical caretakers. Because of the small number of suspects, it's not too difficult to point your finger in the right direction. The unveiling of the mystery was interesting, and I felt a strange fondness for one of the villains, despite his crazed actions. (Silly me!)
Michaels writing is still top-notch, even if that cozy relaxed feeling is lacking. Still, the novel boasts a readable story, and is hard to put down, even if the pacing is a little too slow. Harriet isn't the best character but she's still enjoyable, as is her sister (when she's not giggling). I did end up enjoying the ending with the grandmother's revelation, though, for that wasn't expected and made more sense. It's not a Michaels to turn away, but not the right place to sample her stuff either. A recommended read only if you're already a fan itching to finish the collection. This is only her second book under this name, after all, and every writer must stumble sometimes to find the right path.
Suffering from a depressed tone, the malnourished plot lacks the sophistication of later works. Neither dreadfully horrible nor boring, characters do not hold the trademark charm of Michaels. What happens to them is of less relevance, and at times they even got on my nerves. The ending doesn't fit what I read, with the romance seeming stuffy, out of the blue, and unrealistic. Not to mention - why should there be a romance there at all?
The man she ended up being with wasn't admirable or appealing, and I would think Harriet would have shunned him from the start after some of his actions. He did redeem himself, but through most of the novel he came across as obnoxious, self-indulgent, and overbearing. Rather than having a happy ending, it was supposed to be conveyed as one, but instead left me with a suffocated feeling.
There is a definite gothic touch on the pages, complete with wolves, full moons, crumbling castles, and cynical caretakers. Because of the small number of suspects, it's not too difficult to point your finger in the right direction. The unveiling of the mystery was interesting, and I felt a strange fondness for one of the villains, despite his crazed actions. (Silly me!)
Michaels writing is still top-notch, even if that cozy relaxed feeling is lacking. Still, the novel boasts a readable story, and is hard to put down, even if the pacing is a little too slow. Harriet isn't the best character but she's still enjoyable, as is her sister (when she's not giggling). I did end up enjoying the ending with the grandmother's revelation, though, for that wasn't expected and made more sense. It's not a Michaels to turn away, but not the right place to sample her stuff either. A recommended read only if you're already a fan itching to finish the collection. This is only her second book under this name, after all, and every writer must stumble sometimes to find the right path.
February 13, 2012
I have to say that this book wasn't quite expected, but I enjoyed it for what it was. The mystery was a bit predictable and some of the conclusions weren't that satisfying, but I had fun with the characters and appreciated the descriptions of the setting. I am unsure about the author's decision to have to the narrator relate the tale in a diary, thus forcing any action descriptions to be retold in a sometimes spurious manner. I guess it worked at one point toward the end, when we didn't know the author's situation and she had to recollect it. But overall, it felt lacking from the suspense aspect. Having the narrative told in usual past or present tense might have solved this problem. Both of the female leads were engaging enough without being annoying, as can sometimes happen in romance. The male leads were equally enjoyable, one being more enjoyable than the other by virtue of his loudness. I also felt some things were left hanging at the end, but that might have been intentional.
All in all, a pleasant read, with nothing particularly notable about it.
All in all, a pleasant read, with nothing particularly notable about it.
Want to read
May 13, 2012
May 3, 2015
I dove into this book having read other books by Ms. Michaels and enjoyed this one as well. However, I went into it with the wrong ideas. I got the sense from the blurb and cover that this story was more of a paranormal romance. It isn't, for anyone who gets the same ideas. It is actually more of a gothic mystery with a little bit of romance thrown in (a little bit- no major swooning here), and hearkens to the works of the Brontes. We have moors, ruined abbeys and a family of mysterious men who are considered to be werewolves by the villagers. In fact, they just own scary dogs. All that being said, I had fun with it and turned the pages quickly. Ms. Michaels is a mistress of suspense. Even though I pretty much had it figured out by about 20 pages in, the author still managed to keep me wondering. Harriet is your typical Victorian heroine; plucky but she has her hands tied by the men in her life. I think I would have liked to see her in the modern day. I think she would have been a more effective heroine. Here, she feels a little like a Jane Eyre wannabe, and jokes are made about Bronte's masterpiece. Would I recommend it? Sure, I give it 3.5 stars for the fast pacing and intrigue. But if you want to swoon, look elsewhere.
July 2, 2018
This is the beginning of my summer Gothic marathon. I am reading what I call neo-Gothic, the novels from the 1960's through 80's with smart women in difficult situations where they can trust no one. Elements of supernatural (real or usually fake), assumed identities, lies, revenge, greed, power and isolation are all elements of the neo-Gothic.
This one wasn't bad at all. It had lots of tension, inheritance, pseudo-supernatural events, and a fun heroine. Of course, it all ended well. Thank goodness.
This one wasn't bad at all. It had lots of tension, inheritance, pseudo-supernatural events, and a fun heroine. Of course, it all ended well. Thank goodness.
November 21, 2010
a great read for a young woman: ages 14 and up.
August 17, 2024
A perfect prelude to the spooky season 🎃.
This really did have everything:
-Diary entries mixed with traditional narrative
*A must for introspective/brooding heroines.
-Castle setting, utilizing the seasons
*Love that things do get creepier when the summer sets and the snow settles in; the snow/coldness in general, creating a frosty facade over the dangerous moors that drop suddenly into cliffsides without the pedestrian's knowledge, Harriet's fingertips becoming stiff as the air settles into the bedroom, I'm a sucker for this.
-Twist endings
1.Who's the big bad wolf?
*Poor Harriet has been shunning our actual hero/romantic lead, Francis, in favor of coddling Julian and Wolfson all along. These two are in cahoots and after the heiress to keep their money rolling in...
*Also, love that Julian's demure nature is what eventually gave him away.
*We're also meant to be concerned as to Wolfson's intentions towards Harriet: in her eyes, she's fawning over finally having a guardian that "appreciates" her (i.e. giving her castle keys, praising her practical nature/looks rather than shunning her). While it was written to confuse Harriet, we as the readers were given cause to to a double take. The manipulation is hardly subtle (He literally separates her from Ada, love-bombing her from the second she enters his office), but it is effective.
2.Will the real heiress please stand up?
*From chapter one, Harriet tells us of Grandma's indifference towards Harriet. Thinking Ada is the favorite due to her blonde/English looks, the men fawn all over her. Turns out, the first will was just a decoy. Grandma wants her money to go to Harriet, not some fop who will put her blow money he believes to be his own. Harriet's been the one she's been harsh on to teach her to trust her own instincts; it was an effort to right the wrongs she'd made with sheltering Ada that made her appear unloving. Harriet is the true heiress.
- HEA's all around
*Wolfson was taken down by his own wolfish guard dogs (poetic justice0, and Julian killed by his own equally greedy father.
*Ada gets to marry David, the servant who first wooed her.
*Harriet marries Francis, who not only assures her he doesn't want her money, only her in the end, but he is finally able to gently win her trust, not demanding his husbandly rights, offering comfort when she requires it (he's literally running to her bedside simply to hold her till the nightmares subside), and the novel ends with Harriet opening her arms calling Francis "my own dear love".
This really did have everything:
-Diary entries mixed with traditional narrative
*A must for introspective/brooding heroines.
-Castle setting, utilizing the seasons
*Love that things do get creepier when the summer sets and the snow settles in; the snow/coldness in general, creating a frosty facade over the dangerous moors that drop suddenly into cliffsides without the pedestrian's knowledge, Harriet's fingertips becoming stiff as the air settles into the bedroom, I'm a sucker for this.
-Twist endings
1.Who's the big bad wolf?
*Poor Harriet has been shunning our actual hero/romantic lead, Francis, in favor of coddling Julian and Wolfson all along. These two are in cahoots and after the heiress to keep their money rolling in...
*Also, love that Julian's demure nature is what eventually gave him away.
*We're also meant to be concerned as to Wolfson's intentions towards Harriet: in her eyes, she's fawning over finally having a guardian that "appreciates" her (i.e. giving her castle keys, praising her practical nature/looks rather than shunning her). While it was written to confuse Harriet, we as the readers were given cause to to a double take. The manipulation is hardly subtle (He literally separates her from Ada, love-bombing her from the second she enters his office), but it is effective.
2.Will the real heiress please stand up?
*From chapter one, Harriet tells us of Grandma's indifference towards Harriet. Thinking Ada is the favorite due to her blonde/English looks, the men fawn all over her. Turns out, the first will was just a decoy. Grandma wants her money to go to Harriet, not some fop who will put her blow money he believes to be his own. Harriet's been the one she's been harsh on to teach her to trust her own instincts; it was an effort to right the wrongs she'd made with sheltering Ada that made her appear unloving. Harriet is the true heiress.
- HEA's all around
*Wolfson was taken down by his own wolfish guard dogs (poetic justice0, and Julian killed by his own equally greedy father.
*Ada gets to marry David, the servant who first wooed her.
*Harriet marries Francis, who not only assures her he doesn't want her money, only her in the end, but he is finally able to gently win her trust, not demanding his husbandly rights, offering comfort when she requires it (he's literally running to her bedside simply to hold her till the nightmares subside), and the novel ends with Harriet opening her arms calling Francis "my own dear love".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2022
Actual rating 3.5 ⭐. RTC
June 26, 2025
Years Ago = 3 stars (good)
Feb. 2025 = +1 star for reread success
I reread this because of my interest in Gothic novels, and it's on KU. I was pleasantly surprised—it's still mostly engaging. It lagged a bit in the middle and had small annoyances, but strong characters and plot made up for it. Barbara Michaels' writing shines through, even in this early work.
The story contains: abundant details and descriptions, distinct characters, and a steadily increasing ominous atmosphere.
Told from Harriet’s POV, it's written as diary entries. She's 19, half-Italian and highly intelligent. Next to her 17-year-old cousin Ada—blonde, blue-eyed, and the English ideal—she feels unattractive. Both orphans were raised by a strict grandmother until her death. They continue to share a sisterly bond. Harriet is practical; Ada loves horses, is sweet, and somewhat simple.
As with the author's other works, the romance is a subplot. The focus is on Harriet and Ada, who find themselves in a series of harrowing situations at the mercy of ruthless villains driven by greed. The suspenseful buildup leads to an exciting conclusion.
🔻An Irritant: The author has her heroines challenge unfair social norms, often criticising men. E.g.: The gypsies were stupid. Men often are.
📕 More About the Characters & the Plot:
After their grandmother dies, the girls go to live with a distant relative 400 miles north, near the sea, amid moorland, hamlets, and ancient ruins.
They arrive at Abbey Manor, a mansion on a large estate with the ruins of an abbey destroyed by Henry VIII. (The history lessons were another annoyance.)
The Minor Characters at the Manor:
Mr. Wolfson / Wolf, the guardian, uses a wheelchair. His legs are twisted and one is much shorter than the other, which makes walking difficult—Harriet compared him to a crab. He has two fearsome guard dogs named Loki and Fenris. He reveals his cruel side in the way he treats his sons, who are opposites in every way.
Julian, the younger son, is soft and refined. He enjoys playing the pianoforte, reading and sketching. His delicate features and effeminacy provoke his father's harsh words.
Francis, the older brother, is brawny and full of life. He was away in Edinburgh studying to become a doctor before returning home. He drinks to cope with his unhappiness.
30%: Harriet meets Francis at his arrival, when he tosses his luggage through the door, a skull tumbling out. With a grin, Francis introduces Harriet to 'Howard.'
Harriet befriends Julian and is friendly with Wolf, but clashes with Francis. The plot is predictable; the main villain is obvious. was a surprise, though.
🛑 Spoilers Below! 🛑
Wolf tries to force Ada, the grandmother's heiress, to marry one of his sons to solve his debt problems and avoid jail. Ada, however, loves David, a half-gypsy stable boy, and refuses both sons. In response to her refusal, Wolf locks her in her room for some weeks.
Harriet, unaware of Wolf's true nature, dismisses the frightened servants' and villagers' fears as superstitions, which she later regrets. When she finds out Ada is gone, she is frantic with fear. As Wolf forcibly kisses her and tells her that he needs Ada's money, he shows his true colors.
Seeking Ada, Harriet goes to the ruins and finds Francis injured and ill. (He's been trying to help the girls.) She realizes she loves him, but thinks he's in love with Ada. She finds and sends Ada for help on horseback before being captured.
Harriet finds the second will making her the heiress. Changing his plans, Wolf will marry her himself. The hour he gives her to accept his terms, allows her time to escape. She overhears him and Julian discussing their evil deeds while they wait in Francis' cell.
Julian shows his wickedness when he nearly kills Frances. Julian fights his father after learning he gets no money, and is killed. As Wolf prepares to rape Harriet, help arrives and his dogs kill him. Harriet is left traumatized, believing Francis is dead.
🔸Harriet's trauma added a sense of realism.
Francis asks Harriet to marry him, his one and only love. They're soon married.
Francis sells the manor and lands to pay most of the debt, using his earnings as a doctor to cover the rest. Ada finds love & happiness with David. They buy a house with land for horses after Harriet splits the inheritance.
Six months later, Harriet is still struggling to recover. Francis shows his love through gentle care, waiting for her to return his love. When a workman finds her diary, she begins to heal by writing about her trauma. Between Francis’s support and her growing strength, she learns to cope.
Feb. 2025 = +1 star for reread success
I reread this because of my interest in Gothic novels, and it's on KU. I was pleasantly surprised—it's still mostly engaging. It lagged a bit in the middle and had small annoyances, but strong characters and plot made up for it. Barbara Michaels' writing shines through, even in this early work.
The story contains: abundant details and descriptions, distinct characters, and a steadily increasing ominous atmosphere.
Told from Harriet’s POV, it's written as diary entries. She's 19, half-Italian and highly intelligent. Next to her 17-year-old cousin Ada—blonde, blue-eyed, and the English ideal—she feels unattractive. Both orphans were raised by a strict grandmother until her death. They continue to share a sisterly bond. Harriet is practical; Ada loves horses, is sweet, and somewhat simple.
As with the author's other works, the romance is a subplot. The focus is on Harriet and Ada, who find themselves in a series of harrowing situations at the mercy of ruthless villains driven by greed. The suspenseful buildup leads to an exciting conclusion.
🔻An Irritant: The author has her heroines challenge unfair social norms, often criticising men. E.g.: The gypsies were stupid. Men often are.
📕 More About the Characters & the Plot:
After their grandmother dies, the girls go to live with a distant relative 400 miles north, near the sea, amid moorland, hamlets, and ancient ruins.
They arrive at Abbey Manor, a mansion on a large estate with the ruins of an abbey destroyed by Henry VIII. (The history lessons were another annoyance.)
The Minor Characters at the Manor:
Mr. Wolfson / Wolf, the guardian, uses a wheelchair. His legs are twisted and one is much shorter than the other, which makes walking difficult—Harriet compared him to a crab. He has two fearsome guard dogs named Loki and Fenris. He reveals his cruel side in the way he treats his sons, who are opposites in every way.
Julian, the younger son, is soft and refined. He enjoys playing the pianoforte, reading and sketching. His delicate features and effeminacy provoke his father's harsh words.
Francis, the older brother, is brawny and full of life. He was away in Edinburgh studying to become a doctor before returning home. He drinks to cope with his unhappiness.
30%: Harriet meets Francis at his arrival, when he tosses his luggage through the door, a skull tumbling out. With a grin, Francis introduces Harriet to 'Howard.'
Harriet befriends Julian and is friendly with Wolf, but clashes with Francis. The plot is predictable; the main villain is obvious. was a surprise, though.
🛑 Spoilers Below! 🛑
Wolf tries to force Ada, the grandmother's heiress, to marry one of his sons to solve his debt problems and avoid jail. Ada, however, loves David, a half-gypsy stable boy, and refuses both sons. In response to her refusal, Wolf locks her in her room for some weeks.
Harriet, unaware of Wolf's true nature, dismisses the frightened servants' and villagers' fears as superstitions, which she later regrets. When she finds out Ada is gone, she is frantic with fear. As Wolf forcibly kisses her and tells her that he needs Ada's money, he shows his true colors.
Seeking Ada, Harriet goes to the ruins and finds Francis injured and ill. (He's been trying to help the girls.) She realizes she loves him, but thinks he's in love with Ada. She finds and sends Ada for help on horseback before being captured.
Harriet finds the second will making her the heiress. Changing his plans, Wolf will marry her himself. The hour he gives her to accept his terms, allows her time to escape. She overhears him and Julian discussing their evil deeds while they wait in Francis' cell.
Julian shows his wickedness when he nearly kills Frances. Julian fights his father after learning he gets no money, and is killed. As Wolf prepares to rape Harriet, help arrives and his dogs kill him. Harriet is left traumatized, believing Francis is dead.
🔸Harriet's trauma added a sense of realism.
Francis asks Harriet to marry him, his one and only love. They're soon married.
Francis sells the manor and lands to pay most of the debt, using his earnings as a doctor to cover the rest. Ada finds love & happiness with David. They buy a house with land for horses after Harriet splits the inheritance.
Six months later, Harriet is still struggling to recover. Francis shows his love through gentle care, waiting for her to return his love. When a workman finds her diary, she begins to heal by writing about her trauma. Between Francis’s support and her growing strength, she learns to cope.
May 21, 2017
Written 1968. Harriet and Ada, and their peculiar guardian, Yorkshire Moors 1856; gothic/historical suspenser, old-fashioned fem-jep. Entertaining, very early fem-jep historical suspenser from a now extremely famous writer not yet into her stride.
Before "Amelia Peabody" there were many similar heroines in Ms. Michaels/Peters' novels, and pretty much all of them were fun to "meet". In this very early-in-her-career gothic tale (now showing its age a bit, alas) Ms. Michaels uses the prototypical setting and personae to craft a thoroughly entertaining story.
Arriving at his lonely house on the Yorkshire moors n 1856, lovely young cousins Harriet (definitely Amelia's near-cousin) and Ada (sweet young thang, beautiful and a bit dim, very rich) find themselves under the guardianship of their distant relative Mr. Wolfson, a very strange middle-aged man, and his two quite dissimilar sons, both peculiar in many ways as well. Not to mention the attitude of the local villagers towards the Squire, one of both reverance and of abject fear. As the fairly predictable plot progresses, the alert Harriet soon becomes aware of both the odd circumstances and the non-trustworthy people around her and her beloved Ada, who she guards and watches over as though she were a younger sister.
Marriages for money, a ruined abbey, rumours of werewolves, an autocratic-but-handsome, emotionally remote guardian, a spooky old house, a wastrel son and a weakling son, and enough plots to fill several gothic romances, this is a full-out treatment of the genre, written at a time when sensibilities seemed a bit sweeter and such happenings were mostly romantic in nature. But Michaels is a crisp, sometimes quite dark writer, and although the plot creaks through its paces the characterizations are wonderful. And the plot is actually quite good, if entirely predictable, at least until the very end, when she throws in a last twist that doesn't ring true, alas. Other than this bit the story was fast-moving and a lot of fun, with a goodly deal of gentle satire and humor mixed into the gothic trappings.
It's a lot of fun watching Ms. Michaels/Peters grow as a writer (I'm attempting to read her novels in published sequence), and although this is only her second novel, it's still very well-done overall. Next in line for me is her first in the Georgetown suspenser trilogy, AIMEE COME HOME, 1968 (as Michaels), and her second of her pre-Amelia lightly humorous archeological thrillers, THE CAMELOT CAPER, 1969; her first in this genre (Jackal's Head, 1968) was very good (reviewed by me at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... .
Before "Amelia Peabody" there were many similar heroines in Ms. Michaels/Peters' novels, and pretty much all of them were fun to "meet". In this very early-in-her-career gothic tale (now showing its age a bit, alas) Ms. Michaels uses the prototypical setting and personae to craft a thoroughly entertaining story.
Arriving at his lonely house on the Yorkshire moors n 1856, lovely young cousins Harriet (definitely Amelia's near-cousin) and Ada (sweet young thang, beautiful and a bit dim, very rich) find themselves under the guardianship of their distant relative Mr. Wolfson, a very strange middle-aged man, and his two quite dissimilar sons, both peculiar in many ways as well. Not to mention the attitude of the local villagers towards the Squire, one of both reverance and of abject fear. As the fairly predictable plot progresses, the alert Harriet soon becomes aware of both the odd circumstances and the non-trustworthy people around her and her beloved Ada, who she guards and watches over as though she were a younger sister.
Marriages for money, a ruined abbey, rumours of werewolves, an autocratic-but-handsome, emotionally remote guardian, a spooky old house, a wastrel son and a weakling son, and enough plots to fill several gothic romances, this is a full-out treatment of the genre, written at a time when sensibilities seemed a bit sweeter and such happenings were mostly romantic in nature. But Michaels is a crisp, sometimes quite dark writer, and although the plot creaks through its paces the characterizations are wonderful. And the plot is actually quite good, if entirely predictable, at least until the very end, when she throws in a last twist that doesn't ring true, alas. Other than this bit the story was fast-moving and a lot of fun, with a goodly deal of gentle satire and humor mixed into the gothic trappings.
It's a lot of fun watching Ms. Michaels/Peters grow as a writer (I'm attempting to read her novels in published sequence), and although this is only her second novel, it's still very well-done overall. Next in line for me is her first in the Georgetown suspenser trilogy, AIMEE COME HOME, 1968 (as Michaels), and her second of her pre-Amelia lightly humorous archeological thrillers, THE CAMELOT CAPER, 1969; her first in this genre (Jackal's Head, 1968) was very good (reviewed by me at http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/... .
September 6, 2012
Sons of the Wolf by Barbara Michaels (also known as Elizabeth Peters) is a gothic romance set in the mid 1800s.
The narrative takes the form of a semi-regular journal kept by Harriet Barton. Harriet and her cousin Ada have recently lost their grandmother, who was also their guardian. Having run out of closer living relatives, they are sent to live with Mr. Wolfson, their very distant cousin, and his son Julian. Julian is pleasant, if not particularly bright, and assiduously courts the beautiful Ada. Mr. Wolfson is confined to a wheelchair, and his two wolf-like dogs follow him wherever he goes. Just as Harriet finds herself adjusting to their new home, she encounters a disturbance in the form of Francis Wolfson, the older, previously undisclosed son. The villagers and servants try to warn her about the Wolfson family, but she dismisses their concern as superstition, and determines to hold to her own judgments.
Francis, unlike his brother, seems uninterested in either girl, and finds his joy in stirring up trouble and turning the members of the house against one another. A band of gypsies and a handsome stable boy add complications when Ada is attacked on one of her daily rides, and the two dogs are a constant threatening presence. However, in good Barbara Michaels tradition, things are never as they seem, people's motives are clouded, and Harriet soon discovers a dastardly plot to deprive both girls of their fortune and freedom.
The book is not long, but the plot doesn't come across as worn or trite. Harriet's character is very believable, and the story flows naturally from her eyewitness account. I found it a very pleasant for whiling away a few hours with a cup of tea. I rate it appropriate for 14 and older on the Aardvark scale due to frightening situations and violence.
Find more of my reviews at my book review website, AnemoneFlynn.com
The narrative takes the form of a semi-regular journal kept by Harriet Barton. Harriet and her cousin Ada have recently lost their grandmother, who was also their guardian. Having run out of closer living relatives, they are sent to live with Mr. Wolfson, their very distant cousin, and his son Julian. Julian is pleasant, if not particularly bright, and assiduously courts the beautiful Ada. Mr. Wolfson is confined to a wheelchair, and his two wolf-like dogs follow him wherever he goes. Just as Harriet finds herself adjusting to their new home, she encounters a disturbance in the form of Francis Wolfson, the older, previously undisclosed son. The villagers and servants try to warn her about the Wolfson family, but she dismisses their concern as superstition, and determines to hold to her own judgments.
Francis, unlike his brother, seems uninterested in either girl, and finds his joy in stirring up trouble and turning the members of the house against one another. A band of gypsies and a handsome stable boy add complications when Ada is attacked on one of her daily rides, and the two dogs are a constant threatening presence. However, in good Barbara Michaels tradition, things are never as they seem, people's motives are clouded, and Harriet soon discovers a dastardly plot to deprive both girls of their fortune and freedom.
The book is not long, but the plot doesn't come across as worn or trite. Harriet's character is very believable, and the story flows naturally from her eyewitness account. I found it a very pleasant for whiling away a few hours with a cup of tea. I rate it appropriate for 14 and older on the Aardvark scale due to frightening situations and violence.
Find more of my reviews at my book review website, AnemoneFlynn.com
July 1, 2010
There are some books that say a lot in just a few pages. A book here and there that immerses you in a time and place without being heavy on words and descriptions. "Sons of the Wolf" was exactly that type of book. A tale of two young women. Harriet, the sensible one and Ada, the beauty are sent to live with their mysterious, older relative whose job it is to tend to them until they are married. Mr. Wolf is quite the character, as are his two sons, Julian and Francis and early on, their motives are highly suspect.
Her depictions of life in Europe during the 1800s were rich and insightful...especially what she says about women's rights. I just wish that the ending had been flushed out a bit more.
Her depictions of life in Europe during the 1800s were rich and insightful...especially what she says about women's rights. I just wish that the ending had been flushed out a bit more.
August 16, 2014
Nineteenth-century England! The mystery of the moors! Local legends of werewolves! Spoooooky!
Well, not really that spooky at all, actually. The story's formulaic and therefore predictable. The title and blurb (and to a lesser degree, even the cover) are somewhat misleading; if you're expecting a supernatural element, you'll be disappointed. But somehow I still found it enjoyable. This isn't one of the author's strongest books, in my humble opinion, but it's not bad, if you like the genre. (And I do, it seems...) Whatever its weaknesses, the story kept me interested, and it was always easy to slip into the book and forget the real world for a while. I love authors who can consistently provide that kind of escape!
Well, not really that spooky at all, actually. The story's formulaic and therefore predictable. The title and blurb (and to a lesser degree, even the cover) are somewhat misleading; if you're expecting a supernatural element, you'll be disappointed. But somehow I still found it enjoyable. This isn't one of the author's strongest books, in my humble opinion, but it's not bad, if you like the genre. (And I do, it seems...) Whatever its weaknesses, the story kept me interested, and it was always easy to slip into the book and forget the real world for a while. I love authors who can consistently provide that kind of escape!
January 12, 2012
Great Great Gothic novel. 1800's setting. A decaying castle in England moors. 2 young sisters from London. A brooding owner in wheelchair who may or may not be a wolf. His 2 sons as different as day and night. It has perfect ingredients of a gothic novel. And surprisingly this book mixes it very well.
Remember Castle of Otranto? Mysteries of Udolpho? Bride of Lammermoor. I was reminded of those books while reading this novel.
This novel I must say heavily underrated. It was written by Barbara Michaels in her prime years and I am sad to see that Ms Michaels did not peruse this genre of complete gothic tone. She truly shines in this one.
Remember Castle of Otranto? Mysteries of Udolpho? Bride of Lammermoor. I was reminded of those books while reading this novel.
This novel I must say heavily underrated. It was written by Barbara Michaels in her prime years and I am sad to see that Ms Michaels did not peruse this genre of complete gothic tone. She truly shines in this one.
March 14, 2008
i have loved Barbara Michaels since i first read this book years ago. i think it was one of her first, and the style reflects that. i also think that in her earlier books, she didn't know whether to classify books as Barbara Michaels or Elizabeth Peters (her other psudoname). i find it interesting to read the borderline ones and try to decide why one is Michaels and the other Peters. anyway, this book is a favorite with me because it was the first one that i ever read, and i adore this author.
October 15, 2009
Definitely my favorite from an author who has never steered me wrong. Michaels is the queen of the gothic, supernatural, adventurous mystery with just a hint of proper mid-twentieth century romance. Every Barbara Michaels book is a must-read for me. I will add, however, that I do NOT like the books she's written as Elizabeth Peters.
June 28, 2009
I really like the bitter protagonist of this novel & the twists and turns the novel has already taken by page 20. This is only the second novel I've ever read by Barbara Michaels, but I already like this one better than the first, which I enjoyed as light reading, because it is just more intense, with higher stakes.
May 25, 2009
Another of the early Barbara Michael's novels, including great characters, twisty plots, romance, and some of the supernatural. I'm reading all her books over again, I like them so much. This one has much of the classic gothic horror novel about it -- she improved with time, so I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. I hadn't read this one before.
September 11, 2007
I know if I went back and read it now, I'd probably find it cheesy, but as a teenager this book thrilled me! I loved the heroine, similar to Amelia Peabody in many ways, and the melodramatic teen girl in me just adored the gothic darkness of the setting and, of course, the romance!
January 30, 2014
3.5 stars. I found the ending to be a bit rushed, and a bit bleak. Also, a lot of the "mysteries" were quite easy to figure out. I definitely enjoy her work as Elizabeth Peters more, and would recommend those books before this one.
April 12, 2014
I found this early novel by one of my favorite writers, Elizabeth Peters. Published in 1967, it's set in Victorian England. Women have almost no rights, and, in the case of the two heroines, those who are supposed to protect them put them in the greatest danger. A Gothic novel. Recommended.
December 26, 2014
Good characters
I love that the main character isn't beautiful and that it was difficult to figure out whom the real hero was. Although I got tired of romances a long time ago, I really liked this one.
I love that the main character isn't beautiful and that it was difficult to figure out whom the real hero was. Although I got tired of romances a long time ago, I really liked this one.
July 6, 2012
I *think* I've read this one, but don't remember. I'm pretty sure I've read everything she's ever written under this pseudonym. (She's also Elizabeth Peters)
April 22, 2008
This was my first Barbara Michaels book, I loved it and I've read all of them. They are all great.
January 25, 2013
Standard Barbara Michaels Gothic-light fiction; entertaining, well-written. Recommended if you're in need of a light, quick read.
December 10, 2015
Plus another half star for Howard the skull.
January 10, 2023
This was an exercise in nostalgia. At one time or another I've read most of the Elisabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels books. This one is ok, not one of her best.
July 22, 2025
Sons of the Wolf by Barbara Michaels (also known as Elizabeth Peters) is a gothic romance set in the mid 1800s.
The narrative takes the form of a semi-regular journal kept by Harriet Barton. Harriet and her cousin Ada have recently lost their grandmother, who was also their guardian. Having run out of closer living relatives, they are sent to live with Mr. Wolfson, their very distant cousin, and his son Julian. Julian is pleasant, if not particularly bright, and assiduously courts the beautiful Ada. Mr. Wolfson is confined to a wheelchair, and his two wolf-like dogs follow him wherever he goes. Just as Harriet finds herself adjusting to their new home, she encounters a disturbance in the form of Francis Wolfson, the older, previously undisclosed son. The villagers and servants try to warn her about the Wolfson family, but she dismisses their concern as superstition, and determines to hold to her own judgments.
Francis, unlike his brother, seems uninterested in either girl, and finds his joy in stirring up trouble and turning the members of the house against one another. A band of gypsies and a handsome stable boy add complications when Ada is attacked on one of her daily rides, and the two dogs are a constant threatening presence. However, in good Barbara Michaels tradition, things are never as they seem, people's motives are clouded, and Harriet soon discovers a dastardly plot to deprive both girls of their fortune and freedom.
The book is not long, but the plot doesn't come across as worn or trite. Harriet's character is very believable, and the story flows naturally from her eyewitness account. I found it a very pleasant for whiling away a few hours with a cup of tea. I rate it appropriate for 14 and older on the Aardvark scale due to frightening situations and violence.
Find more of my reviews at my book review website, AnemoneFlynn.com
The narrative takes the form of a semi-regular journal kept by Harriet Barton. Harriet and her cousin Ada have recently lost their grandmother, who was also their guardian. Having run out of closer living relatives, they are sent to live with Mr. Wolfson, their very distant cousin, and his son Julian. Julian is pleasant, if not particularly bright, and assiduously courts the beautiful Ada. Mr. Wolfson is confined to a wheelchair, and his two wolf-like dogs follow him wherever he goes. Just as Harriet finds herself adjusting to their new home, she encounters a disturbance in the form of Francis Wolfson, the older, previously undisclosed son. The villagers and servants try to warn her about the Wolfson family, but she dismisses their concern as superstition, and determines to hold to her own judgments.
Francis, unlike his brother, seems uninterested in either girl, and finds his joy in stirring up trouble and turning the members of the house against one another. A band of gypsies and a handsome stable boy add complications when Ada is attacked on one of her daily rides, and the two dogs are a constant threatening presence. However, in good Barbara Michaels tradition, things are never as they seem, people's motives are clouded, and Harriet soon discovers a dastardly plot to deprive both girls of their fortune and freedom.
The book is not long, but the plot doesn't come across as worn or trite. Harriet's character is very believable, and the story flows naturally from her eyewitness account. I found it a very pleasant for whiling away a few hours with a cup of tea. I rate it appropriate for 14 and older on the Aardvark scale due to frightening situations and violence.
Find more of my reviews at my book review website, AnemoneFlynn.com
January 28, 2025
I quite liked this one. I’m a big fan of this kind of prose, it’s very romantic and lends itself well to mystery narratives, I think. I also liked that it was never explicitly stated what exactly was going on with the wolves and Mr. Wolfson. Were there supernatural workings at play or was it all rather benign in the end, mundanities exaggerated by the easily ruffled minds of an overly sheltered girl in the 1800’s?
Now given when this was published ofc there were problematic sentiments, like the continuous use of “Gypsy” and all that, but tbh this felt very par for the course and not especially offensive in my eyes. Unlike some other older titles I’ve read I didn’t necessarily get the sense that the author was taking any glee in talking about the Romani people that way but, rather, was just adhering to conventional wisdoms of the time.
Overall a short and enjoyable read.
Now given when this was published ofc there were problematic sentiments, like the continuous use of “Gypsy” and all that, but tbh this felt very par for the course and not especially offensive in my eyes. Unlike some other older titles I’ve read I didn’t necessarily get the sense that the author was taking any glee in talking about the Romani people that way but, rather, was just adhering to conventional wisdoms of the time.
Overall a short and enjoyable read.
July 18, 2025
Masterpiece
This book is timeless. Even though the original copyright is from 1957, the story is so twisted and with each page it draws you in to Harriet’s world with her innocent understanding. It reads like a diary she is writing as she and her cousin are drawn in by her guardian and his two sons.
The mysteries start piling up and lead you to one conclusion only to take a turn and lead you another completely different direction. By the end you’re gripping your seat as she tells you what happened, not quite sure how it will end. So very good!
This book is timeless. Even though the original copyright is from 1957, the story is so twisted and with each page it draws you in to Harriet’s world with her innocent understanding. It reads like a diary she is writing as she and her cousin are drawn in by her guardian and his two sons.
The mysteries start piling up and lead you to one conclusion only to take a turn and lead you another completely different direction. By the end you’re gripping your seat as she tells you what happened, not quite sure how it will end. So very good!
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