Clerycastle

by Monica Heath

Vintage paperback

Genres: Gothic

Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Meredith is a hot mess · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Her name is Shea," he was saying in a determined voice. "Miss Starla Shea. I've traced her this far. She is driving a white Anglia, a rental from Malone's in Dublin."

It happened that I was Starla Shea and shock went through me. I tried to imagine what this total stranger could possibly want with me, seeing this shopkeeper give me a curious glance.

Picking up one of the maps, I hid behind it, the thought that the man at the counter had purposely followed me sending a wave of apprehension over me.

I was hooked after reading this on the second page. This was a deliciously pulpy, gothic horror. Very campy, especially once the story moves to the castle. The premise is a young, female writer heads to Ireland to research her family, and while in Ireland she gets a lucrative job offer to help write the family history of Lord Chavner McClery. Lord Chavner McClery is steeped in mystery and very manipulative in the manner in which he persuades Starla to come work for him. I really liked the first half of the story - it was filled with tension, suspense, and mystery.

Once Starla arrives at the castle things start to get wacky. The reader is introduced to an eccentric family: a harping mother in a wheel-chair, a scarred twin brother up to no good, a jealous, beautiful cousin, and a mysterious child. There are family secrets galore and mysterious events start to unfold. Many of these disturbing events were so outlandish they came across as comical. There were paranormal activities, hidden-away family members, baby pranks, and twin pranks. A memorable moment of outlandishness is Minnie breast feeding wolf pups, lol. A great example of how wacky the family is

There were some wonderfully spooky moments that stood out:

My dreams that night were of Lord McClery. The wolf's head ring flashed on his hand, and I noticed that the stones that formed the glittering eyes were gone. Then I looked at him and saw them glaring evilly out of his attractive face, turning it into a cruel caricature of himself. Horror washed over me, and I woke to the sound of my own voice.

When I could contain my fear no longer I began to run, darting recklessly into the shadow of the cloister. Something stirred above me...I threw back my head, and a bright flash of sunlight spilled through a hole in the decaying roof, catching me in the eyes. I blinked.

It was then I saw a dark, stealthy shape poised at the edge of the opening above me--an animal of some sort, its ears pricking against the pale sky.

I screamed, and the creature sprung. I glimpsed a horrendous snout below the sharp ears...and something clutched viciously at my shoulders. Hands? Human fingers?

I lay staring up incredulously into a wolf's fiercely leering face. There was something unnaturally hideous about those snarling features, something half human. Terror throbbed through me on beating waves of pain, and I slid gratefully into a soft, merciful sea of darkness.

My eyes were open. Yet the nightmare continued to haunt me. Whatever was there outside the Queen Chamber door was real--and it was clawing viciously at the carved wood.

Foolishly, I had neglected to slide the heavy bolt into place, and the door was flung suddenly back. A huge, gray shape plunged toward me. It charged onto my bed, its slavering tongue snaking out at me, driving me deep into the pillows. I screamed again, pushing futilely at the creature's heavy chest.

Nearby, someone laughed delightedly. Kendy.

This was probably more of a 2.5 read, but it did have some good moments. I actually loved the paranormal and werewolf moments in this story, and I wish the author would have gone deeper into the family history regarding the werewolf mythology.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 1969 at the height of the Gothic craze, "Clerycastle" tells the story of American journalist Starla Shea, who becomes involved with the McClery family during a visit back to her ancestral homeland. Although the genealogy of the characters is a little muddled at first--and frankly, never really becomes that much clearer--the novel is a fun one, bringing in possible werewolves (and a very sweet pet wolf), scarification practices, secret diaries, and identical twins into the mix...although again, the genealogy, which is important, is a little complicated. Nevertheless, it's worth a read.

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st Read: June 8, 1994 - June 11, 1994
Though the story has a different premise than what you expect, judging by the description on the back cover, it was still an enjoyable read! It would make an interesting movie if there hasn't been one made yet!

2nd Read: December 5, 2012 - December 8, 2012
A lot of mystery, twists and turns in this story. It would be a better movie though, if it were filmed with a blue hue in Gothic style. I am not sure of why but I kept seeing a very young Christopher Plummer as the character, Lord McClery!

[Amanda Turenchalk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first of this author's books, and I was very surprised at the twists and turns she provided. It was a great mystery that kept me guessing up to the very end.