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Castlecliffe
Alone after the death of her father, Sophy Marlowe is forced to await her birthday and her inheritance at Castlecliffe, the home of her guardian.
Then she comes under the power of strange Dr. Rashid, an astrologer who has taken control during her guardian's sudden illness. Her nights are filled with terror as Dr. Rashid locks her in her room while dangerous animals prowl the grounds and sinister visitors arrive to meet secretly with him.
As her birthday draws near, attacks on her sanity begin. Frightened and without friends, Sophy struggles against the evil fate which has been decreed for her at Castlecliffe.
Then she comes under the power of strange Dr. Rashid, an astrologer who has taken control during her guardian's sudden illness. Her nights are filled with terror as Dr. Rashid locks her in her room while dangerous animals prowl the grounds and sinister visitors arrive to meet secretly with him.
As her birthday draws near, attacks on her sanity begin. Frightened and without friends, Sophy struggles against the evil fate which has been decreed for her at Castlecliffe.
- GenresGothic
157 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1967
30 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 11, 2012
It's always fun to read an old Gothic mystery this time of year and this one was no exception, plus it was a quick read which was what I needed right now!
Sophy Marlowe is a young woman who has just lost her father. His final letter to her asks her to go to Castlecliffe to stay with his dear friend, Sir Pelham Eastlake, until the time of her majority (21st birthday) when she would receive her inheritance. Not long before she reaches Castlecliffe, the coach that Sophy is riding in is stopped by a rogue highwayman known as Jack Midnight. The only thing this thief takes is Sophy's letter from her father to her guardian. When the other coach riders find that Sophy is to live at the feared Castlecliffe, their friendliness towards her instantly changes. It seems the residents of this castle are feared, as is the castle itself and the marsh surrounding it. What fate is Sophy riding into?
This is a story where strange creatures roam the grounds at night, howling in less than human tones; where Sophy's guardian turns out to be a sick man who has no interest in her and rarely leaves his room; where the strange and exotic Dr. Rashid acts as the host to Castlecliffe and the science club that seems to ooze evil. Will Sophy make it through the night of October 31st to actually see her 21st birthday? You'll have to read to find out~
Sophy Marlowe is a young woman who has just lost her father. His final letter to her asks her to go to Castlecliffe to stay with his dear friend, Sir Pelham Eastlake, until the time of her majority (21st birthday) when she would receive her inheritance. Not long before she reaches Castlecliffe, the coach that Sophy is riding in is stopped by a rogue highwayman known as Jack Midnight. The only thing this thief takes is Sophy's letter from her father to her guardian. When the other coach riders find that Sophy is to live at the feared Castlecliffe, their friendliness towards her instantly changes. It seems the residents of this castle are feared, as is the castle itself and the marsh surrounding it. What fate is Sophy riding into?
This is a story where strange creatures roam the grounds at night, howling in less than human tones; where Sophy's guardian turns out to be a sick man who has no interest in her and rarely leaves his room; where the strange and exotic Dr. Rashid acts as the host to Castlecliffe and the science club that seems to ooze evil. Will Sophy make it through the night of October 31st to actually see her 21st birthday? You'll have to read to find out~
February 11, 2017
This is an old book I found in one of our storage boxes. I have read it a few times before, but as always I could not remember what it was about, so I set to it again.
Pros
1. A young woman goes to live in a mysterious old castle
2. There is a daring rogue and a handsome soldier
3. Her guardians seem to be evil, but she's not sure why
4. A dark creature stalks the night
5. A poor maid-servant is her only friend
6. A witch gives a warning
7. A treasure hangs in the balance
8. And at the fringes of it all, Napoleon threatens to invade England
All this makes for interesting reading. I loved this stuff when I was a teenage girl. The mystery, dashing young men, suspense and more mystery. Of course, the Gothic setting is also appealing to the imaginative mind.
Cons:
1. The story is pretty straightforward with very little in the way of twists. I found it to be a bit too predictable.
2. One gets a bit frustrated with the girl when she ignores blatant warnings. There is nothing worse than an impotent heroine.
I'd recommend it to lovers of old castles and mysteries.
Pros
1. A young woman goes to live in a mysterious old castle
2. There is a daring rogue and a handsome soldier
3. Her guardians seem to be evil, but she's not sure why
4. A dark creature stalks the night
5. A poor maid-servant is her only friend
6. A witch gives a warning
7. A treasure hangs in the balance
8. And at the fringes of it all, Napoleon threatens to invade England
All this makes for interesting reading. I loved this stuff when I was a teenage girl. The mystery, dashing young men, suspense and more mystery. Of course, the Gothic setting is also appealing to the imaginative mind.
Cons:
1. The story is pretty straightforward with very little in the way of twists. I found it to be a bit too predictable.
2. One gets a bit frustrated with the girl when she ignores blatant warnings. There is nothing worse than an impotent heroine.
I'd recommend it to lovers of old castles and mysteries.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews