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Barrett's Hill
Anne Stuart's first novel. Gothic romance.
159 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
6 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
Anne Stuart
205 books2,070 followersAnne Stuart is a grandmaster of the genre, winner of Romance Writers of America's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, survivor of more than thirty-five years in the romance business, and still just keeps getting better.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
Her first novel was Barrett's Hill, a gothic romance published by Ballantine in 1974 when Anne had just turned 25. Since then she's written more gothics, regencies, romantic suspense, romantic adventure, series romance, suspense, historical romance, paranormal and mainstream contemporary romance for publishers such as Doubleday, Harlequin, Silhouette, Avon, Zebra, St. Martins Press, Berkley, Dell, Pocket Books and Fawcett.
She’s won numerous awards, appeared on most bestseller lists, and speaks all over the country. Her general outrageousness has gotten her on Entertainment Tonight, as well as in Vogue, People, USA Today, Women’s Day and countless other national newspapers and magazines.
When she’s not traveling, she’s at home in Northern Vermont with her luscious husband of thirty-six years, an empty nest, three cats, four sewing machines, and one Springer Spaniel, and when she’s not working she’s watching movies, listening to rock and roll (preferably Japanese) and spending far too much time quilting.
Anne Stuart also writes as Kristina Douglas.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 16, 2014
1.5 STARS
Whoever came up with #throwbackthursday, I have a feeling this is on your conscience..
I suppose there are things in our past we’d like to openly reminisce in the interwebz. There’s that godawful photo of you sporting The Rachel haircut, wearing burgundy lipstick, a baby doll dress and DMs in a Four Non-Blondes concert that will always invite shared nostalgia and embarrassed laughter. And if you’re Britney you have this…
And the laughter just dies altogether.
I’m really having a hard time being critical about this book because I imagine this meant to rouse some sentimentality from die-hard Anne Stuart fans to the effect of seeing where everything began. To be fair, I’ve always enjoyed her books to some degree and I think she has a very distinct style… but in Britney parlance, this move feels a little like that head-shaving incident: it happened but shall never be spoken of. EVER AGAIN.
Set in the 1800s, Barrett’s Hill is told solely from the perspective of its heroine Miranda, a self-confessed “termagant, shrew and feminist” who have acquired a small fortune from her recently deceased father. In his desire to have the last laugh, she and her money has been left in the trusteeship of her cousin, the Reverend Kurlew Smathers in Vermont. Packaged into this new life forced into her, is her cousin’s repugnant assistant, Fathimore Wilby, who has taken a liking to her; Kurlew’s perennially soused wife, Elinor and their vapid daughter, Maxine; and an unsolved murder mystery that has involved her inherited family and, because it’s an Anne Stuart book, the enigmatic and insolently handsome Adam Traywick. Expectedly, he was a little stalker-y creepy with a vile background that leads him to be Miranda’s prime suspect and object of lust.
As old secrets begin to be unearthed anew, threatening Miranda’s life, she has to find the murderer among this strange new family she’s acquired before she falls prey as his or her next victim.
It’s quite hard to be critical of a novel with Dear Gentle Reader as the opening words in the author’s note. Even more since this was written back in the 70s as a fan fiction for some obscure 60s TV series, so the political correctness of certain dialogues, plot points and observations is understandably and expectedly different from what I am used to right now.
Which is I think the sole reason I managed to finish this.
Because at the heart of the choppy and repetitive plot, the shoddily constructed mystery and lack of any direction in the storytelling was a heroine that is so poorly formed that seeing the story unfold through her eyes became physically painful. Miranda’s probably reflective of what is widely perceived an independent and strong female lead character from the 19th century would be… in the 70s.
How can anyone reading that in 2014 derive any form of joy from that level of abstraction?!
But apart from that, Miranda is a ball of contradicting values: self-confident to borderline arrogant in one chapter then insecure of her plainness the next. This was made more stark by that hideously devised feud between her and Maxine over Adam’s affections which made her rather pathetic, petty and childish.
The narrative was unforgivably repetitive, with awkward transitions between scenes of ice skating, a Christmas Party, a New Year’s Party and some more ice-related shenanigans. These seem to only serve as obvious excuses for Miranda to display her (not really) charming eccentricities and force a (not really) sexually-charged encounter between Miranda and Adam poorly devised to have him chasing after her. Or worse Miranda getting swept in Adam’s arms to have a make out scene that will get inevitably interrupted by someone. I haven’t seen an allegedly strong, independent heroine get saved or devise ploys to have herself saved as much as Miranda did.
Whatever evolution this character had was introduced way too little too late unfortunately.
When the plot was not busy being offensive (Fathimore attempts to rape Miranda and this was not an issue AT ALL in the book, no aftermath to speak of whatsoever, WTF?!) it preoccupies itself with making very little sense. I mean, here’s a radical idea: a little polish and editing? At least maybe not make the characters seem like they’re suffering from short term amnesia or Alzheimer’s?
As of writing, Anne Stuart has 142 distinct works here in Goodreads. Any of the 141 will be a better choice than this.
Review Copy courtesy of the publishers.
Also on Booklikes.
”I need no one’s excuses,” I snapped. “My conduct is my own responsibility.” I turned and flounced off, hoping he would stop me.
Whoever came up with #throwbackthursday, I have a feeling this is on your conscience..
I suppose there are things in our past we’d like to openly reminisce in the interwebz. There’s that godawful photo of you sporting The Rachel haircut, wearing burgundy lipstick, a baby doll dress and DMs in a Four Non-Blondes concert that will always invite shared nostalgia and embarrassed laughter. And if you’re Britney you have this…
And the laughter just dies altogether.
I’m really having a hard time being critical about this book because I imagine this meant to rouse some sentimentality from die-hard Anne Stuart fans to the effect of seeing where everything began. To be fair, I’ve always enjoyed her books to some degree and I think she has a very distinct style… but in Britney parlance, this move feels a little like that head-shaving incident: it happened but shall never be spoken of. EVER AGAIN.
Set in the 1800s, Barrett’s Hill is told solely from the perspective of its heroine Miranda, a self-confessed “termagant, shrew and feminist” who have acquired a small fortune from her recently deceased father. In his desire to have the last laugh, she and her money has been left in the trusteeship of her cousin, the Reverend Kurlew Smathers in Vermont. Packaged into this new life forced into her, is her cousin’s repugnant assistant, Fathimore Wilby, who has taken a liking to her; Kurlew’s perennially soused wife, Elinor and their vapid daughter, Maxine; and an unsolved murder mystery that has involved her inherited family and, because it’s an Anne Stuart book, the enigmatic and insolently handsome Adam Traywick. Expectedly, he was a little stalker-y creepy with a vile background that leads him to be Miranda’s prime suspect and object of lust.
As old secrets begin to be unearthed anew, threatening Miranda’s life, she has to find the murderer among this strange new family she’s acquired before she falls prey as his or her next victim.
It’s quite hard to be critical of a novel with Dear Gentle Reader as the opening words in the author’s note. Even more since this was written back in the 70s as a fan fiction for some obscure 60s TV series, so the political correctness of certain dialogues, plot points and observations is understandably and expectedly different from what I am used to right now.
Which is I think the sole reason I managed to finish this.
Because at the heart of the choppy and repetitive plot, the shoddily constructed mystery and lack of any direction in the storytelling was a heroine that is so poorly formed that seeing the story unfold through her eyes became physically painful. Miranda’s probably reflective of what is widely perceived an independent and strong female lead character from the 19th century would be… in the 70s.
How can anyone reading that in 2014 derive any form of joy from that level of abstraction?!
But apart from that, Miranda is a ball of contradicting values: self-confident to borderline arrogant in one chapter then insecure of her plainness the next. This was made more stark by that hideously devised feud between her and Maxine over Adam’s affections which made her rather pathetic, petty and childish.
I silently promised myself one thing: Maxine was not going to have him. If I had to tie her up and stuff her in a closet she wasn’t going to have him.
The narrative was unforgivably repetitive, with awkward transitions between scenes of ice skating, a Christmas Party, a New Year’s Party and some more ice-related shenanigans. These seem to only serve as obvious excuses for Miranda to display her (not really) charming eccentricities and force a (not really) sexually-charged encounter between Miranda and Adam poorly devised to have him chasing after her. Or worse Miranda getting swept in Adam’s arms to have a make out scene that will get inevitably interrupted by someone. I haven’t seen an allegedly strong, independent heroine get saved or devise ploys to have herself saved as much as Miranda did.
For the past two months I hadn’t been able to do anything without imagining Adam there with me. Every solitary walk, every afternoon spent reading in the study, every waking moment, all were spent with a subconscious desire to be interrupted. And then if by chance I was, I would turn around and be as spiteful and nasty as I could before I ran away.
Whatever evolution this character had was introduced way too little too late unfortunately.
When the plot was not busy being offensive (Fathimore attempts to rape Miranda and this was not an issue AT ALL in the book, no aftermath to speak of whatsoever, WTF?!) it preoccupies itself with making very little sense. I mean, here’s a radical idea: a little polish and editing? At least maybe not make the characters seem like they’re suffering from short term amnesia or Alzheimer’s?
As of writing, Anne Stuart has 142 distinct works here in Goodreads. Any of the 141 will be a better choice than this.
Review Copy courtesy of the publishers.
Also on Booklikes.
July 25, 2021
Anne Stuart is one of my favorite authors and it is mentioned on the first page of the book that Barrett’s Hill was written as a fan fiction story and honestly, it clearly shows. The story, of course, has all the trademarks of an Anne Stuart book, romance, and suspense in equal measure but most readers like me are used to her darker-than-dark heroes which are clearly missing in this book.
Gothic for me require a brooding mansion, you know, something that chills the spine with its spookiness, the house in this is definitely not that, there’s nothing eerie about the house, and the woods and the hill where the murder has occurred doesn’t add any frightening factor. The heroine is naïve and silly in one scene but becomes feministic and strong in the very next so the character never hooked me in. But in spite of all this, I enjoyed the romance of the story. The sexy chemistry between Adam and Miranda creates flutters and there are some sizzling parts in the snow that marks the excellent writing of Anne Stuart.
The mystery element is not going to surprise many readers but the suspense moves the story along revealing dimensions for each character. Barrett’s Hill is an interesting read for fans of Anne Stuart as it clearly shows the making of a fantastic author.
Enjoyable 💧 💧 💧
Gothic for me require a brooding mansion, you know, something that chills the spine with its spookiness, the house in this is definitely not that, there’s nothing eerie about the house, and the woods and the hill where the murder has occurred doesn’t add any frightening factor. The heroine is naïve and silly in one scene but becomes feministic and strong in the very next so the character never hooked me in. But in spite of all this, I enjoyed the romance of the story. The sexy chemistry between Adam and Miranda creates flutters and there are some sizzling parts in the snow that marks the excellent writing of Anne Stuart.
The mystery element is not going to surprise many readers but the suspense moves the story along revealing dimensions for each character. Barrett’s Hill is an interesting read for fans of Anne Stuart as it clearly shows the making of a fantastic author.
Enjoyable 💧 💧 💧
October 16, 2014
3.5 stars.
I always want to enjoy gothic romances, and I never do. I think the problem is usually the heroine, who is pretty much always an idiot. She's prone to hysteria, she's not too bright, and she's annoyingly "pure," which is basically her strongest character trait.
This book wasn't as gothic as I thought it was going to be, but I really liked Miranda, the heroine in Barrett's Hill. The story was told in first person and her personality came through quite clearly. She had a lot of funny lines/musings:
However, Miranda is also prone to hysteria and stupid decisions at times. At one point Adam, the hero, gets her up to his hotel room and they kiss passionately. Then he pushes her away, telling her he didn't bring her up there for kissing/other stuff. In reaction, Miranda damns him four times and runs from the room. Like, how DARE you not ravish me! This isn't the only time she runs away from him in a fit of emotion, but it was the strangest.
She also has the occasional WTF train of thought:
Hmm, right.
Miranda is very inconsistent in her feelings for Adam. In her mind, he's a suspect in the murder of a prostitute that happened twenty years earlier. (Adam likes whores. For some reason, this makes me like him more.) I'm not sure why, but Miranda is completely OBSESSED with this murder that happened before she was ever born. She jumps to conclusions about it practically every page. She constantly alternates between thinking Adam is the murderer and denying he could be, and she frequently goes off alone with him, and kisses him. Adam is a lot lighter than many of Anne Stuart's heroes, though.
Four people were involved in the murder: Adam, Miranda's uncle, her uncle's assistant, and Miranda's father (who is dead now). The involvement of the first three are more or less explained by the end, but Miranda's father is completely ignored or forgotten.
The contrast between Miranda and other women in the book is about what you'd expect, though you're not bashed over the head with comparisons. She is the good one, and all other women are basically whores (some actually are whores—or "fancy-ladies"—but still). Although the dynamic between Miranda and her younger cousin Maxine starts off fun, it later becomes pretty antagonistic as they both vie for Adam's attention. Miranda disparages Maxine for her flightiness, her choice of clothing, and for liking men a little too much. She also looks down on Roxie, a "fallen woman," for trying to look younger than her years (and Roxie is actually younger than Adam). Miranda's dead mother isn't exempt from this attitude, since she ran off with another man and left Miranda alone with her jerk of a father.
Thankfully, there are some beautiful passages here and there:
And unintentionally funny ones:
The writing is rough, as Stuart mentions in the introductory letter, but I think that made the book all the more enjoyable. It wasn't as staid as some of her later work. The characters were more lively. Strangely, this struck me as one of her more feminist novels. I mean, that's not saying much, but it's something.
I always want to enjoy gothic romances, and I never do. I think the problem is usually the heroine, who is pretty much always an idiot. She's prone to hysteria, she's not too bright, and she's annoyingly "pure," which is basically her strongest character trait.
This book wasn't as gothic as I thought it was going to be, but I really liked Miranda, the heroine in Barrett's Hill. The story was told in first person and her personality came through quite clearly. She had a lot of funny lines/musings:
"Stop!" he commanded, horrified to the tips of his Christian toes.
My one consolation was that Fathimore was allowed to preach only once a month—any more and I would have become an atheist.
"[They] all were ... with her that weekend. It was Adam's idea."
"At the same time?" I laughed. "Now that is indelicate."
It was my firm belief, based on no knowledge whatsoever, that murderers were late risers.
However, Miranda is also prone to hysteria and stupid decisions at times. At one point Adam, the hero, gets her up to his hotel room and they kiss passionately. Then he pushes her away, telling her he didn't bring her up there for kissing/other stuff. In reaction, Miranda damns him four times and runs from the room. Like, how DARE you not ravish me! This isn't the only time she runs away from him in a fit of emotion, but it was the strangest.
She also has the occasional WTF train of thought:
If I had to be raped and murdered by any of those four I'd rather have Adam, but of course, that was hardly much of a recommendation.
Hmm, right.
Miranda is very inconsistent in her feelings for Adam. In her mind, he's a suspect in the murder of a prostitute that happened twenty years earlier. (Adam likes whores. For some reason, this makes me like him more.) I'm not sure why, but Miranda is completely OBSESSED with this murder that happened before she was ever born. She jumps to conclusions about it practically every page. She constantly alternates between thinking Adam is the murderer and denying he could be, and she frequently goes off alone with him, and kisses him. Adam is a lot lighter than many of Anne Stuart's heroes, though.
Four people were involved in the murder: Adam, Miranda's uncle, her uncle's assistant, and Miranda's father (who is dead now). The involvement of the first three are more or less explained by the end, but Miranda's father is completely ignored or forgotten.
The contrast between Miranda and other women in the book is about what you'd expect, though you're not bashed over the head with comparisons. She is the good one, and all other women are basically whores (some actually are whores—or "fancy-ladies"—but still). Although the dynamic between Miranda and her younger cousin Maxine starts off fun, it later becomes pretty antagonistic as they both vie for Adam's attention. Miranda disparages Maxine for her flightiness, her choice of clothing, and for liking men a little too much. She also looks down on Roxie, a "fallen woman," for trying to look younger than her years (and Roxie is actually younger than Adam). Miranda's dead mother isn't exempt from this attitude, since she ran off with another man and left Miranda alone with her jerk of a father.
Thankfully, there are some beautiful passages here and there:
We had eight inches of snow that night—a new record. When I awoke the next morning and saw the white hillside I started crying. I am not at all sentimental, but every now and then beauty creeps up on me unexpectedly and lays waste to my emotions.
And unintentionally funny ones:
"... Along with the trusteeship of all that money you have the care of someone my dear father variously called a termagent, a shrew, a feminist, and a creature worse than her mother..."
"Did you hear that?" he demanded of Fathimore, his face mottled with rage. "A feminist! In my house! ..."
The writing is rough, as Stuart mentions in the introductory letter, but I think that made the book all the more enjoyable. It wasn't as staid as some of her later work. The characters were more lively. Strangely, this struck me as one of her more feminist novels. I mean, that's not saying much, but it's something.
July 27, 2023
I was interested to read this book when :- a) I discovered it on my kindle, unread and purchased around 2014, and b) it was Anne Stuart's first book, originally published in 1974. It's nicely written and is excellent on the historical details for the late 1800's America, I just couldn't really get into the story. It has a spooky atmosphere and lots of mystery. Never mind, I've loved almost everything else I've read from this author. I'd recommend it if you love old fashioned gothic romance storytelling.
July 24, 2016
Twenty years ago, a prostitute was raped and murdered on Barrett’s Hill. Four friends were the only suspects but no one was ever proven guilty and the case faded away. Until now.
After the death of her father, Miranda is sent to live near Barrett’s Hill with her Cousin Karlew. Miranda discovers not only were her father, Karlew, Fathimore, and the mysterious Adam all suspects in the case but that she is living near or with a murderer who is still out for blood.
Miranda is a decent narrator for a gothic thriller as she is naïve, impulsive, and mistrustful of everyone. I enjoyed Miranda’s feminist attitude—it served to anger the pious Karlew and intrigue the enigma Adam. Readers will fear for Miranda’s safety and good sense when she places herself into the killer’s path time and time again and as she falls in love. Could the man she loves be the killer?
This novel is a gothic thriller and should be appreciated as such. Some of the scenes or dialogue may read as cliché but gothic novels embrace clichés—readers will need to as well. Wait for a dark, stormy night. Turn of the lights. Snuggle under the covers and try to figure out the killer’s identity alongside Miranda. Will she solve the mystery before it’s too late? Recommended for fans of A Long Fatal Love Chase by Alcott or She Walks in Darkness by Walton.
The review copy was provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
After the death of her father, Miranda is sent to live near Barrett’s Hill with her Cousin Karlew. Miranda discovers not only were her father, Karlew, Fathimore, and the mysterious Adam all suspects in the case but that she is living near or with a murderer who is still out for blood.
Miranda is a decent narrator for a gothic thriller as she is naïve, impulsive, and mistrustful of everyone. I enjoyed Miranda’s feminist attitude—it served to anger the pious Karlew and intrigue the enigma Adam. Readers will fear for Miranda’s safety and good sense when she places herself into the killer’s path time and time again and as she falls in love. Could the man she loves be the killer?
This novel is a gothic thriller and should be appreciated as such. Some of the scenes or dialogue may read as cliché but gothic novels embrace clichés—readers will need to as well. Wait for a dark, stormy night. Turn of the lights. Snuggle under the covers and try to figure out the killer’s identity alongside Miranda. Will she solve the mystery before it’s too late? Recommended for fans of A Long Fatal Love Chase by Alcott or She Walks in Darkness by Walton.
The review copy was provided by NetGalley and the publisher.
May 5, 2017
Yet another classic anne stuart.bravo.
December 1, 2023
It's not amazing, but it's just the right length to be an enjoyable read without getting boring, and it delivers that nice gothic setting.
January 22, 2024
A early story
40 yr anniversary ! In this shorter novel a reader can see the development of a story and a foreshadowing of story lines. An unexpected read from a master writer.
40 yr anniversary ! In this shorter novel a reader can see the development of a story and a foreshadowing of story lines. An unexpected read from a master writer.
April 12, 2025
Random book I found at the library, best thing about it was that it was short so a quick read and some funny lines from the narrator.
July 28, 2016
I received this book as an e-ARC free from Netgalley. Below is my review.
According to the Author's Note, this is Anne Stuart's first book. As first books go, this is quite good, even 40 years later. You can see the beginnings of the author's voice, as it starts to take shape and as her character types begin to be come real.
As for the book itself, unlike her newer books, the setting is almost a character as well. The places - the little town, the hill, the pond, the home - are not just places where action occurs. They embody traits and are designed to elicit emotional reactions. The characters fear the hill, relax at the pond, stress out at the home and in town.
The mystery itself is almost ludicrously easy to solve despite the twist at the end. I did not get the sense that the mystery was all that important. It felt like the mystery was a vehicle by which the characters and characterization were revealed.
Miranda's voice was a bit too modern and a bit too snarky for her (admittedly amorphous) time but it also made it easier to relate to her since she is the narrator of the story. She is simultaneously too risqué, too imprudent, too resentful, and too easily charmed by those who are her "enemy's enemy". Were she not the narrator and clearly set up to be the sympathetic one by dint of her too religious and patently evil and clueless family, she would not be that sympathetic of a character. It is because she has such foils that she becomes sympathetic.
The lack of any clear indication of time period really bothered me. This seems to have taken place in some amorphous late 1800s or early 1900s time frame but could have taken place in the 1830s or 1840s as well. What few clues existed for time period were too vague. This hampered the story line.
Overall, it was a good book and one I enjoyed.
According to the Author's Note, this is Anne Stuart's first book. As first books go, this is quite good, even 40 years later. You can see the beginnings of the author's voice, as it starts to take shape and as her character types begin to be come real.
As for the book itself, unlike her newer books, the setting is almost a character as well. The places - the little town, the hill, the pond, the home - are not just places where action occurs. They embody traits and are designed to elicit emotional reactions. The characters fear the hill, relax at the pond, stress out at the home and in town.
The mystery itself is almost ludicrously easy to solve despite the twist at the end. I did not get the sense that the mystery was all that important. It felt like the mystery was a vehicle by which the characters and characterization were revealed.
Miranda's voice was a bit too modern and a bit too snarky for her (admittedly amorphous) time but it also made it easier to relate to her since she is the narrator of the story. She is simultaneously too risqué, too imprudent, too resentful, and too easily charmed by those who are her "enemy's enemy". Were she not the narrator and clearly set up to be the sympathetic one by dint of her too religious and patently evil and clueless family, she would not be that sympathetic of a character. It is because she has such foils that she becomes sympathetic.
The lack of any clear indication of time period really bothered me. This seems to have taken place in some amorphous late 1800s or early 1900s time frame but could have taken place in the 1830s or 1840s as well. What few clues existed for time period were too vague. This hampered the story line.
Overall, it was a good book and one I enjoyed.
September 24, 2014
H:Adam Traywick
h: Miranda
Everyone must know by now how much i LOVE Anne Stuart. She is one of my favorite authors. I received this book Thur Netgalley for an Honest review. First I like to think i have read all Of Mrs. Stuart books, but I never heard of this one. I guess this is one of her first book, that being said you can tell. I still liked it very much(i stayed up way too late to finish it) This book doesn't have the polish that her newer books have.
So you got Miranda who is kinda a wild card for the era. (she speaks her mind and doesn't always do as she told). Her father dies and in his will he leaves her guarding ship to her cousin who she has never met. She sent to a little town and moves in t=with her cousin and family. She hears all kinds of secret about Barrett's Hill. Then Adam comes to town and things start to get good. Who the killer is he/she after Miranda?
Again this is not as good as Mrs Stuart modern day stuff, but i stil really enjoyed it. I think for being her first and over 30 years old it still better then book written today by another authors. I will totally be keeping this on my Kindle and rereading it. I also recommend this to all Historical Romance readers.
h: Miranda
Everyone must know by now how much i LOVE Anne Stuart. She is one of my favorite authors. I received this book Thur Netgalley for an Honest review. First I like to think i have read all Of Mrs. Stuart books, but I never heard of this one. I guess this is one of her first book, that being said you can tell. I still liked it very much(i stayed up way too late to finish it) This book doesn't have the polish that her newer books have.
So you got Miranda who is kinda a wild card for the era. (she speaks her mind and doesn't always do as she told). Her father dies and in his will he leaves her guarding ship to her cousin who she has never met. She sent to a little town and moves in t=with her cousin and family. She hears all kinds of secret about Barrett's Hill. Then Adam comes to town and things start to get good. Who the killer is he/she after Miranda?
Again this is not as good as Mrs Stuart modern day stuff, but i stil really enjoyed it. I think for being her first and over 30 years old it still better then book written today by another authors. I will totally be keeping this on my Kindle and rereading it. I also recommend this to all Historical Romance readers.
May 9, 2014
Early Effort of Anne Stuart
BARRETT'S HILL is a novel from 1974 by Anne Stuart. It is written in a gothic style. Compared to the stories and characters of today, it often seems silly and predictable. That being said, I was compelled to read it because even in this early effort, Stuart has a way of writing a compelling story that moves quickly and compellingly forward. The dark hero is a staple of her writing and the hero here is built on that model.
The heroine Miranda goes to live with the Reverend Smathers after the death of her father. She soon is involved in the mystery of the death of a prostitute twenty years ago. There are four men who are suspects including her father and the man she is falling in love with.
There is a more gothic suspense than romance but I liked it for a one time read.
BARRETT'S HILL is a novel from 1974 by Anne Stuart. It is written in a gothic style. Compared to the stories and characters of today, it often seems silly and predictable. That being said, I was compelled to read it because even in this early effort, Stuart has a way of writing a compelling story that moves quickly and compellingly forward. The dark hero is a staple of her writing and the hero here is built on that model.
The heroine Miranda goes to live with the Reverend Smathers after the death of her father. She soon is involved in the mystery of the death of a prostitute twenty years ago. There are four men who are suspects including her father and the man she is falling in love with.
There is a more gothic suspense than romance but I liked it for a one time read.
August 10, 2016
I am and probably always will be, evil in judging book heroines.
And this heroine was one of those types I have no regrets in being evil to.
However, this book is of 1974, 40 years ago.
I wonder what excuse do authors of now have for their "too stupid to live" heroines.
I find myself attracted to Anne Stuart's books.
There is something very nice at the hero going on at his own way and then waiting for the heroine to catch up with her denied feelings, even if the endings always leave me begging for more.
This book was a good read for me, and while I will stick to later books by this author, it was nice to get to know the one where it all began :)
And this heroine was one of those types I have no regrets in being evil to.
However, this book is of 1974, 40 years ago.
I wonder what excuse do authors of now have for their "too stupid to live" heroines.
I find myself attracted to Anne Stuart's books.
There is something very nice at the hero going on at his own way and then waiting for the heroine to catch up with her denied feelings, even if the endings always leave me begging for more.
This book was a good read for me, and while I will stick to later books by this author, it was nice to get to know the one where it all began :)
May 31, 2014
This is one of Anne Stuarts's early works rereleased. It is a traditional gothic romance with the heroine swooning and the hero saving the day. The book is dated in some ways but that is why I liked it. I felt like I was a teenager again reading this book. If you, like myself, are a fan of Anne Stuart then it is definitely worth the read.
Want to Read
April 23, 2014I didnt know this existed...
Requested ARC from Netgalley
Requested ARC from Netgalley
May 31, 2014
A copy of this book was provided by Bell Bridge Books in exchange for an honest review. Review to come....
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