Trenhawk

by Mary Williams

After Adelaide’s beloved husband David dies tragically in the Crimean war, she becomes determined to start her new life at Trenhawk – David’s ancestral home on the storm-tossed Cornish moors.But upon her arrival, Adelaide is reunited with her cousin Rupert – David’s stern, pensive elder brother who is insistent on reminding Adelaide that she is merely a guest of the house and musn’t get too comfortable.As time passes, Adelaide learns that she must battle through her grief and come to terms with widowhood.The plethora of secrets to unravel at Trenhawk - particularly those involving Rupert’s business exchanges and private encounters - serve as a welcome distraction for the curious and inquisitive Adelaide.Where are the strange noises in the middle of the night coming from?Who is the little boy she is certain she sees running about the house?How does the door to the Tower Room seem to lock and unlock itself?And why do Rupert and the staff avoid her questions?As Rupert’s mining business begins to struggle, he realises he must rely on Adelaide financially.And as Adelaide allows her passionate and fiery temperament to run away with her, she learns that she too needs Rupert in return, to save her reputation.But can this mutual support turn to something more romantic?Or will tragedy strike Trenhawk once more?'A classic story of love and redemption.' - Holly Kinsella, best-selling author of 'Uptown Girl'.‘A Dark Inheritance’ was previously published as ‘Trenhawk’.Mary Williams was born in Leicestershire and attended Leicester College of Art where she trained as an illustrator. During a varied and colourful life she wrote and illustrated children’s programmes for BBC Wales and worked as a newspaper columnist. She has had many occult novels published as well as her bestselling Cornish romances which she wrote under the pseudonym Marianne Harvey. Her novels include ‘The Velvet Glove’, ‘An Inconvenient Affair’, ‘A Way of Life’ and ‘Portrait of a Girl’.Endeavour Press is the UK's leading independent publisher of digital books.

Genres: Gothic

320 pages, Paperback

First published June 25, 1987

About the author

Mary Williams was born in Leicestershire and attended Leicester College of Art where she trained as an illustrator. During a varied and colourful life she wrote and illustrated children’s programmes for BBC Wales and worked as a newspaper columnist. She has had many occult novels published as well as her bestselling Cornish romances which she wrote under the pseudonym Marianne Harvey.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author seems to have striven for a Poldark-ish novel, but fell far short in the plot and story development. The female protagonist is unlikable, though her male counterpart is much better. Their constant misunderstandings become tiresome, and the moment of their union a bit ridiculous.

The plot jumps and then lags, too much repetition on some things, and then other plots aspects left unresolved. The novels crashes to a close with a supremely unsatisfied ending.

Can't recommend it. Read Poldark or Daphne du Maurier instead if you want a taste of Cornwall.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story like Poldark. Good book.

[Lisbeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

As you might have seen from my 'Read' list, I have read some historical romance lately. Always nice to relax your reading with a little bit of romance these grey, rainy days. The books were; A Code of Love by Jackie Delecki, The Duchess War by Courtney Milan and the book that I will review here, A Dark Inheritance by Mary Williams (from Endeavour Press, where I downloaded it for free).

I liked all three books. The two first ones have a young, intelligent, beautiful, brave woman in the lead (as usual) trying to resist the handsome, rich, rascal lord (as usual). We all know how it ends, but if the story is good enough it is enjoyable. A Code of Love has a story of code breakers during the Napoleonic war and it is exciting enough. The Duchess War has a more social story connected to the working conditions of the poor. The young woman has a secret, as has the lord, and the story is quite fascinating since, at least for the young woman, everything is not revealed in total until the end, and it is an unusual story. Quite entertaining.

The best of the three though is A Dark Inheritance. It is set in Cornwall in the mid 19th century. Adelaide's husband David dies in the Crimean War only a short time after their marriage. She goes back to his ancestral home, Trenhawk, to reside there. However, since they have no children, it has gone to David's cousin Rupert, who is not willing to sell it, although he is in some dire financial straits due to his biggest investment and interest; a mine.

This is not all to it. Adelaide discovers soon that there is an old feud between the two grand families in the area, Hawksleys and St Clares. Then there are all these things happening in the house; the tower which is haunted? Who is the young, deaf boy living in the house? Does Rupert have a mistress? What about the unwelcome staff? The moors? The caves? The strange sounds during the night? Adelaide is a young selfish, emotional and stubborn woman but she soon realises that her life is to change in unexpected ways.

This book is quite exciting and has a lot of unexpected twists and turns. I will not reveal anything more, not to spoil the story. When I read it I felt it was a mixture between books like Wuthering Heights, Gone With the Wind and Outlander. Maybe a twist of Jane Eyre as well? Well, all favourite books, so no wonder this one was a hit with me! The surrounding landscape, the moors and the sea are a big part of the story. They are so well described, that I fell in love with the area without even having been there. Have to put Cornwall, Penzance and Truro on my travel list. Mary Williams has written some more books, some set in Cornwall, mid 19th century and some set in the beginning of 20th century. All in the same genre. I wouldn't mind trying another book of hers.