Emerald

by Iris Gower, Susanne Richardson

Orphaned Charlotte, sent to live with her uncle, finds unexplained acts of terror and violence directed at her. Who would want her dead?

205 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Iris Gower (b. 1935) was a Swansea-based novelist. Her historical romances are all set within Swansea and Gower in South Wales.

Iris (real name Iris Davies) was born in Mumbles and lived in Derwen Fawr, a part of Sketty, Swansea. She had four adult children, though her husband of 48 years, Tudor Davies, died on 15 April 2002 after suffering a major stroke. She later lived with a partner, Peter.

She was one of the top-selling authors in the country, and was awarded an MA in Creative Writing by Cardiff University, as well as an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Wales, Swansea. She wrote and published around 40 books including 26 novels.

Gower died at Singleton Hospital, Swansea on 20 July, 2010. She was 75 years old.

Reviews

[sniksnak]

Charlotte, an orphaned young woman, inherits Plas Melyn manor after her aunt’s death and moves in with an unknown uncle. The mansion’s eerie atmosphere and mysterious incidents target her, leaving her bewildered.
Driven by fear and curiosity, she explores the manor, uncovering family secrets, unseen threats, and revelations about her heritage. This journey transforms her from a timid girl into a courageous woman who confronts her past and finds hope amidst the shadows.
Maybe because of its brevity, this novella fell flat for me. I was expecting a bit of depth, strong characters, and fresh twists.