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بينما هي نائمة
تُخطِّط الآنسة «لوفابل»، المالكة الفخورة لثلاثة منازل، لقضاء إجازتها في سويسرا. ولتمويل رحلتها، تقرِّر تأجير منزلها في لندن، وتصبح دون أن تدري هدفًا لمؤامرةٍ شريرة لمجرم سابق. تتشابك رحلة الآنسة «لوفابل» مع مجموعةٍ من الشخصيات الغريبة: ثلاثةِ رجال غامضين يرتدون قفازات يزورون منزلها في ماديرا كريسنت، وأمٍّ وابنتها من الطبقة الراقية، وفتاةٍ كَتُومة، ولِصَّين يعتقدان خطأً أنها تمتلك مجموعة من المجوهرات. تمرُّ الآنسة «لوفابل» بعدَّة مآزق، وتنجو من الموت بأعجوبةٍ أكثر من مرَّة وهي لا تَعِي الخطر المُحدق بها. الرواية مليئة بالشخصيات الغريبة والمغامرات؛ فما الذي ستئُول إليه الأمور في النهاية يا تُرى؟ هذا ما سنعرفه من خلال قراءة أحداث هذه الرواية المثيرة!
216 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 1940
20 people are currently reading
132 people want to read
About the author
Ethel Lina White
127 books103 followersEthel Lina White was a British crime writer, best known for her novel The Wheel Spins (1936), on which the Alfred Hitchcock film, The Lady Vanishes (1938), was based, and Some Must Watch (1933), on which the film The Spiral Staircase (1946) was based.
Born in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales, in 1876, White started writing as a child, contributing essays and poems to children's papers. Later she began to write short stories, but it was some years before she wrote books.
She left employment in a government job working for the Ministry of Pensions in order to pursue writing. Her writing was to make her one of the best known crime writers in Britain and the USA during the 1930s and '40s.
Her first three works, published between 1927 and 1930, were mainstream novels. Her first crime novel, published in 1931, was Put Out the Light. Although she has now faded into obscurity, in her day she was as well known as such writers like Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie.
She died in London in 1944 aged 68. Her works have enjoyed a revival in recent years with a stage adaptation of The Lady Vanishes touring the UK in 2001 and the BBC broadcast of an abridged version on BBC Radio 4 as well as a TV adaptation by the BBC in 2013.
(from Wikipedia)
Born in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, Wales, in 1876, White started writing as a child, contributing essays and poems to children's papers. Later she began to write short stories, but it was some years before she wrote books.
She left employment in a government job working for the Ministry of Pensions in order to pursue writing. Her writing was to make her one of the best known crime writers in Britain and the USA during the 1930s and '40s.
Her first three works, published between 1927 and 1930, were mainstream novels. Her first crime novel, published in 1931, was Put Out the Light. Although she has now faded into obscurity, in her day she was as well known as such writers like Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie.
She died in London in 1944 aged 68. Her works have enjoyed a revival in recent years with a stage adaptation of The Lady Vanishes touring the UK in 2001 and the BBC broadcast of an abridged version on BBC Radio 4 as well as a TV adaptation by the BBC in 2013.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 23, 2025
Cornell Woolrich and Ethel Lina White were the undisputed King and Queen of suspense during the 1930s and 1940s. Sadly, both are no longer in vogue; perhaps because they both wrote with a tremendous gift for description that modern day readers simply won't sit still for. Today's readers have been "trained" in our time to accept drab and mundane prose as the norm, to applaud poor storytelling that is often littered with crassness, expletives, and graphically described brutality and gore; neither Woolrich nor Ethel Lina White fit that bill because they could actually write.
This particular little piece from White is actually not her usual suspense thriller, but rather a comedy of what might have happened, yet doesn't. In While She Sleeps, an older woman just misses becoming a victim time and again without ever knowing.
While this isn't where I'd start if you want to get into White's oeuvre, for those who have read and enjoyed her suspense thrillers from the era, it's a fun change of pace. The main drawback is that it is a bit pedestrian because nothing actually does happen.
Definitely not my normal cup of tea, but Ethel Lina White's writing is good, and some of her descriptive prose is wonderful, so it's worth a go if you like her other work, and/or are a completist. If you're unfamiliar with Ethel Lina White, however, don't start here, as While She Sleeps is hardly representative of her usual fare.
This particular little piece from White is actually not her usual suspense thriller, but rather a comedy of what might have happened, yet doesn't. In While She Sleeps, an older woman just misses becoming a victim time and again without ever knowing.
While this isn't where I'd start if you want to get into White's oeuvre, for those who have read and enjoyed her suspense thrillers from the era, it's a fun change of pace. The main drawback is that it is a bit pedestrian because nothing actually does happen.
Definitely not my normal cup of tea, but Ethel Lina White's writing is good, and some of her descriptive prose is wonderful, so it's worth a go if you like her other work, and/or are a completist. If you're unfamiliar with Ethel Lina White, however, don't start here, as While She Sleeps is hardly representative of her usual fare.
January 12, 2020
In my next phone reviewed book, While She Sleeps , Miss Loveapple is lucky. She makes sure everyone knows that, she is a very lucky lady. We're told Miss Loveapple believes in luck, that she is positive she is under direct protection of an unseen patron. Of millions of gamblers she was the one chosen to draw a certain horse in an Irish Sweep. After she bought a black hat royalty died - I suppose that was lucky for someone but I don't know who. Her parents thoughtfully remained alive until she was twenty-one and had finished her education. She even accomplished her greatest ambition, she owns three houses, one in town, one in the country, and one at the seaside. I wouldn't want to clean three houses, one is enough. Now when she was bored with looking at the countryside she went and watched the waves. And in between she goes to London. The London house is where her luck is going to run out, but she doesn't know that yet, only we do right from the first paragraph.
Miss Loveapple awoke with a smile. She had slept well; her digestion was good-her conscience was clear; and she had not an enemy in the world. There was nothing to warn her that, within the next hour, she would be selected as a victim to be murdered.
Poor Miss Loveapple, her luck has changed, you know that and I know that but it will be awhile before she is aware of it. Just because she was selected as a victim that hour didn't mean she was killed anytime soon. For now she thinks luck is still on her side, she had just rented her London house for a month giving her enough time and money for a long wanted trip to Switzerland. And so off she goes to London to get her house ready for the new tenants and continue on her trip from there. But we know better, we know she has been picked to be murdered. So when a man in a clerical round collar and black gloves - no fingerprints- comes knocking at the door I think she's about to be killed, she thinks he wants a donation, she's right that time. Then there's the brother of the not yet seen tenants, he shows up to look over the house, or so he says, he's wearing gloves too, then a sweeper salesman shows up, another gloved man, yet when they leave she is still alive, for now.
For now she is on her way to Switzerland where even she will finally realize her luck has changed. I suppose if you find yourself on vacation taking a tour of an opium den your luck would be about as low as it can get, unless you're about to be murdered. I read this in one afternoon and had fun doing it, a lot more fun than I'm having reviewing it. Happy reading.
Miss Loveapple awoke with a smile. She had slept well; her digestion was good-her conscience was clear; and she had not an enemy in the world. There was nothing to warn her that, within the next hour, she would be selected as a victim to be murdered.
Poor Miss Loveapple, her luck has changed, you know that and I know that but it will be awhile before she is aware of it. Just because she was selected as a victim that hour didn't mean she was killed anytime soon. For now she thinks luck is still on her side, she had just rented her London house for a month giving her enough time and money for a long wanted trip to Switzerland. And so off she goes to London to get her house ready for the new tenants and continue on her trip from there. But we know better, we know she has been picked to be murdered. So when a man in a clerical round collar and black gloves - no fingerprints- comes knocking at the door I think she's about to be killed, she thinks he wants a donation, she's right that time. Then there's the brother of the not yet seen tenants, he shows up to look over the house, or so he says, he's wearing gloves too, then a sweeper salesman shows up, another gloved man, yet when they leave she is still alive, for now.
For now she is on her way to Switzerland where even she will finally realize her luck has changed. I suppose if you find yourself on vacation taking a tour of an opium den your luck would be about as low as it can get, unless you're about to be murdered. I read this in one afternoon and had fun doing it, a lot more fun than I'm having reviewing it. Happy reading.
September 20, 2022
Although only marginally a mystery - we know who the villains are relatively early on - this is still a delightful piece of Golden Age fiction. Miss Loveapple (we never learn her first name, although apparently it's awful) is both grounded and oblivious as she swans through her life, narrowly avoiding disasters with no idea that her vaunted luck is, in fact, in full action.
June 5, 2015
A bit of pink fluff but enjoyable all the same. Just not up to her usual standard.
January 10, 2018
I read this for the Switzerland stop of my Around the World in 80 Books challenge, after deciding that Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain was perhaps too much to tackle whilst starting another University term. I adore The Wheel Spins by Ethel Lina White, but was quite disappointed with the second book of hers which I read. While She Sleeps was thankfully a marked improvement; I found it well plotted and clever, and the twists and turns throughout kept me both interested and guessing. White's writing is taut in all of the right places, and whilst the ending was perhaps a little too convenient, it was certainly effective.
September 20, 2017
"Old style mystery"
There were some classic mysteries written in the period between the wars. I don't believe this ranks among them. I found it pedestrian, at times, and it owed more to nineteenth century literature than today's, so I can't imagine it appealing to a wide audience.
There were some classic mysteries written in the period between the wars. I don't believe this ranks among them. I found it pedestrian, at times, and it owed more to nineteenth century literature than today's, so I can't imagine it appealing to a wide audience.
June 17, 2020
Although overall enjoyable, this is definitely a book of two halves. If you're a ELW fan, think Midnight House meets The Wheel Spins, only without what made the latter book good.
The first half is very promising, we meet the wholesome Miss Loveapple who has one unnervingly loyal maid, two animal children and three houses. Fate and "luck" has always been on her side. She decides to travel to her London home where she has been unknowingly picked at random to be murdred by a man who wishes to frame his enemy. She arrives in London and all looks good (for the book I mean), the house is dark, creaky and there might very well be a murderer in the attic. The atomsphere really comes alive and I definietly felt like I was right there with Miss Loveapple. I was hooked. Unfortunately my hook, the murderer's plans and the book in general is all derailed when Miss Loveapple decides to take a holiday Switzerland and the story suddenly turns into a second rate Lady Vanishes, only without a vanishing lady and a couple of goofy criminals instead. Not to fear, Miss Loveapple will soon return from her holiday on September 13th and we can get back to the spooky stuff house stuff right? Right? Oh... Unfortunately the reader never sees the London house again and the climax the first half of the book so wonderfully builds up never appears. In fact, no climax ever really appears, unless you could Miss Loveapple being mugged on her jounrey home a climax (I don't).
I wish to stress that me being so dissapointed in this book wasn't because it was *bad*, but becasue the first half was so *good*... just from then on it was so meh. At first I really thought this had a shot in being my new favourite Ethel Lina White novel. I did overall enjoy the book though, and it's definitely not one to skip if you're a fan of the author, but I can see it might be quite hit or miss.
The first half is very promising, we meet the wholesome Miss Loveapple who has one unnervingly loyal maid, two animal children and three houses. Fate and "luck" has always been on her side. She decides to travel to her London home where she has been unknowingly picked at random to be murdred by a man who wishes to frame his enemy. She arrives in London and all looks good (for the book I mean), the house is dark, creaky and there might very well be a murderer in the attic. The atomsphere really comes alive and I definietly felt like I was right there with Miss Loveapple. I was hooked. Unfortunately my hook, the murderer's plans and the book in general is all derailed when Miss Loveapple decides to take a holiday Switzerland and the story suddenly turns into a second rate Lady Vanishes, only without a vanishing lady and a couple of goofy criminals instead. Not to fear, Miss Loveapple will soon return from her holiday on September 13th and we can get back to the spooky stuff house stuff right? Right? Oh... Unfortunately the reader never sees the London house again and the climax the first half of the book so wonderfully builds up never appears. In fact, no climax ever really appears, unless you could Miss Loveapple being mugged on her jounrey home a climax (I don't).
I wish to stress that me being so dissapointed in this book wasn't because it was *bad*, but becasue the first half was so *good*... just from then on it was so meh. At first I really thought this had a shot in being my new favourite Ethel Lina White novel. I did overall enjoy the book though, and it's definitely not one to skip if you're a fan of the author, but I can see it might be quite hit or miss.
September 2, 2017
Miss Loveapple is going to be murdered, but she doesn't know that and nor does she know by whom or why. The criminal mastermind sometimes known as 'The Ace' has a cunning pen to rid him of a nuisance. But as they say, the best laid plans of mice and men [as well as village ladies, criminal classes, house purchasers, maids, holiday companions, et al] when fate, karma, destiny or a blundered timetable have other ideas you never know what chain of events you either start or shatter.
A wonderfully light, captivating read, not too heavy nor frivolous. It was easy to picture the scenes of Pond House and the quintessential village of that era, the contrast to the London House; the exasperation of making plans and looking forward to them and then having them changed my the twists of others.
Thankfully by the last sentence you feel all is right with the world.
A wonderfully light, captivating read, not too heavy nor frivolous. It was easy to picture the scenes of Pond House and the quintessential village of that era, the contrast to the London House; the exasperation of making plans and looking forward to them and then having them changed my the twists of others.
Thankfully by the last sentence you feel all is right with the world.
November 23, 2017
Miss Loveapple, proud owner of three houses, wants to spend her holiday in Switzerland. So she decides to let her London house and in the process gets chosen to be a murder victim by an ex-convict. She encounters a sinister cast of characters including three gloved gentlemen who call at her house in Madeira Crescent; a snobbish mother-daughter tandem; a secretive girl; and a pair of crooks who, mistaking her for someone else, targets her jewels. What ensues is a fun-filled story of eccentric characters and how Miss Loveapple avoids being murdered every step of the way.
September 17, 2018
A different kind of mystery where we as readers know that a woman is to be murdered on a particular date while she, oblivious to it all, goes along her merry way. Would she or wouldn't she keep her 'appointment with death'?
Actually three and a half stars.
*
First Line: Miss Loveapple awoke with a smile.
Actually three and a half stars.
*
First Line: Miss Loveapple awoke with a smile.
December 17, 2020
Another one I just couldn't make myself read. I can't understand why other pieces of White's have been so good, but the last two so godawful. Even if the smug, obnoxious, selfish "Miss Loveapple" uses her experiences to become a better person, I've no interest in reading about the whole boring process.
May 17, 2025
Twenty-eight year old Miss Loveapple has always considered herself to be lucky, but now she has come into the sights of a serial killer. He intends to arrange the death so that the blame is someone specific. Can this rather unlikeable female survive.
An enjoyable historical mystery
Originally published in 1940
An enjoyable historical mystery
Originally published in 1940
September 25, 2017
A pleasant little mystery.
A step back in to another time and once you get used to the language which is typical of that age, the story unfolds in the classic murder mystery theme.
A change from my normal choice of gritty crime thrillers, but an enjoyable one.
A step back in to another time and once you get used to the language which is typical of that age, the story unfolds in the classic murder mystery theme.
A change from my normal choice of gritty crime thrillers, but an enjoyable one.
August 10, 2018
Miss Loveapple really is lucky!
February 15, 2020
Couldn't put it down! Damn she creates suspense well!! Looking for more ELW reads :)
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August 24, 2022I've read a few Ethel Lina White stories, all enjoyable, all interesting.
January 10, 2025
نهاية غير متوقعة، كنت أتشوق و خاب ظني
March 20, 2025
استفسار بسيط مفهمتش سبب اسم الرواية
الحدث المؤلفة بتغرينا وتوعدنا بالحدث صفحة ورا صفحة
مع نصيحة بلاش باريس فيها فيران كتير
الحدث المؤلفة بتغرينا وتوعدنا بالحدث صفحة ورا صفحة
مع نصيحة بلاش باريس فيها فيران كتير
April 6, 2025
#2025
October 10, 2022
Ethel Lina White once again delivers her signature mix of feminism and an anxious eerie atmosphere.
While She Sleeps explores the idea of luck/fate/destiny through an innovative format. Character A is going to be killed by Character B if they encounter each other at a specific time and place. Each seemingly inconsequential action and event shifts the likelihood of this meeting taking place back and forth over the course of the book. Will Miss Loveapple's luck hold out?
While She Sleeps explores the idea of luck/fate/destiny through an innovative format. Character A is going to be killed by Character B if they encounter each other at a specific time and place. Each seemingly inconsequential action and event shifts the likelihood of this meeting taking place back and forth over the course of the book. Will Miss Loveapple's luck hold out?
February 9, 2019
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
April 30, 2017
What an amusing story. It reminds me of the early Ruth Rendell's books (coincidences, luck, chances etc). Even if it has nothing of the suspense or clever narrative of Mrs White's best novels, it still a pleasant and quick reading without being too pretentious.
Do not expect much more than that - it just flows nicely despite a couple of glitches such as the repetitive description of the protagonist's psychology and thinking - there's no need when the character is perfectly depicted at the beginning.
Do not expect much more than that - it just flows nicely despite a couple of glitches such as the repetitive description of the protagonist's psychology and thinking - there's no need when the character is perfectly depicted at the beginning.
October 8, 2014
Uneven but enjoyable. (Doesn't hold a candle to her masterpiece, "Some Must Watch".) Very suspenseful, and I really liked Miss Loveapple and her modest ambitions. It continued to surprise and grip me to the end, and it's an unusual novel that can also keep you guessing whether the heroine will choose marriage or comfortable singleness.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews