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Three Gothic Novels: Ring of Fear, the Mark of Merlin, the Kilternan Legacy
This is a three-in-one omnibus of Anne McCaffrey's early works.
Ring of Fear: Since Nialla Dunn's father has been murdered, someone has been trying to destroy Nialla and her thoroughbred horses, and she is now trapped between an unseen killer coming always nearer and a lover who fills her with ecstasy and dread.
The Mark of Merlin: Carla Murdoch had learned about being alone, growing up on various army posts. Her officer father met a mysterious death on a foreign battlefield, and Carla has been sent to live in her new guardian's New England mansion ... a remote, snowbound place where she finds she isn't really wanted and the loneliness is terrible.
The Kilternan Legacy: Irene Teasey has left her husband and claimed her inheritance in Ireland from an aunt she never knew ... a legacy of land, a mansion, cottages with tenants, and even a horse. Together with her children, she will find more than escape from an abusive relationship. She will find a new life filled with loyal friends, her extended Irish family ... and a new love in this beautiful, ancient land.
Ring of Fear: Since Nialla Dunn's father has been murdered, someone has been trying to destroy Nialla and her thoroughbred horses, and she is now trapped between an unseen killer coming always nearer and a lover who fills her with ecstasy and dread.
The Mark of Merlin: Carla Murdoch had learned about being alone, growing up on various army posts. Her officer father met a mysterious death on a foreign battlefield, and Carla has been sent to live in her new guardian's New England mansion ... a remote, snowbound place where she finds she isn't really wanted and the loneliness is terrible.
The Kilternan Legacy: Irene Teasey has left her husband and claimed her inheritance in Ireland from an aunt she never knew ... a legacy of land, a mansion, cottages with tenants, and even a horse. Together with her children, she will find more than escape from an abusive relationship. She will find a new life filled with loyal friends, her extended Irish family ... and a new love in this beautiful, ancient land.
567 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
1 person is currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
Anne McCaffrey
481 books7,787 followersAnne Inez McCaffrey was an American writer known for the Dragonriders of Pern science fiction series. She was the first woman to win a Hugo Award for fiction (Best Novella, Weyr Search, 1968) and the first to win a Nebula Award (Best Novella, Dragonrider, 1969). Her 1978 novel The White Dragon became one of the first science-fiction books to appear on the New York Times Best Seller list.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
In 2005 the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America named McCaffrey its 22nd Grand Master, an annual award to living writers of fantasy and science fiction. She was inducted by the Science Fiction Hall of Fame on 17 June 2006. She also received the Robert A. Heinlein Award for her work in 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 19, 2020
I give up.
January 11, 2013
A.k.a., Three Women.
They're not actually Gothic in the usual sense. Instead, they are three completely separate romances. One is during the 1960s on Long Island, another is set during World War II on the East Coast, and the third is in Dublin, Ireland.
All three stories are most interesting for the attitudes of the times. If insta-love bothers you, you should probably skip this trio.
The Stories
"Ring of Fear" is a sweet if somewhat unbelievable story of a young lady fleeing her rapist after her father's murder and participating in horse events where she's rescued by a fellow rider from a series of unfortunate events.
It's an insta-love which takes awhile for me to grasp isn't so insta. It's set in the 1960s and there was an interesting disconnect for me. McCaffrey writes of the time period with its drug use and the clothing and yet it has a very contemporary feel even though she's using the language of the time. I'd read it again.
"Mark of Merlin" is another insta-love, although McCaffrey does provide a reason for it later on. This one takes place during World War II and James Carlyle Murdock has just been orphaned. The letter she receives from her guardian Major Regan Laird has her furious and she's determined to put him in his place.
I can see her side of it and, eventually, she comes to consider Regan's side as well. It begins with a blizzard and builds up to all sorts of storms from her confrontation with the major and their continuing clashes, the revealing of the details that contributed to her father's death, the colonel's suspicions, and on to all sorts of resolutions.
McCaffrey's description of Laird's house is a fascinating look back at yesterday's housekeeping---not really all that long ago!---and makes me very grateful for my central heating! Even if I would adore the major's house.
"Kilternan Legacy" is a lovely escape for a rather dim and meek woman. An Irish great-aunt dies, leaving her small estate to the newly divorced Irene Teasey. It provides an opportunity for Irene junior, Rene, to put some distance between her and her twins and her fruitcake of an ex. The greater legacy, however, is the circle of friends and certain members of the Irish side of the family who gather round Rene, Snow, and Simon, aiding and protecting her.
This one sounds like it takes place during the 1960s as well and there's a women's rights aspect to it as the disinherited family members try to symbolically whack Rene over the head with "what should be done" as well as the reasons for Great-Aunt Irene's choice of tenants in her cottages.
I did like this story very much and would have liked it even better if Rene hadn't been such a ditz; thank god for her determined fourteen-year-olds!
The Cover
The cover of the version I read is quite spare with its pale pink background and woodcut-looking sketch in black-and-pink of a the heads of a couple embracing. All tucked within an inset frame.
The title of the version I read must have been a last-minute grab. It's certainly not very catchy, nor is it accurate.
They're not actually Gothic in the usual sense. Instead, they are three completely separate romances. One is during the 1960s on Long Island, another is set during World War II on the East Coast, and the third is in Dublin, Ireland.
All three stories are most interesting for the attitudes of the times. If insta-love bothers you, you should probably skip this trio.
The Stories
"Ring of Fear" is a sweet if somewhat unbelievable story of a young lady fleeing her rapist after her father's murder and participating in horse events where she's rescued by a fellow rider from a series of unfortunate events.
It's an insta-love which takes awhile for me to grasp isn't so insta. It's set in the 1960s and there was an interesting disconnect for me. McCaffrey writes of the time period with its drug use and the clothing and yet it has a very contemporary feel even though she's using the language of the time. I'd read it again.
"Mark of Merlin" is another insta-love, although McCaffrey does provide a reason for it later on. This one takes place during World War II and James Carlyle Murdock has just been orphaned. The letter she receives from her guardian Major Regan Laird has her furious and she's determined to put him in his place.
I can see her side of it and, eventually, she comes to consider Regan's side as well. It begins with a blizzard and builds up to all sorts of storms from her confrontation with the major and their continuing clashes, the revealing of the details that contributed to her father's death, the colonel's suspicions, and on to all sorts of resolutions.
McCaffrey's description of Laird's house is a fascinating look back at yesterday's housekeeping---not really all that long ago!---and makes me very grateful for my central heating! Even if I would adore the major's house.
"Kilternan Legacy" is a lovely escape for a rather dim and meek woman. An Irish great-aunt dies, leaving her small estate to the newly divorced Irene Teasey. It provides an opportunity for Irene junior, Rene, to put some distance between her and her twins and her fruitcake of an ex. The greater legacy, however, is the circle of friends and certain members of the Irish side of the family who gather round Rene, Snow, and Simon, aiding and protecting her.
This one sounds like it takes place during the 1960s as well and there's a women's rights aspect to it as the disinherited family members try to symbolically whack Rene over the head with "what should be done" as well as the reasons for Great-Aunt Irene's choice of tenants in her cottages.
I did like this story very much and would have liked it even better if Rene hadn't been such a ditz; thank god for her determined fourteen-year-olds!
The Cover
The cover of the version I read is quite spare with its pale pink background and woodcut-looking sketch in black-and-pink of a the heads of a couple embracing. All tucked within an inset frame.
The title of the version I read must have been a last-minute grab. It's certainly not very catchy, nor is it accurate.
November 28, 2014
I've always considered Anne McCaffrey a science-fiction/fantasy author. I had no idea, until this book was given to me, that she had also dabbled in romance. Her voice is quite clear, and overall I enjoyed them. I like how the "heros" are not classically handsome. For instance, Raf is short and the Colonol is badly scarred on one half of his face. I find so many romance today have the heroes as being outrageously gorgeous, washboard abs, an the like. This was quite the refresher.
The Ring of Fear - 3 stars
I found this book's plot (and villain) too simplistic, and Nialla too passive. I did like the tension throughout and Nialla and Raf's banter; however, it took me a long time to get through the story.
The Mark of Merlin - 4.5 stars
Loved it. I didn't see the plot twist coming, and I loved Laird and Carla together (and Merlin... best book dog ever!)
The Kilterman Legacy - 4.5 stars
The drama in this book is absolutely hilarious, although there are serious themes. It moved well and Snow and Simon were a riot.
The Ring of Fear - 3 stars
I found this book's plot (and villain) too simplistic, and Nialla too passive. I did like the tension throughout and Nialla and Raf's banter; however, it took me a long time to get through the story.
The Mark of Merlin - 4.5 stars
Loved it. I didn't see the plot twist coming, and I loved Laird and Carla together (and Merlin... best book dog ever!)
The Kilterman Legacy - 4.5 stars
The drama in this book is absolutely hilarious, although there are serious themes. It moved well and Snow and Simon were a riot.
May 4, 2019
Reread. Definitely some issues with the romantic relationships portrayed in these three stories which I'm sure are a product of the times they were originally written. I still enjoy the stories though.
January 21, 2016
A friend suggested this read. The author is well known for her fantasy books so I thought I'd try her attempt at a different genre. I read through it as quickly as possible. The first story was hard to get through but the latter weren't any better. Second story had potential and I enjoyed the mystery but the last one had me bored to tears. Yawning tears. Not your typical romance novel but for fans of either the genre or author.
June 26, 2020
This is some of McCaffrey's rare fiction - a collection of three stories published elsewhere. Three of her strongest themes appear here. The first story is set in the horse world, the second is a story set post WWII and features an intelligent German Shepherd, and the third features a divorced woman who moves to Ireland with her kids. I love to revisit these anytime I'm out of books.
February 29, 2020
Three complete romance/mystery novels with strong, likable female protagonists in very different settings by author of A Stitch in Snow, The Rowan, and all my beloved Dragons of Pern books.
Ring of Fear - Nialla is on the run after the brutal murder of her horse trainer father. Escaping with her horses, she flees East and tries supporting herself on the show jumper circuit, but a series of accidents put her in fear of her life. Becoming a person of interest to wealthy, womanizing Rafe Clery provides her with someone to watch her back and more.
The Mark of Merlin - Motherless Radcliffe student, James Carlisle Murdock, is crushed when HER military Dad is killed, and released from the hospital after pneumonia, she is dispatched in March 1945 from Boston to East Orleans on Cape Cod to the care of her new guardian, Major Laird. Riding in the baggage car with her huge German Shepherd and body guard, Merlin, Carla is an unwelcome surprise to her father’s former military friend. The arrival of her father’s Sargent Edward “Turtle” Bailey, and then Lieutenant DeLord, and the secrets they seem to share aggravate Carla even more as it becomes apparent someone is tracking Carla, and even more desperately her father’s military trunk, with his stamp collections, and very valuable loot hidden within it.
The Kilternan Legacy - Recently divorced Irene Teasey and her twin fourteen year olds, Simon and “Snow” Sara, arrive in Ireland to look at the property and inheritance left her by her never met, great Aunt Irene Teasey, for whom she was named, and to escape the malicious behavior of her ex-husband Teddie Stanton. After meeting her great aunt’s solicitor Michael Noonan, evading Brian Kelley, an avaricious real estate agent, visiting the house, stopping a bulldozer, visitations by two furious aunts Alice and Emelda, who thought they’d inherit, and their placating sister in law, Winnie, meeting a gazillion relations, Kieran Thornton who owns one of the five cottages on Great Aunt Irene’s “queendom” and Shamus Kerrigan, the gorgeous bachelor who owns the property up the private lane who needs a right of way to access it, Rene has a lot to untangle including protecting the abused mothers and children inhabiting two of the other cottages as Irene had. Add in cousins, motorbikes, two elderly Ladies, Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, Irish laws and women’s rights or not, it’s a delightful read.
Ring of Fear - Nialla is on the run after the brutal murder of her horse trainer father. Escaping with her horses, she flees East and tries supporting herself on the show jumper circuit, but a series of accidents put her in fear of her life. Becoming a person of interest to wealthy, womanizing Rafe Clery provides her with someone to watch her back and more.
The Mark of Merlin - Motherless Radcliffe student, James Carlisle Murdock, is crushed when HER military Dad is killed, and released from the hospital after pneumonia, she is dispatched in March 1945 from Boston to East Orleans on Cape Cod to the care of her new guardian, Major Laird. Riding in the baggage car with her huge German Shepherd and body guard, Merlin, Carla is an unwelcome surprise to her father’s former military friend. The arrival of her father’s Sargent Edward “Turtle” Bailey, and then Lieutenant DeLord, and the secrets they seem to share aggravate Carla even more as it becomes apparent someone is tracking Carla, and even more desperately her father’s military trunk, with his stamp collections, and very valuable loot hidden within it.
The Kilternan Legacy - Recently divorced Irene Teasey and her twin fourteen year olds, Simon and “Snow” Sara, arrive in Ireland to look at the property and inheritance left her by her never met, great Aunt Irene Teasey, for whom she was named, and to escape the malicious behavior of her ex-husband Teddie Stanton. After meeting her great aunt’s solicitor Michael Noonan, evading Brian Kelley, an avaricious real estate agent, visiting the house, stopping a bulldozer, visitations by two furious aunts Alice and Emelda, who thought they’d inherit, and their placating sister in law, Winnie, meeting a gazillion relations, Kieran Thornton who owns one of the five cottages on Great Aunt Irene’s “queendom” and Shamus Kerrigan, the gorgeous bachelor who owns the property up the private lane who needs a right of way to access it, Rene has a lot to untangle including protecting the abused mothers and children inhabiting two of the other cottages as Irene had. Add in cousins, motorbikes, two elderly Ladies, Gilbert and Sullivan operettas, Irish laws and women’s rights or not, it’s a delightful read.
April 19, 2020
I've lost count the number of times I've read these three novellas....I always enjoy them.
July 6, 2021
This is the omnibus of the last three books that I've just read, and I've reviewed all three separately.
November 25, 2025
Three stories, three ladies, all win in the end. I liked the book.
August 7, 2015
Basically hokey chic lit that's terrifically dated ... And yet in some ways it's not because in all three cases the women are stronger and less dependent on men than their peers would have been. It's three novellas with no internal connections (different places and people).
My favorite is the one about the female jockey. I think in part because of the realism of her life, the old car, the peanut butter sandwiches, the snotty and silly horse society set, etc. and the male lead is a great example of a short sexy alpha. (It's so unusual to find short men as romantic leads in books, that this is notable!) that said, it's very dated - he pushes for sex on two occasions after she she vehemently says no. And after she disobeys his command to stay in the house during an emergency (she had a darn good reason to leave) he flares into anger and spanks her on the spot so hard that she can't sit comfortably for hours afterward. This is not sexy spanking, this is pissed off man. And her big revelation, get ready, he lost his temper and spanked me, so he must really, really love me! Yeah, another generation's foolishness, thank goodness not our own.
I have absolutely no idea why this story is such a favorite of mine...
My favorite is the one about the female jockey. I think in part because of the realism of her life, the old car, the peanut butter sandwiches, the snotty and silly horse society set, etc. and the male lead is a great example of a short sexy alpha. (It's so unusual to find short men as romantic leads in books, that this is notable!) that said, it's very dated - he pushes for sex on two occasions after she she vehemently says no. And after she disobeys his command to stay in the house during an emergency (she had a darn good reason to leave) he flares into anger and spanks her on the spot so hard that she can't sit comfortably for hours afterward. This is not sexy spanking, this is pissed off man. And her big revelation, get ready, he lost his temper and spanked me, so he must really, really love me! Yeah, another generation's foolishness, thank goodness not our own.
I have absolutely no idea why this story is such a favorite of mine...
March 29, 2015
I love this omnibus. I have ever since I was a teenager addicted to romance novels. I don't actually know McCaffrey's dragon series - attempted to listen to the first one about 10 years ago and just couldn't get into it. I'm not a huge Sci-Fi fan to begin with.
I have very few physical books anymore for various reasons but this one I've actually re-purchased via eBay because the other got ripped up and ruined while in storage.
The three stories are not connected at all, other than the wonderful writing of the author. If you love prose that shows, rather than tells, is concisely descriptive and characters you wish you knew in real life, then you'll like these stories. Yes, they're dated - all set in the 40's and 60's. Yes, most people would probably consider them sexist. I don't care. I still love them. The first two more than the third, honestly. When I have nothing new to read or I need a comfort read, I'm likely to read the first two stories in one sitting/evening.
I have very few physical books anymore for various reasons but this one I've actually re-purchased via eBay because the other got ripped up and ruined while in storage.
The three stories are not connected at all, other than the wonderful writing of the author. If you love prose that shows, rather than tells, is concisely descriptive and characters you wish you knew in real life, then you'll like these stories. Yes, they're dated - all set in the 40's and 60's. Yes, most people would probably consider them sexist. I don't care. I still love them. The first two more than the third, honestly. When I have nothing new to read or I need a comfort read, I'm likely to read the first two stories in one sitting/evening.
June 25, 2025
Three Women (Omnibus: The Ring of Fear \ The Mark of Merlin \ The Kilternan Legacy)
by Anne McCaffrey
combination of three historical novels of Anne McCaffery in the fictional genre
Mark of merlin:
a great story of mystery and learning personal secretes
Ring of Fear:
one of the contemporary novels of Anne McAffrey, showing the dynamic ability she had to write in any genre.
The Year of the Lucy:
a love story, from one of the best authors in the world, it was a fiction story in modern times, a total divergent from the science fiction that she was known for.
by Anne McCaffrey
combination of three historical novels of Anne McCaffery in the fictional genre
Mark of merlin:
a great story of mystery and learning personal secretes
Ring of Fear:
one of the contemporary novels of Anne McAffrey, showing the dynamic ability she had to write in any genre.
The Year of the Lucy:
a love story, from one of the best authors in the world, it was a fiction story in modern times, a total divergent from the science fiction that she was known for.
December 3, 2012
I have read many dozens of Anne McCaffrey's books over my lifetime and enjoyed most if not all of them, however this is the first non-science fiction offering.
This is a fantastic book. It is basically three books in one. Three, stories, three women, no connection at all from one story to another and each is basically a book in itself. (novella?)
I cannot wait to find some more of her non-science fiction offerings.
This is a fantastic book. It is basically three books in one. Three, stories, three women, no connection at all from one story to another and each is basically a book in itself. (novella?)
I cannot wait to find some more of her non-science fiction offerings.
February 7, 2016
I've always been a fan of Anne McCaffrey but these three stories were really dated, both in the storyline itself as well as the conclusions. Surprisingly, some authors can write stories from past decades and have them still feel fresh but that was not the case here. On the plus side, the mysteries were fairly intriguing and McCaffrey definitely knows how to develop her characters so I still found them fairly enjoyable.
March 23, 2011
Ok, yes these are romances, but I still like them. Particularly The Kilternan Legacy, which takes place in Ireland. Anne McCaffrey will forever remain my favorite author for her ability to make characters come to life. Even her one-book characters feel very well created and indepth.
December 15, 2007
These stories are a bit dated, but still a good read.
Very thick book, bought on ebay.
Very thick book, bought on ebay.
February 23, 2008
These are some of McCaffrey's rare contemporary fiction. (well, it WAS contemporary when she wrote it, back in the 1970's; it's pretty dated now.)
January 8, 2011
I'm always expecting a fantasy story from Ms. McCafrey. This was a pleasant change with three stories of romance. Nothing to memorable. I think Ms. McCaffrey is better with her fantasy books.
May 10, 2011
Awesome
June 14, 2011
Competent romances from the 1960s reissued in omnibus to take advantage of her later popularity.
August 9, 2013
I had to buy multiple copies since I've read it so many times, I've worn out the original book.
August 10, 2014
I think I'll go back to the dragonbooks.
August 7, 2016
One of my favorite books! I usually don't care for short stories - I want more! - but these three are great. Wonderful stories, great characters, really an enjoyable read!
May 23, 2012
Fun read. My edition has some pages out of order, but I like reading it all the same
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews