The Winds of Night

by Anne Maybury

Virtually alone in a clifftop Georgian house, Judith Ardley becomes more and more frightened by a series of unnerving visits and phone calls. Each time, the sinister strangers asked the same "Where is your husband, Mrs. Ardley?" Where is Philip Ardley? And why does he take these mysterious trips, leaving no clue as to his purpose or destination. Desperate with fear and loneliness, Judith turns to Adam Quentin, a dear friend, for help. But Adam's words of comfort lead to words of love and when at last Judith's husband returns, she is not glad to see him. Philip is no longer the charming man she married. Now he is an enigma, and his presence heralds a new threat to the lives of his wife and their small son. In order to stay alive Judith has to find out what these tormentors want from her--and what Philip really is.

Genres: Gothic

Mass Market Paperback

First published May 1, 1981

About the author

Edith Arundel Buxton
aka Edith Arundel, Anne Maybury & Katherine Troy.

Her maiden surname was Arundel. Her ancestors were said to have come to England with the Norman Conquest and she was proud of the heritage which did seem to imbue her with a perceptive appreciation of history. The love of poetry which remained with her always was inherited from her father, a distinguished poet of his time. Her mother was a musician who died at an early age.

She was a writer of romantic suspense whose novels earned her world-wide acclaim and an enormous following. She was particularly popular in the United States. Her finest gift was for lyrical prose and she used her delight in colour and drama to such effect that the reader was immediately plunged into the story and held enthralled.

Her early novels were written also under the pennames of Edith Arundel and Katherine Troy, but it is as Anne Maybury that she will be remembered. She was a true professional who did not believe in wasting time. A promised deadline was adhered to and all social engagements regretfully cancelled. She developed early in life the profound interest in human behaviour and intrigue which was to prove a valuable asset to her writing. Also in good measure she retained the attribute so necessary to an author, a lively curiosity. She travelled widely and brought a sense of adventure into her books derived often from personal experiences of a bizarre kind. She seemed to attract excitement and used to say that she had met more than one murderer during her travels around the world. As a writer she was stylish, and this quality extended to her personality, which was full of vivid charm, lightened by a sparkling sense of fun.

Generous with her time to aspiring writers, she also loved literary chat with her peers. She was interested in new writing as well as the classics and read widely, keeping up with developments. She was a vice-president of both the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. Almost until his death she regularly attended meetings and gave time and care to helping the members and the causes in which they believe. She was a remarkable writer and a good friend and companion.

Reviews

[William · Rating 1 out of 5]

A young wife living in a coastal town not far from London realizes that neither her husband nor her marriage is what she thought it was in this slim novel of suspense. Judith Ardley is not as sympathetic as other Maybury heroines, and the husband, Philip, is cruel and mean. Yet Maybury's ability to create distinctive atmospheres holds true here, adding texture to what is otherwise a fairly pedestrian effort, both within her own oeuvre and within the romantic suspense genre.

[Heather Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me on the edge of my seat. It’s an older book, so misogyny is everywhere, still a good read though.

[Cyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. I liked the character development and the story moved along at a good pace. The ending felt a bit rushed but all in all an enjoyable read.