The Seven Sapphires of Mardi Gras

by Vickie Britton

Louise Moreland returns to the family homestead upon being orphaned, but the home is a ruin rather than the palace her mother remembered, replete with a strange inhabitant whom Louise nevertheless finds attractive

Genres: Gothic, Mystery, Romance

288 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1991

About the author

Vickie Britton writes with her sister Loretta Jackson. They are the authors of over forty novels. Their series include the Jeff McQuede High Country Mystery Series and the Ardis Cole Archaeological Mystery Series. Vickie live in Kansas, but she spent many years in Laramie, Wyoming. Their newest High County mystery novels set in Wyoming are MURDER IN BLACK AND WHITE, WHISPERS OF THE STONES,and STEALER OF HORSES.

Reviews

[Mermarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm side-eyeing this story with a 3-star. It's a basic Gothic story, but that's usually a flat-line 3-star for me. Most of the characters flaked out, or really weren't a variable in the story. The reason for generous 3, is that the story didn't stretch on longer than it needed to, as her Dangerous Cliffs did. I guessed the plot in the first few chapters, but there it is. :)

[Taylor - Muse Ignited Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars...Voodoo Men! and Madmen! and Witches! Oh My! ...I think I liked this more than I should have?

Soooo I was a little worried with all the exclamation points in the first couple chapters: things were Lost! Stolen! Seen! Flooded! and in addition to all those: The Voodoo Man! The Voodoo Man! Guess who popped up again? Yup, The Voodoo Man! (Sadly the Voodoo man was basically abandoned after his initial ominous appearances)...but that being said, I actually ended up getting into the book and liked the plot and characters. Pretty standard Zebra/Gothic fare, but I always love me some spooky southern swamps and abandoned plantation houses with a rumored ghost or two.

Several potential villains/creepsters of both the female and male variety in this one - bonus points for the creepy teen in this one (appropriately named Christine), she definitely needed a throttling...or to sink into the swamp (why couldn't the Voodoo Man! Or Madman! Conk HER over the head?).

In terms of the romance in this one, I'd say it was secondary to the action/mystery of the plot, but it wasn't bad, there were some good little moments of tension in there.

Bottom line: Fun read, entertaining plot, good backstory with multiple complicated characters/backstories, great gothic (outside of New Orleans) setting - but I really could have used some of those Voodoo Men and Witches (for real!), sadly they were there pretty much as "spookers" (spooky fillers).

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Britton's writing style and the essence she is able to draw into her characters. Her writing is suspenseful and entertaining, keeping the reader engaged and wondering what is going to happen until the very end.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are too many flaws in this story to make it a good mystery. Louise Moreland is traveling to the old plantation her mother grew up on after her mother's death. She is to stay with her Uncle Edward. Edward's granddaughter is Christine. I do not believe anyone would allow a child to behave a Christine does. She is a horrible girl. Her tricks are nasty and people are hurt by them. Louise meets Nicolas, the adopted son of her grandfather. She falls madly in love with him after just minutes, but thinks he must be mad. At Mardi Gras the year before, his wife died in a fire. People believe he is mad and the killer, Louise is not sure. He tells Louise he cannot love her and must wait for Mardi Gras this year. He makes her promise that if she plans to rebuild the mansion, she must wait until after Mardi Gras. There are so many silly, needless events in the book including a voodoo man, men pretending to be dead, and silly clues that I did not enjoy the book.

[Maureen(with an unquenchable thirst for books) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I previously read this novel with the eyes and mind of a teen and I assumed it was amazing. Then I tried re-reading and couldn't even get through the first chapter. What in the world did I find appealing then I can only wonder. This novel is just an okay novel. There is nothing fantastic about it. In fact, the writing and plot is quite strange, to put it nicely,

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I really liked the Louisiana setting and unlike many books in the series, the book title actually has a role in the story, not only is there actually seven sapphires in it but Mardi Gras plays a big part in the last act of the book and I really enjoyed it all. I was able to guess who was behind everything and I was correct but it didn't take any enjoyment away. I loved the romance between Nicholas and Louise, I loved the kiss scenes and I could feel the connection and spark between them, but because of this I wanted more! the end was perfect but I would have loved a future epilogue that many of these books have. I really liked Louise and Nicholas, I remember thinking at a few parts that Louise wasn't the brightest but I still found her endearing, and as for Nicholas I really liked him, I wish we got more into his mind, it wasn't necessary, I just would have liked it. The author definitely took some inspiration from the Phantom of The Opera at parts.

I see this book has a bit lower rating than many of this series of zebra gothics which is typical! my favourites are normally lower rated by people today lol. I find this book very enjoyable, I have nothing to criticize, only I would have liked more.

[Kelly Duplechin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am drawn to books that are written in this time period, which is what originally peaked my interest in this one, along with the fact that it takes place in Louisiana.

It is set in the late 1800's when Louise comes home to learn about the land of her mother's youth, as well as her family that she's never known. Once she arrives, she slowly learns that there are family secrets that she knows nothing of. I liked that the style of writing seemed to fit the time of the story itself, simple yet possessing many layers to be uncovered. There is even a touch of romance. It was an extremely easy read, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed.

[Crissy Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I read the kindle version and was dissappointed in the amount of typing errors. I really got emotionally envolved with the main character, Louise. The story was a little predictable but still exciting. I also found a few things that were historically inaccurate. Over all a good book.