The Winding Stair

by Jane Aiken Hodge

When the invitation came, Juana Brett was delighted. A chance to escape from the grey dankness of England, a chance to visit her happy childhood home at the Castle of the Rock, and, above all, the opportunity to escape the petty tyranny of her stepmother.But when she arrived in Portugal, Juana realised that the implications which lay behind Napoleon's proposed attack on Portugal contained great urgency in relation to her own life there. Caught up in the affairs of state, aware that the trip to Portugal has been 'arranged', enmeshed in the machinations of the terrifying Sons of the Star, she finds that even at the Castle on the Rock the atmosphere is charged with doubt and suspicion.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Gothic, Suspense, Historical Romance, Fiction, Regency

328 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1968

About the author

Jane Aiken Hodge was born in the USA, brought up in the UK and read English at Oxford. She received a master's degree from Radcliffe College, Harvard University.

Before her books became her living she worked as a civil servant, journalist, publishers' reader and a reviewer.

She has written lives of Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer as well as a book about women in the Regency period, PASSION AND PRINCIPLE. But her main output has been over twenty historical novels set in the eighteenth century, including POLONAISE, THE LOST GARDEN, and SAVANNAH PURCHASE, the beloved third volume of a trilogy set during and after the American War of Independence. More recently she has written novels for Severn House Publishers.

She enjoys the borderland between mystery and novel, is pleased to be classed as a feminist writer, and is glad that there is neither a glass ceiling nor a retiring age in the writers' world. She was the daughter of Conrad Aiken and sister of Joan Aiken.

Reviews

[Julie Rasmussen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was probably in junior high school, and I couldn't put it down. Years later, I found a slightly battered copy at my local library's book sale, and I'm not ashamed to say that I love this book despite the fact that it is a book for teens.

The story is one of romance and intrigue. The reader follows the adventures and maturation of Juana as she becomes engulfed in espionage in the Portugal of Napoleon's Era. Overall, the story is engaging; the writing is decent (although I have found a few typos). Sadly, I'm pretty sure it's out of print.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book I found at a library book sale, and it has remained one of my favorite books to go back to now and again. Suspense, drama, intrigue and clean romance, all rolled up in one! Love it, gotta go read it again!

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

a favorite romantic suspense/historical(Napoleonic wars)novel - from the book jacket:
To Juana Brett the summons from her grandmother in Portugal appeared to be only an invitation to revisit the beloved scenes of her childhood. She did not know that the familiar castle on the lonely cliffs of Cabo Roca had become the secret meeting place of spies and terrorists. Nor that she herself was to be caught up in a fantastic web of intrigue that had wound itself around her family.

From the moment Juana learned about the winding stair that led to the hidden rooms beneath the castle, she became part of the nightmare conspiracy that threatened everyone she loved.

But it was Juana herself who became the unexpected target of the madmen who dared not trust her with the secret of The Winding Stair.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A longtime favorite set in Portugal during the Napoleonic wars that I just re-read. It is a bit gothic with a castle on a cliff, family with secrets and enstrangements, murderous secret society, kidnapping, political machinations and an innocent young woman caught up in it all.

[Meredith Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember reading this book when I was a teenager,it is still one of my favorites. I also enjoyed reading about the history of Portugal.

[Krishna Nair · Rating 2 out of 5]

The opening is juz like any other historical romance, a couple of chapters proves that. But moving on we find more and more intrigued to know what actually got our damsel to come to Portugal. To her grandmother, who disinherited her father, calls her back from England. We’ll be surprised by the damsel’s logic and her reasons of actions. She takes up everything without asking much questions and best of all, she do think about it deeply and she do share the same thoughts of the readers. But the thing that I didn’t understand is that how she comes to take up everything even the biggest revelations without a shock.
The author do tries her best to keep up the suspense and she does succeed to some extent. But the reader finds their enthusiasm lessened as they turn each page. She drags the story by adding more about the notorious and terrifying secret society which plans on its own government. Chapter from 9 to 15 is a mess. Its gets you to the last level of patience. But as soon you get to chapter 18 “a change in wind, says I” (borrowing without permission (as quoted by Capt. Jack sparrow) the lines of Mr. Gibbs for Pirates of Caribbean). This part of the story shakes you. You are really surprised, coz you find yourself eager to find what happens next.
You suspect each and every one of the novel to be the villain. She does have the credit on this one. But the part I didn’t get on well is that, she portraits Aunt Elvira not to be mad and she warns the damsel of the threats and dangers, but doesn’t tell about how she came to know all about it. Also nothing about her is told in the end. It’s left like a loose string. The readers do have lots of questions at the end unanswered. It looks like the author was in a hurry in wrapping the novel to the end since she dragged it enough in the middle.
So ME THINKS…… 2 out of 5 stars… read it at your own risk (if you have a great deal of patience).

[Hannah Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juana Brett accepts the chance to return to her childhood home in Portugal with delight. Her years of exile in England were not happy ones, but upon arriving at her family's ancestral castle, she discovers that she was recalled to the family's good graces because her grandmother needs her help in spying on a dangerous secret society. Juana soon finds herself torn between loyalty to two countries, in more ways than one. Handsome Gair Varlow uses his pretense of courting Juana to hide his true purpose as an English spy, but one of Juana's Portuguese cousins offers her a possible way out of the swamp of espionage, if she will just marry him and become fully Portuguese herself.
On the surface this is a fairly traditional historical romance (in the old-fashioned sense, at least), but its depth of historical research and setting is really lovely. Maybe I just know very little about Portuguese history--for instance, I can't remember ever learning that Portugal was ruled by a Regent during the Napoleonic wars, just like England, due to an insane monarch. This is a great read for the historical background alone, but Juana is also a spirited and strong-willed heroine, even if she does (like all of Hodges's heroines that I've come across so far) pine miserably after a man she thinks will never have her for the greater portion of the novel.

[Sobriquet]

This has the makings of a good book. The Portuguese history is very interesting, the heroine is sympathetic. However, the intrigue seemed to get bogged down in too many conversations. The romance took such a back seat to the outside events keeping the couple apart that I stopped caring about it much. There were too many side characters for the length of the book, and I think trying to put in the historical detail, and the family drama, and the romance and descriptions of the setting, created a book that is trying to be all things.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A historical romance in the vein of Victoria Holt, this model depicts the adventures of a naive young woman who is recruited to be a spy for the English while she tries to reclaim her Portugese inheritance. However she is unnerved by the man who has recruited her which leads to brushes with death as well as a monthly task that frightens her. Not exactly a fast paced read, fans of fiction that gives details of a certain period in history with a good helping of gothic intrigue will enjoy this.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

An old time favorite - a great historical romance/mystery.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quite interesting book with some historical facts close related to my country history. Since this book is quite old, the scanned cover book is not so nice.

[A.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapters: 27 // Pages: 325

Again, couldn't put it down!!

[Margareth8537 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining romance with an interesting setting in Portugal

[Malinda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have liked another book by this author, but I would not for the life of me get into this one! A great deal of skimming took place during this read and I still don't think I missed anything.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite a tedious start (the part set in England, which I found dull), the bulk of this novel was enjoyable. The pace picks up a bit once the heroine relocates to Portugal, and though I'd have thought the subject (Portugal during the Napoleonic wars) unlikely to enthrall me, the historical/political aspects were handled more deftly than expected. I wound up liking the book much more than I'd have thought, judging only from the first few pages.

If I have any complaint, it would be that my interest flagged, ever so slightly, once the romance was more or less "settled", though there was still a good deal of story to go. Also, I was rather disappointed that we never got a fuller explanation of one character in particular (see spoiler section below).

For an old-fashioned historical romance/gothic suspense, I found this pretty good. Don't expect brilliance or mold-breaking-- and you just might learn a thing or two about the history of Portugal (especially if, like me, you go in with an appalling ignorance of the country).

If half-stars were possible, I'd give this 3.5, but I'm unwilling to round up, this time.


Specifics with SPOILERS:
--The misogyny of the Sons of the Star was so over the top! Combined with the clunky ceremonial flourishes, it made them seem ridiculous. Still deadly, of course, but also just silly.

--If the Sons of the Star as a group are ridiculously anti-woman, Vasco is even more cartoonish. It's one thing for a powerful (and egomaniacal) man of the past to think women are of inferior understanding and ability-- that I can readily believe-- but Vasco takes it to such an insane level-- far beyond the slightly amused (albeit infuriating) indifference you might expect from someone whose views have never been challenged.

His lack of respect for women is coupled with an apparent physical abhorrence for women. It's not just Juana whom he finds repellent; he seems to have a pathological disgust of all women: "We'll need a pompous wedding ... and an heir, of course, or, better still, a couple of brats, but after that... Well, you know what I think-- what we all think of women, Brothers." Yeah, it's safe to say that Vasco has Issues...

Strange that Vasco was able to mask his disgust for Juana until he had abducted her... Prior to the abduction, though she knew she didn't love him, she was still affected by his rather violent embraces to the point that she seriously considered the possibility of marrying him. Afterwards, he's still playing the role of a besotted lover, but for some reason it's no longer effective. I guess we're meant to chalk it up to Juana's inexperience with men-- but his abrupt inability to play the obsessed suitor is weak. He's the consummate actor until he's suddenly not.

--The author tantalizes the reader with the mystery surrounding Aunt Elvira. First, what happened to her? Second, though she usually seems slightly mad (or at least very eccentric), she has moments of clarity that lead one to question whether the madness is an act. I was certain there was more to her backstory that would be revealed in the end, but that all came to nothing. A bit disappointing.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My nostalgia journey through Jane Aiken Hodge #6. Her books are more historical adventure with a hint of romance. In the early 19th century when Napoleon is at his height Juana Brett is invited to Portugal by her grandmother, Mrs Brett, not knowing what is in store for her. Who is she to trust in the Castle of the Rock? Her grandmother? Her two uncles or their sons? Maybe he other cousin Vasco de Mascarenhas who professes love and wishes to marry her? Or the English spy Gair Varlow who had been instrumental in her visit and pretended to court her in order to fulfil his mission? Grave danger follows her as on the nights of the full moon she descends the winding stair from her grandmother’s bedroom to the chamber hidden in the cliff where the secret Sons of the Star meet and discuss treason. Full of adventure and historical facts it gives a fascinating insight into Portugal at that time. My one quibble is I found the final part of the book a little far fetched and annoying, however this did not detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.

[Lady Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was unfamiliar with Jane Aiken Hodge. She wrote around the same time period as some of my other favorite romantic suspense authors: Mary Stewart, Madeline Brent. This was nice in that it took place in Regency Portugal--a time and place that I knew very little about. Due to the time it was written, there are some gender stereotypes in place. I would be interested in reading more of her books. Don't see me revisiting this one again though.

[Martha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice reread after many years. Adventurous plot with an interesting historical background (Napoleonic wars, Portuguese politics), and the romance does not ruin the rest. (I mean, of course that part is predictable, but there is enough other stuff going on to make it an engaging read.) And the writing is good.

[Ayelet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is basically "Greek Wedding" but not as good.

[Sheila · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Portugal, early 1800s.

[Heather · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF - just couldnt' get into this one. Not exactly sure why, as the writing is good. I might try again eventually - might have just been my mood.

[Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book as I love most of JAH's books. I enjoy the way she included historical fact into her stories.