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The Unknown
It was Mrs. Croyden who had been taken by the idea of digging up the history of the family. It seemed to be the kind of thing that everyone was doing nowadays. And once started she became more and more enchanted by the project. Even her husband George, having once seen the ancient photograph of a most attractive girl, long since dead, was taken by the project. The only snag was that even Great-Aunt Maud, the owner of the photograph, had no idea what had happened to the beautiful girl named Isabella. Apparently she had completely vanished and to the rest of the family had simply become The Unknown. Would the mystery ever be solved?
- GenresMystery
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 29, 2008
41 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
James Pattinson
144 books13 followersJames Pattinson was a prolific British author of over a 100 mystery thrillers.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 20, 2016
I don't remember how I heard about this book, but I was so eager to find it and read it! It took searching and waiting. I thought, because of one review and other info, that the story was about someone doing genealogical research and finding a photograph of a relative about whom nothing is known. This person would then decide to research "the unknown" and solve a family mystery.
However, that's not how the book unfolded. Instead, it's only a male character's fantasy of what this attractive female's life had been. Included are all the cliches: an innocent girl is promised fame on the stages of London, she is being smuggled out of her home in the dead of night. She puts up with promises and is a willing sexual partner with her seducer. When she finally is put on stage and is discovered by a wiser, more ambitious man, she leaves the first and becomes a darling of the Moulin Rouge in Paris. She enjoys sex with the new guy and her female roommate. A fabulously wealthy Count now seduces her into living on his great estate (even better sex) and showers her with jewels, then sends her away when he must marry within his class. Is she ruined? Oh no, she makes a successful return to the stage! She suffers the jealousy of other dancers, one of whom causes an accident which ends her dancing career. This beautiful, ex-star, ex-mistress of the best, now begins her decline, selling her jewels one at a time. She is content (and enjoys sex) with lesser men whom she allows to dupe and control her. Her dramatic end in the Seine has been telegraphed way ahead. I’ve spoiled the end for you: sorry. It’s a quick read, however, and might be fun if you weren’t looking for more … and if you can believe a woman can go through such a life without making any female friends, or male friends, and not learn anything at all.
However, that's not how the book unfolded. Instead, it's only a male character's fantasy of what this attractive female's life had been. Included are all the cliches: an innocent girl is promised fame on the stages of London, she is being smuggled out of her home in the dead of night. She puts up with promises and is a willing sexual partner with her seducer. When she finally is put on stage and is discovered by a wiser, more ambitious man, she leaves the first and becomes a darling of the Moulin Rouge in Paris. She enjoys sex with the new guy and her female roommate. A fabulously wealthy Count now seduces her into living on his great estate (even better sex) and showers her with jewels, then sends her away when he must marry within his class. Is she ruined? Oh no, she makes a successful return to the stage! She suffers the jealousy of other dancers, one of whom causes an accident which ends her dancing career. This beautiful, ex-star, ex-mistress of the best, now begins her decline, selling her jewels one at a time. She is content (and enjoys sex) with lesser men whom she allows to dupe and control her. Her dramatic end in the Seine has been telegraphed way ahead. I’ve spoiled the end for you: sorry. It’s a quick read, however, and might be fun if you weren’t looking for more … and if you can believe a woman can go through such a life without making any female friends, or male friends, and not learn anything at all.
February 22, 2021
I enjoyed the story of a young girl who decided to leave home to pursue life with a guy she met and liked a lot. The story took me through her days as she traveled and experienced life on her own and what happened as she went from place to place. The author as Mr. Patterson usually does was able to keep me from figuring out the ending until the last chapter. In respect for him I will not reveal what happened throughout this story but I enjoyed the way it developed and found it interesting how he wound the different events of her life into a story that was interesting and kept me coming back for more. I highly recommend this book to all who enjoy a good mystery, as it is that and more.
May 4, 2020
Could have been such a good story
The protagonist was emotionless and seemingly empty headed and yet never had anything truly tragic come from her ridiculous choices. The other characters you meet in the beginning have absolutely zero bearing on the story and could have been left out completely without altering the plot (what there was of it). There was no buildup, no climactic ending and no reason to read the book. I'd pass this one by if I were you.
The protagonist was emotionless and seemingly empty headed and yet never had anything truly tragic come from her ridiculous choices. The other characters you meet in the beginning have absolutely zero bearing on the story and could have been left out completely without altering the plot (what there was of it). There was no buildup, no climactic ending and no reason to read the book. I'd pass this one by if I were you.
September 24, 2017
Very intriguing
The title was what caught my eye. Then I met "Bella." She reminded me of what many young women of today experience . Lust but not love. Success but then failure. Friendship then abuse. What is there to live for?
The title was what caught my eye. Then I met "Bella." She reminded me of what many young women of today experience . Lust but not love. Success but then failure. Friendship then abuse. What is there to live for?
March 22, 2019
Enjoyable story
Fast moving and interesting story about past family secrets and adventures. Genealogy in fascinating when you find hidden details that no one talks about.
Fast moving and interesting story about past family secrets and adventures. Genealogy in fascinating when you find hidden details that no one talks about.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews