The Lost One

by Mary Stewart, Antonia Whillans (Narrator)

Running time 1 hour and 17 minutes.

First published in Woman’s Journal in 1960, and set against the backdrop of unfenced country and dark winding valleys at night, the aptly named ‘The Lost One’ features The Wind Off The Small Isles heroine Perdita West, who brings her characteristic pluck and courage to this classic Mary Stewart tale of suspense and intrigue …

Genres: Classics, Fiction, Suspense

2 pages, Audiobook

First published May 1, 2019

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Lady Mary Stewart, born Mary Florence Elinor Rainbow, was a popular English novelist, and taught at the school of John Norquay elementary for 30 to 35 years.

She was one of the most widely read fiction writers of our time. The author of twenty novels, a volume of poetry, and three books for young readers, she was admired for both her contemporary stories of romantic suspense and her historical novels. Born in England, she lived for many years in Scotland, spending time between Edinburgh and the West Highlands.

Her unofficial fan site can be found at http://marystewartnovels.blogspot.com/.

Reviews

[Carol, She's so Novel ꧁꧂ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looks like I'm a completist with another author other than Georgette Heyer - for Ms Stewart's adult works anyway. I didn't enjoy the Stewart children's books I have read enough to seek out her others. To my surprise I found this short story as an audiobook on Spotify.

This short story was originally published in the Woman’s Journal in 1960 & it features the same heroine as The Wind Off The Small Isles heroine (Perdita West). This story was obviously written before The Wind off the Small Isles & maybe Ms Stewart was enamored enough with this plucky heroine to give her her own full novel later.

Perdita & her mother (who manages to be both strong willed & slightly ditzy at the same time) become lost on their way to the Lake District, due to the mother's lack of map reading skills. It is late but they find a house. Unfortunately it is deserted, but the French doors are unlocked...

The story is enjoyable right the way through. Ms Stewart sketches the two women's loving yet exasperated relationship expertly & the ending as is usual with Stewart's contemporaries is genuinely thrilling.

Antonia Whillans narration improves as the story becomes more exciting & I am very glad to have finally read this.

https://wordpress.com/view/carolshess...

[Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Years ago, I thought I'd read all the Mary Stewart releases and was sad that there were no more new stories to anticipate, but lo, and behold, long after, The Wind Off the Small Isles and The Lost One released, sometimes a duo and sometimes separate. The heroine, Perdita West, is the same for both.

In The Lost One, originally published in 1960- and republished in 2019- seems to be a 'contemporary' story set on a road trip up in the rural areas in northern England as mother and daughter are going on holiday to the Lake District.

With her mother navigating and Perdita behind the wheel, they are having the usual road trip fun of getting lost and finding their way back until the car conks out on a country road. They spot a light on a nearby farm so figure they can borrow the phone and make a call to a garage.

But, things take a sinister turn and they end up in a suspenseful adventure.

This was a novella and it was a quickly listened to piece, but like Mary Stewart's novels, it was fleshed out with setting and characters even as the plot moved forward right into the heart-pounding climax.

Antonia Whillans was a new to me narrator, but I loved her rendering of Perdita and the other characters.

All and all, a lost gem that I'm glad it was released for our pleasure. Now, off to Perdita's other adventure.

[Penelope · Rating 3 out of 5]

MY RATING GUIDE: 3.5 Stars. I was enjoying THE LOST ONE and then it ended. I would have liked a connection with one of the characters that appeared in the ending. Something ~ more. But this was suspenseful, nonetheless.

1= dnf/What was that?; 2= Nope, not for me; 3= This was okay/cute; 3.5= I ENJOYED THIS; 4= I liked it a lot; 5= I Loved it, it was great! (I seldom give 5 Stars).

Summertime near the Lake District, England -
A young woman and her mother experience auto difficulties which strand them near nightfall while driving toward their holiday destination in the Lake District.

Comments. ~
1) THE LOST ONE is a short story (just over an hour by audio) which teases the reader with Stewart’s excellent writing but was just short of complete satisfaction for me. As mentioned above, I would have liked the beginning of an acquaintance/a relationship - something - in the ending of this story. I noticed a point/section where it definitely could have been included. As it stands, instead THE LOST ONE read more like a straight Suspense, or a “Scary story” one woman might share with another (“You wouldn’t believe what happened to my mom and me over our holiday!”). I found THE LOST ONE okay, but not quite what I was hoping.
2) THE LOST ONE was originally published in 1960 and has held up well over time. There is just the slight technology difference. (Certain remote areas near me are limited to landlines in a similar fashion, due to internet and cell services unavailability or limitations.
3) I wouldn’t go out of my way to purchase THE LOST ONE but those who have read and enjoyed Mary Stewart over the years (like myself) may wish to pick up a copy and read it just for fun.
4) Anatonia Whillans performed the audiobook version nicely.

READER CAUTION ~
VIOLENCE - None on screen, threat implied.
SEXUAL SITUATIONS - None.

[Gina House · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟 Another classic cozy and suspense-filled Mary Stewart! If I had known that the character of plucky and lovely Perdita West was from 'The Wind Off the Small Isles', I would have read that book first.

The Lost One was, I believe, originally published in Woman's Journal (UK) in the 1960s. I'm so glad that this has been republished in paperback, as well as having an audio book version as well.

I wish this story was longer because I really enjoyed it! Highly recommended!

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An audiobook through Audible. Perfect narrator and a suspenseful and fun story.

[Ciara Hartman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perdita and her mom wind up having car trouble and seek help from the only nearby house they can find in the dark. But what they find inside puts them on high alert. The mother and son seem terrified, while the father seems cruel. He says he’ll call for help for their car while they have some tea in the kitchen. Yet as they wait, they finally notice the phone line has been ripped from the wall… so obviously he didn’t call anyone and help isn’t coming…. This was an enjoyable listen and short read being about an hour and a half long for the audio. A suspenseful enough little thriller!

[Jessica - How Jessica Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute little rediscovered novella (originally published as a magazine serial).

Stars Perdita, also the heroine of Stewart’s *other* rediscovered novella - The Wind Off the Small Isles. This isn’t as good as TWOTSI, but Stewart is always enjoyable.

I always have mixed feelings about including novellas in my book count, but I’ve read a couple of Jodi Taylor novellas/stories I didn’t track lately, so I’ll log this one to count for all of them. :)

[SusanwithaGoodBook · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second of the short novellas and was even shorter than the first. An adult daughter and her mother are off on a holiday when they find themselves in a situation fraught with danger. It’s was a bit predictable, but still very well written in the classic Mary Stewart style.

[Jw · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two star narrator. It may be due to the narrator that I was not engaged with the story.