What do you think?
Rate this book
The Daughters of Mannerling #4
The Folly
In the fourth installment of the Daughters of Mannerling series, beautiful Rachel must choose which she wants more--true love or Mannerling mansion. The haughty Beverley family is obsessed with regaining Mannerling, the exquisite seventeenth-century mansion gambled away by their now-deceased father, Sir Beverley. Three of the six Beverley daughters, including Rachel's twin, have failed to win back their ancestral estate--settling for love matches over Mannerling's heirs. Now it is Rachel's turn to woo the latest eligible bachelor-in-residence, handsome widower Charles Blackwood. But her plan to win the autocratic Charles almost comes to naught: At their first meeting, Rachel forgets herself and admonishes Charles for neglecting his two small children. The antics of young Beth and Mark Blackwood successfully throw Charles and Rachel together, but does Rachel love Charles for himself or for Mannerling?
199 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 1996
50 people are currently reading
307 people want to read
About the author
Marion Chesney
139 books750 followersMarion Chesney Gibbons
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
aka: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, M.C. Beaton, Sarah Chester.
Marion Chesney was born on 1936 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK, and started her first job as a bookseller in charge of the fiction department in John Smith & Sons Ltd. While bookselling, by chance, she got an offer from the Scottish Daily Mail to review variety shows and quickly rose to be their theatre critic. She left Smith’s to join Scottish Field magazine as a secretary in the advertising department, without any shorthand or typing, but quickly got the job of fashion editor instead. She then moved to the Scottish Daily Express where she reported mostly on crime. This was followed by a move to Fleet Street to the Daily Express where she became chief woman reporter. After marrying Harry Scott Gibbons and having a son, Charles, Marion went to the United States where Harry had been offered the job of editor of the Oyster Bay Guardian. When that didn’t work out, they went to Virginia and Marion worked as a waitress in a greasy spoon on the Jefferson Davies in Alexandria while Harry washed the dishes. Both then got jobs on Rupert Murdoch’s new tabloid, The Star, and moved to New York.
Anxious to spend more time at home with her small son, Marion, urged by her husband, started to write historical romances in 1977. After she had written over 100 of them under her maiden name, Marion Chesney, and under the pseudonyms: Ann Fairfax, Jennie Tremaine, Helen Crampton, Charlotte Ward, and Sarah Chester, she getting fed up with 1714 to 1910, she began to write detectives stories in 1985 under the pseudonym of M. C. Beaton. On a trip from the States to Sutherland on holiday, a course at a fishing school inspired the first Constable Hamish Macbeth story. They returned to Britain and bought a croft house and croft in Sutherland where Harry reared a flock of black sheep. But Charles was at school, in London so when he finished and both tired of the long commute to the north of Scotland, they moved to the Cotswolds where Agatha Raisin was created.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
January 15, 2018
The ownership of Mannerling has changed again, and it’s gathered another ghost. Among the mysteries of the house and of the true identity of our governess can true love find its path to Rachel? If two little children have their way it will.
Good book with the questions building.
Good book with the questions building.
April 20, 2017
I just want to point out that the book I chose didn't have that horridly cringeworthy cover pictured on Goodreads. In fact the cover was a cute cartoon which spurred me to read it. Well written junk food I suppose.
December 10, 2022
I love light romances with kids. They (kids) often add humour and twists.
Beth and Mark added such spark in this part of the series. Besides it, there was a bit of mystery. Also, I was glad that Marion Chesney was able to figure out another kind of hero for the heroine.
Yet, I have enough of the question: did she love him (want to marry him) for himself or for Mannerling? I know Mannerling was a binder of the series, but I am sure it didn't have to bind in the same way every time. I am sure the romance would have been more enjoyable as a standalone story.
I am going through the rest of the series only because I trust the author (even if some of her novels weren't great, I haven't read yet a bad one - keeping in mind what genre we are talking about) and because I am curious of the love stories for the rest of the sisters.
Beth and Mark added such spark in this part of the series. Besides it, there was a bit of mystery. Also, I was glad that Marion Chesney was able to figure out another kind of hero for the heroine.
Yet, I have enough of the question: did she love him (want to marry him) for himself or for Mannerling? I know Mannerling was a binder of the series, but I am sure it didn't have to bind in the same way every time. I am sure the romance would have been more enjoyable as a standalone story.
I am going through the rest of the series only because I trust the author (even if some of her novels weren't great, I haven't read yet a bad one - keeping in mind what genre we are talking about) and because I am curious of the love stories for the rest of the sisters.
February 7, 2014
Mannerling has been sold and Rachel accepts that she'll no longer live there again, but feels the need to wander the grounds once more to say goodbye. Tresspassing on the property, she meets the two young children of the new owner, Mr. Charles Blackwood, and learns of the neglet and cruelty the children have suffered under the rule of their governess. When Charles discovers Rachel with his children he is angry but she refuses to leave until she tells him how badly his children have been treated. Realizing that Rachel was right, Charles decides to employ the inestimable Miss Trumble as his children's new governess. The children begin attending lessons with Miss Trumble and the Beverley girls and Rachel and Charles become friendly. Rachel is embarassed by the machinations of her mother, who plans to marry General Blackwood, Charles's father, who has eyes only for Miss Trumble. Their friendship is also thereatened by Mannerling's beautiful, dashing houseguest Minerva, who is hoping for a proposal of marriage from Charles. Rachel finds a new suitor in a Mr. Cater, a West Indian plantation owner. Miss Trumble is suspicious of Mr. Cater and believes Mannerling is cursed and she fears for her girls and her own safety when the story takes a dramatic gothic turn. The characters in this story were not very well developed and the story ended too neatly and quickly. I liked this story best of the series so far. Rachel was the most likeable of all the Beverley daughters.
February 26, 2020
A healthy dose of romantic silliness to banish the February blues.
October 4, 2017
So much emphasis on the mysterious house and the various other mysteries (), plus way too many viewpoints in use, meant that the romance was decidedly an afterthought. None of the characters got enough screen-time to be compelling.
April 11, 2015
This is the fourth book in the Daughters of Mannerling series and things have taken a decidedly darker turn. I can't even keep up with the body count at this point. We see yet another daughter married off for love (not money or Mannerling) with two daughters remaining, one overbearing mama, one mysterious governess, one sweet butler and one haunted mansion.
January 16, 2019
Despite my lack of enthusiasm for this series, here I am again suffering for no reason but the art of completeness I think, as I work through book four of six, or six million as it feels like.
Fairly dire and dull and none of the promised, from my own hopes humour.
Anyway not much to see here.
Fairly dire and dull and none of the promised, from my own hopes humour.
Anyway not much to see here.
December 23, 2020
No 4 'The Folly' of the Daughters of Mannerling series was a lot better than no. 3! there was a bit more action and excitement, which meant that I read through this book pretty quickly. This one is probably the best of the series so far.
January 4, 2021
I have two more of these, quite repetitive, novels to go. They aren't bad but I will be glad to read something else. I'm only reading them one after the other because they are borrowed from the library.
Regardless, this installment was very cute. The inclusion of kids added a nice dynamic and I am always a sucker for an older man. I also really like the continuation of the relationship between Barry and Miss Trumble. The death and haunted house aspect is what really makes this particular book interesting though; but that is Beaton's forte in my opinion.
Favourite Quote: "He was a tall, willowy young man dressed in the latest Bond Street fashion, which made him look like an elegant wasp."
Regardless, this installment was very cute. The inclusion of kids added a nice dynamic and I am always a sucker for an older man. I also really like the continuation of the relationship between Barry and Miss Trumble. The death and haunted house aspect is what really makes this particular book interesting though; but that is Beaton's forte in my opinion.
Favourite Quote: "He was a tall, willowy young man dressed in the latest Bond Street fashion, which made him look like an elegant wasp."
January 13, 2023
Bad Writing Does Not Hurt M.C. Beaton
This is the 4th of the Mannerling Series and it is not well written at all. How did Beaton get it published? Mannerling, a great estate, belonging to the Beverleys is bought by Charles Blackwood, a widower with 2 children. Rachel is now the eldest of the 3 sisters left and she becomes very attached to to the 2 children, especially since Mark, the boy sees a ghost. All those who used to live at Mannerling are caught up in its story: Mrs Beverly, Miss Turnbull, Rachel Beverly and her sisters, and presently living and visiting at Mannerling, General Blackwood, Mr Blackwood, his guests and those that drop in. Does Rachel love Mr Blackwood or Mannerling?
This is the 4th of the Mannerling Series and it is not well written at all. How did Beaton get it published? Mannerling, a great estate, belonging to the Beverleys is bought by Charles Blackwood, a widower with 2 children. Rachel is now the eldest of the 3 sisters left and she becomes very attached to to the 2 children, especially since Mark, the boy sees a ghost. All those who used to live at Mannerling are caught up in its story: Mrs Beverly, Miss Turnbull, Rachel Beverly and her sisters, and presently living and visiting at Mannerling, General Blackwood, Mr Blackwood, his guests and those that drop in. Does Rachel love Mr Blackwood or Mannerling?
January 27, 2018
This review may contain spoilers.
I downloaded this book from the library in desperation looking for something worth listening to. As I've read other books by this author (as M.C. Beaton), I thought it might be worthwhile. It turns out to be one in a series, but I was quickly able to pick up on the family history without feeling as though I were being "told" the family's history (show, don't tell). There was a lot of intrigue and a few plot twists, but I don't think we've seen the last of Mrs. Chatterton. She's too evil to just ignore.
As Gothic romances go, this one wasn't bad. I hated the scheming, conniving mother, and wanted Miss Trumble to marry the general.
I downloaded this book from the library in desperation looking for something worth listening to. As I've read other books by this author (as M.C. Beaton), I thought it might be worthwhile. It turns out to be one in a series, but I was quickly able to pick up on the family history without feeling as though I were being "told" the family's history (show, don't tell). There was a lot of intrigue and a few plot twists, but I don't think we've seen the last of Mrs. Chatterton. She's too evil to just ignore.
As Gothic romances go, this one wasn't bad. I hated the scheming, conniving mother, and wanted Miss Trumble to marry the general.
October 4, 2019
Rachel Beverley, at nineteen, has the opportunity to have a season in London, but she hesitates when she meets the new owner of Mannerling, widower Charles Blackwood. She immediately becomes friends with his children, and finds herself giving parenting advice to Charles, but although she sees him as too old, and he has no interest in getting remarried, things begin to change between them. However, Mannerling stands in their way as a strange obstacle - and also a mystery, as it seems that a ghost may be haunting the home.
Such a fun installment in the series, and I love how with each book, we get to know another of the sisters, and to love them. Great, clean romance.
Such a fun installment in the series, and I love how with each book, we get to know another of the sisters, and to love them. Great, clean romance.
May 28, 2020
This is one of my favorites in the series so far. Rachel is a sensible, likable heroine, and it was nice to have a charming family in residence at Mannerling for once. Charles’ children are a delight, as is the general, and Minerva is one of those women you love to loathe. I also enjoyed Isabella and her husband making an appearance. There was a bit of unpleasant darkness near the end, which wasn’t really necessary and cast a needless pall over the otherwise fairly light-hearted story. The narrator was even slightly less irritating this time, but whether that was because she’s improved over the course of the series or if I’ve just become used to her is hard to say.
March 25, 2025
Favorite book in the series, along with The Homecoming. Yet again, a strong heroine and hero, lovely supporting characters, and plenty of humour to make this a fun, lighthearted read. However, I would have preferred less of the gothic 'haunted house' nonsense. Will recommend to those who need cheering up with a simple yet enjoyable book!
I actually like the covers of these retro Regencies, they're better than my own copy which was rather cartoony and childish. :)
I actually like the covers of these retro Regencies, they're better than my own copy which was rather cartoony and childish. :)
January 22, 2023
What is it about Mannerling?
I have been unable to read of all the sisters in order, but Rachel's chance to marry and break the spell of Manner!ing is full of intrigue, wonderful children, and more mystery about the Beverly sisters' governess. I loved the romantic moonlit lake scene between Blackwell and Rachel.
I have been unable to read of all the sisters in order, but Rachel's chance to marry and break the spell of Manner!ing is full of intrigue, wonderful children, and more mystery about the Beverly sisters' governess. I loved the romantic moonlit lake scene between Blackwell and Rachel.
October 25, 2018
This is my first MC Beaton book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Funny and cleverly written, quick witted and entertaining. I have to say that the picture on the front of my book is very different to the one displayed on Goodreads!
May 4, 2019
By far, the story of the fourth sister is the best one, there is something in this book really made me happy after finishing it, the story of Rachel, with a widowed father was really nice, Rachel has some sanity unlike her twin sister which I found her story and actions beyond crazy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 1, 2017
Marion Chesney does it again in this 4th book in this series. I especially enjoyed Miss Trumble's proposal and the hint of greater things to come for this character.
September 11, 2017
The house keeps getting creepier and creepier in this series. I like the development of all the continuing characters.
July 23, 2019
I enjoyed this book more than the previous one. The two children in the story made the book and the temper tantrum of lady Beverly was funny. A fun easy read
August 23, 2019
Obsessed with Beaton
I always enjoy MC Beaton regardless of her pen name. This one was written as Marion Chesney. The Mannerly series was definitely an apt obsession!
I always enjoy MC Beaton regardless of her pen name. This one was written as Marion Chesney. The Mannerly series was definitely an apt obsession!
March 31, 2020
Good read
Love this series. Good rounded characters. Totally believable and often humorous. Each book can be read as a stand alone.
Love this series. Good rounded characters. Totally believable and often humorous. Each book can be read as a stand alone.
May 27, 2020
Audio. Another cute story. Clean and fast read.
January 25, 2021
Can't wait to finish this awful series. Written by M. C Beaton/Marion Chesney, i think NOT!
September 24, 2021
It was nice to see that old mansion didn't win again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2022
Love Marion Chesney's Regency romances, romantic and funny.
May 14, 2023
More tangled webs. And just who is Miss Trumble?
July 29, 2025
Such a quick read I feel I have to finish the series. I really want to know what the deal is with Miss Trumble.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews