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Miss Silver #10
Dark Threat
Judy Elliot, meeting an old friend, Detective Sergeant Abbott tells him that, having been left the custody of her motherless little niece, she is taking a domestic job in the country with a family named Pilgrim. Frank is appalled, mysterious deaths have been taking place there. A curse is on the house of Pilgrim's Rest and by the time Miss Silver investigates she has four murders to solve.
Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1946
253 people are currently reading
552 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Wentworth
162 books521 followersPatricia Wentworth--born Dora Amy Elles--was a British crime fiction writer.
She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.
She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.
Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.
Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.
She was educated privately and at Blackheath High School in London. After the death of her first husband, George F. Dillon, in 1906, she settled in Camberley, Surrey. She married George Oliver Turnbull in 1920 and they had one daughter.
She wrote a series of 32 classic-style whodunnits featuring Miss Silver, the first of which was published in 1928, and the last in 1961, the year of her death.
Miss Silver, a retired governess-turned private detective, is sometimes compared to Jane Marple, the elderly detective created by Agatha Christie. She works closely with Scotland Yard, especially Inspector Frank Abbott and is fond of quoting the poet Tennyson.
Wentworth also wrote 34 books outside of that series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
August 20, 2024
Look Out For Miss Maudie Silver!
The Pilgrims and family have been living on their estate, Pilgrims Rest, for over three hundred years, but it looks like their time is coming to an end.
The male members of the family are committing suicide, disappearing and being murdered.
Frank Abbot from Scotland Yard is visiting a friend there, whom he’s trying to coax to leave for her own safety. He thinks the house is dangerous, but Judy doesn’t want to leave.
Someone has killed the butler, or did he commit suicide? Is there a murderer in the house? One doesn’t know what to think.
Patricia Wentworth leaves the suspense level high as the sky. This is a mystery that’s a thrill to read.
Five stars. 💫💫💫💫💫
The Pilgrims and family have been living on their estate, Pilgrims Rest, for over three hundred years, but it looks like their time is coming to an end.
The male members of the family are committing suicide, disappearing and being murdered.
Frank Abbot from Scotland Yard is visiting a friend there, whom he’s trying to coax to leave for her own safety. He thinks the house is dangerous, but Judy doesn’t want to leave.
Someone has killed the butler, or did he commit suicide? Is there a murderer in the house? One doesn’t know what to think.
Patricia Wentworth leaves the suspense level high as the sky. This is a mystery that’s a thrill to read.
Five stars. 💫💫💫💫💫
April 25, 2018
Detective Sergeant Frank Abbott, a reoccurring character who is a good friend of Miss Silver’s meets up with Judy - a lady he had been fond of but lost touch with a year before. She is about to take a position as a housekeeper in the village Frank grew up in as she has in her care, her young orphaned niece and it is not easy to find a job that will accommodate a 4 year old child.
Frank doesn’t want her to go to the house known as Pilgrim’s Rest because there have been some strange things happen there over the previous 3 years and he doesn’t want Judy and Penny exposed to possible danger.
Frank’s boyhood friend Roger Pilgrim goes to see Miss Silver because he is convinced that someone is trying to kill him. Miss Silver ventures off to Pilgrim's Rest for a visit as “an old school acquaintance” of one of the two maiden aunts who live there.
And what a story it is that takes off from there! This is some of the best storytelling and writing that Patricia Wentworth has done in the Miss Silver series so far. This book is exciting, intriguing, and comes complete with a red herring or two . . . or, are they?
I loved this story, and the primary little dollop of romance in the book takes place between a couple who are in their early 40’s – both of them strong and interesting characters. This was a very satisfying read and has me looking forward to #11 with great anticipation.
Frank doesn’t want her to go to the house known as Pilgrim’s Rest because there have been some strange things happen there over the previous 3 years and he doesn’t want Judy and Penny exposed to possible danger.
Frank’s boyhood friend Roger Pilgrim goes to see Miss Silver because he is convinced that someone is trying to kill him. Miss Silver ventures off to Pilgrim's Rest for a visit as “an old school acquaintance” of one of the two maiden aunts who live there.
And what a story it is that takes off from there! This is some of the best storytelling and writing that Patricia Wentworth has done in the Miss Silver series so far. This book is exciting, intriguing, and comes complete with a red herring or two . . . or, are they?
I loved this story, and the primary little dollop of romance in the book takes place between a couple who are in their early 40’s – both of them strong and interesting characters. This was a very satisfying read and has me looking forward to #11 with great anticipation.
April 3, 2019
Real Rating: 3.5* of five
Felt "phoned in."
Felt "phoned in."
October 31, 2025
If You Sell, You‘ll Go to Hell
Pilgrim’s Rest is a fine old family estate, but it comes with a snag: According to an old piece of family lore, which has survived in the form of a two-line verse carved in the chimney, the person who is trying to sell it will find premature death. Unfortunately, the present owner sees no way around selling the house, just as his father did – before the old man died in a suspicious riding accident. Miss Silver is convinced that there is danger for the present Mr. Pilgrim, although, of course, she does not believe in a family curse. She agrees to look into the matter and warns Mr. Pilgrim not to press the sale right now, but will he heed her warning?
Unlike the two Miss Silver novels I have read so far, Pilgrim’s Rest allows the former-governess-turned-detective to make her appearance quite early in the novel, but still the character has not nearly the same presence to me as Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, to whom she was apparently a forerunner. Quite on the contrary, I have started to find her rather annoying what with her inclination to primness, her lack of humour and her habit of coughing to show her disapproval of remarks made by other people. Whereas Miss Marple has her technique of seeing parallels between suspects in a murder case and people she knows from her village, Miss Silver draws logical conclusions which she sometimes hides from the reader. Besides, instead of Miss Marple’s cunning and her inclination to pessimism with regard to people’s ethics, Miss Silver has – apart from her knitting – no endearing whims and quirks and is, as a character, quite bland, even though she is held in high esteem by the policemen working with her. I wish I could like her half as much.
My interest lay more with the character of Judy Elliot, who looks after her orphaned niece Penny and decides to take on the job of a housemaid at Pilgrim’s Rest, but over long stretches of the novel, Judy just fades into the background. The mystery in this novel is quite intricate and well-constructed although I think that the murderer’s motive is rather contrived. Towards the ending, however, I had the impression that Patricia Wentworth lost control over her narrative, which allowed the murderer to escape justice and thus created the impression of a half-finished novel.
All in all then, this was not a very satisfying reading experience.
Pilgrim’s Rest is a fine old family estate, but it comes with a snag: According to an old piece of family lore, which has survived in the form of a two-line verse carved in the chimney, the person who is trying to sell it will find premature death. Unfortunately, the present owner sees no way around selling the house, just as his father did – before the old man died in a suspicious riding accident. Miss Silver is convinced that there is danger for the present Mr. Pilgrim, although, of course, she does not believe in a family curse. She agrees to look into the matter and warns Mr. Pilgrim not to press the sale right now, but will he heed her warning?
Unlike the two Miss Silver novels I have read so far, Pilgrim’s Rest allows the former-governess-turned-detective to make her appearance quite early in the novel, but still the character has not nearly the same presence to me as Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple, to whom she was apparently a forerunner. Quite on the contrary, I have started to find her rather annoying what with her inclination to primness, her lack of humour and her habit of coughing to show her disapproval of remarks made by other people. Whereas Miss Marple has her technique of seeing parallels between suspects in a murder case and people she knows from her village, Miss Silver draws logical conclusions which she sometimes hides from the reader. Besides, instead of Miss Marple’s cunning and her inclination to pessimism with regard to people’s ethics, Miss Silver has – apart from her knitting – no endearing whims and quirks and is, as a character, quite bland, even though she is held in high esteem by the policemen working with her. I wish I could like her half as much.
My interest lay more with the character of Judy Elliot, who looks after her orphaned niece Penny and decides to take on the job of a housemaid at Pilgrim’s Rest, but over long stretches of the novel, Judy just fades into the background. The mystery in this novel is quite intricate and well-constructed although I think that the murderer’s motive is rather contrived. Towards the ending, however, I had the impression that Patricia Wentworth lost control over her narrative, which allowed the murderer to escape justice and thus created the impression of a half-finished novel.
All in all then, this was not a very satisfying reading experience.
April 29, 2016
I'm 10 books into the series... and still enjoying them.
February 6, 2017
It dragged and there was no one to dislike, simply didn't have the emotional pull for me. However the subject matter would have been quite shocking at the time so it's more a case of not having aged well. What knocked it down a star was And Suddenly Dragons style of the deaths.
March 14, 2024
Stay Pilgrim in thy Rest, or thou shalt find
Ill luck before, Death but one pace behind.
There have been too many "accidents" at Pilgrim's Rest and Roger Pilgrim, who is thinking of selling his ancestral home, is worried enough to ask Miss Silver to investigate. On the plus side, there's a nice mix of characters and Miss Silver appears earlier in the story. However, the police detectives (though well-acquainted with her abilities) are very reluctant to act on her advice, which . The motive was rather melodramatic and contrived as well. Overall, fairly entertaining, though most of the action is in the last 5 chapters.
2.5 stars
Ill luck before, Death but one pace behind.
There have been too many "accidents" at Pilgrim's Rest and Roger Pilgrim, who is thinking of selling his ancestral home, is worried enough to ask Miss Silver to investigate. On the plus side, there's a nice mix of characters and Miss Silver appears earlier in the story. However, the police detectives (though well-acquainted with her abilities) are very reluctant to act on her advice, which . The motive was rather melodramatic and contrived as well. Overall, fairly entertaining, though most of the action is in the last 5 chapters.
2.5 stars
July 26, 2023
It's nice to see a little more of Abbott, his highly esteemed Maud Silver is not actually the most effective here for all she exhibits an almost psychic know-how of people and events.
There's a reliance on some convenient timing, a little drama, a little romance.
Interestingly our first/main heroine is adjacent to the plot and the romance is via fairly secondary characters - though how nice to see the healing and joy of their love. It's a slight skew to the usual format.
The evil villain is fiendishly clever and confident, a very capable person and considers themself superior.
I've enjoyed the audio, having read most of these over the years. You know what you're getting with a Wentworth. This is far from the cleverest plot and not the most original characters but still it's a nice 'cosy' listening/read.
There's a reliance on some convenient timing, a little drama, a little romance.
Interestingly our first/main heroine is adjacent to the plot and the romance is via fairly secondary characters - though how nice to see the healing and joy of their love. It's a slight skew to the usual format.
The evil villain is fiendishly clever and confident, a very capable person and considers themself superior.
I've enjoyed the audio, having read most of these over the years. You know what you're getting with a Wentworth. This is far from the cleverest plot and not the most original characters but still it's a nice 'cosy' listening/read.
May 3, 2025
When Judy Elliot's sister and brother-in-law are killed in air raid, she takes on responsibility for their daughter Penny. This means that she can't work in the war effort as planned and must find employment that will allow her to have a young child with her. So, she plans to take up a post as house maid at the country home called Pilgrim's Rest. Her old friend Detective Sergeant Frank Abbott (who suddenly realizes that he hopes to be more than friends) warns her against going.
It seems that Abbott comes from that neck of the woods and, coincidentally, the current owner of Pilgrim's Rest is a friend from school days. Roger Pilgrim has asked Abbot's advice about a string of "accidents" that have occurred. Pilgrim's father died when a traditionally mild-mannered horse suddenly bolted. A thorn was later found under the saddle, but horse and rider had fallen in a thorny patch, so the authorities explained it away. But now Pilgrim has narrowly escaped two more accidents and he's sure that someone is out to murder him. When asked why, he says he believes that it is to prevent Pilgrim's Rest from being sold. His father's death occurred just after he had announced that he planned to sell the property. And now Roger has made the same announcement.
Judy doesn't see why this should prevent her taking the post (after all, she doesn't want to sell the place) and positions aren't that easy to come by when one has a little girl in tow. Abbott's not happy, but he tells her that he's advised Roger to consult Miss Silver, the ex-governess turned private detective. If Miss Silver does arrive at Pilgrim's Rest and anything comes up, then Judy must turn to Miss Silver for help.
Unfortunately, although Roger consults Miss Silver and arranges for her to visit Pilgrim's Rest under the guise of having been an old school friend of one his aunts, he doesn't take her most urgent advice--to announce that he's changed his mind about selling. Miss Silver wants to give him that bit of protection while she tries to uncover the culprit. But he refuses (and says he's a poor liar and wouldn't be able to bring it off anyway) and it isn't long before another "accident" happens, this time with deadly results. The death of her client makes Miss Silver even more determined to get to the bottom of things. She and Frank Abbott soon discover evidence that it all started much earlier than the elder Pilgrim's death...but with the disappearance of another Pilgrim on the eve of his wedding.
It's been quite some time since I read a Miss Silver novel. And I'm quite sure I read this one long ago and far away when I was making my way through every Christie-adjacent mystery that the Wabash Carnegie library had back in the early- to mid-1980s. But I didn't remember it all. I enjoyed meeting the aunt of few word, Miss Columba Pilgrim (Miss Silvers's supposed school friend), again. She doesn't care to mix with people much and would much rather be mucking about in her garden, but she's determined to see justice done for her family. Quite a vivid character. Her sister, Miss Janetta, is also vivid, but she's not nearly as congenial. She's gives me quite a pain, actually. I'm not keen on self-absorbed, hypochondriac drama queens. But Wentworth paints the type accurately.
Miss Silver is, of course, her usual observant self and I was reminded of how much I like her--coughs aside.* She's a shrewd woman and accurately sums up the household very quickly. It's great fun to see her mildly put Frank Abbott and his superior, Randall March in their place when they're going astray and picking on the wrong clues and the wrong suspects. My only disappointment--and I don't know if I've just read too many mysteries at this point and have gotten wise to all the tricks--is that, once again, the culprit has seemed obvious to me. Or perhaps my memory from the previous reading just shoved that person at me. Either way, spotting the killer early, though a bit disappointing, didn't detract much from the fun. I definitely recommend this one to those who haven't read it or any Miss Silver mysteries before.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
*Number of times Miss Silver coughs: 51 (an average of about one cough per every fourth page). I've always said that someone needs to get that woman a cough drop. So, I decided to count the coughs and see how prevalent they really are. She coughs multiple times per conversation, so the rate is more like 5 coughs per every chapter--usually in a space of a page or two. I enjoy the character in every other way, but her cough really does draw attention in a way that distracts from the story (especially once one gets focused on it LOL).
It seems that Abbott comes from that neck of the woods and, coincidentally, the current owner of Pilgrim's Rest is a friend from school days. Roger Pilgrim has asked Abbot's advice about a string of "accidents" that have occurred. Pilgrim's father died when a traditionally mild-mannered horse suddenly bolted. A thorn was later found under the saddle, but horse and rider had fallen in a thorny patch, so the authorities explained it away. But now Pilgrim has narrowly escaped two more accidents and he's sure that someone is out to murder him. When asked why, he says he believes that it is to prevent Pilgrim's Rest from being sold. His father's death occurred just after he had announced that he planned to sell the property. And now Roger has made the same announcement.
Judy doesn't see why this should prevent her taking the post (after all, she doesn't want to sell the place) and positions aren't that easy to come by when one has a little girl in tow. Abbott's not happy, but he tells her that he's advised Roger to consult Miss Silver, the ex-governess turned private detective. If Miss Silver does arrive at Pilgrim's Rest and anything comes up, then Judy must turn to Miss Silver for help.
Unfortunately, although Roger consults Miss Silver and arranges for her to visit Pilgrim's Rest under the guise of having been an old school friend of one his aunts, he doesn't take her most urgent advice--to announce that he's changed his mind about selling. Miss Silver wants to give him that bit of protection while she tries to uncover the culprit. But he refuses (and says he's a poor liar and wouldn't be able to bring it off anyway) and it isn't long before another "accident" happens, this time with deadly results. The death of her client makes Miss Silver even more determined to get to the bottom of things. She and Frank Abbott soon discover evidence that it all started much earlier than the elder Pilgrim's death...but with the disappearance of another Pilgrim on the eve of his wedding.
It's been quite some time since I read a Miss Silver novel. And I'm quite sure I read this one long ago and far away when I was making my way through every Christie-adjacent mystery that the Wabash Carnegie library had back in the early- to mid-1980s. But I didn't remember it all. I enjoyed meeting the aunt of few word, Miss Columba Pilgrim (Miss Silvers's supposed school friend), again. She doesn't care to mix with people much and would much rather be mucking about in her garden, but she's determined to see justice done for her family. Quite a vivid character. Her sister, Miss Janetta, is also vivid, but she's not nearly as congenial. She's gives me quite a pain, actually. I'm not keen on self-absorbed, hypochondriac drama queens. But Wentworth paints the type accurately.
Miss Silver is, of course, her usual observant self and I was reminded of how much I like her--coughs aside.* She's a shrewd woman and accurately sums up the household very quickly. It's great fun to see her mildly put Frank Abbott and his superior, Randall March in their place when they're going astray and picking on the wrong clues and the wrong suspects. My only disappointment--and I don't know if I've just read too many mysteries at this point and have gotten wise to all the tricks--is that, once again, the culprit has seemed obvious to me. Or perhaps my memory from the previous reading just shoved that person at me. Either way, spotting the killer early, though a bit disappointing, didn't detract much from the fun. I definitely recommend this one to those who haven't read it or any Miss Silver mysteries before.
First posted on my blog My Reader's Block.
*Number of times Miss Silver coughs: 51 (an average of about one cough per every fourth page). I've always said that someone needs to get that woman a cough drop. So, I decided to count the coughs and see how prevalent they really are. She coughs multiple times per conversation, so the rate is more like 5 coughs per every chapter--usually in a space of a page or two. I enjoy the character in every other way, but her cough really does draw attention in a way that distracts from the story (especially once one gets focused on it LOL).
November 19, 2013
I noticed in this book that Miss Silver makes her appearance quite early in the story and her presence is there throughout, unlike some of the other books I picked up. This made for a nice change, since it is labeled as a 'Miss Silver' mystery.
However, her coughing got on my nerves again, and also the fact that the reader does not see her thought process. She makes little suggestions to others around her, getting them on the right path again, but does little else. She may have figure out the murder by page 10 for all I know, but keeps the knowledge to herself and lets the other run around in circles trying to figure things out.
Not only that, the in this story. Talk about an unsatisfying ending!
I think if I have any more of these stories in my bookcase I'll read them, but I do not plan to go out of my way to get any more simply because Miss Silver is so secretive and stingy in her deductive reason and in explaining whatever clues she finds.
However, her coughing got on my nerves again, and also the fact that the reader does not see her thought process. She makes little suggestions to others around her, getting them on the right path again, but does little else. She may have figure out the murder by page 10 for all I know, but keeps the knowledge to herself and lets the other run around in circles trying to figure things out.
Not only that, the in this story. Talk about an unsatisfying ending!
I think if I have any more of these stories in my bookcase I'll read them, but I do not plan to go out of my way to get any more simply because Miss Silver is so secretive and stingy in her deductive reason and in explaining whatever clues she finds.
May 17, 2022
2017: (2.5) the perpetrator of the crimes is a psychopath … I think that aspect ruined the story for me.
2021: (4) Repeat, late-night listen. I liked the mystery better this time through as I knew what was coming. The murderer is a psychopath.
This is the only book of Miss Silver’s that I’ve listened to/read where Frank has a love interest.
2022: (4) Repeat, late-night listen.
2021: (4) Repeat, late-night listen. I liked the mystery better this time through as I knew what was coming. The murderer is a psychopath.
This is the only book of Miss Silver’s that I’ve listened to/read where Frank has a love interest.
2022: (4) Repeat, late-night listen.
Read
November 10, 2017Wentworth really does have a line on very horrible women. Fortunately she balances it with a wide variety of other women - indeed, since a large portion of the men in this particular novel get killed out, we end up with a large majority of women in the story.
October 23, 2020
'If Pilgrim fare upon the Pilgrim's Way,
And leave his Rest, he'll find nor rest nor stay.
Stay Pilgrim in thy Rest, or thou shalt find
Ill luck before, Death but one pace behind.'
August 24, 2020
An old house with no ghost, but a scary curse.
The Pilgrim family has lived at Pilgrim's Rest in the tiny village of Holt St. Agnes for generations, but times have changed. WWII is in its last days, but the English people have paid a terrible price for victory. Sons, fathers, and brothers are dead in battle. Children have been orphaned by German bombs in large cities. All but the oldest servants are working in war industries. The social and economic conditions that allowed families to keep up huge old homes no longer exist. The time has come to sell Pilgrim's Rest, but can they?
Carved in stone in a seldom-used passage is the ancient curse that threatens any Pilgrim who sells the old mansion with violent death. Of course, no one now believes in that sort of superstition, but the fact remains that Roger Pilgrim's father made plans to sell the house and died a suspicious death. Now Roger is convinced that someone (or something) is trying to kill him, too. He's worried enough to bring Miss Silver (former governess-turned-private-detective) into the house to advise him, but then he ignores her advice. An old school-mate describes Roger as "a bit of a dim bulb" and he's picked a bad time to be foolish.
I like this Miss Silver mystery because it brings together two young police officers who are devoted fans of her unique skills. Scotland Yard's Frank Abbott gets involved because he's a friend of the Pilgrim family. He's also worried because a young woman he's in love with has taken a job at Pilgrim's Rest and he's not at all sure she'll be safe there. Local Superintendent Randall March is a former pupil of Miss Silver and has seen her in action in several cases. He knows her talent for worming her way into families and discovering their secrets, but will he listen to her when her ideas contradict the evidence?
Both of these young men represent the dramatic changes that took place in English law enforcement during the WWII era. In the "old days", two such well-educated, well-bred gentlemen would have never considered becoming police officers. And March is in line to be appointed Chief Constable of his district, a job traditionally held by the largest land-owner in the area. In the years before and during the second world war, crime has flourished and law enforcement has become a serious profession.
Both of them are happy for Miss Silver to nose around. The death of old Mr. Pilgrim could have been an accident or a carefully planned murder. The attempts on Roger's life are curious, too. The males in the Pilgrim family are getting scarce. Roger's brother is missing-in-action in the Pacific, either a prisoner or dead. A cousin was badly wounded early in the war and lives at Pilgrim's Rest, a frail invalid who's dependent on his devoted nurse. Another cousin disappeared mysteriously three years before on the eve of his wedding. The two female relatives are elderly spinsters. Sale or no sale, will there be any Pilgrims left to continue the traditions of Pilgrim's Rest?
Of course, another death occurs and Superintendent March is sure he has enough evidence to arrest the murderer. Miss Silver agrees that everything seems to point in one direction, but she's afraid the case is a little too good to be true. Was this a crime of revenge, pure and simple, or is there a very cunning criminal living in the house who has not only gotten away with murder, but carefully planted clues to frame another person?
Like another reviewer, I was surprised at Randall March's stubbornness. Has the prospect of becoming Chief Constable gone to his head? I was also astonished that Frank Abbott (who should know better) starts thinking of Miss Silver as a wizard who "intuits" the solution and then finds evidence to back up her hunches. That's hogwash. Miss Silver is a professional detective and a damned good one. She doesn't dust for fingerprints, but she knows that the absence of dust can prove that a clue was recently planted.
Her forte is conversation and spotting inaccuracies and inconsistencies. A modern detective makes a suspect repeat his story over and over, hoping for a slip-up. Miss Silver can't force anyone to talk, but she can gently lead people into telling her things. And the things they tell her give her the evidence she needs to solve crime.
The wild chase at the end isn't terribly realistic, but it's exciting. There are two love stories - a young couple and a middle-aged one. One romance will be successful and one won't. Wentworth believed in romance, but Miss Silver knows that people must be suitable for each other to make a marriage a long-term success. She's one of the most subtle, determined fictional detectives ever created. I'm glad I discovered this series.
The Pilgrim family has lived at Pilgrim's Rest in the tiny village of Holt St. Agnes for generations, but times have changed. WWII is in its last days, but the English people have paid a terrible price for victory. Sons, fathers, and brothers are dead in battle. Children have been orphaned by German bombs in large cities. All but the oldest servants are working in war industries. The social and economic conditions that allowed families to keep up huge old homes no longer exist. The time has come to sell Pilgrim's Rest, but can they?
Carved in stone in a seldom-used passage is the ancient curse that threatens any Pilgrim who sells the old mansion with violent death. Of course, no one now believes in that sort of superstition, but the fact remains that Roger Pilgrim's father made plans to sell the house and died a suspicious death. Now Roger is convinced that someone (or something) is trying to kill him, too. He's worried enough to bring Miss Silver (former governess-turned-private-detective) into the house to advise him, but then he ignores her advice. An old school-mate describes Roger as "a bit of a dim bulb" and he's picked a bad time to be foolish.
I like this Miss Silver mystery because it brings together two young police officers who are devoted fans of her unique skills. Scotland Yard's Frank Abbott gets involved because he's a friend of the Pilgrim family. He's also worried because a young woman he's in love with has taken a job at Pilgrim's Rest and he's not at all sure she'll be safe there. Local Superintendent Randall March is a former pupil of Miss Silver and has seen her in action in several cases. He knows her talent for worming her way into families and discovering their secrets, but will he listen to her when her ideas contradict the evidence?
Both of these young men represent the dramatic changes that took place in English law enforcement during the WWII era. In the "old days", two such well-educated, well-bred gentlemen would have never considered becoming police officers. And March is in line to be appointed Chief Constable of his district, a job traditionally held by the largest land-owner in the area. In the years before and during the second world war, crime has flourished and law enforcement has become a serious profession.
Both of them are happy for Miss Silver to nose around. The death of old Mr. Pilgrim could have been an accident or a carefully planned murder. The attempts on Roger's life are curious, too. The males in the Pilgrim family are getting scarce. Roger's brother is missing-in-action in the Pacific, either a prisoner or dead. A cousin was badly wounded early in the war and lives at Pilgrim's Rest, a frail invalid who's dependent on his devoted nurse. Another cousin disappeared mysteriously three years before on the eve of his wedding. The two female relatives are elderly spinsters. Sale or no sale, will there be any Pilgrims left to continue the traditions of Pilgrim's Rest?
Of course, another death occurs and Superintendent March is sure he has enough evidence to arrest the murderer. Miss Silver agrees that everything seems to point in one direction, but she's afraid the case is a little too good to be true. Was this a crime of revenge, pure and simple, or is there a very cunning criminal living in the house who has not only gotten away with murder, but carefully planted clues to frame another person?
Like another reviewer, I was surprised at Randall March's stubbornness. Has the prospect of becoming Chief Constable gone to his head? I was also astonished that Frank Abbott (who should know better) starts thinking of Miss Silver as a wizard who "intuits" the solution and then finds evidence to back up her hunches. That's hogwash. Miss Silver is a professional detective and a damned good one. She doesn't dust for fingerprints, but she knows that the absence of dust can prove that a clue was recently planted.
Her forte is conversation and spotting inaccuracies and inconsistencies. A modern detective makes a suspect repeat his story over and over, hoping for a slip-up. Miss Silver can't force anyone to talk, but she can gently lead people into telling her things. And the things they tell her give her the evidence she needs to solve crime.
The wild chase at the end isn't terribly realistic, but it's exciting. There are two love stories - a young couple and a middle-aged one. One romance will be successful and one won't. Wentworth believed in romance, but Miss Silver knows that people must be suitable for each other to make a marriage a long-term success. She's one of the most subtle, determined fictional detectives ever created. I'm glad I discovered this series.
December 25, 2023
Pilgrim's Rest is the best Patricia Wentworth (Miss Silver) book I have read. I borrowed a first edition from the library published in 1946 and it was old and dirty; I mean well-read.
What I enjoyed was Miss Silver and her 2 ex-students, now policemen, are in it from the beginning. The story is action-packed, and the author puts just the right amount of romance in the mystery thriller.
While the ending was not perfect because it became implausible, I gave five stars for the setting, the distinctive characters, and, of course, Miss Silver.
Note added Dec 23, 2023 This is an extra special book because I read it with a YouTuber/booktuber and friend who passed away this year Janelle of "Too Fond of Books". May she rest in peace.
What I enjoyed was Miss Silver and her 2 ex-students, now policemen, are in it from the beginning. The story is action-packed, and the author puts just the right amount of romance in the mystery thriller.
While the ending was not perfect because it became implausible, I gave five stars for the setting, the distinctive characters, and, of course, Miss Silver.
Note added Dec 23, 2023 This is an extra special book because I read it with a YouTuber/booktuber and friend who passed away this year Janelle of "Too Fond of Books". May she rest in peace.
February 2, 2020
March?!?
I have never given one of her books two stars before now but this one was very frustrating. March, much out of character, was absolutely convinced that Miss Silver was wrong. Heck, even I’d already figured out who the real villain was but he was fooled by the innocent act. In his disagreement with Maud, he was rude and condescending. Not at all in character with his appearance in other books. It made for an unpleasant read.
I have never given one of her books two stars before now but this one was very frustrating. March, much out of character, was absolutely convinced that Miss Silver was wrong. Heck, even I’d already figured out who the real villain was but he was fooled by the innocent act. In his disagreement with Maud, he was rude and condescending. Not at all in character with his appearance in other books. It made for an unpleasant read.
December 23, 2017
This one was a real page turner. It kept me guessing what was really going on in the Pilgrims' household until very near the end. It was fun to have two of Miss Silver's favorite cops on the case and for one of them (Randall March) to doubt her theory of the crimes. Even so, she confronts her suspect in so shocking a way that it throws both of the cops as well as the suspect off balance.
June 4, 2022
The death’s seemed gratuitous and Miss Silver seemed to let a lot of them happen before solving the mystery.
March 19, 2018
Interesting old mystery. One thing I do enjoy in mysteries from 50-100 years ago is when they talk about conditions in the background of various wars, how it affects them, just in little ways - the bits about ration cards here, for example, or of air raid strikes being a thing in the background, was really fascinating to me.
The book was pretty average though. Plenty of stuff I didn't like. This is ostensibly a Miss Silver mystery but she seems like a secondary character, and there doesn't seem like there's any real main character. Judy Elliot was, I thought, going to be the main character, but then no. But you didn't get to see Miss Silver's POV either and she was constantly running around doing stuff that the viewer didn't get to see until her dramatic reveals. Also SHE WOULDN'T STOP FUCKING COUGHING. I wanted to punch her in the face.
The villain wasn't too hard to figure out. Sometimes the plot was very predictable but it wasn't bad.
The ending was weird, but interesting, for sure - not quite the resolution I expected. I liked a lot of the characters and the environment. I liked the actual mystery, the set-up.
Overall, it was enjoyable, but had some big flaws.
The book was pretty average though. Plenty of stuff I didn't like. This is ostensibly a Miss Silver mystery but she seems like a secondary character, and there doesn't seem like there's any real main character. Judy Elliot was, I thought, going to be the main character, but then no. But you didn't get to see Miss Silver's POV either and she was constantly running around doing stuff that the viewer didn't get to see until her dramatic reveals. Also SHE WOULDN'T STOP FUCKING COUGHING. I wanted to punch her in the face.
The villain wasn't too hard to figure out. Sometimes the plot was very predictable but it wasn't bad.
The ending was weird, but interesting, for sure - not quite the resolution I expected. I liked a lot of the characters and the environment. I liked the actual mystery, the set-up.
Overall, it was enjoyable, but had some big flaws.
January 28, 2021
I love these books. They are full of ambiance, the characters are well rounded and the plot is tight. I don't have to worry about figuring out who-dunnit by page 3 and enjoy all the twists and turns. I also enjoy trying to figure out how and why Miss Silver suspects what she suspects. I can't wait to read the next Miss Silver book. Ms. Wentworth deserves her place in Dame Agatha's class of writers. I highly recommend the Miss Silver books.
February 26, 2018
Very easy to read and quite entertaining.
Miss Silver beats the professionals to the solution of the murders and disappearances connected with the "cursed" old house, "Pilgrim's Rest".
The culprit was not difficult to spot and the ending very melodramatic and morally ambivalent.
The incompetence of Superintendent March would lead me to conclude that his promotion to Chief Constable was not far off!
Miss Silver beats the professionals to the solution of the murders and disappearances connected with the "cursed" old house, "Pilgrim's Rest".
The culprit was not difficult to spot and the ending very melodramatic and morally ambivalent.
The incompetence of Superintendent March would lead me to conclude that his promotion to Chief Constable was not far off!
September 21, 2018
I really got involved with the characters and the setting of this Miss Silver mystery. Miss Silver makes some appearances in this story, but the mystery and characters dominate. I think I had a sense of who the murderer was. Still, the ending was a surprise. Recommending.
May 25, 2018
More of the cozies. I a, transported back to fifth grade and the Nancy Drew binges.
January 13, 2019
This is the best of the series that I have read! Don't miss it!
July 7, 2021
Way too long, and Miss Silver's cough is stultifying. That's probably my last one.
September 29, 2017
I just finished this one, so my thoughts are even more scattered than is perhaps usual. Wentworth is clearly mixing up some of her typical formulae in this one -- for instance,
A lot of thoughts about this one -- so many interesting women!
A lot of thoughts about this one -- so many interesting women!
December 8, 2012
When Judy's sister and her husband are killed in an air raid, Judy inherits their four-year-old daughter Penny. Desperate for a job that will let her keep Penny, Judy accepts a position as housemaid at a large country house called Pilgrim's Rest. But there's nothing restful at Pilgrim's Rest. Roger Pilgrim's father has just died under suspicious circumstances, and two attempts have been made on his own life, which sends him to Miss Silver. She joins the party at Pilgrim's Rest, which includes two elderly aunts, a cousin who got bashed up in the war, his nurse, a butler and his wife, and now Judy and Penny. As more people get murdered and secrets come to light, will Miss Silver save the day?
Another entertaining mystery with the coughing and knitting Miss Silver, who thankfully is not infalliable--she does lose some clients now and then, though that's mostly because they don't follow her excellent advice. Those who don't follow her advice--or her intuitions--include the local superintendent, who was once a pupil of Miss Silver. Of course, he comes to regret it. The only thing I prefer about Agatha Christie's mysteries is that she tends to gather all her suspects together at the end and have the detective reveal the killer, whereas with Wentworth, you often know the killer quite a while before the end, and the climax is his or her attempt to escape. I prefer the revelation endings, but action-lovers will probably prefer the others.
Another entertaining mystery with the coughing and knitting Miss Silver, who thankfully is not infalliable--she does lose some clients now and then, though that's mostly because they don't follow her excellent advice. Those who don't follow her advice--or her intuitions--include the local superintendent, who was once a pupil of Miss Silver. Of course, he comes to regret it. The only thing I prefer about Agatha Christie's mysteries is that she tends to gather all her suspects together at the end and have the detective reveal the killer, whereas with Wentworth, you often know the killer quite a while before the end, and the climax is his or her attempt to escape. I prefer the revelation endings, but action-lovers will probably prefer the others.
November 17, 2017
Excellent story. I've read several of Patricia Wentworth's books....all good. She is from the Agatha Christie days and was and is considered one of the best in the mystery field. Time period is between the World Wars, place is in England. Very good writing, interesting characters. Miss Silver is as wise and sharp as Miss Marple. Both ladies can read between the lines and see what the Inspectors miss.
Here is a good description of a murderer taken from Chapter 29 of this book: "The murderer does not walk an easy path. He must keep the dust from his shoes, the stains of crime from his garments. He must not touch, he must not handle. He must not only glove the bare skin lest it leave the mark of his guilty sweat -- he must hood his thoughts and heed his tongue, he must mask his eyes from being the mirror of his mind, and walk the naked edge of danger easily." You can read the rest on page 156.
Here is a good description of a murderer taken from Chapter 29 of this book: "The murderer does not walk an easy path. He must keep the dust from his shoes, the stains of crime from his garments. He must not touch, he must not handle. He must not only glove the bare skin lest it leave the mark of his guilty sweat -- he must hood his thoughts and heed his tongue, he must mask his eyes from being the mirror of his mind, and walk the naked edge of danger easily." You can read the rest on page 156.
May 1, 2018
For me, this was a nail-biter! Intensely dramatic and wow! What an ending!
No, I cannot do that. But it was murder, Randall. Roger Pilgrim was murdered." There was one of those silences which are not noticed because thought talks so loudly. Murder is a word to which no amount of use can quite accustom us. The voice of blood calling from the earth must always be a dreadful voice, and one before which all others fall to silence. Randall March broke this one, his voice dry and official as he said, "What proof have you that it was murder?">
I like this description of Detective Sargeant Frank Abbott ...an elegant young man with a rather blase manner. He was still elegant - slim and tall, with very fair hair slicked back and mirror-smooth, and light blue eyes which had appeared to contemplate his fellow-beings with supercilious amusement...
No, I cannot do that. But it was murder, Randall. Roger Pilgrim was murdered." There was one of those silences which are not noticed because thought talks so loudly. Murder is a word to which no amount of use can quite accustom us. The voice of blood calling from the earth must always be a dreadful voice, and one before which all others fall to silence. Randall March broke this one, his voice dry and official as he said, "What proof have you that it was murder?">
I like this description of Detective Sargeant Frank Abbott ...an elegant young man with a rather blase manner. He was still elegant - slim and tall, with very fair hair slicked back and mirror-smooth, and light blue eyes which had appeared to contemplate his fellow-beings with supercilious amusement...
March 25, 2020
This is one of my favorite Miss Silver books, with so may of Wentworth's best tropes. The Pilgim family patriarch is concerned someone is trying to kill him, but he sadly refuses Miss Silver's advice, and ends up defenestrated, a favorite method of death for Wentworth. The family gathering is filled with tension as it includes a vet experiencing PTSD who has "spells", a missing fiancee, a sketchy butler, a devoted nurse, and a new housemaid that Inspector Abbott has his eye on. There's also a combination of aunts - one a sensible, woman of few words gardener, one a flighty invalid devoted to needlework and malaise. Miss Silver of course untangles the skein of motives and unhappiness, and there's a sweet late in life love affair. Just reading heaven, as far as I'm concerned. As always, Miss Silver prevails.
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