Images of Rose

by Anna Gilbert

A haunting story of love and mystery in Victorian England.

In the late nineteenth century in the lush atmosphere of the English countryside at Saxelby Mill, the seafaring Captain Adam Westerdale had brought his frail bride and where a few years later he buried her. The distraught husband returned to sea, leaving behind him two young daughters, and except for his infrequent visits Lucy and Ellen Westerdale grew to the brink of womanhood happily but without their father's presence. Thus they lived in his absence and in their mother's shadowy memory, dreaming of the day that her girlhood companion, Cousin Rose, would come to them at last.

And that May morning when they spied the beautiful young woman dressed in gray, standing lost and alone at the mill gate, was the day it all began. Rose had come and touched their lives and nothing would ever be the same again.

Genres: Fiction, Gothic, Victorian, Historical Fiction, British Literature

275 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1974

About the author

Marguerite Jackson Lazarus
aka Marguerite J. Gascoigne, Anna Gilbert

Marguerite Jackson was born on 1 May 1916 in Durham, England, UK, daughter of Hannah, and John Jackson, an inspector of schools. On 1937, she obtained a BA with honours and on 1957 a MA at Durham University. She worked as Grammar school English teacher from 1938 to 1973. On 5 April 1956, she married Jacob "Jack" Lazarus.

She published Children's fiction as Marguerite J. Gascoigne, and later gothic romance novels as Anna Gilbert. Marguerite died at 88, on 24 September 2004 in North Yorkshire, England.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I found this book in the free bin at a local used book store. I can hardly resist a free book, even if I've never seen it before. I didn't necessarily have any high expectations for it, but I was pleasantly surprised. It is somewhat reminiscent of Victoria Holt (although not quite to that caliber), and there is a great mystery of who Cousin Rose is throughout the entire novel. The plot can become a bit wearing at times, but it was a fairly enjoyable quick read.

[Pat Camalliere · Rating 4 out of 5]

I almost put this book down about fifty pages in, but I’m glad I didn’t. after a slow start the story captured me, similar to the style of Daphne du Maurier’s classic works like Rebecca. Growing up in an isolated country mill, young Ellen and Lucy long to have their deceased mother’s cousin Rose come to live with them. When she finally arrives, the circumstances are unexpected and Rose herself behaves strangely. Soon an atmosphere of evil pervades the home and everything starts to go wrong. Ultimately Rose and Ellen are left alone to resolve their differences. Highly recommended.

[Rosemary Noble · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a consistent gothic feel about this novel which I enjoyed very much. One or two typos which, as it is now offered by Endeavour, I did not expect. The writing was good and she kept the suspense going. On the whole, I liked the book.

[Kathy Barter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery, false ID, great story

I have read this book before. I realized it was familiar but I was enjoying the story all over again of two motherless sisters, a sea captain away for long periods of time and a long lost cousin .

[Virginia Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well done!

I thought the book was predictable , into the last few chapters . It was then that I really appreciated her style of writing and the suspense in which she kept you.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a Victorian read about character impersonation. It includes two daughters, an absent father, and a mysterious new stepmother. Parts of it were confusing to me.

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable suspense novel. The old English country atmosphere is the perfect setting for the story line.
Just thought the ending was a little rushed .