The Angry Intruder

Christy #3

by Catherine Marshall

Near the piano she saw him. He was tall and his face hidden in shadow. She could just make out the glimmer of a knife, poised high over the open piano. "No!" she cried, and as the knife came down, she grabbed for the intruder's arm with all her might.

Headstrong and independent, the new schoolteacher, Christy Huddleston, was determined to change the lives of the poor mountain children in Cutter Gap. Yet, it seemed that anything new and strange posed a threat to the mountain people, who were fiercely proud of their old way of life. Evidently, Christy has angered someone enough to cause a string of mysterious pranks. The handsome, young minister David Grantland feared the pranks would turn dangerous. Unfortunately, he didn't know how right his fears would be.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Adult, Young Adult, Historical, Mystery, Fiction

110 pages, Hardcover

First published September 26, 1995

About the author

Marshall was born in Johnson City, Tennessee. She was the daughter of the Reverend John Ambrose Wood and Leonora Whitaker Wood. From the age of nine until her graduation from high school, Marshall was raised in Keyser, West Virginia, where her father served as pastor of a Presbyterian church from 1924 to 1942.

While a junior at Agnes Scott College, she met Peter Marshall, marrying him in 1936. The couple moved to Washington, DC, where her husband served as pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and Chaplain of the United States Senate.

In 1940, Marshall contracted tuberculosis, for which at that time there was no antibiotic treatment. She spent nearly three years recovering from the illness. Her husband died in 1949 of a heart attack, leaving her to care for their 9-year-old son, Peter John Marshall. He later also became a minister and author.

Marshall wrote a biography of her husband, A Man Called Peter, published in 1951. It became a nationwide success and was adapted as a film of the same name, released in 1955. Her success encouraged her to keep writing.

Marshall wrote or edited more than 30 books, which have sold over 16 million copies.[citation needed] They include edited collections of Peter Marshall's sermons and prayers, and her own inspirational writings. Her most successful books were A Man Called Peter (1951); and her novel, Christy (1967), which was inspired by the story of her mother's time in the mountains teaching the impoverished children of Appalachia. Christy was adapted as a CBS television series, starring Kellie Martin, beginning in 1994.

In 1959, Marshall married Leonard LeSourd, who was the editor of Guideposts Magazine for 28 years. Together they founded a book imprint, Chosen Books. They had three children, Linda, Chester and Jeffery.

Marshall died on March 18, 1983 at the age of 68. She was buried alongside her first husband.

Reviews

[Sarita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment of the Christy series (this series is the full novel broken down in segments).

I really enjoyed Christy's journey to help the mountain people, but in doing so, she needs to learn how they think and what is important to them.

*I listened to this on Scribd.*

[Katelyn Bolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

For readers of all ages who enjoy Christy by Catherine Marshall, this expanded series comes in 12 easy to read books with lots of action and dialog. This is the third book in the series and takes a look at a student prankster who's actions are turning into something much more threatening.

[Kathryn Houghton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two books in this series started out somewhat slow and predictable, but I’m now seeing the comfortable rhythm with these short stories! Still predictable, but enjoyable. These are perfect fillers between reading big novels, especially if you love the pacing in the Christy tv series.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whenever I think of this book, I always get this picture of the dude standing over the piano.

[R. Joy Helvie · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Book #3)

[Glenys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christy is settling in well, has requested donations from firms and a variety of places and this hasn't gone down too well with the founder of the mission Alice Henderson. Thinking outside the square this situation is remedied by setting up a store so the mountain people can barter for the items instead of accepting charity. Amongst the donated items is a piana, one of the older boys is having anger management issues which seem to run in the family and damages the piano in a fit of rage and spite. Christy talks with him and resolves the situation.

[C.A. Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

The conflict in this one is a combination: Christy writes home for donations, but fails to check with Miss Alice and David first, and finds that she's stepped on toes. This feeds into the second but more major conflict: someone is writing threatening messages and scaring Christy, trying to convince her to leave. She has one bully in her class whom she suspects, but she can't prove it's him. Meanwhile, there's a love triangle amongst three of her students, which seems to mirror Christy's own budding love triangle between David, the preacher, and Dr MacNeill.

[Eve (◍•ᴗ•◍)❤ (Semi-active) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it! Has lots of adventure as well as lessons.

[Cherish Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

(5☆ Would recommend & would read again)
I loved watching the Christy TV series was I was young. These books brought back a nostalgia and are well written. I loved this book series.

[Aubree · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Christy movies and books as a teenager, so re-reading them has been a fun journey. This one isn't one of my favorites - the storyline feels a little underdeveloped.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are well written and keep your interest throughout

[Glenn Sumrall]

Moo

[Alma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adaptation of Catherine Marshall's book by C. Archer.