Darcourt

by Isabelle Holland

Vintage fictional

Genres: Gothic, Romance, Mystery, Gothic Romance

392 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Isabelle Christian Holland (born June 16, 1920 in Basel, Switzerland — died February 9, 2002) was an author of children and adult fiction. Her father was the American Consul in Liverpool, England during WWII. She moved to America in 1940 due to the war. She wrote Gothic novels, adult mysteries, romantic thrillers, and many books for children and young adults. She wrote over 50 books in her lifetime, and was still working at the time of her death at age 81 in New York City.

Two of her novels have been made into movies:

Bump in the Night, 1991,
The Man Without a Face, 1993

Both of these novels deal with issues or allegations of pedophilia.

Reviews

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This suspense novel from the seventies is a fun distraction for a rainy afternoon. Sally Wainwright, girl reporter, goes undercover to the private island owned by Tristram Darcourt, oil tycoon and reclusive billionnaire. HEr cover is that of Terry LeBreton, governess to Tristram's teenage daughter Alix. Sally's job is to find out about a mysterious oil deal between Tristram and an Arab oil concern, but she has an agenda of her own : her mother had once been engaged to Tristram, who apparently broke the engagement over a scandalous secret involving her sister. Soon Sally finds out that there are plenty of mysteries. WHy is one part of the island strictly off-limits? Why are the locals of the nearby island so hostile? Who is trying to scare her away by putting snakes and scorpions under her bed? And who or what is the creature roaming around the house at night, making a heavy, dragging sound?

I won't spoil the fun by revealing the secret, which is oh-so-unthinkable now.

I recommend this to lovers of suspense with a resourceful heroine

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great old Gothic mystery-romance. Sally Wainwright goes to Darcourt Island as a governess to the owner's daughter. Only she's really an investigative reporter and is ferreting out an oil scandal involving Tristram Darcourt. Oh, and she's using a false name but makes a few too many slips and is found out. There's more mystery involving Darcourt's missing wife and his headstrong young daughter. The story really moves along and you find yourself turning the pages as fast as you can possibly read.

[Li · Rating 3 out of 5]

Complete overload of Gothic, but that's really what you'd expect from a Holland. Very much a book of its times, but compulsively readable and genuinely scary at times.

[Sharon Buxton · Rating 2 out of 5]

C. fiction, gothic suspense, romance, South Carolina, leprosy, improbable, convoluted plot, Mom's stash, discard

[Debi Emerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! In the best gothic tradition!