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Jack O'Lantern
In the year 1730, when Susanna, a penniless woman left alone by the death of her mother, learns of the existence of distant relative, she is overjoyed. She travels south to Silfleet, on the English coast, to locate the father she'd never known. But a killer lies waiting for her and it soon becomes very clear that she can trust no one, least of all her mysterious masked ally, the infamous smuggler Jack O'Lantern.
251 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 5, 2023
4.5 stars
This was a really fun book. Gothic’s featuring smuggling storylines are one of my favorites to read so I was excited to pick this up. The main character is likable and the story has a good cast of characters with some smuggling action, murders, and romance thrown in. It was obvious who the masked Jack O’Lantern was but I enjoyed the romance plot line with him. It was a gradual development and I was invested in the romance. The heroine was smarter than most heroine’s in gothic novels but of course she did still do a few idiotic things.
My only gripe was that the ending was a bit anti-climatic. I expected more with the smuggling storyline and while it was clear who the villain was, they were very underdeveloped. But overall, this was a very enjoyable gothic read that had a decent story and romance.
This was a really fun book. Gothic’s featuring smuggling storylines are one of my favorites to read so I was excited to pick this up. The main character is likable and the story has a good cast of characters with some smuggling action, murders, and romance thrown in. It was obvious who the masked Jack O’Lantern was but I enjoyed the romance plot line with him. It was a gradual development and I was invested in the romance. The heroine was smarter than most heroine’s in gothic novels but of course she did still do a few idiotic things.
My only gripe was that the ending was a bit anti-climatic. I expected more with the smuggling storyline and while it was clear who the villain was, they were very underdeveloped. But overall, this was a very enjoyable gothic read that had a decent story and romance.
March 20, 2015
This was fun!
I loved the Cornwall setting and the smuggling that was the center of this book. Susanna was sweet, slightly hoydenish and above all wished to be respectable. But, being poor and alone in the world doesn't lend itself to respectability. And when Susanna goes to Silfleet to be with distant family, she becomes even lower in respectability as the whole village seems to be seeped in smuggling.
When the romanic smuggler Jack O'Lantern saves Susanna's life, she becomes deeply involved in the smuggling and adventure stalks her as a mysterious killer runs on the loose.
This is a Gothic/Suspense Adventure and while a bit predictable, (like Susanna didn't know who Jack O'Lantern was even though she knew him under his real name) and the killer I guessed even though there wasn't really any evidence, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.
G two murders, but neither is shown and one or two Ds. That's it!
I loved the Cornwall setting and the smuggling that was the center of this book. Susanna was sweet, slightly hoydenish and above all wished to be respectable. But, being poor and alone in the world doesn't lend itself to respectability. And when Susanna goes to Silfleet to be with distant family, she becomes even lower in respectability as the whole village seems to be seeped in smuggling.
When the romanic smuggler Jack O'Lantern saves Susanna's life, she becomes deeply involved in the smuggling and adventure stalks her as a mysterious killer runs on the loose.
This is a Gothic/Suspense Adventure and while a bit predictable, (like Susanna didn't know who Jack O'Lantern was even though she knew him under his real name) and the killer I guessed even though there wasn't really any evidence, but that didn't take away from my enjoyment.
G two murders, but neither is shown and one or two Ds. That's it!
January 21, 2014
***1/2
This was a fun, albeit predictable read along the lines of Zorro or The Scarlet Pimpernell. While I didn't unmask the bad guy til about halfway through, I thought it was pretty clear who "Jack " was all along. It always amuses me, these "Zorro " type stories where a man throws a mask over his eyes and now no one can figure out who he is. Its hilarious really!
Still, I found Jack O' Lantern an enjoyable read for what it is and the story compelling enough to keep me turning the pages.
CONTENT :
SEX : None
VIOLENCE : Two murders (not shown to reader)
PROFANITY : One or two mild cusses.
PARANORMAL ELEMENTS: None
MY RATING : G
This was a fun, albeit predictable read along the lines of Zorro or The Scarlet Pimpernell. While I didn't unmask the bad guy til about halfway through, I thought it was pretty clear who "Jack " was all along. It always amuses me, these "Zorro " type stories where a man throws a mask over his eyes and now no one can figure out who he is. Its hilarious really!
Still, I found Jack O' Lantern an enjoyable read for what it is and the story compelling enough to keep me turning the pages.
CONTENT :
SEX : None
VIOLENCE : Two murders (not shown to reader)
PROFANITY : One or two mild cusses.
PARANORMAL ELEMENTS: None
MY RATING : G
May 15, 2010
This book is one of my favorite books, and one of the few that I periodically reread. I love the whole time period setting, with smugglers, during the war between England and France, and I have a weakness for masked heroes with alter-egos. This is a sweet, interesting book, and worth reading, and, at least for me, re-reading.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews