Reading the Detectives discussion

Welcome to our September group read, Thunder on the Right by Mary Stewart published in 1957.

Jennifer Silver has come to the picturesque, secluded Valley of the Storms in the French Pyrenees to meet with a young cousin who is about to enter the convent there -- only to discover that the young woman has died in a dreadful car accident. Or did she?

Lies abound in this strange and frightening place, but seeking the truth could lead Jennifer to her own violent death.

Please do not post spoilers in this thread. Thank you.

As it's the weekend, let's open our new group read. Who is reading this one?

I am! Already started.

Loved the description of an absolutely decadent meal at the beginning

I will be (re-)reading this, starting soon. I only remember a few things about it, so it will be good to revisit.

I'm sure I first met Mary Stewart serialised in Mother's women's magazines, and suspect this book may have been one. I'm not sure which magazines Mother subscribed to, but there wouldn't have been many. Most likely the English Women's Weekly which along with the usual cooking and interests, regularly featured knitting & sewing patterns, at least one short story, and one serial. Oh yes, and a new outfit each issue for my paper dolls. :)

Yes, I'll be reading this.

I've never read Mary Stewart before so am interested in giving this a try - it sounds fun.

I'll be starting this week-end. I haven't read Mary Stewart since my teens, so will be interested to see how she, and me, aged.

I got confused (not a noteworthy event) and read it a month early. Will be joining in!

I have read this and enjoyed it, very atmospheric and romantic - made me want to visit the Pyrenees!

At the start I thought I was heading for 4 stars - I had one or two gripes with the plot later on which I will save for the spoiler thread, but will read more by Stewart.

I am still waiting for my copy to arrive but hope to join you some time this month!

I have started this but am hoping it is not too romantic.

Judy wrote: "I have read this and enjoyed it, very atmospheric and romantic - made me want to visit the Pyrenees!

At the start I thought I was heading for 4 stars - I had one or two gripes with the plot later..."

There are lots of places that I have visited based on books I have read. My 'guide' to the Pyrenees were Dornford Yates' Berry books, particularly the end of Adele and Co., and The House That Berry Built. But having read Madam Will You Talk, I made sure we also visited Nimes, and the amphitheatre there.

I will be starting it today or tomorrow.

I just finished reading it for the first time and posted at length about it in the Mary Stewart group.
I will be reading and posting along, mostly in the spoiler thread.

Jill wrote: "I have started this but am hoping it is not too romantic."

Jill, I will be interested to see what you think.

I have to admit I didn't much like this. It was a bit of a melodrama - too many flashing eyes and boys on wild horses for me.

Jackie wrote: "I just finished reading it for the first time and posted at length about it in the Mary Stewart group.
I will be reading and posting along, mostly in the spoiler thread."

It will be good to hear your comments, Jackie.

Susan, I do agree there is a fair amount of melodrama - at times I was reminded of the early Patricia Wentworth thrillers, though in a more exciting location!

Rosina wrote: "There are lots of places that I have visited based on books I have read. My 'guide' to the Pyrenees were Dornford Yates' Berry books, particularly the end of Adele and Co., and The House That Berry Built..."

I have never read any Dornford Yates - Adele and Co looks like fun though from a peek at the start.

Susan wrote: "I have to admit I didn't much like this. It was a bit of a melodrama - too many flashing eyes and boys on wild horses for me."

Haha, now I'm even more intrigued!

Susan wrote: "I have to admit I didn't much like this. It was a bit of a melodrama - too many flashing eyes and boys on wild horses for me."

I'm going to reply to this in the spoiler thread.

I have read this and enjoyed it, very atmospheric and romantic - made me want to visit the Pyrenees

yes, I have that reaction to all her books! South of France? Greek Island? tiny island off Scotland? if her novel takes place there, I want to visit.

Lots of melodrama! It was a pleasure revisiting my youth when I devoured these sorts of books. I doubt I will continue with Mary Stewart but enjoyed this 'blast from the past'.

It’s decades since I read this one but I’m interested to know what I’ll think of it this time! I wasn’t too enamoured when I read it before as I thought it was nowhere near as good as the 8 or so books of hers that I’d already read!

I'll be interested to hear what you think, Susan. What are your favourites by Stewart?

I just finished reading this one. I found it to be very enjoyable -- not the greatest book ever written, but with enough mystery, suspense, and romance to make it interesting.

I'm about half way through and quite enjoying it-not exactly what I'd expected, but I like the characters and the intrigue around the convent and the Englishwomen abroad angle. The Pyrenees sound brilliant, and I love how Jennifer walks everywhere-even when it's some miles distant. I will finish and head over to the spoilers thread.

Yes, Mary Stewart is a master at evoking glamorous destinations! (Though I suspect a lot of communities in the Pyrenees are far from glam.)