Status Updates From The Ghost of Hollow House (...

To be born beautiful or ugly or plain was a mere accident and said nothing about character, which was the only thing that mattered. Plainness in a person with a fine character could look pleasing and, conversely, when character was wanting outward beauty seemed flawed and artificial.

Mina realised that her hostess was beginning to have doubts about her sanity and understood the reluctance to express herself in any greater detail. If a man had such experiences he would write a book about them and travel the length and breadth of England to give lectures. A woman might find herself drugged with sedatives and confined to her bedroom.

Just as I was thoroughly enjoying this latest Mina Scarletti story, Stratmann has reintroduced a thoroughly obnoxious character I thought was safely gone. I understand the purpose in bringing such a character in at this juncture, but why does she repeat villainous characters from book to book? Now I shall have to skip all the parts where he speaks, just as I did with the last book. I may not buy any future books.