The Stormy Petrel

Mary Stewart

Rose Fenemore is due for vacation from her position as Doctor of English at Cambridge University. She needs a place to write her poetry without being interrupted. She sees an ad for an ivory tower and answers it. She and her brother then plan a vacation on a northern secluded Scottish island.

Rose's brother is delayed after being in a railway crash. While waiting for him, she instead has two strange men show up in her cottage in the middle of the night. Both claim connections with the old house and property on the island. One is there to look over the property he has supposedly inherited. The other is there to renew boyhood memories. One of the two is planning on stealing from the property. Rose has to keep herself safe and align with the correct man. She just hopes it is the man who is tugging at her heart.

This book is a poor example of Mary Stewart's novels. I like the quiet tone she always starts out with in this type of novel. It is very classic Stewart. Unfortunately, there is never any tension in the story. The reader quickly learns who the probable villain is. That never changes. The drama that usually enters her tales doesn't make it into this one. You won't miss anything if you don't read this novel.

Nine Coaches Waiting by Mary Stewart