The Shrouded Walls

A solid three stars can be given to this novel. It is written in a reasonably good 'gothic romance' style. The story managed to hold my interest throughout. Despite the occasional use of an illogical plot strategy to push the narrative forward, overall, it was a satisfying and enjoyable read.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who has a penchant for a beguiling gothic romance. It is perfect for those who simply want to lose themselves in the story without being overly concerned about dissecting every little detail or closely examining the narrative style. It offers a great escape into a world of mystery, romance, and a touch of the supernatural. So, if you're in the mood for a captivating gothic romance, give this novel a try and you won't be disappointed.

This book had a good plot.

It was indeed a good story.

However, it was not as entertaining as I initially thought it would be.

The plot took an extreme twist, which was quite unexpected.

The story was nice in many aspects, but at times, it headed in a creepy direction.

This gave off a weird vibe that made me feel a bit uncomfortable.

Overall, while the book had its merits, it didn't quite meet my expectations in terms of entertainment.

Maybe if the creepy parts had been toned down a bit, it would have been a more enjoyable read.

Nonetheless, it still had an interesting plot that kept me engaged until the end.

"The Shrouded Walls" represents a significant departure for Susan Howatch. She has ventured beyond the contemporary Gothics she was known for and delved into a historical setting - Regency England - while also employing first-person narration. Marianne Fleury, left vulnerable by the death of her parents, craves security. Axel Brandson, on the other hand, requires a wife to claim an inheritance. Their marriage of convenience sets the stage for a complex mystery. The reader becomes engrossed in untangling the truth of what occurred nearly a year earlier at the family's estate, Haraldsdyke, when the patriarch, Robert Brandson, died suddenly.

Howatch, as in her previous novels, infuses the characters' relationships with frankness and maturity. Her Gothics, though never explicit, are not sanitized like many in the genre. However, the revelations of the mystery can be a bit wordy, a characteristic also seen in some of her other Gothics. Despite this, "The Shrouded Walls" is an enjoyable read. It takes the reader into uncharted territory for the author and concludes with a final chapter that neatly ties up most of the loose ends, answering the reader's questions about the characters' future lives.

I became a huge fan of Susan Howatch after reading Penmarric and Cashelmara.

The Shrouded Wall is an exciting tale that centers around Marianne and her marriage to Axel Branson.

Axel was in a difficult situation as, after his father passed away, he was compelled to find a wife in order to obtain his inheritance.

The story unfolds with numerous twists and turns, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

Marianne's journey in this marriage is filled with challenges and unexpected events.

Howatch's vivid descriptions and engaging narrative make it easy for the reader to immerse themselves in the world of the story.

As the plot progresses, we see the characters develop and change, adding depth and complexity to the overall narrative.

The Shrouded Wall is a must-read for fans of historical fiction and romance.

The Shrouded Walls and The Dark Shore were two novellas bound together in one hardback.

The first novella was a "pre-Victorian" Victorian suspense work, which set the stage in an earlier era yet still captured the essence of Victorian mystery and intrigue.

The second novella, on the other hand, was placed in a later, more modern timeframe. However, it managed to retain that Victorian murder mystery suspense within its plot.

Howatch did a remarkable job in each of these novellas to maintain the suspense throughout. She skillfully kept the readers on the edge of their seats, eager to uncover the secrets and solve the mysteries.

Nevertheless, there was a common device used in the plot where "No one saw her" was often employed to advance the story. But as the readers suspected, someone did indeed see the heroine take certain actions.

So when the heroine seems surprised by the result that that someone shows up to save her, it can be quite bemusing to see how clueless she appears.

While neither of these novellas was as accomplished as Penmarric, they were still good reads that offered an enjoyable escape into the world of mystery and suspense.

Overall, Howatch's writing in these novellas展示了 her talent for creating engaging and suspenseful stories that keep the readers hooked from beginning to end.

A Decent Mystery

A decent mystery unfolds in this story, even though I had the inkling of the ending. The main character, finding herself in a rather unconventional situation, enters into a marriage of convenience. Little does she know that within this new family she has joined, a murderer lurks among her in-laws. As she navigates through the unfamiliar territory of her new life, she realizes that she must act quickly to figure out which one of them is the culprit before she becomes the next target. The suspense builds as she uncovers small clues and pieces together the puzzle. Will she be able to solve the mystery in time and save herself from the clutches of the murderer? Only time will tell in this thrilling tale of mystery and danger.

It was blatantly evident that he did not love me. He was fond of me to the extent that feigning affection came easily to him, yet there was no doubt that love was absent. Why should it be present? I had not loved him either. Ours had been a marriage of convenience and would remain so. Why not? After all, who marries for love in this day and age? Only fools, or paupers, or those who are born with good luck and happiness.

Set in the early nineteenth century, seventeen-year-old Miss Fleury was on the verge of destitution when a gentleman stranger, Mr. Axel Brandson, proposed marriage to her. Through this marriage, she would be saved, and he would fulfill the conditions of his inheritance. Within a month, she became Mrs. Brandson and mistress of Haraldsdyke, secluded from society and surrounded by the thick fog that enveloped their estate. She was also surrounded by Axel's contemptuous family members and in the midst of the mysterious deaths of Axel's father and half-brother, Rodric. Among these strangers, she had no idea whom to trust, especially when her new husband seemed determined to keep her isolated from the truth.

Then, something seemed to occur within my mind. The dark, hidden corner that I concealed even from myself, the raw wound that never healed, the pain that I would never admit existed. Something happened to the persistent feeling that life had been unjust, the ache of pride burdened by the weight of inferiority. And something seemed to happen, enabling me to see this man for the first time. He was not a stranger to me at all but the man who would stand by my side, speak for me, and care for me against the world. All at once, the wound was healed, and there were no longer any dark corners of the mind that I was afraid to explore. My pride and self-respect were restored to me as strongly as they had ever been before I knew the meaning of the word legitimacy. The cure was so profound and sudden that there were hot tears in my eyes, and I could not speak. And I saw him through my tears and loved him.

I engaged in a reading challenge under the category of "reread an old favorite." I had initially read this particular piece when I was 14, then again at 15, and once more at 16, and I absolutely adored it during those times. However, now, after the passage of many decades, I have discovered that it has become a bit dull for me.

The writing style is decent enough. It leans more towards being a mystery rather than a full-fledged gothic romance. Moreover, the story is presented mainly through dialogue rather than being vividly shown or described in great detail.

Nevertheless, it is still somewhat enjoyable to reread a beloved book from such a long time ago. It offers a fascinating glimpse into who we were in the past, allowing us to reflect on how our tastes and perspectives have evolved over the years.