Taking a break from her drawing-room Gothic-inflected murder mysteries of the late 1960s, Susan Howatch embarked on a new literary adventure. In this entertaining and full-on Gothic novel, she welcomed in a New Age, both literally and figuratively. The story delves into the machinations of a Satanic coven, where Howatch liberally mixes witchcraft and Satanism, a combination that may not be entirely accurate but is forgiven in the realm of popular fiction.

The coven's activities become intertwined with the lives of an extended family of landowners along the Welsh Coast. Howatch has a great deal of fun with her villains, peppering the narrative with deadpan jokes and a dry, yet ultimately chilling, mixture of the prosaic and the evil. This is particularly evident in one final scene that leaves a lasting impression.

The ostensible hero and heroine may not be particularly interesting, but the reader is more compelled by the delightful secondary couple, Benedict and Jane Shaw. Benedict is an absent-minded professor, while Jane is slightly muddled but deeply heroic and kind. She figures out what's going on long before anyone else, adding an element of mystery and intrigue. Additionally, there is a set of very precocious twins who add to the charm and complexity of the story.

Today's readers will find it interesting to connect this novel with the religious themes that Howatch would turn to beginning in the late 1980s. Indeed, after this novel, Howatch abandoned Gothics and began concentrating on lengthy family sagas. This book is highly recommended as a quick, fun, and occasionally chilling read that will transport readers to a world of mystery, magic, and malevolence.

My very first encounter with a Gothic romance was truly a memorable experience.

I delved into this captivating story during my teenage years, and then, much later, as an "adult," I decided to revisit it. To my delight, it was just as enjoyable and thrilling as I had remembered.

What's rather strange is that, no matter how hard I try, I can never seem to fully recall the details of the romance aspect of the story. Instead, it is the elements of suspense that have etched themselves deeply into my memory.

The setting of the story is another aspect that stands out vividly in my mind. I can picture it with such clarity, as if I were actually there, experiencing the eerie atmosphere and the mysterious surroundings.

It's truly fascinating how a single book can have such a lasting impact on our memories, even if some of the finer details may fade over time.

A couple decides to rent a charming cottage for the summer. They are looking forward to a peaceful and relaxing break. However, upon arriving at the cottage, they discover that a group of health-food fanatics live nearby. At first, the couple is intrigued by this group, but as time passes, they start to sense something strange and sinister about them.

As the story unfolds, an evil plot begins to emerge. The health-food fanatics seem to have some dark and mysterious plans that put the couple in danger. The book builds up the tension steadily, leading to a thrilling conclusion.

The writing style of this book is rather melodramatic and gothic, which adds to the overall atmosphere of mystery and horror. The author does a great job of creating a sense of realism, making the reader feel as if they are right there in the cottage, experiencing the terror along with the couple. Despite its somewhat over-the-top style, the book is realistically chilling and will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end.

Overall, it's a captivating read that combines elements of mystery, horror, and drama in a unique and engaging way.

The Devil on Lammas Night, presented in a single volume along with Susan Howatch's other novel, The Waiting Sands, is a book that I came across at a library used book sale. The only reason I picked it up was because it had the word "Lammas" in its title. I have owned this book for many years, but it was only recently that I made the decision to read the dual novels. Out of the two, this one proved to be the better.

Overall, I found this novel to be slightly quaint, very British, and highly entertaining. It has a charm that is unique to Howatch's writing style. A few of Susan Howatch's novels have been reprinted as e-books, but unfortunately, I don't think this particular one has been yet.

If by chance you happen to come across an old copy of it, I would highly recommend that you pick it up. It is truly a worthwhile read that will transport you into a different world and keep you engaged from start to finish.

So, the York County Literacy Council was handing out free books this last weekend.

It was a wonderful opportunity for book lovers in the area.

Naturally, this was the book I picked up off their table.

The moment I saw it, something about it caught my eye.

Maybe it was the colorful cover or the title that seemed to hold a promise of adventure.

As I flipped through the pages, I could sense the story unfolding within.

I was excited to take it home and lose myself in its words.

Free books are not only a great way to promote literacy but also a source of joy and inspiration.

I'm grateful to the York County Literacy Council for providing this wonderful service.

And I can't wait to start reading the book I chose and share my thoughts with others.

Poole did something unprintable to both the contents of the chalice and the plates of bread.

Several females in the congregation screamed in ecstasy.

I think the ridiculous quote above pretty much sums up the book. There is a lack of detailed description of the nasties to truly titillate the reader, and it is not coherent enough to scare thrill seekers.

Later in the book, there is a part where it is implied that the main villain is about to ceremonially rape a 9-year-old girl in front of his "congregation," which disgusted me. However, even this was described in such a tame and boring way that it was somewhat unremarkable.

As for the plot, it is quite convoluted. There is a whole host of characters we have to deal with in the story before we can get back to the main beta couple introduced in the first chapter. Everyone, and I mean everyone, gets a chance to be the subject of the narration, even the cat.

It's not really extremely bad, but it's not great either. It's definitely a product of its time. Don't expect to see this one get a reprint any time soon.

Overall, the book has its flaws in both description and plot, making it a rather mediocre read.

I'll say this. It had enough things that I truly adored about it. So much so that I kind of have this urge to pen an adapted screenplay. The sole purpose of this would be to create the version of it that I would wholeheartedly love in its entirety. It's truly quite remarkable!

This idea of adapting it into a screenplay is exciting. I can envision all the possibilities and how I could bring out the best in each aspect that I loved. It would be a creative endeavor that allows me to put my own spin on something that already had so much potential. I'm really looking forward to delving into this project and seeing what I can come up with.

Moreover, the thought of seeing my adapted version come to life on the screen is thrilling. It would be a dream come true to share my vision with others and have them experience the story in a new and unique way. I can't wait to start working on this adapted screenplay and see where it takes me.

I gave this a try, but unfortunately, the writing didn't quite resonate with me.

Just within the first paragraph alone, there were some aspects that didn't sit well.

"Nicola was dreaming. She walked and walked until suddenly she was no longer alone." The repeated use of "suddenly" made the narrative feel a bit disjointed.

At first, I had a mild interest in the story. However, as I progressed through the pages, by around page 50, that interest slowly dissipated, and I simply didn't care anymore.

Perhaps I'm not in the right mood for a gothic thriller/romance at the moment. Or maybe it's because this was published way back in 1970, and the writing style now feels rather dated, at least to my modern sensibilities.

I might consider giving it another go in the future, but I highly doubt it. Overall, I would rate this a 2 ⭐.

I really enjoyed it.

It was such a wonderful experience that left me with a sense of satisfaction and joy.

The moment I engaged in it, I was completely immersed and couldn't help but be captivated by its charm.

Every aspect of it contributed to my enjoyment, whether it was the interesting content, the engaging activities, or the pleasant atmosphere.

I found myself looking forward to every moment and reluctant to let it end.

Even after it was over, the memories lingered in my mind, making me smile whenever I thought about it.

Overall, it was an experience that I will cherish and remember for a long time.

Susan Howatch has a well-deserved reputation for handling religious and historical themes with greater dexterity and depth than most novelists.

Her ability to explore these complex and often controversial topics in a nuanced and engaging way has earned her a dedicated following among readers who appreciate intelligent and thought-provoking fiction.

I suppose that is precisely why I was drawn to try this particular novel of hers, which delves into the mysterious and often misunderstood world of witchcraft.

I was curious to see how Howatch would approach this subject matter, and whether she could bring it to life in a way that was both believable and captivating.

As I began to read, I was immediately struck by the richness of her prose and the vividness of her descriptions.

She has a talent for creating characters who are both complex and relatable, and for setting them against a backdrop of historical events that add depth and authenticity to the story.

Overall, I found this novel to be a fascinating and rewarding read, and I look forward to exploring more of Howatch's work in the future.

Gothic is a unique and captivating style that has endured throughout the ages.

Originating in the Middle Ages, it is characterized by its pointed arches, ribbed vaults, and flying buttresses.

The architecture of Gothic buildings is often grand and imposing, with a sense of verticality that seems to reach towards the heavens.

Inside, the spaces are filled with a soft, diffused light that creates an otherworldly atmosphere.

Gothic art also extends to literature, with dark and mysterious tales of vampires, werewolves, and haunted castles.

The style has a certain allure that continues to fascinate people today, perhaps because it taps into our deepest fears and desires.

Whether it's in the form of a beautiful cathedral or a spine-tingling novel, Gothic has a power and charm all its own.

This was an enjoyable read,

yet at times it bordered on being kitsch.

The story had its moments of charm and entertainment,

drawing the reader in with its engaging plot and characters.

However, there were also instances where the author seemed to rely too much on clichéd tropes and overly sentimental moments.

These elements detracted from the overall quality of the work and made it feel a bit cheesy.

Despite this, it was still a fun read that could provide a quick escape from reality.

Perhaps with a bit more refinement and a willingness to break free from some of the more tired conventions,

the author could have created a truly outstanding piece of literature.

Nonetheless, it was an interesting attempt that had its strengths and weaknesses.

Overall, it was an enjoyable but somewhat flawed read.