This work is not a great mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, nor is it a profound romance that tugs at the heartstrings.

It clearly fails to reach the high standards set by some of Howatch's other masterpieces.

The story lacks the depth and complexity that we have come to expect from this talented author.

The characters are not as fully developed as they could be, and the plot seems rather平淡无奇.

While it may have some redeeming qualities, overall, it is definitely not Howatch's best book.

Perhaps she was having an off day when she wrote this, or maybe she was experimenting with a new style that didn't quite work out.

Whatever the reason, this particular work falls short of the mark and leaves readers a bit disappointed.

This book is truly highly entertaining. It constantly kept me on the edge of my seat, guessing how Howarch would manage to work everything out. The author really excels in the mystery genre. She reminds me a great deal of Mary Stewart, with her ability to craft engaging and mysterious tales.

This particular story is set in an old home located on the shores of Scotland. The stage is set for a murder that seems destined to be committed. The question is, can it be stopped? And if so, by whom? Moreover, what could be the motives behind such a heinous act?

The characters in this book are well-developed and truly great. They add depth and authenticity to the story, making it even more engrossing. The plot twists and turns, keeping the reader hooked from start to finish. It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery.

Overall, this book is a great addition to the mystery genre and I highly recommend it.

I recently took the time to reread two oldies that I had on hand, and I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed them once again. These books are filled with an abundance of detail, transporting the reader to the enchanting landscapes of England. The atmosphere within the pages is rather dark and mysterious, keeping you on the edge of your seat throughout. What truly sets these books apart, however, is their surprise endings. Just when you think you have everything figured out, the author throws in a curveball, revealing that the people in the story are not at all who you thought they were. It's this element of surprise that makes these oldies so captivating and keeps you coming back for more.

Six people, consisting of a married couple, a brother and sister, and two platonic friends, embark on a visit to a large and remote mansion for a birthday party weekend. Little do they know that this seemingly innocent gathering will lead to a web of multiple romantic intrigues and, ultimately, murder!

However, in this story, there was an excessive amount of swapping of declarations of love among the six characters, which, for my taste, became rather confusing. The drama mainly stems from the typical elements of murder and suspicion, with a climax where all the secrets are finally revealed. Unfortunately, the heroine comes across as fairly dull, and the entire read lacks real excitement as there is never any palpable suspense.

Having read a significant number of books in this genre, I can't help but feel that this one falls short. There are far better examples out there that manage to keep the reader on the edge of their seat, with complex characters and thrilling plot twists. While this story has its moments, it fails to truly engage and satisfy.

A rather typical Gothic plot unfolds: The heroine is invited to an isolated estate. There, everyone behaves strangely, and she seems to be in imminent danger. The story, while not entirely bad, is not really worthy of going to great lengths to obtain a copy of the book. I deducted a star mainly due to the most absurd instance of insta-love I have ever come across. Our heroine and her love interest know each other for perhaps only 48 hours, share a single kiss, and suddenly it's proclaimed as love everlasting. Several years later, she remains single and is still pining for him, all based on just two days of casual acquaintance!

And, as a rather interesting aside, this is the second Gothic novel from the 1960s that I have read this year which involves quicksand. It's quite curious how this particular element keeps cropping up in these old Gothic tales. It adds an extra layer of mystery and danger to the already spooky atmosphere. However, despite these somewhat interesting aspects, the overall story fails to truly captivate and engage me on a deeper level.

Not bad, but not as engaging as other Susan Howatch novels I've read.

The story had its moments, but it didn't quite draw me in as deeply as some of her previous works.

The characters were well-developed, but perhaps a bit too complex for their own good.

I found myself having to work harder to understand their motives and actions.

The plot was interesting enough, but it lacked the kind of twists and turns that would have made it truly exciting.

Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but not one that I would rave about.

I still have high hopes for Susan Howatch's future novels, as she has shown herself to be a talented writer in the past.

Maybe the next one will be the one that blows me away.

I first read this in 1973 when I was a 14-year-old.

Back then, apart from the general mood of the book, I could only remember the name of the character Decima.

I was truly glad to come across this book again in my library and have the opportunity to revisit it.

Rachel gets drawn into a web of events that will ultimately lead to murder at the old and secluded Scottish estate of her school friend Decima.

Decima had a rather tumultuous childhood, being hauled around Europe by her promiscuous mother.

When her mother died, moving to her father's remote home in Scotland was a great relief for her.

After marrying Charles, an Oxford professor and celebrated scholar, just 4 months after meeting him on a double date with Rachel and her friend Rohan (who had his eye on Decima himself), cold and self-involved Decima had an unhappy marriage.

She enjoys flirting with young men and getting them all worked up, but deep inside, she is cold and incapable of loving anyone.

She has no contact with Rachel, who lives in London, until the eve of her 21st birthday.

Rachel answers Decima's frantic plea to come to the estate for her 21st birthday.

Decima claims that Charles wants to kill her as he wants her to sell the estate, which she refuses.

Her father had loved Charles and left it in his will that Decima would have the estate on her 21st birthday, but if she died before that, it would go to Charles who prefers to live in the city rather than in an old place with no hot running water or electricity.

As it turns out, when Rachel arrives, there is a veritable soap opera unfolding.

She falls in love with Danny Carey, who is trying to have an affair with Decima.

Rohan is extremely hostile towards him.

Danny's sister Rebecca is having an affair with Charles, whom she loves for his intellectual qualities.

And Roshven (the house) is a place filled with smoldering passions - of love, hate, deadly jealousy, and rage.

Decima is a cold and heartless being, using everyone for her own purposes.

As midnight strikes and ushers in Decima's 21st birthday, both Charles and Decima are found murdered after the birthday party that Charles threw for her but which she failed to attend as she was out drinking with Rohan.

Who killed Charles and why? Who killed Decima and why? Who has a secret so dangerous that 5 years later, it must be kept to protect the guilty even if it costs Rachel and others their lives? Read and find out.

This is a really enjoyable read, with enough twists and mystery to keep you on the edge of your seat and chilled to the bone until the very last page (where yet another surprise awaits).

This is what is written on the back of the book.

Rachael had been waiting, too. She had been waiting for an end to the nightmare that had already claimed two lives and now loomed over more, casting a dark shadow.

Someone Rachael knew and loved had shockingly transformed into a murderer, turning the once handsome old Scottish Manse into a terrifying place of horror.

The once beautiful and charming manse now held secrets and a sense of dread that filled the air.

Rachael's heart was heavy with the weight of this mystery and the need to protect those she cared about.

Now, Rachael mustered all her courage and determination to find out who the culprit was.

She knew that the answers lay hidden within the walls of the manse and among the people she thought she knew so well.

With each step she took, she felt closer to solving the mystery and bringing an end to this nightmare.

But would she be able to face the truth when she finally uncovered it? Only time would tell.

I needed quite a long time to finish this book.

I did like the plot, but for some reason, I just couldn't fully immerse myself in it. Maybe that makes sense.

The writing was good, I have to admit. However, it was simply not to my taste.

I am pretty sure that other people would absolutely love it. But for me, it was not one of my favorites.

That doesn't mean that I wouldn't recommend it. It's definitely worth the read.

But I can say with certainty that I am not going to read it a second time.

There are just so many other books out there that I would rather explore and enjoy.

Maybe I'll find that one book that will become my all-time favorite.

Until then, I'll keep reading and hoping.