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181st out of 271 books
—
1,241 voters
Menfreya in the Morning
For Harriet Delvaney, the great house of Menfreya, standing like a fortress on the Cornish coast, had always been a citadel of happiness and high spirits. Not until she herself came to Menfreya as a bride did Harriet discover the secret family legend of infidelity, jealousy and murder. And not until the legend seemed to come dangerously to life did Harriet begin to believe...more
Mass Market Paperback, 0 pages
Published
March 12th 1982
by Fawcett Books
(first published June 1966)
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3.5 stars
This is one that I had to take a break from because it was so freaking depressing. The first half of the book focuses on the heroine's childhood and all the events that made it such a sad existence. You have to read it too or you won't understand the power of events that happen in her adulthood (well, you could but it won't have nearly the same impact I imagine.)
The second half of the book perks right up, but I read it constantly on edge and in a straight out state of anxiety when the...more
This is one that I had to take a break from because it was so freaking depressing. The first half of the book focuses on the heroine's childhood and all the events that made it such a sad existence. You have to read it too or you won't understand the power of events that happen in her adulthood (well, you could but it won't have nearly the same impact I imagine.)
The second half of the book perks right up, but I read it constantly on edge and in a straight out state of anxiety when the...more
MENFREYA IN THE MORNING (Suspense/Romance-England-Victorian) – G+
Holt, Victoria – standalone
Fawcett Crest, 1966, US Paperback
First Sentence: To see Menfreya at its best was to see it in the morning.
Harriet Delvaney has loved Menfrea; the house and the family and all they have represented to her since she was a girl. As a bride at Manfreya, she finds herself dealing with feelings of jealousy and fears of infidelity. She has heard the ghost stories and legend but now the old clock, supposed to sig...more
Holt, Victoria – standalone
Fawcett Crest, 1966, US Paperback
First Sentence: To see Menfreya at its best was to see it in the morning.
Harriet Delvaney has loved Menfrea; the house and the family and all they have represented to her since she was a girl. As a bride at Manfreya, she finds herself dealing with feelings of jealousy and fears of infidelity. She has heard the ghost stories and legend but now the old clock, supposed to sig...more
This book freaked me out at the end! I won't spoil anything for other readers, don't worry. I recently got into gothic romances from the 20th century and this is the first Victoria Holt book I've ever read. I'll admit, it took me a little while to get into it. There is quite a lot of talking. However, the last half of the book is full of activity and the last quarter of the book was captivating and a little scary. I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to read another Holt novel!
Heavily influenced by Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca, Menfreya is a surprisingly well-written, well-paced book. You can tell you're in the hands of an experienced author. But it's let down by an atrociously clichéd ending, which is so poorly written, and does such a bad job of explaining the strange events in the house, that it pretty much undermines everything that's come before it.
I almost didn't read this book cause it didn't sound very exciting. I was wrong it is a very good book with lots of twists and turns. I never knew what was going to happen and I just kept turning pages cause I was so interested. I wish there was a little more romance. But it was a great book I stayed up until midnight to finish it and I didn't even realize it was so late.
As always Victoria Holt captures a particularly vivid story. Menfreya in the Morning was a good read. Interlaced with suspicion, love, and doubt I found myself struck with emotion on the demise of one character. Unfortunately this story ran similar with one of her other books as to the identity of the culprit and has as usual such a quick quick ending!
One of the first mystery books I ever read with the gothic setting and I fell in love with the English moors, mystic seas, steep cliffs, drafty castles, etc. Not to mention mysterious, brooding, heroes! This book has always held a special place in my heart for this reason--I was "hooked."
This is a Victoria Holt I missed 40ish years ago when I was devouring romantic suspense/gothics as a young teen. The story is nothing original, but this book was as comfortable as an old shoe. Perfect for those rainy afternoons when you just want to be entertained.
NOW I know why Victoria Holt was such a beloved author! She combines that wonderful mix of well written imagery, interesting characters and a good story. Reading "Manfreya.." is not a titillating page turner but more an enjoyable stroll, with a little romance and mystery to make it interesting.
Feb 07, 2013
Tonya Peterson
is currently reading it
I recieved this book as a Christmas gift from my daughter who knew I read and loved it as a pre-teen when I was obsessed with romantic novels set in the English countryside. Not sure if I'll love it as much now, but it was a very sweet gesture:).
One of the very early books of Ms Holt, re-read after 30 years!
All her favorite tropes: plain heroine, great looking hero, beautiful other women, mysterious deaths, big house.
Cozy read.
All her favorite tropes: plain heroine, great looking hero, beautiful other women, mysterious deaths, big house.
Cozy read.
If you liked Mistress of Mellyn, you definitely
Must read this. This has been one of my
Favorites of all time. Ms. Holt really knows how
to mix romance with mystery and adventure.
Must read this. This has been one of my
Favorites of all time. Ms. Holt really knows how
to mix romance with mystery and adventure.
This was an interesting book. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't sure where it was headed which kept me so interested! Lots of turns and changes in my opinion. It had a very fun mystery to it.
Gothic romance about a crippled girl and the man she loved. As with Norah Lofts, I read many, many of Holt's books. I remember I loved them and wonder how I'd rate them now.
A Victoria Holt I hadn't come across before. I really enjoyed Harriet's story and the Cornish setting.
Not as well known as Holt's 'Mistress of Mellyn' but personally I enjoyed this one more.
All of Victoria Holt's books I read in the late 60's and early 70's. I reread them recently. I don't know that they are the best books written (compare them to the romantic novels you find now) but they take me back to time in high school, hot summers and box of chocolate covered raisins.
Nov 19, 2008
Ranchhand
added it
I have just joined this blog, because of this book. Loved it so much as a young woman. Victoria Holt books set the stage for my teen and early adult love life. Wanted the drama, romance and gothic setting. I married, finally, 30 years later, to a man from England! I have a ranch instead of a castle. He does not ride the horses but he saves me each day from myself and others.
I'll never forget the LAST line: (something like this)
" nothing's quite as beautiful and Manfreya in the morning". The una...more
I'll never forget the LAST line: (something like this)
" nothing's quite as beautiful and Manfreya in the morning". The una...more
Feb 02, 2013
Judy
added it
Read all of Victoria Holt's books in high school
See Mistress of Mellyn.
My very first romance novel!
really liked it
A wonderful read!
There seemed to be one or two summers in my teens when my Mom and sister had this and other Holts and lots of Mary Stewarts stacked all around the house and I devoured them - perfect summer reads - romance and a smidge of history and well written unlike some of the similar sorts...of all of them, this was my favorite, reading it several times through, feeling very akin to the heroine back then. Ah, youth, summer, and romance :)
This was the first book I read of Victoria Holt. I just love the way she writes, a mixture of love, evil, dark castles, mystery and riddles. I don't like all of Victoria's books but this one i certaintly my favourite! Oh and another great thing is the name of the hero in the book, his name is Bevil :D
I'd never heard of Victoria Holt before I read this book, which I borrowed from my old buildings' laundry room (indefinitely). When I talked to my mom about her, her response was immediate recognition, and a "ooohhh yes!" It was a sweet, girly read; like a Lifetime movie written out in novel form.
I read all of Victoria Holt mystery/romance books in my 30s. Holt books are a higher caliber of romance fiction than something like Harlequins. Historically accurate. Good recreational reading with something to keep you turning pages.
This was an enjoyable audio experience. I read paperback version really long, long ago and even now, it was still the same awesome experience. The character were rich, warm and plot developed with mysterious touch.
Holt writes good thrillers, usually set in the 19th century. If you like the heroine in distress and some odd elements thrown in, you might like her books.
Long ago Victoria Holt was one of my favorite authors. I found this in a thrift shop and had not read it, so, I thought I would revisit Victoria's work.
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Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subjec...more
More about Victoria Holt...
Eleanor Alice Burford, Mrs. George Percival Hibbert was a British author of about 200 historical novels, most of them under the pen name Jean Plaidy which had sold 14 million copies by the time of her death. She chose to use various names because of the differences in subjec...more
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Mar 10, 2013 10:11pm
Mar 11, 2013 04:16am