Cloud Over Malverton (U)

by Nancy Buckingham

A girl who inherits property and business interests finds herself at odds with people around her, and is horrified to discover she comes under suspicion of murder. In this house, drawn to two men by deadly desires, could Dulcie Royle distinguish between love and evil?

258 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Nancy Jean Buckingham was born on 10 August 1924 in Bristol, England, UK. In 1949, she married John Sawyer, born on 4 October 1919 in London, England, UK. They formed one of the most popular writing-team marriages. The first books, published under her maiden name Nancy Buckingham since 1967, are classical gothic novels. In the 1970s, they started to used the pseudonyms Christina Abbey and Erica Quest. In 1980, they sold her first novels to Silhouette, and combined their names to create the pen name Nancy John. They also published one novel as Hilary London. The last novels that they published are a popular police series as Erica Quest, protagonized by the Detective Chief Inspector Kate Maddox. Their last novel was released in 1992.

Nancy Jean Buckingham Sawyer was the eighth elected Chairman (1973-1975) of the Romantic Novelists' Association, and is now one of its vice-presidents. John passed away in 1994.

Reviews

[Anna Katharine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Gothic novels aren't usually my thing, unless you count Mary Roberts Rinehart, and this novel didn't really grab me. I enjoyed the setting, and the glimpse of science in the 60's, but protagonist seemed to plucky to just fall into the guy's arms in the end... which, of course, she did. It was worth the $1 I paid in the used bin, but I doubt I'll reread it or look for others by this author. Good writing, but gender roles feel dated, and it's just not my style.