Station Wagon in Spain

by Frances Parkinson Keyes

Book by Frances Parkinson Keyes

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, American

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1959

About the author

Frances Parkinson Keyes was an American author who wrote about her life as the wife of a U.S. Senator and novels set in New England, Louisiana, and Europe. A convert to Roman Catholicism, her later works frequently featured Catholic themes and beliefs. Her last name rhymes with "skies," not "keys."

Reviews

[Dean Cummings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Allan Lambert, the previously bored college professor was facing a sabbatical year in which he had no goals. He unexpectedly inherits a large fortune, purchases a red station wagon, and on a whim, decides to respond to an obviously fraudulent "Spanish Prisoner Letter" for the sole purpose of finding adventure. He finds his adventure, and so much more! I enjoyed Keyes story because of the diversity of characters, richly detailed settings and satisfying ending!

[Elizabeth Gibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the book was fairly well written, it didn't hold my interest. In fact, it wasn't until 30 pages from the end that the action finally picked up enough to interest me. There were also many Spanish words interspersed with the English so that I didn't understand parts of it.

[Lorraine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can forgive the hokey writing and dialogue because it reflects a different era than today. However, I feel it fair to critique the plot and characters.
The protagonist is a bit of a wet rag in the beginning, just teaching at a local college and living with a cousin, sort of stringing along a local girl with noncommittal interactions. Then he gets money (more on that in a moment) and a Sabbatical, plus a bit of a mystery to pursue and suddenly he's a go-getting, take charge, fall in love at the drop of a hat kind of guy. I didn't see it. In some moments he's seemingly thick (like getting money together and driving to the middle of nowhere to meet men he already suspects are cons) and then others he has amazing clarity of mind (deducing where intriguing books are from and how they came to be where they are). The romance is also sudden and ridiculous, like a 30+ year old man suddenly falling for the young Spanish girl after a couple of small talk conversations.
His inheritance: a bachelor uncle leaves him a mansion and funds, but the way the protagonist throws around money to help his new in-laws in Spain recover their property and then some...was his uncle Bill Gates or Kanye West? because that's the kind of money he's spending, even considering inflation. No way he inherited so much money he went from unable to afford his own apartment to almost literally throwing money at people for any and every cause.

The character didn't develop logically, the mystery didn't unfold consistently (lots of slow moments then tumbling ahead quickly), nor was it particularly inventive or intriguing. Too bad. Seemed like it could have been a hidden gem.

[Carrie Dalby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable, but not a favorite. As always for a Keyes novel, lots of regional information and tidbits that make you feel like you're there. No one can fault her research!
Pacing was quicker (plus the book shorter) than her typical long sagas, so it was interesting in that regard as well.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book, great characters. Written in 1959, it is in keeping with that time and culture. Please read! Excellent story line by this impressive author.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Frankly, I was disappointed. It was labeled as suspenseful, but outside of a couple of instances, it really wasn't. I also found the plot line very far fetched.

[Carter William · Rating 2 out of 5]

SKIIIIIPPPP. googled this author turns out she’s a huge racist.

[Ngdecker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am trying to clear out hardback books I bought over the years at book sales and so read this. I liked it, but it was very old-fashioned and very quiet - for a "novel of suspense"! It obviously takes place in Spain and was written in the 1950's, so that part was interesting to me. I doubt if too many people would like it too much now.

[Nick Stewart · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm always susceptible to Keyes's promises of intrigue, romance, and exotic locales. And, initially, I was somewhat spellbound by the combination. However, by the mid-point I began to find Keyes's style ludicrous and the story tedious. Plus there were a few plot holes you could drive (dare I say it?) a station wagon through.

[Kay Robart · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my review here:

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