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Walk in the Paradise Garden
Random House; 1st edition (1972) English 0394478819 978-0394478814 Product 8.3 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches Shipping 14.4 ounces
309 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 1972
About the author
Anne Maybury
56 books21 followersEdith Arundel Buxton
aka Edith Arundel, Anne Maybury & Katherine Troy.
Her maiden surname was Arundel. Her ancestors were said to have come to England with the Norman Conquest and she was proud of the heritage which did seem to imbue her with a perceptive appreciation of history. The love of poetry which remained with her always was inherited from her father, a distinguished poet of his time. Her mother was a musician who died at an early age.
She was a writer of romantic suspense whose novels earned her world-wide acclaim and an enormous following. She was particularly popular in the United States. Her finest gift was for lyrical prose and she used her delight in colour and drama to such effect that the reader was immediately plunged into the story and held enthralled.
Her early novels were written also under the pennames of Edith Arundel and Katherine Troy, but it is as Anne Maybury that she will be remembered. She was a true professional who did not believe in wasting time. A promised deadline was adhered to and all social engagements regretfully cancelled. She developed early in life the profound interest in human behaviour and intrigue which was to prove a valuable asset to her writing. Also in good measure she retained the attribute so necessary to an author, a lively curiosity. She travelled widely and brought a sense of adventure into her books derived often from personal experiences of a bizarre kind. She seemed to attract excitement and used to say that she had met more than one murderer during her travels around the world. As a writer she was stylish, and this quality extended to her personality, which was full of vivid charm, lightened by a sparkling sense of fun.
Generous with her time to aspiring writers, she also loved literary chat with her peers. She was interested in new writing as well as the classics and read widely, keeping up with developments. She was a vice-president of both the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. Almost until his death she regularly attended meetings and gave time and care to helping the members and the causes in which they believe. She was a remarkable writer and a good friend and companion.
aka Edith Arundel, Anne Maybury & Katherine Troy.
Her maiden surname was Arundel. Her ancestors were said to have come to England with the Norman Conquest and she was proud of the heritage which did seem to imbue her with a perceptive appreciation of history. The love of poetry which remained with her always was inherited from her father, a distinguished poet of his time. Her mother was a musician who died at an early age.
She was a writer of romantic suspense whose novels earned her world-wide acclaim and an enormous following. She was particularly popular in the United States. Her finest gift was for lyrical prose and she used her delight in colour and drama to such effect that the reader was immediately plunged into the story and held enthralled.
Her early novels were written also under the pennames of Edith Arundel and Katherine Troy, but it is as Anne Maybury that she will be remembered. She was a true professional who did not believe in wasting time. A promised deadline was adhered to and all social engagements regretfully cancelled. She developed early in life the profound interest in human behaviour and intrigue which was to prove a valuable asset to her writing. Also in good measure she retained the attribute so necessary to an author, a lively curiosity. She travelled widely and brought a sense of adventure into her books derived often from personal experiences of a bizarre kind. She seemed to attract excitement and used to say that she had met more than one murderer during her travels around the world. As a writer she was stylish, and this quality extended to her personality, which was full of vivid charm, lightened by a sparkling sense of fun.
Generous with her time to aspiring writers, she also loved literary chat with her peers. She was interested in new writing as well as the classics and read widely, keeping up with developments. She was a vice-president of both the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Women Writers and Journalists. Almost until his death she regularly attended meetings and gave time and care to helping the members and the causes in which they believe. She was a remarkable writer and a good friend and companion.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 14, 2011
I had never before read anything by Anne Maybury, and I'm in a real quandry about her 1972 gothic novel, Walk in the Paradise Garden. On the one hand, the first half of the book was so very similar to the style of Mary Stewart that I initially thought I had died and gone to reader heaven. Like the incomparable Stewart, Maybury has a very strong and lyrical sense of place description, which pulls the reader into the physical world of her story; in this case, the Greek island of Chrysolaki. You can feel and see and smell what her characters do, because Maybury makes it possible with her lush usage of words and poetry.
I also like the fact that the story takes time to develop. This isn't a book for readers to want instant thrills, adventure and suspense, because you won't find it within these pages. Maybury creates her world in detailed richness, although I don't feel as though she did as good a job with the characters themselves, who come off somewhat flat, unreadable and not very likable.
Ironically, the very two things that I have mentioned liking about Maybury's style also served to disappoint me in the final 100 pages. In the final reckoning, a gothic's success is hinged on writing effective thrills, adventure and suspense for the reader. In the case of this book, it failed, and left me feeling like I had left the dinner table only half full.
It could have happened. Mary Stewart would have made it happen .
While Maybury didn't fully deliver a 5-star read for me, I'm not turning my back on this (for me) "new" gothic writer. Luckily, Maybury wrote several novels of romantic suspense, and I plan on sampling more to see if this was only a one-off.
After all, it's not every day you can find another writer like Mary Stewart :D
I also like the fact that the story takes time to develop. This isn't a book for readers to want instant thrills, adventure and suspense, because you won't find it within these pages. Maybury creates her world in detailed richness, although I don't feel as though she did as good a job with the characters themselves, who come off somewhat flat, unreadable and not very likable.
Ironically, the very two things that I have mentioned liking about Maybury's style also served to disappoint me in the final 100 pages. In the final reckoning, a gothic's success is hinged on writing effective thrills, adventure and suspense for the reader. In the case of this book, it failed, and left me feeling like I had left the dinner table only half full.
It could have happened. Mary Stewart would have made it happen .
While Maybury didn't fully deliver a 5-star read for me, I'm not turning my back on this (for me) "new" gothic writer. Luckily, Maybury wrote several novels of romantic suspense, and I plan on sampling more to see if this was only a one-off.
After all, it's not every day you can find another writer like Mary Stewart :D
December 8, 2022
With "Walk in the Paradise Garden," Anne Maybury moved firmly into Mary Stewart territory, setting a contemporary Gothic in the Greek islands. Justine Charles has followed Louis D'Arrancourt to a remote island where his sister lives, after a whirlwind courtship. They're pre-engaged and hoping to know each other better during a seven weeks' holiday from London. Once on the island, Justine will find herself getting involved with the legacy of a murder among the tightly knit expatriate community. She'll also become obsessed with Elaine, the murdered woman's developmentally disabled 14 year-old daughter. Maybury's vivid powers of description and ability to create atmosphere are on full display in this novel. There are moments of pure creepiness, akin to "The Lottery," as well as a growing sense of domestic tensions that culminates in a tense climax. Extremely enjoyable and well-done, this is a great example of an early 70s contemporary Gothic, done by someone at the height of her powers.
February 25, 2023
Another author I somehow missed. Granted she was writing starting in 1937, but still, I missed some great reads through the 60's and 70's when she was still writing. What a fantastic story teller! These days I am reading more thrillers and suspenses. The relationship between Louis and Justine is an early version of those psychological thrillers I so enjoy. I cringed every time Louis tried to control Justine. She was a super characters -- seeing into the hearts and minds of the other characters.
Just a really super read.
Just a really super read.
September 17, 2011
Maybury is a fine writer...i like her. I enjoyed this book...perfect summertime read...the suspense builds rather slowly, but there is an underlying current of something being not "quite right" almost from the beginning, with little events that seem innocuous building to a climax...although I really think the ending was rushed, after all that build up, I would have liked a bit more "coming together" of all the elements...it almost felt like the author was frantic to end it when it was actually the perfect time to relish the details...also, i didn't really take a liking to any of the characters...not even the heroine...and that is the main reason for my lower rating.
March 25, 2023
The writing was very good. I could not, however, warm up to Justine. A bit too sure of her intelligence over that of others.
August 22, 2024
4.5 stars RTC
May 27, 2011
Used to read a lot of Anne Maybury. This book was certainly hers, but I have to say, one thing did, and still does surprise me. A young woman died a 'year ago' at age 26. Today, her daughter, age 14, lives on the island.
The rest of the book follows the classic theme, young woman, very possessive suitor, meets reclusive intelligent man with shadowy background. Complete with room full of ticking clocks (if they ever stop, someone dies), a 'ringing mountain' (if it rings, someone dies); superstitious villagers, drunk (almost) doctor, girl who saw murder, but can't speak....gotta love it.
The rest of the book follows the classic theme, young woman, very possessive suitor, meets reclusive intelligent man with shadowy background. Complete with room full of ticking clocks (if they ever stop, someone dies), a 'ringing mountain' (if it rings, someone dies); superstitious villagers, drunk (almost) doctor, girl who saw murder, but can't speak....gotta love it.
May 1, 2012
i really liked that adventure when i first started reading it it was a bit of a boring story later on the events got bigger & bigger & some mysteries are waiting to be revealed when the big mystery that terrorized the whole island finally solved. To Recommend :)
February 25, 2016
C-. contemporary mystery, Gothic suspense, mom's stash, discard
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews