The Mysterious Mr. Ross

by Vivien Alcock

The mysterious Albert Ross, whom twelve-year-old Felicity saves from drowning on the dangerous seacoast where she lives, appears to be either an exotic world traveler or a fearsome liar, and he ultimately changes the lives of those who seek the truth about him.

161 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1987

About the author

Born September 23, 1924, in Worthing, Sussex, England; died October 11, 2003, in London, England. Author. Alcock was a bestselling author of mystery and fantasy fiction for young adults. Her early training and career, however, was in commercial art, and she attended the Ruskin School of Drawing and Fine Arts from 1940 to 1942. She left school to become an ambulance driver for the Auxiliary Territorial Service during World War II; after the war, she held several different jobs, including as an artist for the duplicating firm Gestetner Ltd. from 1947 to 1953. This was followed by three years as an employment bureau manager; and from 1956 to 1964 Alcock worked as a secretary for Whiltington Hospital in London. Although she had enjoyed storytelling and novels since she was a child, Alcock was shy about trying to be a published author and was content to stay in the background behind her famous author husband, Leon Garfield. However, she did occasionally give him ideas for his books, such as the popular Smith stories. It was not until 1980, therefore, that she finally published her first novel for teenagers, The Haunting of Cassie Palmer. Alcock continued writing fantasies, ghost stories, and mysteries through 2001, many of which proved popular with teens and some of which were adapted to television as movies and series. She published almost two dozen books in all, including Travelers by Night (1983), The Cuckoo Sister (1985), The Monster Garden (1988), A Kind of Thief (1992), Time Wreck (1996), A Gift on a String (1998), Ticket to Heaven (2000), and her last book, The Boy Who Swallowed a Ghost (2001). Several of her novels were named notable books by the American Library Association (ALA), and The Monster Garden was named the best science fiction/fantasy book of 1988 by the ALA.

Reviews

[Stephan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Om jag någonsin läst en bok som lämnat fler frågor än svar, så är det i sanning denna. Vi får följa ett par högst vanliga barn ett par veckor under sommaren då de kommer i kontakt med en väldigt ovanlig person. 12-åriga Felicia finner, under en promenad längst de farliga havsklipporna i närheten av familjens pensionat, en ung man, klädd i kostym och bärandes en portfölj ståendes på en sten ute bland vattenvirvlarna, just som högvattnet slår in med full kraft. Felicia räddar stackaren och för honom med sig hem för att återhämta sig. Men vem är den unge mannen egentligen? Helt utan ägodelar, identifikation och bakgrund lyckas ändå den mystiske Mr. Ross snart ställa sig in hos nästan alla han träffar. Men vem är han? Vad vill han? Och hur kan han påverka sin omgivning som han gör?
Jag lovar inga svar, men möjligen en mysig och mystisk läsupplevelse.

[James Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very sweet book for younger readers. The young feisty heroine manages to rescue the stricken Albert Ross from drowning. She becomes a hero to the folks in her lovingly-delineated town. However, as time passes her (jealous) friend Bony decides to find out the truth about Mr. Ross. By the time he disappears as oddly as he arrives, none of the well-defined characters have any idea who he was. They do find out a lot about themselves though. A gentle, simple story, which grows more mysterious and strangely haunting as it goes along. Lovely book, with a lot of nice humour.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I *might* have liked this LFL find better when I was Felicity's age. But I'm not sure. It's certainly original, creative, different. I love the loose threads ending.

[Mittica]

From School Library Journal
Grade 5-8 Twelve-year-old Felicity, whose only talent seems to be for breaking things, becomes a hero in her small seaside town when she rescues a young man from the ocean. The glow of her brief fame soon fades. Who is Albert Ross? Could he be a criminal? Did he make up his name from the chart of seabirds on the spare bedroom wall? To Felicity, who has read ``The Ancient Mariner'' in school, he begins to seem like a real albatross around her neck. Her friend Bony, setting out doggedly to unravel the mystery, soon has the whole town wondering. When Mr. Ross disappears into the sea mist at last like his namesake, they are no closer to the truth, but have learned something about themselves in the process. Absorbing in its very simplicity and small compass, this quiet but suspenseful story moves at a natural pace. The world of the little English town is lovingly delineated with touches of humor. Even the most minor characters come to life on the page. As in The Sylvia Game (Delacorte, 1984) Alcock uses a mystery to bring into relief everyday problems and relationships. Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

[Books Kids Like · Rating 4 out of 5]

One day, while visiting the beach, Felicity Tait sees a strange man dressed in business clothes and holding a small suitcase. He is standing on a rock near the Gray Gulls. The tide is coming in, and Felicity knows that he will be sucked under by the strong current if he tries to wade ashore. She grabs a long stick and tells him to grab hold. The stick breaks, but somehow, miraculously, the man survives. Felicity takes him home to recuperate at her parents' boarding house. When asked his name he replies, "Albert Ross." Felicity has a fleeting glimpse of a dead white bird and a doomed ship on a burning sea. Lines from the poem, The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner, come unbidden to her mind. Mr. Ross tells everyone that he is a world traveler. He says many other things that turn out to be lies. All Felicity knows it that since his arrival the Tait family has been happier. Is Mr. Ross a con-artist or is he an albatross, a bird that brings good luck?
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com

[Ashlyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

May seem boring and a hard read at first, but I enjoyed it. I recommend it for children grades 5-8, but I happened up on it and it was really good.

Felicity saves a man from Sea Albert Ross,but did he make up his name from a chart he saw on the wall of birds? Felicity is a girl who always is breaking something. She is warned to not go to the Sea, but does anyways and ends up saving Mr. Ross.
Does Mr. Ross use her as a slave? What is Mr. Ross really up too? Where did he come from and does he want?

[Swapna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found an old copy of this book in the local library. The story was quite interesting and different from the books for young readers that I have read so far. The book got me interested in Vivien Alcock’s other works . Unfortunately I haven’t seen any of the author’s books either in the library or in bookstores – which is a pity!

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great! I'd forgotten this author, and glad to re-discover her. This story is based around a realistic Lizzie dripping type character who I instantly loved. Bony was great too. Must find more of her books!

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felicity is not sure about Albert Ross, the Young Man of the Sea. whom she saves from drowning. Is he a rich wanderer, a thief, a conman or could he be the spirit of an Albatross?