Bride of Pendorric

Like most of Holt’s historical romances, I assume this one was set in the Victorian era but it takes place mostly in Cornwall. Favel Farrington was living with her artist father on the beautiful Isle of Capri when Roc Pendorric from Cornwall came into their studio one day and swept Favel off her feet.Roc was a charmer from the beginning and soon they were wed, but the day was overshadowed by her father’s drowning death. Once Favel and Roc arrive at the ancestral home of the Pendorrics on the coast of Cornwall, Favel discovers the family legend of the “Bride of Pendorric”, where one who died became a ghost until replaced by another. And the last one, Roc’s mother, Barbarina, died young in a terrible accident. Supposedly she haunts the east wing of the estate.There are some surprises in this story, one is a truth Favel learns when she befriends an old man living in the neighboring estate, a self-made man who takes a liking to Favel. It’s a truth hidden from her by her new husband.While Favel is falling in love with Cornwall, accidents begin to happen that threaten her life. She begins to wonder if someone isn’t trying to kill her.The ending may be a surprise but Holt did her best to string out the great reveal.

Great well written gothic romance before these type books became pornographic. Started reading Victoria Holt as a teen. This book even better than I remember.

One of the first books I graduated to when I began reading adult books at the library many, many years ago. I'm glad to see this author's books open to a new generation!

This definitely didn't have the strongest plot, but the writing was so delightfully gothic and just spent so much time building up the eerie tone that in general it worked for me. The story's about Favel, who marries Roc Pendorric and goes to the family home in Cornwall, where there are creepy twins and attempted murder and possibly ghosts. I did figure out all the twists ahead of time, but it was still a fun ride. A couple of the smaller things in the epilog were a nice surprise, though. Strong points here were the worldbuilding; the house, the moors, and the village were drawn quite clearly. There was a stereotype of a Roma woman (yes, the book uses G*psy for her), and the heroine's husband is prejudiced against welfare to a hilarious degree.I haven't read any other Holts before, though I'll probably get to Mistress of Mellyn sooner or later. This isn't a particularly memorable read, but I had a fun time while I was reading it, and it really nails the gothic romance aesthetic.

I read Mistress Of Mellyn just prior to reading this book and though the time frame were very different eras the same formula for the stories are almost identical. I may find this as I re read more of Miss Holt and it will surprise me if I do because I have been reading these books since I was in high school or College. I have them all in hardback. Now that I am in my 60's my hands are arthritic so I read with my iPad. Sadly not all of her books are out for Kindle and iPad. I suspect as new readers want them in this format they will happen. I shall keep a sharp eye for them. I highly recommend all of Victoria Holts books. Great writing makes for great journeys into other times and other lives. We all need an escape sometimes and these books provide just that.

This wasn't nearly as good as Mistress of Mellyn, or The Shivering Sands, the only other two Victoria Holt novels I have read. I enjoyed both of them very much, even if it wasn't difficult to spot the villain. Likewise, in this book, I knew fairly early on what the twist was, as there were at least one or two howlingly obvious clues.My problem is that this story was pretty dull, and the interesting events and revelations were few and far between. Some of the mysteries were resolved in a rather humdrum, "never mind" kind of way (possible spoiler: the fate of the neighboring millionaire). Another one, the heritage of the child on the moor, had, to my mind, an unlikely explanation, considering the child's appearance.I really didn't like the H much, and it had nothing to do with him being brooding. I didn't think he became "more distant" (as the blurb claims) as time when on; I think he was kind of distant all along. He was secretive, flippant, and superficial the whole time. He kept things from the h and got unreasonably angry when she found out things he didn't want her to know. I don't ever remember encountering an H who went so out of his way to appear suspicious. (And really, what WAS his motive for marrying her? The author did not convince me it was love.)The ending was abrupt and in no way surprising. The book was pretty much a let-down for me.

I loved this book, I have read many books from this author. A book to curl up with on a winter night. I liked the characters and the story and the ending was satisfying.

I became hooked on Victoria Holt when I was in the sixth grade. That was in the 60's !!!I have read every single book she ever wrote and she remains one of my top five favorites ever. Bride of Pendorric is an excellent, can't put it down read. Holt's extreme description of sights, events and people are so entrancing. The story is fascinating and exciting and she holds her readers fast and passionate. I have this in hard cover from ages ago and I have it on my Kindle from Amazon. Please read it. You'll love the gothic romance, suspense, love, fear, excitement and wallop of an ending of Bride of Pendorric.

Victoria Holt books (writing style) - You either like it or not..... For me, I do like her writing style and the content of her books, as well as the characters. They are all individuals within their own rights. The stories are written in a past time period and reflects a Gothic mystic style, which, in most of her books is connected to some sort of a crime. That is what makes her books sooo enjoyable. It does not get boring. You still need to guess who is the "bad/evil" character in her story-line. The scenery most likely is connected to Cornwall sea and rocks that usually plays a big picture in the mystic entrapment of her stories. What else to say: I liked to read the Bride of Pendoric - it was easy to follow, harder than I imagined to guess the "bad person", mystic and with a hint of romance. All in all, worth reading by anybody who likes this style of books.

Again another classic from such a great writer. I read all her books nearly 2o years ago and I still read them. This one is full of supense, drama and of course romance. There are some creepy moments and this will keep you glued to the end, quite simply brillant!

Ordered for my daughter who had to read this on her literature course and was struggling to find a copy.it arrived very promptly and she was happy

Great book, l could not put it down. Have recommended it to friends.

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