A gothic novel set in Scotland, “A Falcon for a Queen” by Catherine Gaskin is the story of Kirsty Howard, a young woman who has traveled a long way to seek out the story behind her brother William’s death. She and her brother were raised in China, but he went to Scotland to seek out their grandfather and establish a relationship there. Not too long into his visit, he was killed, and Kirsty feels she must find out more – very little information was given. She has his letters, and a scroll he sent which contains strange Chinese symbols. She … Continue reading →

We first discussed the genre known as Gothic when I reviewed “Spindrift” by Phyllis A. Whitney. Another author to write, and excel, in the Gothic genre is Mary Stewart, whose runaway hit “Nine Coaches Waiting” was hailed by critics of her time as one of the best novels to hit the shelves. Linda Martin is half-French, half-English. During the latter part of World War II, it became necessary for her and her mother to leave France, so she left behind the only home she had ever known and came to London. Both her parents passed away and she was raised … Continue reading →