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Review: Thunder on the Right, by Mary Stewart


Pages: 352

Original date of publication: 1957

My edition: 2004 (Harper Torch)

Why I decided to read: I’m trying to read all of Mary Stewart’s books, and this one seemed to be the perfect vacation read

How I acquired my copy: Chester County Books and Music, June 2009

I’m really trying to read Mary Stewart’s books at the slowest rate possible, because I’ve only got two or three left of hers to read for the first time. Like her other books, Thunder on the Right is romantic suspense, but it’s a departure for Mary Stewart in that the book is written in the third person. I’m used to her books being written in the first person, so this kind of threw me off at first as I was reading—not sure I like the change!

The plot is what I’ve come to expect from a May Stewart book—plucky heroine goes to the Pyrenees to see her cousin, who has written to say that she is joining a convent. Hoping to dissuade her, Jennifer discovers that her cousin has apparently died—or has she? With a Mary Stewart novel you never quite know what’s going to be in store for you. Of course, there’s the handsome hero who swoops in to save the day at the last minute; and, obviously a bad guy. The ending is a bit predictable, but getting there is half the fun—and what a ride it turns out to be for the reader! This novel explores some of the same themes (and crimes) as This Rough Magic; but there’s a twist here, one that I wasn’t really expecting. Kudos to Mary Stewart for constantly keeping things interesting in her novels! Love the setting too; which is also typically Mary Stewart. This is a good, relaxing vacation read, one that I enjoyed immensely.

Comments

Joanne said…
Love Mary Stewart....a master of descriptove settings and suspense. Nice review.
Joanne said…
Arrghhh! "descriptive"
Mystica said…
I like the sense of mystery here. A new author and new book for me. Thanks for the review.

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