HARSTAIRS HOUSE – Amanda Grange
Berkley Sensation
ISBN: 978-0425217733
December 2007
Historical Romance

Cornwall, England – 1793

Miss Susannah Thorpe often dreamed, but seldom hoped, that she would find an escape from her dreary existence as a governess. Never in her wildest fantasies, though, did she imagine she stands to inherit a fortune. Evidently, her late, beloved Great-Aunt Caroline was once engaged in her youth but never made it to the altar. Full of regrets, Caroline’s ex-fiancé, Mr. Harstairs, has bequeathed Susannah, Caroline’s only relative, his sizable estate provided that Susannah either marry within the month or spend the month at Harstairs House on the Cornish coast. With no prospects for marriage, Susannah and her only friend promptly make their way to Harstairs House. She’s not intimidated by the notion that it may be haunted, even after she arrives and views it for the first time. It is something of a forbidding monstrosity but she cannot detect any spirits. No, instead, Susannah finds three living, breathing men residing at Harstairs House, who are not at all pleased by her arrival. Indeed, one of the three, Mr. Oliver Bristow, has leased the house for six months. The lease is not due to expire for another month, and he demands that she depart immediately. But that is out of the question, for if she leaves, she will not inherit. Therefore, although Mr. Bristow quite intimidates her with his formidable presence, Susannah strikes a bargain. They will simply share the huge house and stay out of each other’s way. Only, Susannah finds it hard to ignore the handsome Mr. Bristow and disregard his sometimes unusual behavior.

As soon as Miss Thorpe arrives at Harstairs House, Oliver immediately suspects she is a spy sent by one of his enemies. He’s tempted to abandon his plans and leave Cornwall, for her presence is not only a threat to him but his entire operation as well. However, after spending some time with Susannah, he soon realizes that she knows nothing of his activities. But that does not mean she is not dangerous. Unexpectedly, Oliver finds that he is thoroughly distracted by Susannah, which may lead to a carelessness that could get him killed. Yet, more frightening to Oliver is the notion he is in danger of losing his heart to her.

HARSTAIRS HOUSE begins with a very Gothic feel in both atmosphere and story. In the opening pages, our intrepid heroine travels to a remote and isolated location in Cornwall where she finds her new home to be immense and quite foreboding in appearance. It’s also purported to be haunted, but in order to collect her inheritance, she must not set foot off the property for one month. Indeed, the circumstances surrounding her benefactor, his will, and his house, are all very mysterious. By the time Susannah steps foot over the house’s threshold for the first time, in the dark of night, readers will be experiencing a deliciously high level of apprehension. Therefore, it’s almost anticlimactic when she stumbles across the very human Oliver. In that moment, the plot seems to shift, and the suspense and tension the author had so skillfully built up drains right out of the tale.

However, although the intensity is lost for the rest of HARSTAIRS HOUSE, there is still adventure to be had, and some surprises in store. After discovering some strange goings-on in the house by Oliver and his two friends, Susannah comes to the wrong conclusion about their activities. This results in turmoil between the two protagonists and threatens their growing affection. This just adds to Oliver’s problems; he has dangerous enemies and is engaged in a scheme much grander than Susannah suspects. Readers will enjoy the action and intrigue these two likable characters become embroiled in. And their charming relationship adds a warmth to the story that will satisfy romantics.

Sandra Brill