Stormy Petrel by Mary Stewart
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Some of my favourite authors turned out some real duds at the end of their careers. Georgette Heyer was endlessly writing because of financial difficulties, Agatha Christie is believed to have has Alzheimer’s. Did the wonderful Mary Stewart give in to pressure from fans to churn out another book when well into her seventies? If so, I really wish Lady Stewart had resisted, as this book is as dull as dishwater!
Beautiful, evocative descriptions of the fictional Hebridean island of Moila can’t make for a lack of plot or any kind of tension. Any time anything seems about to happen, Lady Stewart pulls back. The romance isn’t just understated this time – it’s non-existent. I had trouble even figuring out where to shelve this one on Goodreads.
I was surprised Rose Cottage was written after this title, as it is a far superior book.
For Stewart completists only.
Carol - She's So Novel! 