Madam, want to talk about author Mary Stewart? discussion

You know the drill. If I haven't started threads for the balance of the book, feel free to do so if you've got that far.

Blimey, what an idiot. although there was no evidence she knew what to do with it (view spoiler)[ I cannot believe she lost that gun! (hide spoiler)]

I was thinking the same thing, Catie! Why does the woman always (view spoiler)[remember to bring the gun, and then drop it?? (hide spoiler)]

Jeannette wrote: "I was thinking the same thing, Catie! Why does the woman always [spoilers removed]"

Because although the woman is supposed to be resourceful, she can't really be seen to (view spoiler)[ shoot and kill someone. (hide spoiler)] I guess that would be going too far.

Anne wrote: "I guess that would be going too far. ..."

Maybe. But it would be nice if that could be avoided in some way that didn't make her look like a nitwit!

I liked the description of the cellar/cave. I could just picture myself walking along with Lucy into its depths! How cool would that be?

Susan wrote: "I liked the description of the cellar/cave. I could just picture myself walking along with Lucy into its depths! How cool would that be?"

I agree, the cave was awesome. I kept thinking of Carlsbad Caverns. (view spoiler)[ Of course, if you've ever been in a dark cave, you know how light and sound travels. I think Godfrey probably would have suspected their presense. (hide spoiler)]

Caves are spooky. Good point about (view spoiler)[noise traveling (hide spoiler)].

Likewise, I wondered about that in the cave. (view spoiler)[ I just figured Godfrey was arrogant enough and greedy enough and so consumed with his thoughts of his task almost complete that he didn't hear them. (hide spoiler)]

Diane Lynn wrote: "Likewise, I wondered about that in the cave. [spoilers removed]"

That's true, he is pretty sure of himself. You could tell that from his trip with Lucy to Achillion palace.

Chapter 13: There's a funny conversation between Lucy and her sister about the bathrooms at the Castello. This book has a lot of good banter in it.

Chap. 14: The XK150 Godfrey drives is a Jaguar sports car made between 1957 and 1961. Here's a pic:

I thought that was interesting too. There were TWO bathrooms for what, 10 bedrooms? ?

Dorcas wrote: "I thought that was interesting too. There were TWO bathrooms for what, 10 bedrooms? ?"

A sure sign of a really old home!

Tadiana wrote: "Chapter 13: There's a funny conversation between Lucy and her sister about the bathrooms at the Castello. This book has a lot of good banter in it.

Chap. 14: The XK150 Godfrey drives is a Jaguar s..."

Oh my, I want one!'

Whoa, Chapter 14 is quite the cat and mouse game, and I'm not sure who's the cat and who's the mouse! Lucy is playing it pretty well, though.

Chapter 16: The tension is getting thicker . . . (view spoiler)[I am a little confused about how Adoni found Godfrey's well-hidden cave and "treasure" (hide spoiler)]

I love the caves, Wow and the story behind it! Unbelievable!!

My thought, on reading the part where they enter the room where Spiro is lying, and Lucy mentions the lamp and paragon stove was--eek! What about carbon monoxide poisoning? But I'm probably paranoid. It does say though, on any camp stove I've ever seen, that they aren't to be used indoors. I'm giving them a battery operated flashlight instead. Less cheery, but probably safer.

The caves did have outside air coming in though so it was ok

Of course. Silly of me. :)

Jaima wrote: "Of course. Silly of me. :)"

Have any of you ever used a paraffin stove? I don't think I've ever even seen one! Unless it's a propane type?

It is a kerosene stove.

I have a vague memory of a kerosene lamp for camping...

Yes I remember those ages ago.

I think this is an interesting section of the book where Lucy uses her acting and detective skills to the max. Yes, pun intended. Couldn't resist! She hears Spiro's side of the story and now she is in the know. Her acting skills go into overdrive on her date with Godfrey and her detective skills in the cave and boathouse. Because of Max' absence....she is on her own. You go girl!!

Wow, MS's heroines are always so brave or rushing in rather heedlessly, not sure which. I remember being so scared for her the last time I read this. I am going into the really scary section now. I remember this section fairly well although I still can't remember exactly what Godfrey is up to.

Bobbie wrote: "Wow, MS's heroines are always so brave or rushing in rather heedlessly, not sure which. I remember being so scared for her the last time I read this. I am going into the really scary section now. I..."

I love the way she talks herself out of cowardice. She knows what she doesn't want to do, but she knows it's the right thing to do. She does have to continue giving herself pep talks, but I love that her moral compass is dead on!

I keep noticing in this book Lucy’s affection for rough sex. She is in most areas a bit of a prude—doesn’t drink, doesn’t smoke, gets all offended when someone thinks she was visiting Godfrey’s house late in the evening—but she makes some comment about if Max beat her she might enjoyment, and even though she hates Godfrey personally she is ambivalent about his caveman techniques. It’s in the background but recurrently present.

I am appalled at how much Lucy takes on. She allowed herself to get too involved. Just my opinion. Mary Stewart likes her leading ladies to rush headlong into danger. "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." - I think that characterizes Lucy's predicament.

I agree! There are so many ways to stay safe and summon help.

Who in their right mind would go snoop around on a murderer's private boat? Not me.

Abigail, I thought it was Lucy's sister who said if her husband beat her she might enjoy it? As I remember.
I just finished chapter 17 and the suspense!!!!
Likely I won't be able to put it down until I finish.

Abigail wrote: "I agree! There are so many ways to stay safe and summon help."
yes, she is brave but foolish and then (view spoiler)[ she drops the gun, yikes. trapped on a boat with a killer! (hide spoiler)]

Jackie wrote: "Abigail, I thought it was Lucy's sister who said if her husband beat her she might enjoy it? As I remember."

That's right, it's Phyllida who says that.

You're probably right about Lucy being foolish, but I've never seen her that way. She feels responsible and overcomes her fears to do what she considers her bounden duty. I rather admire that.

It had me worried, though, or wondering, in that whole beach to bath to kitchen sequence where Lucy does not yet now that Max is alright, but still she says: "I would do anything in the world for you." Oh no you don't! What if he is a smuggler, after all? What if he had a hand in Yanni Zoulas's death? Your instinct may tell you that he doesn't, but you don't know that! You'd better take a leaf out of Linda's book (Nine Coaches Waiting).

Elizabeth wrote: "Jackie wrote: "Abigail, I thought it was Lucy's sister who said if her husband beat her she might enjoy it? As I remember."

That's right, it's Phyllida who says that.

You're probably right about ..."

Yes, I never thought Lucy was in to ‘rough sex’. She is in any case, strangely naive for a woman of her age.

I thought it obvious at this point that whatever else Max has been up to, he is not a murderer or a smuggler so I congratulate Lucy for following her instincts.