takethyme's review
3.0
Closer to 2.5 stars.
A bully slapping someone less vulnerable, an odd mixture of words while a strange prediction is muttered and a mysterious newcomer's sudden appearance are just three incidents found within the first few chapters of STRANGERS AT WILDINGS. It is about a potpourri of unusual characters that live and work with each other at a circus circa the early 1900s. And it is about Chantal -yes, only one name- and what brought her to this unusual 'family'.
First published in 1976, I had never heard of Madeleine Brent. 'She' was the pseudonym for Peter O'Donnell, a man more popularly known for writing the Modesty Blaise series of books with a female action heroine. He wrote nine gothic-like or historical romances before retiring Madeleine's name.
Regarding STRANGER AT WILDINGS, it is somewhat predictable: an attempt is made to murder the young woman. The first half of the story is devoted to Chantal's life with the circus. The second half is about her return to her old, or should I say new, life. Typical of the old-style gothic romances, it is about who to trust. If you like this genre, you should enjoy this is purely escapist fiction.
A bully slapping someone less vulnerable, an odd mixture of words while a strange prediction is muttered and a mysterious newcomer's sudden appearance are just three incidents found within the first few chapters of STRANGERS AT WILDINGS. It is about a potpourri of unusual characters that live and work with each other at a circus circa the early 1900s. And it is about Chantal -yes, only one name- and what brought her to this unusual 'family'.
First published in 1976, I had never heard of Madeleine Brent. 'She' was the pseudonym for Peter O'Donnell, a man more popularly known for writing the Modesty Blaise series of books with a female action heroine. He wrote nine gothic-like or historical romances before retiring Madeleine's name.
Regarding STRANGER AT WILDINGS, it is somewhat predictable: an attempt is made to murder the young woman. The first half of the story is devoted to Chantal's life with the circus. The second half is about her return to her old, or should I say new, life. Typical of the old-style gothic romances, it is about who to trust. If you like this genre, you should enjoy this is purely escapist fiction.
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