Nine Coaches Waiting

Like most of Mary Stewart's novels, this one also centers around a beautiful and brave heroine. However, each and every one of these novels are different in content as well as in plot, so that even though you think you know what the outcome is going to be, in reality you don't! I read most of Mary Stewart's novels when I was a teenager (when I used to borrow them), but 15 years down the road, I find myself rummaging through bookstores for them - to be able to reread them, but more because I want to own my own copies (so that I can reread them yet again in a few year's time)! (Hint: London bookstores carry many of them, esp. Dillon's and Books Etc..) 'Nine Coaches Waiting' is great in the sense that it transports the reader into the rustic countryside of France, which Mary Stewart describes, as always, with so much pleasurable detail. The sense of mystery is heightened as the heroine searches for the truth behind the troubled family for whom she works; and the romance is made more even more romantic with the notions of 'unrequited love' and 'forbidden love'. I think that with most Mary Stewart's novels, there is never a huge emphasis on romantic love in terms of action or words, but better still, she concentrates on the inner feelings of longing and sacrifice (esp. before the official 'start' of a relationship) which serve to enhance the romantic atmosphere of her books.

I have read quite a few of Mary Stewart's books and for anyone who is interested "This Rough Magic" ties with "Nine Coaches". "The Moon-Spinners" is very good, so is "My Brother Michael" and "Airs Above the Ground". These are more along the romance line as opposed to fantasy as in "The Crystal Cave" which was very good but a different style of story.I first found Mary Stewart when I was rather young The Wonderful World of Disney did "The Moon-Spinners" with Haley Mills. I was hooked and I still enjoy her books as true mystery romances with the covers falling off and all.

The language is lovely, the setting as much a character as the protagonists themselves. The mystery is wonderfully crafted with just the right element of whimsy, allusion, magic and sophisticated romance. Ms. Stewart has the formula down to an almost perfect science; she is the wordsmith of description. As all her novels have been virtually overlooked by today's readers, I recommend that all her earlier books be re-issued in trade paperback format, so that another generation may enjoy the almost perfect structural honing of her craft. While categorized as 'romantic suspence', I don't believe these stories were ever given the literary praise they deserve.

I read it a year ago. I couldn't leave the alone after i've started reading the first line. The story is very fast pace. Everything's very exciting.

Linda Martin, an English governess, accepts what she considers the perfect position. She is put in charge of young Philippe de Valmy, nine years old and heir to the Chateau Valmy in France. The unusual requirement for this position was the governess was to know no French. Reason given for this strange requirement was that young Philippe was learn English perfectly with no help in his native tongue. Linda wanting the job desperately, lies and thinks no more of it...That is until some strange and dangerous incidents occur; and she realizes that someone is out to harm young Philippe. The likely suspects are his uncles, who would stand to inherit the Chateau if the young boy died. Not a mystery alone, this novel also a wonderful love story as Linda falls in love with Raul Valmy. Raul also stands to inherit the Chateau and Linda is torn between her love him and her love and the need to protect young Philippe. "Nine Coaches Waiting" was a beautifully written book that held my attention. I've read it many, many times, enjoyed it and consider it a "Classic."