The House in Thornton Wood

I thought that the story was interesting and it was a fast read. I am not usually crazy about first person narrative...but in this case it worked.

Olivia St. Claire was hired as governess to fourteen-year-old Vanessa. As she traveled to Thornton Manor she met Sonia, a gypsy, who told her that she had a rendezvous with the Prince of Darkness. Olivia was determined to fulfill her promise to Sir Evan Thornton and teach Vanessa. It was not long before Olivia realized that no one was normal in the manor. It also seemed as though someone was out to kill her! But was it handsome Sir Evan or the smooth Dr. Philip McAllister? Both paid her close attention. Or could it be Lady Thornton, Evan's mother, or perhaps Miss Hamilton, the companion? ***** The ultimate read for the Summer, if you love gothics, that is. This one had me guessing as to just who was the good guy and who was the bad until late into the novel. Great story. Well worth your time and money. ***** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

There's mystery, magic, ghosts and romance in The House in Thornton Wood. In the vein of Mary Stewart and Daphne DuMaurier, Anne Knoll writes a gripping tale. When I had to put it down, I found myself hurrying to pick it back up again. If you like gothics, this is a must read. Sure to please!

I grew up reading gothics and love them very much. The House in Thornton Wood has all the elements of a great gothic, and Anne Knoll has a great writing style and sense of the genre. It has the right amount of suspense, supernatural, and romance. The heroine, Olivia, is caught between two very different men while she is on a collision course with her unknown past. The secret of the house in Thornton Wood is gradually revealed in a manner that draws you into the mystery without revealing too much, too soon. Excellent book that I could not put down. The Candlelight series has revived the gothics in a powerful way.

Desperately needing to earn money, Olivia St. Claire is ecstatic when trice widowed Sir Evan Thornton hires her as governess to his fourteen year old daughter Vanessa in Northumberland. A bit nervous about leaving London for the unknown northern most county and caring for her teenage charge, Olivia travels by coach to her destiny only to have a wheel break. Waiting for help, a gypsy recognizes Olivia as a kindred soul even though the latter hides her witch abilities to communicate with the dead.After the gypsies surprisingly fix the wagon, a new passenger Dr. Philip McAllister joins Olivia inside the coach. She finds Philip a bit to bold in her innocence. After arriving and settling in at Thornton Manor, Olivia also finds her employer dark, brooding, and handsome. Both men court Olivia leaving her confused and wondering whom to trust with her heart and even more critical her soul as her channeling with the dead increases.THE HOUSE IN THORNTON WOOD is a throwback novel that will remind readers of the golden age of Gothic romances. The story line contains all the classic elements that readers expect in a sub-genre novel: the innocent woman, the brooding dark gentleman, and the Poe-like house. Anne Knoll brings that and more together in a tale that will please readers who relish an old fashioned, but well written novel.Harriet Klausner