Watch The Wall My Darling

I first read this as a very young teen when there was an impressive abundance of talented writers on the market. I am in my fifties and it still absorbs and fascinates. Rye, England lies in the midst of what was once the center of smuggling goods from France. Smuggling was often a family trade. Christina Tretton, daughter of the son of a prominent family who left for America, returns to England at her father's dying request. The "Dark House", as the family home is known, sits between the beach and the marshes and is inhabited by her grandfather, aunt, and two "cousins", one with the name, but not the blood and one with the blood who cares little for it. Gradually Christina begins to understand the dynamics of the odd household and its secrets. One of her cousins is playing a deadly dual game and she is forced into the world of smuggling, but will she lose her own life in the process? This twisting tale of deadly secrets and unexpected events will try Christina's character to the max as she walks a dangerous path between loyalty, love, and terror. I was able to visit Rye, England a few years ago and this story was very much with me as I walked its cobbled streets. We stayed in The Mermaid, an ancient inn dating back to the 1100s, with a rebuild in the 1400s, and once the hangout of the notorious Hawkhurst smuggling gang. One the back of the building is the text of the Kipling poem the title is taken from: "Five and Twenty ponies, Trotting through the dark- Brandy for the Parson, 'Baccy for the Clerk; Laces for a lady; letters for a spy, And watch the wall, my darling, while the gentlemen go by!" Looking up at these words with my daughters, both who love the book as much as I do, was surreal and a moment I won't forget. BTW, If you are a fan of "Poldark" I have wondered if their Ross is modeled on Hodge's.

The title refers to a poem by Rudyard Kipling: "Five and Twenty ponies, Trotting through the dark- Brandy for the Parson, 'Baccy for the Clerk; Laces for a lady; letters for a spy, And watch the wall, my darling, while the gentlemen go by!" This weekend, thirty-six years since the very first time that I read this novel, I reread this romance novel. I read more slowly than I usually read my romance novels in order to savor the superior writing style of Ms. Hodges. This is romance writing at its pinnacle. This story has everything, smugglers, spies, adventure, and intrigue. The intrepid American heroine has come to stay with her long estranged family in the marshes of Sussex. While travelling to her grandfather's home, she is accosted by smugglers. While so many romance novels barely have the vestiges of a plot, this story has a well contrived plot with twist and turns to keep the reader enthralled. All romance readers, including the fans of Jane Austen, should take the time to find a copy of this 1966 novel.

I got this book just yesterday from my english teacher. i started it and finished it today because it was purely enticing. the story of a girl who arrives in her grandfather's home after meeting some thieves to whom she has given her word to not speak of and then finding that one of the thieves might be the man in the household that she is falling in love w/ and will have to marry...well, it gets you into it! of course, it's truly more than a romance; in truth, there really was not much romance, and more suspence, mystery, and danger. you'd wonder, should chris (christina) trust ross, a dangerous man who can get hanged for the crimes he commits? (not anything macabre, the crimes...but they are, still, breaking the laws). read the book to find out...me myself, i am going to read it again to understand it better.

I loved this book, It was amazing! I have read it atleast 5 times and every time I'm equally amazed, I truely enjoy this book.

I was in need of an author, and I asked my mom who I should read. The second book I ever saw that she had reccommended to me, was Watch the Wall My Darling. I ADORE the ending, and I have read the book only once, but the ending so many times, its enough to make one laugh histerically. You would think that since I am under the age of thirteen, I would not find interest in a book of this age group, but since it is clean, I read it. I was sucked in ruthlessly by the thick plot, and although the first part of the book makes you think that it will be a boring book, you feel compelled to read it. My favorite character was Ross, mostly because of the menacing creature that you think he is. But as it turns out...I will not tell you more, but you must read this book, no matter if you think you will not like it.

Jane Aiken Hodge is the 'dark' Georgette Heyer. Her heroines meet with more serious difficulties, the historical settings are more troubled, and as a result, the conclusions are all the more satisfying. This story of a young American woman's struggle for acceptance in her new country (England) and new family during the time of Napoleon is a great read!