Book Reviews | The Mistress of Trevelyan
The Mistress of Trevelyan, by Jennifer St. Giles
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ISBN: 0743486250
Publisher: Pocket
Release Date: Aug 2004
List Price: $6.99
Reviewed by Alyssa Goodnight
G
overnessing as a profession does not generally invoke thoughts of passion, in fact just the opposite. But in The Mistress of Trevelyan, Jennifer St. Giles has managed not only to infuse the character of Miss Ann Lowell with an enviable amount of passion, but she has demonstrated her own passion for romance as well. Every description and each bit of dialog seems to have been carefully selected to draw the reader into the past, into the lively optimism and gritty determination of a young woman wanting to brighten not only her own future, but the futures of others as well.
Miss Ann Lowell is facing a tortuous life of laundering and loneliness. With her mother's recent death, her only companionship-her only escape-is in books. So when she sees a notice to fill a post as tutor at Trevelyan Manor, she decides it best to arm herself with courage and optimism, ignoring the rumors of murder at the manor and the fact that she has had no formal education.
Ann's forthright manner and determination get her hired, and she can't decide whether to be thrilled over her good fortune or worried over the odd way her employer is affecting her "unmentionables". The irrepressible Ann shortly settles into her new role as governess, realizing that not only must she teach school room subjects to her charges, but she must renew the spirit of love and forgiveness in each of the manor's inhabitants as well. It seems as if none of them has yet to let go of the harsh memories surrounding the death of Benedict Trevelyan's wife. And despite engaging in a bit of amateur sleuthing, Ann hasn't yet managed to uncover whether the cause of death was suicide.or murder.
Gradually, Ann's zest for life and gentle, encouraging manner affect all inhabitants of the house, pulling them away from despair and into the boundless promise of the future. Having been enthralled by the master of the house since her arrival, it is only a matter of time before Ann succumbs to her own passions and Benedict. But someone in the house does not want her there, and the ominous warnings have segued into actions much more sinister.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery, a passionate romance, a well-written character, or an uplifting book. Jennifer St. Giles is truly our modern day Victoria Holt. I loved The Mistress of Trevelyan as a reader, and I admired it greatly as an author.
