will write a review i hope ( )

Thunder Heights has all the features of a classic gothic novel: a heroine, beautiful and single; two seemingly- dangerous male love interests; a magnificent but dilapidated old mansion; unexplained deaths; dark family secrets; and a contested will, with a fortune at stake. Camilla, a young woman who has lost her job as a governess, is summoned to the estate of her dying grandfather, Orrin Judd. He lives there with her two spinster aunts Letty and Hortense, along with Booth (Hortense’s adopted son) and Ross Granger, Orrin's assistant. When the will is read, the estate and fortune is left to Camilla. As the family secrets unfold, Camilla comes to suspect that her mother’s untimely death many years earlier was no accident, and that her own life is in grave danger. But from whom – one of her aunts or from Booth, each whom craves the estate? Or perhaps from the moody Ross Granger, who may have his own motives and resentments?

Thunder Heights is much more of a mystery than a romance, although the possible love interests adds to its appeal to the uncritical reader. Being set in the late 19th century (and written in 1960), the gender roles are traditional. (When Camilla is kissed roughly by Booth, she swoons in passion and wonders if he truly loves her. Oh yes, and women ride horses "side saddle!") The ending is of a tried-and-true sort that owes obvious debts to Jane Eyre and Rebecca.

This novel is my first of the modern gothic sort (du Maurier and the Bronte sisters excepted). While it's a bit embarrassing to admit, I enjoyed it as a escapist experience that was both suspenseful and absorbing. The version that I read was abridged, but not noticeably so, except for the ending. The story ended abruptly, with some implausible elements and which seemed (to my reading) to leave open the question of whether the villain had an accomplice. Specifically, Aunt Letitia surely was involved in attempts to murder Clarissa (notably the "broken stair" episode and the apparent poisoning episodes). Yet, if so, why did she try to dissuade Clarissa from taking that fated hoseeback ride? I'd like to hear from other readers who may have insight. ( )

Thunder Heights was not one of my favorites among Phyllis A. Whitney's adult novels when I was young. Still, I don't know if I found the villain easy to guess because the choice was obvious or if my subconscious remembered whodunit. It was still good to reread this gothic, except for part of the end, which I didn't like.

Camilla King has been working as a governess since her widowed father, a teacher, died four years ago. Camilla never asked her mother's family for help because her father had wanted nothing to do with the Judds ever since her mother, the lovely Althea Judd King, died. John King seems to have blamed his wife's wealthy family for her death, but was that fair?

Now Camilla's maternal grandfather, wealthy Orrin Judd, wants her to visit him because he is extremely ill. Camilla makes the visit to his Hudson Highlands mansion, Thunder Heights. Her mother was Orrin's youngest and favorite daughter. His oldest daughter, Aunt Hortense, seems ready to hold that against Camilla. Fey Aunt Letty, the middle daughter, is more welcoming, but not as much as Orrin himself.

There are two candidates for romantic lead: Booth Hendricks, Hortense's adopted son, and Ross Granger, an engineer who is a close associate of Orrin Judd. Both are talented men, although Orrin never thought being an artist was manly enough. Booth's paintings are well done, but Camilla isn't happy about their subject matter. On the other hand, Ross is rude.

Why won't any of her kin tell Camilla how her mother died? Why does such a rich man keep no horses and let his mansion become shabby? Camilla needs to find out what happened to Althea before history repeats itself.

Cat fans should enjoy Aunt Letty's little gray tabby, Mignonette. I did. I also enjoyed cousin Booth telling Camilla that white socks on a lady's horse were considered a bit fast [rather shocking]. After all, this book takes place during the last decade of the 19th century. It's March when it starts, so it could be that month in any year from 1891 to 1900.

If you like the gothic romances written during the middle of the 20th century, Thunder Heights should be your cup of tea (poured into delicate bone china, of course.) ( )

A novel to read over and over again without ever getting bored! Camilla King takes a trip to a gothic mansion named Thunder Heights where her grandfather resides, a grandfather that her father had done everything in his power to cut connections from. Curiosity might just be the end of cat on this one as she meets a family she didn't even know she had. She found two aunts; an Aunt Hortense who is set in a style of another day, Aunt Letty, haunted beyond reason, also Hortense's adopted son, Booth, a sarcastic man, idle in his ways and Ross Granger, an aid to her grandfather. Mystery and intrigue surround this story in Camilla's grandfather's will, a painting never quite finished, and a long kept secret that someone doesn't want revealed.

Also on http://lrjohnson13.blogspot.com/2012/10/thunder-heights-by-phyllis-whitney.html ( )

When I found this battered paperback in a library book sale I was delighted. I have read many books by Phyllis Whitney and I have enjoyed them all. However, this one was new to me. Yes, it is easy to guess the villain--especially if you've read other books by this author. Nevertheless, Ms. Whitney's strength lies in revealing character--bit by bit. All the players are carefully drawn and the descriptions are vivid as well as haunting.

Take a trip back in time and read this book. ( )