This is the usual light, gothic romance fare.

Martha decides to investigate a bit and discovers the truth.putting herself in danger. What else is there for unmarried women of a certain age to do? She arrives at her post, and finds a bit of gossip/intrigue about the death of the master's wife a year previously. A penniless woman takes on the job of governess to make her way in the world. The Basics: This is a Jane Eyre type novel. So the mystery was enjoyable.and it was mostly suspense with just a splash of romance. I did! It had been so many years since I last read this book, I didn't remember the characters or the final outcome. I don't usually read romance novels these days.so I was curious if I would still enjoy the story. The book was first published in 1960, and has been reprinted many, many times. I decided to re-read the Victoria Holt novels in order.

Great fun and suspense for a teenage girl to read. A passionate, usually forbidden or otherwise unexpected love affair, and dark danger. I loved these books when I was in high school and college. Under Victoria Holt, Hibbert wrote many gothic romance novels.) So just before this year ends, I decided it was time to pay a call on Victoria Holt (aka author Eleanor Hibbert who wrote under multiple pen names including Jean Plaidy and Phillippa Carr. I've re-read Trixie Belden books, revisited a couple Father Koesler mysteries and Wagons West books plus several other series I loved, enjoyed Agatha Christie, Stephen King and other favorite authors. By the end of 'Mistress of Mellyn,' Martha discovers that ghosts do not walk, Alice's death threatens her life, and too much value placed upon the past can have serious repercussions for those living in the present.For the last two years, one of my main reading goals has been to revisit series and authors that I enjoyed in years past. However, the house represents stability, but it reveals much through its hidden peepholes, deserted rooms, and painful past. The past for Martha represents religious persecutions, destructive sexual liaisons, and community instabilities. Because of this presence, Martha feels that the past is somewhat oppressive. She believes that the presence in the house is the first wife, Alice. Martha's disbelief in superstitions is shaken when she believes she is being observed. Martha mocks local superstitions, but loves the Christmas customs of the area. Victoria Holt's work titled 'Mistress of Mellyn' centers on the theme of how the 'past penetrates the present.' Holt begins the narrative with Martha, who lives in Mellyn, a mansion located on the Cornish coast.

Mistress of mellyn goodreads