THE TEVILLE OBSESSION

by Caroline Stafford ‧ RELEASE DATE: Aug. 1, 1978

Since Melanie Somers' nasty cousins have stolen her fortune and made her a servant in her own home, she jumps at the chance when Mark Teville, Lord Rhoslynn, happens along and proposes a marriage of convenience to rid them of mutual loneliness and assuage his mad torments. Once at Rhoslynn, on the Welsh border, she finds that Mark, locally known as the Devil Baron, is ostracized by gentry and peasantry alike--partly because he is descended from the Norman conquerors, partly because of a family taint, but mainly because they are sure he killed his onetime girlfriend, Gwenneth, the smith's daughter, whose body has never been found. Is this the reason for the ever-locked room which Melanie determines to get into? Or for the attempts on her own life--an eye for an eye, exacted by Morgan the groom, who also loved Gwenneth? Mark finally confesses the murder to her, but Melanie--who has of course grown to love him--doesn't believe him, especially after she spends a night in his room and discovers the special effects that have been laid on to drive him mad all these years. A cliffhanging period plot with a least-likely villain, but a little less of the Norman yoke next time, please.

Pub Date: Aug. 1, 1978

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 1978

Categories: FICTION