THE CASE OF KITTY OGILVIE

by Jean Stubbs ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 13, 1971

This talented British author has fleshed out with considerable skill and an almost unbearable tension the harrowing details of an 18th century Scottish murder trial, based on research by the late Theodora Benson. Young, pretty, and determinedly adorable Kitty has become the bride of pale, fortyish Thomas Ogilvie, laird of East Mill, and he brings her to his impoverished ancestral home. His mother, Lady Eastmill, querulous and passive, lives with her favorite son Patrick. Kitty soon tires of Thomas and turns to Patrick while in Edinburgh, Alexander, a dissolute youngest son, accepts the cool plot of cousin Anne, formerly a brothel madam. The plans include poisoning Thomas and implicating Kitty and Patrick to clear the way for Alexander's appropriation of East Mill. Anne is remarkably successful. Thomas dies in agony, Patrick is hung, and Kitty, rescued at the last minute by her family, is spirited out of the country. Miss Stubbs has her way with crumbling houses and dynasties and the disastrous enclosure of weak people trapped by themselves and the demon in their midst. The permeating chill does not weaken its fascination.

Pub Date: Sept. 13, 1971

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Walker

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1971

Categories: FICTION