Thornyhold

By: Mary Stewart

Narrated by: Jilly Bond

Mary Stewart's storytelling is as spellbinding as ever in her 12th novel, a Gothic romance featuring sparkling prose, delightful characterisation and classic intrigue.

The rambling house called Thornyhold is like something out of a fairy tale. Left to Gilly Ramsey by the cousin whose occasional visits brightened her childhood, the cottage, set deep in a wild wood, has come just in time to save her from a bleak future. With its reputation for magic and its resident black cat, Thornyhold offers Gilly more than just a new home. It offers her a chance to start over.

The old house, with its tufts of rosy houseleek and the spreading gilt of the lichens, was beautiful. Even the prisoning hedges were beautiful, protective with their rusty thorns, their bastions of holly and juniper, and at the corners, like towers, their thick columns of yews.

©1988 Mary Stewart (P)2019 Hodder & Stoughton Limited

Critic reviews

"A comfortable chair and a Mary Stewart: total heaven. I'd rather read her than most other authors." (Harriet Evans)

Great ending

A little slow at first, but the story picks up and the ending is very satisfying.

A capsule of magic for the soul

really enjoyed this! the narrator I believe suited the story perfectly and the story has that gothic magical feel reminiscent of Emily Of New Moon- really quite a beautiful little story that doesn't take the path you expect, the atmosphere here is what really shows through in my opinion, though I did enjoy the plot as well

Great Storytelling!

Nothing better for a cozy listen than a Mary Stewart mystery. Always worth the time.

Wonderful book!

This is one of my favorite books. I first read it probably 25 years ago. And this narration is perfect. I loved it!!

Love, Love, Love

This is my favorite author. I am now rereading or listening to all her books. No one writes today to compare.