The Black Opal [Hardcover]

Victoria Holt (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1993

In a romantic mystery by the best-selling author of Daughter of Deceit, young heroine Carmel March unravels the mysteries of life, love, and a long-ago murder for which she believes a man had been unjustly convicted. 110,000 first printing. $100,000 ad/promo.

Editorial Reviews

From Kirkus Reviews

The recent death of Eleanor Hibbert, the indefatigable, reliable popular writer who appeared as Jean Plaidy, Philippa Carr and Victoria Holt, has saddened her large following. Hibbert through the years perfected cherished formulas for romantic suspense, real or fictional dynastic dooms and delights (in palaces or English manor houses), and period galloping adventures. Here, in the first Holt novel to be published posthumously, an orphan lass finds love on two continents and helps to solve an old murder. Carmel March had been found as an infant under an azalea bush, and thanks to kind Dr. Marline--the ailing Mrs. Marline is horrid- -Carmel is raised with the Marline children, although she's still regarded as an outsider. Still, Carmel finds people to love. There's the boy Lucian of a titled family nearby; a lovely governess destined for tragedy; some pleasant gypsies, one of whom takes an unusual interest in Carmel; and Mrs. Marline's sea captain brother, Uncle Toby. Then, when Carmel is ten, disaster strikes the Marline house; there's a murder, and Toby whisks Carmel to Australia. Years later, Carmel returns to England alone to unravel a mystery and consider three proposals of marriage. To the beloved Mrs. Hibbert: hail and farewell--and thanks. (Literary Guild Dual Selection for Fall) -- Copyright ©1993, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From the Inside Flap

Abandoned as a baby, her exotic beauty prompted hushed whispers of gypsy blood. But lovely Carmel March remained shrouded in mystery....

When tragedy struck her adopted home of Commonwood House, little Carmel had been bundled off to Australia. Returning to England as a young woman, she became haunted by questions from her past, as well as the shocking revelation that she had been rushed from a murder scene those many years ago.

Yet she was convinced that the wrong man had been sentenced for the crime. Was the answer locked away in her childhood memory--or in the dark, secretive behavior of her old childhood friend, Lucian? And what fateful role did the opals--always present at crucial moments of her life--play? For only when she released the dark secrets imprisoned at Commonwood would she find the freedom to love....

"Victoria Holt's mysteries are among the best."
--Minneapolis Star & Tribune

"The prolific Miss Holt--.combines suspense and romance with the master's touch."
--Boston Herald --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 275 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; 1st edition (August 1, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 038547024X
• ISBN-13: 978-0385470247
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #293,504 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A return to the classics, September 26, 2001

By 

Busy Mom (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Black Opal (Mass Market Paperback)

As a child, I grew up reading Victoria Holt's books and when my future father-in-law gave me this book to read, I couldn't wait to finish reading my other books so I could read this one. And I have to confess, I was not disappointed by this book at all. It has enough mystery in it to keep me guessing and just a little romance to make me wish I was like the heroine and no gory details about any murder or anything. It is just a fascinating book to read especially while soaking in a hot bath.

Carmel March was found in the Marlines' garden at Commonwood House. And when tragedy struck the Commonwood House, Carmel was whisked away to Australia. It wasn't till when she came home to visit England again that she realized that the wrong man was hanged for the murder of the mistress of the Commonwood House. And she embarks on an eventful journey to discover the truth.

This is such an easy read and so delightful too. I snuck in my reading time in between unpacking boxes of books and I couldn't wait to read the next page ~~ so I would sneak off to read it! Holt does it again. I remember again why I was such a big fan of hers while growing up. And I would recommend her books to any mystery lover. She's one of the leading classic writers for the mystery world and you won't regret reading her books.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not bad!, March 10, 2003

By 

A. Y. Smittle (Winchester, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Opal (Mass Market Paperback)

I had read "The Captive" some years ago and stumbled across this one again. This is a pretty good read. Its a slight mystery...who are the parents of Carmel, who was found under the azalea bush? Is she related to the gypsys camped in the woods?
And who really killed that mean invalid? You won't find out 'til the very end. Ms. Holt keeps you entertained along the way---Carmel has many an adventure and misfortune in her short life. She travels with her "Uncle" to Australia and lives there a while. Then shes back in England and involved in suitors, weddings and tragedy.
I noticed in the publication that Ms. Holt was born in 1906. That would mean this woman wrote this in her 80s. I am very impressed! The quality of the story and the reflection of life in it is well thought out and gives insight into whats important to be happy.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good start with a lousy finish., December 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Opal (Mass Market Paperback)

Victoria Holt was a master story teller. It appears to me that she started this book before she died and then someone else finished it for her. I was sadly disappointed that the last book I was able to read of hers was so poorly done. Of all her books this is the only one I wouldn't recommend to anyone.