Customer Reviews

The Black Opal

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

If you're into Victoria Holt novels, you'll love this one. This book has one part mystery, one part adventure, and two parts romance. A good read. I would recommend.

Carmel March, left under an azalea bush when very young, has grown up in the house of Dr. and Mrs. Marline and their 2 daughters and son. She has never really felt like part of the family yet always being drawn to the gypsies in the forest. When she's about 11 years old, she's taken away to Australia by Mrs. Marlines brother, Toby, and lives the next 10 years or so there, always wondering what happened to the Marlines. While in Australia, she discovers many things about herself and her real family and when she returns to England, Carmel finally discovers the mystery behind what happend to the Marlines and why she's so drawn to the gypsies.

I am an ardent fan of Victoria Holt. I have been reading her books eversince i can remember. She never fails to amaze me. I recently read this book (after a long gap of no victoria holt) and i loved it. The character of Carmel March is strong. The suspense is good cuz u keep wondering and thinking who-done-it? So according to me its a Must read. Other books of Victoria Holt, that i read long time ago but i still remember as great are 'Mistress of Mellyn'; 'Legend of the Seventh Virgin';'The Shivering Sands' and many others.

Yes, I got an impression that from the middle of the book the story was finished by someone else and this was not VH book... The beginning was very promising and very pleasantly told but then the book changed its stile. The book is ok to read but it is definitely not the best and not as gripping as others. I would not consider this a typical VH book.

You won't take anything of this book but you will have a good time reading it and that is the greatest part of reading a book, the story of Carmel is nice and will keep you reading while she is in England and Australia, when she return to England and discover the assassination the story gets a little boring but still is a good reading, you won't know the time of the book until the last page, I think that that was a good idea.
By the way, which girl wouldn't want to have three options of marriage in less than two weeks?

My husband ordered this book for me for Christmas- I didn't get to begin the story until two months later. When I started to read it, I noticed that the book had the correct cover, but the inside contained a completely different story, "Berlin Game." However, it is too late to return the book! Please make sure the story you choose to purchase matches the cover of the book you order.

Carmel March was found under a bush outside of Dr. and Mrs. Marline's home. She and everyone else knew she didn't belong, but she was raised along with the Marline's children. When Mrs. Marline dies under mysterious circumstances, her "uncle" comes and takes her away from the rest of the family, knowing that there was trouble on the horizon. Carmel's uncle is a captain of a boat, and he takes her with him on his journeys, finally leaving her in Australia with his wife. Later, as a young woman, she returns to England and discovers that the place she left is vastly different than the place she returns to. The once beautiful home is now empty and she discovers that Dr. Marline was hanged as a murderer. She's positive that the good doctor was not the murderer and has set herself to finding out what really happened. The story was slow in parts, and predictable in others. Also, the way that Victoria Holt tried to tie in black opals to all the important happenings is rather lame. It's not a bad novel, but not as interesting as some I've read.