Customer Reviews

Cameron's Landing

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Gripping and provocative mystery of successful Maine shipping family during the late nineteenth century, Cameron's Landing focuses on Lorna, the new governess and amateur sleuth. Story is fast paced, engrossing, and moves to love story type ending for Lorna and Alex, the youngest Cameron heir. Cameron's Landing could be cited as Anne's best and is a must for faithful Anne Stuart fans. If you can't locate a copy, try the auctions.

This is one of the earliest Anne Stuart's (Doubleday 1977). It came out during the period when Gothics ruled the woman's book market, before Historical Romance came along and took command. And it's one of the best Gothics ever written. Since Gothics are making a wee bit of a comeback, it's a shame this book is not reprinted!

Lorna MacDougall, a big redheaded lass, must enter service because her father fell and breaking his back. With 9 brothers and sisters, she has to secure the post on Cameron's Landing - a small island. In the 1880s women had few choices how they could earn a living, so she knows even though the island is foreboding, she must impress Lady Margaret, the matriarch of the Landing. She at first is accepted as Lady Margaret's companion, but slowly finds herself being the woman's "ears and eyes" in solving the mystery of Cameron's Landing. Margaret believes someone - someone in her family - is a murderer. Her husband was recently stabbed to death and the killer never revealed. Josiah Cameron's enemies were legion, so anyone about Lorna might be the killer. It a classic Gothic with the dark mysterious hero tossed in.

The writing is pure Stuart, though done in the traditional first person Gothic voice. Since nearly all Stuart's books are third person (which I prefer permitting a wider range of emotions and actions from the hero and secondary characters) Stuart handles this with panache. It's very interesting to her fans to see her so effortlessly moving through this different voice.

Well, worth it to any Stuart fan or fan of Gothics or if you are looking for a super read that is a wee bit different from today's market.

Cameron's Landing was written the year I was born. I usually hesitate to read favorite author's early works because I find that, like fine wine, authors only get better as they age. Anne Stuart is a definite exception to this rule.

Cameron's Landing is written in the first person, through the eyes of Lorna MacDougall. I usually do not like first person narratives because they leave other characters feelings and motives left to the imagination. In this book, Stuart's decision to use this style only enhances the plot, creates more mystery, and leaves the reader guessing and then second guessing.

This is more mystery than romance, but the romance is definitely there. Stuart's "bad boy" tendencies are definitely seen (I wonder if she knew back then where her bad boy fettish would take her?:) In some ways, I wish I knew more of Alex. What he thought, how he felt, why he acted like he did, but I think that this type of mystery surrounding Stuart's hero's only add the their, and her, appeal.

Lorna MacDougall finds herself in the midst of a very complicated, intense, and "messed up" family. It is her job, as the matriarch's companion, to investigate and find the murderer of Josiah Cameron. All evidence points to Alex, but Lorna finds herself drawn to Alex in some pretty profound ways. Their romance is not sweet, rather it is dark, intense, dangerous, and very much vintage Stuart!

Find a copy...you'll be rivoted until the very last page.