Nine Coaches Waiting (Rediscovered Classics) [Paperback]

Mary Stewart (Author), Sandra Brown (Foreword)

Book Description

Series: Rediscovered Classics | Publication Date: May 1, 2006

A governess in a French château encounters an apparent plot against her young charge's life in this unforgettably haunting and beautifully written suspense novel. When lovely Linda Martin first arrives at Château Valmy as an English governess to the nine-year-old Count Philippe de Valmy, the opulence and history surrounding her seems like a wondrous, ecstatic dream. But a palpable terror is crouching in the shadows. Philippe's uncle, Leon de Valmy, is the epitome of charm, yet dynamic and arrogant—his paralysis little hindrance as he moves noiselessly in his wheelchair from room to room. Only his son Raoul, a handsome, sardonic man who drives himself and his car with equally reckless abandon, seems able to stand up to him. To Linda, Raoul is an enigma—though irresistibly attracted to him, she senses some dark twist in his nature. When an accident deep in the woods nearly kills Linda's innocent charge, she begins to wonder if someone has deadly plans for the young count.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A delightful concoction. A beautifully written mingling of romance and mystery."  —Washington Post

"Readers will be glued to the complex story in which no one seems truly trustworthy."  —Vive Magazine
 

"A wonderful hue and cry story . . . a Mona Lisa tale that beckons you on while suspense builds up."  —Boston Herald

From the Publisher

All of Mary Stewart's novels of romantic suspense are so wonderful that it's hard sometimes to pick out specific comments or insights on each book--you should just read them all! I will say that the suspense in Nine Coaches Waiting is particularly terrific because you can never trust any of the characters and aren't quite sure who the villain is until it's almost too late. Don't miss it! Shauna Summers, Senior Editor --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Chicago Review Press (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1556526180
• ISBN-13: 978-1556526183
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (47 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #46,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mart Stewart, one of the most popular novelists writing today, was born in Sunderland, County Durham, England. After boarding-school, she recieved a B.A. with first class honors in English Language and Literature from Durham University and went on for her M.A. Later she returned to her own University as a Lecturer in English. She married in 1945. Her husband is Sir Frederick Stewart, who is Chairman of the Geology Department at Edinburgh University, and a Fellow of the Royal Society.Mary Stewart's career as a novelist began in 1954 with the publication of Madam, Will You Talk? Since then she has published fifteen successful novels, including The Last Enchantment, the third book of the magical trilogy about the legendary enchanter Merlin and young Arthur. Her books for young readers, The Little Broomstick (1971) and Ludo and the Star Horse (1974), quickly met with the same success as her other novels. In 1968, she was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts. In 1971, the Scottish Chapter of the International PEN Association awarded her the Frederick Niven prize for the The Crystal Cave. In 1974, the Scottish Arts Council Award went to Ludo and the Star Horse.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A page-turner for all lovers of romance and suspense!, April 29, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Nine Coaches Waiting (Mass Market Paperback)

Like most of Mary Stewart's novels, this one also centers around a beautiful and brave heroine. However, each and every one of these novels are different in content as well as in plot, so that even though you think you know what the outcome is going to be, in reality you don't! I read most of Mary Stewart's novels when I was a teenager (when I used to borrow them), but 15 years down the road, I find myself rummaging through bookstores for them - to be able to reread them, but more because I want to own my own copies (so that I can reread them yet again in a few year's time)! (Hint: London bookstores carry many of them, esp. Dillon's and Books Etc..) 'Nine Coaches Waiting' is great in the sense that it transports the reader into the rustic countryside of France, which Mary Stewart describes, as always, with so much pleasurable detail. The sense of mystery is heightened as the heroine searches for the truth behind the troubled family for whom she works; and the romance is made more even more romantic with the notions of 'unrequited love' and 'forbidden love'. I think that with most Mary Stewart's novels, there is never a huge emphasis on romantic love in terms of action or words, but better still, she concentrates on the inner feelings of longing and sacrifice (esp. before the official 'start' of a relationship) which serve to enhance the romantic atmosphere of her books.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best by Mary Stewart, November 30, 1999

By 

Sam G "sam-80" (The Valley, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Nine Coaches Waiting (Mass Market Paperback)

I have read quite a few of Mary Stewart's books and for anyone who is interested "This Rough Magic" ties with "Nine Coaches". "The Moon-Spinners" is very good, so is "My Brother Michael" and "Airs Above the Ground". These are more along the romance line as opposed to fantasy as in "The Crystal Cave" which was very good but a different style of story.

I first found Mary Stewart when I was rather young The Wonderful World of Disney did "The Moon-Spinners" with Haley Mills. I was hooked and I still enjoy her books as true mystery romances with the covers falling off and all.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flawless Classic Romantic Suspense, November 16, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Nine Coaches Waiting (Mass Market Paperback)

They don't write books like this anymore. Sadly, even the author didn't write books like this for long. Her writing has deteriorated since the Merlin books (which I also disliked), but her 1950s and 1960s romantic suspense were superb. What do we need to do to get more of Stewart's works reissued in paperback? If there's a petition, I want to sign it.