The Pride of the Peacock [Hardcover]

Victoria Holt (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 280 pages
• Publisher: Doubleday; Book Club Edition edition (1975)
• Language: English
• ASIN: B000FBVQL6
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,587,420 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Victoria's Best!, September 2, 2005

By 

Fruit Loop (Down South) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Pride of the Peacock (Mass Market Paperback)

The ever-talented Victoria Holt takes what could have been a tired plot device - marriage of convenience with secret desire turning to real love - and gives it new life with hidden family secrets, the search for a fabulous lost - and cursed - priceless opal, and the adventure of the rugged Australian Outback.

Jessica Clavering grows up in her staid, rigid, loveless English family but longs for a life of adventure. She finds it in an arranged marriage with the son of her secret friend and they had off to unimaginable adventure...what more could a reader ask for? This is my favorite Holt novel, and I also recommend "Mistress of Mellyn."

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Pride of my Library!, September 26, 2003

By 

Brittany "lady_jane_grey" (MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pride of the Peacock (Hardcover)

Jessica only realizes how little she knows her "family" when she starts a relationship with the forbidden elderly gentleman that reportedly "stole" her family's estate. They become friends, and he puts her in his will. There is one condition: she must marry his son, Joss. She and Joss agree, but they decide to keep it "in name only". Her now father-in-law dies, and Jessica and Joss travel to their joint estate and opal mine in Australia. Here, Jessica becomes fonder of Joss and wonders if the "in name only" part of their marriage will last. There is only one problem: someone is trying to kill Jessica! Will they succeed?

Not only is this book entertaining to read, but it is also educational. I learned a lot about opals, and I am planning on adding some to my jewelry collection!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful, December 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The pride of the peacock (Heron books) (Leather Bound)

This is a great book. It's fascinating, and I couldn't put it down. The story takes place in late 19th century England and Australia. The twist at the end is surprising and reminiscent of Agatha Christie's style. This is a book meant to be read on one of those nasty gray wet days with a cup of hot tea. It keeps you guessing right up to the end, and is definitely a classic.