The silence of Herondale [Hardcover]

Joan Aiken (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover
• Publisher: Published for the Crime Club by Doubleday; First Edition edition (1964)
• ASIN: B00005XW6V
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,105,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Joan Aiken (1924-2004) was the daughter of Pulitzer prize winning poet Conrad Aiken and started writing herself from the age of five. During her lifetime she published over one hundred books for children and adults, including the acclaimed Wolves of Willoughby Chase series. In the UK she received an MBE from the Queen for her services to Children's Literature.

This year sees the publication of a brand NEW story collection - The Monkey's Wedding - with previously unpublished material that shows Aiken on top form. This collection of funny, spooky, unexpected but classic Aiken stories has received wonderful reviews and will delight her readers. See below for details.

Her work continues to be adapted for film and television; she is established as a consummate storyteller,and recognized as one of the best loved authors of the twentieth century.

"The Wonderful World of Joan Aiken" is at www.joanaiken.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Misadventures in Yorkshire.., May 26, 2004

By 

Peter LaPrade (worcester ma) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The silence of Herondale (Hardcover)

"The Silence of Herondale" is Joan Aiken's first adult novel. From the jacket, you think it will be a whodoneit, but that is misleading. This is more "watch the young woman avoid danger" type of books. Basically, the heroine is hired as a governess for a precocious 13 year old girl, who happens to be a famous playwright. Said playwright is tired of writing, and runs away to her uncle in Yorkshire. In the meantime, the playwright meets up with a mysterious cousin named Jeremy, who warns her to "beware of relations". Soon, the trio has to avoid "accidents", as someone close wants them dead. But who? Is it the aunt who hired the heroine? The cousin? Or is it the "Slipper Killer" who is loose about town. Most of the plot twists are predictable with someone being the lost son of someone else, and people not being as they seem. An O.K book.