Well, I’m just moving right along with Mary Stewart. The Moonspinners is the fourth novel I’ve read by her since December and I think it just might be my favorite so far. It is set in Greece and it is fast-paced, sexy, and suspenseful.
Nicola Ferris works for the British Embassy in Athens. It’s Easter time and she makes plans to meet her cousin Frances on Crete in a secluded, non-touristy part of the island. Arriving early, Nicola decides to explore the island on her own before heading into town. While eating her lunch in the mountains near a peaceful waterfall she stumbles into a murderous plot involving a fellow Englishman and his Greek guide. Mark is handsome and intriguing, but he is also suffering from a gun shot and worried for his brother who was kidnapped by unknown assailants. Nicola helps Mark hideout until she must go into town to meet her cousin. Nicola then confides in Frances and they join forces to discover who shot Mark, who kidnapped his brother and why.
Like Thunder on the Right, The Moonspinners has a thrilling, very physically grueling ending with Nicola dodging capture and trying to protect her new found friends. Nicola is a daring and energetic character, immensely sympathetic and adventurous. Her cousin, Frances, is wryly humorous and one of those amiable unmarried ladies.
The Moonspinners is quite stylish so I am not surprised that it was made into a movie starring Hayley Mills back in 1964, which sounds extremely different from the book. Has anyone read the book or seen the film?
Despite my huge TBR stack I’m going to continue with my Mary Stewart kick and next up is Stormy Petrel.
A Certain Fondness 
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