I have a fondness for paranormal romance-like mysteries. I say romance-like, because, despite the overall feeling, there’s no physical romance. The man in these books is dead, a ghost. Despite the attraction, there’s nothing to be done about it. There’s The Ghost and Mrs. Muir by Josephine Leslie who wrote under R.A. Dick. Cleo Coyle’s Haunted Bookshop series is being reprinted as The Haunted Bookshop Detective Mysteries. I loved the Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade by J.J. Cook (Joyce and Jim Lavene). Elswyth Thane preceded all of them with Tryst, written in 1939.
Thane’s background is as interesting as her novels. She was born Helen Ricker in Iowa. She moved to New York City in 1918, changed her name to Elswyth Thane, and started working as a freelance writer, according to the “About the Author” in Tryst. In 1927, she married naturalist and explorer William Beebe, curator of ornithology for the New York Zoological Society, and one of the developers of the bathysphere diving vessel. “Their New York apartment featured his-and-hers libraries.” Thane’s best-known books are the Williamsburg series, seven historical novels that follow several generations of an American family from the American revolution to World War II. I remember that series fondly. I read them in the early seventies, at the same time my mother and grandmother read them.
Tryst is set in England and India in 1939, prior to the Second World War. Sabrina Archer moves to the Mendip Hills along with her father and aunt who have leased a large house from the Shenstone family. Hilary Shenstone, the younger son, is in India, serving as a special agent for the British Home Office. He’s killed there. His last thoughts were of home in England, and he slowly makes his way there. He’s in London at his club, and no one seems to feel his presence. That’s how he learns that he’s dead.
At Shenstone’s home, Sabrina has broken into Hilary’s locked room, and discovers his extensive library. She falls for this unknown man, and falls sick when she learns he is dead. By the time Hilary gets home, he’s learned a little about his new life as a ghost. The housekeeper, Mrs. Pilton, senses his presence, and talks with him. “I’ve felt you homing ever since nightfall.” The stern Mrs. Pilton finds a way to give Sabrina and Hilary time alone. Although Hilary can’t talk to Sabrina, he feels as if he was alive, he was meant to meet her and fall in love.
Although I love these types of books, I found Tryst a little disappointing. I loved Hilary and his methods for learning his new state of being as he tries to communicate. Sabrina was a milquetoast. At seventeen, she was too naive, immature, and bowed down to the whims of her aunt. She was a mess at school, and I really didn’t see what Hilary saw in her. Frankly, he was too good for her.
I’m still glad I read Tryst. It’s called “A ghost story for all time.” I don’t think so, but it’s a catchy phrase.
Tryst by Elwyth Thane. PBL Limited, 1939/2023. 191p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I bought a copy of the paperback.
This Christmas my mom gifted me her copies of Elswyth Thane’s Williamsburg series. I had read them when I was a young teen and I just gobbled all 7 of them up. They were my first foray into Historical fiction and I was hooked. Now you tell me that she authored more books? Although you found Trust slightly disappointing , I can’t wait to try it and share it with my mom. She will be delighted!
Gaye! It turns out she wrote about 30 novels, stories and plays. But, I think you and your Mom should still read Tryst. I really liked Hilary. And I loved the Williamsburg series.
Lesa, you have now added more to my ever growing TBR pile. (Also with some great ones that I discovered at the Tucson Festival of the Book yesterday!) My cute 92 year old mom said that she may not be able to be an Elswyth Thane completist this year but she is up for the challenge!! I love it.
I love the Tucson Festival of books, Gaye. I’ve been there three times, and moderated a couple panels there.
I love it! Good luck to your mother in finding and reading the rest of Thane’s books!
I loved the Sweet Pepper books too. I’ve never heard of this one though.
Too far in the past, Sandy. It was written in 1939. I felt so bad when Jim Lavene died. I never knew him, but I knew that was the end of the Sweet Pepper Brigade.
Fascinating. Never heard of it. Jackie just read a “ghost” book – Nora Roberts’s Lost Brides book.
I have no idea why we read Thane’s Williamsburg series in the early 70s. As Sandy said, all three generations gobbled them up, so it wasn’t just a series for teens. It was an excellent historical fiction series. I liked The Lost Brides, but it wasn’t up to Roberts’ Ireland fantasy series.
Jackie has one that she wonders if you or anyone else here will recognize. She thought at first it was by Erica Spindler, but now she doesn’t know.
MAJOR SPOILER ALERT
The premise is, the protagonist goes to prison to interview a presumed serial killer. He swears he was innocent. While she is there, he is murdered in prison, and – in a trilogy – she teams up with his ghost to prove he was innocent and find the real killer. In the last book, her voodoo friend in New Orleans does something to bring him back to life, and they live happily ever after.
Granted, I just spoiled it for anyone who hasn’t read it, but she really can’t remember the author/title.
Jeff, Ask Jackie if it’s a series by Karen Robards featuring Dr. Charlotte “Charlie” Stone and convicted killer Michael Garland. The first book is The Last Victim and the last one is The Last Time I Saw Her. I don’t find a voodoo element, but the description probably wouldn’t include that spoiler. (smile). Four books. Now, I have to know if that’s it.
That’s it! She is very pleased you found it.
Maybe it wasn’t voodoo, but it was something.
Tell Jackie I put the first book on hold at the library.
Years ago I did look to see what else Thane wrote and I may have read Tryst but I’m not sure. Thanks for checking it out!
I don’t regret it, Cindy. I just liked the hero better than the heroine. The ending was a surprise.
I listed Tryst as one of my comfort books–and also my sister’s–but you are absolutely correct: Sabrina is a wimp! I first read this book when I was 13 or 14, so maybe Sabrina didn’t seem so boring and painfully young to me then. If you think about it, the Williamsburg novels are full of men in their thirties waiting for young girls to grow up so they can marry them! But usually Thane’s very young women are livelier than Sabrina. I’ve also read all seven of them–my favorite is Ever After, set during the Spanish-American War. Heroes are Bracken Murray and Fitz Sprague.
It’s been so long since I read those books, Kim, that I didn’t remember that. But, I think I’m going to have to go back and read the series again. I can share it with Linda, too. She didn’t read it then, but likes those kinds of books.
I can see it works better for a young teen than it did for me. I’m sure your list is how I ended up picking up Tryst. Thank you!
This was such a fun review, Lesa.
I loved, and sill love, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. The old movie too. i keep reading the books with this theme and while i enjoy them, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir remains my favorite.
I have the old movie, Kaye, and I know I read the book years ago. Might be time for a reread since you still love it.
My sister LOVED this book when she was in high school and tried to get me to read it. Maybe some day soon, six decades later.
Jerry, I think high school was a better time to read it than my senior status.