Review ~ The Property of a Gentleman by Catherine Gaskin

Corazon Books

2014

The Property of a Gentleman was originally published in 1974 and forms part of the extensive catalogue of historical/romantic suspense stories which were written by Catherine Gaskin during her forty years as a novelist, when she became known as “The Queen of Storytellers” and “The Girl with the Golden Pen.” 

Sent from a London auction house, Jo Roswell, and her companion Gerald Stanton visit the stately home of the Earl of Askew, in the English Lake District. Their mission is to evaluate the historic contents with a view to a possible sale of antiquities. However, once at the house they become enthralled by the history, and also of the tragic story of the ill fated Spanish woman who  lived in the house centuries before and of the infamous diamond, La Española, which exerts a sinister curse over all who come into contact with it.

I half expected this story to have lost some of its charm over the years and whilst parts of it can appear a little out-moded, it is still a very good story and quickly draws you into the whole concept of the slightly dilapidated country house, the reluctant Earl and his enigmatic mistress, and the brooding gloom of the faithful old retainers who knows far more than they should about the history of the house and contents.

This story encompasses all that is great about Catherine Gaskin's writing, and even forty years on from its publication date ,The Property of a Gentleman remains as atmospheric and compelling as when it was first published. 

The Property of a Gentleman is available as an ebook for the first time - it is published on Thursday 5th December 2013

My thanks to Corazon Books for the opportunity to read this book in advance of its publication

***

Christmas with Heart Charity Competition

To celebrate the publication of The Property of a Gentleman by Catherine Gaskin, Corazon Books are running a Christmas competition for readers.

Our competition is one with a difference and, we think, in the true spirit of Christmas. We will send a donation of £50 to a charity of the winner’s choice, as a special gift from us and our winning reader!

To be in with a chance to win, simple email your answer to the question below to editor [at] greatstorieswithheart.com


Q) In The Property of a Gentleman, what is the name of the ancient house which is home to Robert, the Earl of Askew?

Clue: check out the link below! Please nominate your chosen charity and include a link to their website with your entry.


The deadline for entries is midnight on Friday 20th December. The winner will be notified by email on Monday 23rd December.

For full details, go to: http://www.greatstorieswithheart.com/christmas-with-heart/