Great suspense, strong heroine

Great mystery in an intriguing, atmospheric setting. Independent young woman finds herself in an unusual and dangerous situation in a crumbling Lawrence of Arabia style desert palace fortress. She is helped by a man but relies on herself to solve mystery and save herself.
I have read it more than once but really enjoyed this audiobook.

There are some outdated societal standards but nothing offensive and they almost seem token. She is an "everywoman" in an exceptional situation as are all of Mary Stewart suspense heroines.

The narration is very good and follows the tone of the story.

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5 people found this helpful

Makes you want to visit the Levant

I've enjoyed re-reading this book for the past 45 years and am pleased to have it on audible. Overall the narrator does a good job, but the Lebanese driver (hired car) sounds like he is a London cabbie. That accent was never used by any driver in the Levant, but it is more funny than offensive. The story of a young lady visiting her eccentric Aunt, who has based her lifestyle on Lady Hester Stanhope, builds gradually into a tense mystery full of Salukis, harems and sinister characters. Mary Stuart's description of the locale is, as always, wonderful.

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4 people found this helpful

How many fits of nausea fit into two pages?

I like Mary Stewart novels and her plucky intelligent heroines. Unfortunately, this one is a glaring exception - a brainless chit who conquers all the villains and problems by being sick and nauseous when something happens or when seeing a cat. The final pages are a monstrous pile of coincidencies and stupid-lucky escapes. The main thought all through the book was "they - the villains - should have dropped that idiot like a hot potato and just go into some bomb shelter as she was more erratic and destructive in her befavior than an Alabama tornado.
Ellie Heydon does a very good job - which unfortunately, only makes the general stupidity of the heroine only more visible.

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2 people found this helpful

Flawless performance of a Mary Stewart treasure

So glad I own this so I can listen again and again. It's the original British version not sold in States, so I found it interesting to note what had been changed. Fell in love with it more than 50 years ago; so great to read it in the Age of Google, which allowed me to look up details that add much to the story. Ellie Haydon has the perfect voice for Stewart's heroines, who narrate their own stories. Her male voices are varied, convincing, and charming, too. One of my favorite narrators. If I penned a British story, I'd seek her out to narrate.

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1 person found this helpful

Such an adventure!

A very different setting and fascinating adventure for Mary Stewart! The mystery and thrills came later in the story, but I enjoyed little moments of humor in the end that appeared as well. The main character was very young and naive which played off well against her dangerous adventure. She certainly grew up a bit by the end. Ellie Heydon was treat to listen to, her performances are splendid! I enjoyed her other narration of “Nine Coaches Waiting” also by Mary Stewart. This adventure will take you somewhere very far away, and places very English characters against the backdrop of the Middle East in the 1960s. So as a historical novel it is very enjoyable. There are stereotype portrayals, but I think that is due to the time period when the book was written. However, Mary Stewart tells her tale with style, in a slightly less frenetic pace unlike her earlier stories. I enjoyed it very much, it was like watching a film hearing it read aloud due to detailed descriptions of the events and places. Enjoy!!

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Annoying narration

I’m not sure why Ms Heydon chose to adopt comedy accents to distinguish the characters - Hamid’s London cabbie voice is a bit disconcerting and the women are ill-served by the affectedly high-pitched, childish tones. Ms Heydon also can’t pronounce Beirut, bougainvillea or lych gate. But it’s a fun story (the title is lovely) and raised memories of Lebanon and Syria for me.

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Slow start, but plenty happens

It took a while for this Stewart story to get started, but once it did it was a fun mystery in an unusual setting.

I truly enjoyed Ellie Heydon’s narration. She masters the art of keeping the story interesting and moving without trying to act all the characters. I will be looking for more books narrated by her.

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Perfectly enchanting

Perfect voice for a marvelous tale that had me transported immediately into a world quite removed from my own- only wish it were longer!

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Good story

Just the book to listen to when you’re sick in bed with the flu. I enjoyed it.

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A magical escapist romance

I love a book that transports me to another place and time, and Mary Stewart never fails to do that for me. Yes, this book is largely predictable. I figured out most of the plot twists early on. However, I still found it extremely enjoyable. With Mary Stewart, the point of reading the book is the journey and not the destination. I feel like I have seen the Lebanon and Syria of the 1960's, when that part of the world was actually a tourist destination. The imagery is wonderful throughout. I adore Mary Stewart's daring young heroines and brave, good-looking young men. Sometimes, I want a book that makes me think. But sometimes, I just to be carried off by a well-written novel!

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