Title: The Master of Seacliff
Author: Max Pierce
Cover Art: Anthony A. G. Gluck
Publisher: Lethe Press
Buy Link: Buy Link Master of Seacliff: A Novel
Genre: M/M Romance / Mystery / Historical
Length: 81,000 words
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 rating stars
A Guest Review by Raine
Summary Review: A rewriting of the escapist Gothic Novel which- while paying blatant homage- is actually very good fun in it’s own right.
Blurb: It is 1899, and young Andrew Wyndham has accepted a position tutoring the unruly son of wealthy industrialist Duncan Stewart in the hopes that the work will be brief yet provide an avenue to pay for his passage to France to study art. But Seacliff is a dark mansion enshrouded in near-eternal fog, dark mystery and suspicion—perhaps a reflection of the house’s brooding master. An imposing Blackbeard of a man, Duncan Stewart is both feared and admired by his business associates as well as the people he calls friends, for Stewart may have murdered his own father to gain control of his business. And his home, in which Andrew Wyndham must now reside, holds terrible secrets—secrets that could destroy everyone within its walls. For pure gothic escapism with a decidedly masculine point of view, The Master of Seacliff is an enthralling and satisfying read.
Review:
As I begin my journey on this review I must share with you, dear readers, a haunting tale of my own long ago youth, for it was then in a secluded Cornish cove I discovered a great truth…………….you can never have too many books when on holiday in an British summer. For two solid weeks biblical rain lashed down while we stayed on a caravan site, half way up a cliff. However back in the rather neglected village there was a newsagent with an enticing display of Gothic novels, set in Cornwall, all by Victoria Holt, one of the many alias’ of prolific author Eleanor Hibbert. Much to my parent’s dismay most of my holiday money went on these wonderful overblown books of high romance and mystery; Menfreya, King of the Castle, Kirkland Revels and of course Mistress of Mellyn……….later I discovered the more respectable Bronte side of the canon.
I have my suspicions that Max Pierce – such a strangely appropriate name for a writer of the horrid tale- had a similar experience, because the Master of Seacliff self consciously resonates with homage to Jane Eyre, Rebecca, Northanger Abbey and probably others I haven’t read- but most definitely Victoria Holt. The brooding atmosphere is built up deliciously, with Ancient Mariner-esque warnings, secrets, murders, betrayal, bitter servants, ghosts, graveyards and a sea fog shrouded gloomy anthropomorphised house.
The characters all conform to the roles habitual to this oeuvre; shadowed, tall, dark rich and possibly guilty of patricide, Duncan Stewart is the definitive Rochester figure. Edward was never quite so bearish nor did he secretly exercise to regain his neglected figure, touches which lifted his frequently irrational rage bespoken personality from the Gothic alpha stereotype into an occasionally more amusing form. He did conform to the usual desire to control his employee’s wardrobe.
I had a slight problem with Andrew the young innocent, nosy – I mean curious – and strong minded tutor. This ingenue role was delivered in the first person, and for a while it was hard to get a sense of his masculinity, which of course is the point of this interpretation, he could have just as easily been Jane Eyre. Nevertheless I did enjoy his oblivious innocence at the seance. Later in the novel, the ambiguity is definitely lessened, though I did expect a little more righteous indignation from him about the reversal of sexual norms. Andrew had read about Oscar Wilde so perhaps that is explanation enough.
I particularly liked the scene when Duncan escorts Andrew to the The Looking Glass, a private and decadent club in Greenwich Village. This educationally exotic venue made a clever break from the claustrophobia of Seacliff, while also advancing their relationship.
The only concern I had with the mystery was that it felt very familiar- the product of my misspent youth- but that was also obviously the intention. It was very nicely executed with the usual misunderstandings, ambivalent warnings and general misdirection- it really was great fun. It was also very appropriate that the last twist was directly inspired by Mistress of Mellyn…………
I really rather enjoyed the nostalgia of my feelings of addicted exasperation when I found myself muttering ….” but nobody behaves like that ” …..the exception being, of course, those characters inhabiting the Gothic novel.
Recommended
This sounds like a fun read! I used to enjoy the Gothic type romances also, I’ll be sure to check this book out,Thanks!
It has that nice slow build up typical of those books too- I found hot chocolate added to the experience. 🙂
This sounds so me! I used to love Victoria Holt and Gothic stuff always gets me going (um, as it were … )
🙂
Anne
xxx
Actually, while I hate to appear obvious, the sex is all very much in keeping with the mode……..it isn’t a sexed up Gothic romance…….it isn’t Rochester does porn………it is …….nice……but now I think of it ….. a lube or unguent ( love it) free zone……..hum.
Thanks Anne, hope Liam’s still a happy boy. 😀
Yes, that bothered me too! Ouch. 😐
Great Review Raine, very entertaining!!!
On to my wish list it Goes!!
Have a Good Weekend!
Thanks Reggie, I had some fun writing this one. I’m just about to start Carole Cummings’ new one- so a good weekend is a sure thing.
Hope yours is as good. 🙂
Ooh, I had a Victoria Holt summer, too, in my youth. I think I’ll give this one a try – thanks for the review!
I think I stopped reading her around the publication of Legend of the Seventh Virgin…..or something like that……but she certainly made an impression on me…………
Hope you like it. 🙂
I’m very happy this book worked out for you Raine. I had visions of you beating me up because it didn’t live up to your expectations. Delightful review. I’m definitely reading this one – you convinced me.
Thanks Wave.
|It was so good just to read something that was what the blurb said it was. …….yes nostalgia did have a lot to do with it I confess, but it’s fun.
I’m assuming the no beating up thing is reciprocal if you don’t like it………… 😀
I’m in the mood for escapist fun while on vacation so I’m sure this book will fit in just fine.
I didn’t know that Victoria Holt was Jean Plaidy! I enjoyed reading the Victoria Holt books when I was young (Jane Eyre was an all time favourite too), so I think I’ll give this story a go.
I’m just reading an excerpt from Smashwords. It’s looking good so far. 🙂
Hi Gaycrow,
I didn’t know she was a lot of other people too……she personifies prolific!
I had a good time with this one- hope it is to your taste too. I think if you like the extract it’s a good indication. 🙂
I had a couple of problems with the story. Andrew’s visit to the artist Edgar La Vina is written very strangely. This didn’t make sense to me at all:
“Edgar LaVina flew to the wall and began thumbing through the stack of canvases in haste. Pie snapped his fingers, and whisked a small piece into the air. Holding it close he walked back to me.”
Hmm, now that I’ve typed it out, I believe it may be a typo, and “Pie” should’ve been “He”.
There were inconsistencies throughout the story that bothered me a little too, which surprised me in a published story.
However, it was a page turner, and even though I guessed the ending, I did want to see how the writer would present it.
Yes I wondered about this part of the book- the portrait thing was pure “Rebecca”, but I also assumed that there was perhaps some other- book that I haven’t read- referencing going on………..if that makes sense
I hope you still enjoyed some of it.
Thanks very much for letting me know how you got on.
This was a really beatiful and well written review, thank you! I dont know about the book itself though, I was looking at it amongst the blurbs and passed. I loved Jane Eyre, but I was scared that it will be similar to Gaywick by Vincent Virga. Have you read it? In other words, if the only difference between young and innocent in this story and Jane Eyre is that young and innocent has a male name, then this is probably not for me. 🙂
I haven’t read Gaywick, so I’m not going to be much help there.
It does have that ambiguous element you mention to it, so perhaps it’s not for you. However it is really well written with a lot of verve and great atmosphere. The Vicky Holt nostalgia kick was a strong win with me, but thats not for everyone………………
Thanks Sirius.
I can not WAIT to get my hands on a copy of this book. I think I might actually be salivating at the thought.
As the proud owner of a few stacks of used paperbacks that originally sold for ten cents a copy, I have been ready for gothics to make a comeback for the past decade or so. I WILL TAKE WHAT I CAN GET. And this one sounds terrific. Thanks for the oh-so-tempting review!
Hi riga
I think with that attitude you will have some fun with this 😀 …….as I have said before nostalgia played a big part in my pleasure here.