No cloud in the sky no sombre shadow on the machiolated walls no piercing glance from an enigmatic stranger as we drove in at the Porte de la Republique and up the sun-dappled Cours Jean-Jaures. And when we arrived one afternoon, after a hot but leisurely journey, at the enchanting little walled city of Avignon, we felt in that mood of pleasant weariness mingled with anticipation which marks, I believe, the beginning of every normal holiday. When I wrote, that summer, and asked my friend Louise if she would come with me on a car trip to Provence, I had no idea that I might be issuing an invitation to danger. There is a fine love affair, but as one English writer remarked, 'For once love interest doesn't hold up the story.' until she senses terrible maturity behind his grave eyes.įrom that point on the tension mounts steadily until it reaches breaking point, while the thirsty heat of the Provencal summer, the noise of cicadas, the dust of country roads all contribute to the superb realism of the novel. The young man introduces himself and Charity is charmed. The enchanting vista of Provence delights them, and Charity is pleased to make her first conquest, a young man of thirteen who is having trouble with his dog. They are Charity Selborne, an extravagantly lovely war widow, and her amusing, irreverent artist friend, Louise Cray.

Two young Englishwomen arrive on vacation, expecting a conventional holiday. From a standing start, she leads you on a swift, breathless chase that turns this quiet story into a perfectly splendid novel of suspense. Mary Stewart has a keen wit, a zest for adventure, an eye for the details that turn 'characters' into interesting memorable people. This will introduce an exciting new author who writes English for Americans with taste. View all related posts on the Mary Stewart blog View photos of the setting at the Mary Stewart blog Plot elements: Car chase, Antiques, Roman ruins, WWII

Setting: South of France (Avignon, Nimes, Marseilles) Heroine: Charity Selborne, widow, teacher

Madam, Will You Talk? by Mary Stewart