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| ==Synopsis== | ==Synopsis== | ||
| After Connor Winslow threatens to push her over a cliff, thinking she is his ex-fiance Annabel Winslow, Mary Grey succeeds in making Connor believe she is not Annabel. Connor then offers Mary Grey an opportunity to earn needed money by persuading her to impersonate Annabel, who disappeared eight years ago from the family farm, Whitescar. Annabel's grandfather Matthew is delaying the announcement of whom he will leave Whitescar to in hopes of her return. His nephew, Connor, is determined to inherit Whitescar. If Mary will return as Annabel and if Matthew leaves the farm to her, she is to give it to Connor. Mary agrees, becomes Annabel, and goes to Whitescar succeeding in convincing the household -- Grandfather Matthew, Connor's sister |
After Connor Winslow threatens to push her over a cliff, thinking she is his ex-fiance Annabel Winslow, Mary Grey succeeds in making Connor believe she is not Annabel. Connor then offers Mary Grey an opportunity to earn needed money by persuading her to impersonate Annabel, who disappeared eight years ago from the family farm, Whitescar. Annabel's grandfather Matthew is delaying the announcement of whom he will leave Whitescar to in hopes of her return. His nephew, Connor, is determined to inherit Whitescar. If Mary will return as Annabel and if Matthew leaves the farm to her, she is to give it to Connor. Mary agrees, becomes Annabel, and goes to Whitescar succeeding in convincing the household -- Grandfather Matthew, Connor's sister Lisa, cousin Julie, and Mr. & Mrs. Bates (employees of Whitescar) -- that she is indeed Annabel. Mary's one weakness is horses, however. Annabel was practically a ], while Mary is afraid of them and balks at the idea of riding one. Nevertheless, Mary offers a believable excuse and continues on with her deception. Then she discovers a secret even Connor did not know: Annabel was having an affair with a married neighbor, Adam Forrest. During their relationship, Annabel and Adam exchanged letters and notes by leaving them in the trunk of an old ivy tree. When Adam discovers the long-lost Annabel standing in the moonlight near the ivy tree, he admits his undenying love to her. It's up to Annabel to make him realize their romance is over. Adam finally recognizes her as an imposter, but Mary persuades him to keep her identity secret as long as no one is hurt. A surprise plot twist sets up the , in which Annabel a/k/a Mary tries to save Adam from dying in a cave-in of an old cellar. Her heroic efforts lead to a final confrontation with Connor. | ||
| ==Characters== | ==Characters== | ||
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The Ivy Tree is a novel of romantic suspense by Mary Stewart. Her sixth novel, it was published in 1961 in Britain by Hodder & Stoughton and in 1962 in the United States by William Morrow. As usual with the author, the novel is narrated in first person by a bold and intelligent young woman, and the setting is picturesque—in this case, Northumberland.
Synopsis
After Connor Winslow threatens to push her over a cliff, thinking she is his ex-fiance Annabel Winslow, Mary Grey succeeds in making Connor believe she is not Annabel. Connor then offers Mary Grey an opportunity to earn needed money by persuading her to impersonate Annabel, who disappeared eight years ago from the Northumberland County family farm, Whitescar. Annabel's grandfather Matthew is delaying the announcement of whom he will leave Whitescar to in hopes of her return. His nephew, Connor, is determined to inherit Whitescar. If Mary will return as Annabel and if Matthew leaves the farm to her, she is to give it to Connor. Mary agrees, becomes Annabel, and goes to Whitescar succeeding in convincing the household -- Grandfather Matthew, Connor's sister Lisa, cousin Julie, and Mr. & Mrs. Bates (employees of Whitescar) -- that she is indeed Annabel. Mary's one weakness is horses, however. Annabel was practically a , while Mary is afraid of them and balks at the idea of riding one. Nevertheless, Mary offers a believable excuse and continues on with her deception. Then she discovers a secret even Connor did not know: Annabel was having an affair with a married neighbor, Adam Forrest. During their relationship, Annabel and Adam exchanged letters and notes by leaving them in the trunk of an old ivy tree. When Adam discovers the long-lost Annabel standing in the moonlight near the ivy tree, he admits his undenying love to her. It's up to Annabel to make him realize their romance is over. Adam finally recognizes her as an imposter, but Mary persuades him to keep her identity secret as long as no one is hurt. A surprise plot twist sets up the denouement, in which Annabel a/k/a Mary tries to save Adam from dying in a cave-in of an old cellar. Her heroic efforts lead to a final confrontation with Connor.
Characters
Mary Grey, a young Canadian alone and adrift in England. Connor Winslow, the attractive but hot-tempered and ruthless manager of Whitescar Farm. Lisa Dermott, Connor's loyal sister. Matthew Winslow, aged and domineering owner of Whitescar, grandfather of Connor, Annabel, Lisa and Julie. Julie Winslow, pretty, vulnerable young cousin of Annabel. Donald Seton, Julie's boyfriend, an archaeologist Adam Forrest, the Winslows' neighbor, a widower whose hands were disfigured in the unsuccessful attempt to save his wife from a fire.
Reviews
Mary Stewart was already a popular author of romantic suspense and most reviewers felt that this novel was up to her standards. The Atlantic Monthly said, "The author has a neat touch with red herrings and cambric-tea romances." The Christian Science Monitor said: "If the reader feels cheated by the denouement, the author has earned forgiveness by her exciting, belief-suspending account of Mary Grey's sensitive groping for the right response to those who are more sure than the reader that they have known her all her life." The eminent mystery-novel critic Anthony Boucher said, "No one writes the damsel in distress tale with greater charm or urgency."
References
Phoebe Adams, The Atlantic Monthly, April 1962 The Christian Science Monitor, January 11, 1962 Anthony Boucher, The New York Times Book Review, January 7, 1962
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