Martha Leigh's aunt told her that there were only two choices for a woman: to marry or to be a governess.  Since Martha didn't "take" during her Season, she had no alternative.

So she subsequently ends up in a coach en route to Cornwall to be governess to Alwean, the difficult daughter of Connan Tremellyn.  At Mount Mellyn, she finds a spoiled and difficult girl and her arrogant and equally difficult father, who seems to have a dark secret. Much against her will, Martha finds herself drawn to Connan.  But until she can uncover the secrets around past tragedy, she will be unable to find future happiness.

This reissue of Holt's classic, originally published in 1960, will bring an excellent tale of romantic suspense to new readers.  Holt set the formula that many writers have followed: an old mansion or castle, preferably in Cornwall; a sensual rich hero with a secret in his past; a troubled child; and an impoverished, proud heroine.

Mistress of Mellyn reads as suspenseful and enjoyable today as it did more than 40 years ago. It is hoped that St Martins will be reissuing many of Holt's novels for our renewed enjoyment.