Reviews for "Anna, where are you?"

The average rating for "Anna, where are you?" based on 2 reviews is 5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2019-02-28 00:00:00 Ig Moore Wow! This is probably the best Miss Silver novel I have read so far - and one of the most detailed - and dangerous. I discovered much more about Miss Silver, her past, what matters most to her, and what she stands for. Her long-term friendships with previous clients and their families as well as previous students come into play. One of her most valued friendships is with Frank Abbott, Inspector Detective with Scotland Yard. As the story begins, Thomasina's friend abruptly left her post as companion and she does not write to Thomasina as promised. When her movements are tracked down to a small arts colony run by a charismatic leader whose wife has three children, the police and Miss Silver believe they are on the right track in locating the elusive Anna. Apparently, Anna left the position as mother's helper less than a month after arriving and no-one has heard from her since. Miss Silver goes undercover in this interesting and suspenseful novel. Her position as governess in the household from which Anna disappeared is complicated when Thomasina herself obtains an invitation to visit two elderly ladies who are part of the colony. Although Miss Silver always has good charge of her yarn as she knits up little jackets, bootees, and socks, the skeins of yarn in this story are tangled from the start and become even more so as time passes. It is one of the most baffling cases Miss Silver has ever tackled and although there are clues that lead to suspects, the chief problem is that there are a lot of suspects, and no victim. However, a series of other crimes in nearby areas start to connect to the arts colony and now everyone comes under even closer scrutiny. As the arts colony and its inhabitants become the focus of attention, the facades begin to crack. Patricia Wentworth's writing is always characterized by fascinating psychological motivations and insights. In this novel, there are plenty of candidates for psychological observance. As always, the pacing is perfect and the story itself adds urgency to curiosity. A great story, fascinating characters, and strong psychological portrayals - I couldn't ask for more when it comes to an intriguing read.

Review # 2 was written on 2017-08-10 00:00:00 Tho Do "You couldn't let murderers go free, but when you knew people they weren't just murderers, they were people you knew." This stellar Miss Silver mystery from the early '50s is full of atmosphere, and easily ranks in the top ten among her mysteries featuring the unobtrusive, Tennyson quoting, and ever knitting Miss Silver. As always, there is a romance that plays out against the mystery. When you read a slew of Miss Silvers in a row, you can tell she had a sort of free-floating formula, but her characters were always different, as were the crimes and the romantic angle. Soon after you begin reading, it's easy to forget about the previous one, so immersed are we in these strange new circumstances, so artfully laid out before us by one of the great crime writers of the Golden Age, Patricia Wentworth. Wentworth herself had warmth, and more than a little psychological understanding, and that always comes across in her Miss Silver stories. For example, examine this little gem from late in the narrative: "…it is, and always has been, quite impossible to account for the violent attraction which some criminals appear to exercise. The victims are as a rule lonely women who have failed to make other ties. It is a tragic spectacle, and one which would be avoided if these people would realize that their craving for the affection defeats its own ends. If they were willing to give instead of merely wishing to receive, they would form genuine bonds of friendship and not fall a prey to the first adventurer who plays upon their vanity." ' Miss Silver Lovely Thomasina Elliot, a native Scott whose eyes are wonderfully described by Wentworth, is worried enough about her old friend Anna Ball to place an advertisement in the Agony Column. Miss Silver will notice it, because of the usual name, and because of the ad itself: "Anna, where are you? Do you please write. Thomasina." It seems that Anna Ball has left her job one dark afternoon, suitcase in hand, and never returned. More importantly, she has not written to Thomasina, practically her only friend. Peter Brandon, who calls Thomasina, Tamsin, hardly understands why she wants to pursue Anna Ball's disappearance on such flimsy pretense, considering how much trouble Anna can be. Their back and forth of course, forms the budding romantic element always present in any Miss Silver mystery. But it is Miss Silver's old friend Inspector Frank Abbott who brings the case to Miss Silver. Though he can't point to any evidence of foul play, he has a feeling deep down that something has happened. Perhaps because something has happened before in the village where Deepe House sits, as if waiting for something else to happen. It was Anna's last known sighting, as she was seen leaving the village in a red hat. But there's that woman who drowned eighteen months earlier… Frank doesn't want Miss Silver to insert herself at Deepe House, but that's exactly what she does, discovering much more than she bargained for. How it ties in to the impressionable young girl, Jennifer, some bank robberies, and an old house in the woods associated with disturbing stories, leads to an atmospheric ending with Thomasina in great danger, and Miss Silver hearing shots ring out in the night. Miss Silver, however, may not know enough to prevent someone from the gallows, on the word of someone twisted by hatred and envy in this involving story. There is a satisfying wrap-up to both the mystery and the romance that will leave a smile on the reader's face. Dora Amy Elles (Patricia Wentworth) was born in India, during the time of the Raj. Tragically widowed young, but fortunate enough to find love and happiness again, she imbued her Miss Silver mysteries with charming romance, and understanding. Miss Silver's unobtrusiveness has perhaps worked against her as the decades have passed, but there is a reason that for well over a decade, Wentworth rivaled Christie, Sayers, Allingham and the lot in popularity. Anna, Where Are You? is a classic village mystery with good characters, a touch of romance, and an atmospheric and exciting conclusion. It is, in fact, one of Patricia Wentworth's most stellar Miss Silver entries, and well worth checking out.