Patricia Wentworth has created a rival to Miss Marple with her detective Miss Silver. Pilgrim's Rest is the tenth Miss Silver Mystery, written in 1946. While I enjoyed it, think there must be better titles in the series. They have been released by Hodder & Stoughton with a series of 1950's retro covers. They attracted me and I think they add to the flavour of the reading, they set a nice tone.
Being the first I have read in the series, I couldn't help picturing the woman on the front of the book as Miss Silver, and so, had a hard time with the characterization. In my mind Miss Silver was a version of Miss Marple in her forties investigating in wartime Britain, whereas Miss Silver is a senior, who loves to knit while she sleuths and has a penchant for light coughs before introducing a point. A subtle notice before you speak up perhaps, but when she is coughing two or three times a page, it's time for a glass of water for Miss Silver!
Young Judy is caring for her niece, as well as being housemaid, in the home of Roger Pilgrim and his family. There is an omen that says no one shall sell the large country house Pilgrim's Rest, yet that is exactly what Roger is planning. His father died under mysterious circumstances, and two attempts have been made on Roger's life already. Roger asks the ex-governess Miss Silver to come and observe the other houseguests including two elderly aunts, a nurse, a cousin, a butler and his wife. Soon, people are being pushed out of windows and off the rooftops, you know how that tends to happen at English country estates. Especially when there is a nosey old lady knitting nearby.
Miss Silver coughs.
There is a great attention to detail, yet the writing remains speedy and light. Red herrings and many clues are liberally sprinkled throughout, but you can sit back and be entertained as Miss Silver will wrap up all the loose ends as she goes over the whole plot from start to finish at the conclusion.
Miss Silver sat up and gave a slight cough.
The best thing about this book was, after getting it at a book sale, I notice someone has written in the margins of the book! Beautiful cursive handwriting such as people don't learn or practice anymore. Being written in 1946, Wentworth often uses words not found in language today, and these are gently underlined with explanations in the margins.
("Miss Silver coughed in a horatory manner" ~ and in the margin, "give strong encouragement"). These are sprinkled throughout the book and were so pleasant to come across, little connections from one reader to another.
She gave her little cough.
Pilgrim's Rest reminded me most of Some Must Watch by Ethel Lina White (the basis for the film The Spiral Staircase). The large rambling house, the rooms at the end of hidden corridors. If you want to spend some time with a willful and slightly devious family in the countryside for a weekend, the Miss Silver mysteries fit the bill. Not as refined as Miss Marple, more relaxed, but always entertaining. It's a clean cozy mystery with some bloodless murders and family plotting.
In my readers mind, even after reading the mystery, I still think of Miss Silver as being in her forties, and find her actions and comments fit that age more than that of a senior.
Yes, Miss Silver, in my eyes you will always be forever forty.
Miss Silver coughed.
1946 / Paperback / 378 pages
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