The Grey Beginning (1984)

 


Somebody's Watching Me

After the death of her young Italian husband Bart in a car accident, American Kathy Malone seeks closure by visiting his grandmother at the ancient Florentine estate of the Morandinis. At first, the elegant, aristocratic Francesca is forbidding, but when Kathy accidentally gives the impression that she is pregnant, she suddenly finds herself welcome for an extended stay at the decaying villa. There, she befriends the visiting American professor David Brown, and the lonely ten year old count, Pietro. But some things at the estate don't quite add up--the vicious dog, the forbidden wing, and the purported 'madness' of Pete. And are the visions of Bart Kathy's having just nightmares? Or something more sinister?

The Grey Beginning, title taken from Robert Browning's "Fra Lippo Lippi", feels very Nine Coaches Waiting, but rather slower, and lacking somehow in the same dash. Not to say it's not a good read! I was on the edge of my seat towards the end, praying it would all work out somehow. But it meanders, where Coaches doesn't, takes it's time in the middle to draw out ordinary life in the Morandini villa before the horrors are unveiled to eyes that have probably already guessed something is very, very amiss.

Kathy's secret was played neatly, although anyone familiar with MPM's works should be able to guess that there's something untold to her relationship with her deceased husband. It's one of her trademarks--that emotional sleight-of-hand with a character's...well, character (see both Prince of Darkness and The Dark on the Other Side).

History plays less of a role in this than her usual Michael's titles, veering more modern day thriller/mystery, with only David's digging around in the attic for Coptic embroideries offering even a nod to MPM's usually history focused works. That lack of historical flair is the reason I don't adore this book, I'm afraid, since it's usually her history mysteries where she really shines. 

Nonetheless, a solid read, with some endearing side characters (Angelo forever) and a glimpse of Florence that makes me greedy.

Rating: ***

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