The Moon-Spinners: The perfect comforting summer read from the Queen of the Romantic Mystery

It must have been about 40 years ago that I first discovered Mary Stewart. At that time I read everything by her that I could get my hands on. I'm happy to see that a new generation is discovering her also. I reread The Moon-Spinners as part of an Enchanted Mega-Buddy Read in a group that I belong to in Goodreads. It was fun comparing notes and having one of the other readers pick up some significant detail that you missed. I can honestly say that a good time was had by all.For me it was a pleasurable reread of an old friend. I remembered almost nothing from the first read 40 years ago. The heroine of the story was an English girl named Nicola. See works in a minor capacity at the British Embassy in Athens. She and her cousin Frances agree to meet for a holiday in a small town on the Isle of Crete.You can tell that this was written in a kinder, gentler time because I can't imagine a 22 year old girl today would be safe wondering around on Crete all alone.Nicola decides to take a trek into the mountains before heading for the small town of Athos Georgios where her cousin will be joining her in a few days. Mary Stewart paints a glorious picture of the scenery. Her words bring out the beauty of Crete.While on her wondering through the countryside, she stumbles across a wounded man and his companion with a strange story to tell. She helps the wounded man, Mark, a fellow Englishman, while he tells her how he ended up with the bullet hole. Suddenly Crete doesn't seem that safe after all and the tiny town where she and her cousin will be staying suddenly seems dangerous.That is as far as I go into the story without divulging the rest of the story which the reader needs to discover for themselves. This book is fascinating, exciting and so worth reading. Enjoy!!!

I read this years ago, when I was 13, and I thought it was marvelous. At the time I was strictly a science fiction and fantasy fan, so this was totally new for me. I quickly checked out all the rest of her novels, and enjoyed them all.This is an adventure set on the Greek island of Crete, and has all the mystery, danger and romance you could ask for. It was written in the 50s or early 60s, so the slang will be unfamiliar, and it has a refreshing innocence that is completely missing in novels written in today's times.Results: rereading this was so much fun. I'm sure that it would be enjoyable for new readers as well. It's a timeless classic, I believe. And there is no gratuitous sex, no foul language, and no explicit violence. Try it, I think you'll like it.

The first time I encountered this story was seeing the Disney movie in the theater while in junior high. Then I saw the book in the library and tried to check it out. Being just 13, I wasn’t old enough to check out adult books, but the librarian knew me and made an exception. I was expecting the book to be just like the movie, but it wasn’t - it was so much better! And so began my introduction to Mary Stewart. I read everything she wrote. When a new book came out, the library would hold a copy for me and call my mom to let me know. This is still one of my favorites, so I was thrilled to see them re-released in Kindle format. I’m laid up following shoulder surgery and dived right in. I was a little afraid it would feel dated, but no fears. It is certainly vintage and reflects the social mores of the time, especially with regard to dress, but the story stands on its own and was as fun to read now (for the 3rd time) as it was in the late 60s when I first read it. Mary Stewart’s books shine because they are very well-written stories about well-defined characters. I strongly recommend this book and pretty much any other book by Stewart.

I started reading Mary Stewart’s novels when I was a very young woman. A few reviews of her books said they were “dated”. Well, at 76 years of age I’m dated too. Madam, Will You Talk? (her first) was my favorite—with her well-written prose and descriptions of foreign locales. And, although her novels are romantic suspense, the romance never overshadows the story. Perhaps modern romantic suspense writers should take note of this.

Mary Stewart always delivers the goods, and The Moon-spinners is par for the course! Her mysteries are always good reading!

I read it because when I was younger I loved the Disney movie The Moon-Spinners and was curious. I enjoyed this book but it definitely isn’t the same as the movie.

Lots of geographic descriptions, but a good story is nestled among them. Two British ladies find themselves caught up on an island, not knowing who were the good guys and who were the crooks.

The Mary Stewart books filled me with the desire to see their settings. They are suspense with a little romance. This was one of my favorites.

This is one of my favorite reads. I love how the story gets you into the thick of it right away. The plot moves well and feels like a great adventure that anybody might stumble in. I love the heroine she is brave, spunky and resourceful but also shows vulnerability and kindness. I have seen the movie and although very entertaining I feel the book brings more to the characters and to the story.

Read 10 times or more, this eloquent and slightly vintage style story is one of my all-time favorite novels. The perfect combination of atmosphere, suspense, travel and a hint of romance! This book makes you wish it's characters were your friends, and you can smell origanum and wild mountain thyme while you read it.

I haven't read one of Mary Stewart's books in years so it was an absolute delight to come across Moon Spinners. I couldn't believe I hadn't read it before as I thought I'd read most of her books. As always, a very enjoyable read.

Good storyline, kept.you guessing.

Eingebettet in einem Krimi, erzählt Mary Stewart auf höchst anspruchsvollem -- und teilweise altmodischem Englisch -- die Geschichte von der jungen Engländerin Nicola Ferris, die mit ihrer Cousine in einem kleinen abgelegenen Dorf auf Kreta ein paar Tage Urlaub machen will, aber schon vor Beginn ihrer Ankunft im Hotel in eine Mordgeschichte verwickelt wird. Wenn man sich immer vor Augen führt, dass dieses Buch 1964 veröffentlicht wurde, kann man über die Beschreibungen der "wilden" Kretaner und die leicht befremdlich anmutende Wortwahl der Autorin schmunzeln und hinwegsehen. Dennoch ist es eine kleine, spannende Geschichte, die unterhält. Auch für Jugendliche sehr geeignet. Es gibt übrigens eine Verfilmung aus den 60'er Jahren mit der englischen Schauspielerin Hayley Mills, die, auf der Höhe ihrer Karriere, in diesem Film ihren ersten Filmkuss erhielt. Das machte damals Schlagzeilen! Auch noch auf DVD erhältlich.