Violet Needham

[Anita Bensoussane]

Years ago, I read The Horn of Merlyns and another Violet Needham title (I can't recall which one now) but I didn't find them as exciting as I'd expected. Anyway, yesterday I bought The Emerald Crown for 50p from a bookstall at the market (complete with slightly dull-looking dustwrapper featuring a black line drawing of galloping horses, with a green surround). It's a Ruritanian novel set in the Kingdom of Flavonia, according to the blurb on the front flap. The people are ruled by a usurper - but who is the rightful king? The book was first published in 1940, but my copy dates from 1946 and is the third impression.

Goodness knows when I'll read it as there are so many books on my "to read" pile already, but at that price I couldn't resist buying it!

[Debbie]

The Emerald Crown and House of the Paladin are my favourites, followed by Stormy Petrel.

Some of them suffer a little bit from needing to know earlier books, but those ones don't.

[Anita Bensoussane]

Thanks, Debbie. That's good to know. I'm glad The Emerald Crown is one of your favourites.