THE BELLS OF ROME by Mabel Esther Allan [1975]

William Heinemann, London, 1975 | Hardcover, 151pp | 14.5 x 22 cm | First edition

A tightly woven romantic suspense novel, The Bells of Rome captures both the historic atmosphere of the Eternal City and the claustrophobic intrigue of a villa filled with secrets. 

Flavia Scott arrives in Rome, her mother’s birthplace, as secretary-companion to a travel writer. At first enchanted by the chance to stay at the Villa Giannino, she soon senses that something is very wrong. The domineering matriarch insists the guests remain, despite claims of illness and whispered dangers. As unease mounts, Flavia becomes entangled in a sinister plot of deception, suspicion and possible murder - her only respite found in the beauty of ancient Rome and in a tentative connection with Ashley Bainbridge, a young American abroad.

Classic mid-70s Gothic thriller from the prolific Mabel Esther Allan, best known for her children’s and young adult novels. Bound in brown hardcovers with gilt lettering to the spine. Includes publisher's original dust jacket featuring an illustration by Clive Williams.

A scarce vintage title, with only a couple of copies in circulation.

Very good+ condition: Clean, bright and tightly bound copy. No inscriptions or annotations. A hint of surface and edge wear to jacket from handling and storage.