The Master of Seacliff

Author - Max Pierce ... [Goo?] [Posters]

This Paperback Book item from Harrington Park Press was reviewed on 25-Oct-2008.

Search ISBN:1560236361 offer from Abebooks or used books from Alibris. The Master of Seacliff Reference Book. Classifications : Gay Fiction Literature & Fiction Gay & Lesbian Subjects Books General Fiction Literature & Fiction Gay & Lesbian Subjects Books General AAS Fiction Literature & Fiction Gay & Lesbian Subjects Books Co . Click the following link to view the cover of The Master of Seacliff.

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1) Paperback Book The Master of Seacliff by Harrington Park Press. I finished this book in two afternoons and just loved it! The novel could be classified as a gay gothic romance/mystery. It is well written and yet easy to read. Definately one of my absolute favorites in the gay historical fiction department. A couple of reviewers didn´t like this book and I can´t figure out why except to think that they don´t like this KIND of book - the setting or the story. So below are a few of my favorites. If you liked any of them, you´ll probably enjoy "The Master of Seacliff." Again, I definately recommend it and can´t wait until Max Pierce writes another one!
Other favorites:" Gaywick" (forget the cheesy title and cover art work - it´s wonderful)by Vincent Virga
" The God in Flight" (also excellent) by Laura Argiri
" Earthly Joys" by Philippa Gregory
"Lord John and the Brotherhood of the Blade" (and the two other Lord John books) by Diana Gabaldon
" the Price of Temptation" (not great literature, but a fun read) by M.J. Pearson
"The God of Mirrors" (novel about Oscar Wilde - excellent) by Robert Reilly
and in the fantasy department "Mordred, Bastard Son" by Douglas Clegg¤

2) Paperback Book The Master of Seacliff by Harrington Park Press. When I first got The Master of Seacliff, I was excited. Finally, a chance to read a gay gothic romance other than Gaywyck. 15 pages into the book the story started to feel familiar. I am a HUGE fan of gothic romance, so in one regard they all feel familiar. A few more pages into it, and I had it. Pierce took a good deal of his plot from Victoria Holt´s Mistress of Mellyn. The little boy Ash is a male version of Holt´s Gillyflower. Elena Van Horne is Holt´s Celestine Nansallock. Leo Van Horne is Holt´s Peter Nansallock. Even the ending, where the villain is revealed to have killed before, is taken from Mistress of Mellyn. The parts of this book not taken from Mistress of Mellyn are taken from Vincent Virga´s Gaywyck. The crazy butler is just Julian Denvers retransplanted from Virga´s Gaywyck and given a different name but the same motive.

I am surprised that Holt´s estate didn´t catch such blatant plagerism. Perhaps because this book is in the gay gothic genre, they missed it completely. Aside from the plagerism, the book is weak. The protagonist wants to become an artist, works in a notions store before being hired to teach at Seacliff, but has never worked with watercolors, oils, pastels or charcoal and we are supposed to believe that he would instantly know how to paint without the slightest instruction, even on the sly. Also, he takes the job at Seacliff to pay for his trip to France to become an artist. However, what was he supposed to live on once he got there, air?

I reread this book twice before writing this review, in addition to rereading Holt´s Mistress of Mellyn. I wanted to make sure I had my facts straight before writing this review. I am sad to see something touted as such a great book when many elements of the main story have been clearly taken from another story.¤

3) Paperback Book The Master of Seacliff by Harrington Park Press. Max Pierce´s first work, THE MASTER OF SEACLIFF, is a lush gothic gay romance that also doubles as a whodunit in the style of Agatha Christie. Andrew is a young, timid artist who accepts a position as a tutor at Seacliff, an eerie fog-enshrouded mansion that is perhaps even haunted by the ghost of its murdered owner. Duncan, the son and current master is the number one suspect and also a potential mate for Andrew.

Pierce meticulously creates all the details of the gothic genre. The romantic aspect is beautifully restrained and slowly drawn out, a refreshing change from most current gay romantic fiction that jumps into the sex scenes in the first chapter. As a murder mystery it is well plotted and will keep you guessing all the way up to the final twists at the end.

The cover art is beautiful with its spooky, gothic design, but the bare-chested, Fabio-type model doesn´t match the author´s description of the somewhat frail, slender Andrew.

Pierce has done the gothic romance genre proud.
¤

4) Paperback Book The Master of Seacliff by Harrington Park Press. This book came up in my recommendations list, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Other reviewers and the book´s website mention the "classic" TV show Dark Shadows (which we watched faithfully and even had a board game) as well as comparisons to "Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier.

Andrew at 20 years of age accepts a post as a tutor to further his dreams as an artist. His natural talent as a teacher becomes apparent. Duncan was perfect as dark and mysterious lord-of-manor type. But the romance between Andrew and Duncan wasn´t easy, as other dashing and experienced men try to court Andrew´s affections as well as the unresolved mysteries surrounding the cast of characters.

I was surprised by the plot twists and turns, and was not expecting the conclusion. I loved the cover art, and the image of Andrew fit exactly! This was a very enjoyable read, curled up on the couch, on a rainy afternoon!!!
¤

5) Paperback Book The Master of Seacliff by Harrington Park Press. Sweat-soaked bodies? Rippling pecs? Is this the same book? This was a ´cookie-cutter´ gothic romance(?)(I use the term loosely), with every cliche I have ever read rolled into it. eg.the dour valet,the coach pulled by 2 black stallions,the mansion on the hill shrouded in fog,the murder mystery of who killed who.
Very little imaginative content in this story and the ´so-called´ romance between the young tutor and the lord of the manor was not fully developed . I didn´t feel many characters introduced were fully developed and that the author was throwing new characters at me without taking the time to position them properly in the story. I didn´t feel connected to anyone except Elena and Leo. It felt to me like there were some chapters missing.
The author seemed to rush the story by using a couple of sentences to sum up what should have been a couple of chapters. eg.They went to dinner in Manhattan, ate the meal and the next thing is they are packing to leave.
I think this is more a book for teens.¤

6) Paperback Book The Master of Seacliff by Harrington Park Press. Seacliffe is a dark and brooding mansion enshrouded in near-eternal fog, dark mystery and suspicion - perhaps a reflection of the house´s master. An imposing Blackbeard of a man, Duncan Stewart is both feared and admired by his business associates as well as the people he calls friends. And his home, in which young tutor and aspiring artists Andrew Wyndham must now reside, holds terrible secrets - secrets that could destroy everyone within its walls. For pure gothic escapism with a decidedly masculine point of view, "The Master of Seacliff" is an enthralling and satisfying read.¤

Page Updated: Robert N. Goolsby, 22-Nov-2008, 15602363619781560236368, 2X0-611-161-781-091-931-8

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