Vintage Gothic Romance: PILGRIM’S END by Lena Brooke McNamara

Back Cover Blurb:

Established in the guest cottage at Pilgrim’s End on the pretext of painting the portrait of its aged mistress, artist Diana Adams had a method to her seeming kindness: she had to find the original deed to the estate, for it would prove, beyond doubt, that Diana was its rightful owner.

But the legacy she unearthed was a testament of terror, created by a master of evil to whom violent death was no stranger.

With her own life now at stake, there was only one man to whom Diana could turn. But would he believe her? And if he did, could he reach her in time?


Publisher: Ace Books
Publication Date: 1967
Rating: 3 Stars


My Two-Cents:

My copy of PILGRIM’S END was from the first printing in 1967. The cover shows a dark haired woman, and the blurb on the back calls the heroine “Diana.” However, within the story the heroine is a blonde named Diane. (Diane’s love interest in the book goes from being named Mark to Jim a couple of times. Same guy!) Needless to say, quality control was lax.

After the death of her parents, artist Diane Adams travels to the Pilgrim’s End estate in Virginia to stake her claim to the property, but first she must find the deed hidden somewhere within its walls. Diane is only there a short while to paint the current mistress’s portrait, and unfortunately she’s not the only one who wants Pilgrim’s End for themselves, which puts her life in danger. The story had a so-so build up to an exciting ending.

The author of this book was also an artist/painter, so you can tell she knew her stuff.

4 thoughts on “Vintage Gothic Romance: PILGRIM’S END by Lena Brooke McNamara

  1. I love stories about artists. I would probably like it, and if you could get past the editing errors, maybe I could, too. I saw your IG post, and I hurried over to read your review.

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  2. I find it interesting that the blurb on the back of PILGRIM’S END refers to the protagonist as “Diana,” yet the cover shows a dark haired woman. It makes me wonder if there was a disconnect between the publisher and the cover artist. However, that aside, the plot of the novel sounds intriguing with the artist Diana Adams uncovering a legacy of terror while searching for the original deed to the estate. I’m curious to know more about the master of evil and the violent death that is no stranger to them. And of course, the question of whether the man Diana turns to will believe her and be able to reach her in time adds another layer of suspense to the story. Overall, I’m interested in checking out PILGRIM’S END and seeing how it all plays out.

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