A gripping, nail-biting adventure set in Scotland, from the original queen of romantic suspense

Total heaven. I''d rather read her than most other authors'' Harriet Evans

When Rose Fenemore takes a desperately needed holiday to an isolated cottage on the Scottish island of Moila she doesn''t expect much in the way of adventure - just a few quiet weeks of writing, walking and bird-watching.

And then, late one night during a wild storm, two young men appear in her doorway, seeking shelter from the wind and rain. Neither man is quite who he claims, and the question of who to trust will put Rose in grave peril . . .

Praise for Mary Stewart:

''Mary Stewart is magic'' New York Times

''One of the great British storytellers of the 20th century'' Independent

''She set the benchmark for pace, suspense and romance - with a great dollop of escapism as the icing'' Elizabeth Buchan

''Mary Stewart''s writing is illuminated by her evident affection for the Western Scottish landscape . . . a rattling good yarn'' Sunday Telegraph

Reader reviews of Stormy Petrel:

''Mary Stewart! What an author! . . . The plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, and the writing is a joy''

''She truly is one of the best romantic suspense writers, if not the best''

''Like consuming really rich chocolate you don''t want it to end . . . She has the gift and has been sharing it with her readers generously. She still has magic''

''Mary Stewart specialises in novels which have you alternately holding your breath as to what might happen, or chuckling to yourself''