The House of Ravenbourne

The House of Ravensbourne by Mary Ann Gibbs
Cover Art by Mort Engel
published by Pyramid Books
Copyright 1964

A SUDDEN TWIST OF FATE

left Catherine Wittingham penniless and alone,
Disregarding the advice of others and her own
premonitions, she took the position of governess
in the foreboding Ravensbourne mansion.



But the chilling memory of Mary Ravensbourne
lurked in every shadow of the ill-fated house.
And Catherine found herself the terrified target
of unspeakable evil.

A Gothic novel of romance and terror in the tradition of Mary Stewart and Victoria Holt

Ah ... the penniless and alone. You've got to love them. They've got nothin' to lose and no one to protect them. I've got to get me one. Kind of like a canary in a coal mine, they seem to be able to detect unspeakable evil. And THAT always comes in handy.

I like the cover but I LOVE the close up on the back cover. I think our amateur governess would be one of those people who just photograph better in black and white. This cover is the work of the very talented Mort Engel. Below you'll find samples of some of his other work.

Gorgeous!

The way he seems to not be paying any attention to what he is doing with that ax, makes me glad she's a nurse.

Ow .. I want that one. That is an official "Weird Dude on the Cover"!

Well this can't be good.
Even if no one plans to shoot anyone he's still drinking out of puddle. Ick!

Dark Carnival

Dark Carnival by Maysie Greig
Cover Art by Lou Marchetti
published by Pyramid Books
Copyright 1950

CHATEAU OF DEATH

The imposing form of Chateau Trione rose ominously
above a cold, lifeless cliff from which, too recently, a
young girl had plunged mysteriously to her death.

Shirley had come to the medieval chateau at the invita-
tion of her good friend Robert, Count de Revenau. She
had come to recuperate from a broken engagement, to
loll on the sun-drenched sands of the Riveriera and to lose
herself in the gaiety of Carnival time in Nice.

What had she to do with a terrible tragedy that belonged
to the past? Now - with new love so near - why did she
find herself inextricable drawn to the cliffs ... to mystery
... to death? (all very good questions)

Wow, Lou Marchetti did a great job on this cover. It just screams Italian film dubbed in English. How appropriate. Awesome.

Born in Italy in the 1920's, Lou Marchetti grew up in United States, becoming a freelance illustrator and portrait painter. His illustrations graced the covers of numerous romance and pulp novels and magazines. His art was risqué, beautiful and truly memorable. There are many links to information on his art, including this one where there are posted image of his oil painting by his granddaughter

.

I want this book!



When he had run through the men in the boat, he had to look elsewhere.



Another fabulous piece!



Um ... I've interrupted you.