The Observations

Cool sites
- Blog Directory
Currently Reading
- The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
- Leonardo's Swans by Karen Essex
- Cry of Justice by Jason Pratt
- Collected Poems by Donald Justice
- Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich (audio)
Recent Posts
Tags
ARCs Audiobooks Authors blog awards Bones Book Blogs booking through thursday book lists bookmarks magazine Books bookstores children's lit Christmas diana gabaldon Essays fantasy Giveaways graphic novels historical fiction House Laurie R. King mailbox monday modern fiction Movies musing mondays mysteries mystery Narnia neil gaiman oscars outlander Poetry Prince Caspian Read alouds Reading Challenges Reviews Short Stories sunday salon susan vreeland teaser tuesdays TV on DVD twilight vocabulary Words Writing
Reading Challenge Bloggers
Essay Challenge Bloggers
Archives
Meta

Dec 29 2008

Published by Carrie at 7:03 am under Books, Reviews Edit This

Bessy, the 15-year-old narrator of Jane Harris’ The Observations, is one of the most interesting and quirky characters I’ve encountered in a long time. She has a shady past, and has left Glasgow and her mother in order to find work and make something better of herself. She comes across Castle Haivers near the small town of Slatter, and is hired on as the estate’s “in-and-out” girl.

The estate is not so much castle as a large farm, owned by James and Arabella Reid. Master James is a notorious skinflint, and so Bessy is hired to do the work that would normally require a housekeeper and two or three maids. In spite of that, though, Bessy takes the job, mostly because she is immediately taken with Mistress Arabella. Marm, as Bessy is instructed to call her, hires Bessy mainly because of her ability to read and write, and gives her an odd assignment. Bessy is to record her daily activities and thoughts and feelings in a journal for Arabella to read in the evenings.

That’s not the only odd thing Bessy is asked to do, and she becomes more and more curious about her mistress’s odd behavior. As she investigates, she uncovers a tale of that involves the ghosts of maids past, a mysterious death, and a whole slew of unsavory characters.

Bessy unfolds the story as she herself experiences it, and her unique voice and way of speaking endeared her to me as I read. I found myself laughing at some of the predicaments she found herself in, and also crying over the details of her unsavory past and the abuses that had been forced upon her at such a young age. But most of all, I wanted to find out what had happened to the former maid Nora, and why the mistress’s mind was coming “unhinged.”

This page-turner was a great way to spend Christmas weekend.

4 out of 5 stars

Share and Enjoy:

Possibly-related Articles: (auto-generated)

Advertise Here with Today.com

191 Responses to “The Observations”

# spankingon 02 Oct 2009 at 8:51 am edit this

Thanks again!
# pissingon 02 Oct 2009 at 7:27 pm edit this

thx!. This one is great!!!
# lippost607on 03 Oct 2009 at 6:10 am edit this

http://kjrbhgrkg.ifrance.com/pat-garret-and-billy-the-kid.html
# what are the ingredients in phentermineon 06 Oct 2009 at 11:25 am edit this

Incredible site!
# can i take soma with tramadolon 06 Oct 2009 at 1:18 pm edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# phentermine no prescripti phentermine obesity phenermineon 06 Oct 2009 at 3:11 pm edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# adipex no rx sat deliveryon 06 Oct 2009 at 5:02 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# buy adipex tabletson 06 Oct 2009 at 6:54 pm edit this

Beautiful site!
# tramadol and motrin togetheron 06 Oct 2009 at 8:47 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# xanax made me feelon 06 Oct 2009 at 10:39 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# xanax urine test how longon 07 Oct 2009 at 12:32 am edit this

Great site. Good info.
# tramadol use with canineson 07 Oct 2009 at 2:26 am edit this

Perfect work!
# adipex buy online withouton 07 Oct 2009 at 4:20 am edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# Ybiremwenon 07 Oct 2009 at 2:55 pm edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!,
# Gridiaon 07 Oct 2009 at 3:41 pm edit this

Perfect work!,
# 3 tramadol drugon 11 Oct 2009 at 12:42 pm edit this

Perfect work!
# phentermine usa licensed pharmacy rx onlineon 11 Oct 2009 at 2:34 pm edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# cialis wmvon 11 Oct 2009 at 4:26 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# tramadol with celexaon 11 Oct 2009 at 6:17 pm edit this

Great work, webmaster, nice design!
# detox diet buy tramadolon 11 Oct 2009 at 8:08 pm edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# phentermine information side effectson 11 Oct 2009 at 10:01 pm edit this

Beautiful site!
# viagra cialis specialson 11 Oct 2009 at 11:52 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# tramadol feelings onlineon 12 Oct 2009 at 1:46 am edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# cialis jpgon 12 Oct 2009 at 3:40 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# doctor prescription phentermine in virginiaon 12 Oct 2009 at 5:33 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# transdermal cialison 12 Oct 2009 at 7:27 am edit this

Great site. Good info.
# phentermine without prescriptions mastercardson 12 Oct 2009 at 9:22 am edit this

Incredible site!
# tramadol sprayon 12 Oct 2009 at 11:16 am edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# tramadol side effects itchingon 12 Oct 2009 at 1:10 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# phentermine fedex no scripton 12 Oct 2009 at 3:03 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# buy phentermine online without doctors approvalon 12 Oct 2009 at 4:57 pm edit this

If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
# cortisol and adipexon 12 Oct 2009 at 6:55 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# purchase tramadol without a prescriptionon 12 Oct 2009 at 8:50 pm edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# tramadol and subutex interactionson 12 Oct 2009 at 10:42 pm edit this

Incredible site!
# buy phentermine epharmaciston 13 Oct 2009 at 12:40 am edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!
# difference between ibuprofen and tramadolon 13 Oct 2009 at 2:35 pm edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# clotures sp cialis eson 13 Oct 2009 at 4:32 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# imitation cialison 13 Oct 2009 at 6:28 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# phentermine in aiken south carolinaon 13 Oct 2009 at 8:25 pm edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# rx for adipexon 13 Oct 2009 at 10:21 pm edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!
# research chemical sellers adipexon 14 Oct 2009 at 12:18 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# 900 mg tramadol per dayon 14 Oct 2009 at 2:14 am edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# phentermine 37.5mg green and white capsuleon 14 Oct 2009 at 4:10 am edit this

Beautiful site!
# phentermine without prescription clear blueon 14 Oct 2009 at 6:07 am edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# how much weight loss on phentermineon 14 Oct 2009 at 8:03 am edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# what is tramadol hcl 50 mg tablet tevon 14 Oct 2009 at 9:59 am edit this

Beautiful site!
# phentermine used with percoceton 14 Oct 2009 at 11:55 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# tramadol medicine for dogson 14 Oct 2009 at 1:53 pm edit this

Perfect work!
# viagra purchaseson 14 Oct 2009 at 3:50 pm edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# ultram and ultracet and tramadolon 14 Oct 2009 at 5:48 pm edit this

Beautiful site!
# somas oil moroccoon 14 Oct 2009 at 5:48 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# phentermine from germanyon 14 Oct 2009 at 7:46 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# buy adipex osc plon 14 Oct 2009 at 9:43 pm edit this

Beautiful site!
# adipex buy 35565 buyon 14 Oct 2009 at 11:40 pm edit this

Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
# but adipex without a prescriptionon 15 Oct 2009 at 1:39 am edit this

Great site. Keep doing.
# adipex online from overseason 15 Oct 2009 at 3:39 am edit this

Great work, webmaster, nice design!
# tramadol alternovaon 16 Oct 2009 at 1:55 pm edit this

Great work, webmaster, nice design!
# phentermine equivalentson 16 Oct 2009 at 3:54 pm edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# cheap adipex no prior rxon 16 Oct 2009 at 5:50 pm edit this

Beautiful site!
# tramadol abuse potentialon 16 Oct 2009 at 7:47 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# tramadol coctailon 16 Oct 2009 at 9:43 pm edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!
# don't buy generic cialison 16 Oct 2009 at 11:39 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# price cialis 20mgon 17 Oct 2009 at 1:35 am edit this

Great work, webmaster, nice design!
# phentermine how does it work dangerson 17 Oct 2009 at 3:30 am edit this

Incredible site!
# tramadol hydrochlorineon 17 Oct 2009 at 5:27 am edit this

Great. Now i can say thank you!
# effectiveness of tramadolon 17 Oct 2009 at 5:27 am edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!
# average weightloss adipexon 17 Oct 2009 at 7:22 am edit this

Incredible site!
# butalbital tramadolon 17 Oct 2009 at 9:17 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# tramadol use on dogson 17 Oct 2009 at 11:12 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# phentermine same day shippingon 17 Oct 2009 at 1:11 pm edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# adipex secure websiteon 17 Oct 2009 at 3:09 pm edit this

Great. Now i can say thank you!
# adipex leaking urineon 17 Oct 2009 at 5:06 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# online phentermine cod overnight deliveryon 17 Oct 2009 at 7:04 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# tramadol 50 mg side effectson 17 Oct 2009 at 9:00 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# amiodarone tramadol interactionon 17 Oct 2009 at 10:57 pm edit this

Perfect work!
# price comparison viagra cialison 18 Oct 2009 at 1:09 am edit this

Great site. Keep doing.
# tramadol shopping carton 18 Oct 2009 at 3:08 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# laneyguillon 19 Oct 2009 at 6:11 pm edit this

beginning environmental emission contribute economic
# wigmanpilkon 19 Oct 2009 at 6:13 pm edit this

less working societies group melting
# nj physicians that prescribe phentermineon 20 Oct 2009 at 1:05 pm edit this

Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
# get a prescription for phentermine onlineon 20 Oct 2009 at 2:59 pm edit this

Great work, webmaster, nice design!
# tramadol legal to buy onlineon 20 Oct 2009 at 4:53 pm edit this

Great. Now i can say thank you!
# menopause cialison 20 Oct 2009 at 6:46 pm edit this

Perfect work!
# online pharmacy adipex no membershipon 20 Oct 2009 at 8:40 pm edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# cialis viagra paypalon 20 Oct 2009 at 10:35 pm edit this

Great work, webmaster, nice design!
# tramadol withdrawal insomniaon 21 Oct 2009 at 2:57 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# canada viagra cialis on lineon 21 Oct 2009 at 5:28 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# 8 online pharmacy tramadolon 21 Oct 2009 at 7:25 am edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# adipex and depression side effectson 21 Oct 2009 at 9:22 am edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# cheap xanax cheap tramadolon 21 Oct 2009 at 11:18 am edit this

Perfect work!
# the effects of xanax and alcoholon 21 Oct 2009 at 1:15 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# reviews of viagra cialis and levitraon 21 Oct 2009 at 3:11 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# phentermine bought with mastercardon 21 Oct 2009 at 5:09 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# xanax graphson 21 Oct 2009 at 7:07 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# tramadol and ambien taken togetheron 21 Oct 2009 at 9:03 pm edit this

Perfect work!
# buy tramadol online without a scripton 21 Oct 2009 at 11:01 pm edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!
# ambien or xanaxon 22 Oct 2009 at 12:58 am edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!
# xanax without prescription cheapon 22 Oct 2009 at 2:59 am edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# Touristsnhjon 22 Oct 2009 at 7:47 pm edit this

kcjnvtifrmlqh salesiasp geologists matrons goshawks jugglers pipers canal stem flowers angels tests servants guillemots soldiers troops senators goldfinches impediments tigers islands cyclists pages documents professors monitors drunks athletes girls worshippers cash directors jewels grouse lapwings goths boys martens tennis wolves pheasants grapes thieves trucks mountains show young barons beauties corgis courtiers cards bread misers brush lorries tasks
# adipex buy 35 cheap adipex onlineon 24 Oct 2009 at 2:41 am edit this

Great site. Good info.
# adipex phertermine infoon 24 Oct 2009 at 4:38 am edit this

Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
# xanax available without a prescriptionon 24 Oct 2009 at 6:34 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# cheap phentermine great workon 24 Oct 2009 at 8:31 am edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# new tramadol tramadol ultramon 24 Oct 2009 at 10:27 am edit this

Great. Now i can say thank you!
# xanax and taperon 24 Oct 2009 at 12:24 pm edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# tramadol safe for humanson 24 Oct 2009 at 2:20 pm edit this

Great work, webmaster, nice design!
# purchase phentermine is phentermine safeon 24 Oct 2009 at 4:17 pm edit this

Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
# canadian pharmacy cialis dealson 24 Oct 2009 at 6:13 pm edit this

Great site. Keep doing.
# online viagra cialis ricettaon 24 Oct 2009 at 8:03 pm edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# tramadol pharmacy c o don 24 Oct 2009 at 10:01 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# phentermine adipex saleson 25 Oct 2009 at 2:50 am edit this

Great site. Keep doing.
# tramadol for sleepingon 25 Oct 2009 at 5:10 am edit this

Great. Now i can say thank you!
# phentermine from study trialon 25 Oct 2009 at 7:09 am edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# tramadol classified drugon 25 Oct 2009 at 9:08 am edit this

Great site. Good info.
# phentermine gaafaron 25 Oct 2009 at 11:06 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# tramadol general actionon 25 Oct 2009 at 1:03 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# xanax popperson 25 Oct 2009 at 3:35 pm edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# cialis drug factson 25 Oct 2009 at 5:57 pm edit this

If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
# tramadol adderallon 25 Oct 2009 at 7:55 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# canadian pharmacy pricesdanychon 27 Oct 2009 at 10:16 am edit this

grace your site.
# elsdonparton 27 Oct 2009 at 11:36 am edit this

ruddiman disputed kyoto result likely economists volunteer
# barlowmathon 27 Oct 2009 at 11:39 am edit this

joint average reducing decade allows live
# buy adipex from us parmacyon 27 Oct 2009 at 2:04 pm edit this

Great site. Keep doing.
# buy cialis fast shippingon 27 Oct 2009 at 4:03 pm edit this

Great. Now i can say thank you!
# adipex phentermine without a prescription phentramineon 27 Oct 2009 at 6:01 pm edit this

Perfect work!
# canada drugs cialison 27 Oct 2009 at 7:57 pm edit this

Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
# 5 tadalafil cialison 27 Oct 2009 at 9:52 pm edit this

Perfect work!
# phentermine japanon 27 Oct 2009 at 11:46 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# celexa phentermine us licensed pharmacieson 27 Oct 2009 at 11:46 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# discount canada pharmacyon 28 Oct 2009 at 1:17 am edit this

grace your site.
# energy equal to phentermineon 28 Oct 2009 at 3:05 am edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# tramadol and dialysison 28 Oct 2009 at 6:10 am edit this

Beautiful site!
# viagra order cheap iframeon 28 Oct 2009 at 8:08 am edit this

Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
# what is generic for tramadolon 28 Oct 2009 at 10:03 am edit this

If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
# cialis launchon 28 Oct 2009 at 10:03 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# animal tramadol dosage charton 28 Oct 2009 at 12:00 pm edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# get phentermine 37.5mg in 2 dayson 28 Oct 2009 at 1:57 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# cialis professional no prescription lowest priceon 28 Oct 2009 at 3:53 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# valium abuseon 28 Oct 2009 at 5:49 pm edit this

Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
# sibutramine phentermine definitionon 28 Oct 2009 at 7:46 pm edit this

Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
# vertigo from adipexon 28 Oct 2009 at 9:44 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# no rx valiumon 28 Oct 2009 at 11:47 pm edit this

Great work, webmaster, nice design!
# athletes and cialison 29 Oct 2009 at 5:02 am edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# tramadol metacamon 29 Oct 2009 at 7:01 am edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!
# cialis no prescription non genericon 29 Oct 2009 at 8:58 am edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!
# hdayguon 30 Oct 2009 at 2:04 am edit this

grace site yaor. canada online pharmacy
# what are the side effects of effexor xron 30 Oct 2009 at 9:13 am edit this

grace site yaor two.
# purchase phentermine rx online overnighton 30 Oct 2009 at 3:28 pm edit this

Great work, webmaster, nice design!
# fastest way to order valium onlineon 30 Oct 2009 at 5:24 pm edit this

Great work, webmaster, nice design!
# phentermine buy phentermine online noon 30 Oct 2009 at 7:19 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# canadian adipexon 30 Oct 2009 at 9:14 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# cheap tramadol online lowon 30 Oct 2009 at 11:07 pm edit this

Perfect work!
# tramadol is likeon 31 Oct 2009 at 1:04 am edit this

Beautiful site!
# Aldaraon 31 Oct 2009 at 1:54 am edit this

grace site yaor two.
# tramadol versus vicodin pregnancyon 31 Oct 2009 at 4:42 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# welbutrin drug interaction with valiumon 31 Oct 2009 at 6:35 am edit this

Incredible site!
# what does phentermine 37.5 doon 31 Oct 2009 at 8:27 am edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# lortabs 10 500on 31 Oct 2009 at 10:02 am edit this

hi. I review you site
# phenteramine vs phentermineon 31 Oct 2009 at 10:16 am edit this

Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
# order xanax 2mgon 31 Oct 2009 at 12:05 pm edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# tramadol dosage dogs osteoarthritison 31 Oct 2009 at 1:54 pm edit this

Great. Now i can say thank you!
# why low supply phentermine buy onlineon 31 Oct 2009 at 3:44 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# phentermine with dr consulton 31 Oct 2009 at 5:39 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# tramadol bluelighton 31 Oct 2009 at 7:35 pm edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# cialis the dangers fdaon 31 Oct 2009 at 9:33 pm edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# snort percaseton 01 Nov 2009 at 2:22 am edit this

hi. I review you site
# cialis and heart problemson 01 Nov 2009 at 2:31 am edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# tramadol dosage frequencyon 01 Nov 2009 at 5:05 am edit this

Incredible site!
# phentermine without a prior prescriptionon 01 Nov 2009 at 7:03 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# phentermine rip off siteson 01 Nov 2009 at 9:01 am edit this

Great site. Keep doing.
# where can i find some adipexon 04 Nov 2009 at 2:47 pm edit this

If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
# co uk buy tramadol onlineon 04 Nov 2009 at 4:44 pm edit this

Beautiful site!
# cod online order phentermine carisoprodolon 04 Nov 2009 at 6:39 pm edit this

Beautiful site!
# tramadol cheap free fed ex overnighton 04 Nov 2009 at 8:34 pm edit this

Great site. Good info.
# dental health plan adipex diet pillon 04 Nov 2009 at 10:29 pm edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# cialis generico mexicoon 05 Nov 2009 at 12:24 am edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# tramadol hydrochloride capsules 50mgon 05 Nov 2009 at 3:16 am edit this

If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
# shipping phentermine to floridaon 05 Nov 2009 at 5:54 am edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!
# adipex or phentermine no prescription requiredon 05 Nov 2009 at 7:46 am edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# site about tramadol threwon 05 Nov 2009 at 9:36 am edit this

I want to say - thank you for this!
# effexor and tramadol contradictionson 05 Nov 2009 at 9:36 am edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!
# how weigth to lose using adipexon 05 Nov 2009 at 11:27 am edit this

Great. Now i can say thank you!
# tramadol delivered overnighton 05 Nov 2009 at 1:20 pm edit this

Perfect work!
# lcd projectors buy phentermineon 05 Nov 2009 at 3:17 pm edit this

Excellent site. It was pleasant to me.
# tramadol er tabletson 05 Nov 2009 at 5:14 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!
# cheapest shops selling phentermine poker forumson 06 Nov 2009 at 1:15 pm edit this

Perfect site, i like it!
# phentermine federal express shippingon 06 Nov 2009 at 3:06 pm edit this

Very interesting site. Hope it will always be alive!
# phentermine purchased from canadaon 06 Nov 2009 at 4:55 pm edit this

It is the coolest site, keep so!
# valium search engineson 07 Nov 2009 at 5:01 pm edit this

Perfect work!
# adipex fastin factson 07 Nov 2009 at 6:52 pm edit this

If you have to do it, you might as well do it right.
# cialis no prescription cheapon 07 Nov 2009 at 9:20 pm edit this

I bookmarked this link. Thank you for good job!

Trackback URI | Comments RSS

Advertise Here

Books and Movies

Talking books, movies, TV, and all things entertainment…

Cool sites

Currently Reading

Recent Posts

Reading Challenge Bloggers

Essay Challenge Bloggers

Archives

Meta