Lucifer Cove, Book 5 - Chalet Diabolique (Virginia Coffman's Thrilling Occult Gothic Series)

"Kay Aronson sought a murderer at the Cove ... and was trapped in a terror greater than death!" (cover blurb)

 

This is the penultimate book in author Virginia Coffman's occult Gothic series, Lucifer Cove.  Published in 1971 (with my copy being a second edition, published in August 1973), this book continues the mystery of what is really going on in this posh, hidden California spa run by the enigmatic and devilishly handsome Marc Meridon.  As with each of the prior books, this fifth entry into the series introduces readers to another new main character; however, this book reveals more of the dark secrets surrounding the spa and Meridon himself, and sees more of the supporting cast meet their ultimate doom (which they have brought on themselves by the choices they made...).

 

Chalet Diabolique centers around the cottage in which Edna Schallert had been staying (those who have been reading this series might remember that dear Edna is the one who brought Christine Deeth to Lucifer's Cove in the first book, basically setting in motion all of the event that have led us to this point).  It turns out the chalet was actually owned by one Leo Aronson, a rather successful businessman who managed to leave Lucifer Cove some time ago.  But, as with everything connected to the place, evil manages to reach out beyond the borders of the spa, and Leo winds up dead after having made an unscheduled and unexpected visit to the Cover.  Now, his wife, Kay Aronson, and his secretary, Arthur Dugald, have come to Lucifer Cove to uncover the truth behind Leo's death.

 

As this series has progressed, Coffman has inserted Christine Deeth less and less into the stories. In this fifth installment, Christine shows up only twice - both times, to save Kay's life (quite convenient, plot-wise).  Nadine Janos, that conniving devil priestess, makes a brief appearance, as does her Irish boyfriend - who also manages to give aid to Kay by giving her directions on how to escape the Cove.  Caro Teague, who was on the fast-track to being eliminated, gets a new lease on life (literally!) when she is assigned to be Kay's personal maid and assistant during her stay at Lucifer Cove.  And Marc Meridon, as well as Kinkajou, make a number of appearances (although they are not quite as many as in previous books).

 

Coffman's focus for this story is Kay's investigation into her husband's death.  She at first suspects Meridon has something to do with it, but after meeting him, she finds herself uncontrollably attracted to the man (as does every woman he ever comes in contact with!).  She also has suspicions about Arthur, her husband's secretary and right-hand man, who seems to know quite a bit about the Cove and continually warns her not to confide in anyone who lives at the spa.  She even becomes concerned about Caro, wondering if she was placed in the chalet as a means for someone to keep tabs on Kay and her movements.

 

For those who have been reading the series, it is not much of a mystery, really.  It is obvious Leo Aronson made a deal at the Cove at some point in the past, and the time had come for him to pay the piper.  What is engaging about the tale is Kay's suspicions and investigations, and her growing fear as she begins to realize some of the truths about what is really going on at the aptly named Lucifer Cove.  When poor Edna Schallert's body is found in the tunnels under the chalet, and Kay is lied to about the woman's funeral and the disposal of her body, Kay begins to realize she could be in danger as well and must get out.  When Arthur disappears, Kay is left with the quandary - does she trust Arthur and try to rescue him, or is he a part of the plot and someone from whom she must escape?  The one thing I especially like about Kay is that despite the attraction she has for Meridon, she does not give in to those feelings, and she is smart enough to have brought a gun with her, which she keeps with her each time she goes off to investigate on her own (p. 121, for example).  This is probably one of the strongest female characters Coffman has offered up in the series to date,

 

Coffman provides some revelations and confirmations in this book that readers have likely begun to suspect by this point.  The major one, of course, is the direct connection between Marc Meridon and the cat, Kinkajou.  There is also confirmation about those strange index cards introduced in the previous book and the consequences to those whose names appear on those cards, as well as the "leases" (a/k/a "contracts") that the people who live at the spa have signed and how it affects their lives - quite literally!

 

This book, as with all the others, sports three different covers.  The cover to the edition I own (above, top) is by far my favorite - and FINALLY, it has a proper portrayal of the main character from the story.  Kay is described as having long, blond hair, as the woman painted on the cover has, although she never went outside in her nightgown as the cover artist has depicted her.  The cover to the Pinnacle Books edition (above, right) comes much closer to an accurate scene from the book, with Kay (blonde) being surprised by a man we can assume is Marc Meridon - which does happen once or twice in the story. The third cover art, on the later Lancer editions, seems to follow the tend of the Lancer cover for the fourth book, with the young woman out in front of the spa, the ocean off to the left with what appears to be an island in the water, and the ghostly image of Marc Meridon looking down over the building in the background.  Only, on this cover, Meridon looks closer to a vampire than just a devilish, evil man, what with the cloak and the slanted eyes.  (NOTE - I do not have a copy of this particular cover, and finding one online was not easy - thus, the copy you see to the left is somewhat off-center.)

 

Honestly, of all the books in the series thus far, I think this one is my favorite.  Not only do we get a strong, determined lead character that does not back down, but Coffman finally stops hinting around at what is really happening at the Cove and  let's readers see Meridon for who he truly is.  With these kind of revelations, I am hoping that the next book, which is also the last in the series, will tie up all the loose ends and give readers a very satisfying conclusion to the series!

 

RATING:  9 avocado-green enamel tea kettles out of 10 for giving faithful readers a bit of payoff for the building subplots in this series and introducing a character who could give the devil a run for his money!