Told in the first person as a sensitive reminiscence, [My Daughter, Nicola] is the story of a girl in a mountain village of Switzerland early in the twentieth century…. Local legend, skillfully woven into an original plot, adds to the vivid sense of place in a story that is rich in wisdom and memorable characterizations. (p. 501)

The candle lights up a flickering sense of evil [in A Candle in Her Room], an indefinable but distinct presence. As in Dragon Summer (1963) the author has managed to convey a sense of black magic although other elements of the story are not achieved with the same finesse…. The most compelling moments occur when the characters become aware of the malignant spread of evil. Judith is rarely more than objectified as an evil force and Melissa is disappointingly bland. Often the minor characters are lost in the story but many girls will be pleased with the gothic change of pace and will find it hard to shrug off the mood. (p. 111)

Virginia Kirkus' Service (copyright © 1966 Virginia Kirkus' Service, Inc.), February 1, 1966.