''A Ghost in Monte Carlo'' is a 1951 novel by

Barbara Cartland Dame Mary Barbara Hamilton Cartland, (9 July 1901 – 21 May 2000) published as Barbara Cartland was an English writer, known as the Queen of Romance, who published both contemporary and historical romance novels, the latter set primarily duri ...

. It was the gayest season Monte Carlo had ever known, Mademoiselle Fantôme was causing a sensation. Who was the exquisite "ghost", with her shining golden hair and dreaming dark eyes? Why did her formidable aunt guard her so carefully? Even Mademoiselle herself did not understand the seductive role she was playing. But her troubled young heart knew that evil was drawing close to her, that she was a pawn in a mysterious plot to avenge an old wrong. Too late, she discovered that jealousy and bitterness were threatening to destroy her new-found love.

Film

The book was adapted for made-for-television film in 1990 starring

Lysette Anthony Lysette Anne Chodzko (born 26 September 1963), known professionally as Lysette Anthony, is an English actress and model. She is known for her roles in the film ''Husbands and Wives'' (1992), as Princess Lysssa in the 1983 fantasy epic '' Krull ...

, Marcus Gilbert,

Sarah Miles Sarah Miles (born 31 December 1941) is an English actress. She is known for her roles in films '' The Servant'' (1963), '' Blowup'' (1966), ''Ryan's Daughter'' (1970), ''The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing'' (1973), '' White Mischief'' (1987) and '' ...

and

Oliver Reed Robert Oliver Reed (13 February 1938 – 2 May 1999) was an English actor known for his well-to-do, macho image and "hellraiser" lifestyle. After making his first significant screen appearances in Hammer Horror films in the early 1960s, his ...

Synopsis

Eighteen-year-old Mistral is an innocent abroad in the sophisticated

Côte D'Azur The French Riviera (known in French as the ; oc, Còsta d'Azur ; literal translation " Azure Coast") is the Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France. There is no official boundary, but it is usually considered to extend from ...

, Monte Carlo, where princes and millionaires mingle in the casinos and sumptuous hotels. Accompanied only by her embittered and domineering Aunt Emilie and kindly servant Jeanne, Mistral appears dressed all in grey like a ghost in the salons and ballrooms of Monte Carlo and sets Society's tongues wagging. It's not long before the whole of Monte Carlo are trying to find out who she really is, her waif-like beauty has men bewitched and falling in love – gentlemen such as Sir Robert Stanford. But on her aunt's bewildering but strict instructions, she must not converse with any but the Russian Prince Nikolai. Something about Mistral touches Sir Robert's heart – and he cannot understand why Mistral appears afraid to be with him. Yet both of them crave love. Only if Mistral's innocent eyes are finally opened to the truth – that Aunt Emilie's motives are borne not of concern for her niece but of bitterness and a hatred for men. Ghost in Monte Carlo, A Films shot at EMI-Elstree Studios British drama films Novels set in Monaco British novels adapted into films Rich & Cowan books {{1950s-romance-novel-stub