Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this atmospheric Regency tale brimming with mystery, intrigue, and romance. When Miss Rebecca Lane returns to her home village after a few years away, her brother begs for a favor: go to nearby Swanford Abbey and deliver his manuscript to an author staying there who could help him get published. Feeling responsible for her brother's desperate state, she reluctantly agrees. The medieval monastery turned grand hotel is rumored to be haunted. Once there, Rebecca begins noticing strange things, including a figure in a hooded black gown gliding silently through the abbey's cloisters. For all its renovations and veneer of luxury, the ancient foundations seem to echo with whispers of the past--including her own. For there she encounters Sir Frederick—magistrate, widower, and former neighbor—who long ago broke her heart. When the famous author is found murdered in the abbey, Sir Frederick begins questioning staff and guests and quickly discovers that several people held grudges against the man, including Miss Lane and her brother. Haunted by a painful betrayal in his past, Sir Frederick searches for answers but is torn between his growing feelings for Rebecca and his pursuit of the truth. For Miss Lane is clearly hiding something…
YOUTUBE VIDEO
Author Julie Klassen shares her inspiration for Shadows of Swanford Abbey
REVIEW
This is one of those books that just keeps you interested. It had mystery and romance that was just the right fit. I found that I loved the interwoven themes of forgiveness, second chances, and redemption. I felt myself enthralled and uplifted as I made the journey with Rebecca and Sir Frederick. The dynamic between then was natural and made them a good fit.
I loved the side characters that added some much depth to the story. I find that it is impossible to have a good story without a supporting cast that adds depth and feeling to the story. I loved that while there was a definite mystery and there was conflict, there wasn't one overarching villain. it was a story of people living life, but it was anything but boring.
I felt the faith of the author and the characters as the story unfolded and felt blessed to watch as if I were there. I loved this historical aspects and found the setting of the hotel to be fascinating especially for the time period.
I received an early copy through the publisher and netgalley and this is my honest opinion.
PURCHASE LINKS
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AUTHOR BIO
Julie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over a million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing's BEST Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.