Scan barcode
rebroxannape's review
**DNF** was excited by the glowing reviews and comparisons to Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart. Cross between A. Christie and Jane Austen? I found the writing stiff and dull. Simplistic and juvenile. The narrative voice was deadpan. That's the only word I can think of to describe it. Oh well. she's certainly found an audience. Just not for me.
lizisreadingagain's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
It seemed like the book started off slow. The mystery didn't really get rolling until the middle of the story, which bothered me. It was at that point that the pace finally picked up, which is why I gave this 4⭐.
haylnomann's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
library_of_kindredspirits's review against another edition
4.0
MY RATING SYSTEM
* "I can't believe this got published!"
** "Mediocre."
*** "It was still missing something."
**** "Good. It satisfied."
***** "Impeccable."
I struggled to get into this one, but once I did, it was a fascinating read. However, one thing disappointed me. Klassen is so often full of complex characters with interesting backstories, that the protagonists in this one couldn't hold a flame to. The novel was very plot heavy, and though I loved the plot, it was hard not to notice how much potential the protagonists had, that I never got to see. I'm hoping the next Klassen novel I read brings protagonists Swanford Abbey could have had. Thanks for all your hard work in writing this Julie Klassen. I enjoy sitting down to a good regency romantic mystery. :)
* "I can't believe this got published!"
** "Mediocre."
*** "It was still missing something."
**** "Good. It satisfied."
***** "Impeccable."
I struggled to get into this one, but once I did, it was a fascinating read. However, one thing disappointed me. Klassen is so often full of complex characters with interesting backstories, that the protagonists in this one couldn't hold a flame to. The novel was very plot heavy, and though I loved the plot, it was hard not to notice how much potential the protagonists had, that I never got to see.
Spoiler
Also, I struggled with Frederick and Rebecca's romance, finding it not very convincing. I know they had loved each other from a young age, but they lacked chemistry.the_booker's review against another edition
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
farmfreshlisa's review against another edition
4.0
This was a great one, but I didn't LOVE it. The mystery was good and the story played out well. But not my favorite by Julie Klassen. :) But still worthy of 4 stars! :)
jennbehindthebooks's review against another edition
4.0
So, to be perfectly honest, this was very good but just not Julie Klassen at her finest. The first half to three quarters of the book was stellar! The last bit kind of just seemed like such an awkward way to close out the book. It seemed rather thrown together and unnecessary. I honestly would've enjoyed the book better if that part had just been left out.
I definitely enjoyed the Regency era mystery! I absolutely love old mysteries, so that part was awesome! I also really liked the characters. Especially the complexity of the mixed social statuses.
All in all, it was very good but just not quite as good as what I know the author is capable of.
I definitely enjoyed the Regency era mystery! I absolutely love old mysteries, so that part was awesome! I also really liked the characters. Especially the complexity of the mixed social statuses.
All in all, it was very good but just not quite as good as what I know the author is capable of.
jennbehindthebooks's review
4.0
Wonderful! Loved the Jane Austen vibes, the unconventional protagonist, and the mystery. Halfway through I was thinking "This is definitely a 5-star book!" But I have to admit that it was kind of an awkward ending as if the author wasn't quite sure how to end the story. Past that, it was all just plain amazing!
what_ella_reads's review against another edition
4.0
My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
It had been a hot minute since I read my last Julie Klassen book when I decided to pick up "Shadows of Swanford Abbey." I'm glad I did! It is a fun mystery.
Julie Klassen has woven mystery into her books before, but this time the mystery took center stage. I think she makes a good mystery writer!
One of the things I liked the most about this book was its gothic setting. The abandoned Abbey turned hotel had a spooky atmosphere that was tangible. I would love to visit a place like it (During the day time that is lol).
I also liked the characters. Rebecca is a sympathetic heroine. Her devotion to her family and friends is admirable. She also is a pretty good investigator!
I also felt for Fredrick, the male protagonist. Though he can be a bit jaded, he was a great co-investigator with Rebecca.
I also did like the romance. Rebecca and Fredrick have a cheesy, albeit cute romance. They aren't my favorite of Julie Klassen couple, but they are nice and definitely have chemistry together.
As for the actual mystery itself, it was well done. I did figure out a couple of things, but I didn't really figure them out until over the half way mark.
I hope that Julie Klassen will write more mystery novels in the future!
It had been a hot minute since I read my last Julie Klassen book when I decided to pick up "Shadows of Swanford Abbey." I'm glad I did! It is a fun mystery.
Julie Klassen has woven mystery into her books before, but this time the mystery took center stage. I think she makes a good mystery writer!
One of the things I liked the most about this book was its gothic setting. The abandoned Abbey turned hotel had a spooky atmosphere that was tangible. I would love to visit a place like it (During the day time that is lol).
I also liked the characters. Rebecca is a sympathetic heroine. Her devotion to her family and friends is admirable. She also is a pretty good investigator!
I also felt for Fredrick, the male protagonist. Though he can be a bit jaded, he was a great co-investigator with Rebecca.
I also did like the romance. Rebecca and Fredrick have a cheesy, albeit cute romance. They aren't my favorite of Julie Klassen couple, but they are nice and definitely have chemistry together.
As for the actual mystery itself, it was well done. I did figure out a couple of things, but I didn't really figure them out until over the half way mark.
I hope that Julie Klassen will write more mystery novels in the future!
rosannelortz's review against another edition
4.0
Approaching the age of spinsterhood and relegated to reduced circumstances, Rebecca Lane serves as companion to an eccentric old lady. When her moody brother John needs assistance, she travels home to assure her mind that all is well. Irritably, John demands that she help him get his new novel published by putting it in front of a famous author who is staying at the nearby inn, Swanford Abbey. Reluctantly, Rebecca removes to the haunted abbey to make her brother’s appeal, only to discover that her childhood sweetheart, Sir Frederick, is also staying there with his brother.
When murder is done amidst the ghostly corridors of the abbey, Rebecca struggles to know what to share and what to conceal. Appearances are not always what they seem, and Frederick (as local magistrate) must decide whether to put his faith in the ostensible clues or in what he knows of Miss Lane’s character.
Klassen’s novels are always shot through with strands of mystery, but this is the first one that I remember being a straight-up murder mystery. Although this story was set in the 1820s, the general milieu of the book felt later, almost Victorian or Edwardian. The atmospheric Swanford Abbey with its ghostly legends is almost as important as the characters in the story.
Sir Frederick was a solid hero, with a good mix of principles, propriety, and affection. Rebecca held an unenviable position, caught between her duty to her irascible brother, her attempts to conciliate her employer, and her latent affections for Sir Frederick. The romance between them was simple and authentic, without any of the hyperbolic passion often found in historical romances. In the end, a commitment to truth proves the most important for all involved as deeds done in the darkness are brought into the light.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
When murder is done amidst the ghostly corridors of the abbey, Rebecca struggles to know what to share and what to conceal. Appearances are not always what they seem, and Frederick (as local magistrate) must decide whether to put his faith in the ostensible clues or in what he knows of Miss Lane’s character.
Klassen’s novels are always shot through with strands of mystery, but this is the first one that I remember being a straight-up murder mystery. Although this story was set in the 1820s, the general milieu of the book felt later, almost Victorian or Edwardian. The atmospheric Swanford Abbey with its ghostly legends is almost as important as the characters in the story.
Sir Frederick was a solid hero, with a good mix of principles, propriety, and affection. Rebecca held an unenviable position, caught between her duty to her irascible brother, her attempts to conciliate her employer, and her latent affections for Sir Frederick. The romance between them was simple and authentic, without any of the hyperbolic passion often found in historical romances. In the end, a commitment to truth proves the most important for all involved as deeds done in the darkness are brought into the light.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.