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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Death, Drug use, Mental illness, Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity, Miscarriage, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy
I enjoy reading Julie Klassen. However, after reading other reviews on various works of hers, I do agree she reuses quite a bit of her own material. As I read this one, I thought of Rachel & Sir Timothy, snobbish Margaret and Nate, two brothers one dark and one fairer, . . . etc. This book felt a bit long and drawn out, and then a rushed ending. I would have liked to have an included epilogue; the ending of this novel felt too similar to Hallmark, where we don't get a peek into our characters' future.
Shadows of Swanford Abbey is a lovely and atmospheric whodunit set in a gorgeous location with a sweet romance thrown in for flavor.
There's been a murder most foul at Swanford Abbey. So many suspects! Such a dastardly victim! (We think he's a bit of a lout for most of the book, but what we think we know pales in comparison to the truth we actually discover in the end. To say he had it coming pretty much sums it up, IMO) Ms Klassen drew upon many inspirations when she wrote Shadows according to her author's note, and it shows--there's just as many Jane Austen touches here as there are Agatha Christie--and the novel comes out a cohesive whole in the end, all of the different elements blending together nicely.
The setting of a hotel allows for a lively assortment of characters, and I especially loved all of the family relationships Ms Klassen wove into her tale. The bonds between siblings are significant--and complicated!--here for many of her characters, as they are in real life as well, heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measure.
And the delicious slow burn romance between Rebecca and Frederick...happy sigh <3
This was my first book from [a:Julie Klassen|928415|Julie Klassen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1438099690p2/928415.jpg], but it definitely won't be my last!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
There's been a murder most foul at Swanford Abbey. So many suspects! Such a dastardly victim! (We think he's a bit of a lout for most of the book, but what we think we know pales in comparison to the truth we actually discover in the end. To say he had it coming pretty much sums it up, IMO) Ms Klassen drew upon many inspirations when she wrote Shadows according to her author's note, and it shows--there's just as many Jane Austen touches here as there are Agatha Christie--and the novel comes out a cohesive whole in the end, all of the different elements blending together nicely.
The setting of a hotel allows for a lively assortment of characters, and I especially loved all of the family relationships Ms Klassen wove into her tale. The bonds between siblings are significant--and complicated!--here for many of her characters, as they are in real life as well, heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measure.
And the delicious slow burn romance between Rebecca and Frederick...happy sigh <3
This was my first book from [a:Julie Klassen|928415|Julie Klassen|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1438099690p2/928415.jpg], but it definitely won't be my last!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Julie Klassen is sincerely one of those authors that I can read no matter what mood I am. And, I’m a definite “mood reader”. She was one of the first authors who writes Christian fiction, that I ever read. And, I was hooked–way back when she wrote The Apothecary’s Daughter and The Lady of Milkweed Manor.
I feel like she’s only gotten better.
Shadows of Swanford Abbey was such a wonderful read for me. It held all the wonder of a Julie Klassen book–amazing writing, amazing characters, and a book I couldn’t put down–and paired those things with some mystery and intrigue that kept me even more hooked into the story.
The suspense of this one added a whole new excitement for me–because I feel like now, there’s nothing that Julie Klassen can’t tackle!
There was just enough romance in this one to keep that part of me satiated, along with some great characters and an excellent ending.
I don’t think there’s a book of Klassen’s that I haven’t loved. And I don’t ever see that changing.
I feel like she’s only gotten better.
Shadows of Swanford Abbey was such a wonderful read for me. It held all the wonder of a Julie Klassen book–amazing writing, amazing characters, and a book I couldn’t put down–and paired those things with some mystery and intrigue that kept me even more hooked into the story.
The suspense of this one added a whole new excitement for me–because I feel like now, there’s nothing that Julie Klassen can’t tackle!
There was just enough romance in this one to keep that part of me satiated, along with some great characters and an excellent ending.
I don’t think there’s a book of Klassen’s that I haven’t loved. And I don’t ever see that changing.
Rebecca Lane has always been concerned for her brother John’s well-being. Called to his assistance, she finds that she would do anything within her power when it came to his wanting to become a published author. She agrees to spend some time at Swanford Abbey, a hotel where an author will be staying. Her brother had been told that he could no longer approach publishers directly so Rebecca agrees to stay in a hotel that very well may be haunted in order to approach the author with her brother’s manuscript.
Not only is the author soon found dead, mysterious sightings and sounds prove very disturbing to Rebecca. She finds it impossible to not investigate matters herself, even though it means working alongside her former beau, Sir Frederick Wilford. Rebecca soon realizes that feelings that she thought with long ago buried for Frederick quickly rise to the fore. Meanwhile, Rebecca’s worry for John never settles as his erratic behavior grows more concerning. She hopes that if his book gets the attention it deserves that perhaps John might become well.
There were also other matters that helped to explain her brother’s behavior all while a murderer was on the loose. Rebecca and Frederick made a fine team as they worked hard to discover the murderer. The comparison of this book to Agatha Christie and Jane Austen was spot on as this intriguing story wove in a strong gothic vibe. Also, this was a very touching story as it dealt with sensitive issues that were perhaps difficult to identify during the time and setting involved. Julie Klassen was a new name for me and this book could not have been a better introduction to her excellent writing.
Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Not only is the author soon found dead, mysterious sightings and sounds prove very disturbing to Rebecca. She finds it impossible to not investigate matters herself, even though it means working alongside her former beau, Sir Frederick Wilford. Rebecca soon realizes that feelings that she thought with long ago buried for Frederick quickly rise to the fore. Meanwhile, Rebecca’s worry for John never settles as his erratic behavior grows more concerning. She hopes that if his book gets the attention it deserves that perhaps John might become well.
There were also other matters that helped to explain her brother’s behavior all while a murderer was on the loose. Rebecca and Frederick made a fine team as they worked hard to discover the murderer. The comparison of this book to Agatha Christie and Jane Austen was spot on as this intriguing story wove in a strong gothic vibe. Also, this was a very touching story as it dealt with sensitive issues that were perhaps difficult to identify during the time and setting involved. Julie Klassen was a new name for me and this book could not have been a better introduction to her excellent writing.
Many thanks to Bethany House Publishers and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
3.5 stars. The romance stayed clean but took up more of the story than I would have liked. Interesting mystery.
This was a really cute mystery book. It was a slow beginning, but I loved the characters, especially the erratic/unusual lady. The characters were well written, and I would recommend this book as a fun cozy read on a rainy night. I will be looking to read more from this author, and I am hoping that the other books will be just as adorable.