Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
This was okay. Reminds me of the game, “Clue” with a whodunnit theme throughout as an author is murdered at an old abbey-turned-hotel. Old friends reunite, family secrets are hidden (for a time), and mysterious pasts come to light. It was intriguing, but I didn’t resonate with the characters as much as in her other books.
Story rating: 9/10 Faith rating: 2/3
Shadows of Swanford Abbey is a romantic mystery set in Regency-era England. It follows Rebecca, who is a travelling companion to a lady. She returns to her childhood village to visit her brother, a struggling author. He wants her to pass his latest manuscript to a famous author, staying at the nearby hotel, Swanford Abbey. Whilst Rebecca is there, one of the guests dies, and her childhood crush Frederick is the one who has to solve the mystery.
This book is a genteel murder mystery. All of the guests are hiding secrets. I particularly enjoyed following the side character’s mysteries.
I loved the romance, the slight references to Jane Austen novels, as well as the main characters, Rebecca and Frederick.
The main characters are clearly Christian, but their faith is not the main point of the plot.
Shadows of Swanford Abbey is a romantic mystery set in Regency-era England. It follows Rebecca, who is a travelling companion to a lady. She returns to her childhood village to visit her brother, a struggling author. He wants her to pass his latest manuscript to a famous author, staying at the nearby hotel, Swanford Abbey. Whilst Rebecca is there, one of the guests dies, and her childhood crush Frederick is the one who has to solve the mystery.
This book is a genteel murder mystery. All of the guests are hiding secrets. I particularly enjoyed following the side character’s mysteries.
I loved the romance, the slight references to Jane Austen novels, as well as the main characters, Rebecca and Frederick.
The main characters are clearly Christian, but their faith is not the main point of the plot.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A whodunnit mystery!
I've enjoyed Julie Klassen's novels for years, and this one was no exception. Shadows of Swanford Abbey sort of reminded me of some of the author's previous work, but its also different enough to not be repetitive. I love Rebecca and Frederick's romance/former beaus who come together again story.
Writing, women's roles and mental health are all subjects dealt with in this story. I love that more and more Christian authors are starting to address mental health in thier novels, and doing it in a realistic and sensitive way. This is something which needs to be explored more.
Don't let that serious stuff put you off though, this book was still fun and intriguing and keeps you turning pages. The romance is great and the faith elements were well handled. It is about forgiving yourself as much as forgiving others.
Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to download an ARC of this title. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Writing, women's roles and mental health are all subjects dealt with in this story. I love that more and more Christian authors are starting to address mental health in thier novels, and doing it in a realistic and sensitive way. This is something which needs to be explored more.
Don't let that serious stuff put you off though, this book was still fun and intriguing and keeps you turning pages. The romance is great and the faith elements were well handled. It is about forgiving yourself as much as forgiving others.
Thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to download an ARC of this title. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Julie Klassen stelde me met dit boek een beetje teleur. Het verhaal verliep traag. De situering in het hotel gaf het totaal geen regency-vibe. Er wordt heel veel mysterie gecreëerd rondom de abdij, dat in de eerste helft van het boek spookachtig lijkt en in de tweede helft van het boek meer geschikt voor een detective blijkt.
De Agatha Christie-vibe was wel een leuke variatie op de regency-boeken. Hoe het onderzoek opgestart wordt, en alle personages afgaan wie het zou hebben gedaan, en uiteindelijk culmineert dat in een bijeenkomst waarin de dader wordt aangewezen.
Op de achterflap staat dat er een moord plaatsvindt in de abdij. Het duurde tot de tweede helft voordat die moord plaatsvond, ik vond het vreselijk traag gaan.
De broer was echt een vervelend persoon. Wel realistisch neergezet als iemand met psychische problemen en verkeerde copingmechanismen.
De Agatha Christie-vibe was wel een leuke variatie op de regency-boeken. Hoe het onderzoek opgestart wordt, en alle personages afgaan wie het zou hebben gedaan, en uiteindelijk culmineert dat in een bijeenkomst waarin de dader wordt aangewezen.
Op de achterflap staat dat er een moord plaatsvindt in de abdij. Het duurde tot de tweede helft voordat die moord plaatsvond, ik vond het vreselijk traag gaan.
De broer was echt een vervelend persoon. Wel realistisch neergezet als iemand met psychische problemen en verkeerde copingmechanismen.