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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.
v_hankins's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bonniereads777's review against another edition
5.0
Julie Klassen has done it again. As the book description says, this is an ode to both Jane Austen and Agatha Christie, and it is a work of art. The characters are well developed, and the mystery is full of twists and intrigue. The setting in an old abbey turned hotel makes this novel even more fascinating. The cast of characters is superb. The hotel guests add even more suspense and intrigue. As you are navigating this historical romantic mystery, you might even see a ghost. Mystery, history, and romance are all woven together masterfully. Fans of all of these genres will love this compelling read. Fans of Julie Klassen will not be surprised that she’s produced another winner.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
morgangiesbrecht's review against another edition
5.0
Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie? Sign me up! I was sold on the premise, and it didn’t disappoint.
While I don’t usually read Regency fiction beyond Jane Austen, I enjoyed Klassen’s take. A mysterious abbey, old ghost stories, a mix of lovable and hatable characters…perfection.
I can’t say I was overly surprised by the mystery aspect. Like Christie, there was a large cast of suspects to choose from, but the narrowing down process wasn’t earthshaking. Fascinating but not wholly unexpected.
The romance was sweet, not too much. Present but not in your face.
On the whole, probably one of my favourite books by Klassen!
While I don’t usually read Regency fiction beyond Jane Austen, I enjoyed Klassen’s take. A mysterious abbey, old ghost stories, a mix of lovable and hatable characters…perfection.
I can’t say I was overly surprised by the mystery aspect. Like Christie, there was a large cast of suspects to choose from, but the narrowing down process wasn’t earthshaking. Fascinating but not wholly unexpected.
The romance was sweet, not too much. Present but not in your face.
On the whole, probably one of my favourite books by Klassen!
katizwitchy's review against another edition
3.0
This was a fun little romp! I loved the nods to Austen (super cute that Becky reads her novels) and I thought the mystery was fun without being too obvious. I appreciated the treatment of mental illness in this novel, as well as the character building. Overall, it was a cozy regency read, and I enjoyed my time with it!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Where this novel fell a bit flat for me totally falls on my personal tastes. The romance was cute... until they repeatedly brought up the age gap, Listen, I understand that that was common in the Regency era, one of my favorite books is Emma, but Austen was living in the time when that was normal, and... I don't know, we're writing fiction, can't we just make it less creepy with the constant reminiscing about a child? The relationship wouldn't have suffered AT ALL from them being the same age, and like, if you're going to be upset because that makes it "historically inaccurate" I don't know what to tell you other than you're weird.
I also think that it got a bit heavy-handed at the end with the Christianity influence. At first, it makes sense, the main character is a vicar's daughter, and the amount of reflection on religion makes sense, but near the end, it just got VERY blatantly religious out of nowhere, and felt very disconnected from the rest of the novel. I just didn't like it and felt that the ending would have been better without it. But! That's just my personal opinion.
Again, I overall enjoyed the book, these points of conflict just kept it from five stars. :)
SPOILERS AHEAD!
Where this novel fell a bit flat for me totally falls on my personal tastes. The romance was cute... until they repeatedly brought up the age gap, Listen, I understand that that was common in the Regency era, one of my favorite books is Emma, but Austen was living in the time when that was normal, and... I don't know, we're writing fiction, can't we just make it less creepy with the constant reminiscing about a child? The relationship wouldn't have suffered AT ALL from them being the same age, and like, if you're going to be upset because that makes it "historically inaccurate" I don't know what to tell you other than you're weird.
I also think that it got a bit heavy-handed at the end with the Christianity influence. At first, it makes sense, the main character is a vicar's daughter, and the amount of reflection on religion makes sense, but near the end, it just got VERY blatantly religious out of nowhere, and felt very disconnected from the rest of the novel. I just didn't like it and felt that the ending would have been better without it. But! That's just my personal opinion.
Again, I overall enjoyed the book, these points of conflict just kept it from five stars. :)
mkcannon21's review against another edition
4.0
When the back summary says “for fans of Jane Austen and Agatha Christie” I couldn’t say no.
jamiehatch4488's review against another edition
4.0
Julie Klassen is such a good writer! It was interesting to read about coroners. I had never realized how different investigating was back then.
This was a fun mystery and had a pretty happy ending.
This was a fun mystery and had a pretty happy ending.
readingintheweehours's review against another edition
5.0
What a treat
Julie hasn't disappointed me yet. So many twists and turns. O was kept guessing until the end. The characters kearned much of honor and integrity in this story. And of course, sweet romance. Highly recommend.
Julie hasn't disappointed me yet. So many twists and turns. O was kept guessing until the end. The characters kearned much of honor and integrity in this story. And of course, sweet romance. Highly recommend.
jnak's review against another edition
4.0
I always enjoy Julie Klassen’s books. This one is a sweet historical romance with just the right mix of mystery to keep you guessing.