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thecleanreadbookclub's review against another edition
5.0
This book is some of Julie’s best suspense! Amazon has a tagline for this book that reads, “Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen…with mystery, intrigue, and romance.” I could leave my review just at that! This book took a little bit to set things up, but once players were in motion I couldn’t put it down! I was trying so hard to solve the mystery before the end of the book and I’m happy to report that Julie kept me guessing right up to the very end! The suspense is the show stopper of this book and it’s masterfully written. The romance was sweet and I am so glad she added it in. It definitely added an extra level of depth into the intrigue!
If you like Agatha Christie, Jane Austen and of course Julie Klassen… you’ll want to pick this one up!
Thanks to the author for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
If you like Agatha Christie, Jane Austen and of course Julie Klassen… you’ll want to pick this one up!
Thanks to the author for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.
narjarules's review against another edition
3.0
This was a departure in style, but showed promise. Along with the familiar, readers will experience mysteries and discussions of mental illness. I did miss Klassen’s historic quotes before each chapter though.
melmo2610's review against another edition
4.0
I have been eagerly anticipating this book since it was announced a year agoish. A gothic Jane Austin meets Agatha Christie? Yes, please! I am happy to say this book didn't disappoint. A murder mystery with bookish elements was right up my book loving alley. There are several avenues to explore in the solving of the mystery and it did keep me guessing. I liked that there were a couple of extra surprises in the story as well. Definitely a fun read/listen! I listened to an audio copy and the narration was superb.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher but also I purchased an Audible copy. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher but also I purchased an Audible copy. I was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
teyahdawn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5
"Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this atmospheric Regency tale brimming with mystery, intrigue, and romance."
readinglover22's review against another edition
dark
inspiring
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
shammons's review against another edition
3.0
I typically love and adore Julie Klassen books, and I have read almost all of them (save Pembrooke Park and the last 2 Ivy Hill ones, at this point). I was very much looking forward to her latest release, though it took me a while to get to it in my reading list. I wanted to love it, but I did not. I did enjoy it, but it is definitely not one of my favorites of hers. It could have very easily been me, as I am an incredibly moody reader and perhaps I just wasn’t in the mood for this one at this point in time. I never connected to the main characters, didn’t love the setting of the haunted abbey turned Regency hotel, and just struggled to “get into” this one. I am, however, looking forward to reading the last two Ivy Hill books, and will very much look forward to her next book!
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
5.0
As a huge Julie Klassen fan and mystery lover, I couldn’t wait to read this latest book! It’s a classic gothic mystery with an intriguing plot, interesting characters, humor, and a slow burn romance that completely drew me in. Like the great Agatha Christie, Ms. Klassen brilliantly describes each character, their history, and possible motivations for murder.
Swanford Abbey, a religious-abbey-turned-hotel, makes a spooky setting, with secret passageways, hidden staircases, and a ghostly abbess haunting its halls.
When unlikable, pompous author Ambrose Oliver is found murdered, there are a slew of suspects at the famed abbey. A lady with hidden past regrets, a loyal sister, a local nobleman whose wife died under suspicious circumstances, an aspiring writer struggling with addiction and mental illness, an actress, an editor under financial strain, and various hotel personnel, all with a motivation for murder.
Rebecca Lane, companion to Lady Fitzhoward, returns home after receiving disturbing reports about her brother John. Suffering under some duress, John begs his sister to go to Swanford Abbey and deliver his manuscript to Ambrose Oliver, a surprisingly difficult task.
Sir Frederick Wilford hasn’t seen Rebecca since she was young. Though pleasantly surprised by this beautiful woman, his tumultuous marriage and wife’s death make him cautious about falling in love again. Just as the two rekindle their friendship, Ambrose Oliver is murdered. As the local magistrate, Frederick helps investigate the crime by systematically interviewing each person at the abbey. When he realizes Rebecca might be involved, his worst fears are realized.
There were so many things I loved about this mystery: fantastic characters, Rebecca’s and Frederick’s slow burn romance sizzling just under the surface, and feisty Lady Fitzhoward’s witty observations. The mystery kept me guessing until the last chapters with plenty of clues and a few red herrings. I also loved the themes of family and forgiveness.
Fans of classic mysteries will definitely enjoy this book! I received complementary advanced copies from the author, publisher, and NetGalley. All opinions are my own and a positive review was not required.
Swanford Abbey, a religious-abbey-turned-hotel, makes a spooky setting, with secret passageways, hidden staircases, and a ghostly abbess haunting its halls.
When unlikable, pompous author Ambrose Oliver is found murdered, there are a slew of suspects at the famed abbey. A lady with hidden past regrets, a loyal sister, a local nobleman whose wife died under suspicious circumstances, an aspiring writer struggling with addiction and mental illness, an actress, an editor under financial strain, and various hotel personnel, all with a motivation for murder.
Rebecca Lane, companion to Lady Fitzhoward, returns home after receiving disturbing reports about her brother John. Suffering under some duress, John begs his sister to go to Swanford Abbey and deliver his manuscript to Ambrose Oliver, a surprisingly difficult task.
Sir Frederick Wilford hasn’t seen Rebecca since she was young. Though pleasantly surprised by this beautiful woman, his tumultuous marriage and wife’s death make him cautious about falling in love again. Just as the two rekindle their friendship, Ambrose Oliver is murdered. As the local magistrate, Frederick helps investigate the crime by systematically interviewing each person at the abbey. When he realizes Rebecca might be involved, his worst fears are realized.
There were so many things I loved about this mystery: fantastic characters, Rebecca’s and Frederick’s slow burn romance sizzling just under the surface, and feisty Lady Fitzhoward’s witty observations. The mystery kept me guessing until the last chapters with plenty of clues and a few red herrings. I also loved the themes of family and forgiveness.
Fans of classic mysteries will definitely enjoy this book! I received complementary advanced copies from the author, publisher, and NetGalley. All opinions are my own and a positive review was not required.
surelyshirley7's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful meld of christian fiction, historical romance, and mystery. Klassen makes the separate genres blend together nicely. I LOVED the setting, and she didn't make it feel too empty or large, but instead just right to focus on our characters. So good!