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robinlovesreading's review against another edition
5.0
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.
angelica_castberg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
3.5 stars
i wasn't expecting to like this as much as i did, but it was enjoyable once it picked up a bit
i wasn't expecting to like this as much as i did, but it was enjoyable once it picked up a bit
stardusted_reader's review against another edition
3.0
Klassen's Shadows of Swanford Abbey was a quick read, I flew right through it. Her descriptive writing, with more than a few well-written nods to classic novels, combined with a compelling storyline and characters weaved a vivid world. As a lover of the regency era, historical fiction, and romance, I was instantly pulled into the book. However, despite the promising description of the book ("Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this atmospheric regency tale, brimming with mystery, intrigue, and romance"), I personally felt a little disappointed in both the mystery and romance aspect of the novel. While the mystery wasn't predictable and had a few, albeit unfulfilling, twists, the ending just didn't satisfy me. After that great worldbuilding and build up of both character history, setting, and tension, I had expected more. It was still entertaining, beautifully written, and well researched, so going on this regency and gothic-inspired ride was amusing.
leah_kaufmann's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
aublar's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really good an atmospheric whodunit/regency romance. It takes place in an old abbey that has been converted into a hotel and is reportedly haunted. Rebecca comes back to her hometown to visit her brother who asks her to deliver his latest manuscript to a famous author who is staying at the hotel. During her stay she runs into Sir Frederick- the local magistrate whom she had a crush on as a young woman. When the famous author is found dead, Sir Frederick must investigate and finds that both Rebecca and her brother are hiding something.
This author can be hit or miss for me, but this one was a hit!
Content warning: none
This author can be hit or miss for me, but this one was a hit!
Content warning: none
prerana90's review against another edition
4.0
The book is a very easy read with lots of drama and twists turns. It feels very British era setup and the language is also similar. Rebecca and John come across as main characters of the book and the story flows around them. It stands up to its name of being set in an abbey. Instantly it reminded me of Bath and its majestic buildings. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who like period dramas and thrillers.
annelies_reads's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
thefictionaddictionblog's review against another edition
5.0
Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen was described as Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie, so of course I was interested.
The novel has a lovely Agatha Christie feel, as the major players are all bumping into each other in the same hotel, turning up clues and misdirections. But it’s more Gothic, since the hotel is a haunted former abbey. I also wasn’t waiting for Poirot to come in and ask the right questions. Our heroine, Rebecca Lane, must save herself, even if the abbey is exceptionally creepy at night…
There are several subplots happening at the hotel, even before we get to the central murder. Rebecca is trying to make contact with an author on her brother’s behalf, but almost immediately bumps into her employer, who claimed to be staying with friends, and bumps into Sir Fredrick Wilford, who she knew when she was a child. Fredrick has been led to the hotel by his brother, who may not be entirely truthful about his motives, either. And a ghostly figure keeps appearing, taking this from a typical whodunnit to a Gothic mystery.
Shadows of Swanford Abbey leans a bit more romantic than I was expecting from a mystery. It’s all done in a pining Regency way, not a steamy way. Our leading man had a terrible romantic experience in his past and isn’t sure he can get over it, even as he notices that our leading lady is all grown up. All our characters are aware of marriage as a business proposition and a social marker, even as they face their attractions and emotions. I think I tend prefer this style of romance to an easily-cleared misunderstanding.
I don’t want to reveal too much about Shadows of Swanford Abbey, because discovering and guessing is such a pleasure in a mystery like this, but I can at least say that I enjoyed how the characters’ personal subplots and backstories connected with each other and with the main murder mystery. There are some fun and memorable characters in this mystery — and someone that you just love to hate. I also really enjoyed the Gothic descriptions of the former abbey, which felt like an homage to the whole style of Gothic pageturners and the girls who loved reading these thrillers.
The novel has a lovely Agatha Christie feel, as the major players are all bumping into each other in the same hotel, turning up clues and misdirections. But it’s more Gothic, since the hotel is a haunted former abbey. I also wasn’t waiting for Poirot to come in and ask the right questions. Our heroine, Rebecca Lane, must save herself, even if the abbey is exceptionally creepy at night…
There are several subplots happening at the hotel, even before we get to the central murder. Rebecca is trying to make contact with an author on her brother’s behalf, but almost immediately bumps into her employer, who claimed to be staying with friends, and bumps into Sir Fredrick Wilford, who she knew when she was a child. Fredrick has been led to the hotel by his brother, who may not be entirely truthful about his motives, either. And a ghostly figure keeps appearing, taking this from a typical whodunnit to a Gothic mystery.
Shadows of Swanford Abbey leans a bit more romantic than I was expecting from a mystery. It’s all done in a pining Regency way, not a steamy way. Our leading man had a terrible romantic experience in his past and isn’t sure he can get over it, even as he notices that our leading lady is all grown up. All our characters are aware of marriage as a business proposition and a social marker, even as they face their attractions and emotions. I think I tend prefer this style of romance to an easily-cleared misunderstanding.
I don’t want to reveal too much about Shadows of Swanford Abbey, because discovering and guessing is such a pleasure in a mystery like this, but I can at least say that I enjoyed how the characters’ personal subplots and backstories connected with each other and with the main murder mystery. There are some fun and memorable characters in this mystery — and someone that you just love to hate. I also really enjoyed the Gothic descriptions of the former abbey, which felt like an homage to the whole style of Gothic pageturners and the girls who loved reading these thrillers.
lawnchairbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
When I read that The Shadows of Swanford Abbey was described as “Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen” I know that this would be my type of tale.
Set in a grand hotel that formally had been a monastery. There is ghosts, secrets, murder, a slew of interesting suspects, and maybe a second chance of love?
Julie swept me away in this intriguing gothic mystery full of clever twists and turns. It kept me guessing up until the very end.
Set in a grand hotel that formally had been a monastery. There is ghosts, secrets, murder, a slew of interesting suspects, and maybe a second chance of love?
Julie swept me away in this intriguing gothic mystery full of clever twists and turns. It kept me guessing up until the very end.