Scan barcode
A review by esdeecarlson
The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood
4.0
**This title was provided to me for free by the author via BookSirens. I am leaving this review voluntarily.**
3.5 stars
An absorbing, enjoyable read, clearly written by a lover of 19th-century literature. The author herself likens it to The Secret Garden but with adult protagonists; in my opinion, it’s Jane Eyre meets The Woman in Black.
Plot-wise, the arc is a little obvious, and the mystery’s explanation is overly convoluted. However, I found I didn’t mind. It felt more like a love letter to the 19th-century Gothic romance genre than a book that was actually trying to give me an original mystery, and I was perfectly happy with that. The book is beautifully atmospheric, takes full advantage of its setting, and gives me some of my favorite trope candy. What can I say, I adore a rude, grouchy man growing to grudgingly respect and admire a sensible woman. Does it fall into some of the pitfalls of historical romance (the “not like other girls” protagonist, for example)? Absolutely. But it more than makes up for them in just how fun this book is; it will be an utter delight to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I will be keeping an eye out for Clarissa Harwood novels in future; I cannot wait to see how she hones her craft in future endeavors.
3.5 stars
An absorbing, enjoyable read, clearly written by a lover of 19th-century literature. The author herself likens it to The Secret Garden but with adult protagonists; in my opinion, it’s Jane Eyre meets The Woman in Black.
Plot-wise, the arc is a little obvious, and the mystery’s explanation is overly convoluted. However, I found I didn’t mind. It felt more like a love letter to the 19th-century Gothic romance genre than a book that was actually trying to give me an original mystery, and I was perfectly happy with that. The book is beautifully atmospheric, takes full advantage of its setting, and gives me some of my favorite trope candy. What can I say, I adore a rude, grouchy man growing to grudgingly respect and admire a sensible woman. Does it fall into some of the pitfalls of historical romance (the “not like other girls” protagonist, for example)? Absolutely. But it more than makes up for them in just how fun this book is; it will be an utter delight to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I will be keeping an eye out for Clarissa Harwood novels in future; I cannot wait to see how she hones her craft in future endeavors.