Scan barcode
A review by melissasbookshelf
Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen
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.