An Intriguing Gathering at a Gothic Abbey Turned Hotel

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Source: Review Copy from Publisher

TYPE OF NOVEL: Regency Romance, Gothic Mystery

THE PREMISE: After years of working and traveling as a lady’s companion, Rebecca Lane is called home to help her brother, John, whose behavior is erratic and concerning. Desperate to get his manuscript into the hands of a publisher John sends Rebecca to Swanford Abbey, a medieval monastery turned hotel, where famed author Ambrose Oliver is currently residing. But during her stay, Rebecca ends up encountering much more than she expected…

WHAT I LOVED:

• Amped Up Mystery: As a longtime reader of Julie Klassen novels, I always love noticing the touches of Jane Austen and Charlotte Brontë in her beautifully nuanced writing. And while some of the trademarks of her writing include intrigue and suspense, this story brought the mystery and intrigue into centerstage with a gothic setting, ghostly apparitions, and a murder inquest!

• The Setting: I loved that most of the action of this story took place at Swanford Abbey. It is just the type of place I’d love to visit myself – to see how it was retrofitted into a hotel and explore all elements of the older monastery that still exist, such as the cloisters, the chapel, etc. In addition, I also loved this setting because it was a more self-contained setting with a lot of interesting characters – perfect for a mystery!

• The Suspense: Classic Julie Klassen, leaving readers in the dark and revealing secrets or histories from the past subsequently and slowly. Aside from the main suspenseful events of the novel – the murder – there were other story-lines that inspired questions. What really happened with Sir Frederick’s first wife? Why is Lady Fitzhoward acting a bit oddly? Do any of the hotel guests have a hidden connection with each other? I loved it when the answers to these questions were finally revealed – some of them were fantastic surprises! Side Note: I was also surprised by the identity and motive of the murderer!

• The Relationships: I enjoyed seeing a variety of relationships explored in this story. All the characters were engaging and I enjoyed seeing their relationships together, such as the sibling dynamics between the Lane and Wilford siblings, the employer/employee exchanges between Lady Fitzhoward and Rebecca, and the longtime friendship growing into something more between Frederick and Rebecca.

• The Conflicts: In addition to the murder inquisition and Rebecca’s mission to help her brother, many of the characters of this story had their own conflicts with which they were grappling. Whether they be recovering from betrayal, intentionally deceiving others, coping with depression and substance dependence, or needing to ask forgiveness. I really loved the inclusion of all these conflicts – they are timeless and universal, and to see these characters face and overcome them was inspiring to witness.

WHAT I WANTED MORE OF:

• Character and Romantic Development: I absolutely adored the hero and heroine of this tale – Rebecca is so level-headed and compassionate, and Sir Frederick is so wonderfully protective and such an honorable gentleman – but I wouldn’t have minded see more depth given to their characters and relationship with each other. Maybe more of their emotional journeys or more dimensions to their characters other than their pasts and current situations.

CONCLUSION:

Full of deceptions, duty, and danger Shadows of Swanford Abbey is another sensational and stirring period novel by Julie Klassen! If you love Austenesque and Regency Era stories, you need to check out the fantastic collection of novels by Julie Klassen, if you haven’t already. And if you are an ardent admirer of mysteries and gothic intrigue, maybe start with Shadows of Swanford Abbey (or Secrets of Pembroke Park)!

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