Shadows of Swanford Abbey
Books | Fiction / Christian / Historical
4.3
(51)
Julie Klassen
Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this atmospheric Regency tale brimming with mystery, intrigue, and romance. When Miss Rebecca Lane returns to her home village after a few years away, her brother begs for a favor: go to nearby Swanford Abbey and deliver his manuscript to an author staying there who could help him get published. Feeling responsible for her brother's desperate state, she reluctantly agrees.The medieval monastery turned grand hotel is rumored to be haunted. Once there, Rebecca begins noticing strange things, including a figure in a hooded black gown gliding silently through the abbey's cloisters. For all its renovations and veneer of luxury, the ancient foundations seem to echo with whispers of the past--including her own. For there she encounters Sir Frederick--magistrate, widower, and former neighbor--who long ago broke her heart.When the famous author is found murdered in the abbey, Sir Frederick begins questioning staff and guests and quickly discovers that several people held grudges against the man, including Miss Lane and her brother. Haunted by a painful betrayal in his past, Sir Frederick searches for answers but is torn between his growing feelings for Rebecca and his pursuit of the truth. For Miss Lane is clearly hiding something. . . .
Romance
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More Details:
Author
Julie Klassen
Pages
416
Publisher
Baker Publishing Group
Published Date
2021-12-07
ISBN
0764234242 9780764234248
Community ReviewsSee all
"A beautiful book. Maybe all we really need is to done Beckie's shoes for a bit and really see the good in the world. All in all, a feel good book."
Enyah
"Loved it. Murder mystery, historical fiction, clean romance all in one. "
L c
Laurie cooper
"I really didn't like this book as much as I'd hoped. The first half of the book was VERY slow and honestly I got a bit bored and started skimming. The second half of the book is where the murder mystery started, which I felt was a bit late but at least the plot started to move along. It really wasn't that much of a Gothic novel, definitely more of a murder mystery but then all sorts of religious things started getting thrown into the second half of the book, which kind of threw me. I got that she was a vicar's daughter but then out of nowhere (starting about 40%) she's praying and talking about God and his plan etc several times and it just felt jarring. The "romance" felt a bit off and stilted as well. I liked seeing the foundation of her feelings in the memories although we don't get as much from him. I don't mind some tension and building slowly in a relationship but they literally don't kiss until the 2nd to last chapter. I also had an issue with the time period and how the characters were portrayed. This was supposed to take place in 1820 but I kept feeling like it was set more in the early 1900s by the way people talked and how they were acting. It was also frustrating that the heroine couldn't be alone with a man or dine alone - for propriety - but then she could, it seemed, when the author felt like it. I also found myself despising John and frankly, Rebecca, for knowingly letting him manipulate and use her. She just came off as a weak character even though she was supposed to seem strong and brave.<br/><br/>So this book just had too many issues for me to really like it."
Sandra Lee
"This was such an excellent read- I thoroughly enjoyed it. A great mystery without being overly stressful (which I hate) with the sweetness of a love story tied in. Full of lessons of grace and cherishing friends and family as well. Loved it! "
Madeline Shumaker
