Shadows of Swanford Abbey

Author: Julie Klassen
Genre: Historical Romance
Release Date: December 7, 2021

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. . . .

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Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Julie Klassen delivers a spine-tingling Gothic romance with Shadows of Swanford Abbey.

When Rebecca Lane returns home after a few years away, she discovers her brother is not doing well. He was tricked by a famous author who stole his book, and he could not get past it. Desperate to help him, Rebecca agrees to pass his latest manuscript to an author staying at Swanford Abbey in the hopes that he could get published.

But once she arrives at the abbey-turned hotel, Rebecca begins to see things that make her believe the abbey is haunted. On top of that, she meets Sir Frederick again, a former neighbour who once broke her heart. For his part, Sir Frederick cannot believe the change he sees in Rebecca and is immediately drawn to her. But because of their age difference, he tries to quell the growing feelings he has for her.

This book has it all. Ghostly hauntings, murder, intrigue, and above all, romance! Rebecca is fearless. Half the things she does in this book I would never venture out to do. While Frederick, for his part, is unquestionably honourable, to his detriment in the romance department. Together they are perfect for each other.

If you love Gothic Regency romance, you will enjoy this book. I highly recommend it!

I received this book courtesy of Bethany House through NetGalley.

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