Shadows of Swanford Abbey

GIVEAWAY

KLASSEN, JULIE

SHADOWS OF SWANFORD ABBEY

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 favour: 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 rumoured 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 Fredrick -- magistrate, widower, and former neighbour -- who long ago broke her heart.

When the famous author is found murdered in the abbey, Sir Fredrick 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 Fredrick 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...

My Review:

Sqqquuuueeeeaaaaaapppppp alert!!!! I am in an ecstatic swoon of bibliophile delight! Regency! Atmospheric!! Julie Klassen!!! Definitely the kind of novel to sweep a reader off her feet, so have a fainting couch handy!

My first 'grown-up' reads were romances by Victoria Holt and Phyllis A. Whitney and Mary Stewart...and that's when I fell in love with historical romance and this gothic-y, atmospheric kind of mystery style. I've been smitten ever since. 

Shadows of Swanford Abbey brought back that old delicious thrill of history and mystery that has left me feeling quite nostalgic. And enchanted because I'm overflowing with bookish euphoria -- the kind that comes from reading a story that speaks to your heart, engages your mind and just plain makes you feel good.

I love the leisurely pacing of a complicated plot that has so many intriguing elements to tie together, including stirring faith threads that have the power to change lives. I love the atmospheric vibe right from the start. Struggling orphaned heroine's dedication to her brother. The conflict that presents for her. The fraught moments of indecision and angst. Reuniting with a man she once loved and never forgot. And the spooky Abbey -- an inn that holds so many secrets! Including a mysterious figure that flits in and out of sight -- ghost, intruder or prankster?! And then...murder!!!!

That tag-line pretty much sums it up -- Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen! And what a divine pairing that is!

I listened tot he audible edition narrated by Elizabeth Jasicki who did a marvellous job of conveying the era and atmosphere to stunning perfection.

GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:

This giveaway is for a paperback or ebook copy -- reader's choice.

If you would like a chance to win a copy of Shadows of Swanford Abbey, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add your email to a comment, remember to use AT AND DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it's easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday December 18 2021. Offer open to International Readers. Good luck