Betrayal at Cleeve Abbey by Anita Davison

Betrayal at Cleeve Abbey by Anita Davison ISBN-13: 9781786690821 Paperback: 294 pages Publisher: Aria Released: Dec. 1, 2016

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Flora Maguire is now happily married to Bunny Harrington and living in Richmond when she receives an alarming telegram informing her of her father's tragic death in a suspicious riding accident at Cleeve Abbey.

Heartbroken, she and Bunny return to her former home, where she was Governess to Eddy, Viscount Trent, and her father was Butler to Earl Trent.

Flora’s intention was to bury him next to Lily, her mother, who passed away when Flora was a small child. But mystery surrounds the final resting place of Lily, and no-one is willing to talk. Flora must uncover hidden family secrets as she also solves her father's murder.


My Review:
Betrayal at Cleeve Abbey is a mystery set in 1902 in England. It's the second book in a series, but you don't need to read the previous books to understand this one. However, the characters referred to some events in the previous novel including (I think) spoiling whodunit.

The characters were interesting. I liked how Flora's husband was very supportive of her and that Flora was able to handle herself creditably in a dangerous situation. The many historical details (like news, technology, dress, etc.) were woven into the story without slowing the pacing.

The story involved several mysteries--past and present--that might or might not be connected. Some mysteries were a matter of finding the person who knew what had happened and was willing to talk about it, which wasn't exactly easy. For the murder mystery, Flora asked questions and uncovered clues until she had a good picture of what had happened. I was not surprised by whodunit, but I hadn't guessed whydunit until the confession scene.

There were no graphic sex scenes. There was no bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical mystery novel.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


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