Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen

Shadows of Swanford Abbey
by Julie Klassen

ISBN-13: 9780764234248
Paperback: 416 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Released: December 7th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description from NetGalley:
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....


My Review:
Shadows of Swanford Abbey is a Christian historical romance and mystery set in 1820 in England. Rebecca felt responsible for her brother's moods and so allowed him to manipulate her into doing something that made no sense: give his rejected manuscript to the author that stole his last manuscript in hopes he'd recommend it to his publisher. The author was guarded so no one could bother him, so she approached the visiting publisher when he's in a bad mood despite being told he won't look at unrequested manuscripts. Rebecca convinced herself that getting the manuscript to the author would somehow make her brother all better even though she had valid doubts at the start. She deliberately deceived several people to gain this goal.

Sir Frederick was friends with Rebecca when they were children and could see how she's grown into a beautiful woman, but he's also the one investigating the murder. She's clearly hiding something. Yet she's also uncovering a lot of clues. He interviewed people while she tended to overhear or notice clues. Once they decided to trust each other, the romance grew beyond the physical attraction and an old crush. Historical details were woven into the story, giving it a distinct setting in that place and time.

The main characters learned to forgive themselves. There was no sex or bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable historical.


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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