Shadows of Swanford Abbey: Book Review

**Complimentary copy received for consideration. All thoughts are my own. 

Agatha Christie meets Jane Austenin 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. . . .

Julie Klassen (www.julieklassen.com) loves all things Jane--Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. Her books have sold over a million copies, and she is a three-time recipient of the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing's BEST Award and has been a finalist in the RITA and Carol Awards. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. She and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota. For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.

When I pick up a book with Julie Klassen's name on the cover, I always expect that I am in for a delightful read. She has such a great way of drawing the reader into the story and allowing us to travel back in time, just as a good historical read should. Shadows on Swanford Abbey did not disappoint. 

I am not always the biggest fan of historical reads set in this time period--- or I should say, I find that they must be done really well for me to truly be able to enjoy them compared to other genres. This book drew me in with two of my favorite things to find in a good story--- enough mystery to keep me on the edge of my seat and swoon worthy romantic moments. What's not to enjoy about that? 

If you enjoy regency romance with a good dose of intrigue weaved in, this is certainly one worth checking out.