The Curse of Morton Abbey centres around Miss Vaughan Springthorpe, who comes as a solicitor to Morton Abbey to sort the papers for the impending sale of the estate. But not all at Morton is as it seems to be, and soon Vaughan has not only to fight to be taken seriously as a female solicitor, she also has to unravel the mysteries surrounding the house before events spiral out of control.
The story moves smoothly and the pages pretty much turn themselves as you try to figure out together with our heroine what on earth is going on in Morton Abbey. And who, if any, of the people there can she trust?

What I liked: the plot will feel rather familiar to readers of Jane Eyre, while still sufficiently different to not be merely a copy, but an interesting new take on the story. The prose flows easily and the mystery is intriguing, and it is definitely a page-turner that keeps you up and reading, because you want to find out more. I particularly enjoyed the gothic house-atmosphere, which was very well done.

What didn't work for me: The language is vaguely Victorianised in some parts, but also uses modern idioms. I'll accept as a conscious decision to make it more readable to modern readers. Readers who have read a lot of classics, however, may find this a little jarring; just like the fact that most of even the most basic Victorian codes of conduct are completely absent from the book. Initially, this was one of the things that I disliked most about the book, but after some reflection I decided that it doesn't set out to be historically accurate; it merely uses the Victorian setting for effect for a good story, and it would be unfair to punish it for not fulfilling my personal expectations when that is not something it even sets out to do.
You'll have to decide for yourself if that is something that would bother you or not.

What I did dislike was the fact that everything was spelled out for us. Vaughan had few characteristics beyond being a very unfeminine, logical and male-minded feminist; a point that she reminded us of at least once in each chapter; and unfortunately she felt rather flat to me.

People who have read a few mysteries will find the twists fairly easy to guess, and the hints given are rather broad and impossible to overlook. I felt that if these had been a bit more subtle or ambiguous, it would have greatly enhanced the reading experience - I enjoy books that are so duplicitous that I really don't know what is what, and that keep me guessing all the time. This isn't one of those. However, the ins and outs of the mystery are very convoluted and our heroine is genuinely confused, so even if you've already guessed the plot, it's still enjoyable watching her puzzle it out.

I want to say that with a degree in Victorian literature, I was probably really the wrong reader for this book, as it ticked some of my personal pet peeve boxes that won't bother other readers at all. I prefer my historical novels on the accurate side concerning things like language, social conventions of the time etc.; but it is of course perfectly possibly to read a merely vaguely 'historicised novel' and still derive perfect enjoyment from it, if you're not like me.
So take what I said with a grain of salt, and if the premise sounds like something you'd enjoy, I would absolutely recommend picking the book up, particularly now that the 'spooky season' is upon us.

I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a free ARC of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Vaughn Springthorpe is no shrinking violet and she is determined to take the position offered as assistant to the heir of Morton Abbey.

Morton Abbey is situated in a remote area of the moors, but there is no carriage or transportation awaiting at her destination. No one seemed eager to assist her into the carriage when one did arrive or encourage her to the property.

Ms. Harwood spins a very descriptive yarn about the plight of a young lady at the turn of the 19th century into the 20th. Shabby and showing disrepair, the abbey seems the last place a young invalid should seek employment and the well-developed characters working in the Manor are less than welcoming.

They were expecting a young male solicitor, not an unlicensed young lady! Vaughn is very well qualified, however, being the product of on-the-job training by her father. Her employer, Sir Peter Spencer, is the eldest son and has gone through the family’s money and is looking to sell the property. His younger brother has a number of frailties and is sequestered in a part of the structure.

I enjoyed the twists and turns of the characters as the story developed. The story moves quickly and held my interest throughout the book. Recommended! 5 stars - CE Williams

I wasn't sure if I would enjoy this book as it is my first by this author but..... I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love the style of writing this author has and this story had me enthralled from the first page!!!! I will definitely check out her previous books. I highly recommend this novel.

I loved this book. The strength given to Vaughn throughout the book is empowering. Perseverance over Persecution is how I would best describe her character traits. Great read. I couldn't put the book down for hours.

Vaughan Springthorpe, an intelligent young woman, arrives at Morton Abbey under the false pretence of being male in order to secure a job as solicitor. When she arrives, she discovers why they are willing to hire her as others have fled the suspicious noises and dangerous circumstances surrounding the decrepit mansion. Vaughan is not welcomed by the house's occupants, especially Nicholas Spencer, a handsome man stuck inside because of health problems. But Vaughan is a spitfire and bold woman who is determined to figure out the secrets and the mystery behind the ghostly occurrences that threaten her position.

I love a good haunted mansion mystery filled with a gothic atmosphere, dark romance, and ghostly influence, so I adored The Curse of Morton Abbey. I was surprised, and didn’t mind, the spookiness in the novel and was caught up in the well-woven mystery surrounding the house and shown through mysterious noises, rumours, and other twists and turns. It did take me a bit to get into the plot, the appearance of a love triangle (not a fan) had me a bit growly, and some of the elements did not seem historically realistic for the time, but overall this was a fantastic read!

Not for me. Clearly well written and creepy but I am a wimp so I had to leave it alone unfortunately

Right at the start a stunning cover that brings justice to a main character, Morton Abbey, an ancient, gloomy, estate located in rainy England. With a slower start this book is allows you to befriend the characters and makes you want to read till the end to see how their story is going to turn out. The dark and gothic atmosphere that looms over this book is truly everything and a perfect read for rainy October nights.

“I’d sooner accept a coin to send an innocent soul to hell. Don’t go to Morton Abbey, Miss.” This is one of many warnings that perhaps Morton Abbey is not a place a young woman of 28 years should be venturing off to following the death of her father. However, that is exactly why you might want to join her dear reader. Perfect time of year for a sensational gothic novel set in February 1897, and The Curse of Morton Abbey delivers with a perfectly timed publication date of October 26, 2021.

We are with Vaughan and in her own words she is “a solicitor in everything but name.” She is offered a job to simply prepare Morton Abbey for sale. She is hired through written correspondence and her employer, thanks to her ambiguous name, does not know that she is a woman or has a “bad leg”. She has been underestimated by everyone her whole life, except her father. Her colorful language for a Victorian upper middle-class woman can attest to spending many hours assisting her father in his law practice. We meet Vaughan as she is preparing to depart to Yorkshire from London three months after her father’s death and to her mother’s consternation. Within the first six percent of the book she receives several verbal warnings about Morton Abbey, references to a mad and locked up second son, and creepy servants all while never having met the man that hired her.

I have to admit that I did not find Vaughan a likeable character as I began reading. She felt stale, unemotional, abrasive, demanding and entitled to know everything. The entitlement results in her barging into Nicholas Spencer’s, the second son I mentioned previously, bedroom and locking his butler out of the room. Not proper behavior of a Victorian woman, but if everything she did was proper I don’t think we would be reading a story about her. She is an unusual heroine but believable in her behaviors once you understand her back story. In fact, the various characters have multiple layers making me have evolving feelings towards them. Always a great sign when a book’s characters make you feel something. The atmosphere throughout the novel is pitch perfect and extends as we move out of the house and around the gardens, grounds and neighboring village.
Overall, both the pacing and writing added to the story enjoyment. The plot twists were more like swerves and effectively increased my intrigue and desire to know more. The final section had a few moments that felt rushed. I felt that we were no longer discovering but rather being told what the key points were. Some of the characters we meet toward the later parts of the story seemed flat and not flushed out. Additionally, I believe these late comers could have been used to better effect if introduced earlier. There is a bit of romance in the air, but it is slow burning and really ads to the mysterious feel of the story. I know that others have made references to The Secret Garden and Jane Eyre – but truth be told I felt more of a gothic Beauty and the Beast vibe in regards to the romance and setting, and I loved it for that. Overall, if the premise intrigues you, I would say pick this one up.

The Curse of Morton Abbey has some really dark themes, but it helps you to appreciate the bright spots in this book. It isn't very often I read a book where there are two main love interests and you really don't find out who Vaughn chooses until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this read. I only wish it wasn't all in Vaughn's POV. I enjoy knowing what the other main characters are thinking, but that is just my preference. If you don't mind first person POV I think you will really enjoy this story of heartbreak and overcoming demons.


I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. I see that this book has a lot of good reviews. I really really tried to get into this book but I just found it boring and very very slow. I did not like the main character at all. I was having a hard time believing that a woman who claimed she was raised very proper in a Victorian home who never did any physical labor would be so bold to go inside a man's bedroom and lock the door to see what he was like. That would have been so improper. There were a lot of scenes like this that just were not believable

October is a good time of year for a Gothic novel like this to come out. Along the vein of "The Haunting of Bly Manor", a woman goes to work at a remote manor where spooky things begin to happen, and there is clearly something mysterious going on.

It was entertaining, even though it kind of fell apart in the end. Fun read for Halloween season!

In late-1800s London, there is very little work available for a female solicitor. Vaughan Springthorpe is willing to take whatever job she can get—even if it takes her to a crumbling, possibly haunted mansion in the moors of Yorkshire. Peter Spencer is willing to overlook Vaughan's gender and her lack of qualifications as long as she can get the job done. Peter needs Morton Abbey's accounts organized and the old home readied for sale. What Peter fails to tell Vaughan is that his irascible, sickly younger brother is currently living at Morton and claims that he is the true owner. Vaughan is determined to do the job, but natural and supernatural forces are working together to stop her. As she uncovers old secrets, Vaughan finds herself falling in love with Morton Abbey and one of its residents.

As a gothic/romantic suspense, THE CURSE OF MORTON ABBEY is not my typical, go-to type of novel. But, as a fan of Clarissa Harwood's other books ­­­IMPOSSIBLE SAINTS and BEAR NO MALICE, I was compelled to read it even though it was compared to JANE EYRE. (Apologizes to the Jane Eyre fans, but the novel brings back nightmares of high school and how much I hated reading it.) Vaughan Springthorpe is a likable but flawed main character. She is determined to be independent, and she refuses to let her gender or physical handicap get in her way. While rational and practical, she is also immature and inexperienced. She knows there is an explanation for all of the strange things going on around Morton Abbey and the nearby town, but she is quick to jump to conclusions concerning the causes. She can also be abrupt and rude. But it is those flaws that make her likable. There are a lot of layers to THE CURSE OF MORTON ABBEY. Everyone has their own reasons for wanting the place sold—or not to be sold. While there to do a job, Vaughan finds herself caught up in other character's dramas and the mysteries of the area. The deeper she digs, the more involved she gets.

Everything about this book captured my attention - the gorgeous cover, the premise, and the author! It did not disappoint. I thoroughly enjoyed this atmospheric story with its blend of gothic romance and history in a classic style. It is one to be remembered and reread and definitely to recommend!

First off thanks to @netgalley and Thornfield Press for my FIRST ARC (in exchange for an honest and unbiased review) I feel like a real booksta ♥️ Our main heroine is Vaughn, a female solicitor with a physical disability - and lets add it’s the late 1800s so she’s really doing the damn thing. She replied to an add for a solicitor to put together the affairs of Morton Abbey to prepare it for sale. Along the way she befriends the second born heir to the abbey who wants nothing more but to keep it and learns more about the secrets hiding in the walls of Morton.

Likes:
👍🏼 I could smell Morton Abbey throughout the book. Harwood did such an incredible job making a place the main character.
👍🏼 The tie into Joe Dixon’s family and the town in which he grew up in. While he was too good to be true he made me happy!
👍🏼 Once the book picked up it was excellently paced with information being revealed at the perfect time. Harwood writes in a way where the character figures out what’s going on a little before you are and it kept me on my toes!

Dislikes:
👎🏼 The beginning was slow and took me a little bit to figure out what was going on. (This can also be attributed to me because I don’t like to read book synopsis)
👎🏼 While the the romantic in me loves some twisted relationships with happy endings I wasn’t convinced any of the relationships ended the “right way”
👎🏼 As an avid Downton Abbey and Upstairs/Downstairs fan I feel like the class mixing and how the employees interacted with their employer were not in line with the norms of the time.

Overall, really enjoyed this book!! Not my typical genre but I really got into this genre and will read more by Harwood!

3.8 Stars

One Liner: Atmospheric setting with a feminist heroine, but lacks the punch of a good mystery.

Vaughan Springthorpe has been her father’s assistant for a long time. She finally has a chance to prove that she’s a worthy solicitor when women were limited to manage the house and attending parties.
Despite her mother’s doubts, Vaughan goes to Morton Abbey in Yorkshire to assist Sir Peter Spencer with the sale of the estate. Of course, her employer is away from the dark, gloomy, and mysterious place.
Vaughan has to live in the same house with a grumpy butler, a talkative housekeeper, and Peter’s invalid younger brother, Nicholas. The strange sounds and unexplained silence of the members scare Vaughan, but she’s determined to get her job done.
The job itself proves to be difficult with the library and the papers in the most kind of mess she’s ever seen. As days pass into weeks, Vaughan sets things in order. She meets Nicholas as well as Joe, the gardener at the Abbey. None of them seem to have any explanation for the incidents that trouble her mind. Moreover, she realizes that people aren’t always what they seem to be.
The nearest village, Netherton, seems to be picture-perfect until Vaughan realizes that there’s something not right. Things get complicated as Vaughan learns new things. However, some incidents are still a mystery, and she is determined to get to the bottom of them. Can Vaughan succeed in revealing the curse of Morton Abbey and finding what her heart desires?
The book has a slow start but picks up momentum later on. The writing is neither too descriptive nor bland. The mix of show and tell works well to establish the setting and the characters. While we realize a few things at the same time as Vaughan does, the other hints are provided for us to connect the dots.
Vaughan is the narrator of the story, and we see the change in her as she grows through the book. She is an independent woman wanting to make her mark in the male-dominated society. While that’s great, some of her comments seem a little too condescending about other women and their approach to life.
The other characters seem to be a hit and miss. While I loved Nicholas Spencer’s mood swings and erratic behavior, and Joe was the too-good-to-be-true kind of guy, the rest of them were pretty much casual. The romance did keep me interested to see what would happen at the end.
The mystery tends to go in and out of the spotlight. The final reveal somehow fell flat and didn’t seem to be justice to the title.
The book did have an epilogue of sorts, but even that ended almost abruptly. That kind of approach works for a short story than a full-length novel. When I read almost 400 pages, I want a better and more settled ending (especially since I’m a fan of HEA).
To sum up, The Curse of Morton Abbey is a decent atmospheric novel with elements of romance and suspense. It would make for a good one-time read.
Thank you, NetGalley and Thornfield Press, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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The book will be promoted again on social media before the release date.

Oh, wow! Where to start? This book has everthing going for it. There's the remote, isolated and dark estate. A creepy atmosphere I could easily picture. Strange goings on, surprises, and twists. Well drawn characters, especially the heroine, Vaughn Springthorpe, with a romance full of longing and worthy of Jane Eyre. The references to Jane Eyre and The Secret Garden are spot on and skillfully handled to create this well-written story. I absolutely loved every moment of this throughly entertaining read. I highly recommend it! And as a plus, it is a clean read, no graphic content or crude language.

P.S. Thank you for the opportunity to review this wonderful book. I wish it much success! I will post this review on Amazon and B&N on the release date.

The Curse of Morton Abbey is a book of intrigue and mystery that will keep you on the edge of your seat and constantly guessing. The synopsis of this story describes it as "The Secret Garden" meets "Jane Eyre," and this is such an accurate description. For those who loved those two novels, they're sure to like this one as well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and can't wait to recommend it to my fellow historical fiction lovers.

However, I will say that it took me a little while to get into the story. During the first 15% of the book, I had trouble figuring out where the plot was going, but once I had a better understanding, I was hooked. When I reached the halfway mark, it became increasingly difficult to put it down. Every page brought more questions than answers, and I was desperate to learn all that I could.

The Curse of Morton Abbey follows our main character Vaughan, a female solicitor trained by her father, who has been hired to finalize the selling of the estate, Morton Abbey. When she arrives at Morton Abbey, however, she realizes the job won't be simple. The estate is a lonely and eery one, and every night she hears strange noises. We follow her journey in uncovering the mysteries of the house, while forming friendships and romantic relationships with the inhabitants. But nothing is as it seems in Morton Abbey, and before she knows it, Vaughan is caught in a web of deception and hidden truths, and she must work to uncover all of the secrets.

This was a wonderful gothic story, perfect for October. The mystery of the house and its inhabitants kept me engaged the entire time, even when I had no idea what was happening. I'm pleased to say there were a couple of mysteries I was able to solve, but there were just as many that took my by surprise in the best way.

I think my biggest problem with this story is the writing style. It's not bad by any means, but it's also very simple and doesn't add much to the story. This just goes to show how much the plot and characters were keeping me engaged, though, since at one point, I found myself not caring anymore because I was so into the story. However, I will say that the pacing was excellently done. It was by no means quick, but neither was it too slow. It was just the right amount to draw out the suspense and keep readers on the edge of their seat.

The characters, while they took a little time to warm up to, were a big part of what made The Curse of Morton Abbey work. Every character was shrouded in mystery, and while they appeared to be trustworthy, we soon found out that nothing and no one could be trusted at face value. It was a lot of fun following these characters and rooting for them, all the while knowing one of them could be behind a sinister plot to hurt Vaughan and keep Morton Abbey from being sold.

I'm so very glad that I read this one, and I highly recommend it!

I have posted my review on Goodreads and will be posting it to my Instagram, WritingRoseReads in a couple of weeks.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A page-turner full of suspense. I couldn't help thinking I had read this before, although of course I hadn't as it's not published until end October 2021. Then I remembered the blurb "Jane Eyre meets The Secret Garden". I also had thoughts of another gothic mystery I read not long ago "John Eyre".

I could hardly put this one down, with all the twists and turns and I congratulate Clarissa Harwood who is a new author to me.

This book reminds me of other gothic romance mystery books I used to read. It has a good mystery, the story kept my interest to the very end. I enjoyed this book.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This was a pleasant reading experience. The book falls firmly into the gothic romance genre but there are also touches of suspense and mystery. The mystery aspect involves trying to locate a missing will which could make all the difference in the dispensation of property of an estate in the north of England, Yorkshire to be specific. Spinster Miss Vaughan Springthorpe turns out to be an easy to like heroine of the late 1890s who is confident enough in herself to cuss out loud (but usually without anybody there to hear her) to carve out a career for herself in a world usually reserved for men (the law) and to travel, alone, to a moldy and damp manor house to complete the legal contract for the sale of the estate. Vaughn doesn't instantly charm all the residents of the house, much to my delight because it made her a much more interesting person for me. There is a love story with heaps of obstacles to be overcome and the heroine even has a physical disability that is used very well by the author to make us - the readers - like Vaughan just a little bit better every time she overcomes an obstacle. Gothic Romance is not my genre of choice but there were lots of things I enjoyed about this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley co-op, Thornfield Press for an e-galley of this novel.