Rebecca Lane comes to Swanford Abbey as a favor to her brother, but a simple mission turns deadly leaving Rebecca with a suspect alibi. Can she prove her innocence without endangering the ones she loves?

A riveting character rich read, written with an Austen-esque style, with hints of gothic mystery as well. An immersive experience, and a great show rather than tell style that lets you see things and make your own guesses as the story progresses. A slower paced read that lets you soak in the characters and setting to appreciate them fully.

I admired Frederick for taking charge and always trusting Rebecca, even when things were looking bad for her.

Overall, this was a thoroughly enjoyable read, with excellent character development and an intricate plot, as well as strong themes of faith. Great for fans of regency era romance!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A great read! I could not put it down. There was a twist of suspense that I was drawn too - definitely had an Agatha Christie feel l! Hope to see more like this from Klassen!

Shadows of Swanford Abbey was a great regency romance turned murder mystery. When I started this book I didn't expect to have a murder mystery to try and solve, but that made the read even more exciting.

The romance was fine. I enjoyed how it was a second chance romance, but other than that I wasn't really invested in it.

All in all, Shadows of Swanford Abbey was a very good read and I think fans of this genre will enjoy it.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

Due to some health issues, I was unable to get this book read and reviewed in a timely manner. I apologize.

I love Julie Klassen's novels and admire her and her work immensely. This one had a great setting at an old abbey/monastery turned hotel and a very interesting cast of characters. The prose was excellent as always. The mystery was a bit slow to start, and I wish there had been more romance. I'd recommend reading any of Klassen's novels though, they're great!

One of my favorite books of 2022. The author never disappoints with unique characters, fascinating settings, and divinely intriguing mysteries. The reader is taken on a journey and it is easy to get lost in the story. I'm a huge fan of Ms. Klassen and this story is by far one of my favorites.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Shadows of Swanford Abbey is a lovely and atmospheric whodunit set in a gorgeous location with a sweet romance thrown in for flavor.

There's been a murder most foul at Swanford Abbey. So many suspects! Such a dastardly victim! (We think he's a bit of a lout for most of the book, but what we think we know pales in comparison to the truth we actually discover in the end. To say he had it coming pretty much sums it up, IMO) Ms Klassen drew upon many inspirations when she wrote Shadows according to her author's note, and it shows--there's just as many Jane Austen touches here as there are Agatha Christie--and the novel comes out a cohesive whole in the end, all of the different elements blending together nicely.

The setting of a hotel allows for a lively assortment of characters, and I especially loved all of the family relationships Ms Klassen wove into her tale. The bonds between siblings are significant--and complicated!--here for many of her characters, as they are in real life as well, heartbreaking and hopeful in equal measure.

And the delicious slow burn romance between Rebecca and Frederick...happy sigh <3

This was my first book from Julie Klassen, but it definitely won't be my last!

Rating: 4 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I have been a Julie Klassen fan for many years now. Her books have a bit of mystery, surrounded by light romance. Her characters are interesting, which is another aspect that makes me come back for more.

In this particular novel, I loved the mystery aspect the most. Up until the end of the novel, there was a question of who was the character in the hooded gown. I'll have to admit, I was reading late one night and nearly scared myself! I would still consider it to be light suspense. Julie also does a great job building the romantic tension. I love the connection between Rebecca and Sir Frederick as they try to figure out if they can trust one another to solve the mysteries at the abbey.

This book is a clean read and the author is a must read for this genre!

An abbey-turned-hotel holds many secrets, but not nearly as many as the guests.

Perhaps inspired by Agatha Christy and Jane Austen, @julie.k.klassen 's newest novel is a delight to readers. Set in England in the early 1800s, it features a reclusive author, a potentially haunted hotel, and two sweet lovebirds and other guests with myriad secrets. Although it is a murder mystery and romance, it is clean and Christian.

I loved this story, and I have loved nearly every book Julie Klassen has published. The characters are kind, deep, and imperfect, showing true growth throughout the tale. I enjoyed their sweet romance.

The solution to the mystery surprised me, which is not easily done, and makes me love it more. There was foreshadowing, plot twists, and false leads, all contributing to a satisfying end.

As usual, I learned something about the time period, and that was the presence of a doctor who used humane practices to treat mental health patients. General knowledge of asylums in the time period contradicts that fact, so I am grateful to know that was not true of everyone.

I recommend Shadows of Swanford Abbey to fans of clean, Christian, historical fiction.

When Rebecca Lane returns to her village for a short holiday from her job as a companion, her brother pleads with her to stay at Swanford Abbey. A well-known author is housed at the monastery turned hotel, and he wants Rebecca to get his manuscript into the writer’s hands. Though hesitant, Rebecca agrees out of a sense of duty.

Rumors state that Swanford Abbey is haunted, and it isn’t long before strange things start occurring. A hooded black figure roams the halls and the author is found dead in his room. It soon comes to light that many had a reason to want him dead, including Rebecca and her brother. To complicate matters further, the magistrate who takes on the questioning of the staff and guests is none other than the man who years earlier broke her heart.

The combination of Julie Klassen plus Regency era plus a murder mystery meant I approached the story ready to love it. To my dismay, I didn’t. While Shadows of Swanford Abbey has the basic elements of a gothic tale, it failed to take off. Slow pacing, an underwhelming story, and flat characters kept this read planted in the okay category rather than great.

The setting — an ancient abbey — has all the makings of the perfect spooky backdrop, but failed to take root in my mind’s eye. The characters too remained mostly indistinguishable and one-dimensional. The protagonists themselves, though more developed, lacked chemistry. The heroine’s brother evoked the strongest emotions in me — namely frustration. In his case, that was necessary and understandable, but I would have liked the other aspects of the novel to elicit the same level of emotion. I wanted to experience everything as though there myself. I did like the story’s Agatha Christie vibes, and fans of Klassen and slower paced mysteries could enjoy Shadows of Swanford Abbey.

Shadows of Swanford Abbey is a very compelling mystery. The mystery is told in an Agatha Christie style. I found all the characters to be interesting. The story was fast-paced and filled with suspense! I recommend this for fans of Victoria Thompson, Cora Harris, and Jennifer Ashley.

Rebecca is staying at the Swanford Abbey with her employer, Lady Fitzhoward. Rebecca is enjoying making new friends and reuniting with old ones. While walking around the Abbey, She keeps seeing a black hooded figure walking around. Is it the ghost of the Abbess or a guest up to nefarious acts?

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a little slower read than I like, but the characters made the story more interesting. I liked the relationship between Rebecca and Fredrick and how the story is told from each of their perspectives.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I can always count on a good mystery with a hint of romance from this author. This book is set in a monastery and involves authors and publishers. It has hidden hallways and murder! Rebecca starts seeing a hooded figure. She and Sir Frederick, a childhood friend, team up to solve the mystery. And perhaps heal hurts they have endured throughout the years. I enjoyed the mystery and the characters and quite entertaining.

I have been a fan of Julie Klassen since her very first book, and I have to say each book she writes feels fresh and it is always a joy to learn of a new one that will be released! I know that I will enjoy whatever she writes, and Shadows of Swanford Abbey was no different. I really, really enjoyed the premise, loved the main characters, believed in the romance (which is important!) and overall spent a very happy day immersing myself into the world she created created. Her books always remind me of Jane Austen, and this book had "Persuasion" vibes - which I loved! This is an excellent book and comes highly recommended!

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Award-winning author Julie Klassen blends Gothic chills, nail-biting mystery and gentle romance in her latest novel, Shadows of Swanford Abbey.

Miss Rebecca Lane is beside herself worrying about her brother. His behaviour has been given her many a sleepless night and feeling responsible for his current state, she reluctantly agrees to do his bidding and heads over to Swanford Abbey, a former medieval monastery now converted into a hotel, to deliver a manuscript to a guest who could help her brother to get published – a famous author who had once betrayed them. Rebecca cannot help but be apprehensive about going to Swanford Abbey, which has long been rumoured to be haunted. However, on her arrival she soon realizes that ghosts will prove to be the least of her worries.

Swanford Abbey might now be a grand hotel, but its walls echo and reverberate with past shadows and old ghosts. Rebecca is troubled by some strange occurrences taking place under the cover of darkness, however, most worrying of all is running into her former neighbour Sir Frederick, who had broken her heart many years ago. Putting Frederick behind her had proved impossible for Rebecca and she intends to keep her distance from the baronet who is also the local magistrate. However, that proves to be easier said than done…

When the famous author is found dead, it is up to Frederick to discover who is responsible for this murder. With a list of suspects longer than his arm, Frederick will leave no stone unturned to get to the truth – even if it means facing up to the fact that Miss Lane and her brother could be somehow responsible! As he battles his feelings for Rebecca with his quest for justice, will a future between him and Miss Lane prove possible? Or will her secrets end up costing them a lifetime of happiness?

Julie Klassen pens high quality historical romances rich in atmosphere, emotion and charm and Shadows of Swanford Abbey is the latest in a long line of enthralling page-turners that have won her plenty of reader and critical acclaim. In Shadows of Swanford Abbey, Julie Klassen has created a wonderful cast of characters readers will fall in love with and this engrossing and highly satisfying historical romantic mystery is sure to delight devotees and new fans alike of this much-loved writer.

I'm pretty sure Julie Klassen has been my auto-read, auto-love author for at least twelve years (since my best friend introduced me to Lady of Milkweed Manor). I was super excited to get my hands on her newest book, Shadows of Swanford Abbey. You guys. Swanford has it all --- romance, mystery, regency swoon-ness! If you are a fan of regency fiction, you are going to want to put this one on your TBR pile ASAP (and really ... all of Julie's backlist too. Just do it)!

Klassen doesn't disappoint in this historical mystery/romance. Highly recommended for all the Regency lovers.

I enjoyed spending time in 1820 at Swanford Abbey. Now a beautiful hotel, it came into being as a Medieval monastery, complete with a hidden staircase and secret passageways…a perfect setting for an intriguing mystery to unfold.

What may be lingering in the shadows of Swanford Abbey? Secrets, shame or people harboring these very things? As the light of truth and awareness is allowed to enter, maybe some heavy burdens will be lifted…and light, life and joy can return.

As I read this book, I joined the characters on a mysterious journey to uncover many secrets and solve a crime. The clues were unearthed in such a manner, that I was guessing until the very end. Well done!

The author breathed life into her characters and I grew very attached to many of them. Several relationships were complicated with disagreements, estrangements and regrets. Thank goodness for second chances, extended grace and forgiveness!

I loved the way everything was wrapped up at the end. I read the last part of this lovely book with happy tears in my eyes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers, along with a paperback copy. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Shadows of Swanford Abbey has been aptly described as a Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie novel. In my opinion, it is one of the best. I absolutely loved the setting of Swanford Abbey and the large cast of characters. Sir Frederick's search to uncover the identity of the murderer of a famous author follows the Christie model with steady pacing of plot and heavy dialogue. Julie Klassen is at her best with rich detail of each of the suspects, allowing the reader to make their own conclusion based upon the expertly paced plot and clues. I enjoyed the sweet romance woven throughout the story.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/ publisher through Netgalley. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Swanford Abbey has been turned into the Swanford Hotel, but does the ghost of the Abbess still reside there? Rumor has it, it does, but really? I'm not much of a ghost story reader, so I wasn't sure this was going to be my style of book, but the story works. While, not really a ghost, there is a mysterious person lurking around. What are they doing here and why are they trying to disguise themselves?

Rebecca Lane is staying at the motel to try to help her brother out. Of course, just mysteriously, Sir Frederick also is and that's all I'll say about that. But when the famous author that Rebecca was supposed to contact for her brother is found murdered, is she really gonna be able to help or will she put her brother at risk if she tells what she knows.

It's an interesting story and I breezed through it. I think the thing that I found most satisfying in the book was the element of restoration, of healing that took place in the book, of long ago wrongs being righted and relationships being mended. It was really neat to watch.

I received this book from Bethany House via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.