I love Julie Klassen. One thing I love about her is that each of her books are so unique and honestly I never know what to expect. This book was more of a murder mystery with some romance thrown in there. It actually reminded me a lot of the game Clue.

Julie also did a great job of keeping me guessing about who did what. Even up until all was revealed I hadn’t fully figured it out but I wasn’t surprised. I had thought of something along those lines but didn’t see how it could have happened.

I highly recommend this read!

A copy of this book was given to to me though Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

It took me a little while to get truly invested in this story, but by the end, I was caught - hook, line, and sinker! Reading this story also made me want to go visit an old monastery. One, because ruins fascinate me, and two, because I was having a hard time picturing what the cloisters and all the other parts of the building looked like. I admit, I'm used to reading Regency-era stories, so it kept throwing me for a loop whenever more modern conveniences were mentioned.

The author does a good job keeping the reader guessing. The reveal at the end was completely surprising to me, and very believable. All in all, an enjoyable story, filled with intrigue, mystery, family drama, and yes, even some romance.

From the first page to the last this was a great historical mystery with a touch of romance. Klassen succeeds in creating a great cast of characters, all with a past and their own personal dilemmas, enough to make us question if they are a suspect.

Rebecca, who has been working as a lady's companion, returns home, only to find her brother suffering from deep depression. To help him, she decides to stay at Swanford Abbey, where she is to perform a task for him. There, she meets Frederick again after years of being away. She had a crush on him as a teenager, but he broke her heart when he married. Now, he is a widower and Rebecca is no longer a besotted teen but does anyone ever forget their first love? Rebecca hasn't. And when they join forces to uncover who committed a murder, Rebecca's past comes full circle.

Although a murder mystery, I really enjoyed how the author explores the topics of mental illness, betrayal, revenge, guilt, and familial responsibility. She does this seamlessly, without weighing down the story, all within the mystery of a spooky medieval-abbey-turned-grand-hotel, which is a great setting for a who-dun-it mystery novel. It's well-written and engaging. Not a boring moment.

This was a fun easy read, perfect for Regency mystery lovers to cuddle with on cold winter nights. Don't miss out on Klassen's latest release.

Julie Klassen has done it again. She has written another engaging novel.
Shadows of Swanford Abbey is a mix of gothic romance, mystery, and historical fiction with a splash of Christian ideology. Klassen makes this mix of genres work. She sets the story in an old abbey that is now a hotel believed to be haunted. She creates a “second chance” romance that is believable and sweet. She gives us one big murder mystery to solve along with a couple of “hidden identity” mysteries. Lastly, she has her main characters live Christian lives but doesn’t use them as a platform to preach a sermon.
Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House for a digital copy of Shadows of Swanford Abbey in exchange for an honest review.
#ShadowsofSwanfordAbbey #NetGalley

Julie Klassen's Shadows Of Swanford Abbey is the perfect book to curl up with on a cold snowy afternoon. Taking Place in s Regency England abandoned cloister remodeled into a Grand hotel full of mysterious corridors, romance, and perhaps a ghost or two. Is anyone who they claim to be? Follow Rebecca and Sir Frederick as they try to solve the mysterious goings-on at Swanford Abbey while resolving their own past. The plot is fast-moving and quite intriguing. I love the setting and all of the characters are fascinating. Ms. Klassen has once again created a delightful visit to a time long gone.

So brew up a pot of tea and settle in for an enjoyable afternoon.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley with no expectations. All thoughts are my own.

Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen is a regency romance mystery. Set it an abandoned abbey turned hotel, the past mixes with the present as the ghost of the first abbess roams the halls. When one guest turns up dead, the list of suspects stretches long. Rebecca is determined to protect her brother and Sir Frederick is determined to unearth the truth, both goals may cost them their renewed friendship.

I loved the setting of this book! The old hotel, the crumbling arches, dark forests. It added a perfect air of Gothic mystery to the story. The mystery itself was a challenge to figure out, too. Though, as a big cozy mystery fan, I wish there had been less set up in the first half and more deducing in the second half. The historical details of how an investigation was handled were fascinating. The main characters were sweet and I loved Lady Fitzhoward. Overall, it was an entertaining read fans of regency mystery will enjoy.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.

This was an excellent read. Rebecca Lane, vicar’s daughter returns home because her brother is struggling with his mental health. She is working as a lady’s companion. The story is well told and the details of an English village in the time just after the Napoleonic wars is delightful. The actual crime doesn’t happen for some time and one has a sense of the players when it does. I read it through in one day.

When Rebecca comes home to visit her eccentric brother, she gets more than she bargained for - a reconnection with her childhood crush, a stay in a haunted abbey-hotel and a starring role in a murder mystery. Part gothic romance, part whodunnit, Klassen weaves a sweet and sinister tale of revenge and forgiveness in a creepy atmospheric setting.

If you enjoy Klassen's other books, this one will also not disappoint. Her writing style is compelling, and she keeps the story moving and the characters redeemable. As the story unfolds from both Rebecca and Lord William's points of view, their budding romance takes a starring role and the murder mystery forces them to work together.

After cheating Rebecca's brother John out of a manuscript, racking up debts with a loan shark and his publisher, and hitting on every woman he sees, famed writer Ambrose Oliver is murdered in his hotel room - surprise, surprise. This is a mystery that you don't really care if they ever solve, because the guy deserved it.

The most surprising bonus comes in the mystery of Rebecca's employer, Lady Fitzhoward's true identity. I didn't guess that one, at all. As I finished, I found myself wishing again that Klassen was a spicy romance writer and would include a risqué scene or two in her books. I love watching her characters fall in love, but all the payoff you'll ever get is chaste kisses.

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. .
There is a ghost or is there!
Swanford. .abbey is rumored to be haunted by the ghost of an abbess. Rebecca thinks she sees that ghost until that ghost proves to be a murderer.
This is a good book which is an interesting story!
Julie Klassen has written an amazing story.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen was my first introduction to the gothic genre, and initially I was not impressed. Then I went to a conference about it, where they explained the cultural and historical aspects of this writing style, and while it still isn't necessarily my favorite as a whole, I definitely appreciate it much more. All that to say, this book had strong gothic/Northanger Abbey vibes, and I loved it.

I admittedly went into this book expecting the traditional, run of the mill Christian historical romance, and so I was excited to see that it was not. It contains just enough of the genre (handsome hero, beautiful heroine, etc.) so that I was quite satisfied on that front, but the gothic twist was perfect. Originality is a huge part of my criteria for books, and I have never read a Christian fiction book with a gothic twist, so definitely five stars on that front.

On to the plot. To start, I loved that there actually was a plot outside of the relationship. The mystery element kept me engaged, and I enjoyed how Klassen approached the gothic elements (ghosts, etc.) from a Christian perspective, so we got all of the spookiness while still receiving an entirely plausible explanation. It was also quite interesting to learn about the legal procedures surrounding a murder in England at that time.

Even though I have read countless Christian historical fiction books, this one will always stand out to me for its originality. The gothic style is often overlooked in the historical fiction genre, and yet it had such a pronounced role in history. I loved this nod to Northanger Abbey, especially since it still met all of my pleasure-read requirements.

Such a great regency romantic mystery. Hints of Agatha Christy and her closed house novels. Secrets abound everywhere as does forgiveness and the potential for love.

As always Julie Klassen writes another stirring, immersive regency romance. But this time we have a mystery afoot! The heroine Rebecca takes a holiday at Swanford Abbey, a nunnery turned hotel. She meets her brother at his cottage thinking that she will stay with him only only to find out how truly troubled he is.. She takes residence in Swanford Abbey only to find a long time friend staying there as well. When a murder takes place there they must work together to figure out what has happened and if her brother is the culprit. There were so many interesting people staying at the hotel. You felt like you were there and meeting so many of the interesting characters. There was some spookyness involved because this is an old gothic Abbey. But it never gets to gets to the point where its too much. I didn't know who was the murderer up until the very end when it is revealed. The romance between Rebecca and Sir Frederick was very well done. By the end their romance was natural and and tender. Julie writes a novel that that you remember for a long time.
The faith content was good good, not too much not too little. I give this book 5 stars. I received a complimentary copy from net galley. All opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review..

Julie Klassen is one of my favorite authors because she can write novels with great historical detail, fantastic character development, multiple surprising twists, and amazingly complex plots! This novel is true to her style with intrigue and romance galore! This book has even more of a mystery with a “who done it” theme than some of her past novels and I found myself reading late into the night to discover the villain and the conclusion. The romance is well integrated (although not front and center like the mystery is) and I loved the development of the relationship of the two long time friends. There are fun characters with wit to lighten the plot as well and I found myself chuckling a time or two at Lady Fitzhowards. I truly did not want this novel to end and found myself savoring the rich descriptions and historical setting. This is not a novel to miss! I most highly recommend it!

Julie Klassen has written a most interesting book in Shadows of Swanford Abbey. It has everything that makes a book interesting. First there is the history of the old abbey which has been turned into a hotel. Then there is romance, mystery, suspense, murder, mental illness and rekindling of a childhood flame.  There are rumors that the ghost of the first Abbess still roams the halls of the Abbey/hotel. There is so much to hold one's interest between the pages of this five star book. Of course one cannot go wrong with a Klassen novel. She is one of my favorites.....I was given an ecopy of this book, courtesy of Bethany House a division of Baker Publishing Group. This is my honest review.

Julie Klassen has written another fine gothic mystery/thriller/romance. The characters are well rounded, some likable, some not. The plot is complex with many twists and turns, and, the setting is creepy and haunted. Who could resist?

Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen is everything a historical fiction could want, all wrapped up in a nice bow. Equal parts mystery, suspense, romance, and old rivals come together to make a sensational read. There was no putting this book down once getting started.

Rebecca Lane is as smart as she is beautiful. How Frederick ever allowed her to get away, I’ll never know. Rebecca is a real peach. I enjoyed her immensely. I also liked Frederick, but Marina was awful. But, the Lady that Rebecca works as a companion for is an absolute hoot. I knew she had connections in Swanford, but that little mystery eluded me until the very end. Though, the reveal is amazing. The author is a real jerk, as is Mr. George. Frederick’s brother, Thomas, however, is adorable. He is that kind of cheeky, hunky, perpetual little boy that women can’t help but love. I admit I fell in love with him too.

The setting of the abbey is spectacularly spooky. I’d be willing to bet it was cold too. It doesn’t say specifically, but I felt a chill in my bones when Miss Lane walked through the corridors. The only place I felt had any real warmth was the dining room. That one room alone felt warm and cozy. For a place that has a rumored history of hauntings by the old abbess, it certainly seemed like it could be. I loved the setting. I truly love the way Klassen made me literally feel cold and weary while reading. She has a great talent for descriptive storytelling.

This book is long. If there were one thing I would change, it would be to remove a bit of the repetitive scenery and discussions to shorten the story. The mystery would benefit from a bit of tightening of the plot. The story tended to ramble a bit in places. It didn’t help that I also guessed who the murderer was from the beginning, so the story felt extra long.

I award Shadows of Swanford Abbey 4 out of 5 stars. I recommend this novel to all the mystery lovers out there because it’s a great mix of mystery and romance. Though, I’m not sure this would be a weekend read. This one will take a bit to bite through, but it is well worth it.

Shadows of Swanford Abbey by Julie Klassen was described as Jane Austen meets Agatha Christie, so of course I was interested.

The novel has a lovely Agatha Christie feel, as the major players are all bumping into each other in the same hotel, turning up clues and misdirections. But it’s more Gothic, since the hotel is a haunted former abbey. I also wasn’t waiting for Poirot to come in and ask the right questions. Our heroine, Rebecca Lane, must save herself, even if the abbey is exceptionally creepy at night…

There are several subplots happening at the hotel, even before we get to the central murder. Rebecca is trying to make contact with an author on her brother’s behalf, but almost immediately bumps into her employer, who claimed to be staying with friends, and bumps into Sir Fredrick Wilford, who she knew when she was a child. Fredrick has been led to the hotel by his brother, who may not be entirely truthful about his motives, either. And a ghostly figure keeps appearing, taking this from a typical whodunnit to a Gothic mystery.

Shadows of Swanford Abbey leans a bit more romantic than I was expecting from a mystery. It’s all done in a pining Regency way, not a steamy way. Our leading man had a terrible romantic experience in his past and isn’t sure he can get over it, even as he notices that our leading lady is all grown up. All our characters are aware of marriage as a business proposition and a social marker, even as they face their attractions and emotions. I think I tend prefer this style of romance to an easily-cleared misunderstanding.

I don’t want to reveal too much about Shadows of Swanford Abbey, because discovering and guessing is such a pleasure in a mystery like this, but I can at least say that I enjoyed how the characters’ personal subplots and backstories connected with each other and with the main murder mystery. There are some fun and memorable characters in this mystery — and someone that you just love to hate. I also really enjoyed the Gothic descriptions of the former abbey, which felt like an homage to the whole style of Gothic pageturners and the girls who loved reading these thrillers.

Approaching the age of spinsterhood and relegated to reduced circumstances, Rebecca Lane serves as companion to an eccentric old lady. When her moody brother John needs assistance, she travels home to assure her mind that all is well. Irritably, John demands that she help him get his new novel published by putting it in front of a famous author who is staying at the nearby inn, Swanford Abbey. Reluctantly, Rebecca removes to the haunted abbey to make her brother’s appeal, only to discover that her childhood sweetheart, Sir Frederick, is also staying there with his brother.

When murder is done amidst the ghostly corridors of the abbey, Rebecca struggles to know what to share and what to conceal. Appearances are not always what they seem, and Frederick (as local magistrate) must decide whether to put his faith in the ostensible clues or in what he knows of Miss Lane’s character.

Klassen’s novels are always shot through with strands of mystery, but this is the first one that I remember being a straight-up murder mystery. Although this story was set in the 1820s, the general milieu of the book felt later, almost Victorian or Edwardian. The atmospheric Swanford Abbey with its ghostly legends is almost as important as the characters in the story.

Sir Frederick was a solid hero, with a good mix of principles, propriety, and affection. Rebecca held an unenviable position, caught between her duty to her irascible brother, her attempts to conciliate her employer, and her latent affections for Sir Frederick. The romance between them was simple and authentic, without any of the hyperbolic passion often found in historical romances. In the end, a commitment to truth proves the most important for all involved as deeds done in the darkness are brought into the light.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is one of those books that just keeps you interested. It had mystery and romance that was just the right fit. I found that I loved the interwoven themes of forgiveness, second chances, and redemption. I felt myself enthralled and uplifted as I made the journey with Rebecca and Sir Frederick. The dynamic between then was natural and made them a good fit.

I loved the side characters that added some much depth to the story. I find that it is impossible to have a good story without a supporting cast that adds depth and feeling to the story. I loved that while there was a definite mystery and there was conflict, there wasn't one overarching villain. it was a story of people living life, but it was anything but boring.

I felt the faith of the author and the characters as the story unfolded and felt blessed to watch as if I were there. I loved this historical aspects and found the setting of the hotel to be fascinating especially for the time period.

I received an early copy through the publisher and netgalley and this is my honest opinion.

"After a few steps, her valise felt heavy, but it was nothing to the guilt she carried" (location 99). I was drawn in right away to this story.
Rebecca Lane is returning home after being gone for a year. Her troubled brother asks her to do a difficult task for him but things are not as easy to accomplish as she'd wish. She gets pulled in to a serious intrigue and is desperate to find answers.

Sir Frederick is tasked with finding those answers. I liked him and how he tried to protect Rebecca even though he felt scarred by his past and the rumors surrounding him.

There was a really solid mystery. I enjoyed watching Frederick tracking down clues. There were a lot of possible villains. It made for a great read. I'd highly recommend it.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.