I love a good story about an old English house with a mystery! However, "Ashton Hall" by Lauren Belfer is so much more than just a mystery. At its core, this book is about women and how we still struggle against the limits and expectations placed upon us by society. We are still expected to fulfill certain roles and are harshly criticized when we have other plans for our lives. This book shows that, despite many advancements over the ages, modern women still have much in common with those who lived in the past.

I liked how the main character, Hannah, evolved from the beginning of the novel to the end. I have to admit, I detested her at first. She was everything I strive not to be-her identity was based solely on her status as a mother to a male child and she gave up everything else, becoming completely dependent on her husband. We can be more than just wives and mothers! We can have our own dreams and goals! We can be financially independent! I'm thankful that Hannah redeemed herself to me at the end.

Many reviews describe this novel as "atmospheric" and, because I cannot think of a more apt description, I will do the same. Ms. Belfer's writing painted a vivid picture of the plot. The characters came alive to me; I became immersed in their world. This novel is meticulously researched and, though it is fiction, I learned new facts about Tudor England.

This is the first book I've read by this author, but it certainly will not be my last.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and they author for the privilege of reading an advanced digital copy of this fabulous book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a story of a mother’s heart for her child. Nicky seems like a gifted boy, but has tantrums that he doesn’t seem to be able to control, and now that they are in England Hannah is hoping the change from NYC will help.
This young fellow goes exploring and locates a hidden room, and a body. This is now our journey to the past, as we endeavor to find out how this woman died and why? The body dates back to the 1550’s, and when the plague was prevalent, was this the cause? Answers do come, and what a journey, we are privy to records, books and journals to help!
This read is rich in history, and also relationships, as we look for answers! We do meet a young girl with basically the same problems, will they be able to help one another?
Keep reading for surprises at the end!
I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Ballantine Books, and was not required to give a positive review.

Belfry is such a wonderful writer and this book is totally involving drawing parallels to two women born centuries apart. Historical fiction at it’s best.

This is a beautifully written book that I expected to be a mystery but instead is more of a history of Great Britain and the Great Plague as well as deeper parts of the Tudor era. So, so many parts of this book are well researched and well written that it was almost too much to have in one book.

The overall theme of this book is about living in secret. From Isabella's remains being kept secrets for so long, to Hannah's husband's secret affairs so many secrets are the backbone of this book. Much of this book also depends on library logs and actual documentation. It's just an amazing way to tell a story and reveal, piece by piece and layer by layer.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

When a close relative falls ill, Hannah Larson and her young son, Nicky, join him for
the summer at Ashton Hall, a historic manor house outside Cambridge, England. A
frustrated academic whose ambitions have been subsumed by the challenges of raising
her beloved child, Hannah longs to escape her life in New York City, where her
marriage has been upended by a recently discovered and devastating betrayal.
As the multilayered secrets of her own life begin to
unravel, Hannah comes to realize that Ashton Hall’s women had lives not so different
from her own, and she confronts what mothers throughout history have had to do to
secure their independence and protect their children. Highly recommend!

Plot: 4
Characters: 4
Writing Style: 5
Cover: 4
Enjoyment: 4.5

Having lived in England for two and half years and spending a fair amount of that time in Cambridge, parts of this book triggered nostalgia and the like. I understood the Waitrose vs Tesco debate, that it rains very nearly every day even if only for a few moments, that there are different words and spellings and that, despite us both speaking English, they are different flavors of said language. It was an experience. So, the book automatically garners points for that personal connection.

I thoroughly enjoyed the research and history aspects (“I learned that the technology for archeology is so excellent you can tell what a person ate for dinner hundreds of years ago.”), I really liked her son, Nicky, and his interactions with others (there was a proper amount of doggo, TYVM), loved the setting, the pace, the writing style. I did not, however, always enjoy or believe the dialogue, which was odd because the main character's inner dialogue was just fine, and yet when Hannah spoke aloud, there were quite a few times in which it came off as scripted, stilted, or just plain 'Uh, yeah, humans don't talk to each other like that?', and this was between multiple characters, American and English alike. Maybe it was just me, but there you have it.

To be vague in order to avoid spoilers, I super appreciated her husband and that dilemma, the exposure and discussion beginner, a possible gateway towards acceptance and removing stigmas - Belfer also normalizing autism/spectrum/etc is made of win. I did not always agree with nor like the final outcome of said conflict, though the husband storyline aside, I was content with the ending of the novel, overall. And not being a mother, I can’t weigh in on her decisions regarding Nicky/Nicky’s future.

For those wanting to delve further into the topics presented (ex: everyday life in Tudor England, ledgers, archeology, etc) Belfer includes a list of books and the like for your pleasure; always appreciate this (and learning things!). And the bonus chapter was a fun, unexpected surprise!

Highly recommend!! My first book to read by this author but definitely not my last!! Uniquely and beautifully written, this story and its characters stay with you long after you finish the book.

Hannah Larson and her intelligent, socially challenged, 9 year old son, Nicky, arrive at Ashton Hall ,which is a medieval manor house in England. They have come for the summer to take care of Christopher, an elderly family friend,,who has an apartment in Ashley Hall While exploring this brooding manor house, Nicky discovers the remains of a body in a walled- in nook. As a history teacher, I especially enjoyed the methods used to identify the relationship of the victim to Ashton Hall.
Local Forensic anthropologists used advanced technology to date the skeleton. Other researchers used the victim’s diaries, as well as sketches, to recreate her life, as well as her murder. Other storylines, including Hannah’s crumbling marriage, seemed to be superfluous to the intriguing revelations of a centuries-old murder.



.

I like that Hannah learns from history that we cannot let others control our fate. She has a summer of self-discovery. The love presented from her honorary father is heart warming; a reminder for us all to cherish each other. Difficulties are presented because of behavioral issues with her son who discovers a skeleton of a woman in the manor house in which they are currently staying. The story continues with the historical significance of where the woman was holed up inside the house. Hannah and her son learn to value themselves, their accomplishments and discover new friendships.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Random House Books for an e-arc of this novel, set for release on 6/6/2022.

A dark history from Tudor England discovered by an American boy. I enjoyed the main story, but felt there were too many themes at once. 1 particular theme felt like it was being pushed at me and was not necessary to the story at all. It was still a good book though.

A new author to me with a unique mystery set in the past. I would also describe this book as historical fiction and thoroughly enjoyed the author’s note and the education I got on As an added bonus for this reader, there is a family drama and we get to consider modern day motherhood and marriage, and the impact of a neurodiverse child on both. There is a definite gothic feel and Jane Eyre vibes is a good call in the publisher’s blurb.
Ashton Hall is almost a character onto itself and if you like old English homes and their histories, you’ll enjoy this. I really savored the sone, Nicky and his friendships.
I identified very closely with the main character, Hannah, whose perspective informs us of the mystery. We get to see an American woman living in Britain and the author’s own experiences with this make for a highly authentic book. (I was born and raised in Ireland and know that’s there’s a lot more to a culture than a shared language!)
Although the entire book takes place in the present we are transported back in time to the life of Isabella Cresham. There are parallels in history between two main females as far as the choices they make. Hannah sees a lot of her own situation in Isabel. There are other female characters and their choices with motherhood and career are contrasted also.
It’s so interesting how the mystery of the death is solved and for anyone who loves books and libraries this is an excellent history lesson. Such a clever book that has SO much going on. There was a bit of an issue with pacing and some repetition but otherwise, I'd give this a 4.8!

Thanks to the author, Random House and to Net Galley for the advance copy. I will be checking out Belfer’s backlist.

This book breaks the mold. Typically, when modern day characters discover a mystery from the past, the book then switches over to a dual time period book. I don't mind dual time period books, but you never get enough time with either set of characters and you never really see the process of discovering the truth in the modern day. This book avoids that trap and allows us to spend time with the modern day characters and really get to know them and understand how they solve the mystery. Librarians and researchers in particular will love the care used in uncovering the truth. The delays in getting the materials in a condition to be reviewed and turf battles over materials are as much a part of this story.

A mother and son summering in England discover a skeleton walled away in an old manor house. Who is she and why was she walled into that room? Was she there willingly or imprisoned against her will? As the mystery is uncovered, we willingly learn a great deal about English history and the role of religion in everyday life. In the modern day, we also have a mother struggling to do the best for her neuro divergent son. In addition to caring for her son, this mother is caring for an elderly family friend and facing unwelcome truths about her marriage. This is a great book that draws you in on multiple levels and ultimately, I found it very satisfying.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Hannah Larson and her son, Nicky have come to Ashton Hall outside of Cambridge, England to spend time with an ill family member. Shortly before leaving New York City, Hannah discovers that her husband has been involved in an affair. Ashton Hall is the perfect place for Hannah to decide what her next steps are going to be. One morning Nicky goes exploring and finds a skeleton walled into a room in an isolated part of the manor house. As the mystery of the skeleton start to unwind, Hannah begins to study the life of the family of the woman and she starts to see the connection to her own life. The more she studies the lives of the women of Ashton Hall, the more she sees how little has changed for women over the course of the centuries.

ASHTON HALL by Lauren Belfer is the perfect read for anyone who loves old books, centuries-old, rambling English houses, or England itself. I’m not going to re-hash the plot. Betrayal of trust, other kinds of loss, the challenge of juggling career and child care, unexpected romance, and a mystery all figure in the story. The characters and situation are interesting and Hannah Larson's stay at Ashton Hall is one most bibliophiles and old house buffs would kill for.

And it's a novel that leaves the reader pondering one's own idea of fulfillment.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and did not have to make any notes about grammatical fluffs, awkward word choice, errors of fact or the other things that put me off a book. Clearly, I need to read more of Ms. Belfer’s novels.
I received an ARC for my unbiased review.

I really expected this book to be historical fiction, and while it is in a way, except for one chapter, it all occurs in the present day. Hannah is a wife and mother who gave up her own career aspirations to care for her very special 9 year old son, Nicky, while being supported by her husband Kevin, an attorney. She takes Nicky to England to help her uncle Christopher, who is dying. Nicky stumbles across a skeleton in an old part of Ashton Hall, and we also learn the story of Isabella, who lived in the 16th century. It is obvious the author did a huge amount of research, regarding the 16th century and many other topics. I learned that “neurodiverse” is the appropriate term for people with conditions such as autism. The character development is wonderful. Other reviewers have laid out the plot in greater detail, so I won’t. This book really makes you think about the roles that society forces women to take, and has always forced upon women. I find it especially timely considering what is happening in the US right now, being weeks away from Roe v Wade apparently about to be overturned. I have to add that, as a divorce attorney myself, there is one scene between Hannah and Kevin where he is trying to scare her into staying with him. His words and legal threats are spot on! Overall, I very much enjoyed this book!

A mystery wrapped in a historical discovery is the perfect combination of genres. The book is rich with history and well researched. It was equally engaging and educational (at least for someone like me who had no idea about the religious happenings in Cambridge, England in the 1500s). Sometimes I believe that in school, they teach you things that in youth you cannot appreciate. I reveled in the youth of Nicky and Janet and their excitement to learn new things. There is also a subplot of Hannah’s struggle with Nicky’s mental health. I connected with Hannah on this level as I have the same. While it isn’t quite to the extreme in the book, I empathized with the feelings and thoughts that occurred to Hannah. By the end of the book, I had tears in my eyes and streaming down my face both in sadness and in warmth.

I was given a free e-copy of this novel by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

When a close relative falls ill, Hannah Larson and her young son, Nicky, join him for the summer at Ashton Hall, a historic manor house outside Cambridge, England. A frustrated academic whose ambitions have been subsumed by the challenges of raising her beloved child, Hannah longs to escape her life in New York City, where her marriage has been upended by a recently discovered and devastating betrayal.

Soon after their arrival, ever-curious Nicky finds the skeletal remains of a woman walled into a forgotten part of the manor, and Hannah is pulled into an all-consuming quest for answers, Nicky close by her side. Working from clues in centuries-old ledgers showing what the woman's household spent on everything from music to medicine; lists of books checked out of the library; and the troubling personal papers of the long-departed family, Hannah begins to recreate the Ashton Hall of the Elizabethan era in all its color and conflict. As the multilayered secrets of her own life begin to unravel, Hannah comes to realize that Ashton Hall's women before her had lives not so different from her own, and she confronts what mothers throughout history have had to do to secure their independence and protect their children. (Goodreads synopsis)

I have not read any books by Lauren Belfer prior to this one.

You absolutely will cry with this novel. There are so many emotions with Hannah, but also with Nicky, Isabella, Matthew, Janet, and others. The novel has a big impact of how individuals and the public view neurodiverse individuals. I have a neurodiverse relative and I know what Hannah and Matthew have experienced. The stares, lectures, and fear.

I enjoyed the mystery of Isabella Cresham and the weaving of her life into Hannah Larson’s. I enjoyed seeing Hannah and Nicky develop with each new discovery. Hannah also balances those discoveries with her own challenges, as she faces so many people who all have an opinion about her potential divorce, how to handle her son, and her career. At the beginning of the novel, I was worried about Hannah because she seemed to have an “I am a victim” mentality, and it bothered me so much. Her development alone was worth the reading.

Overall I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars, and feel that people who think they know neurodiverse individuals, and what motherhood really means should read this book.

Ashton Hall
By Lauren Belfer

This is ostensibly a murder mystery; but in reality it is a great deal more. It is a book about women – both today and hundreds of years past – in their struggle for equality in their dealings with men.

The story begins with Hannah Larson and her son, Nicky, who has neurological challenges, arriving at Ashton Hall to visit with her "uncle" Christopher during his terminal illness. Nicky, while a difficult and sometimes violent child, is also curious and intelligent. In his explorations of the Hall, he discovers a walled-in room containing a woman's skeleton. Thus begins the effort to identify the woman – when she lived and how she died.

But that is only one part of this story. The author uses Isabella's story to compare and contrast with Hannah's. Love – both heterosexual and homosexual; control via financial means; the denigration of the worth of women's contributions to marriage/child rearing – all of these topics are integral to this story.

I was very impressed with how Ms. Belfer managed to intertwine all of these ideas; this is a book that leaves the reader with much more to absorb than the original murder mystery.

This book wasn’t quite what I was expecting. For the most part I enjoyed the book. I did feel like it dragged in spots but in others it raced right along. I was kinda surprised with the last chapter but I guess I shouldn’t have been.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

This book is described as a gothic, atmospheric tale, and that is an apt description. The author paints a vivid picture of Ashton Hall and the diverse characters (both modern day and during Tudor times), that the reader is transported to Cambridge and feels a part of the story. When a skeleton is discovered in the house, all the inhabitants become obsessed with finding out who, when and why.