Overall, excellent characters, brilliant and vivid descriptions, well paced plotting, a terrific hook and a very satisfying ending. I look forwards very much to reading Abigail's next book.

I really do love books by this author. She meshes so well a little mystery with a genuine love building relationship. Phoebe and Lt. Burke were both so likable and I liked how well they worked together.
The whole story kept me engaged and I was eager to find out “who did it.” With so many house guests it could have been anyone. It was fun seeing how it all played out and how the pieces fell into place.

Also, I really want to reread ‘Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey’ because Phoebe is from that book and this story has many references to those characters and timeline.


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

Miss Phoebe Radcliff is a talented artist, an unusual occupation for a lady in 1819. She’s tasked with restoring the ballroom of Alvonthorpe Hall for Miss Drake. When Miss Drake is murdered with her dying breath she gives Phoebe the clue to finding treasure. Treasure that has long been rumoured to have been hidden by Josiah Drake.

Part romance, part murder mystery and part treasure hunt this as unusual regency novel. I enjoyed the mystery and treasure hunt alongside the sweet romance storyline. There are some historical inaccuracies, such as the constable having a truncheon (for an 1819 set novel this is too early). And the inevitable Americanisms. Overall a very enjoyable story.

I enjoyed reading this mysterious, suspenseful, and romantic novel about a young painter who is working under the tutelage of a renowned painting instructor Miss Drake. It is written in the first-person narrative of Phoebe, who is staying at her instructor’s estate and helping her restore the ballroom to its former glory. As the story begins, there are two men that show up at the estate, without prior notice. One is Miss Drake’s heir, who is the handsome Lieutenant Burke, with a friend in tow. They are there to work on Lt. Burke's passion for relics and artifacts from ancient civilizations. A tragedy happens in the house that shocks everyone. There are a lot of characters throughout the book, and each is suspect as the investigation proceeds. The book is well-written and moves quickly as they try and solve clues to a tangled puzzle while investigating the tragedy. Romance also blooms as the story moves forward. I would recommend this book because it is well written, maintains a quick pace, and keeps you wanting to read that next chapter. I ended up staying up late just to finish the book, not willing to wait another day to learn how it all turns out. I love historical romance and mysteries, and this was a great read that combined it all.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are voluntary and unbiased and are completely my own opinion.

Another five-star book from Abigail Wilson, one of my favorite authors! Within These Gilded Halls is another expertly-crafted historical romantic suspense novel, and I loved everything about it. Cravats and a treasure hunt and a smart and impulsive heroine--I didn't want to put this one down. The mystery gripped me from the very beginning, and the romance was perfect.

The connection with Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey makes me want to reread that book too! I'm all in for anything this author writes!

Highly, highly recommend!

Review posted via Goodreads as of 6/2/2022
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4760575081
Phoebe Radcliff is a painting student under Miss Drake. Our story begins when Phoebe is painting the ballroom of her teacher's house. Miss Drake has employed Pheobe's help with renovating her house. the good fortune only lasts so long when Miss Drake is murdered and everyone is a suspect. With her last breath, Miss. Drake gives Pheobe a clue to find a treasure hidden in the house. determined to find the killer and the treasure, can Phoebe unravel the clues before time runs out?

I enjoyed this novel. The mystery had me until the last page. I did find some parts to be confusing but it did not take away from the book. I have to include that I loved the cover and the painter's concept. I would recommend this book to my family and friends.

Abigil Wilson once again delivers an intriguing mystery that keeps the pages turning.

Set in regency England, readers join the main characters, Phoebe Radcliff and Lieutenant Graham Burke, an a generations old treasure hunt. Murder, betrayal, and greed make the search for answers that much more difficult. Phoebe and Graham have to rely on each other to decipher the clues left behind in the form riddles in order to find the treasure and murderer.

This historical romance coupled with mystery was a delight to read.

It kept me guessing until the very end, nothing was given away as you try to figure out who is friend and who is foe. The historical tidbits were welcomed and added to the story.

Phoebe and Graham complimented each other and their relationship grew in a natural way. Phoebe struggled with her past and had trouble forgiving herself for her mistakes, but her growth as a character was seen through out the book.

Needless to say, this was an entertaining read and checked all the boxes for me to make it a 5 star read.

Thank you to the Publisher for providing an advanced readers copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. My review and opinions are my own.

For those looking for a clean regency romance with a strong side of mystery, "Within These Gilded Halls" is a winner. There was a lot to like in this story- particularly the pacing once the mystery kicked into full gear. I was engaged and wanted to find out more, which kept me going from chapter to chapter. I will say that this book did not stand out for me among other stories and the dialogue felt a bit flat, causing me to skip ahead at certain points.

Overall, it was a solid read. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this digital ARC in a exchange for an honest review.

Within these Gilded Halls is a new exciting regency romance with a mix of historical mystery. The characters are interesting, the story is engaging, the mystery is detailed and complex and the romance is sweet and true!

Avonthrope hall is a Grande estate and has been in the Drake family for generations. Miss Drake, the current owner, has hired Phoebe (and her childhood friend Daniel) to restore the paintings/wall materials to their previous state.

When Miss Drake is murdered and found by Phoebe, she imparts a Drake family secret in her last words, there is a treasure that has been hidden. Taking it upon herself to find the killer(s) along with the lost treasure/fortune, this is the start of a mysterious puzzle game for Phoebe.

The story is packed full of interesting characters, all who may or may not have a reason and an opportunity to murder, so the story has plenty of twists and turns. I liked the “Clue” like the way the story is told and the many possible outcomes. The story kept me on my toes and had me guessing as every new clue was revealed.

This author has a way of capturing the readers' attention and engaging them in her story. I have been a fan since the very first book she published, and this is another wonderful reason I keep coming back for more. This is a story for all ages, from kids to grandmothers and even family readers. It is sure to delight!

Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas Nelson Publishers and the author for the opportunity to read and enjoy this ARC. I am leaving an honest review.

Set in 1816, Phoebe Radcliff was an art student under Miss Drake who wants to move beyond the mistake that’s kept her from home. She is thrilled when Miss Drake employs her to complete a ballroom renovation, but then Miss Drake is murdered. With her last breath she imparts the location of a clue about a treasure at Avonthorpe Hall.

Miss Drake’s great-nephew, an antiquarian, Lt. Graham Burke tells her to finish the ballroom, and Phoebe has until Graham leases the house to finish the project, find the treasure, and uncover the murderer.

Mystery and regency romance? This should’ve been a slam dunk for me, but it just never grabbed my attention.

The flat dialogue info dump in the beginning without a single reflective narrative thought from Phoebe almost made me give up. I found the build up to the murder and the introduction of the characters dull and no one’s personality was distinguished from another’s. The treasure hunt did pick up but the clues and the romance didn’t keep my interest.

I received an arc from NetGalley

Part gothic suspense novel, part treasure hunt with a dash of smuggling, this regency romance was an enjoyable read. Not memorable, I must be honest, but a light escape with a twist or two I didn’t see coming. I would be willing to give Abigail Wilson’s books another chance to see if others have more substance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Unfortunately, Within These Gilded Halls fell just a bit flat for me, and I had such high hopes for this book because Abigail Wilson is a great author and I had heard such great things about it. Just wasn’t my cup of tea.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

4.75 ⭐️

I'll admit it: I'm one of those readers who judges a book by its cover because, well, it's the first thing I see. A beautiful cover catches my eye. Within These Gilded Halls has a stunning cover, and I almost wanted to read it just because of the cover alone. I've never read a book by Abigail Wilson before, mainly because I'm always reading something WW2-related, but I wanted to give this book a try. I'm so glad I did!

Within These Gilded Halls is, honestly, one of the first regency romance books I've read and loved. I don't know why I'm not the biggest fan of regency romances--maybe because a lot of the storylines feel overused or their plots are too predictable. The author took me by surprise with this book in the best way possible.

What I loved most about this book was the Pride & Prejudice (2005 movie) vibes this book gave me. Graham and Phoebe were literally another Mr. Darcy and Lizzie to me in that what they first despised about each other became the very thing they fell in love with once they spent time with each other and began to understand the other. This was so beautiful and well done. The switch from seeing each other as enemies to acquaintances, and then to friends and more than friends, was paced perfectly. It definitely made their interactions with each other feel so much more believable.

There were some great redemption threads in this story that I absolutely loved. None of the characters were perfect; in fact, they were quite human. They made mistakes, wrestled with guilt over them, and experienced the same fears of rejection that all of us do. If we truly allow someone to see us for who we are, mistakes and all, will we still be lovable? Phoebe's character wrestles a lot with this, and it was a solid character arc in the book.

I honestly don't really have any complaints with this book. It was clean, faith-filled, touching, and exciting. I'd absolutely read it again and recommend it to friends.

"Running toward something, even with the best of intentions, can also mean running away from something else."

"People are not always what they seem or defined by one bad decision."


Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an eARC of Within These Gilded Halls. A positive review was not required, only my honest opinion. All thoughts are expressly my own.

An intriguing murder mystery made better by a budding romance developed through a treasure hunt.

I originally wanted to read this for the romance, but was completely hooked once I got to the murder. All of the characters were well developed, and had their own ways of acting suspicious. I had so much fun trying to guess who was involved with what, even if, as usual, most of my guesses were entirely off the mark.

Despite the murder aspect, this was a fairly lighthearted, quick read that I really enjoyed.

This was my first book by Abigail Wilson, but I’ll definitely be reading more soon.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for gifting me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review - opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson--fiction for the ARC. The opinions expressed are my own. This is the first book of the author's that I've read. It worked well as a stand alone book as I haven't read the previous books. The mistress of Avonthorpe Hall, Miss Drake, has enlisted the help of Phoebe, a budding artist, to renovate the ballroom. She's also working with her childhood friend, Daniel. Restoration work has taken awhile and we are introduced to the other characters, including Miss Drake's nephew Lt Burke. Suddenly, Miss Drake is found murdered . Phoebe finds her and hears her dying words. She has been entrusted with clues leading to the great Drake family treasure.

Phoebe's acquaintance with Lt Burke grows slowly but strengthens as he helps Phoebe to solve the clues. As Lt Burke is the heir, Avonthorpe Hall and its treasure are to be his. With her restoration work, her treasure map clues and trying to determine who murdered Miss Drake, there's still time for a budding romance to develop. The book has a somewhat gothic feel combined with some historical aspects, romance and of course, murder. A wonderful combination for an entertaining read. I was guessing until the end who murdered Miss Drake. The clues to the treasure were clever and thoughtfully rendered. The characters were engaging and interesting. I give it 4 stars, I will be reading more of Abigail Wilson's books.

I would give this book about 3.5 stars; it started at a 3 for me but ended as a 4. I’ve read books by Abigail Wilson before and enjoyed them, but the start of this book felt a little rushed or less well thought through than some of her others. Certain interactions and relationships felt rushed or as if I had missed a chapter or two. By the middle of the book when the treasure hunt that adds a sense of urgency and intrigue really gets going, I felt like the story really hit its stride. There’s a nice mix of mystery, drama, past secrets and recriminations, espionage, and romance. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.

Talented author Abigail Wilson spins a true gothic tale with "Within These Gilded Halls". Phoebe Radcliff, daughter of Lord Torrington from "Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey" pairs with Graham Burke to solve his aunt's murder. Add in a treasure hunt replete with clever, cryptic clues, and the result is a fast-paced novel that will have the reader guessing along.

With multiple viable suspects, it is not readily apparent who killed Miss Drake. Characters are well-drawn, and Phoebe and Graham's mutual antipathy gradually evolves into a lovely romance. Wilson's research into antiquarians and what they actually do is enlightening, as well. Her prose is evocative with few grammatical errors. Ewan got his story and if there's ever someone who deserves a HEA, it's Juliana. I have read all of Abigail Wilson's works and have enjoyed them all. Each stands alone. 4.5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Fiction for an ARC of this intriguing novel.

Jane Austen meets National Treasure in Abigail Wilson's latest book, Within These Gilded Halls. The story follows Phoebe Radcliffe who is older and wiser following her part in the plot of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey. Following the events of that book she has eagerly accepted a position refurbishing the deteriorating painting in the ballroom of renowned artist, Miss Drake.

But when her mentor is murdered and Phoebe is surrounded by a cast of suspicious characters, she struggles to discover who she can trust and who wishes her ill intent.

In order to figure out who murdered Miss Drake, Phoebe has to find a treasure hidden long ago on the estate. With clue after clue told in confusing riddles she feels she is taking one step closer and two steps back with every piece of information uncovered.

With the help of Lt. Graham Burke, Miss Drake's enigmatic nephew, she races to uncover the truth as forces conspire against her in this latest gothic tale from the oh so talented Abigail Wilson.

Within These Gilded Halls is another fabulous read by Abigail Wilson. I loved it. It will be getting a very well deserved five plus stars.

If you've been following the previous books, this time it's Phoebe Radcliffe who stumbles upon a murder mystery as her art mentor is killed and she isn't sure who to trust at Avonthorpe manor. But it's not just a murder mystery, it's also a treasure hunt! I love a good treasure hunt. I really liked Phoebe, I understood her hang ups about the past and I was really happy when she had a particular heart to heart that enabled her to let go of her guilt. Graham as our hero is equally likeable with his bit of antiquities nerdiness. There is always more than meets the eye to Abigail Wilson's characters, they aren't one dimensional. Dare I say the treasure added a bit more lightheartedness to this one than the previous ones? It's a bit less gothic in my opinion, which was a refreshing change of pace. It's not a spoiler to say that Montague from Moorington Cross shows up, and I have hope he will carry forward and be paired up with Juliana Radcliffe in a future book. We have to get Juliana her HEA right?! Oh and just a side point, but I appreciate that Abigail Wilson teaches me something obscure in her books, this time it was drizzling or parfilage in french. Who knew such a thing was a hobby? Those little details show how well researched these books are. A solid 4.5 stars for me. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.