Move over Mr. Rochester, let me introduce you to a kinder, swoonier man of the manor!

About the Book

From debut author Abigail Wilson comes a mysterious Regency tale of secrets and spies, love and treachery.

Orphaned Sybil Delafield jumps at the opportunity for a position at the mysterious Croft Towers. She believes she was hired to act as companion to a dying woman, but a highway robbery and a hostile welcome from the Chalcroft family cause her to wonder if she was actually hired to help someone spy for France.

An unsolved murder adds intrigue to this already secretive family, and Sybil recognizes Mrs. Chalcroft’s handsome grandson as one of the infamous highwaymen who robbed her. Sybil must determine if this man’s charming smile and earnest eyes speak the truth or if he is simply using her like others in the house. Everyone seems to have something to hide, and Sybil must decide who to trust while also coming to terms with the truth about her own past.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christian Book | Goodreads

My Review

Abigail Wilson is giving off all of the Jane Eyre vibes in her debut novel, In the Shadow of Croft Towers. Told in first person, the story is a fun journey into a mysterious manor house that holds a wealth of secrets and a large cast of characters who leave you wondering just who to trust. Told from the perspective of the naïve, yet plucky, Sybil Delafield, this adventure into the shadowy unknown of Croft Towers and its mysterious mistress drips with wonderful regency delights and fun discoveries.

Wilson creates a wonderful sense of place in Croft Towers, drawing the reader further into the mysteries and…let’s just talk about Curtis Sinclair a moment. He STEALS the show. Easily my favorite character in this book, his complex personality is a wonderful pairing for the more innocent and uncertain Sybil. Unlike Mr. Rochester, who is sometimes brutish and definitely manipulative, Mr. Sinclair carries a noble air about him, even in his occasional broodishness and somewhat unpredictable life – and his subtle sense of humor brings levity and likeability to his intense personality. Clearly, I like him.

From highwaymen to ghosts to espionage, this story is filled with chapter after chapter of twists and turns that will delight the Regency-loving reader’s heart. A solid and delightful debut.

My Rating

4 Stars!

About the Author

Abigail Wilson combines her passion for Regency England with intrigue and adventure to pen historical mysteries with a heart. A Registered Nurse, chai tea addict, and mother of two crazy kids, Abigail fills her spare time hiking the National Parks, attending her daughter’s gymnastic meets, and curling up with a great book. In 2017, Abigail won WisRWA’s Fab Five contest and in 2016, ACFW’s First Impressions contest as well as placing as a 2017 finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a cum laude graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and currently lives in Dripping Springs, Texas, with her husband and children.

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram