GENRE: Regency Suspense/Romance
PUBLISHER: Thomas Nelson
RELEASE DATE: January 15, 2019
PAGES: 336
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.
“Everyone at the Towers had a secret. Every. Single. Person.”
My first read of 2019 has gotten the year off to a very good start indeed! What a fabulous debut novel! Intrigue, secrets, romance, deception, murder, did I mention romance? My readerly heart sighed blissfully all the way through this delicious story.
Sybil is a compelling heroine, an orphan swept into a household filled with secrets, a lady’s companion caught in the awkward middle ground between family and servant. Her charge – Mrs. Chalcroft – is just as intriguing. But even before Sybil can arrive at Croft Towers, her coach is set upon by highwaymen and she arrives at the Towers quite bedraggled for the experience. Even as she’s processing the cast of characters in Mrs. Chalcroft’s family, she’s left reeling by the discovery that Mrs. Chalcroft’s godson Curtis Sinclair is one of the highwaymen who robbed her earlier that evening. Why did he do it? Is someone in the family a spy for the French? Is Sybil unwittingly a participant in treason? This sets off some delightful tension between the two characters, and Sinclair and Sybil form a rather unlikely partnership that hits all the right romantic and suspenseful notes.
Sinclair is just the perfect Regency gentleman hero – the right blend of angst, wit, mystery, and swooniliciousness. You’ll want to trust him immediately but, just like Sybil, you’re not sure you can. He’s very good at distracting with his swooniness, though, so be forewarned 😉
The setting becomes its own character, and Wilson excels at setting the tone with atmospheric details and tension. Croft Towers is a little bit spooky and a little bit comforting, all at once. It’s a refuge and a danger, a retreat and a breeding ground for secrets. The ideal place for such a story to unfold.
Bottom Line: In the Shadow of Croft Towers is everything I love about Regency intrigue. The characters, the setting, the tension – all of it in just the right amounts to weave together a delicious story. The author’s smooth and engaging writing style draws readers in completely and will have them eagerly waiting for the next book after this highly-skilled debut!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. In the interest of full disclosure, I also received compensation from the publisher to coordinate a tour with JustRead Tours, my co-owned company. All views expressed are still only my honest opinion.)
My Rating: 5 stars / In a class of its own!
KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion
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 ACFW’s First Impressions contest as well as placing as a 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.
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To celebrate her tour, Abigail is giving away a grand prize of one finished copy of the book!!
Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.
This giveaway is hosted by Celebrate Lit, not RimSP
Follow along with the tour for more chances to win!
It’s nice to see a Texas author here! She’s just right down the road avout 30 minutes from here. I’d love to know avout any book signings.
Hi fellow Texan! So glad to “meet” you. I’ll be sure to post any signings on my website. I’d love to see you in person. I will also be at the Cedar Park Methodist Church for a book talk on March 5 at 6:30pm if you are interested. Its open to everyone.
Carrie!!! I’m so glad you liked the book. Thank you for reviewing and for your kind words.
Thank you for your review on “In the Shadow of Croft Towers” by Abigail C. Wilson and for being part of the book tour. It just reaffirms my desire to read this wonderful sounding book.
Fabulous cover!
I’ve had this on my TBR list since I first read about it. Can’t wait for the opportunity to read it.
Oh my goodness! A 5☆ rating? It’s got to be good! Beautiful cover! I look forward to reading it!
Regency and a mystery?? My kind of book! Thanks for review!
A 5-star rating for a debut author?!? That alone has my interest piqued.
Swooniliciousness! That is one fabulous word!!! Great review, Carrie! I’m excited to read this book!
Thanks so much for the chance to win. This book sounds so good. Thanks for the review.
I wasn’t excited when I saw Suspense, but when I saw Regency I changed my mind. I look forward to reading this book. It’s on my Goodreads list.
Thanks for the review! This book has been on my radar lately. It sounds so fascinating. I’m looking forward to reading it sometime soon.
The review was great, and when I read that it was rated with 5 stars, I knew that this is a must-read! Thank you!
The review was great, and when I read that it was rated with 5 stars, I knew that this is a must-read! So many readers like me will be excited to get this book to read!
I enjoy a good mystery. The book sounds interesting and exciting.
Marilyn
Looks like a great read. I know if you liked it, I will too Carrie!
OH!MY! A new Texas author that writes Regency suspense….EPIC!
This sounds amazing! I am adding this to my to-read list!
What an interesting story! Sure would like to read this one.
Sounds like a great book. Would love to read this story.
I really like reading about the Regency era. Book sounds like an interesting book.
I am very excited to read this book!!!!!