Debut author Abigail Wilson brings us a Regency-era novel filled with secrets, spies, traitors, romance and hidden identities with “In the Shadow of Croft Towers.”
Sybil Delafield, an orphan of uncertain birth, is seeking answers to her true identity — as well as who paid for her exclusive education — while traveling to Croft Towers to be the companion to Mrs. Chalcroft. Horrifyingly, on the way to her destination, the coach in which she is traveling is robbed by highwaymen.
Soaking wet and feeling unsettled, Sybil arrives at the Towers feeling unwelcome and out of place. Siblings Lucius and Elizabeth Cantrell question Sybil’s position with their great-aunt. Cousin Eve Ellis, however, shows some kindness toward Sybil. And then there’s the mysterious godson, Curtis Sinclair, who seems a tad familiar.
What follows is a story of intrigue, filled with all the wonder a Regency tale offers. There are spies and secret missions and questionable identities and dragoons and smuggling and murder. But there is also budding romance and jealousy and trust and mistrust.
Wilson does a fantastic job of keeping the reader guessing as to who is good, and who is bad. She packs in twists you just won’t see coming.
“In the Shadow of Croft Towers” is a lovely romantic mystery that delves into the theme of secrets — and the power that they hold, and the destruction they cause. We see this as more and more bad circumstances occur, just because people are holding onto to deep secrets. It also reminds us of the importance of trust, and finding someone you can truly rely upon.
The opening of this book gives off the vibe of “Jane Eyre” or Daphne du Maurier’s “Rebecca.” And the book itself is reminiscent of a Jane Austen novel. So fans of these novels and authors, or any other Regency era story, will love this book.
And even though this book is published by Thomas Nelson, there is no real religious component to it.
I’m looking forward to reading Wilson’s next Regency novel, “Midnight on the River Grey,” due in July 2019!
Five stars out of five.
Thomas Nelson provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.