Saturday, November 16, 2024

THE BURNING OF ROSEMONT ABBEY by Naomi Stephens, Reviewed by Rebecca Maney

(A Whodunnit Historical Romantic 
Mystery Set in 1950's England)
 
REBECCA'S REVIEW
"Louisa felt him die."

"Through the years, she'd heard many strange stories like this, of twins who could sense when their sibling was suffering or dying without being physically present."
Overcome with shock over the strange sensation of her brother's death, Louisa Everly proceeds to swoon in her aunt's kitchen, the tea cup she was holding smashing to the floor. Shortly thereafter. . . Rosemont Abbey burns to the ground, presumably the work of her brother's hand.

Louisa is convinced that Paul Everly did not burn down the abbey, but the man in question is nowhere to be found, nor has his body been recovered. Their childhood friend, Malcolm Sinclair arrives, not to comfort, but to question. Circumstantial evidence is steadily mounting and although Malcolm expresses mild concern over suspecting Paul, as an inspector he simply cannot ignore the facts . . . nor can he ignore Louisa . . . for she is under his nose, in his way and driving his officers to distraction . . . determined to clear her brother's name at the expense of her own safety.

An absolutely delightful mystery! From the very outset, this story drops clues along a path where anybody and everybody is a suspect and no one and nobody can be completely ruled out. Enjoy the chase, for it's nearly impossible to come to a secure conclusion, that is . . . until the exact moment when Louisa's eyes widen with the truth of the matter. Adding to the thrill of victory is the almost-too-late bonus of a burgeoning romance between . . . you guessed it . . . the inspector and his lovely annoyance!

Well written and highly recommended!
*I received a copy and I purchased a copy, and I was under no obligation to provide a positive review.

SEE PAULA'S REVIEW

BackCover Blurb:
Everyone in Wilbeth Green has something to hide, but she's about to uncover their secrets.

1956: In a quiet English village, the smoldering ruins of Rosemont Abbey have set the residents' tongues wagging, and everyone is quick to accuse troublemaker Paul Everly of the crime of arson. Paul has vanished without a trace, leaving only his plucky twin sister, Louisa, certain of his innocence. Fueling her conviction is an inexplicable connection--she felt her twin's death an hour before the abbey went up in flames.

Armed with nothing but her wit and her keen sense of intuition, Louisa embarks on her own investigation, challenging the dubious townspeople and the disdain of her aunt and uncle. Even Inspector Malcolm Sinclair, once Paul's closest friend, warns Louisa to abandon her pursuit. But Louisa is determined to solve a murder no one else believes was committed, even if it means unraveling secrets that could shake Wilbeth Green to its core.

Bethany House Publishing, October, 2024
Available in digital ebook, paperback, library binding, and audiobook:




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