Summary: The Thief of Lanwyn Manor (The Cornwall Novels #2) by Sarah E. Ladd
In Regency England an advantageous
match could set up a lady for life. Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine
owner and very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes
upon. But why can’t she steal her gaze away from his younger brother, Isaac?
Cornwall, England, 1818
Julia Twethewey needs a diversion to mend her
broken heart, so when her cousin invites her to Lanwyn Manor, Julia eagerly
accepts. The manor is located at the heart of Cornwall’s mining industry, and as
a guest Julia is swept into its intricate world. It’s not long, though, before
she realizes something dark lurks within the home’s ancient halls.
As a respected mine owner’s younger son, Isaac
Blake is determined to keep his late father’s legacy alive through the family
business, despite his brother’s careless attitude. In order to save their
livelihood—and that of the people around them—the brothers approach the master
of Lanwyn Manor with plans to bolster the floundering local industry. Isaac
can’t deny his attraction to the man’s charming niece, but his brother has made
clear his intentions to court the lovely visitor. And Isaac knows his place.
When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and
valuables go missing, Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl
of strange circumstances, but despite their best efforts to bow to social
expectations, their hearts aren’t so keen to surrender (from Goodreads).
Book Review: The Thief of Lanwyn Manor (The Cornwall Novels #2) by Sarah E. Ladd
Julia Twethewey finds herself in a dangerous armed
robbery where handsome mining captain Isaac Blake saves her from being shot. Strange
things start to happen at Lanwyn Manor where she visits. Valuable items go
missing and there is rumors the manor is cursed. Julia and Isaac have to
cooperate to find what is going on with the mining community and the thefts
from the manor.
The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is the second installment in The Cornwall Novels by Sarah E. Ladd, published by Thomas Nelson. The story is set in
Cornwall, England 1818 and focuses on Julia Twethewey as she goes to visit her
cousin in Cornwall. On arrival she finds herself in the center of an armed
robbery, where mining captain Isaac Blake saves her from being shot. When Isaac’s
twin brother, mine owner Matthew Blake, starts flirting with Julia, she is
pretty sure he just wants to get his hands on her uncle’s mine. Silver and
jewels go missing from Lanwyn Manor and something seems a miss. Julia and Isaac are forced to
cooperate as strange things keep happening at the manor.
Main character Julia
Twethewey is mine owner Lambourne niece. She seems quite a determined, assertive
and kind but sensitive young woman who looks past wealth and status to focus
more on personal character traits, like we would today. She is my favorite
character of this story.
Uncle William Lambourne is the mine owner who has a collection of negative traits. I find him seriously disagreeable and unsympathetic man who seems to not have much of a heart. He is by far my least favorite character of this story, although there were a couple of other strong contenders.
I found the dramatic robbery at the start of the story was particularly well written. I could feel the danger, hairs rising on my back. I enjoyed the vivid and descriptive writing of impressive interiors of the manor and local environments, which made the story come alive.
My favorite part of
the plot was the mystery about the thievery from Lanwyn Manor. It included several
surprising twists and an exciting ending to the story. My least favorite part was
descriptions of Matthew Blake’s personal traits and attitude. He seemed
condescending and prejudiced. I felt my skin crawl.
The mining theme of the plot and the setting in
Cornwall reminds me of the Poldark series, but it includes a mystery part about the
manor and the sleuthing of the theft, which sets it apart from Poldark.
Julia and Isaac were drawn to each other from when he rescues her in the robbery. They meet «accidentally» in the mornings to talk and as they get to know each other better, new closeness emerges.
Fans of Sarah E. Ladd would love this story. Readers
of historical romance fiction would enjoy it as well. Similar authors to
explore might be Julie Klassen or Michelle Griep. All opinions in this review
are completely my own.
Conclusion: This plot is exciting
with a surprising end. It reminds me of the Poldark series and reads like a mystery
plot with romance included. I found the character building great and the fabulous
writing drew me in from the very start. I excitedly await last installment in
the series.
My rating: 4 stars / 5
Main reasons: exiting plot with surprise ending, great
character building, fabulous writing
Get your copy here:
Book Details
Series: The Cornwall Novels (Book 2)
Paperback: 352 pages
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (January 7, 2020)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0785223185
ISBN-13: 978-0785223184
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