Summary: The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson
After five years abroad, Charity Halliwell finally returns to Loxby Manor, the home of dear friends—and her lost love. No longer a young girl, she is now haunted by a painful secret and the demise of her dreams. Instead of the healing and happiness she hopes to find, she encounters a darkness lurking in the shadows of the once-familiar house. When her friend, Seline, disappears the very night of her arrival, Charity is determined to uncover the truth.
Her only hope is the
man who broke her heart.
Branded a coward, Piers Cavanagh has lived the last five years as an outcast far from his family home. When his sister presumably elopes with a stable hand, Piers joins forces with an unlikely partner—the one woman he thought he’d never see again. Together they launch an investigation that leads to strange nightly meetings in the ruins of an old abbey and disturbing whispers of a secret organization. The more they learn, the more desperate the situation becomes.
The house seems determined to keep its secrets.
As they struggle to piece together the clues, Charity and Piers also endeavor to rebuild their friendship. One cryptic letter changed everything between them. To find happiness they will have to overcome the grief and shame keeping them apart. But first they must discover why Seline vanished and confront the growing fear that she may never return. (from Amazon).
My thoughts about this mysterious historical romance
The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is the standalone by Abigail Wilson, published by Thomas Nelson. The story is set in Kent, England 1816, and is about gentlewoman Charity Halliwell who has returned from Ceylon to stay as the Cavanagh family’s guest. She finds them terribly distraught because their daughter has misbehaved and disappeared and keeps seeing lights from the nearby Abbey. Locals are scared and keep away from it while some mysterious activity seems to be going on. She gets help from her close friend and heir to the Manor, Piers Cavanagh, to investigate what has happened to his sister and if the disappearance is part of a lager mystery.
Main character is gentlewoman Charity Halliwell seems a
vulnerable woman who has suffered a blow to her self-worth she tries to keep
secret. She is relatable and I
feel for her, but she also frustrates me as she keeps things hidden and gets in
her own way. She seems a well developed character who is easy to like and is my
favorite of this story.
Supporting
character is heir to the Manor Piers Cavanagh who is a botanist. Having been
ostracized from Society following rumors of cowardice, he seems a really good
person. Circumstances have not
been on his side and he has suffered the harsh, unfair judgment of The Ton.
Main dramatic element of this story is the mysterious disappearance which makes Charity and Piers investigate local matters left alone for years. Rigging of horse races is an interesting element I have not read about before.
The writing has a deliciously dark and mysterious vibe which I love to read this time of year. Charity lands in kind of an investigator role. A“Miss Marple Light” if you will.
Charity and Piers have strong feelings
from five years ago before Charity went to Ceylon. I enjoyed the process as
complications in their relationship get a chance to be straightened out and
feelings rekindled. This is my favorite part of the story.
The faith element is weaved into the last part of the plot as Charity
and Piers have to trust God to help them with their struggles.
The ending to this story deserves a few sentences of its own as it was surprising
beyond belief. I had my eye on
several of the characters, but never the actual culprit. I really loved that.
This is the second book I have read by Abigail Wilson and I have loved them both. She is firmly on my radar now and I am eagerly awaiting what she comes up with next. Readers of Historical romance and Historical mystery I’m sure will enjoy The Vanishing at Loxby Manor. Fans of Abigail Wilson will definitely love it. Similar authors to explore might be Sarah E. Ladd or Michelle Griep.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for this opportunity to share my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Conclusion: The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is the intriguingly mysterious historical which includes disappearance, murder and the rekindling of lost love. All tied together in an enjoyably unexpected ending.
Rating: 4 stars / 5
Where to get your copy
Barnes & Noble e-book (NOOK book)
Barnes & Noble Audio mp3 on CD
Book Details
ISBN-10 : 0785232958
Publisher : Thomas Nelson (January 26, 2021)
ISBN-13 : 978-0785232957
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.(from Amazon). Read more on authors website http://www.acwilsonbooks.com/about-2/
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