In the Shadow of Croft Towers
By Abigail Wilson
Published by Thomas Nelson
Release Date: January 15, 2019
ISBN#978-078223665
336 pages
NORA’S REVIEW: This author opening lines, seized my imagination, “I often wondered what my life would have been like if I had never learned the truth. I wouldn’t have set off as I did for Croft Towers. I never would have met him.”
Immediately the author brilliantly sets a haunting- mysterious tone to her debut novel as Sybil Delafield leaves the only home and security she’s ever known and heads off to be a companion to a sick Mrs. Chalecroft. Sybil wasn’t a servant or part of the family so things were a bit awkward as this orphan tried to navigate her way around family, and the well-oiled team of servants; to hopefully learn a thing or two about her parents. The bonus for Sybil is she genially liked Mrs. Chalecroft and Mrs. Chalecroft liked her which didn’t sit well with anyone in the house.
I liked Sybil she wasn’t afraid to face a challenge head on, yet she was sensitive to her surroundings, she knew her place, she was strong, faithful, resourceful and listened to her inner spirit and let it guide her.
Sybil ponders her dilemma, “Everyone at the Towers had a secret. Every. Single. Person. And I could do nothing but claw my way through their web of lies.”
This story is full of action adventure, spies, mysteries, dramatic battles, haunting castle, murder, plenty of secrets, romance and dances to be entertained by. This author brings out all the things I love to read about in this first-person novel seen through Sybil’s eyes.
I loved the authors style of writing. She doesn’t get overly descriptive just enough to peek the readers imagination, “…The chaos was beautiful in a way, as if the plants had struggled against uniformity and won – as if this might be the way it was created to look before man bent it to his will.”
The author includes twelve discussions to help spark lively conversation. I highly recommend this novel for a fun, entertaining read and one that would work well with book clubs.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com
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