Book Bite: Shadows of Swanford Abbey

I am a massive mystery fan. If you put an Agatha Christie book in front of me, I will devour it in an instant. However, I get even more excited for a historical mystery. Like many people, the Regency period is one of my favourites, and I was ecstatic to see that there would be a Regency mystery out in time for the holidays. Today I am sharing my thoughts on Julie Klassen’s Shadows of Swanford Abbey and why you should read it!

Thank you to Austenprose and the author for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Shadows of Swanford Abbey, Julie Klassen

When Miss Rebecca Lane returns to her home village after a few years away, her brother begs for a favor: go to nearby Swanford Abbey and deliver his manuscript to an author staying there who could help him get published. Feeling responsible for her brother’s desperate state, she reluctantly agrees.

The medieval monastery turned grand hotel is rumored to be haunted. Once there, Rebecca begins noticing strange things, including a figure in a hooded black gown gliding silently through the abbey’s cloisters. For all its renovations and veneer of luxury, the ancient foundations seem to echo with whispers of the past–including her own. For there she encounters Sir Frederick—magistrate, widower, and former neighbor—who long ago broke her heart.

When the famous author is found murdered in the abbey, Sir Frederick begins questioning staff and guests and quickly discovers that several people held grudges against the man, including Miss Lane and her brother. Haunted by a painful betrayal in his past, Sir Frederick searches for answers but is torn between his growing feelings for Rebecca and his pursuit of the truth. For Miss Lane is clearly hiding something…

Why You Should Read This…

I was slightly suspicious when I first read the description- can we truly have a full mystery set in a period like the Regency, without skimping on plot or details? Well, I am thrilled to say that Klassen has indeed mastered the historical romance! Throughout the entire time I was reading this, I kept thinking “did Christie write a Regency mystery?”. It is a wonderfully immersive whodunnit, and it shows Klassen’s skills as an author. It kept me guessing through the story, and I definitely made a few wrong guesses, which made the book even more fun to read!

This is absolutely a book for Jane Austen fans! A lot of authors try to mimic Austen’s voice, but Klassen captures the feelings of Austen without feeling stiff or awkward in tone. If you don’t know, Northanger Abbey is one of my favourite novels, and there are Northanger vibes from Swanford Abbey in the best way. It also made me think of Sanditon; with the second seasoning airing in March of 2022, this is the perfect book to read while we are waiting to return to the seaside town. (It is also the perfect Christmas gift, perhaps for yourself…)

Is Shadows of Swanford Abbey on your to-read list?

Cheers,
The Historian
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