"In the Shadow of Croft Towers" by Abigail Wilson ... and a GIVEAWAY!

Abigail's publisher has offered to give away a print copy of the book (US ONLY).  You can enter by using the Rafflecopter link at the end of the post. (Giveaway ends January 17, 2019. If you are the randomly chosen winner, I'll contact you.)  

About the book...

Orphaned Sybil Delafield jumps at the opportunity for a position at the mysterious Croft Towers. She believes she was hired to act as companion to a dying woman, but a highway robbery and a hostile welcome from the Chalcroft family cause her to wonder if she was actually hired to help someone spy for France. An unsolved murder adds intrigue to this already secretive family, and Sybil recognizes Mrs. Chalcroft's handsome grandson as one of the infamous highwaymen who robbed her. Sybil must determine if this man's charming smile and earnest eyes speak the truth or if he is simply using her like others in the house. Everyone seems to have something to hide, and Sybil must decide who to trust while also coming to terms with the truth about her own past

My review...

This is Wilson’s debut novel. It has a gothic romance feel. Sybil Delafield travels to Croft Towers with the intention of being a companion to the elderly mistress of the Towers. Along the way, she encounters highwaymen and a household full of intriguing characters. Sybil sets out to solve some personal mysteries: who her parents are and who she truly is. Sybil has caught the attention of two potential suitors, but she’s unsure of whether she can trust anyone she meets because everyone seems to have a secret.

Ample intrigue and twists are provided in this first-person POV tale. I was expecting a bit of a Christian angle, and I found that to be lacking, but it is definitely a clean read. I did figure out Sybil’s parentage before the reveal, but a few things kept me guessing.

For the most part, the characters are well-rounded, though some are a bit better developed than others. Sybil is a character who is easy to root for, as she is determined, humble, resourceful, and quite likeable. It did take me a bit to get into the story, and then there were a few lulls later on, as well as a few parts that seemed a bit convoluted. Overall, however, Wilson has crafted a solid, and enjoyable, debut.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and NetGalley, but I wasn’t required to leave a positive review. 

Amazon purchase link

About Abigail...

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 ACFW's First Impressions contest as well as placing as a 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.

Connect with Abigail...

Website: acwilsonbooks.com

Instagram: @acwilsonbooks

Facebook: @ACWilsonbooks

Twitter: @acwilsonbooks

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