I fell in love with the writing style of Abigail Wilson when I read her book Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey in 2020. I was so excited to read her newest work! The Vanishing at Loxby Manor lived up to my lofty expectations.
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The summary:
The Vanishing at Loxby Manor
by Abigail Wilson
Publication Date: January 26, 2021
Thomas Nelson
Paperback & eBook; 336 pages
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance/Regency
A story of second chances and secrets, this mysterious Regency romance will transport you to 19th-century England as one young lady reunites with her childhood love to find his missing sister.
Her friend is missing.
After five years abroad, Charity Halliwell finally returns to Loxby Manor, the home of dear friends預nd 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 Cavanaugh 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葉he one woman he thought he壇 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.
Settle in, because once you start The Vanishing at Loxby Manor, you won稚 be able to put it down.
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Praise for The Vanishing at Loxby Manor
“Vanishing at Loxby Manor cleverly combines Regency romance with Gothic intrigue, and the result is a suspenseful, thoroughly entertaining read. Charming and lovely.” Tasha Alexander, New York Times bestselling author of In the Shadow of Vesuvius
“Like each of Wilson’s novels, The Vanishing at Loxby Manor drew me in from the start and didn’t let go. From the heartfelt characters to the twists that kept me guessing, I relished each turn of the page. Wilson is a master at historical mystery, and I cannot wait for her next story.” Lindsay Harrel, author of The Joy of Falling
“Abigail Wilson’s latest Gothic romance hits the notes readers have come to expect from her talented pen: romance, shadows and intrigue and a brilliantly executed atmosphere. She is a master at her craft and a rare stand-out in a popular genre.” Rachel McMillan, author of The London Restoration
“Leaving a shadow of mystery among the gilded countryside of Regency England, Wilson’s tale of love lost, buried shame, and secret societies is a delicious blend of romance and intrigue. Splash in gorgeous historical Regency details, and murder brewing around every stone, and readers will be burning through the pages until the riveting end.” J’nell Ciesielski, author of The Socialite
“A gothic romance that is filled with great characters and a mystery that unfolds chapter by chapter. A perfect blend of mystery, family relationships, lost years, and star-crossed love. Be warned, you won’t be able to walk away from these characters.” Cara Putman, award-winning author of Flight Risk
Buy The Vanishing at Loxby Manor here.
Yet again, Abigail Wilson pulled me in with this excellent Regency mystery! Her novels are gothic goodness with a heavy dose of romance, and this one was no different. Charity is such a strong and brave yet gentle heroine. She returns to Loxby Manor after spending five years in Ceylon with her family. She left behind her first love, Piers, who she was under the impression rejected her. His rejection was painful, especially in the wake of a sexual assault early on during her stay in Ceylon. Charity is unsure she will feel comfortable being intimate with a man again, and has chosen to pursue a career as a governess.
She returns to Loxby Manor assuming Piers, who has become estranged from his family after never showing up for a duel he initiated – a shameful act, will not be there. However, with a younger brother to manage and the disappearance of his sister, Piers returns. Piers and Charity work together to uncover the disappearance of Seline and the involvement of a secret society comprised of their childhood friends. Meanwhile, they deal with their feelings for one another resurfacing.
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I loved that Charity has a hearing impairment, and that this is not essential to the plot. It’s just a part of who she is and the way she navigates the world around her. I also loved the chemistry between Piers and Charity. Loxby Manor is published through a Christian publishing house, so there are no steamy love scenes, but you can feel the pull between Charity and Piers – the love and desire.
I also appreciated that there’s no “I/she deserved it” discourse. Charity never feels she deserved her assault after going off alone with a man, though it does impact her desire to do so again and her worry for other women who do. Seline engages in flirtations with multiple men, but no one expresses she is at fault. As someone who has been assaulted, I found this to be empowering and perhaps not the message some might expect from a book tagged as Christian fiction. (I feel Abigail Wilson’s books are more gothic romances on the gentle/sweet side than Christian fiction.)
Abigail Wilson really kept me guessing with this one. The plot was so rich and deeply intertwined, so while I figured out some parts, never in full detail. I was blown away by the twisted web Wilson weaved! A secret society, clandestine romances, family histories… I can’t imagine the planning that went behind this one!
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.
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Find out more about how I rate books here.
The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A strong, brave, and gentle heroine. A couple with excellent chemistry. And all the twists and turns I’ve come to expect from Abigail Wilson’s expert craftsmanship. Look out for my full review at https://bitchbookshelf.com on February 4. My thanks to the author, publisher, and HFVBT for giving me a copy in exchange for my honest review.
Book Club Questions
- How are Seline and Charity different? How are they and the events that affect them, as women in the world they live in, similar?
- Piers’ estrangement from his family runs deep. How did it end up affecting him and each member of his family? How may it have affected his friendships?
- Do you think the dissolution of the society would work as it did in the end, or could there still be potential danger and raminifications for Piers, Charity, and their families?
Blog Tour Schedule
Tuesday, January 19
Review at Chicks, Rogues and Scandals
Wednesday, January 20
Review at Pursuing Stacie
Thursday, January 21
Review at Gwendalyn’s Books
Friday, January 22
Review at The Green Mockingbird
Monday, January 25
Review at Jorie Loves A Story
Review at Library of Clean Reads
Tuesday, January 26
Guest Post at Novels Alive
Wednesday, January 27
Review at Books, Cooks, Looks
Thursday, January 28
Review at Read Review Rejoice
Friday, January 29
Review at Heidi Reads
Review at View from the Birdhouse
Saturday, January 30
Review at Nursebookie
Monday, February 1
Review at The Caffeinated Bibliophile
Tuesday, February 2
Review at Amy’s Booket List
Wednesday, February 3
Review at Passages to the Past
Thursday, February 4
Review at Hallie Reads
Review at Bitch Bookshelf
Friday, February 5
Review at The Lit Bitch
Interview at Books & Benches
Giveaway
Enter to win a copy of The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson! Five copies are up for grabs!
The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on February 5th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
Interested? Buy The Vanishing at Loxby Manor.
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