In this new Regency romance, Elizabeth knows she must protect her heart from the charm of her new husband, Lord Torrington. She is not, however, prepared to protect her life.When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose … is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity and her reputation, as well as his dangerous mission.
Trapped not only by her duty to her country but also by her limited options as an unwed mother, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. There she is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murderer, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Meanwhile she must convince everyone that her marriage is a genuine love match if her new husband has any hope of uncovering the enemy.
Determined to keep her son’s true identity a secret, Elizabeth will need to remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless fiend bent on her new family’s ruin.
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MASQUERADE at MIDDLECREST ABBEY by Abigail Wilson is the first book that I have read by this author and it was exactly what I was in the mood to read. It is a historical fiction book set in England in 1815 while England and France were still at war. While it is also billed as a romance, the romance definitely took a back seat to the mystery part of the book.
The main protagonists are a widowed Lord Adrian Torrington who is also a spy for the crown and an unwed mother, Elizabeth Cantrell. When Adrian poses as a highwayman and robs the wrong carriage and Elizabeth is unconscious, he proposes marriage to protect his identity as a spy and her reputation. But all is not well at Middlecrest Abbey. On top of that, both Adrian and Elizabeth are keeping secrets from each other.
From the first sentence, I was drawn into the book. The characters were compelling had depth; especially Elizabeth. Their goals were clear and their motivations were believable. The secondary characters were enhanced the story. The plot twists were believable and while I guessed correctly on some, there were a couple of surprises. The plot was suspenseful, fresh, complex and entertaining. Overall, this was an enjoyable and fabulous read. Mystery, romance, spies, murder and family dynamics abound in this novel. I recommend it to those that enjoy historical mysteries with some romance to go with it.
Many thanks to Thomas Nelson—FICTION and Abigail Wilson for a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Oh. My. Word. This story by Abigail Wilson pulled me in and wouldn’t let me go until I devoured each delicious page! Having read —and gushed over! — her previous two stories, I already knew I was in for a literary treat, but this! This! I cannot begin to detail all the fabulousness that’s tucked inside the pages. But I will say that the mystery is riveting, the romance is swoon-worthy, and the characters are dynamic. I am a forever a fangirl of this author’s works and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Is it truly over?
When reading a book like Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey you are so centralized that you barely notice as pages turn, chapters tick away, and an hour then two have gone. And with the last word read I am in shock, in Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey there is such intrigue that you can’t help but devour each word with a baited breath, until the story is concluded with a neat, sweet ending.
The mystery is something like Doyle, the romance a dash of Austen, and the writing all Wilson. This being my first book from Abigail Wilson I wasn’t sure quite what to expect, I had heard so many good things about her first books and when I saw the cover of this one I knew I needed to read it at the first chance I got — and so I did.
Finding one of, what I expect to be, my top 5 favorite books of 2020 I am pleased that I read this book, the characters, especially Lord Torrington, were not the normal characters one finds in a historical romance. The care with which Lord Torrington takes of Isaac and others with similar stories shows just how much of a gentleman he is. I can’t say as I didn’t see some things coming because I did but I didn’t guess everything within the first half of the book which was a wonderful surprise. I look forward to more from Wilson.
The mystery tied up with good pace, not too soon or too long winded, and was not too dark for my tastes.
I only have to add that there are mentions of mistresses, prostitutes, children born out of wedlock, sleeping with a man/woman were already married to another man/woman, and such things that were very common in the era of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it.
Oh my goodness! The novel is a well-written suspense set in the Regency period. I was on edge throughout the story. Romance develops between a troubled man and a scorned woman with child. Adrian and Elizabeth overcome their troubled pasts as they race to solve a murder, and the terrifying fact that someone in their own home is a traitor.
You know a book is well done when you think about the story and characters when you are away from the pages. This is my first novel by Abigail Wilson and I am now a huge fan! Her writing has a very Charlotte Brontë feel that draws the reader back to another time with such ease that it brings the story and characters to further life. The mystery engages the reader and to my delight, is unpredictable. Fans of Sarah E. Ladd and Julie Klassen will devour this book!
Series: None listed
Publication Date: 5/26/20
Number of Pages: 336
This is my first book by Abigail Wilson and I’m wondering how I managed to miss her first three books. This was a wonderful read! The mystery was outstanding and the suspects were many and varied. While I loved the mystery, I didn’t really see enough interactions between the couple to see the romance. Perhaps that is because the book is written in the first person, so we only see one person’s perspective on the interactions. One thing that puzzled me was that it isn’t listed as being part of a series, but it obviously is. I enjoyed this book so much I went back to see what books she had written previously – with the intent of buying those to read as well. As I read the descriptions of those previous books, I realized that those same people were mentioned in the book I’d just read. You can definitely read this book as a standalone, but I would have enjoyed knowing it was part of a series and perhaps reading the earlier books first.
Miss Elizabeth Cantrell was used and tossed aside by the father of her child. More fortunate than most, she had found refuge with some family members. However, her baby is eleven months old and it is time for her to be on her own and make a life for herself and baby Isaac. She is in a coach headed toward a new position as housekeeper — Then – a highwayman attacks – the coach crashes – she is injured and unconscious – and awakens in a room at an inn – with the highwayman sharing the room as her husband. Uh-Oh. Then – he offers her a marriage of convenience. Say What!
Baron Adrian Torrington has been a widower for almost twenty years and a spy for the Crown for nearly that long as well. When he is sent to stop a coach carrying a message to the French, things go terribly awry and the coach crashes injuring a lovely young woman. With her unconscious and people approaching, he does the only thing he feels he can do – he removes her from the scene and takes her to the nearest inn – as her husband. Besides – she was conscious long enough to see his face and recognize him. In order to protect himself and her, he offers her a marriage of convenience.
Has he just brought danger into his own home? When threatening notes appear and death happens, it appears the answer is yes. Or – was the danger there all along and he’s just brought an innocent young woman and her babe into it? Adrian and Elizabeth grow closer as they work together to solve the murder, find the spies, and thwart the French mission. As you learn the backstories of Adrian and Elizabeth you come to admire them and the way they’ve managed to overcome the adversities and betrayals in their lives. I really liked both of them and was glad to see them find each other.
This was an entertaining read, and I will definitely be purchasing this author’s earlier works and reading them as well. Then, I can’t wait to find out what the next book will be. My only issue is that I didn’t really see the romance – it was just suddenly there. They had few interactions, and those were short and all ‘business’ rather than personal – yet, they were suddenly madly in love. Again, I think some of that is lack of page time for the romance and the lack of perspective from Adrian’s side because it was written in the first person from Elizabeth’s point of view. I believe Adrian was the first to be totally smitten, but we never actually got to see that part. I deducted one star because the romance portion was just not quite what I like to see.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson is a fast-paced, highly engaging, unputdownable read! I loved every minute of this suspenseful story, and I’m sad my time with Elizabeth and Adrian is over. The storyline is a solid mystery. I was kept guessing and guessing and guessing until the very end. I found the characters, both primary and secondary, to be well crafted. What I appreciate about the secondary characters is that they ALL are mysterious enough that at one point I thought each was perhaps the murderer. I really liked the marriage-of-convenience trope. The way Wilson utilizes this trope is fun and added another layer of unique tension to the storyline. I also very much loved the growth in the relationship between Elizabeth and Adrian. First, they must learn to trust one another in a very stressful and fearful environment, and then once the trust is established, they must learn to believe in their growing romantic feelings. Elizabeth and Adrian’s partnership grows into something that feels authentic and realistic. Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey is a stellar Regency Suspense Romance that I HIGHLY recommend!
Elizabeth Cantrell is a complex character for sure. She is no mere simpering miss. Life has dealt her some really rough cards, and she has had to learn to take care of herself without help from anyone. Abandonment has become the pattern of her life. Her parents are gone. Her brother is gone. And the man she fancied herself in love with, who got her with child, has left her. Abandonment has forced Elizabeth to build protective walls around her broken heart. It’s also made her realize that if she wants or needs something for herself or her baby, she is going to have to figure things out on her own. She cannot depend on anyone. But one day, Elizabeth looks into her mirror and doesn’t like the woman looking back. Elizabeth isn’t the strong, sure woman she thought she was. She’s nothing more than a closed-off, untrusting, lonely, exhausted woman. She needs a perspective change. What if Adrian, her convenient husband, really is in her corner? Perhaps Adrian’s daughters really do want to be a part of her and her son’s lives? Could her life be fuller and richer if she lets down her guard a little?
I’m not answering these questions for you. You will have to read this fabulous novel to find out what Elizabeth decides. But, I do appreciate Wilson’s discussion about the walls we build around our hearts. This earth hurts us. It hurts us very badly. Some of us have built up walls that are so mighty dynamite couldn’t bring them down. But emotional walls only serve us for so long. Blink and a wall we erected to protect ourselves has now become a detriment to our mental health, our heart, and our relationships. How do we know when to tear our protective walls down? That’s a hard question to answer. Each person has a unique timeline. But, if we want a full life, a life with love and friends and meaning, we have to learn to put ourselves out there and trust again. We have to break the walls down a bit. Otherwise, we end up being like Elizabeth — closed off, untrusting, lonely, and so, so exhausted. I appreciate Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey for getting me to pause a little and check on my heart’s emotional condition!
Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey is a wonderful story that I won’t soon forget. If you are a fan of Regency, Romance, and/or Suspense then this is definitely the book for you!
I received a review copy of this novel in eBook form from the publisher, Thomas Nelson, via NetGalley in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Abigail Wilson masterfully weaves a thrilling Gothic mystery with a regency romance and the result will keep you on the edge of your seat from first page to last. The suspenseful plot is well paced as Wilson expertly drops bread crumbs but leaves the reader to pick up the ones that lead to the right trail. The convenient marriage romance between Adrian and Elizabeth is very sweet but is challenged by the intrigue that surrounds them and their pasts that they cannot escape.
This was the first book I have read by this author but it certainly will not be the last. A solid 5 stars!
I received an advance copy from the publisher through Netgalley but am leaving an honest review of my own opinions.
Elizabeth Cantrell is astonished when her carriage is attacked by a highwayman. She is even more astonished when she discovers that the highwayman is in fact Lord Adrian Torrington. He confided his true intentions and asks for her help in exchange for preserving her reputation and providing for her son. As the pros outweigh the cons, she agrees to become Lady Torrington. But has she just put herself in more danger?
This was…a complicated read. Parts of it, I really liked. Elizabeth was an interesting character. An unmarried woman with a child is bound to bring censure on herself, and she does what she thinks is best for her small family. Lord Torrington was a nice counterpoint to her, mysterious but kind.
At the same time, while I could see the attraction between them, romance and love felt like a stretch. The plot felt like it dragged and there were several times where I was bored. I didn’t find the scenario likely. I guessed the “villain” early on so it didn’t come as a surprise. I know I had an ARC, so I really hope it gets a final edit. At times there were words that didn’t seem like they meant what the author felt they meant.
Overall, it was an alright read. I would probably read this author again. I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own.
** Sigh ** What can I say other then . . . What a splendid story full of action and intrigue, mystery and suspense, longing and love. It’s a clean regency historic read that throws you straight into the action and drama of the storyline as Elizabeth wakes up in her overturned carriage to her baby crying. She looks up and discovers the man trying to help her from the accident is none other than the highwayman who caused it. Can you say nightmare?!?
It only gets better from there as it is uncovered that the highwayman is is really an undercover spy and since he kinda ruined her already sullied reputation, her proposes marriage (I promise it makes more sense in the book). From here, it a case of murder by poisoning, attempted murder, several threats, and a kidnapping that follow this short marriage. But what may have started out as a shield against the naysayers, soon turns into something more as both Elizabeth and Adrian learn to trust each other and heal from their pasts.
It’s a great blend of who-done-it and historic romance, action and suspense. The characters are on point and I feel my heart yearning for these characters to have “something real”. Silly, I know, but great book make you feel so I call it a win.
** I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review. **
I feel like I’m finding more historical romantic suspense and I’m here for it! Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson combines a marriage of convenience with murder and mystery and I quite enjoyed it. Miss Elizabeth Cantrell is a woman with a past, as evidenced by her illegitimate son. As a spy, Lord Torrington is a man with secrets. Together they make a crime solving team who bring a fair amount of romance to their investigative escapades. This book was fun and filled with family drama, which kept me turning pages to the end. I’ll definitely be watching for more books by Abigail Wilson.
I don’t normally like gothic romances or whodunnits but this one sounded interesting (and had a gorgeous cover!) so I thought I’d give it a go – and was happily surprised to really enjoy it. The writing was beautiful, the story/mystery gripping, and the characters really engaging. I had to keep reading to find out what happened next! The romance was pretty sweet too. Awww! Great story which has me now wanting to read more by this author.
Loved the boook!
I found this to be a captivating mystery with just the right amount of romance. I had a hard time putting it down.
This book was a fast, easy read. I enjoyed it a great deal. Predictable, yes, but really well written.
Well written, I enjoyed the twists and turns in the plot.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book… will definitely read more by this author!!
Very interesting story line. Loved the characters!
Abigail Wilson quickly became an addition to my list of must-read authors, and this is my favorite of her books yet! After Elizabeth Cantrell is mistakenly accosted on the road by Lord Adrian Torrington, their marriage of convenience quickly lands Elizabeth and her young son Isaac in the middle of a dangerous plot unfolding in the shadows of Middlecrest Abbey.
The mystery was deliciously Gothic, the atmosphere perfectly creepy and the romance a slowly burning with plenty of sparks flying. I couldn’t stop turning pages as new clues were discovered and answers lurked just around the next corner.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
When it comes to Gothic Regency authors, Abigail Wilson is the cream of the crop. With a carriage accident and a marriage of convenience, this tale of espionage, betrayal, and murder hits the floor running. With plenty of tension-filled romance and mysterious happenings, each page draws the reader further and further into the intriguing Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey.