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–and her lost love. No longer a young girl, she is now haunted by a painful secret … 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–the one woman he thought he’d 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’t be able to put it down.
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
“Weaving 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
- Sweet but mysterious Regency Romance with Gothic tones
- A stand-alone novel
- Book length: approximately 90,000 words
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
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In The Vanishing at Loxby Manor Abigail Wilson has created 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. There is also an integral thread of letting go of past tragedy and moving into the future. This book is perfect for readers who love Regency fiction in gothic settings. Be warned, you won’t be able to walk away from these characters.
This is my fist book by Abigail Wilson and I wasn’t disappointed! I finished this story in one day, I was hooked from the first page and couldn’t put it down! I loved the mystery and intrigue wondering who done it!
I listened to this one via audio. I enjoyed the mystery and characters. This is my first book by this author and certainly won’t be my last. Set in England a young girl disappears and the search begins.
Wow! How spooky and mysterious. Perplexed the whole time although the cluses were there, I couldn’t grasp them until the end. Gothic and Regency collide! Excellent.
Fabulous characters! An up all night read, couldn’t put it down. A house full of secrets that makes a thriller out of this book. A missing daughter, sister and friend that has the whole manor in an uproar. I was on the edge of my seat throughout this entire book. Each time I thought clues would lead to secrets revealed and discovery of Seline a new twist was thrown in. This story wraps securely around your emotions and pulls you in all directions. I was living in this story with every danger and revelation that had my mind spinning at every shadow or suspect that lurked within the pages. A romance that may never be has the reader begging for a change in circumstances. So many reasons to indulge in this story with an outcome that will have you shocked and gasping for breath! What an incredible journey this was.
Was given a complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
A must read! The captivating storyline is an intoxicating blend of gothic suspense, intrigue, history and romance.
Set against an atmospheric backdrop that encompasses the ruins of an old abbey, Ms. Wilson’s prose brings to life the setting. With beautifully written descriptions that appeal to the senses, the author expertly draws the reader into the story so that when the book is set aside it is with a sense of bewilderment as one reenters the real world.
Tucked within an expertly paced plot is a story of triumph over heartache and shame. Readers will fall in love with the endearing characters, feeling their heartrending sense of loss for the past, but also one of hope that the future brings.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Part Regency romance, part Gothic mystery and part whodunit. This book succeeds on all levels due to the skill of the author. The atmosphere of Loxby manor and the nearby ruined Abby are so beautifully evoked that I felt completely transported to another time and place. The story is well-paced, the romance and suspense gather momentum throughout the novel. The twists and turns are surprising and yet believable.
If you enjoy historical romance or a good romantic suspense then your time will be well spent diving into this book.
A genuine five star read is hard to find, and I’m so glad to have discovered this author.
Wilson has become an instant one-click author for me, and this story is the perfect example as to why. The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is an addictive Regency romance that kept me engaged and turning the pages.
Set in 1816 in England this story is packed full of everything wonderful. Family issues, love, secrets, wonderful dynamics, and a mystery that keeps the reader guessing.
As I was reading, I found myself talking back to the characters, asking questions of them, and trying to help them not only solve the mystery but to get the HEA they deserve. I really loved every moment of this story and devoured it in one night. The authentic aspects of the story and the details really brings this story to life and allows the characters to bloom in a way that is magical to witness.
I received an ARC via NetGalley and Thomas Nelson Publishes and I am leaving an honest review. I have added this book to my favorites list and will be buying it in paperback for my collection; highly recommended.
1816 Twenty-one year old Charity Halliwell returns to England and Loxby Manor, the home of the Cavanagh family, from Ceylon, while her parents travel to the Americas. But on her arrival daughter Seline who is on the verge of losing her reputation decides to flee. While it seems that the eldest son, Piers, has disgraced the family. What has really happened. Can Charity determine the truth.
More of a Gothic romance than an intricate mystery but overall an enjoyable well-written story which certainly kept my interest to the conclusion.
The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is a suspenseful story of romance and intriguing mystery Regency style! This unpredictable story grabbed my attention with the prologue and held it fast to the surprising ending. The emotionally rich plot with its twists and turns moves at a steady pace. It kept me guessing with each page turn. The characters are well-crafted and memorable. I have added Charity and Piers to my “favorite characters” list! They touched my heart with their struggles to overcome painful past experiences and find happiness together. I enjoyed the first person narrative which gives deeper insight into Charity’s feelings. With Ms. Wilson’s attention to detail and vivid descriptive imagery, I not only read the book but felt it! I loved this book and look forward to the next offering from this gifted storyteller. I recommend it as a must read for Regency romance and mystery lovers!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley but am under no obligation to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Abigail Wilson’s books have been popping up on my recommendation list for some time and after reading The Vanishing at Loxby Manor, I must say, I should have got to them sooner. Historical romance has always been a favorite genre of mine but when combined with good mystery and intrigue, the story takes on different flavors that please the palate.
Charity Halliwell has returned to her home soil after spending many years in Ceylon but her arrival at her friend’s abode is nothing short of a disaster. Like the house of cards tumbling at a slight breeze, the first night sees her best friend Seline vanishing from the Loxby Manor. As events escalate Charity has to use every power in her arsenal to get to the truth of Seline and her various pursuits. With rumours of secret organization and whispers in the corridors, secret lights in the haunted abbey there are many a thing that is waiting to unravel in this mysterious story.
Charity as a character was absolutely delightful, her demeanor and solid nature offering a soothing presence to the goings on inside Loxby manor. I adored Piers too with his deep love for Charity unwilling to harm her reputation and the rekindling of love between Piers and Charity was definitely the highlight of the novel. The twisty surprise at the end was a total gobsmack moment for me coz I had considered all the options but failed immensely with that reveal.
I am so glad that I found this new author who has captured the romance, emotions, family dynamics, secrets, murder and mystery into an utterly captivating tale with perfect historical background. As each mystery in this complex tale unfolds, I was surprised with the ease the threads have been woven to form the brilliant story.
This is a pretty intense suspense novel. It had a very gothic feel to it. There is a manor with secrets, secret societies, and the disappearance of one of the characters. The overall feel was a little dark. It is a great book to read during this Halloween season!
The mystery feels like it is slow to come to a conclusion, but there are a lot of sleuthing and situations that occur. The progression felt very natural to me. I enjoyed the characters as I tried to sort out who was good and who was bad. Honestly, nothing is as it appears to be.
Good read
The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is a cleverly and artfully written romantic mystery. There were times in the first half that the somber and brooding romance almost grew too heavy for me and I set it aside, but it called my name and with persistence I discovered it was intrinsic to both the mystery and the romance. Do not give up, Reader! There is this tug-of-war, or tension, in the book: Which is the greater story? The mystery or the romance? In the end, it will settle in a satisfying sigh that each was necessary to the other, and the tone is the golden thread tying then together. Some very exquisite writing which will bring me back again to this author.
Regency Romance and Mystery
eBook and Audiobook Review:
I’m a voracious reader of Regency romance, and when I can find them, I enjoy your Regency mysteries as well. This charmingly combines historical mystery and romance. The novel has several storylines going on at the same time, perfect for a book of this length. The central mystery has to do with the disappearance of the heroine’s good friend, who happens to be the hero’s sister. After we’re told about this, mention of the “vanishing” fades into the background for much of the book as we learn more of the hero’s and heroine’s pasts and the secondary characters, including the hero’s other family members and friends. I thought the mystery should have been more front and center, though I certainly enjoyed the second-chance-at-romance aspect of the book as well. Both the hero and heroine have difficulties in their pasts that appear to prevent them coming together in the present. Both are sympathetic characters. The hero is sweet and swoon-worthy, committed as he is to both his family and the heroine. While the author hinted at some sort of sexual misconduct/assault of the heroine while she was in Ceylon, at no point does she state what precisely happened in the tea garden with not too gentlemanly gentleman; I wish she had done so, as I was curious about what was such a crucial event that held her back from marriage. I will admit to being genuinely surprised at the ultimate villain of the piece, though I had some inkling that all was not as it seemed with him. The pacing of the book was uneven, slow at first, but then things really ratcheted up quickly at the end of the book. I don’t feel like the author foreshadowed enough, though, especially about the secret society, which turned out to be very important but was sprung on us late in the game. While some might see this as a Regency Gothic, I thought it lacked several elements key to a Gothic mystery or story. Perhaps because of the romance, it didn’t seem moody or “spooky” enough to be a real Gothic novel. The narrator of the audiobook did a good job with the female characters, but I thought most men sounded the same. All in all, though, I found this to be a very enjoyable audiobook and ebook.
I received a free copy of both the audiobook and the eBook, but that did not affect my review.
Five years earlier, Charity Halliwell left the village she called home. Now she’s returned and wants only to see her friend Seline Cavanagh and find a position as a governess. She plans to stay with old friends, the Cavanaghs, while she finds such a position, but her arrival at Loxby Manor isn’t what she expected it to be. “I knew something was terribly wrong the moment I stepped foot back in Loxby Manor. . . ” Seline goes missing that very night and the one man she must stay away from, Piers Cavanagh comes home to help find his missing sister. Add in the mysterious goings on at the ruins of the old abbey and Seline and Piers have more than one mystery on their hands.
I had so many questions while reading this book: what happened to Charity 5 years earlier that made her leave the village? What had Piers done to be branded a coward and an outcast? What happened to Seline? What are the Cavanaghs hiding?
This regency has a real gothic feel to it. So many mysteries to unravel–the missing young woman, strange goings on in the abbey ruins, finding out everyone’s secrets. I kept turning pages late into the night to find the answers to all my questions. Second chance romances are one of my favorite tropes and I got that with Charity and Piers. They found their way back to each while working together to solve all the mysterious happenings at and around Loxby Manor.
This is my first book by Abigail Wilson. I received a complimentary copy from the publisher Thomas Nelson–FICTION via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in my review are my own.
A gripping story of heartache, betrayal and intrigue, set against the backdrop of Regency Era England.
Charity Halliwell returns to Loxby Manor to spend time with family friends, but the sudden disappearance of her friend Seline tosses everything into question as rumors fly and reputations are threatened. Charity must join forces with the man who broke her heart, the brother of Seline, Piers Cavanagh to find out who and what they are dealing with.
An engaging tale of adventure and intrigue right from the start, a full cast of characters and motives leave no one safe from suspicion. Charity is more mature and not as carefree as she once was, and I admired her determination to help her friend and not let her past keep her passive. The rich backstory adds to the plot, and I liked how the twists and turns kept me guessing.
Honor and loyalty are tested, while some are left to suffer the fallout, this is a hard to put down read that had me up later than is practical to find out what would happen. I liked that it had me wondering right up to almost the end. And I think the social obstacles were realistic, and understandable, making the tentative alliance between Piers and Charity all the more tension fraught and uncertain.
Overall, a riveting read of intrigue, betrayal and enduring love, that I thoroughly enjoyed. There is a lot going on between the social intrigue, as well as the dark secrets that threaten their very futures. Well executed plot, good pacing, and a fantastic cast of characters make this an excellent read for fans of historical suspense romance!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I think I might have requested this book on NetGalley because I liked the cover. Now if I saw another book by this author, I would definitely pick it up. She definitely captured my attention.
I have not read a lot of regency novels, so I did not pick the book based on the theme. While there were some English elements and customs that were unfamiliar to me, the author did a fairly good job of explaining terms. While there were romantic elements, as implied by the title, the mystery/suspense (borderline thriller even) was really the main part of the story. Trying to find the person that vanished was definitely one of the main parts of the plot.
But this book also tackles the challenging topic of shame. How do we let go of mistakes that happened in the past? Is the search to find healing approached differently if we made the blunders ourselves or if someone else took from us? While I would not say that faith is completely addressed, I would say that there was not any negative talk against the sovereignty of God either. I was okay with how the topic was handled.
(Note: An assault incident happened that could be problematic if a reader has serious triggers. The actual event was hardly mentioned and even in the retelling very few details are provided other than to acknowledge that it was traumatic.)
This story includes many parts that make a story worth reading: complicated relationships, past pain, uncertain circumstances and an intriguing setting. All of the pieces are woven together beautifully. Although this plot could have been heavy, the author added sections to relieve the tension, such as a cat. I enjoyed her writing style.
Thank you to Thomas Nelson for letting me read this book through NetGalley. I was not expected to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
If you enjoy historical romance with a Gothic feel and great characters, then this is the book for you! I really loved the Gothic vibe this story had. All the danger, mystery, and spooky atmosphere really added to this plot. The characters were perfectly written. Charity and Piers were really good characters. Their stories sucked me in and I loved their romance as well. The romance was sweet and swoon-worthy and added to the Gothic atmosphere. There was also a great family dynamic in this story that I really appreciated. The overall book was well-plotted with an amazing atmosphere and wonderful characters. I would definitely recommend this book and can’t wait for more from this author!
A missing girl. Childhood friends. Secret societies.
Charity Halliwell returns to England after five years living with her parents at a tea plantation in Ceylon. She carries a secret which has permanently altered her life. Though her long-time friends welcome her into their home, she gets the feeling she may not be as wanted as they assured her she would be. Then her friend goes missing.
She came to Loxby Manor because the heir, Piers Cavanagh, was said to never be at home. The strong friendship they shared in their youth is still one of her cherished memories, and her girlish fancy of him has never quite faded. When he unexpectedly turns up soon after her arrival, she must balance her memories with the distance and circumstances which have grown between them.
Who is behind the strange happenings and disappearances around Loxby Manor? Charity must unravel the mystery and find the culprit—or risk becoming a victim herself.
Abigail Wilson writes such compelling Regency-era Gothic mysteries! I’ve really enjoyed the ones I’ve read, and hope to read her backlist when I can. The characters are interesting with unique griefs in their backgrounds, and the secret society storylines made me shiver. I had some suspicions about who the true villain was, but I was still surprised at the revelation. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical suspense. I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it, as the narrator sounds a bit like Julia Sawalha, and it was fun to picture Dorcas Lane from Lark Rise to Candleford as the person behind the voice.
I received my copy of the audiobook from the publisher. All thoughts in this review are my own.