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
more
A disappearance, a murder, a spooky abbey ruin, and a secret society all components of a good gothic story. This one also has a young romance, stopped before it started, and now five years later reblossoming. Like most gothics, this book is written in the first person. Piers and Charity, along with his siblings and others from the area have been lifelong friends. For Charity and Piers, it is a bit more. However, her family’s sudden and quick move to Ceylon ends their budding romance. Five years later Charity returns to stay the Cavanaghs while her parents travel to America. She finds that only has she changed but so has everyone else. The mystery starts her very first night at Loxby Manor when Seline Cavanagh disappears. Her vanishing brings Piers back into her life. Can they rekindle what they once felt or will what happened to her in Ceylon prevent it? Just what do the lights at Kinwich Abbey mean? And just where is Seline? This was a decent read, lots of mystery, who really did its, and action. I received this ebook from NetGalley for an honest review..
The story takes place in Kent, England in 1816. After a five-year absenceCharity Halliwell returns to the village where she grew up, plans to spend time with the family of a childhood friend, Seline Cavanagh.
But Charity does not arrive at a good time, there is tension in the air, Seline had a new scandal, the family is mortified and everything gets worse when Seline disappears.
Charity is a great character, she’s smart, has her own mysterious past, and wants to be an independent woman.
To resolve the mistery of Seline’s disappearance, she wills count with the help of Pier, Seline’s brother and an outcast of society.
They soon discover that there is something more, something more darker than they could have imagined.
The book is a turn of the page, very entertaining and the plot twists
Its a great mistery, a complex story with interesting characters and family drama.
When Charity Halliwell returns to Loxby Manor to visit friends after several years away, she joins forces with her childhood love to find his sister, who vanishes the very night Charity arrives. As the mystery unfolds, we see romance, secret societies, ancient ruins, and dashing heroes that culminate in a clean romantic suspense novel that will keep you riveted until the very last page! This was the first book I have read by Abigail Wilson, and I am now determined to read every single book she writes. This story had it all—romance, mystery, suspense, a riveting plot, and Christian values. This tale was unpredictable, with several plot twists that I absolutely did not see coming. To me, this is the mark of well-written mystery. I loved the second-chance romance for Charity and her childhood love, which progressed well throughout the book and ended with a sweet happily ever after. In this story, the heroine is recovering from a traumatic attack that happened a few years earlier, and she learns lessons regarding her courage, value, and worth no matter what was done to her, which is wonderful. I am glad the author tackled this subject in a tasteful yet truthful way that will touch the hearts of so many who read it. I absolutely recommend this book to those searching for a clean romantic suspense story with heartfelt themes and a riveting plot, and I cannot wait to read more from Abigail Wilson in the future!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for review purposes. My thoughts are my own!
After five years, Charity Halliwell has returned back home to Kent, England. It has been arranged for her to stay for a year at Loxby Manor, home to an old friend, Seline, as well as Piers Cavanagh, the only love she ever had, who left her heartbroken. She is looking to become a governess, but also in the hopes of letting go of a secret that haunts her. Her first night, Seline has disclosed that there has been some talk and she is currently in the bad graces of her family. After seeing a light outside in the distance, she leaves abruptly, but promises not to be gone long. However, Seline fails to return, leaving it to Charity to inform Mrs. Cavanagh that her daughter is missing. The family believes that Seline has left to wed after reading a note that mysteriously appears in Selines’ room. Charity isn’t quite convinced. The more she fishes for information and to make heads or tales of what really happened the night Seline went missing, the more she realizes that she is not the only one with a secret. Can Charity unravel the mystery before it’s too late? Can she mend her relationship with Piers?
This was an audio book ARC that I was fortunate enough to receive through Netgalley. I absolutely loved this book! The narrator did an amazing job and the story itself offered so much to the reader. This is one of the first historical romantic mysteries I’ve read and it won’t be the last by any means. This is also my first read by Abigail Wilson and she definitely does not disappoint! I was left in suspense until the very end, enjoying every second of this book. If you haven’t read this book, definitely add it to your list! I don’t think you’ll be disappointed! I rate this
Love this book lots of different and unexpected turns at every corner. I enjoyed this mystery with a little romance. Can’t wait to read another one by this author.
I received an ARC via Netgalley and this review is my opinion.
Mystery surrounds a family, a ruined abbey, and a sudden disappearance making a young guest and friend of the family fearful about her visit. The atmospheric suspense, attention to historical setting, and complexity in the characters made this latest release by a stellar author a must-read.
Charity Halliwell once thought to marry the oldest Cavanagh son, Piers, but her family’s sudden move to Ceylon and his letter ending their prospects left her bereft and vulnerable. An attack in the dark of the tea plantation has left her disgusted at her naiveté in venturing outside on her own and quelled her spirit as well as her dream of ever marrying and having a family. Now, when her parents journey to join her brilliant chemist of a brother in America, Charity longs for her old neighborhood and friends as a comfort. She knows from Selene’s letters that Piers will not be there as he lives away from the family.
The first night of her visit to the Cavanaghs is enough to convince her that she made a mistake seeking solace in the past. Mrs. Cavanagh isn’t exactly welcoming and mischievous Selene sneaks into Charity’s room to admit that her mother wanted her to leave Charity to her own devices. However, Selene has been a hoyden kissing a groom and flirting with others. She wants the only man in a neighborhood with a title, but she will toy with the others. On this night, she mentions a secret plan to have her way and then whisks off into the night with Charity’s dark cloak about her never to return.
The youngest Cavanagh, Avery, is sent to search for Selene on the road to Gretna Green and Piers returns to support his family trying to ignore the spark between Charity and himself that he purposefully extinguished. She has since learned that he challenged Selene’s lord to a duel and then didn’t show which had him branded a coward and ostracized from polite society. Charity has her own reasons for keeping her distance from any man let alone Piers, but she is certain that Selene never ran off with the groom she kissed and she is equally certain that Piers is no coward whatever the reason he didn’t show to that duel. She will stand by the family and help get to the truth even if she must brave a mysterious shadowy enemy.
The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is a delicious gothic-flavored romantic suspense in the old style. The narrative is all from the periled heroine’s perspective and offers a personal as well as external conflict to show her what she is made of and bring about some startling reveals.
Charity has been assaulted and feels guilt-ridden for her part in it, but also considers herself soiled goods in that day and age when reputation is everything to a woman and whether it is her fault or not, she becomes tainted. She also wanted to protect her heart after Piers squashed it like he did. I was thoroughly taken with Charity and was impatient for her to work out the truth of it all and work out what was quite obvious to me as the reader when it came to her and Piers.
The mystery of Selene’s disappearance was cunning and the reader has to follow it through to the end before discovering the dark, gritty truth behind it all. There are enough ambiguous players who all keep something back so that the truth is long and hard in coming. I confess to wanting to kick Avery in the britches for the longest time because he was the most obvious of those lying. Did he not want to find his sister??? But, later, I learned it was complicated.
I found that as the story was building to those final stunning reveals that there was the middle ground that felt somewhat dragging to me. There was a great deal of waiting for something significant to happen and I got impatient. However, I did the story a disservice because in the end, I saw how all that set up and slow going added together. So, fortify for that slow-go of the middle of the book, future readers!
In summary, this was a splendid and suspenseful romantic historical that will tantalize readers with its gothic flavor and mysterious tone. I recommend it to those who enjoy sweet historical romance and mystery.
With plenty of red herrings, unreliable, suspicious people sharing cryptic tales, I was left wondering what was really happening and who to trust. Masterfully told, The Vanishing at Loxby Manor includes spine-tingling Gothic elements of old buildings falling into disrepair, women in distress, bumps in the night, omens, supernatural elements, and a dark and ominous mystery. Combining all of these things with a romantic element was just what was needed to make this a five star book for me.
When I read a mystery, I love to be able to see if I can solve it with the clues that have been given. Ms.Wilson gave just enough breadcrumbs to lead me down a path, then only to have me stop and retrace my (mental) steps time and again. I was thoroughly engaged in the story and was delighted to have solved it, even if it was just right before all was revealed. If you like Gothic mysteries, I highly recommend reading this.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is the first book that I have read by Abigail Wilson and I am very excited to read more by this author now. I thoroughly enjoyed this mysterious story from start to finish.
I listened to the audio book version and overall I enjoyed the narration. The author changed voices for the different characters and occasionally I wasn’t fond of a couple of the voices, but the main characters were voiced very nicely and I was definitely drawn into the story right from the beginning.
The mystery of Seline’s disappearance and the feeling that things were not quite right at Loxby Manor truly drove the story. I loved that Charity and Piers came together with a second chance at friendship and perhaps something more as they worked to uncover the strange happenings going on in the area. The overall mystery kept me guessing for most of the book and I found the second chance romance delightful.
I received a complimentary of this book. All opinions are my own.
The Vanishing at Loxby Manor by Abigail Wilson is a haunting regency romance filled with abbey ruins, dark halls, and old friends. Charity Halliwell simply wants to return to the happier times of her youth, but her visit to Loxby Manor launches her into a mystery that could cost her life.
Chairty is a brave, caring woman. Five years – and some awful circumstances – changed her, but did they not make her bitter, only careful. But the disappearance of her friend, seeing the man she once loved, and being unwelcome in the house where she thought she’d find healing, leaves Charity unsettled. Nevertheless, she faces them straight on, no matter the heartache involved.
The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is a gripping story with a mystery as haunting and winding as the dark paths around the old abbey that lay within sight of Loxby Manor. Some of the circumstances are difficult to read about, but the author keeps the hardest parts off screen (though there could be a trigger warning here). I admired how Charity faces her future and how she changes as she seeks to unravel the mystery of her missing friend.
I tend to be picky about my regency romance and The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is just the type I enjoy. A twisting mystery, wonderful characters, with a haunting tone. It’ll grip a reader until the end.
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustRead Publicity Tours. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC guidelines.
This review is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
First, I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson and Zondervan Publishing for providing me with a free digital audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Looking at all the rave reviews on this book, I appear to be in the minority. This book just was middle-of-the-road for me. I read the synopsis immediately upon finishing the book (I like to go into a book with as little information as possible) and was shocked to see that it was billed as a regency romance. While there is a hint of second-chance romance in this book, it is certainly not the focal point. This is much more of a historical mystery than anything else. I believe I would have enjoyed this book much more if the romance had been even marginally more involved in the story.
The narration was also middle-of-the-road. I was not able to distinguish one character from another based on her narration. All older characters sounded old, and all the younger characters sounded alike in their respective genders. The only person truly given a distinct voice was Mrs. Cavanagh.
As for the mystery aspect, I felt no spark of intrigue as clues were revealed. When the final twist emerged, what should have been a shocking realization just fell flat.
I read most books on audio, so I do not believe that the format had anything to do with my average rating. This book unfortunately just did not work for me.
The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is another stellar gothic-inspired Regency by Abigail Wilson. This author has quickly surged onto my must-read list. Her books keep getting better and better!
The story tells of Charity Halliwell who, after a five-year absence, is seeking a safe-haven in the halls and fields she used to frequent in her youth–Loxby Manor. The manor is home to some of her dearest friends, and after suffering a traumatic experience while away, she longs for familiarity and simplicity. But Loxby Manor is in turmoil from the minute she arrives. The home and its occupants are shrouded in secrets, mystery, and life-threatening danger. Will Charity find the courage to seek the truth before it’s too late?
I devoured this book. I could not put it down! I loved the mystery–the eerie visits to the ruins of the abbey, the faceless statue, the history of the secret society. It was all perfectly crafted to create a heightened and frightening atmosphere from the first time we see the light outside Charity’s window. All the goosebumps!
I’m a lover of second chance romance, and Charity and Piers’s story did not disappoint. Piers’s gentle nature is a perfect complement to Charity’s broken heart. I adored them together. Somewhere between Piers calling Charity Captain Halliwell and Charity working up the courage to tell PIers about her time away–I fell in love with them both. Sigh. They are the kind of characters you miss when you turn the last page.
If you enjoy Regency romance, and if you also like to indulge in a good mystery to unravel, then The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is the perfect book for you. Fans of Michelle Griep and Sarah E. Ladd will want to try this story.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is a gothic styled romantic suspense. There is a mystery surrounding the manor and some very strange happenings. First off we have Charity arriving for an extended visit. No one greets her and she is told to go to her room and a supper tray would be sent up. She finds this very strange as she is an old friend of many years. Then the daughter Seline, visits her later and tells her not to let anyone know she was there. Then she leaves to meet someone and never returns. Strange things going on with all of the family members. The Matron, Mrs. Cavanaugh has emotional problems bordering on insanity at times, Avery, the middle son, favored by his mother, seems to be hiding something. Mr. Cavanaugh is bedridden and blind from an accident with his horse and is now a recluse. Piers, the oldest son, has left home and is living near Liverpool because of a scandal, although he did return after his sister’s disappearance. Piers and Charity were once in love, but things are strained between them now. Together they decide to put their heads together to figure out what is going on and to try to find Seline. All of this combined together makes for a very good mystery to keep you guessing until the end. Wow, what a surprise……..I received a complimentary ARC from Thomas Nelson through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
Mysterious, lyrical, and twisty. All what I’ve come to expect from an Abigail Wilson book, and The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is another literary treat that will leave the reader eager for more from this talented author.
Charity and Piers are a well-matched pair, intelligent and broken deep below the stoic surface. Their history and the path to reconnecting as friends is sensitive, nuanced, and beautifully done. As far as the story’s mystery, I had no idea! The author does such a specific, careful job setting up the characters and weaving their relationships, and she kept me guessing until the very end.
The writing is perfectly precise and measured to carry the reader along without giving an inch about who did what. I loved it! I also appreciated the tangled web of friendships that spun out wider and wider with the cast of secondary characters.
Once again Abigail Wilson delivers a memorable, mysterious Gothic romance that sets the bar for this genre. She knits together twist after twist and keeps the reader turning page after page.
Highly recommend for fans of Regency romance and Gothic mystery.
Abigail Wilson knows how to weave an intriguing story! Charity returns home for a visit with her friend Seline who abruptly disappears. As Charity tries to solve the mysterious disappearance, she is joined by Piers, a man who she once loved but has not seen in five years, and as they begin to unravel the mystery together, they discover there are sinister forces at work that will silence anyone who threatens to uncover their secrets.
This gothic regency is full of mystery and suspense that start on page one and do.not.let.up! I loved feeling the goosebumps on my arm or tingle up my spine at the eerie suspense. This book was not predictable and there were so many plot twists, I honestly did not figure out who the culprit was until the very end.
The author handled Charity’s tragic past very tastefully and I loved the beautiful theme of healing. The second chance romance between Charity and Piers is very sweet.
I usually am not a huge fan of books told in first person POV but I loved this book so much it didn’t bother me at all. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a postive review.
A new Regency Mystery that did keep me guessing all the way through. Charity comes back to Loxby Manor after being away for five years and much has changed. Charity is thrust into the position of searching for her dear friend, sister to the man she has always loved. Charity has her own secrets and we quickly find out that Piers has been keeping one of his own. Together, they must navigate the pull that has never gone away, societal expectations and so many secrets from everyone else as they try to find out what happened to Seline.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher via NetGalley and all opinions expressed are my own, freely given.
Two things I have been loving lately are Regency Romances and Gothic Mysteries. With the increasing love for the Regency Romance genre proliferated by the popularity of the Bridgerton Series, I am hoping that more people pick this up if they have grown to love that time period – with the writing mostly of strong women some fighting for independence or overcoming adversities, and showcasing brilliant minds as in this case, solving a mystery of a disappearance and possibly even murders.
Abigail Wilson delivered both a proper Regency Romance and a Gothic Mystery in her masterful and addictive writing of The Vanishing at Loxby Manor. This is a great murder mystery sprinkled with bread crumbs I picked up along the way which made this novel a delightful read I really enjoyed. The story was tightly plotted and left me guessing until the end – during the revelation. I really enjoyed how the pieces of this mystery came together in the end. This book had it all, a great location in a grand manor in the beautiful British countryside, secret societies and secret meetings, fantastic characters you will love to hate, and the complex family dynamics that abound. This was a delightful read and I could not stop turning those pages quickly enough for the riveting conclusion of this intriguing story.
I love the aura of mystery and suspense in this moody Regency! Charity had a wonderful childhood with the neighboring Cavanaugh’s, but after several years apart, relationships have shifted and she struggles to find her footing as Seline’s disappearance weighs on them all. I admired that she had the confidence to pursue an investigation with the limited resources available to her, and did not give up on her friend. Each character in the story has secrets hanging over them, and the author skillfully alluded to the mysteries and unfolded them slowly throughout the story. I loved that Piers and Charity have a second chance at their young romance, even though it’s fraught with difficulties. A steady pace with some twists and surprises made this a book I didn’t want to put down!
Disclosure statement: A complimentary copy of this book was provided from a tour group, publisher, publicist, or author, including NetGalley, OR was borrowed from the library, including OverDrive, OR borrowed from Kindle Unlimited, OR purchased. A review was not required and all views and opinions expressed are unbiased and my own.
COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!
Wow. Just wow. I was hooked from the very first chapter, and I stayed up long hours past my bedtime reading frantically as I tried to unravel the mystery along with the characters. What a fantastic combination of intrigue, suspense, romance, and history!
I read this entire book in one day because I literally could not stop. (ok, I did take a break for dinner, but once I got into the deepening mystery later in the evening, nothing could induce me to put it down until I had reached the final page).
It was a bit darker than a lot of the stuff I normally read, and I must admit I found myself getting almost jumpy at times, especially since I was reading late at night, in a dimly lit room, with wind howling around my house and rattling the windows. Probably made the experience a bit creepier than it would have been if, say, I’d been reading at 2pm on a sunny bench in a flower garden. Lol. (That’s just a light warning for any readers who prefer less fingernail-biting reads. This is a mystery that includes murder and secret societies. It’s not light and fluffy. Just FYI.)
But I LOVED it. The author kept me guessing almost to the very end. I couldn’t wait to find out where the next twist in the tale would lead!
For my Christian readers, this is a very clean romance with nothing worse than some passionate kissing. I wouldn’t call this a “christian” book per se. There are some mentions of God and a few brief prayers for help here and there, but the spiritual life of the characters is not a strong focus. Written by a Christian, I believe, but Christianity is more in the background than the foreground, so to speak. That’s not a bad thing of course. Just a different style than my last couple of books.
All in all I highly recommend. Definitely a fantastic read…just as long as you don’t mind being sucked in and unable to stop for hours on end!
In The Vanishing at Loxby Manor, Charity Halliwell has returned to England after spending five years in Ceylon with her parents, and she is staying with her friend, Seline Cavanagh, at Loxby Manor. Returning is bittersweet for Charity, as she is glad to be back home in England, but she has returned to find things have changed, most especially with Seline’s brother, Piers Cavanagh. She is thrilled to see her friend Seline again, but before she has much of a reunion with her, Seline mysteriously disappears. Charity, Piers, and Seline’s other brother Avery, begin investigating to try and discover where Seline has gone, but as Charity digs deeper and uncovers more information, she learns that people she once knew may not be who they seem.
I had only read one other book by this author previously, The Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey, and I loved it, so I had high hopes for this book. I was not disappointed. I thought the story itself was great. All the characters were well-developed. The main characters, Charity and Piers, are likable and relatable, especially in that they both have events in their past that they don’t believe they can overcome and move past. And I also appreciate the way that the story uses connection and acceptance and love as a healing force. Additionally I like that In the end, it all ties together and everything is explained — no loose ends. Overall, I really enjoyed The Vanishing at Loxby Manor. It kept me guessing.
*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Abigail Wilson is a must-read author for me and The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is definitely going to be one of my favorite books of 2021! I was torn between devouring it and slowing down to savor the pages. It is an intriguing mystery full of Gothic creepiness, close-kept secrets, and tender romance. I loved all the descriptive phrases that conveyed the Gothic atmosphere throughout the story. I was kept in suspense right up until all was revealed. I can’t wait to read it again!
I received an advance copy and all opinions are my own.