Review: In the Shadow of Croft Towers by Abigail Wilson

Title:In the Shadow of Croft Towers
Author: Abigail Wilson
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Pages: 336
ISBN: 9780785223665
Publication Date:January 15th, 2019

About the Book:

From debut author Abigail Wilson comes a shadowy Regency tale of secrets and spies, love and treachery.

Croft Towers holds more than its share of secrets . . . and Sybil is determined to uncover them all.

When Sybil Delafield’s coach to Croft Towers was robbed by highwaymen, she should have realized that her new position as companion to old Mrs. Chalcroft would be no ordinary job. Upon Sybil’s arrival, Mrs. Chalcroft sneaks into her room in the dark of night, imploring her to relay messages to town that are to stay hidden from the rest of the family. Who exactly is she working for and what do the messages contain?

When fellow passengers of the robbed coach are later murdered, Sybil’s hunt for the truth takes on a new urgency. The only person she can rely on is Mr. Sinclair, Mrs. Chalcroft’s godson, but under all his charms he too leads a double life. Sybil must decide if he is the one honest voice she can trust, or if he is simply using her for his own advances.

With murderers, smugglers, and spies on the loose, nothing—and no one—in Regency England is what they claim. Can Sybil even trust what she knows about herself? 

My Thoughts:
Riveting and fun!
These are the two words that pop into my mind when I think of Abigail Wilson's debut novel. In the Shadow of Croft Towers and a feel of Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. The mix of the classes that Jane Austen wrote about, with the dark and mysterious feel of Charlotte Bonte. I loved Jane Eyre and I just completely fell into the this book.

Abigail was able to bring an interesting mix of characters and make each of them pop in there own way off of the pages. Sybil, a woman trying to uncover the mystery of her parentage. Mr. Sinclair, a man of many talents and secrets. Mrs. Chalcroft, a frail, but very shrewd woman with a towers worth of secrets behind her.

These characters played so well off of each other.

The setting of this story is cold and dreary. It adds to the mystery and suspense of the story. the towers were their own character, like the house in Downton Abbey was. The uniqueness of the location really helped give it an eerie feel.

The mysteries in this book kept coming. Right when I think I have it figured out, another was thrown out there and threw me off the trail and thinking where this would lead me next.

The writing was fun and submissive.

I also downloaded this book in the audio. It was so fun to listen to this book. The narrator's English accent really added another depth when listening.

This book was right up my alley! I honestly can't wait to read Abigail's next book.
This was a fabulous debut!

5 out of 5

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.




Thank you to the publisher and Just Read Tours, I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.