
Everyone in Wilbeth Green has something to hide, but she’s about to uncover their secrets.
1956: In a quiet English village, the smoldering ruins of Rosemont Abbey have set the residents’ tongues wagging, and everyone is quick to accuse troublemaker Paul Everly of the crime of arson. Paul has vanished without a trace, leaving only his plucky twin sister, Louisa, certain of his innocence. Fueling her conviction is an inexplicable connection–she felt her twin’s death an hour before the abbey went up in flames.
Armed with nothing but her wit and her keen sense of intuition, Louisa embarks on her own investigation, challenging the dubious townspeople and the disdain of her aunt and uncle. Even Inspector Malcolm Sinclair, once Paul’s closest friend, warns Louisa to abandon her pursuit. But Louisa is determined to solve a murder no one else believes was committed, even if it means unraveling secrets that could shake Wilbeth Green to its core.
My Review:
Squuuueeeaaalllll!! I experienced all kinds of gothic-y shivers of delight while reading this stunning mystery! Kind of reminds me of Mary Stewart novels from way back in the day. I can picture Louisa thrilling to ‘Madame, Will You Talk?’ (Stewart’s 1955 debut novel) in the rambling old house she lives in with her aunt and uncle. And, of course, she has just as much gumption as any fictional heroine…wait, she is a fictional heroine only it didn’t seem that way when I was reading. Am I making any sense? Maybe not but I blame ‘The Burning of Rosemont Abbey’ for my discombobulated state.
First – love the 1950s time period. Long enough after the war for life to be getting back to some sort of normal but not quite modern enough to shun all those hoity-toity societal expectations Louisa’s aunt and uncle foist upon her. She is, after all, the orphaned niece living on their charity.
Caught between family duty and her desire to find justice for her bother, Louisa’s set on discovering the truth, even if it shakes their sleepy little village to the core….and infuriates a certain police inspector who used to be a childhood friend. Brilliant pacing, absorbing mystery, characters it’s easy to forget aren’t living, breathing people…well, ‘The Burning of Rosemont Hall’ contains everything I’m looking for in a historical mystery…and then some!
GIVEAWAY OPPORTUNITY:
This giveaway is for a print or ebook copy. Winner’s choice.
US – available in print or ebook — winner’s choice
Canada – available in print or ebook or audible (if available) — winner’s choice
International – ebook copy if you have a US Kindle account.
If you would like a chance to win a copy of The Burning of Rosemont Abbey, leave a comment below or email me at kavluvstoread AT yahoo DOT ca. If you add an email to your comment, remember to use AT and DOT instead of @ and . in order to protect yourself from spammers. If you enter the draw via email, please add the title to the subject line so it’s easy to spot your entry. Draw will be held and winner announced on Saturday February 8 2025
Good morning Kav
Reading your review early on this cold cold winter morning made me wish I had the book and could wrap myself in a warm blanket and read it now. This is a new author for me as well but oh my it sounds like a good one.
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Ohhh, poor you. Our temps went up to more reasonable and it’s sunny…but still book reading weather as far as I’m concerned. This is such a great read. Good luck, Becky!
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Eek! I’ve been dying to read this one! It sounds so good!
sarahdar0801ATgmailDOTcom
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It’s fantastic! Eeeeepp!!!! Good luck, Sarah!
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Thank you for your review and for bringing THE BURNING OF ROSEMONT ABBEY to my attention!
First off, got to give some cover love here by saying LOVE IT! Not only beautiful, but also tells a story within itself.
Second, love the era that it’s written in – one of my favorites.
Third, love it when those considered to be beneath them turns it to their advantage and shows everyone so. As is this girl “taken in” as their “own” only to act like she is a charity case.
Fourth, the mystery sounds amazing.
This all adds up to this book is now on my TBR list and I can’t wait for the opportunity to dive in reading it.
Greatly appreciate the chance to win a copy!
2clowns at arkansas dot net
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It’s an unbeatable mix of bookish goodness for sure. Good luck, Kay!
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Wow….this sounds awesome… adding to my TBR. I Love finding new to me Authors.
Thanks Kav!
angieadams306(AT)gmail(DOT)com
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So many great books out there waiting to be discovered! Good luck, Angie!
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Spring has sprung in my part of Texas! My bookish heart is all twitter pated for this novel.
psalm103and138atgmaildotcom
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Wow, that’s early! I’m just happy to have a sunshiny day no matter how cold it is in February. lol Good luck, Caryl!
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Thanks for the review…..this is on my shelf but I haven’t read it yet! I’ll have to get in the mood for “gothic-y shivers” :). Sandy
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Eeeeppp! I’m kinda jealous that you get to experience it for the first time still. 🙂 Happy Reading, Sandy!
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This looks like something my sister would enjoy reading, so I would love to be entered into the giveaway! Thank you for doing these giveaways. 🙂
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You’re welcome, Rebecca! Good luck!
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I have my eye on this one and you make me want to read it even more. leliamae54(at)aol(dot)com
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Definitely a book to twin over. Good luck, Lucy!
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I enjoyed your review. I also used to read and enjoy Mary Stewart’s books. I haven’t started it yet, but I’ll be reading The Burning of Rosemont Abbey for book club this month.
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Thanks, Pam. You’re in for a treat. Happy Reading!
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Sounds good!
scottishphilly AT gmail DOT com
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Good luck, Scottish Pixie.
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This one has been on my radar, Kav, and your review makes me want to read it all the more 🙂 Count me in, pleaese! 🙂
ckbarker at gmail dot com
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Counted! Good luck, Cheryl!
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I’ve been wanting to read this book. It sounds really good!
nina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com
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It’s fantastic! Good luck, Sylvia!
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This sounds like a tantalizing mystery! I’ve been really into reading suspense right now, so this book sounds right up my alley. I wondered when I first heard about it if it was going to be good. Now I know! 😊
Alison Boss
nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
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I’ve been into suspense as well. Seems like they are my cold weather go to reads. Good luck, Alison!
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I’ve never read anything this author has written but your review verified that I definitely want to read it. The cover is so gorgeous, too!
perrianne (DOT) askew (AT) me (DOT) com
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Yes, the cover is what attracted me in the first place and then I was sold by the back book blurb. Good luck, Perrianne!
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I’ve been hearing a lot about this book so I’m in! Thanks!
appletamoATyahooDOTca
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Good luck, Tammy!
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A Bookstagram friend had just recommended this one to me! I need to read it too, add it to the pile of TBR books lol! blessedmommy3x AT gmail DOT com
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Yay for bookstagram recommendations. Good luck, Blessed Mommy!
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Cover picture of that dress and gloves reminds me of rummaging through my mom’s closet in later years. She kept things, having been a child during the Great Depression. Anyhow, it is a very eye-catching picture and pulls one into the story. Thanks!
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I know! That cover really sets the stage for the time period, doesn’t it? Good luck, CC!
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Sounds like a lot of good secrets to uncover! Looking forward to this.
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
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Good luck, rubynreba!
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