Author: Barbara

Avid reader/reviewer of historical romance and historical mysteries.

The Curse of Morton Abbey by Clarissa Harwood

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The Curse of Morton AbbeyBarbara’s rating: 3.6 of 5 Stars
Series: Standalone
Publication Date: 10/26/21
Period: Victorian
Number of Pages: 361

The Curse of Morton Abbey is Clarissa Harwood’s third novel, but it is the first of hers I’ve read. For me, it wasn’t a quick-paced, exciting read, but it was a slow and steady build to a tingling end. This is a book that was crying for an epilogue because the ending was just so abrupt, I found myself sitting there with my mouth open asking – Is this it?

Vaughan Springthorpe grew up in her father’s law office learning the law at his knee. The time spent in those law offices was the best of her life because her mother and sisters were dismissive, condescending, and full of criticism and pity for her. She was as good a solicitor as her father was, but, of course, at that time women didn’t become solicitors. When he passed away, Vaughan finished up all of his legal work for him and was then determined to find a job for herself rather than live with her older sister and mother. Wasn’t she lucky that the perfect opportunity presented itself in the form of Sir Peter Spencer? He hired her, sight unseen, to put his estate, Morton Abbey, into shape so he could sell it and she couldn’t wait to get started. Should she tell him she is a female? Maybe . . . later.

Morton Abbey is certainly an eye-opener for Vaughan. When she arrives, she finds a cold, forbidding, unwelcoming edifice populated with people who definitely do not welcome her. Granted, it is winter, and most places look stark and cold in the winter, but there is something more sinister about Morton Abbey. The door is opened by Bedford, the scowling, unwelcoming butler who reminds her of a specter hovering in the entry. Mrs. Wilson was the pink-cheeked, round-faced housekeeper who seemed more welcoming, but distrustful. Were they the only two people in residence? No, Sir Peter’s sickly brother Nicholas (Nick) Spencer was also in residence. Then, as the only bright spot, there is Joe Dixon, the gardener.

Somebody is trying to frighten Vaughan away, but she’s having none of it. She is steady and pragmatic and doesn’t believe in ghosts. Yet, the nightly crying – by a child is unsettling. Could it really be a ghost? Perhaps the ghost of Nick Spencer’s deceased child?

Vaughan perseveres in her task for Sir Peter as she makes friends with Nick and Joe. Still, everyone isn’t who they seem. What is going on at Morton Abbey? Why? The answer will surprise you as there is more than one villain.

I enjoyed the story, but I did feel it was a bit draggy in places and I found myself skimming. Then, there was the ending – it was just too abrupt, too quick. I always love an epilogue, but this book just begged for one – especially since I just didn’t buy the fact that the couple was devotedly in love if she could just leave as she did and he didn’t contact her for almost a year. No, the end was definitely dissatisfying for me. I will recommend the story as it was interesting – but I’m not recommending it as enthusiastically as I normally would. This story didn’t make me want to go back and read the previous books by this author nor did it make me want to seek out future books.

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Murder in All Fury by Anne Cleeland

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Contemporary, Mystery, Part of a SeriesLeave a comment

Murder in All Fury (Doyle & Acton, #16)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Doyle & Acton #16
Publication Date: 9/12/22
Period: Contemporary London
Number of Pages: 247

Oh! My! Goodness! This may be the most exciting book of the series so far. The trial for those accused of murdering MP Nigel Howard is rapidly approaching. Acton knows that the person who is really responsible has escaped justice, and he fully intends to deliver justice – Acton style. He’s already put his plans in motion – can they be stopped by Doyle? You should close this review and start reading the book right now so you can find out!

Doyle knows Acton is up to something – he’s restless and distracted. She’s never seen him quite this way even in the middle of his most diabolical plans. He’s also brought them to the shore on vacation and neither of them are vacation people. What is with that? Whatever is bothering him is eating him alive and she has to find out what it is and stop it before Acton brings them all down.

Poor Doyle! She’s just delivered a beautiful, healthy baby boy and now, between breastfeeding and caring for two children, she has to manage to unravel and stop her husband’s plans. Ah, but never fear, the intrepid Doyle will, as always, put a spanner in the works – or will she manage it this time? Discovering the plan is one thing – managing to put a stop to it is another when Acton so truly believes he is bringing justice against the correct person – the person who escaped the justice system.

Doyle follows obscure hints and pumps her friends and fellow workers to get to the bottom of the mystery. When she gets there, she is shocked beyond belief. How could Acton possibly be planning what she’s discovered? OMGoodness! She’s discovered the what and the how – just in the nick of time – but can she bring it to a screeching halt at this point? Acton has never gotten it wrong before – how can he be so very, very wrong this time?

I loved this latest addition to the series. It was so exciting, I couldn’t put it down and read straight through the night until I finished it. I love that Doyle always shines even though she considers herself a ‘dim bulb’. Academically she might not be the sharpest tack in the pack because she disliked school – but – she reads people and motives like a book. She knows the good ones from the bad ones almost immediately and she uses those skills to keep Acton in line and put a halt to his schemes.

There were a couple of characters I was thoroughly and completely disappointed in – one can possibly be rehabilitated, but the other – for me, I just don’t see how. First, there is Williams who is now married to Lizzie – but he’s still been out for drinks, etc. with other women. Hopefully, the author will let him have an epiphany and he and Lizzy can become a true love match – after all – she’s helping raise his illegitimate child. Then, there is Mary – sweet, naïve Mary – who has now done the unforgivable in my eyes. I’m a romantic through and through and Mary is now marrying another man almost as soon as her husband is buried. Her husband (Nigel Howard) was supposedly the love of her life, yet she almost immediately takes up with another man. No! Just NO! No matter what the author does with Mary now, I will never look at her the same and that is sad. I don’t think Mary needs to stay alone forever – but I’d have liked to see a fair amount of time pass before she walks on his grave. I like Mary’s new pairing – I just don’t like the timing.

I definitely recommend this book and this series and should you decide to read it, I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did.

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