Category: Victorian Era (1837-1901)

In the history of the United Kingdom, the Victorian era was the period of Queen Victoria’s reign, from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. The era followed the Georgian period and preceded the Edwardian period, and its later half overlaps with the first part of the Belle Époque era of continental Europe.
Preceded by: Regency era
Followed by: Edwardian era
Monarch: Victoria

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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To Capture His Heart by Nancy Campbell Allen

On By BarbaraIn Barb's Reviews, Historical Mystery, Part of a Series, Victorian Era (1837-1901)1 Comment

To Capture His Heart (Matchmakers, #2)Barbara’s rating: 5 of 5 Stars
Series: Matchmakers #2
Publication Date: 10/12/22
Period: Victorian -Seaside, England 1886
Number of Pages: 288

I have been anxiously awaiting this book since I read the first book in the series, The Matchmaker’s Lonely Heart. That was my first book by this author and wondered if I’d be as enthralled with the second book as I was with the first. Well – I was. The finely honed mystery and beautiful romance are so finely twined together that you cannot tell where one begins and the other ends. The writing is outstanding; the villain is a murky and twisted individual; the characters are exceptional and you’d love to meet them in real life; there is excitement galore; and did I mention the writing is exceptional?

We met both Eva Caldwell and Detective Inspector Nathaniel Winston in the previous book and since I liked both characters, I was happy to find them together in this book. It seems the two of them have worked together several times since the previous book and they have become good friends. Well – friends – yes – but – it seems each of them harbors stronger feelings, but neither wants to let them be known because they don’t want to mess up the friendship. Oh! My!

Nathaniel has just finished a grueling case when his mother lets him know, in no uncertain terms, that he is expected to attend a 10-day house party she is giving to raise money for charities. He offers excuse after excuse, but she’s having none of it. He knows this party is a way of encouraging him to finally make a match, so he tells her he is already interested in someone else. His mother, being the brilliant tactician she is, promptly calls his bluff and says she’ll invite his lady straightaway. Though he tried not to name a name, she insisted. So, now, he has to convince Eva to attend the house party and pretend they have affection for each other. How will he stand it if she agrees – and how will he make it through 10 days of matchmaking if she doesn’t agree?

Eva Caldwell loves her life. She has people she loves and who love her and she is a very successful photographer who manages to support herself very nicely. She even helps out her friend Nathaniel on occasion by acting as a crime scene photographer when the police unit isn’t available. Ah – Nathaniel – her heart warms when she thinks of him, but she doesn’t want to ruin their friendship by asking for more from it. Yet, when he asks her to attend his mother’s house party as a guest and photographer, she readily accepts.

At the same time his mother’s machinations are occurring, Nathaniel is receiving threats – pretty blatant threats – against his family. He knows immediately who they are from – the lone person to escape punishment from one of his previous cases. The man’s entire family went to prison, but the mastermind escaped. Maybe Nathaniel and his family getting out of town is a good thing.

There is snakes-in-the grass at every turn during the house party and it is a delight to watch Nathaniel and Ava wade through them. With murders, attempted murders, explosions, and deceit happening at a fast pace, Nathaniel and Ava hardly have any time together – yet they manage to find their HEA.

It is a fun, exciting read and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. Happy Reading!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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