Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey

This one was such much fun!! I was excited to get the opportunity to read it because I love regency historical fiction and because this was an opportunity for me to read a new-to-me author’s work. Once I started it, I barely put it down.

The book opens up right in the action after Elizabeth Cantrell and her very young son Isaac have been in a carriage accident. The accident involved a masked highwayman, who ends up being Lord Adrian Torrington, looking to rob the carriage and its inhabitants. Interestingly, the robber was the one that rescued Elizabeth and Isaac. It turns out that he is a spy who was using thievery as a cover for part of his spy work (not a spoiler!). Adrian and Elizabeth decide that they will marry in order to show more maintain Adrian’s cover. Elizabeth is an unwed mother anyway, so a marriage should work to salvage her reputation and give her son chances in life that he would not otherwise have.

I love a good marriage-of-convenience story. I especially love it when the characters eventually fall in love. When Adrian brings his new bride to Middlecrest Abbey, it is a surprise to everyone there that they are married. I loved reading the thoughts of the staff and family that reside at the Abbey, because of course there is plenty of gossip. Even more, I love that Adrian and Elizabeth were fully committed to pretending to love one another while actually developing very real feelings. They both had some baggage from previous relationships that they brought into the marriage, but it was wonderful to read how they moved through these feelings of betrayal and formed a healthy relationship. In addition, Adrian is constantly surprised at how awesome Elizabeth is while Elizabeth learns that Adrian is much more than gossip made him out to be. Love, love, loved it!!

For some reason, I didn’t realize that there would be a full-on mystery in the story!! And by gosh, I loved it. While loads of people are gathered at the Abbey, someone dies and murder is suspected. So while the men investigate the death, of course, Elizabeth cannot stand not being involved and working to help solve the mystery. I LOVED reading about how she used disguises and secrecy to help Adrian in his quest to figure out who killed their guest.

This book is absolutely delightful. It reminds me of a Jane Austen story and with the added elements of suspense and mystery, and it is just so much fun. There were a few times that I found myself heading to the internet to look up examples of the types of hats and other details mentioned on the pages (example: Adrian’s beaver hat-I didn’t realize that was the name of those hats!). The detailing and language she used was so good that I was able to easily visualize the setting and the actions of the story as they were happening, which is so important to me when I read.

I’m so, so excited to have found Abigail Wilson’s work. I’m not sure how I missed it before, but I’m thrilled to see that I have a couple of previously published books that I can read and that she has another work in progress. I would enthusiastically recommend this story to fans of Regency historical fiction with romance and fans of historical mysteries. This was such a GEM of a find for me!!

I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, Thomas Nelson! show less

When I saw the lovely cover of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey, I knew I had to read the story. With a colorful, well-developed cast of characters and an intriguing premise, I was hooked from the first page. Lord Torrington and Elizabeth Cantrell were both endearing, and I enjoyed the interactions between them. Of course, baby Isaac added an extra helping of cuteness.

The story was well-paced, and the mystery involved kept me guessing to the end. Filled with intrigue, suspense, adventure, and a dose of romance, this compelling book has a little of everything and should captivate those who enjoy well-written Regency tales. I’m eagerly awaiting the next Abigail Wilson story. 4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the show more author/publisher. All opinions are my own. show less

The adventure, the mystery, the treachery... I'm surprised to find such exciting plots in this historical romance! I honestly loved the way it was written with much gusto and yet paced accordingly. Abigail Wilson is truly a wonderful author, able to get me on my toes and have my full attention until the end! It's a sex-less romance book too so it caught me by surprise as it's still as romantic and engaging! A sexy yet elegant read at that.

From the start, I'm not sure even why but I have Liam Neeson in mind as Adrian. The way he speaks and behave just had me there as Adrian and the whole book seems more realistic, imagining Liam plotting through the story LOL! Adrian is so endearing and understanding (not forgetting very handsome as it show more was repeatedly mentioned by Elizabeth) that I was so annoyed with Elizabeth for thinking too much!!!

This is the only part I wasn't completely happy about, Elizabeth's doubtful mind! Most of the time, I felt like shouting at her, telling her to move on and be honest with Adrian! Gosh, it sure tires me to even just think of it! I know, it's just part of the story, LOL! I rarely get so emotional reading a book but this definitely riled me up! So it's that good ya...

All in all, it's a wonderful love story worth my time reading it and totally enjoyed it to the tee!

My full review here:
http://www.sholee.net/2020/02/mpov-masquerade-at-middlecrest-abbey.html show less

Is it truly over?
When reading a book like Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey you are so centralized that you barely notice as pages turn, chapters tick away, and an hour then two have gone. And with the last word read I am in shock, in Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey there is such intrigue that you can't help but devour each word with a baited breath, until the story is concluded with a neat, sweet ending.

The mystery is something like Doyle, the romance a dash of Austen, and the writing all Wilson. This being my first book from Abigail Wilson I wasn't sure quite what to expect, I had heard so many good things about her first books and when I saw the cover of this one I knew I needed to read it at the first chance I got -- and so I show more did.

Finding one of, what I expect to be, my top 5 favorite books of 2020 I am pleased that I read this book, the characters, especially Lord Torrington, were not the normal characters one finds in a historical romance. The care with which Lord Torrington takes of Isaac and others with similar stories shows just how much of a gentleman he is. I can't say as I didn't see some things coming because I did but I didn't guess everything within the first half of the book which was a wonderful surprise. I look forward to more from Wilson.

The mystery tied up with good pace, not too soon or too long winded, and was not too dark for my tastes.

I only have to add that there are mentions of mistresses, prostitutes, children born out of wedlock, sleeping with a man/woman were already married to another man/woman, and such things that were very common in the era of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review and am truly happy to provide it. show less

Series: None listed
Publication Date: 5/26/20
Number of Pages: 336

This is my first book by Abigail Wilson and I’m wondering how I managed to miss her first three books. This was a wonderful read! The mystery was outstanding and the suspects were many and varied. While I loved the mystery, I didn’t really see enough interactions between the couple to see the romance. Perhaps that is because the book is written in first person, so we only see one person’s perspective on the interactions. One thing that puzzled me was that it isn’t listed as being part of a series, but it obviously is. I enjoyed this book so much I went back to see what books she had written previously – with the intent of buying those to read as well. As I read show more the descriptions of those previous books, I realized that those same people were mentioned in the book I’d just read. You can definitely read this book as a standalone, but I would have enjoyed knowing it was part of a series and perhaps reading the earlier books first.

Miss Elizabeth Cantrell was used and tossed aside by the father of her child. More fortunate than most, she had found refuge with some family members. However, her baby is eleven months old and it is time for her to be on her own and make a life for herself and baby Isaac. She is in a coach headed toward a new position as housekeeper -- Then – a highwayman attacks – the coach crashes – she is injured and unconscious – and awakens in a room at an inn – with the highwayman sharing the room as her husband. Uh-Oh. Then – he offers her a marriage of convenience. Say What!

Baron Adrian Torrington has been a widower for almost twenty years and a spy for the Crown for nearly that long as well. When he is sent to stop a coach carrying a message to the French, things go terribly awry and the coach crashes injuring a lovely young woman. With her unconscious and people approaching, he does the only thing he feels he can do – he removes her from the scene and takes her to the nearest inn – as her husband. Besides – she was conscious long enough to see his face and recognize him. In order to protect himself and her, he offers her a marriage of convenience.

Has he just brought danger into his own home? When threatening notes appear and death happens, it appears the answer is yes. Or – was the danger there all along and he’s just brought an innocent young woman and her babe into it? Adrian and Elizabeth grow closer as they work together to solve the murder, find the spies, and thwart the French mission. As you learn the backstories of Adrian and Elizabeth you come to admire them and the way they’ve managed to overcome the adversities and betrayals in their lives. I really liked both of them and was glad to see them find each other.

This was an entertaining read, and I will definitely be purchasing this author’s earlier works and reading them as well. Then, I can’t wait to find out what the next book will be. My only issue is that I didn’t really see the romance – it was just suddenly there. They had few interactions, and those were short and all ‘business’ rather than personal – yet, they were suddenly madly in love. Again, I think some of that is lack of page time for the romance and the lack of perspective from Adrian’s side because it was written in first person from Elizabeth’s point of view. I believe Adrian was the first to be totally smitten, but we never actually got to see that part. I deducted one star because the romance portion was just not quite what I like to see.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. show less

In Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey, Elizabeth Cantrell finds herself in the middle of a scandal, a marriage of convenience, and a murder investigation. When Adrian Radcliff holds up her coach causing an accident in the process, she can hardly believe that the brother of her illegitimate son’s father, a man with a questionable reputation, is now claiming to be a spy working for Britain. And now to maintain his cover and for her protection, she must marry him. But the marriage of convenience quickly becomes a partnership in an investigation, and as the situation becomes more dangerous and more complicated, feelings begin to develop as they work closely with each other. But can Adrian keep Elizabeth and her son safe? And will he still show more feel the same if she reveals the truth about her son’s father?

I was pleasantly surprised by Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey. I hadn’t read this author before and wasn’t sure what to expect, but I thought this book was great. The story was exciting and intense, always adding new and unexpected twists. The characters were easy to like and relate to. And the chemistry between Elizabeth and Adrian was palpable. And while it was a well-written romance, it was also clean which I appreciate. Overall, I think this is a book I would go back and read again. I really thoroughly enjoyed it.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. show less

Elizabeth is on her way to a new job with her son Isaac – she hopes this is her chance to escape the whispers and stares as she is an unwed mother. On the way her carriage is attacked by a highwayman but all is not as it seems and that robber ends up being someone she knows. Lord Torrington is a spy for the Crown and he finds himself in a difficult position since he has been caught out, so he does what any good spy does – he marries the beautiful girl in the carriage to protect his hidden identity and slightly less importantly, her reputation.

Elizabeth finds herself ensconced at Middlecrest Abbey as the Lady of the manor – or is she? The widowed Lord Torrington has two daughters from his first marriage and his former mother in law show more is still living at the Abbey. None of them are thrilled – or convinced – with this new marriage but Elizabeth and little Isaac soon win hearts.

But all is not well as there is a murderer afoot and spies coming and going. Elizabeth helps her husband sort through the mystery and mayhem of as they grow closer and the family comes together. Will they be able to truly live in peace and harmony?

This book was just what I needed right now. It was, despite the murder, mystery and mayhem, a light and easy read. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and despite it being a completely implausible plot – I was very entertained. Sometimes you just want a book to fall into where you just don’t have to think and this was one of those books. Pretty setting, easy mystery, handsome people and (no spoilers here I am sure) a happy ending. show less