Book Review: In the Shadow of Croft Towers by Abigail Wilson

From the outset, In the Shadow of Croft Towers by Abigail Wilson has the feel of Jane Eyre. Sybil is an opinionated and independent orphan set to find herself a position and information of her family. Within days of her arrival at Croft Towers, Sybil is in the midst of something but unsure what and everyone in the Towers has a different motive. To say more would give away the story and delight of guessing alongside Sybil.

I found Sybil so willing and naive but the characteristics fit with her journey in life. The other characters are beautifully built and Mrs Chalcroft particularly complex! Mr Sinclair is secretive and gruff but, despite this, seems trustworthy. I read it flat out in an afternoon, with twists to the very last page, this isn’t one to miss! Five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale and highly recommended!

From the back cover:

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? 

I received a complimentary copy of the book from Thomas Nelson – Fiction through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.