Moonglotexas“Isaac Blake regretted his actions, but had there been any other choice?”
Opening line of Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah E. Ladd
Having thoroughly enjoyed The Governess of Penwythe Hall, I so looked forward to returning to this cast of characters in Sarah E. Ladd’s Thief of Lanwyn Manor. The story begins as Julia, the eldest of the children in Jac and Delia’s charge, arrives in a new town. If you haven’t read the first book, whilst I recommend it, you won’t feel left behind, this one stands alone!
Julia, looking to heal a broken heart in a new environment, travels to care for her pregnant, and unwell, cousin. As she waits to travel the last leg of her journey to Lanwyn Manor, she’s held up by thieves and rescued by local Isaac Blake. Upon arrival at the manor, she is told of more strange happenings at the house. Her aunt isn’t enjoying country life and, along with her youngest daughter, is desperate to leave. Her uncle, however, is weighing up what to do with his recently inherited mine. Closed until he decides, the village is unhappy with the family as many of them are desperate for the work.
Isaac runs one of the other local mines and is the younger twin brother of landowner, Matthew. Julie’s aunt believes a match between Matthew and Julia would be ideal but Julia connects with Isaac’s humility and intelligence. Down to earth, Isaac is integrated into the village and friends with many of the miners. As strange things continue happening, he comes alongside Julie in trying to work out the mystery of Lanwyn Manor.
I love the cast of supporting characters in this one and, whilst the mystery is resolved by the end of the novel, I’d love to spend more time in this village! Guessing what was really going on was entertaining and I thoroughly enjoyed the journey from start to finish!
If you enjoy a beautifully written historical romance with a mystery, this one is for you! It’s a five out of five on the enJOYment scale!
From the back cover:
In Regency England an advantageous match could set up a lady for life. Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine owner and very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes upon. But why can’t she steal her gaze away from his younger brother, Isaac?
Cornwall, England, 1818
Julia Twethewey needs a diversion to mend her broken heart, so when her cousin invites her to Lanwyn Manor, Julia eagerly accepts. The manor is located at the heart of Cornwall’s mining industry, and as a guest Julia is swept into its intricate world. It’s not long, though, before she realizes something dark lurks within the home’s ancient halls.
As a respected mine owner’s younger son, Isaac Blake is determined to keep his late father’s legacy alive through the family business, despite his brother’s careless attitude. In order to save their livelihood—and that of the people around them—the brothers approach the master of Lanwyn Manor with plans to bolster the floundering local industry. Isaac can’t deny his attraction to the man’s charming niece, but his brother has made clear his intentions to court the lovely visitor. And Isaac knows his place.
When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and valuables go missing, Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl of strange circumstances, but despite their best efforts to bow to social expectations, their hearts aren’t so keen to surrender.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from Thomas Nelson. through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
