Book Review: The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen
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What is this book about?
Abigail Foster is the practical daughter. She fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry, and the one man she thought might marry her seems to have fallen for her younger, prettier sister. Facing financial ruin, Abigail and her father search for more affordable lodgings, until a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll’s house left mid-play…
The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem acquainted with the manor’s past, the only information they offer is a stern warning: Beware trespassers drawn by rumors that Pembrooke Park contains a secret room filled with treasure. This catches Abigail’s attention. Hoping to restore her family’s finances–and her dowry–Abigail looks for this supposed treasure. But eerie sounds at night and footprints in the dust reveal she isn’t the only one secretly searching the house. Then Abigail begins receiving anonymous letters, containing clues about the hidden room and startling discoveries about the past.
As old friends and new foes come calling at Pembrooke Park, secrets come to light. Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks…or very real danger?
My review:
I really enjoyed this story. Who leaves a house so abruptly and what treasures were hidden away in its walls? There were so many questions. So many secrets. This story kept my attention throughout as I tried to figure out what the secret of Pembrooke Park was.
Abigail was a good character. I liked that her thinking was very practical which came in handy for trying to solve the puzzles placed in front of her. But she was also very aware of people and their feelings which made her quite empathetic. She was just a lovely person.
Love finds Abigail and there is a little bit of back and forth between two men, but I liked that it was not an overdone romantic triangle. The man who captured her heart entirely earned it. I was rooting for him from the start so was completely satisfied at the end.
The mystery was so much fun to wade through. I am happy to say that even though I had some suspicions, I was still pleasantly surprised by a few revelations.
I’m sorry to say that I put off reading this book simply because of the length. I was worried that I would get bored reading it since it is longer than many of the stories I read now. But I finally listened to the book’s call from my shelves, and I am so glad I did. Note to self, don’t judge a book by its thickness. 😉
What I enjoyed most about this book:
The mystery definitely kept me turning pages.
What I didn’t like about this book:
Nothing.
Would I recommend this book to others? Yes. Don’t be like me and avoid it because of the length. This story has good characters and lots of secrets to discover. This is a standalone book.
Note: I received this book complimentary in a giveaway. I was not required to give a review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are honest and my own.
Where can I learn more about this author and their books?
-Loraine Nunley
The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen (5 out of 5 stars) #BookReview #amreading Share on XWant a copy for yourself? Buy one here.
