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ABOUT THE BOOK
Be wary of what you wish for. . .
The descendant of adventuring—dead—aristocrats, Clarissa Knightley supplements a modest inheritance by penning gothic novels that cost more than they earn. Upon learning that she has mysteriously inherited a share of an earl’s estate, she rashly packs up her household. In remote Gravesyde Priory, she hopes to find a safe haven and family who will welcome her and her young nephew. Instead, she discovers a drunken American army captain, his African servant, and ancient, surly caretakers. Terrified, prepared to flee, Clare is lured to linger by the prospect of secret diaries, hidden jewels, and an increasingly intriguing man. Then a killer strikes. The crumbling manor’s ominous and baffling history offers fascinating fodder for Clare’s horror novels—if only she can survive real-life madmen and a spectral murderer who may seek the jewels at any price.
OPENING LINES “Two piasters, miss, only one English shilling!” The Egyptian merchant shoved an armful of beaded bracelets into nineteen-year-old Clarissa Knightley’s face, forcing her to halt in the narrow, crowded alley.
GUEST REVIEW by Sophia Rose
Patricia Rice is a long-time established author who writes historical and contemporary paranormal romances who I’ve enjoyed in the past. I couldn’t pass up this series starter for a cozy historical mystery featuring an eccentric cast of characters, a potentially haunted manor, and a hidden jewel hunt.
Out of the blue, a letter arrives regarding a surprise inheritance and invitation to an old family estate. Struggling authoress Clarissa Knightley needs to retrench, and a claim on a crumbling house in the country might be mysterious, but it is no less welcome.
There are four main players, though two get most of the page time. Clarissa has a great fear of men, loud situations, and groups as a result of a trauma she suffered as a young woman, so a big bluff male firing off his pistol at bats shouldn’t be attractive to her. Hunt has war injuries that will never completely heal. He realizes his injuries have sidelined him from his engineering career and cause him to feel less than a man, though the prim English lady who takes charge like a general sure tempts him. Mira made a mistake trusting the wrong man and deals with prejudice for being a mixed-race woman apothecary. Walker is Hunt’s friend and equal; superior in education, too, but as a Black man during the Regency, he isn’t seen as more than a freed slave or servant.
The cast of characters grows as Hunt’s invitation to the manor is taken up by Clarissa and her little group and as the servants trickle back once the manor is reopened. The main thrust is that some wish to find the missing family jewels, while mysterious others work to make them leave the manor. It was an entertaining game of cat and mouse.
Jayne Entwistle is a familiar narrator who has a talent for multiple voices and peculiar characters, so she is a good match for this series. I slipped easily into her storytelling that brought the book vividly to life.
The Secrets of Wycliffe Manor is written with a lighter tone for this entertaining and amusing mystery and simmering romances. Main characters’ backgrounds and the family’s past layer the story’s depth and ended with an exciting reveal and nail-biting climax. Some plot threads remain open to carry through into the rest of the series, yet I was well-satisfied with this series opener and eagerly look forward to the next installment. This will appeal to historical mystery fans who like it quirky and cozy.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
With several million books in print and New York Times and USA Today's bestseller lists under her belt, former CPA Patricia Rice writes emotionally charged contemporary and historical romances which have won numerous awards, including the RT Book Reviews Reviewers Choice and Career Achievement Awards. Her books have also been honored as Romance Writers of America RITA® finalists in the historical, regency and contemporary categories. A firm believer in happily-ever-after for good reason, Patricia Rice is married to her high school sweetheart and has two children. A native of Kentucky and New York, a past resident of North Carolina and Missouri, she currently resides in Southern California, and now does accounting only for herself. She also writes under the pen name Jamie Quaid.
ABOUT SOPHIA ROSE, REVIEWER
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, piano-playing, and gardening. Road trips and campouts, museums and monuments, restaurants and theaters are her jam. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, baseball, cats, Scooby Doo, and chocolate.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing. In 2012, she submitted her first book review and is currently an associate reviewer.
Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience many wonderful books, authors, and narrators. Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance. Sorry, no horror...or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby. Connect with Sophia via FACEBOOK GOODREADS TWITTER
Sounds like an intriguing novel! Thanks for this review, Sophia Rose!