The blurb In the Shadow of Croft Towers hints at a possible mystery and a possible romance. You get both. Which makes the historical/romance/mystery reader in me very happy. But really, there was so much more! Which makes this reader that likes to be surprised even happier!

What do I mean by ‘so much more’? Mainly, nothing is what it appears to be. And nobody is what he or she appears to be. Pretty much without exception. Even heroine Sybil hasn’t told the complete truth. This soap opera atmosphere starts gently, but intensifies as the story continues.

As a reader, I was able to guess at some of it. Some of it was a complete surprised. But I never realized the entire truth until it was revealed in the story. In the Shadow of Croft Towers quickly became one of those books that I could not put down.

Through Netgalley, the publisher provided a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Sybil Delafield is a young woman who finds herself in a precarious situation. A lady’s companion with no family of her own, she is quickly thrust into a world of intrigue and murder. Who she should trust and how to proceed are at heart of this story, and I found I quite liked puzzling each one out.

The first half of the book flew by for me as I really enjoyed getting to know Sybil and her situation. However, the second half slowed down and the mysteries felt drawn out. I appreciated them once resolved but wish we had arrived at them quicker.

Overall I found this to be an entertaining read and look forward to future books by Abigail Wilson.

I received an e-arc of this book from a Thomas Nelson via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

There’s a new voice in Regency fiction you don’t want to miss. With her debut, Abigail Wilson brings readers a story of treason, intrigue, secrets, and more.

Sybil Delacourt wants nothing more than to discover who her parents were. When an offer of employment brings her to the country estate of Croft Towers, she finds secrets abound.
From the first chapter, Wilson engaged me and kept me reading with her curious cast of characters and gorgeous setting that sometimes leans towards Gothic.

While Sybil’s upbringing may make her a bit sheltered and naïve, her S to find a place to belong and her heart for the residents of Croft Towers make her a character I cheered for. And let’s talk about the romantic tension. First of all, two suitors but it’s with one of them Wilson writes such palpable attraction that readers can guess Sybil’s feelings before she puts thoughts to them.

This is a clean read with almost no spiritual content, but you won’t regret the time you spend with these characters. I am looking forward to what we will get next from Wilson.

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

I am always on the lookout for new (or new to me) Regency authors. As soon as In the Shadow of Croft Towers became available for review, I eagerly snapped it up. I was not disappointed because I found a fantastic novel with an excellent mix of romance and mystery, and one that kept me guessing until the end of the story.

The opening scenes immediately drew me into Sybil Delafield’s world. A hired companion, her travels to Croft Towers are far too eventful, and the mystery was already beginning. Since the novel is written in first person, it lends itself nicely to the layered storytelling, keeping the reader in the dark along with Sybil, allowing us make discoveries and assumptions ourselves.

I really enjoyed the characters in this novel; the people and motivations are revealed slowly, and some characters become more likable while others less. The great part about it is that most of them have the depth to be layered personalities, even the secondary ones. Then there are characters we aren’t quite sure of, those who may be unreliable in their perceptions simply because of their position or even mental clarity.

As with any good historical novel, I learned something while appreciating the storytelling. Reading about priest holes, robberies of the mail coach, and how options were severely limited for women added to my enjoyment because it helped to place me within the setting.

This is a well-crafted debut novel with enough twists in the plot to make me question anything I believed settled before the final page. I highly recommend it for fans of historical fiction, mystery/suspense genres, and those who enjoy the Regency period. Abigail Wilson is an author to watch, and I eagerly await her next book!

I received a review copy of this book through Celebrate Lit, but was under no obligation to post a positive review. The opinions expressed are both honest and my own.

It is not a very good start as Sybil is robbed on the way to her destination. I would be thinking about this time if I made the right decision to leave home. Arriving finally at Croft Towers, Sybil was intimidated by the size of the place . She has been hired to be a companion for to a woman who is in poor health. Sybil will soon question just what she is really there for when she is asked to deliver mysterious secret letters from her employer to someone who hides secret for profit.


I would to explore Croft Towers with all the hidden rooms and spacious land that surrounds it. I loved the relationship between Sybil and Mrs. Chalcroft. The elderly lady is set in her ways but has a fondness for Sybil. Some members in the house seem to not like Sybil and it jealousy or mistrust is involved. There is an array of twists in the story and at times I wasn't sure who could be trusted.

The story is a journey for Sybil as she finds herself with two gentleman wanting her attention. One is very arrogant and not respectful of women. I wanted him to disappear somewhere in the woods and slowly fade away from the story. The other gentleman is somewhat a mystery and Sybil will have to decide if she can trust either one. There is a few surprises in the book that will find Sybil wondering about her past. The book is good but at times I did find myself thinking there were too many characters to keep up with. It did take a while to find out what was really going on with the mysterious letters and the reason Sybil was involved in it. Overall for a first book, the author has written a good story that keeps readers entertained.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

From debut author Abigail Wilson comes a mysterious Regency tale of secrets and spies, love and treachery. Orphaned Sybil Delafield jumps at the opportunity for a position at the mysterious Croft Towers. She believes she was hired to act as companion to a dying woman, but a highway robbery and a hostile welcome from the Chalcroft family cause her to wonder if she was actually hired to help someone spy for France. An unsolved murder adds intrigue to this already secretive family, and Sybil recognizes Mrs. Chalcroft’s handsome grandson as one of the infamous highwaymen who robbed her. Sybil must determine if this man’s charming smile and earnest eyes speak the truth or if he is simply using her like others in the house. Everyone seems to have something to hide, and Sybil must decide who to trust while also coming to terms with the truth about her own past.



My Thoughts: Abigail Wilson has written a wondrous novel full of mystery and intrigue. This story-line keeps the reader entertained throughout the novel; there is no lagging in the action. The characters are very entertaining and believable.


This is a story full of mystery, secrets and murder! Readers will truly enjoy this debut novel. I look forward to reading more from Abigail Wilson.

The story synopsis grabbed my attention right away. I love mystery, and therefore, historical mysteries are right down my alley!

There is much to be mystified about when you begin reading. There is next to no backstory given, and you are left wondering who exactly the main character, Sybil Delafield is.

She is on her way to Croft Towers to be a companion to an elderly lady and the coach she is riding on is waylaid by highwaymen. When she later recognizes one of those men as her new companion's descendant, the real mystery begins.

She is also set on learning about her own ancestry, of which she knows nothing.

Delightful, intriguing, and captivating, this novel is well worth your time to read.

This is the first book I've read by this author, and you can be sure I will be looking for more of her books to read!

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I enjoyed this book! The voice, especially, hooked me right from the beginning. I don't always love first-person POV. Sometimes it can feel like you're being told the story—narrated to—rather than feeling like you're actually experiencing everything right along with the characters. But that wasn't the case with this novel. The voice reminded me somewhat of Julianne Donaldson...I was sucked right in! I loved the action in the beginning, the sense of mystery and intrigue...and of course, the romance. An enjoyable debut novel...and I'll look forward to reading more from Abigail Wilson!

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

In spite of all the Regency rage sweeping the literary world, I myself have not read many books with that setting. This was both advantageous and detrimental with regard to my reading experience of Abigail Wilson’s “In the Shadow of Croft Towers.” Because I went into the book with no prior information, I found myself really pulled into the story. However, I wish that some background information would have been included, either within the narrative itself or as a prologue, to provide historical context. Being unfamiliar with the political situation in England during this time period, I did not understand what was happening with regard to that part of the plot. With that being said, the story was overall not difficult to follow, but I think that having a basic understanding of England’s situation would have clarified some aspects.

“In the Shadow of Croft Towers” is what I would call a slow burn. There is suspense, but it plays out subtly. Seemingly disparate events come together bit by bit toward the end, like a tangle of thread that forms an intricate design. A key theme is identity. Sybil Delafield comes to Croft Towers in an effort to find out who she is, and in so doing sets off a chain reaction that makes the reader question if everyone is who they claim to be and what each person’s motivations are. Even though I figured out Sybil’s identity rather early on, the story still held some surprises for me, especially at the end, and that kept me turning the pages. I was reminded of Jane Eyre because of Sybil’s character and the foreboding location. Despite dealing with some heavy subjects, this book does not have graphic details or profanity and is a clean read. My quibble is that while it is marketed as Christian fiction, there was nothing in the book itself that distinguished it as such aside from two very vague mentions of God; it could just as easily be a clean secular read. Nevertheless, it was an interesting story with some unexpected twists that tied the narrative together in a nice package by the finale.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through CelebrateLit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book. This story captured my attention from the very beginning.  I couldn't put it down and when I did, I found myself thinking about it.  Abigal Wilson blends mystery, romance, and adventure in her story and out comes this unique and fascinating tale. The characters especially Sybil and Mr. Sinclair and their relationship made me wish they were real. Each person in this story played their part well. I wasn't sure who to trust and believe as differing things kept coming up.  Abigal Wilson weaves important  truths about forgiveness, second chances, and hope throughout this story.  I believe that we as readers can learn these truths right along with the characters.

What do an orphan, a highwayman and a Lady have in common? I think it would be secrets - a great deal of them! This was a most entertaining book that certainly kept me guessing the whole time. So many secrets and with no answers forthcoming, I really was finding it difficult to trust anything the characters were saying. With unexplained deaths, letters to unknown people, soldiers for the crown and even French spies, the author has done a masterful job of making sure you read the whole book in one sitting.
I received this ebook through CelebrateLit. All impressions and opinions are my own.

Library blog review:

From the publisher: from debut author Abigail Wilson comes a shadowy Regency tale of secrets and spies, love and treachery.

In the Shadow of Croft Towers is an atmospheric historical novel set in England in the early 1800s. Orphaned Sybil has been educated by an unknown benefactor and receives a mysterious letter that leads her to accept a position at the secluded manor known as Croft Towers. On the way there the coach is stopped by highwaymen, who seem less interested in the riches of the passengers than in the passengers themselves.

Upon arrival, Sybil meets the other inhabitants of Croft Towers and realizes one of them, her new employer's godson, was one of the highwaymen. She keeps his secret and is slowly pulled into the intrigue that surrounds Croft Towers and those who live there.

In the Shadow of Croft Towers is predictable but a fun read, with secrets upon secrets and lies upon lies. If you are a fan of books like Rebecca and The Woman in White, you may enjoy this novel.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley. The book is scheduled to be published on January 15, 2019 and will be available at the Galesburg Public Library as a print book and as an ebook.

Goodreads review:

In the Shadow of Croft Towers is an atmospheric historical novel set in England in the early 1800s. Orphaned Sybil has been educated by an unknown benefactor and receives a mysterious letter that leads her to accept a position at the secluded manor known as Croft Towers. On the way there the coach is stopped by highwaymen, who seem less interested in the riches of the passengers than in the passengers themselves.

Upon arrival, Sybil meets the other inhabitants of Croft Towers and realizes one of them, her new employer's godson, was one of the highwaymen. She keeps his secret and is slowly pulled into the intrigue that surrounds Croft Towers and those who live there.

In the Shadow of Croft Towers is predictable but a fun read, with secrets upon secrets and lies upon lies. I definitely had to suspend my disbelief over some of the outlandish plot points, <spoiler>including the device that set the whole story in motion and that was never explained to my satisfaction.</spoiler> I wanted to say to everyone, <i>just talk to each other,</i> but I guess you can’t have a gothic mystery unless every character is hiding a secret.

Still, the narrative kept me reading even though I knew where it was headed, and I enjoyed the setting in Regency England. If you are a fan of books like Rebecca and The Woman in White, you may enjoy this novel.

I read an advanced reader copy of this book from Netgalley. The book is scheduled to be published on January 15, 2019.

This Gothic-style Regency novel contains plenty of suspense and secrets. The intriguing and sometimes chilling tale takes places in early nineteenth century England set against the background of the war with Napoleon. Sybil Delafield, an orphan who knows nothing of her family, comes to Croft Towers to serve as companion to the elderly matriarch, whose young relatives there are vying for an inheritance. Plots and problems plague the characters involved. Just like Sybil, we don’t know who can be trusted or who is hiding something. The plot grows quite twisted. The story held my interest and made me want more, but I expected a spiritual element to be included in a book by a Christian publisher—that would have added more depth and a better redemptive element to the story. The author did a fine job weaving the intricate tale in this, her first novel. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

I love regency stories and I also love suspense and mysteries, so when I first heard about this book I knew I HAD to read it!
This is a great book! I instantly liked the main character, Sybil and was cheering her on throughout the book. I did predict several of the plot twists, but that did not at all lessen my enjoyment of the story, and there were a couple surprises that I did not expect, it's always super fun when that happens! The suspense and romance in this book were both so great and in my opinion there was the perfect ratio of romance and suspense, all of which were brilliantly written! Speaking of the writing, this book is written in first person POV, my personal favorite so I was super excited to discover that was how this author chose to write her story!
I definitely consider this book to be a clean read, the only problem I had with it was that I was expecting a faith story of some kind and I was disappointed that there did not seem to be one at all!
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and I am so glad I read it! I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. If you are looking for a clean read that combines the regency era with suspense and romance I highly recommend In the Shadow of Croft Towers.
(4 Stars!)



I received an ebook copy of this book through the Celebrate Lit team. Which did not influence my review in any way, all thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own.

Wow! Ms. Wilson’s debut novel is an edge of your seat historical mystery romance. Just when you think you’ve figured it out—it’s a twist on a twist on a twist. I was very impressed with the writing style of this new author and will be looking for more of her books in the future. In the Shadow of Croft Towers will keep you guessing right up to the very end.
Sybil is an orphan who receives a mysterious letter and gift from a stranger, then an invitation to be the companion for an elderly woman at Croft Towers, the very place mentioned in the letter. Upon her arrival, she learns that more is planned for her than merely companionship. It seems everyone in the house is carrying a secret and to make matters worse, the British are on the hunt for a French spy—at Croft Towers. Has she unknowingly found herself wrapped up with spies and traitors? Following such clues as an oddly familiar painting, a strange grate in the garden, and the name of a woman the old woman calls Sybil during one of her hysterics, maybe Sybil can uncover the mystery of Croft Towers and finally find the truth of her heritage.
I did feel that Sybil was naïve and way too trusting and I was a little annoyed at the old lady for sending her on these deliveries in town knowing what she knew. It doesn’t seem very decent on her part to send a single girl out into the dark night alone. Sybil was raised in a protected environment, in a boarding school, so maybe that’s why she was so unfamiliar with the ways of the world. She was also very stubborn, personally I get annoyed when a woman goes all feminist and won’t let a man help them or is ungrateful when they do. Sybil finds herself in trouble repeatedly and the only man she distrusts has to keep coming to her aid. While the book was not inadvertently Christian in theme it was clean, wholesome, and entertaining. It would work well to introduce people to the Christian genre who are opposed to overly religious material but are looking for clean reads. I recommend this book for those who love historical mysteries and love to be surprised by the ending.

Filled with suspense and page-turning mystery this story is sure to keep you guessing. With plenty of surprises and secrets to uncover you are sure to enjoy time spent reading this debut novel from Abigail Wilson.

Sybil Delafield is a little too trusting, and often blindly goes along with others when I wished she'd push for answers and ask more questions. Of course, this kept me guessing, which after all is the point!

About the time I'd decide who could be trusted, something would happen and my tower of cards would tumble down, only for another character to emerge as the one to believe. This story has a colorful cast of eccentric characters that are sure to keep you on your toes! I enjoyed reading this page-turning story!

While this book is published by a Christian publisher, and listed as Christian Fiction there is no mention of God, and lacking in Christian content. I would label this a clean, Regency, Gothic romance.

(I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including Netgalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own.)

In the Shadow of Croft Towers by Abigail Wilson. Thomas Nelson Fiction, 2019.

Readers of any age who appreciate historical romances will enjoy reading this gothic-flavoured regency period romance. Some parts of the storyline may seem familiar. An unknown benefactor paid the heroine’s school fees. She wears a piece of jewellery that could help identify her. Hoping to discover her parents’ identity, she takes a job as a lady’s companion. She recognizes one of the villains that held up her stage coach. However, other readers will also be surprised by several twists.

The hero and heroine are easy to like, their characters well-developed and consistent. The book is well written with lots of action. The only jarring note for me came near the end when the villains’ identities were revealed as the alliance seemed unlikely. I did not notice until after reading the book that it has been classed as Christian Historical Fiction; though there are references to religious beliefs, these are sparse.

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

Amazon.ca is not yet accepting reviews.

“Right and wrong are not always easy to define in the world we live in, my dear.”

Sybil Delafield only wants answers to her past. As remarkable as it sounds, she knows they are somehow tied to Lord Stanton and the Croft Towers, therefore she gladly accepts the position as companion to the Lady Croft.

As naive as Sybil May seem, she astute enough to know there’s much going on in the towers then meets the eyes, and her list of questions only grow upon arrival. The answers, however, seem with each passing day impossible to be gained and she’s left to her own discernment. As secrets of the Towers are unraveled to be beyond the walls of the towers but also the Crown, can she found out who’s to be trusted to protect those she’s come to love?

This was one of those books that with each page the mystery frustratingly and deliciously so intensified. Frustratingly because I had no clue what was happening. When I was SO sure I had figured things out... PLOT TWIST!!
I have to admit though that though the mystery concluded in a satisfying way, when respite finally arrested the characters, the book abruptly ended.

Nevertheless, I believe Abigail Wilson is an author to keep an eye out and I’m so excited for her next book!

Wow. This is an outstanding debut novel for author Abigail Wilson. I’d classify this book as Christian historical fiction with a regency gothic twist. This is a clean story with no foul language,.

We follow this story through Sybil’s viewpoint. The tension begins building in the book from the very first scene and it grows all throughout the story until the end of the last chapter. Sybil is in a quest to discover her parentage. She’s a strong, intelligent, brave, resourceful, and compassionate heroine. Colin is a great counterpart to her, as he is also trying to unravel a mystery and keep Sybil safe. Everyone—and I mean everyone— in Croft Tower has a secret and a personal goal in everything that happens in this story. You feel the tension build to a point; you think all is coming out well; and then there’s another suspenseful twist in the plot that raises up the tension to an even higher level than before. No one, except Sybil, is who they appear to be, and she’s no sure who she really is. There are surprises ahead for the reader as it becomes clearer who is to be trusted and who is to be feared.

This story is suspenseful, intriguing, and romantic. The writing is excellent. This author writes dialogue like a seasoned author. If this is her debut novel, I can’t wait to see what she write next.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Sybil Delafield arrives at Croft Towers to take up her position as lady’s companion to the formidable Mrs. Chalcroft bedraggled and worn out—the victim of a highway robber and a relentless rainstorm. The inauspicious beginning to her new venture (and virtual penniless) state doesn’t bode well for her new life. The family’s reception confirms her sinking suspicion that she’s made the wrong choice. But a penniless orphan of unknown background has little choice in the matter. Even worse, her employer is indisposed, the family seems unaware that she’s been hired, and her employer’s godson is the last person she’d expect to find in an aristocrat’s drawing room.

Fortunately, Sybil has a firm moral compass to guide her through the uncharted waters of living in a household full of intrigue. But as one event after the other propels her deeper and deeper into the intrigue at Croft Towers, she wonders if she’ll ever discover the answers she sought when she left the comfort and safety of Mrs. Smith’s school for young ladies.

Abagail Wilson has masterfully woven a Regency suspense story that will evoke a long-gone era. The author beautifully blends the Regency genre with vibrant descriptions, a sweet love story, and enough suspense to keep the reader enthralled.