'When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity, as well as his dangerous mission.

Trapped by not only the duty to her country but her limited options, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her illegitimate son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. She is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murderer, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Afraid of what Lord Torrington might do if he learns of her son’s true identity, Elizabeth must remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless mystery person bent on her new family’s ruin.'
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Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson is a mystery and regency romance and is the first book by this author that I have read.

I really loved Elizabeth's character, every obstacle that comes into her path, every disappointment or shock, she handles with such grace and poise. I was a bit disappionted by how long she held onto er secret, but I also uncerstood her trepidation. Overall she was such a great character and I enjoyed following her throughout the book. I found Adrian amusing and charming from the start, but at the same time wasn't quite sure of him considering the connection. But as the story progressed some, he won me over.

The very first chapter opens up with quite and intruiging and fast-pace scene and the following chapters detail the fall out from this scene, which really hooked me into the story. Things do slow down a bit though and it takes a little bit to get the momentum going again, despite the fact that some big things happen during this time. Once the big plot points begin to come together things become more quick-paced again and drag you back into the mystery.

I really love decoded messages and was happy to see them used here. It would have been even cooler had the decoded meassged been shared with us in a way that we could see the decoding happen more clearly, making the readers feel more involved. I must be entiely fair here and say that one of the coded messaged is typed out for readers, and we see some of the transition during the uncoding. But for the most part, it was more of reading how the character counted down different letters to solve it. I would have loved more of the process, but I really love a puzzle so I could be in the minority here.

I really enjoyed how the mystery tied in with our main character. I did not see the mystery panning out in quite this way and I really loved the turn that it took. I was able to guess at half of it before it was revealed, but the other part I hadn't considered. (That was remarkably vague of me, but I'd rather sound nonsensical than give it away.)

If you enjoy regency mysteries that run alongside a clean romance, then I recommend Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey. This was the first work by this author that I have read and I will be looking into more mysteries by Abigail Wilson to read.
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I would like to thank NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for sharing an eARC of Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson. This is my honest review.

England - 1815

Miss Elizabeth Cantrell, 26, is traveling with her 11-month-old son, Issac, when her carriage is run off the road and overturned by a highwayman. When she comes to, she is surprised to find that the so-called highwayman, is none other that Adrian Radcliff, Baron of Torrington, 37. He happens to be the older brother of the father of her son. The man had led her astray and refused to marry her when she became pregnant.

Resting from her injuries at an inn, Adrian insists that they marry in a marriage of convenience and she and Issac go to live with him at Middlecrest Abbey. She meets Adrian’s daughters, Juliana, 18, who is soon to be married, and Phoebe, 16. Juliana is cool to her, but Phoebe is sweet. Juliana is to marry a man that Elizabeth has known for years and some of the other guests she already knows. When Juliana’s fiancé is murdered just before the wedding, things get very scary.

Adrian works for the crown, is on special alert and calls upon Elizabeth to help. Thus the investigations begin and knowing they are both in danger, they join forces to find the spy that appears to be residing right in their midst.

This is an OK story but Elizabeth’s acceptance of marriage to Adrian made me want to ask, “why?” Was she so desperate to not have to work for a living that she would jump at the chance to join the family of the man who had scorned her and her child? There just wasn’t much real emotion expressed in the book to draw me in. It’s a nice mystery though.

Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Set in 1815 southeastern England, Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey is both a murder mystery and gothic romance with scenes that quickly move from sweet to eerie, from light to dark. Abigail Wilson sweeps her readers along, catching them up in the emotions of the story while carefully laying out clues for them to gather as they move along. I love that she carefully inserts these clues making the mention of them appear no more or less important than any other information presented, allowing her readers the space for their own deductions. She is truly a gifted mystery writer. I highly recommend this book as well as this author's previous works. You won't be disappointed. I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of this book from its publisher, Thomas Nelson. All opinions listed here are completely my own.

Regency romance fans have I a book for you! This is my first book by Abigail Wilson and it will not be my last.
This story takes off from the first scene and I did not want to put it down. Espionage, murder, threatening notes and a whole cast of suspects. Wilson has woven such a fun mystery!
And yes, plenty of romance too! I loved the partnership and chemistry between Adrian and Elizabeth.
I would love to see this book made into a series with the side characters.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas Nelson for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey
By Abigail Wilson
5 out of 5 stars

In this gripping, gothic tale of a marriage of convenience is sure to thrill all Abigail Wilson's fans! The best, I believe, of all her books!

Immersive upstairs/ downstairs manor life that draw you into 1800s England.

Elizabeth and her young son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey after a rushed marriage of convenience to Lord Torrington. It sets off events of espionage and mystery that keep the story going at break neck speed.

The romance is well fleshed out between Adrian and Elizabeth. As they progress on this road together they bond and love each other for thier true selves.

Highly recommend!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and all opinions are my own.

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson is a fun murder mystery regency romance. Elizabeth is an unwed single mother who high society has turned their back on. She has taken a job as a housekeeper in the English countryside where she hopes she and her son will be able to lead a peaceful life. They never make it to their destination.

Lord Torrington is a widower who is much more than the country landowner he appears to be to the world. His clandestine life leads to an unlikely introduction to Elizabeth that causes them to marry within 24 hours of meeting and to keep secrets from everyone including each other in order to stay alive!

When they show up at his estate married their is much commotion; including the murder of Lord Torrington's daughter's fiance. There are many suspects and I did figure out the guilty party but I did not have a clue to their accomplice and that was a fun surprise.

The author has a very Agatha Christie death method that I enjoyed reading and the sexual tension between Elizabeth and her masquerading husband is palpable. I wished there would have been more of a payoff between them before the end of the novel.

I consider myself a feminist but I have no problem with a Lord Torrington rescuing me from a humdrum life. The great thing about this love story is she rescues him right back!

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

A must read for fans of regency romance with a healthy dose of mystery and intrigue. All the elements of great regency writing are present as well as an infusion of something extra. That something extra kept me up until all hours of the night because I could not put it down! This story offers much more than the gentleman rescuing the damsel in distress. I adored the pluckiness and silent strength of Elizabeth, as well as her sound mind and ability to truly partner with Lord Torrington. Lord Torrington wins over all with his steady presence and consistent charm. There were some decidedly unexpected twists and turns that kept me well engaged all the way through. The characters and plot are well developed and highly enjoyable.
I received a complimentary of this book from the publisher and all opinions expressed are solely my own, freely given.

When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity and her reputation, as well as his dangerous mission.
Trapped not only by her duty to her country but also by her limited options as an unwed mother, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. There she is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murder, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Meanwhile she must convince everyone that her marriage is a genuine love match if her new husband has any hope of uncovering the enemy.
Determined to keep her son’s true identity a secret, Elizabeth will need to remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless fiend bent on her new family’s ruin.
Being an unwed mother in Regency times was very hard. You and the child were shunned. Elizabeth was on her way to a housekeepers position when her coach is set upon by a highwayman. The coach is overturned and Elizabeth is left alone and hurt. The highwayman rescues her and her son from the coach. Elizabeth pulls his mask down and instantly recognizes him as Lord Torrington. The brother of her baby's father. Lord Torrington proposes a marriage to protect her from further tarishment of her reputation. Also, to help him keep his cover as a spy. The trouble for Elizabeth begins once upon arrival at Middlecrest Abbey. It seems the spy for France is in their midst.
This is an interesting mystery novel. I recommend it to all who like a good mystery.
I was given this book by Thomas Nelson Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated in anyway.

et in the Regency era and before the end of the the war between England and France, Lord Torrington is a father by day and a spy for England by night. When he pretends to be a highwayman in order to capture a transmission from someone to France, he accidentally highjacks the wrong carriage and finds he has turned over the carriage of Elizabeth Cantrell and her son Isaac. Thus begins the path to a marriage of convenience that is filled with danger, suspense, and a touch of romance.

This is my first reading from Abigail Wilson, and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. The two main characters had a wonderful connection along with the intricacies of family connections, and there were plenty of secondary characters to make me wonder who was behind the spying, notes, shots, and murder. With all the eeriness of a Gothic suspense set in a large spooky castle with plenty of melodrama (yet not the least bit corny), Wilson does an excellent job of keeping the reader's attention riveted through every single page.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

Series: None listed
Publication Date: 5/26/20
Number of Pages: 336

This is my first book by Abigail Wilson and I’m wondering how I managed to miss her first three books. This was a wonderful read! The mystery was outstanding and the suspects were many and varied. While I loved the mystery, I didn’t really see enough interactions between the couple to see the romance. Perhaps that is because the book is written in first person, so we only see one person’s perspective on the interactions. One thing that puzzled me was that it isn’t listed as being part of a series, but it obviously is. I enjoyed this book so much I went back to see what books she had written previously – with the intent of buying those to read as well. As I read the book descriptions on those previous books, I realized that those same people were mentioned in the book I’d just read. You can definitely read this book as a standalone, but I would have enjoyed knowing it was part of a series and perhaps reading the earlier books first.

Miss Elizabeth Cantrell was used and tossed aside by the father of her child. More fortunate than most, she had found refuge with some family members. However, her baby is eleven months old and it is time for her to be on her own and make a life for herself and baby Isaac. She is in a coach headed toward a new position as housekeeper -- Then – a highwayman attacks – the coach crashes – she is injured and unconscious – and awakens in a room at an inn – with the highwayman sharing the room as her husband. Uh-Oh. Then – he offers her a marriage of convenience. Say What!

Baron Adrian Torrington has been a widower for almost twenty years and a spy for the Crown for nearly that long as well. When he is sent to stop a coach carrying a message to the French, things go terribly awry and the coach crashes injuring a lovely young woman. With her unconscious and people approaching, he does the only thing he feels he can do – he removes her from the scene and takes her to the nearest inn – as her husband. Besides – she was conscious long enough to see his face and recognize him. In order to protect himself and her, he offers her a marriage of convenience.

Has he just brought danger into his own home? When threatening notes appear and death happens, it appears the answer is yes. Or – was the danger there all along and he’s just brought an innocent young woman and her babe into it? Adrian and Elizabeth grow closer as they work together to solve the murder, find the spies, and thwart the French mission. As you learn the backstories of Adrian and Elizabeth you come to admire them and the way they’ve managed to overcome the adversities and betrayals in their lives. I really liked both of them and was glad to see them find each other.

This was an entertaining read and I will definitely be purchasing this author’s earlier works and reading them as well. Then, I can’t wait to find out what the next book will be. My only issue is that I didn’t really see the romance – it was just suddenly there. They had few interactions, and those were short and all ‘business’ rather than personal – yet, they were suddenly madly in love. Again, I think some of that is lack of page time for the romance and the lack of perspective from Adrian’s side because it was written in first person from Elizabeth’s point of view. I believe Adrian was the first to be totally smitten, but we never actually got to see that part. I deducted one star because the romance portion was just not quite what I like to see.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity and her reputation, as well as his dangerous mission. Trapped not only by her duty to her country but also by her limited options as an unwed mother, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son Isaac are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. There she is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, Juliana & Phoebe. Juliana is due to wed in a few days time then there is a vicious murder, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Meanwhile she must convince everyone that her marriage is a genuine love match if her new husband has any hope of uncovering the enemy.
This is the first book I’ve read by the author & it certainly won’t be the last. I love a romance that is also a mystery so this ticked both boxes. The book was totally written from Elizabeth’s point of view & this isn't my favourite but in this case I found that it worked. The characters had depth & were well portrayed. I felt the romance took second stage to the mystery, I did work out who the villain was but it did take me a while. I found it to be an interesting engrossing read that I read in well under a day
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

About the book • 336 pages • Historical romance • Mystery • Clean romance • Release date: May 26, 2020 • Published by Thomas Nelson

The author weaves a tale of mystery, romance and a lot of doubts that reminded me at times of the book, “Rebecca”. Nothing was predictable about this story. I was instantly pulled in. I felt the chemistry. I did wished that the h hadn’t constantly refused her feelings for the H. I think it unnecessary to keep bringing that up over and over again. And I felt like there could have been a lot more romance, but that just me.
It was a good story and a fast read. I’m looking forward to more of this authors work.
Favorite quote:
“He raised his chin. “Beauty of the rarest form, Hair like a golden flame; A man could bear most anything If she would but speak his name. So call to me, my angel, Quench my never-ending thirst. Yet a captured heart can be a fickle demon, The highest pleasure, the deepest curse.” His words descended onto the room like the start of a summer rain—sudden, interesting, and wholly unexpected.”

This was a NETGALLEY gift from the publisher and all opinions are my own.

So much more than the "usual" Regency romance! This one blends history (it helps to know a bit about why some of these things were important in 1815) AND mystery (!) AND romance. Elizabeth, an unwed mother, finds herself not only engaged to Lord Adrian Torrington, but also deep in the search for missing document and the investigation of a murder. Oh and she's trying to keep the identity of the paternity of her son Isaac secret. For his part, Adrian didn't expect to find himself in this position either. He's a spy for the Crown and he wants to keep that secret too. It's fun to watch these two delightful characters grow into one another. The mystery is well crafted, the writing spritely, and the book a delight. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

My Thoughts: This was my first Abigail Wilson novel, so I can honestly say that I picked it up based on the plot and I had no clue what to expect. From page 1, I was blown away. I was immediately drawn into her first-person writing style and the vivid world she was painting for me. 
The story picked up right away and didn't stop until the very end. I was fully entertained by the mystery ... not mention the cozy love story. 
Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey wasn't listed as a series but the characters are clearly connected. Either way, it was easy to understand without having read the others. But if you're a stickler for going in order, you'll want to read her work in order of publication. 
The spiritual thread was very light, but she did touch upon the subject of forgiveness. Overall, it was a delightful read, and I'm looking forward to catching up on her other novels. 

Rating and Recommendation: I'm giving Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey 5 stars. I recommend it to those who enjoy historical mystery, marriage of convenience, and Christian Regency.

~ I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts are my own. I was not compensated for my review or required to give a favorable one.

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey is the perfect book to curl up with on a stormy night with a cup of hot tea. Abigail Wilson is truly a storytelling genius, and this book had me hooked line and sinker right from the opening sentence. If you've never read a book by this amazingly talented lady, then you truly have no idea what you're missing.

This particular story is a regency historical fiction novel, but it's also so much more. It's a story of a mother's love for her young child that leads into a marriage of convenience. It's a story of a budding relationship between the young lady Miss Elizabeth and the infamous Lord Torrington. It's a story of spies, traitors, mystery and intrigue, and it's a story that will keep readers guessing around each and every corner.

Abigail Wilson's stories truly just keep getting better and better, and this particular read is definitely going to end up being one of my favorite reads of the year. I loved the way it's written in a sense that makes you suspect each and every character, and yet still has you reeling once everything is finally solved and revealed. I'd pieced together a small piece of the mystery, but the final ending and all the various twists and turns still had me completely mind blown. I had a hard time, honestly, not reading this in its entirety in one sitting as it was just that good, and I could barely bring myself to put it down.

This is truly a rare type of read that can honestly appeal to a wide range of readers, and I can guarantee anybody who chooses to pick it up is going to love it. Abigail Wilson once again did not disappoint, and I can't wait to see what she has in store for her readers in the future.

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for allowing me to advance read this!

I received a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel to voluntarily read and review from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to give a positive review.

Mystery brought them together. To protect the crown, Adrian stops the stagecoach that single mother Elizabeth and her son is riding on. Adrian needs to find a letter from a French spy. To protect his identity and to avoid scandal, Adrian marries Elizabeth. When Elizabeth arrives at Adrian's home, she finds a houseful of guests for the upcoming wedding of Adrian's daughter. Within days of her arrival, one of the guests is murdered. Now Adrian and Elizabeth investigating while pretending a loving relationship. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgallery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I didn't find it very believable that Adrian would have married Elizabeth. There is enough scandal attached to Elizabeth's family even before she had a child out of wedlock. In regency time, an unwed mother would have been ostracized. I did like the mystery and the search for the French spy and his partners. I also like Elizabeth and Adrian and I found their relationship believable. This is a nice marriage of convenience story.

Fast-paced, compelling, and romantic, this book has it all.



Engaging from the very start, I was swept instantly into the drama, and intrigue of the story. A fantastic plot driven read that kept me slightly off balance and guessing all the way to the end.



Set in the Regency time period, I loved how the author incorporated political tensions and great character development, as well as realistically portrayed understandable relational obstacles. Also liked how the story brought back familiar faces, and how the main characters were very likeable, yet flawed in ways that made me like them more and cheer for them throughout. I really liked how the backstory was woven into the story and was slowly revealed in a way that enhanced the story.



I loved everything about this book, and just didn't want to put it down! Definitely recommend!



I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was attracted by the blurb but even if I liked the atmosphere I couldn't connect to the characters and the story fell flat.
Not my cup of tea.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

4.5 stars

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Abigail Wilson continues her winning streak of historical mysteries with Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey. With a good eye for detail that captures the setting and the sense of danger, I was engrossed in the story and anticipating what would happen next.

I enjoyed Elizabeth, especially the exploration of her challenges as an unwed mother and the benefits of the offer Lord Torrington makes, even if he is the brother of her son’s father. I anticipated some drama that would arise in that regard, and I was not disappointed, although I’m glad it wasn’t really in the romantic love-triangle vein, with the focus being on how Elizabeth grows to care for her new husband.

With the colorful cast of characters, some of whom are antagonistic to Elizabeth and some outwardly friendly, it provided a compelling mystery, which kept me on my toes guessing until all was revealed. While one of the culprits was a bit cliche given some of the other plot elements, I still found it to be satisfying overall.

This is another great book from an up-and-coming author who is fast becoming a favorite. If you love historical romances with a Gothic feel or a historical mystery, then I recommend this one highly.

I don't want to go off on some tangent about how crappy this book is. It isn't at all. I just prefer to have more romance in my historical romances and this read more like a Sherlock Holmes novel. If you like a lot of mystery, this book is definitely for you. I don't mind mystery as long as it's balanced with the romance, but there were zero feels, the first kiss was at 81% and was lackluster, and there was not even a hint of steam and there were a few opportunities for it to happen. It's a cozy mystery with one-dimensional characters.

Adrian Torrington is our hero; a baron and a spy. Elizabeth Cantrell is our heroine. They meet when Adrian tries to rob her carriage while she's on her way to a new job in Dover as a housekeeper. The carriage is turned onto its side and she is injured. Before she even has her wits about her, she plays along with the idea of marrying him. Honestly, I don't know why and I saw no purpose in it. Moreover, would a baron, which is nobility, just ask a woman he doesn't know, who has a child without a father to marry him? He didn't even ask if she was widowed or unwed. Nothing was ever said about it. He knew nothing about her, yet he was spilling his guts to her about being a spy. How did he know he could trust her? How did he know she wasn't the spy he was seeking? It was too rushed and that it made it unbelievable. I know it's fiction, but there's always some fact in fiction.

In addition to that, they were supposed to act like they were madly in love with each other. Neither one of them pulled it off with any degree of success. A blind person could've seen through them. This would've been a perfect opportunity to put something in the story that would let me feel them falling in love. I never got that sensation even once during the book. It's because the book is a mystery and not a romance, even though I picked it up out of the Historical Romance section at NetGalley.

With these things being said, there are some "weird-isms" in the book itself. What's with the bold number 4 that divides chapters? I found it to be odd and distracting. It sorely needs to be reformatted. The spacing is erratic--actually it's all over the place--some of the dialogue needs to be separated in some paragraphs, and wrong words were used (currier instead of courier, plumb instead of plum as in plum tarts). There were also words that needed to be hyphenated and words that were only partially hyphenated...a good editor will find these issues. The language was too modern for the time period, as well.

But the plot was steady, the mystery in it was viable even if the characters weren't, and I wanted to find out who murdered Giles Harris. There was one part where I really admired Adrian. I don't want to ruin it for everybody else. I'll just say it has to do with his daughters and Ewan Hawkins and leave it at that. That in itself was almost worth the read.

I do wish there had been some romance to this. I so hoped for it. I craved it, but it wasn't meant to be. Regardless, it is a good mystery and a good story. It just wasn't for me.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.