I must say I did struggle a bit with his one. It felt almost like just too much information and detail that I just couldn’t process it all. I was hoping for more of a simple read so I just think it wasn’t for me. It also did feel like a lot of topics was pushed into meaning everyone is represented ( which is always nice) but felt like the author just threw it in there and wasn’t part of the story. Overall a ok book for me.

A well-researched and thrilling novel. I love an historical fiction novel especially with a mystery. This one doesn't disappoint.

A gothic history oriented mystery book about a family's past and the secrets that lie there. The details about life in England and the old buildings are what drew me in. I heard it compared to Jane Eyre, which I haven't read yet.

Ashton Hall was good, although not exactly what I thought it was going to be when I selected the title. To begin with, I thought it was going to be more of a mystery, more of a modern gothic feel, old house - past lives, and all of that. But this feels more like literary fiction than gothic fiction. The old house and past lives feature, and they're important to the growth of the character, but not in the same way that they might in a gothic style mystery.

That said, the story was good, and watching Hannah get out of her own life, into a new one and grow in understanding of what her needs are and navigate mothering a challenging son, is satisfying. While not what I expected, it is a very enjoyable read, and I would recommend it.

This book was really good. I really enjoyed the Ernest’s in this book and the characters were enjoyable as well. I would like to thank net galley and the publishers for a chance to read this book

Hannah and her son, Nicky, have decided to move to Cambridge, England for the summer. Hannah’s uncle is ill and she is hoping to escape her failing marriage and help take care of him. But, not long after they arrive, Nicky finds a skeleton in a secret area of Ashton Hall. This leads to many questions and unanswered mysteries.

Hannah is a character that frustrated me in places. I wanted her to be tougher and stand up for herself more. This is a minor irritation because this whole story had me captivated. I love the history that unfolded and the family drama….Lord have mercy at the secrets! From her husband, uncle and everywhere Hannah turns…SECRETS!

Y’all! I love a house with hidden passageways and mysteries to discover and this house, Ashton Hall, did not disappoint. Add in the characters and all their covert drama…and you have a pretty, dang good read!

This novel also has a great book quote. I am not one who ever really writes down quotes but I loved this one. “ That’s the point of books, isn’t it? To be passed from hand to hand, until they fall apart. Part of the great river of life.”

Need a wonderful historical mystery with a fabulous house as the setting…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the author for a honest review.

This gave Northanger Abbey vibes! It definitely pulled me in and had me rooting for the characters! Definitely read this one!!

Love the cover, love the premise of the book. However, the subject matter did not interest me. When I read the "f-bomb" curse words, I realized perhaps this book isn't for me. I decided to not finish this book. Please disregard any star ratings. Thank you for the opportunity to read it!

Well written mystery with different characters that added to the story. Fast paced in a good way. kept me up late! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

I really loved the idea of a gothic mystery and was excited to receive an E-ARC of Ashton Hall. However, I wasn't that thrilled with this one.

The created atmosphere while reading is great and I could easily visualize the setting. That I loved. What was hard for me is that this isn't a mystery at all. It's really more of an awakening journey for Hannah as she struggles with decisions on her marriage, on being a mother, and life in general.

This was pretty slow going and took a while for me to finish. It wasn't what I was expecting, which definitely had an affect on my reading experience overall. This one would be good for those who love more of a slow build women's fiction.

I sincerely appreciate the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a solid 4 star mystery. If you are in a reading slump and mysteries are your thing then you should give this one a try as it may be the one that gets you out of it!

When a close relative falls ill, Hannah and her young son, travel to stay for the summer at Ashton Hall, a manor house outside Cambridge, England. Not long after their arrival, Hannah's son, Nicky finds skeletal remains in the walled-off wing of the home, left there and forgotten long ago. The mother and son team work together to find answers while Hannah deals with secrets of her own.

I'm a huge fan of Lauren Belfer's work. I thank her and Netgalley for the ARC of "Ashton Hall." Unfortunately, I don't think this book was up for comparison to her other works. The marriage situation was formulaic, a son on "the spectrum," and of course, creepy old castle stuff all seemed unimaginative for Ms. Belfer. I was also disappointed in the lack of historical facts that are usually packed in her other novels. This is a fine read, but not her best.

I would give this book 6 stars, if I could. I love an author who teaches me something I did not know while working it into a fascinating story. The quality of the writing, the breadth of the author’s knowledge, and the unique storyline combine to make a book well worth reading. The protagonist’s relationship with her son, who is on the spectrum, is believable and realistic. She struggles with coming to terms with her husband’s infidelity. And, at the same time, she uses her knowledge of art and antiquities to solve the mystery that her son discovers in the centuries-old structure known as Ashton Hall. A great read, impressive style, and a fascinating delve into old books and ancient way of life.

This story started with Hannah and her son Nicky going to England to help with end of life issues for an elderly "uncle" who was dying. Shortly after they arrived, however, Christopher went to the US to participate in a medical trial study. Hannah and Nicky settled into Ashton Hall's manor apartment, exploring the grounds and the public areas of the house which was open for public tours, and viewing the extensive library.
Within the first few days, Nicky an intelligent, 9 year old with "neurodiversity" behavior and social challenges, discovers a walled in room with a skeleton. An archeological team comes to help identify the remains and provide genetic, and carbon dating testing to determine approximate age, sex, and any other information to identify it.
The skeleton is a woman, who is identified as Isabelle Cresham who lived in the 16th century. The Cresham family owned the manor for centuries. The ensuing research into the specifics of mystery Isabelle's life and times were fascinating and interesting in the way the information was discovered - using library records (books taken out of the library), account records (money spent in the household), and examining Isabelle's sketchbook.
The novel beautifully wove together the two stories of Hannah and Isabelle (although I preferred Isabelle's story over Hannah's). Hannah's issues included marriage, motherhood, managing a precocious child with violent outbursts, the challenge of completing her dissertation after being away from academia for 9 yrs, and accepting her husband's infidelity while being completely in love and financially dependent on him.
I loved learning about life in 16th century England, the subtle differences between being English and American,
and the research process.
I felt that the book was a little too heavy on Hannah's internal dialogue and her marriage issue and that this bogged down the book. The romance part was really unnecessary and didn't add to the overall story. I liked the last chapter which explained the story development, but thought that the happy ending was a little too contrived/ convenient.
I received an ARC from Netgalley and Ballentine Books/Random House and these opinions are my own.

Ashton Hall by Lauren Belfer


Hannah and her son come to Cambridge to visit her ailing uncle Christopher, but just as they arrive, he has to go to New York for treatment. They are left in an apartment in Ashton Hall, where son Nicky loves to explore. Early in his adventure he discovers a skeleton hidden away in a blocked up room. As Hannah begins to research who this person may have been and why her life ended at the hall, she must also deal with her son‘s bizarre behavior and the failure of her marriage. This book explores the role of women in middle age society and their progress or lack of it in the modern era. A fascinating read.

I was really excited for Ashton Hall. I was hoping that it would be a stunning gothic mystery like Hester Fox, Karen White, or Wendy Webb. However, there was very little action involved that kept my attention. I also did not like the main character and thought that she was emotionally distant. The mystery aspect was very predictable. Therefore, I wanted more in the story. I wanted it to be creepy and atmospheric. However, it was not. The best thing about the book was that the writing is very beautiful and lyrical. Therefore, Ashton Hall had potential but it was not executed well. Still, I recommend this for fans of The Darkling Bride, The Silent Companions, and The Binding!

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Ashton Hall by Lauren Belfer.

When Hannah and her son Nicky go to Ashton Hall to spend time with her dying relative, they get way more of an adventure than they bargained for. Hannah is reeling from something she just learned about her husband, leaving her alone to tend to their neurodivergent son who experiences violent meltdowns. On top of that, while at Ashton Hall, they make a shocking discovery that could uncover way more than they ever knew about Ashton Hall.

This was pretty good. It's a rich and well rounded story. A lot of the relationship stuff didn't quite hit the mark in my opinion, but I really enjoy being in a creepy historic mansion solving a mystery!

Highly recommend this one if you like slow burn gothic mysteries. It is absolutely slow burn and I wouldn't call it a thriller at all. Especially recommend if you like the Tudor-era and like reading about libraries.

3.5*
Hannah and her 9-year-old son Nicky leave the U.S. to help Hannah’s honorary uncle who lives at Ashton Hall in Cambridge, England. The uncle is very ill and Hannah is the closest thing to family, so she agrees to help out. Ashton Hall is a former manor house that has been converted into apartments. An atmosphere of mystery hangs over the castle-like building with its hidden passages and gothic feeling.

Nicky is a gifted and unusual boy. He is neurodivergent and his actions can range from delightful and remarkable to dangerous and confrontational. Hannah is particularly protective of her son and loves him with a marked fierceness. When Nicky discovers a corpse in a hidden part of the house, both he and his mother get caught up in the mystery.

Despite being a contemporary story, the medieval world of Protestant England and the persecution of Catholics is key to the mystery. Hannah becomes immersed in discovering the reason why a girl died in a virtual prison within the walls of the house. Unusual details emerge as Hannah learns the identity of the body and the world in which she lived.

The history is fascinating but Belfer got a little carried away with Hannah’s imaginings as details emerge about the dead girl. Hannah’s relationship with her son and also with her husband are the best part of the book. Motherly devotion is taken to new heights. As for the husband, his behavior is unsurprising; he expects his wife to let him dictate the parameters of their relationship. The family is strained and Hannah will be forced to decide about her and her son’s future.

Religious fervor is central to the historical part of the book. For many readers, the details may reveal new aspects of the turmoil between the Catholics and the Protestants in English history. Women had few choices and for a few, the extreme measures to remain faithful to their beliefs will be shown.