Ashton Hall is most definitely historical fiction with lots of English history but while told and set in present day. I feel a reader probably needs to have a strong interest in this or it might be too much detail. Personally I enjoyed it because I like both of those topics. The author has also included plenty of family drama and a bit of romance that takes place in present day. I would recommend this book to anyone with similar interests.
I received this ARC from the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.

Years ago I read City of Light by Lauren Belfer and loved it. I have waited for a new book from her. I was delighted to see Ashton Hall on Netgalley.

Ashton Hall starts with New York housewife Hannah Larson and her son Nicky arriving to visit her family friend, “Uncle”Christopher who is dying from cancer. Hannah is looking for a respite from her husband and his betrayal, and a chance to finish her dissertation for her PhD that she abandoned when Nicky was born. Nicky has inexplicable rages that consume all of her attention and time. Christopher is an elegant older gentleman who lives in a portion of a manor house near Cambridge. As soon as she arrives though Christopher leaves for New York to try an experimental cancer treatment, leaving Hannah and Nicky to take care of his home and his dog Duncan. Ashton Hall besides having tenants in portions of the house, is also a house open to the public and run by a trust and the redoubtable Mrs. Gardner. Unbeknownst to Hannah, Nicky has been exploring the house and comes across a hidden room with the skeletal remains of a woman that dates back to Tudor times. Hannah assists in the solving of the mystery of the walled up woman while taking her somewhat aimless life to task and deciding what is important.

I love the lyrical prose of the novel. Ms. Belfer has a way of drawing you in. I really enjoyed the mystery of the Tudor skeleton and the English setting.

Thanks to Netgalley, Random House/Ballantine and the author for the chance to read and review this book.

After the discovery of a betrayal by her husband, Hannah longs for an escape. She gave up her college degree and a promising career to raise her challenging young son, and is now dependent on her husband. So when her Uncle Christopher falls ill, she and Nicky go to Ashton Hall, a manor house outside Cambridge to be with him for the summer. Nicky, ever curious, finds the skeletal remains of a woman during his explorations of the long forgotten closed off portions of the house. Her belongings identify her as Isabella Creshan, sealed inside this lonely room sometime in the 1550s Tudor era. As Hannah assists the historians in piecing together this woman's past, she begins to see how women's roles haven't changed all that much over the years and she gains strength in her own life to stand on her own.
I thought this would be a Gothic horror novel, and while there is a dark undertone to the atmosphere of the book, it was so much more than I expected. The well researched historical information blends seamlessly with the events of the present, all unfolding to create an amazing and fascinating story. This is the best historical fiction I've read this year!
I received an advance reader copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

"A house begins to disintegrate, and all its secrets are revealed: a female skeleton imprisoned in an attic" is the longest kept secret of Ashton Hall.

"Generations of women had made their home here, women with dreams, visions, intellect; women who’d struggled to find their way, to be taken seriously by the men around them, and who’d tried to achieve something, anything, and found themselves stymied. Their stories and their limited range of choices weren’t as distant as they sometimes seemed."

Like her dying, aged uncle Christopher, Hannah Larsen is about to "fulfill the dream of living in an English stately home. Now I was Nicky’s mother, with little time left over for anything else." Her only part time job is working "at a small family -owned firm that handled licensing arrangements for museums."

This book is at times frustrating and feels hopeless, as Hannah suffers through her son’s violent rage-fits, deals with a crumbling marriage, and swims lost in a sea of trying to find belonging and independence. The ending finally resolves this with a touch of women’s empowerment, but it is only in the last few chapters. Also the mystery of a woman who is found to have died in the attic of the old mansion is dragged out very, very long with little story to hold interest until the final full reveal. The breaks to describe scenery aspire to be like du Maurier’s classic Rebecca or the classic Jane Eyre, but often they are just a means of delaying the story and feel like a tangent or unnecessary diversion, and lack the two classic author’s vividness. Hannah is a lost, struggling woman who doesn’t know what she wants until the end, and puts up with far too much abuse from her son and husband. This book may be triggering for those who’ve suffered such difficulties.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review from Net Galley. All opinions expressed here are my own and do not reflect those of the publisher or its affiliates or the author.

An intricately woven tale . . .

Hannah Larson is a mother struggling to shield her son, Nicky, from a world that doesn’t understand him—while also struggling to understand him herself. She is lost—trapped—in the needs, expectations, and plans of others. Perhaps that is why she identifies so strongly with skeleton remains of a woman trapped behind a wall.
Rich and broodingly gothic, Ashton Hall is a story of discovery—the discovery of secrets, of hidden lives, and, most of all, the discovery of self. A fascinating read!

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

When Hannah and her son Nick go to stay at Aston Hall in Cambridge she needs this break not just because of the problems with her husband, but her elderly cousin Kristof is ill. When her and Nick arrive she isn’t happy to hear that Kristoff is leaving to be in a medical trial in New York City and he wants her and Nick to stay in his set it up to make her as comfortable as possible. One day with Nick and his new friend Janet or searching Ashton Hall they find a secret room. This will lead Hannah on an investigation and she will find herself researching another woman’s life but why was she bricked up behind the wall and seemingly forgotten? This was a great mystery and I thought the author did a great job with it and even though it wasn’t the haunted story I thought it was the story was still haunting it’s totally worth reading and I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future. Please forgive any errors I am blind and dictate my review. Thanks to Net Gally in the author for this review copy but all opinions are definitely my own.

Ashton Hall is a story with a wonderful setting and detailed sense of place. Set in Cambridge England, Ashton Hall is a manor house that is steeped in history.

When Hannah and her young son Nicky arrive at Ashton Hall to help take care of a sick relative, Nicky stumbles onto a discovery that will add a dark chapter to the old manor’s history.

I loved the plot and the discovery of all the historic documents that gave details to the early life of the manor. There were quite a a few side stories in play and I felt that these stories somehow diluted the main plot of the history of the house and its former residents.

I like the book, but with all the other sub-plots added it seemed to make the story drag. In spite of this, the ending was quite breathtaking!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for allowing me to read an advance copy and offer my honest review.

This one was ok but nothing special. I felt that it could have done with editing some what . It just wasn’t what I was expecting.

I enjoy novels of mysterious, imposing houses, houses with secrets of the past, so reading Ashton Hall was extiing for me. I fell into the story right from the first and couldn’t put it down. It was full of unexpected turns along the way, and the characters felt like real people. They were each unique individuals, even the dog Duncan! I loved the level of detail in the writing. Not only did I enjoy the story, but I also learned some very intriguing history in the process. Obviously a lot of attention and care went into crafting this satisfying novel. A theme about the role of women, past and present, of women seeking independence and their place in the world, was gently and wonderfully woven through the pages. The last chapter was a pleasant surprise, touching and bittersweet.

P.S. Thank you for the opportunity to read this enjoyable novel! I will be publishing this review on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Goodreads on the release date, June 7, 2022.

This wasn't exactly what I was expecting but it delivered so much more. Set in Ashton Hall, Cambridge Hannah Larson and her 9 year old son have arrived to spend the summer with her Uncle Christopher who is a relative of her mother's cousin. They are very close and he has invited her to stay with him in his rented portion of the historic Ashton Hall. To her dismay he tells her when she arrives that he will be leaving for medical treatment in New York the following day. Nicky is not in the least bothered by the change of plans having made an instant bond with Uncle Christopher's dog Duncan. His child minder is a young woman named Alice who's grandmother runs the estate. Each is well fleshed out.
One day Nicky and Duncan go exploring in the private areas of the old house, away from the tourists and tour guides. What Nicky finds is the mystery of Ashton Hall. Hidden in the oldest part of the building, dating to the Tudor period, are the remains of Isabelle Cresham. She was bricked into a well appointed room, soon to become her tomb. Who was she and why was she there? Hannah, with the help of the Ashton Hall librarian and a centuries old library, sets out to uncover Isabella's story.
I found the details of the history of daily life for Isabelle and British history engrossing. The only part I found myself disinterested in was the relationship between Hannah and her husband. That thread - I could take it or leave it.
My thanks to the publisher Ballentine and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars

Ashton Hall is one of those places that everyone would love to explore, and while I wanted to love this book, I didn’t. I did enjoy the story and Nicky had some qualities that I felt intrigued by, even though I found it hard to believe that he found the secret passage that no one else has for decades. The parallels between Hannah and Isabelle (the skeleton Nicky discovered) were also interesting. Unfortunately, I found the book to move really slowly.
Hannah and Nicky come to Ashton Hall to take care of her adopted uncle who is dying of cancer. Shortly after arriving, he informs them he is going to New York for treatment but wants them to stay there for the summer. I wasn’t thrilled that the author seemed to waffle on her beliefs about cheating. I believe you have the right to love who you want to, but cheating is cheating regardless of what gender you are with.
I did enjoy the writing and believe the author did a ton of research that she put together in a great way, but I would have preferred a little more action. I would still read more by this author. I received an ARC and am leaving my honest, voluntary review.

Thank you NetGalley for giving me this book. This one took me awhile to get through. Not really what I was expecting. I was thinking more of a ghost story thriller kind of book. I did enjoy it though.

Hannah Larson and her young son Nicky leave NYC for Ashton Hall, a manor house in England to take care of her honorary uncle Christopher. Christopher announces that he is leaving to undergo experimental medical treatment in NY, but asks Hannah stay at Ashton Hall to look after his dog Duncan. When Nicky discovers a skeleton in an unknown walled-in room, people are called in to help establish the identity of the person and when the person actually died. The remains are identified as Isabella Cresham, a member of the family who owned Ashton Hall, time range of her death between 1545 to 1610. Curious to discover how Isabella ended up in the room, Hannah begins to research the history of the hall and the family. As she learns more about the role women plated and the choices open to them, she begins to examine the choices she herself has made and what she wants her future to be.
Thanks to NetGalley for a copy.

⭐️⭐️.5

This book was definitely a struggle for me, I almost did not finish. It is very in-depth with descriptions and historical information, as well as library registers from the 1500s, listed out as to who lives there checked out which books for numerous pages. If you are a history person, this is probably up your alley. The storyline also was very pushy about open marriages and different relationships that also just did not interest me.

Thanks to Netgalley and Random house publishing for my electronic advanced reader copy.

I didn't love this one but I also didn't hate it. I just don't know how I feel about it. So it was kind of meh.

An atmospheric read, Ashton Hall will appeal to fans of historical mysteries and gothic literature.

When Hannah Larson arrives at Ashton Hall with her autistic son Nicky, it's ostensibly to care for an ailing relative- but she's also running from her real life in New York, her stalled career, and her husband's betrayal. Hoping to find some clarity with distance, instead she finds a centuries-old mystery.

"Fred has a girlfriend" I had no idea how terrifying those words could turn out to be. A child with a unique look at the world makes a terrifying discovery and integrates himself and his mother on the case to solve a mystery over 500 years in the making.

This is one of those rare books where the setting is a character of it's own and I loved it, the descriptions of Ashton Hall, the village, all of the places that Hanna and Nicky see, Castles to Cotttages, the setting is vibrant and comes alive under Lauren Belfers masterful storytelling.

The natural flow of this book allows for seemless transitions between the current world and the late 1500's which is no easy task, and while there are a lot of almost educational moments I found it helpful as I'm sure not everyone has firsthand knowledge of the things used in the Edwardian era.

From murder to affairs, priests hiding rooms to hidden passages, children with special needs to children that are just a handful this book has a little something that will interest anyone who loves a good, well written, engaging story.

There are so many questions this book poses and doesn't fail to deliver answers that will leave you mind blown wondering how you never saw it coming.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I truly enjoyed this book and would happily read anything else this author writes.

I've never read a book by this author before but Ashton Hill was a very good introduction to her work. Looking forward to reading her back list.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an ARC

Ashton Hall is billed as a gothic mystery so as a reader I thought it might a bit more suspenseful. Unfortunately it was a very tame and proper english investigation into a body found hidden in a castle. I did enjoy the research into finding out "the who" the mystery women was and how she came to be dead in a locked away room within the walls.

Hannah's storyline with her husband was so off-putting, and he was just awful when he showed his true colors. Belfer has a beautiful writing style, and I am open to reading future works under her pen. Overall this book is 3.5

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Ballantine Books for the advance reader copy.

Step into the present to journey back in time. When Hannah Larson and her young son Nicky travel to Ashton Hall to care for her Uncle Christopher, Hannah couldn't have imagined the adventures that would ensue. From Nicky discovering a body to trying to piece together the mystery, Hannah has her hands full.

While Nicky is a precocious and intelligent child, his violent tendencies are crippling Hannah. She loves but fears him and as Nicky gets older, she worries that he's going to hurt her. If she's gone, what will happen to her son? Contemplating leaving her husband, the emergence of a charming male friend and meeting a young girl with similar neurodiverse conditions as her son, Hannah is starting to feel that she's not alone and can overcome her obstacles.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #AshtonHall in exchange for an honest review. Lauren Belfer's depictions of Buffalo and the UK resonate with me. I grew up and currently reside in Buffalo but before Brexit worked in London.

Seeing the difference between the US and the UK through the author's and protagonists' point of views is eye opening. Readers that enjoy peeling away the layers of an unsolved crime while venturing to another country will be swept away by Belfer's story. While I enjoyed the drama, I felt parts of the prose could have been streamlined to keep readers immersed throughout the novel.

"This shop provides a refuge whilst the volumes are in transition to new homes. That's the point of books, isn't it? To be passed from hand to hand, until they fall apart. The great river of life." (Ashton Hall)