3.5 Stars

Reminiscent of classics such as Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights with their darker atmosphere and pieces of story that have you guessing what you are not seeing, Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder is full of intrigue.

While I had a hard time getting into the book (which had more to do with the audiobook narrator than the writing), it didn’t take long before I wanted to know what was going on. Everyone in the book has secrets. And while this story had me questioning who in the world would do what either Ella or Henry chose to do, it made for an interesting premise.

Linder explores the idea of how our pre-conceived notions of someone can change when we spend time around that person and actually see how they live.

All in all, Beneath His Silence is an interesting debut that fans of Abigail Wilson and Joanna Davidson Politano will enjoy.

Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive or negative review. All opinions are my own.

This was a really good book. I enjoyed the characters, the storyline the surprises (of which there were many). I would definitely be interested in ready more of Hannah’s books in the future.

Not only did she create an interesting story and characters but she wonderfully wove the faith element that is often missing from Christian fiction.

All throughout the story you know that eventually Henry will find out the truth and it won’t be good and how will he forgive Ella when he does find out?

So many questions that will keep you interested and reading.

A copy of this book was given to me through Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

Beneath His Silence is written by Hannah Linder. This is my first exposure to this author, and it will not be my last. The author has crafted a wonderful romantic suspense book. She has done careful research to bring her story to life. Travel back to 1814 and meet Ella Pemberton. She is feisty, funny, determined and so much more. She is determined to find out what happened to her sister, who married Lord Sedgewick. Her father was convinced that Lord Henry Sedgewick murdered Lucy.

Ella who is a daughter of a baron, goes to Wyckhorn Manor under the presumption of obtaining a governess position. She is determined to find out the truth. What she does not plan for is how adorable her nephew, Peter is. She also is captivated by Lord Sedgewick. There are secrets within the walls. Henry’s brother Ewan is a bit odd.

I loved seeing the interactions between Ella and Henry. They are well written characters. There is a perfect blend of romance and suspense. This was such a great read. I cannot wait until the next release from this author.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own.

Described as a “Gothic-style Regency romance from a promising young author” Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder, published by Barbour, is an outstanding debut novel.

It’s far more than the sum of its parts:
- strong, layered Gothic atmosphere and themes
- historical plot set in 1814 England that's equal parts mystery and romance
- elements of faith woven into the hero and heroine’s stories
- episodic writing style that kept me turning the pages

Readers who enjoy stories with lots of action will love this. In 320 pages, Ms. Linder includes as much drama as an entire season of a great historical TV show. I’m very much looking forward to future her novels.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review.

Woah! This book was one big plot twist and I loved it for that! Ella and Henry truly had so much chemistry and not just in a romantic way but in a spiritual way (if that makes sense). I expected it to be a full blown romance with not so much plot yet I was proven wrong because I literally had a feeling of shock in my chest the whole time and excitement to find out what the next chapter contained as I kept on reading. Beneath His Silence has a plot that would astonish you, promise.

One of the major things I loved in this book was the aspect of faith in it. As a Catholic, God is integral in my life and how the author was just able to discuss prayer and faith and the struggles that comes with believing in God (or even that there is a God out there). The book really struck me with this and the lines that discussed faith were very honest, vivid, and tearjerkers.

As a debut novel I enjoyed watching the author begin to spread her wings and take on a complex storyline. There are a few slow spots and repetition of dislike between two people, but is a great adventure with suspense, secrets and a bit of romance.

I liked how Ella decided to find out once and for all how her sister died. Somehow she manages to become governess to her nephew without her late sister’s husband not knowing her identity. There are a few snags in the story that I did question. How is it that Henry does not recognize his sister in law? There is much deception in the book which seems to be the focal point of the story. I understood that Ella felt the need to get answers about her sister but I was quite surprised at how quickly feelings started to develop between her and Henry.

Poor Henry has lived with guilt for years over his wife’s death. With Ella taking care of his son Peter, maybe he can concentrate on having a better relationship with God. He does know that God is with him, but he has moments that his grief was too much to bare. I would like to have seen more interaction between father and son but Henry seemed distracted with other things.

When a dark secret is revealed, this is where I thought the author excels. Another character is introduced that shines a light on what happened the night Ella’s sister died. This person is not stable and becomes a danger to everyone near him. I think his loss was too just for him, and he seeks revenge. As all this unfolds one part of the story really brought me to tears. Ella has questioned if God existed for so long that she has almost given up on Him. The moment that I will remember in their book is how Ella found her faith and felt God’s presence. For me this was the greatest message in the book. No matter how dark it must seem, God is there to restore, redeem and reunite you with Him.

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

I could not get into this at all and really struggled to finish it. The characters are dull and undeveloped. They have no chemistry at all but halfway through the book find themselves in love - despite the fact that she thinks he is a murderer. There is hardly any dialogue between them leading up to this point so it's impossible to justify their feelings for each other. The secret he is hiding about the sister's death isn't that surprising or shocking. The story is over about halfway through, so then there is this whole other story of a kidnapping with a wacko character that was totally and completely unnecessary. I really do not see why this book was published. The best thing about it was the cover art.

I really enjoyed BENEATH HIS SILENCE and look forward to more from this new author.

The setting and atmosphere are incredibly evocative, and Linder sweeps the reader up in the story world from page one.

The plot is jam-packed and consistently maintains the reader's interest.

A few minor quibbles: Mrs. Lundie's dialect seems overdone and can be difficult to read.

In the first several chapters from Henry's POV, there's much emphasis on his secrets. I can understand the desire to keep the reader guessing. However, it reached the point (for example as he is reading mysterious letters) that it begins to feel frustrating.

Without giving anything away, the "search/rescue" scenes drag on for a while.

With those minor quibbles aside, I particularly enjoyed how both Ella and Henry had faults and grew as the novel progressed. It's also remarkably fulfilling to read about their faith and how it grows as they encounter life's struggles.

The love story comes across as genuine and I felt very invested in it.

A thoroughly entertaining read perfect for fans of Christian historical suspense with a gothic flavor.

This book is fueled with mystery, misunderstands, misjudgments, and great characters. Ella and Henry was what kept me reading. Peter was also great. I felt each character's frustrations and often their guilt as secrets were on display. Is there someone hiding in the shadows and what is their story? I know I was curious. With intrigue and danger around every corner, I anxiously turned the pages quickly. I loved Ella and Henry's interactions. She is a spit fire and one particular gathering had me clapping for her. Ella had a great journey of faith and trust, so did Henry and he was my favorite! The side characters were great too. I loved how Henry's true character was shown through them.

Thank you to Netgalley for the complementary copy.

“Beneath His Silence” is a beautiful and captivating novel from debut author Hannah Linder. The setting, characters, and plot are very well written! Getting to know the characters was great! I found both Ella and Henry to be very likable and three-dimensional characters as well as many of the supporting characters. The author has done great work taking the reader along with Ella and Henry on their emotional and spiritual journey to love, forgiveness, and faith. Peter was such a sweet character! Henry’s members of staff were also very well-written. I really enjoyed seeing how much they (especially Dunn and Mrs. Lundie!) care about Henry and Peter, and in turn how much they care about them. I love the detail with which the author has written this story! It helps the reader to clearly envision the story, setting, and characters and makes for a very rich literary experience. The story focuses on the themes of family, friendship, love, forgiveness, hope, and faith. I liked the pacing of the plot and found the story to be so interesting, that I finished reading it within only a few hours. This book is definitely a must read! I highly recommend it. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and Barbour Publishing. Thank you very much to the author Hannah Linder, Barbour Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of “Beneath His Silence” to read and review.

Ella comes to town looking for proof that her sister was murdered by her husband, Lord Sedgewick. She knows that the only way to really get to the bottom of events is to go undercover: as governess to her nephew. Lord Sedgewick has secrets of his own and knows that there is blood on his hands, but Ella soon begins to recognize the incongruity between what she believes happened and the man she is falling in love with.

I really enjoyed this story. There were enough twists and turns to keep me wondering how she was going to tie all the pieces together. I wish there had been more information about the mental illness displayed by the brother.

Debut author Hannah Linder pens a story that will keep you reading. Lies, Mystery, Intrigue, Murder and even Romance. It’s all there!

The characters in this gothic style book are strong, determined, and well developed. Remembering how different things were, I can see how Ella could pretend to be a governess that her brother in law wouldn’t know. That adds to the suspense and gives a twist to a good plot. Anything more will be a spoiler so….If you enjoy Regency era books then grab a copy of this one..

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

Why I chose this book: I love a good Recency and with the caliber of authors that wrote recommendations for this book, I had to see for myself. And isn't the cover magnificent?! LOVE.
Type of Book: Regency, 1814 England; Historical Romance with a dash of mystery

Overall: This is a fantastic debut novel by Hannah Linder. I feel her writing will only improve with each book. What was missing for me? I felt the characters struggled to really show who they were through the first half of the book, but they eventually were true to themselves and the story took off. Why do I say that? Here's an example: Ella seems like a very sweet girl but then suddenly she says things like "For that, she'd see him pay." What? She seems like she would be more hurt than vengeful. Like I said though, I'm very glad I stuck with it. Ella settles into her character as does Lord Sedgewick.

Favorite Quotes: "Despicable? Yes, she was that and a thousand other things to him. She had deceived him, betrayed him, slaughtered him in more ways than she could ever know. And now she was burying him alive."

Bookshelf worthy? Yes, this one deserves a place on your shelf.
I give this book 4 stars. I have no doubt I will be giving Hannah's future stories 5 stars soon as she settles and practices her craft. I look forward to her next book.

Teenability: On the romance scale, very appropriate for teens and tweens. (Spoiler alert: watch video for my only take on what may not be teen-appropriate for your family. This does contain a spoiler...hence the video on not text). Overall this is a very teen-readable book and I would suggest it for any younger reader who enjoys Regency stories. (By the way, your author is young as well...so enjoy! Click the link go get to know Hannah.)

Ella Pemberton travels to Wyckhorn Manor and presents herself as a governess so she can be part of the household and find out what happened to her beloved sister, who was married to Henry, Lord Sedgewick before she died mysteriously.

I wanted to read this novel because the setting and gothic overtones intrigued me. This was a wonderfully gothic book with a manor that becomes almost a character in the story:

"Ella tugged the ribbons loose until the bonnet shifted to her back. She wasn’t certain what she had hoped to find, or what measure of comfort she might have gained from the mere sight of Wyckhorn Manor. But whatever she had longed for, she was rewarded with nothing. The sight only emptied her. Far in the distance , high upon the cliffside, the manor faced the open sea. It was tall and lofty, a likeness of Lord Sedgewick himself. A strange and rugged beauty, a pinnacle of power— yet dark and forlorn, as if death had made a home in both the house and the man" (eBook location 325)

Ella becomes attached immediately to Peter, Lord Sedgewick's young son. She finds herself suspicious of Henry (Lord Sedgewick) but also drawn to him.

The mysteries of the house make her curious to learn more: a painting of a woman with a cold and distant expression, a bedroom with a presence that seems to move over the bedclothes as she watches.

Beneath His Silence is so well written, rich with period detail and layered characterizations. It is surprising to me that this is a debut novel! I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to other fans of historical fiction, especially for anyone who enjoys a gothic setting with some suspense. I look forward to future novels by Hannah Linder.

Do you read or watch any suspense novels / movies? What about historical suspense?

I love historical suspense novels. I blame Daphne Du Maurier, Mary Stewart, and Victoria Holt for my love of this genre. It was my escapism reading while I was in college. Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder lives up to the legacy of these suspense authors and was a riveting novel.

Ella Pemberton’s older sister Lucy married a mysterious man, Lord Sedgewick, in the north and died years ago. Her father was haunted by Lucy’s death and spent the rest of his life trying to determine what happened to her. He is sure that Lord Sedgewick, Henry, is the cause of her death. Ella decides to change her last name and apply for the governess position to her young nephew that she has never met. As part of the household, will she be able to uncover what happened to her sister? Is Lord Sedgewick the villain that she thinks he is?

I loved this novel. It was a perfect blend of gothic suspense and romance. I always love a good governess story. It also had great Jane Eyre vibes to me, but it was its own unique story. It also had shades of Pride and Prejudice with Lucy and Henry starting with misconceptions about each other and learning that maybe their first impressions were wrong. They were great characters. I loved how the plot developed with each chapter and it kept me guessing on the overall mystery. The setting was wonderful in a remote estate by the sea. It’s even better that this was author Hannah Linder’s debut novel. I enjoyed it so much and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Beneath His Silence is a Christian novel and a clean read. I liked how faith was introduced in the novel with Henry and Lucy both struggling with it. There are sweet moments where Henry helps Lucy to find her faith.

Favorite Quote:
“In her moments of greatest despair, she would return to this view. She would open her heart to the beauty, tranquility, and brightness of the endless waves.”

Review Copy from Barbour Publishing as part of the Austenprose Book Tour. Thank-you! I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was intrigued by this book, but unfortunately, it became a bit far fetched for me.

The action was intense and certainly easy to get invested in. I read the whole book quickly because I wanted to know how the mysteries would be solved. But the over the top drama was a bit too much for me. The Gothic elements are overdone and everything felt a bit overly dramatic especially the end.

The main characters are well developed and complex. I enjoyed reading their stories and seeing how they are able to find love in spite of their hatred and guilt. And Lord Sedgewick's son is simply delightful. But there were several other characters that didn't sit well with me. The deranged brother who has full range of the house, the dead sister who was not who she appeared, and the evil vagabond who everyone seems to run into at the end. These characters just didn't work for me. Perhaps in part because of a lack of explanation about their backgrounds and too many coincidences about their appearances in various locations.

The ending is very dark and intense. For me, it lost the magic of the Regency time period and it was hard to see any beauty in all the intensity, guilt, and pain. I suppose that Regency thrillers are not my cup of tea but rather historical romance.

Thank you for the ARC and the opportunity to read this book.

Though I am oftentimes hesitant to try out new authors, I wanted to read Hannah Linder's debut novel because I enjoy Regency Era and the book had quite a few endorsements from authors I love. The plot had more Gothic overtones than I expected, but Henry's resounding faith even in the midst of his suffering, Peter's delightful presence, and Ella's impossible spunkiness allowed hope and brightness to enter the dark, eerie, and brooding atmosphere of Wyckhorn Manor.

The plot had a good deal of suspense as secrets and past regrets slowly came forward. The pace of the plot picked up a bit towards the latter half of the book. There were some aspects to the premise of the story that confused me, but my confusion did not interfere with my understanding of the story going forward. Though lonely, depressed, and sometimes harsh, I liked Henry and sympathized with his inner turmoil. His loyalty and deep care for those around him won me over. His interactions with his young son Peter were highlights of the story. I didn't completely connect with Ella in her impulsivity, brash outspokenness, one-sided determination for vengeance, and then clinginess that seemed uncharacteristic later in the story. Still, Henry and Ella's banter was fun and witty, quite in line with the time period.

If you enjoy Regency books with a Gothic overtone, you will likely enjoy this book.

I received the book from the publisher via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

Fans of Gothic regency romances, such as Jane Eyre, this is for you! I was captivated with this book from the first couple chapters and on. It has the same haunting qualities of mysterious classic literature and the slow build up of romantic enemy-to-lovers we love today. The ending has twists and suspense that leave you craving the next page.

Things I loved:
Gothic style writing and setting
Regency time period
A fantastic mix of romance, mystery, and suspense
Clean romance, no adult language
Christian faith weaved into the story

There were a few side characters I would have liked to see developed more, such as the protagonists' mothers, Mr. Beaumont and Becker, so we could get a more emotional response to their presence. I also would have loved to see more details of Ella's faith crisis. At the end of the book, though, I was pleasantly satisfied and enjoyed this story. I definitely recommend it!

Beneath His Silence is a very well written Gothic Rome. Great plot and character development. I highly recommend it. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

Filled with a perfect mix of cursed manor house, brooding hero, and a heroine with grit and determination; this Regency mystery/suspense pulls the reader in with twists throughout the entire book. With great detail and a deep look into the emotions of each character, Hannah Linder takes the reader on a journey to find out all the details to the curse, and how to end it. As each piece of the puzzle is unveiled, it leaves you flipping pages to find the next piece and get the whole picture.
Henry desperately wants to move pass the guilt with his wife's death. So many secrets reside within the walls of Wyckhorn Manor that a heavy fog seems to constantly cover the whole place. His one prayer is that somehow the fog and curse will lift, leading to joy returning. Emma wants to finally know the truth of her sister's death. And to have the man responsible brought to justice. No prayers are needed, she will take care of it on her own. But as the days unfold, a new truth is exposed to them both. Faith is needed to see past the rumors, lies, and mistrust in order to see the heart of each other and to get the whole truth out. Faith alone will give each the strength and ability to continue this dangerous journey to the stunning conclusion. Along the way, Henry and Ella both learn what it means to truly see another person for who they are. A sweet romance that only strengthens as the suspense and danger grows.
Hannah Linder has done an amazing job with the deep emotions that pulls a reader in and makes them care about each character. While the details Hannah Linder places in each scene makes the picture unfold like a snapshot, the reader can see each room, hall, and seaside setting. This is a great debut novel that kept my interest and the mystery kept me flipping the pages to find all the clues and get all the answers. I look forward to experiencing her next novel. I received a complimentary copy of this book Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.