The Bridge to Belle Island

Mystery and Sweet Romance

This page-turning mystery kept me interested from start to finish, including an eye-opening plot twist I never saw coming! Fictional and beautiful Belle Island provided a scenic backdrop to the story and enabled me to learn more about the geography of the Thames River. Along with a supporting cast who contributed much to the plot line, Isabelle and Benjamin, were endearing and strong characters who each had their own issues to overcome. As an avid reader of Christian fiction, I was impressed by two major themes and how they were incorporated into the storyline: forgiveness and trusting God. I love the way Ms. Klassen wove supporting and inspiring Bible verses into the story to support these concepts, including a personal favorite that I haven’t seen much in Christian Fiction. This was another winning and highly satisfying novel from talented author Julie Klassen, with perhaps her most inspirational messages
yet. Well done!

I love Julie Klassen’s books. She’s one of the few authors whose book I buy without even reading the back. I enjoyed this book but I have to be honest, I didn’t love it. I never entered that “I can’t put it down phase.” I found the mystery to be interesting and well thought out, although (maybe because I’m an avid mystery reader) many things I saw coming. The characters were sweet but I think perhaps this why I just enjoyed the book and didn’t love it. I didn’t love the characters. I didn’t dislike them either but they just didn’t come off the page for me. Even though they had real struggles to overcome, somehow I didn’t connect with their emotions. Also the romance, though sweet, fell flat. There just really wasn’t any until near the end. Also, I couldn’t help but feel that if a certain man had lead his family the way he felt was best instead of giving into his wife’s hysterics literally none of this story would have happened. And that bothered me for some reason.

In The Bridge to Belle Island, Julie Klassen has penned another intriguing, mysterious and wholly entertaining whodunit set during the end of the Regency era. I found the first chapter to be a bit confusing and had to go back and read again in order to get the characters straight....and there are many characters in this cast of murder suspects. The majority of the characters were very likable and I was completely unsuspecting of who the murderer turned out to be. As one who suffers from panic attacks, I found her descriptions of anxiety driven episodes to be spot on and I could empathize with the character who suffers and strives to overcome this illness. I appreciated that her character did not remain "stuck" but through faith and prayer makes small steps toward recovery. I can't say that this was my favorite Julie Klassen novel, it never became a "can't put down" for me, but I still enjoyed the story and would recommend reading it. I always look forward to Julie's novels and can't wait for the next one!

Julie Klassen has been a favorite author of mine for a while, so when I had the chance to review her latest novel, The Bridge to Belle Island, I jumped at the chance. Klassen has a gift for helping the reader to empathize with her characters, and immersing the reader in the setting. That's why I tend to read her novels.

I picked up The Bridge to Belle Island, set in Georgian England, and quickly found myself intrigued by realisitic and interesting characters, especially Benjamin and Isabelle, and by a riveting plot line. Caught in the middle of a mystery he's trying to unravel, attorney Benjamin finds himself wanting to believe that Isabelle was not involved in a sinister plot. However, Isabelle herself begins to question whether she was involved when indisputable evidence begins to pile up against her, yet she has no recollection of the event. The Bridge to Belle Island had some twists and turns that kept me reading much later than I should have. Bravo, Klassen, for yet another enjoyable read--a great combination of mystery, period drama, an intriguing plot line and interesting characters.

Note: I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for this honest review.

The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen is a Regency Mystery Romance. While the story centers around Belle Island, the story actually focuses on the hunt for a murderer and the idea of Isabella Wilder and her ability to not be able to leave the island. Isabella Wilder has a kind heart, just like most heroines in this period are written. She is afraid to leave the island since the death of her parents on the main land. The story starts with a dead body collapsing on a desk in an office. The rest of the story continues for the hunt for who killed the man. Since it isn't a modern story, the foresenics isn't up-to-date as readers are used to. It was more of paying attention to details and finding clues to hunt for the murderer. The way a mystery should read. Even though the story reads like a Regency novel complete with the setting and the characters, I really enjoyed the mystery element Klassen threw in. It sparked my mystery-loving mind. As for the spiritual elements, I can't really recall anything that stood out to me. The transformation of Isabella was the most memorable thing about the characters. Overall, The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen fits right into the Regency Romance category with a hint of an overarching mystery. The mystery is subtle but just enough for fans of cozy, safe mysteries. Fans of Klassen's previous works or Sarah E. Ladd pick enjoy this novel.

I received a complimentary copy of The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen from Bethany House Publishers, but the opinions stated are all my own.

The Bridge to Belle Island tells a story of a murder, a disenchanted lawyer, and an innocent (or is she?) woman caught in the middle of the murder. Set in both London and a remote island on the Thames, this book will keep you guessing until the very end.

THE BRIDGE TO BELLE ISLAND by JULIE KLASSEN is a murder mystery that grips you from the first page and really keeps you guessing. The author has obviously done a great deal of research into what life was like in early nineteenth century England, and also on the islands in the Thames. The book is well written, with believable and mostly loveable characters, and beautiful descriptions.
The story starts in London with the suspicious death of Percival Norris of the law firm Norris, Hardy and Hunt, where Benjamin Booker works, and moves to
Belle Island, the Wilder family's country estate in Berkshire which is owned by Isabelle Wilder.
Benjamin is sent by his employer and mentor, Mr Hardy, to the island to look into possible murder suspects.
There are many twists and turns in the story and there is lots of suspense, and some romance. There is also a strong Christian message based largely on Philippians 4 verses 6-7.
I am not going to tell you any more as I do not want to spoil things for you, except to say that it is truly a worthwhile and enjoyable read and one that I can highly recommend.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

Bridge to Belle Island

By Julie Klassen

A case gone wrong sends Benjamin Booker to Belle Island to lay low and regain reputation, however Belle Island is not the simple escape he thought it would be. Belle Island holds a killer and the longer Ben is there the more complicated his feelings become concerning the case and murder suspect Isabelle Wilder. How can Ben trust his feelings towards Isabelle when they might be leading him down the familiar path of deception.

I have enjoyed every book I’ve read by Julie Klassen and this was no different. It was however a bit more mysterious then other books she has written. I was kept on the edge of my seat until the end. I think that the intrigue was well developed. There were many different suspects to keep track of but the main characters were relatable and easy to like.

I received a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion shared here.

'Did she believe God was loving? She wanted to trust, but fear and worry all too often won out.'

I have been a Julie Klassen fan since her very first book, which I have read several times. Her Regencies are perfect and the mystery she throws in completes them. I was drawn in immediately here and continually kept trying to find the culprit. Her characters are great and the plot was also the same and the build up to the ending was superb! Recommended.

*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

The Bridge to Belle Island is an enjoyable book. Isabelle, is afraid to leave her island, but still finds herself accused of a murder in London. Benjamin is a lawyer that has come to the island to deliver news of her uncle's death, but doesn't believe she committed the crime, even though much of the circumstances point to Isabelle. As time goes on, they become closer, and Benjamin soon finds the real killer. Exciting story with many surprises, I really enjoyed reading this book!

#TheBridgeToBelleIsland #NetGalley

Julie Klassen weaves a tale of suspense along the Thames river. A young lawyer finds himself caught up in the middle of a murder investigation. Benjamin Booker, heads to Belle Island with the intent of finding out where Isabelle Wilder, was on the evening of the murder. Isabelle has not left Belle Island due to family members who have lost their lives. A story of forgiveness and trust.. A book that will keep you guessing.

Benjamin Booker has failed. He thought this important case would bring honor to his mentor’s firm, instead, a beautiful face snookered him into believing a lie. A lie that could cost the law firm’s reputation.

Word travels fast in London, and Benjamin’s court loss will surely confirm to his father and brother that he chose the wrong profession. But Benjamin has no desire to work with sick or dead people as an apothcary or investigator. He loves the law and all its nuances.

In the wake of a shocking murder, Mr. Hardy, Benjamin’s mentor and boss, asks Benjamin to travel to Belle Island. Mr. Hardy has questions for the reclusive owner about the murder of her guardian and Mr. Hardy’s law firm partner, Percival Norris. Benjamin agrees with alacrity—anything to escape the gossip of London. Even if the trip might bring on one of his episodes.

Isabelle Wilder hasn’t left Belle Island in over ten years. Ever since the tragic death of her parents, the thought of crossing the bridge from her island to the mainland fills her with physical anguish.

Isabelle works diligently to keep the estate afloat, but her guardian insists they need more streams of revenue in order to keep the estate. When Mr. Booker shows up one day and questions her about her whereabouts on the night of her guardian’s murder, Isabella knows she has the perfect alibi. She hasn’t left the island in ten years. Everyone knows that.

But do they? The more Mr. Booker pokes around, the more Isabelle questions her own sanity. Will he uncover the killer before more people die?

This fast-paced Regency mystery from Julie Klassen will keep readers guessing to the very end. Klassen’s characters may live in the 1800s, but they share common problems with today’s reader: believing false narratives, phobias, and struggles to reconcile a loving God with the tragedies that surround us.

*** REGENCY MYSTERY***
1819, London – Thirty-one-year-old Benjamin Booker is an attorney who has risked everything for a female client he fully believes is innocent. But, when he loses her case, his whole world comes to a crashing halt.
Distraught and frustrated he meets up with his boss at a local pub to discuss the case and his future. As they head out, they discover a scene at the home of Percival Norris, their retired colleague. Further investigation leads to a dead body that will eventually take Benjamin on a journey to Belle Island, across the Thames and the village of Riverton where his boss has asked him to investigate. Benjamin will do his best to remain objective and make his boss proud of him again.
Thirty-year-old Isabelle Wilder is trapped by fear on the island, but has learned to navigate enough to be mistress of the house, despite much of her funds being tied up in a trust. She is respected by her employees and does her best to create jobs that will help provide for them. Everything is fairly routine, except for a beloved niece whose upcoming nuptials pull at Isabelle’s heart strings since the wedding will be off-island. When a stranger shows up to share the news of the death, everything changes.
Benjamin and Isabelle will have to work together, but neither fully trusts and both have debilitating issues to deal with. There is a murderer at large and threats move ever closer to the island as the story twists and turns.
Favorite Quote: Psalms leapt out at her. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though the waters roar and be troubled.
Lovely Tea Moment: Isabelle and Carlota sat side by side on chaise lounges in the boathouse, the double doors thrown wide to reveal the morning sunshine shimmering on the gently rippling water of the Thames. A tray of tea things sat on the small table between them, along with a plate of muffins. Isabelle had tasted them herself and filled the kettle. …A leisurely morning was a rare luxury on Belle Island … and Isabelle and Lotty were determined to enjoy it.
I enjoyed 98% of this book. I felt the ending suddenly stretched out in an odd way, but that is perhaps my own preference. Overall, this is a very enjoyable book I would be happy to recommend.

Bethany House Publishing
© 12/3/2019
This is a stand-alone novel. I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion with no further compensation or expectation.
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This book is a combination that works very well. It is a nicely done mystery with many twists and unexpected turns. And a great Regency romance in an unusual setting. The characters are well developed and the action and pacing keep the reader engaged. An enjoyable read.

This is unquestionably a murder mystery, complete with all the trappings: red herrings, lies, sketchy alibis, and an abundance of suspects and motives, but set firmly in Regency era England. The mystery is definitely what drives the plot, and I didn't feel it had the emotional depth and impact of some of the author's other novels, but the constant spiritual thread about anxiety and placing one's trust in God was certainly timely for me!

While I preferred Klassen's Gothic stories (The Tutor's Daughter, The Secret of Pembrooke Park) to this one, it was an enjoyable foray into the classic mystery genre. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, you won't be disappointed!

Thank you Bethany House and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.

Very interesting and intriguing book.
It captivated my attention from the very first line till the end.
A lot of tragedies had happened in the life of Isabella to earn her isolating herself in her lovely island. But her time out comes to an end when her life is once again treated at it's foundations. Despite her fears I enjoyed reading about her sweet spirit and her love for people. As a homebody myself I could relate with her.
Ben had been bitten before by a pretty woman and he had set his heart on not to be deceived by a pretty face again but the face of Isabella caught him smack down.
Together they were a force to be reckoned with. The story shoved and threw them in different paths but they always found a way to make it work.
Things became very complicated and complex but I loved how the author showed how God can untangle the complexities of life and walk through it with us if we ask for help and trust him. I enjoyed most how things began to turn when the characters started to pray and read God's word.
The suspense and build up of the story will keep you glued.I received a copy of the book from Netgalley for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed here are mine.

I have enjoyed this series by Julie Klassen, but this book is my favorite. I love how the characters have grown and how real they are. Julie Klassen writes an intriguing story and presents realistic, flawed characters. I know this will bw popular in our library system.

I selected this book to read because of the author. I have enjoyed her books in the past and this one was no exception. It was a mystery that found its way to a suspect at an estate away from London. A disgraced lawyer made the trip to this estate to accuse the maiden aunt of murder. Getting to know her and her phobia not to cross the bridge, he is inclined to believe that she could not have done it. So who did? As he learns more about the aunt and the events around the murder and his own law firm, his suspicions come closer to home. As the young lawyer gets to know the aunt better, he slowly falls in love with her. I really loved the interaction between the characters and how they stayed true to themselves during the book. It was a wonderful read and much more than a romance!

Both Isabelle Wilder and Benjamin Booker have allowed the events of the past to overshadow and shape their present. Will they find the faith and courage they need to set aside the past and reach for a brighter future? Or will a murderer claim yet another victim? The Bridge to Belle Island is a story of letting go and of holding on to the One who holds the future in His hands.

Klassen is a master of the Regency novel, skillfully weaving in a page-turning mystery that will keep you guessing until the end.

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

I am a huge Julie Klassen fan and her latest book was superb. The setting is an island on the Thames River and the characters are very well thought out. The mystery kept me guessing until the very end. The is a bit of romance but not overly done.
The point of view from Benjamin, the lawyer who come to the island to ask questions about the murder was a refreshing change from usually female dominated characters in this genre.
I received an advanced copy of this book from Net Galley and these opinions are solely my own.

A beautiful heiress is implicated in a shocking murder, while a lawyer who vowed never to trust a beautiful face is the only one who can help her clear her name.



Isabelle loves her home on Belle Island, but fears keep her from spreading her wings and going beyond it's familiar comfort. She is shocked at the accusations, but she cannot with clarity say that she did not commit the crime.



Benjamin took a different path than was laid out for him, carving out a career in law. He seeks to live his faith, and has a compassionate heart. He can't help but want to believe in Isabelle's innocence, even when all the clues point to her.



A regency era gothic novel of murder, deceit, mystery, and betrayal. A compelling mystery, no one knows who to trust, even the suspects themselves are questioning if they could have done it. Benjamin is drawn to Isabelle despite his reservations he sees in her someone one who understands him like no one else, yet everything seems to lead to her. The mystery kept me guessing, along with the full cast of characters with secrets of their own. This is a wonderfully complex read, with good elements of mystery, faith, and characters that I loved cheering for the entire way through, with their vulnerabilities making them more real and relatable.



A riveting and highly enjoyable read from beginning to end, with a mystery that kept me guessing and wonderful world building. Highly recommend this fantastic read!



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

One would think there would not be many suspects to be found on a small privately owned island related to a murder committed in London. Ah, but one would be wrong because there are suspects in abundance. It is up to attorney Benjamin Booker to work through them all in order to prove the innocence of Isabelle Wilder, owner and prisoner of Belle Island. Intrigued? I hope so because I believe you will find this mystery and Klassen's characters compelling. Klassen's theme of trust and confidence over worry and doubt is carefully woven into the story, and is viewed through the lens of personal failure and circumstances that steal one's hope. I highly recommend this book and am grateful to have received a copy from Bethany House via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and received no monetary compensation.

I’ve read a handful of Klassen books and this may be one of my favorites. It reminded me a little of the movie “Clue” where there are many people around and everyone seems to have some reason for disliking the victim. I thoroughly enjoyed the mystery.

There were several interesting factors in the story. One of the suspects is an agoraphobic woman who claims to have not left her island in 10 years. One of the investigating lawyers has vertigo. There are random Jane Austen quotes sprinkled throughout. And it was fascinating to see how the criminal investigation went forward in this time period. There were twists and turns. All this made for a great read. I’d recommend it.

Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

#TheBridgetoBelleIsland #Netgalley

" The Bridge to Belle Island" is a mystery and also romantic fiction. Benjamin Booker is a lawyer and is in a firm with several other lawyers. In the beginning one of the lawyers was murdered. Benjamin was sent to Belle Island to figure out the details on how the murder occurred and who may have killed his partner. Belle Island is isolated and the area is a mystery . It is located on the Thames river. Other problems have occurred there which have not been solved. The island was very secluded and removed. from other areas and cities in London. Why would there be unsolved mysteries there. Isabelle has lived there for years. She rarely left the island. She tried to find safety on Belle Island but it also was a place of fear to her after all the tragedies that have occurred there. She was very anxious and is constantly looking for peace and serenity. The reader will enter the world of mystery and uncertainty when they read the Bridge to Belle Island. How will these uncertainties be solved. ? It is wonderful that the author reminds the characters of how God is there for them during times of trouble. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book. It is a wonderful book . I will share my review with facebook, Goodreads, Amazon, my blog and the church staff as well.

The author kept me guessing, almost to the end, and thankfully a wonderful job is done to totally complete this read.
Greed and Pride, and maybe more, but these come in to play, and end with murder, but who wanted this lawyer dead? When the facts begin to fall, the list grows, and really surprises abound.
The setting sounds so ideal, a beautiful island on the Tames, made me want to live there!
If you like a book that is filled with action, most you won’t see coming, intrigue, and mystery, and natural disaster, this one won’t leave you wanting!
I received this book through Net Galley the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.

Julie Klassen’s latest release is full of twists and turns, making it a challenge, if not impossible, to solve the mystery of who killed Percival Norris. The majority of the time, I felt like I was reading a drawn out game of Clue that had me guessing and regrouping several times until the end.
All characters are likely suspects, with powerful motivations to see the crotchety former barrister dead. With the introduction of secondary characters scattered throughout the first few chapters, each one is highly suspect and hiding something. What is revealed in later pages may have readers stunned to learn their secrets.
There is something to love, and forgive, about each character. Ms. Klassen spins a tale so intriguing that one can’t help but to root for the innocence of the full cast. In the end, the culprit is not the most likely suspect.
When it comes to issues of faith, main characters struggle with their relationship with God. It's not heavy into the faith journey, but there is a bit of it throughout the pages.
This was such an enjoyable read that it’s going in my TBRA pile (To Be Read Again).
Next time, I’ll be sure to study the red herrings more closely and congratulate the author on her obvious cleverness.
Well done.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Lawyer Benjamin Booker resolves to never again trust a beautiful woman after a humiliating incident with a young woman he believed innocent, admitted her guilt. So when a murder case involves a client of the firm, the senior partner asks Benjamin, eager to leave London, to investigate. Evidence takes him to a remote island on the Thames, a world unto itself, shrouded in mist and mystery. Soon he finds himself falling for the main suspect—a woman who claims not to have left the island in ten years. But should he trust her?

On Belle Island, Isabelle feels safe and leads a productive life, but fear has kept her trapped there. When Mr. Booker arrives with news of her trustee's murder in London, Isabelle is stunned. She has not left the island, yet she has a recurring dream about the man's death. Could it be a memory, but how? She knows she has never left the island!

As evidence keeps pointing to Isabelle, she doesn't know who to trust: the attractive lawyer or the admirer and friends who assemble on the island, each with grudges against the victim. Searching for the truth, long held and new secrets come to light.

Fast reading with a plethora of likely suspects set against an almost gothic-like background kept this reader pretty much glued to the pages. Filled with a wonderfully interesting set of protagonists, Benjamin was still upset over having let a young attractive woman play him against his usual astute instincts. And now here he was, faced with another young woman whom his instincts wanted to believe in spite of evidence that she was the guilty party!

Isabelle was everything a man could desire in a woman, strong, true, non-assuming, caring and yet - it was by her own admission that her uncle Percy was a thorn in her side! And wasn’t it Isabelle who had the bigger motive to be rid of him? I guess you will just have to read this engrossing tale to find out!

Marilyn Rondeau

The story begins in a courtroom, introducing Benjamin Booker in 1819. “Benjamin Booker sat in the Old Bailey, pulse pounding His most important case to date had finally been called to trial – his chance to prove himself to the firm’s partners.”

Things don’t go as planned. The partners are not impressed with Benjamin and one of the partners turns up dead, Benjamin suspects there’s foul play. His partner tells him to go to Belle Island and deliver the news to the relatives. See for yourself how they react. Everyone’s a suspect. The story is told through the eyes of Mr. Benjamin Booker a lawyer chasing down leads in the murder of one of the partners in the firm. His senior partner tells him to go to Belle Island and see what he can find.

I love how the author shines the spotlight on many of the people in the story and their motives. Just when Benjamin was getting close to solving this puzzle, another body shows up with a different set of circumstances it suggests a cover up.

The author says, “Belle Island is a fictional place, but it is something of a composite of the islands I researched. Physically, it resembles Ray Mill Island near Maidenhead, Berkshire, which I’ve had the pleasure of visiting a few times. Named after the Ray Family, who once operated a flour mill there, the island is now a public park with lovely gardens and wooded paths.”

…”the opening court room scene is based loosely on an actual trial transcript from the Old Bailey, through the names have been changed.”

Benjamin meets Isabelle she’s a beauty who’s never left the Island after her parents’ death. She struggles with a dream she had about the deceased partner. It was almost like she was there. It is of the murder that Benjamin Books has come to tell her about. How could she have such a dream? She never leaves the island.

This author does a great job of taking readers on a grand adventure to a beautiful Island and I enjoyed getting to know the community. It almost felt like a Sherlock Holmes mystery. It’s a complex story that had me guessing up till the end. I loved getting to know the Island it’s people and that time period.

The author includes 10 discussion questions to help with your book club discussion time. This would make a fun book to discuss at your next book club meeting.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins! www.bookfun.org
The Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.com

One of the best Julie Klassen books I've ever read outside of Pembroke Hall. But this one is my favorite by hers.
It's quite a bit different from what I'm used to reading by her but it's all good.
The setting of this story is just right for what goes on in the book. The way Julie writes I pictured myself there perfectly.
I enjoyed reading about Isabelle. Her struggles with anxiety reminds of of someone else I know.
We lived by a creek. I've seen that creek when it's flooded and the bridge we crossed wasn't solid like Isabelles was. This was a swinging wooden bridge that we had to cross everyday no matter what. It was really scary so I prayed every time we had to cross it. I got dizzy when I looked down at that swirling water!
I had some sneaky suspicions throughout the book on who it was and I was right!! Sometimes people seem one way and then they disappoint you. I've been there many times.
Like Isabelle I've finally learned to put my trust in God. Oh yes, I'm still struggling with that for it's not easy because we think we can handle things on our own. Not so!!
There's a verse that I love and it's written as a choral hymn. Our choir sang it once and it's stuck with me.
God is our Refuge and Strength in times of trouble. Though the mountains will fall we will not fear something like that.
Benjamin is my favorite! I love that he's flawed and along the way he too finally learns to listen and trust. Listening especially isn't easy. Too many times we have to learn the hard way just like Benjamin did. I'm just glad he didn't learn it too late.
Life is fragile. We never know from one day to the next where it will take us. It's why we should tell our loved ones that we love and appreciate them while they're here.
I know because all of my immediate family has passed away and like Isabelle I'm the only one left. When I lost my dad it was like I was out in limbo for a while. Some days I still feel like that until I remember my Heavenly father who truly loves me for who I am.
I didn't find anything wrong with this book at all. To me, it was written perfectly.
Even the cover is gorgeous. I love it. It's a wonderful hint as to what or whom the book might be about.
I highly recommend this book!
NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.

It's been way too long since I've read a Julie Klassen book. The Bridge to Belle Island reminded me of what a master she is in this genre. The romance, the setting, the characters, the intrigue, the historical detail, the dialogue. So good!

The mystery was superb. Everyone was a suspect and had plenty of motive to do the deed. I was constantly left guessing and trying to figure out what was going on and who the most likely suspect was. I was shocked when the reveal finally came.

The pacing was a little inconsistent at times and dragged in a few places, especially the end, but other than that, I really enjoyed reading it. It's sure to delight fans of regency mysteries.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

This was a wonderful story! I normally love books by Julie Klassen, so I knew this should be a good story. But it was even better than I expected! The characters were well done, and I enjoyed getting to know them as the interesting story unfolded. The plot had some very interesting twists in it, and the mystery was amazing! Who would have thought a little island like this could hold such a story. The book is simply a must read in my opinion, and I can not wait for the next book by Julie Klassen to be released!


I received this book free through NetGalley from Bethany House Publishers for my honest review. The opinions are my own.

I have read almost all of Julie Klassen's books and this has to be my favorite of all of them.
The characters really jump off the page at you, demanding your attention to solve the case before another murder occurs.
The story line was superb and I learned about Belle Island and River Thames , the ebb and flow of the river and it's flooding.
Belle Island is fiction but I could picture myself there among it's people watching the mystery crack wide open.
The story involves a disenchanted lawyer on the island to get answers to a shocking murder. All the clues point to a beautiful woman, but is she really innocent as she claims or does she have something sinister hidden behind her beautiful eyes.
Smooth flowing the story takes us from one mysterious event to the next as the story progresses .

Pub Date 03 Dec 2019
I was given a complimentary copy. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Julie Klassen once again pens a book with a creative plot, the mystery surrounding the death of Percival Norris entirely unpredictable as she takes you on a journey wherein by the end of the story, you have probably suspected every character of being involved! The book definitely held my interest and I had trouble putting it down! I loved the slow building suspense as you get to know the characters, their flaws and pasts detailed for you to connect with them as they grow and change. I really liked how Isabelle is a kind and caring person, but she also harbors fear of the unknown, of change, and of leaving what is comfortable for her. The romance is clean and sweet. I liked the bits of history and descriptions of the scenes that made it easy to envision the setting. The spiritual content is flawlessly woven among the story. I am a big fan of Julie Klassen and really love her books! This is definitely a book that I recommend!

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

Isabelle Wilder is a 30 year old spinster who is chained to her home on Belle Island by fear since most of her relatives who left the island ended up dead. Thirty one year old Benjamin Booker is a lawyer who just lost an important case due to being swayed by the wiles of his female client. Now one of his bosses, Percival Norris, has been found dead; and the main suspect is Isabelle Wilder whose trust he handled. When his other boss, Mr. Hardy, sends Benjamin to Belle Island to investigate, he finds much more than he bargained for.

Slow building suspense and a plethora of suspects set the stage for a well developed Regency, romantic suspense. When you just about think you have figured out who killed Percival Norris, there is a twist that seems to point the finger at someone else. I felt the pace was a bit slow in places, but overall a very enjoyable read.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.

What an interesting book…..A lone island with only a bridge linking it to the mainland. The owner, a woman who is ruled by fear that crossing the bridge will surely bring death to her. Even though the one dearest to her is to be married and she longs to be there for her, she cannot overcome her panic…..Then things get very complicated, her uncle is murdered and she is the number one suspect, even though she has not crossed the bridge in years. She could not possibly have done the murder…..Enter a young lawyer who comes to the island to see what he can learn about the heiress and for evidence that she really did commit murder….All in all a great read filled with suspense, intrigue and romance. Klassen has certainly written one that will hold your interest to find out who the culprit is. It will surprise you…….I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have read many Julie Klassen novels and was overjoyed when I received The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen. This book introduces a lawyer named Benjamin Booker who experiences a detrimental loss in his career. So now, he has trust issues, particularly with beautiful women. When he and his mentor discover that an old partner has been found murdered, they are determined to bring the culprit to justice. The evidence leads them to Isabelle Wilder on Belle Island. Isabelle has experienced so much tragedy in her life that she has not left her island in 10 years. Or has she? Evidence points to her, but she is adamant that she is innocent. Can Benjamin believe her? Or is he too trusting? If she is innocent, then who committed the murder?

I have always enjoyed Julie Klassen novels but this one is just on another level! There is a wonderful romance story and historical aspect, but the murder mystery just adds so much more. It is complex and I was trying to solve the murder as I was reading. It was not predictable either, which is huge for me! The moment I picked up the book, I did not want to put it down. The characters feel so real and engaging. In fact, I could really relate to both Benjamin and Isabelle. Benjamin struggles with vertigo and Isabelle struggles with severe anxiety. Both of which, I struggle with. In fact, both put me in the hospital. So I could really relate to the fear and struggle they both experience. I really hope people can learn how debilitating both of these illnesses are.

The book touches on many themes, but the major one is forgiveness which really tugs at the heartstrings. Isabelle is such a darling character and watching her rise above and care for those around her and forgive those who hurt her the most. Then seeing Benjamin deal with learning to trust again is beautiful as well. Those who enjoy inspirational historical fiction will love this book and those who love a good mystery won’t be disappointed either! This book deserves 5 out of 5 stars!

Thank you to Julie Klassen, Bethany House, and NetGalley for a copy of the book!

Julie Klassen is one of my go-to Christian fiction novelists. In a world where many Regency writers vie for attention, I know I can usually rely on her to provide work that’ll entertain me. Klassen is one of a select few who have taught me more about this particular era of my birth country’s history than any formal history classes did. Actually, the curriculum during my school years missed most of it and we gained a skewed perspective from BBC period comedies. I can also say that I am NOT a particular fan of Jane Austen. The 1990s BBC production of Pride and Prejudice gave me a slight appreciation of her work, but that’s it.

Is it strange that someone who isn’t a fan of Austen can enjoy novels inspired by the 19th century writer? In my case, I enjoy the stories rather than the art of the storytelling. The Bridge to Belle Island is a tasty whodunit, which begins with an apparently unconnected trial at the Old Bailey in London, and finishes in a Thames community far quieter than the bustling English capital. By the time I finished reading, something I might have done quicker than I did thanks to the intercession of real life, I had suspected several of the cast of characters – only to discover how wrong I was. I was tempted to re-read it to see what I’d missed. Klassen had provided the clues, but I’d failed to spot them.

This is a novel I can imagine being played out on screen, so long as it paid attention to Klassen’s descriptive settings, characters, and plot. I read the dramatic conclusion and saw it taking place in my head. I loved the ending. Yes, it’s a postscript, but it isn’t rushed. Instead, it matches the pace of the preceding pages, and contains the expected happy ending.

Disclaimer: Although I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, the words and opinions below are my own.

Even though it took me a little bit to get into this book, once I got into it it captured my attention. I loved how it kept me guessing. Whenever I thought I had figured out who the murderer was, something new would come to light and change my mind. I really enjoyed this book!

If you love a good ol' fashioned murder mystery that keeps you guessing right until the very end, The Bridge To Belle Island is certainly one you will want to add to your TBR list!

As I was reading this book, I couldn't help but think of the game Clue. In the beginning there is a bit of a question as the the HOW, but for the most part it really has you guessing as to the WHO. We were introduced to a wide variety of possible suspects--- all with motives and all seemingly hiding something. As such, it was hard to figure out right away just who it could be. They all seemed as though they could be the guilty party! But was it the MURDER they were guilty of? Isn't that what makes a good mystery? I did start to possibly suspect the real culprit towards the end, but I wasn't quite confident in that, nor was I able to figure out the details. For the most part, this isn't a high paced mystery, but rather one that draws out much more slowly giving us bits and pieces of information until the final reveal. There are a few more action packed moments, but for the most part it was pretty slow moving. Typically I do prefer a more fast paced suspense, but I really felt like it worked in this particular story.

If you pick up this book hoping for a ton of romance, you might be a little disappointed. Don't get me wrong, there IS some romance in the story, but I didn't feel like it was a huge part of the story until the very end. I didn't mind that in the slightest, but again something to consider if that's what you are looking for.

Overall, this was a really fun read and one that I would certainly recommend to those who like a historical mystery! I very much enjoyed it.

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own.

“Benjamin Booker sat in the Old Bailey, pulse pounding. His most important case to date had finally been called to trial—his chance to prove himself to the firm’s partners.” - Opening lines of “The Bridge to Belle Island” by Julie Klassen

This Julie Klassen novel is full of mystery! It had me hooked from the first page to the last! In “The Bridge to Belle Island”, our leading man, Benjamin, finds himself at a murder scene with his mentor and the law firm’s senior partner. When the investigation doesn’t progress swiftly enough, Benjamin is sent to Belle Island to observe our leading lady, Isabelle, and establish if she’s involved in the murder.

Both Benjamin and Isabelle are wonderful characters supported by interesting and complex ones. The mystery is multi-layered and full of twists! The writing is beautiful, descriptive without slowing the pace of the story. To this, Julie adds a delightful romance, slow-growing and realistic. The principles of Christianity form a backbone to the story and something to think over once the novel ends.

If you love historical mysteries, with a touch of romance, this one is for you! It’s a five out of five on the en-JOY-ment scale and highly recommended!

The Bridge to Belle Island is a mystery where everyone is suspect but nobody claims they did it.

Lawyer Ben Booker resolves to never again be taken in by a pretty face. No matter how much he believes they are innocent! But when murder comes too close to the firm, senior partner sends Ben to Belle Island to investigate,

Isabella Wilder has never left the island in ten years. Over come with fear, she finds herself trapped on the island. But when she becomes the suspect in the murder of Percival Norris, her trustee, she battles confusion. And her dreams haunt her seeing the murder victim.

Although slow reading, I found the story to be interesting enough to keep going. Especially that it kept me guessing, with the suspects volleying back and forth.

Good Regency Mystery and romance.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Net Galley and the publisher. All views expressed are my honest opinion

This book opens up with Benjamin Booker's colossal failure in the court room, followed fairly quickly by a murder. Benjamin is picked by the owner of the law firm to go to Belle Island to check out the heir to the murdered man. In the meantime, another man is murdered and all evidence points to Belle Island and Isabelle for whom the island is named.

Julie Klassen is a marvelous author who writes historical fiction with grace and aplomb. I really haven't found one of her books I didn't like. Some I've liked better than others, and this one kind of fell into the lesser liked category. A lot of my determination on this is probably my mood. Sometimes I'm in the mood for heavier plot lines and sometimes I'm in the mood for fluff.

I give this book four solid stars. My thanks go to Bethany House for always publishing a quality product, and through NetGalley.com for providing the galley I read for this review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of suspense. It was fun to try to figure out the mystery, the who and why. Just when I thought I had it figured out a new twist would be revealed. I found the characters complex and well written. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery and clean romance.

I enjoyed this book. It was like a Regency type Clue murder mystery. I don’t typically like murder mysteries but I like this author so I knew it wouldn’t be gruesome or scary.
Isabelle lives on Belle Island and hasn’t left her island in 10 years, however, she’s suspect #1 to the murder of her uncle in London.
Benjamin is a lawyer who just lost a case and is really trying hard to save his own name as well as his firms.
His mentor sends him off to get information on Isabelle Wilder and that’s when things get interesting. There are many secrets, characters, and suspects but Ben and Isabelle also find themselves attracted to each other...which is never good when one suspects the other of murder. ;-)
The book kept my interest all throughout even though the ending felt a little drawn out. All in all, it was an entertaining story.

What I Loved: What a treat! I couldn't wait to get my hands on a new Klassen novel and I found exactly what I was looking for. 
From the moment the story began, I was emersed in the Regency lifestyle and a most intriguing mystery. 
The romance was tender and sweet. I enjoy a story where the romantic relationship tenderly unfolds ... although I'll be honest and say that the last couple of chapters were suddenly dragging for my tastes. 
The mystery was by far the greatest factor. I was blown away by the many clues and details woven into the story. There was no shortage of solid suspects. It was hard to narrow them down until the end was in sight. 

Rating and Recommendation: I'm giving it 5 stars and recommending to those who enjoy Christian Regency or a historical cozy mystery. 

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

First sentence: Benjamin Booker sat in the Old Bailey, pulse pounding. His most important case to date had finally been called to trial—his chance to prove himself to the firm’s partners. The courtroom was the usual raucous scene: noisy spectators and newsmen in the gallery, milling witnesses awaiting their turn, and wigged barristers goading one another like boxers in the ring.

The Bridge to Belle Island is a wonderful read! I will share my biases up front. I usually love Julie Klassen's novels. I have yet to be disappointed with her work. I also love, love, love, love, love the Regency genre. Whether it's historical romance or historical mystery set during the Regency--I have a tendency to get swept up, up, and away and just fall head over heels with a story.

Benjamin Booker is the HERO of this one. He is a law clerk for a law firm in London. When one of the founding partners in the firm (Mr. Norris) is found dead--MURDERED in his home--Benjamin Booker sets about to help solve the crime. His brother, Reuben, is in law enforcement--and is officially on the case. Booker is encouraged by Mr. Hardy, another partner, to play amateur detective. His sleuthing takes him to Belle Island to the home of Isabelle Wilder. Mr. Norris is--was--the trustee of Isabelle Wilder and her niece, Rose Lawrence. Both (young) ladies had reason to dislike Mr. Norris and his control over their lives/property. The murder occurred on the night of Miss Rose's engagement party...

Can Benjamin solve the murder? Is Isabelle Wilder innocent or guilty? Is she protecting someone else?

I loved this one. I just LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. I love mysteries. I wasn't necessarily expecting Klassen to give me a great mystery--I think of her more as a romance novelist. But I ended up LOVING every moment it. I loved that the main character was a guy. Again, something that I don't necessarily expect from a regency romance. It was a suspenseful read.

I always enjoy Julie Klassen's books so I was really looking forward to reading this one. Mostly I liked it, but it is a departure from her other books. All of her other books are romances that include a little bit of mystery, but this time around we have a mystery that includes a little romance. I have to say that I thought the romance felt a little bland in this one, but I'm not really surprised about that, since the book focused more on the mystery than the romance. I think because it's a Julie Klassen book, I automatically expected the romance to be more like her other books. That being said, this was not a bad thing, just not what I was expecting.

Overall this was a good read with a pretty solid mystery plot and characters that were easy to like. For the author's first mystery, it was pretty good. I've read so many mysteries that I was able to pick out who the perpetrator was easily, but I wouldn't say it was glaringly obvious. I enjoyed the book despite that. I'm not sure if the author will keep writing mysteries, but I would read another one.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I enjoyed reading this book. Isabelle was very unique, I couldn’t imagine staying in one place for so long, but she loved her island and loved those who live on it with her. This story had many twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and Klassen kept my interest the entire time. The lawyer Benjamin Booker was a original character as well. I enjoyed seeing their chemistry and watching them fight the attraction they had for each other. Benjamin being burned by a female before wasn’t ready for it to happen again. Isabelle not leaving the island seemed too weird, and couldn’t possibly be true could it? I was taken on an adventure trying to determine who killed Isabelle’s trustee, and what motives were behind it. At one point it seemed that almost everyone had motive, but who actually committed the crime? I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Historical Romance with some mystery thrown in. I received a copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers and was in no way forced to post a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

When it comes to Regency Era fiction, Klassen is at the top of my list. She never disappoints, and this latest book is no exception.

There is always a hint of mystery in Klassen's books, but the intrigue took a more focal point in this one. I loved the suspense and how the characters developed throughout the story. Klassen expertly penned a tale that stirred my imagination every step of the way. Though I have greatly enjoyed all of Klassen's books, this one ranks as one of my favorites. The setting, characters, and complexity of plot drew me in with a magnetic pull. I was caught off guard more than once and spellbound until the end.

This book definitely marks one of my favorites of the year. I highly encourage you to give it a chance!

I received this book from Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Review

There’s something about Julie Klassen’s novels that reminds me of a good episode of a period piece on television. I always enjoy being swept away to 19th century England with one of her books. My thoughts:

What I liked

The mystery. I really enjoyed the process of the investigation in this novel. It is a classic who-done-it. The murder victim is one of those unlikeable people where everyone and their mama might have killed him. It was so much fun trying out different theories in my mind and just watching everything unravel slowly.

No deception. Benjamin Booker goes to Belle Island to investigate a mystery and low and behold, he manages to solve it without lying or deceiving anyone. There’s a certain honor about Benjamin that shines through in the narrative making him a trustworthy character–even when he feels like he can’t trust himself.

Romance. Because of the honesty of Benjamin Booker, nothing about the romance was off here. And not only his honesty. Isabelle has more than one opportunity to make things complicated and she chooses not to. The main characters were able to build a romance off of trust and friendship and more than that, work together instead of apart, to solve the mystery.

Spiritually, the characters pray and learn to rely on God especially when it comes to anxiety and fears.

What I didn’t like

In the author’s desire I think, to have a wide net of potential killers, she does create a cast and a history that feels a bit clunky at times.

I think that some readers could find this novel to be a bit slow in parts. The mystery really takes its time and you get to know not only the characters but Belle Island. Really, every Julie Klassen novel I’ve ever read, because they’re heavy on character development, are not as fast-paced as many other novels. Her books take place in a slower time period and thus her characters tend to move at a slower pace. It has to be your cup of tea.

Romantic scale: 7.5

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed it. I found it to be entertaining and fun and very well written. I read it in a day.

**I received a copy from BethanyHouse via Netgalley. My opinion was not affected in anyway.**

After Benjamin Booker loses a London court case due to the wiles of a beautiful woman, he's determined not to make the mistake of trusting easily once again. His episodes of vertigo generally keep him from traveling, but when the retired partner of his law firm is murdered, he cannot refuse the journey to investigate on the isolated Belle Island. Here resides Isabelle Wilder, a woman furious at her trustee's mismanagement of her estate, a woman responsible for bottling the wine that poisoned her trustee, and a woman whose beauty is tempting Benjamin Booker to turn a blind eye to all of that. Every clue that Ben unearths seems to point in a new and perplexing direction, and while Isabelle's explanations are plausible, they could also be nothing more than a web of deceit....

Isabelle Wilder hasn't left the confines of Belle Island in ten years. After the deaths of her brother and parents, she became gripped by a paralyzing anxiety and irrational fear of crossing the bridge that leads away from her home. When the disconcerting Benjamin Booker arrives, Isabelle discovers that she is the prime suspect in a murder investigation. But even though she should greet the lawyer with hostility, there's something about his stalwart presence that makes her feel...safe. In order to continue caring for her tenants and maintaining her family home, she must clear her name. The only question is: will Benjamin Booker be the one to accuse her or exonerate her? 

This mystery had all the twists and turns of an Agatha Christie novel. Klassen always shines with the suspenseful elements embedded in her romances, and I'm glad that she's written a full-on murder mystery to showcase her talent. Ben was a likable character, struggling with rivalry with his own brother and estrangement from his father. His humiliation in the London courtroom was palpable and an excellent opening scene for the rest of the story. Isabelle was a pleasant and hospitable soul...unless someone tried to cajole her into crossing the river. The night of the murder she suffers a strange dream of being in the very house where the murder occurred--but how is it possible for her to have been in London when she never leaves her island?

This lovely Gothic touch added to the suspense of the story, and there were so many suspects and red herrings that it was almost impossible to guess whodunnit. I do feel like the book could have been a little shorter as it dragged somewhat in the midsection. But all in all, this was a page-turning read from the mistress of Regency romance and suspense.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

love a good mystery! As long as the details don't get too violent, I really enjoying trying to solve the puzzle of what happened as I read a book. I love when the mystery has twists and turns that make me question what I thought happened. I love when I get to the end and every little piece gets wrapped up happily. Julie Klassen's newest book, The Bridge to Belle Island, has all that I love about a good mystery and even more! Although I tried, I could not figure out how the mystery was going to end until I got to the end. And although I thought maybe the suspect was guilty at times throughout the story since I suspected almost everyone at some point, I never really figured out who the suspect was until the end. Since I am a homebody I also could really relate to Isabelle. Although, I just enjoying the calmness and comfort of being at home while Isabelle was scared to leave her home. It was an interesting trait that she had that is unique and really made the book more interesting. I absolutely enjoyed this wonderful 1800's mystery and would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction, mystery, and romance. 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was already a fan of Julie Klassen, and this book is no exception. I loved the combination of mystery/suspense and romance. The story is intricately woven and will keep you guessing (and reading!) well past your bedtime. And as an added bonus, there is a charming little map of Belle Island in the back. I love book maps!
All the characters in the book are so well developed, no matter how little their supporting role. There isn’t a person in Benjamin or Isabelle’s world that isn’t memorable in their own right.
Benjamin is easy to like with his protective instincts, crusade for the truth and gentleman’s heart. Because of past mistakes, he worries his tendency to lend aid to women in difficult situations is a weakness, but I think it exposes his tender heart. And I loved him for it.
Isabelle is a bit of a walking contrast--but not in a bad way. I loved her strong spirit and her kindness to everyone who worked for her. She was industrious, finding a way to save her beloved island, yet was shackled to it by her fear. I enjoyed watching her fight for her freedom--financially with her estate and emotionally with her irrational fears.
There are so many mysteries to solve, and the author does a good job of giving you pieces of the puzzle while keeping you hooked. It is an engaging and entertaining read through and through.
If you like Regency-era romance or historical mystery, then you will enjoy this book.
I was provided a copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Another masterpiece by Julie Klassen...What a beautiful, heartfelt story. The cover art is spectacular as well. Five Stars!!!

Klassen begins the reader in London at the Old Bailey, the central criminal court of England. There, lawyer Benjamin Booker suffers a humiliating defeat because he trusted a beautiful woman. That evening, after some encouragement and counsel from his employer and mentor (a senior partner), he and the senior partner find a former partner of the firm murdered in his townhome. The victim was the trustee for Isabelle Wilder, mistress of her family home on Belle Island north of London in the Thames River. The senior partner isn’t satisfied with the police investigation, though. At his employer and mentor’s request and to avoid the malicious jesting as a result of losing a news-worthy case, Benjamin Booker travels to Belle Island to investigate the murder of the founding partner of the law firm where he is employed. There, he meets Miss Wilder, the primary suspect in the murder investigation. As he begins to fall for her, he questions his own wisdom. Is he letting a beautiful woman get the best of him again?

On the island, Isabelle believes she is safe and protected while still trying to lead a productive life. But she hasn’t left the island in ten years (TEN YEARS!) due to crippling fear and anxiety and is shocked to be considered a suspect when Mr. Booker arrives with news of her trustee’s death. Before long, a second person dies, and the evidence again points to Isabelle as the killer. She is also growing more attracted to the handsome Mr. Booker, but he considers her a valid suspect. As the story unfolds, more suspects and more secrets are revealed even as danger encroaches onto Isabelle’s supposedly-safe island.

This new story from Julie Klassen has it all — a lawyer with a wonderful alliterative name (Benjamin Booker), intrigue, and Regency England. What more could a reader want in a novel?

I soon realized the The Bridge of Belle Island has a delightfully complicated and delicious split personality.

Like most mysteries, there is a bumbling and not-too-bright local officer who misses details because he's not observant enough. He's fun, though, and I always enjoy when some characters clearly know more than others.

Like most legal suspense stories, there is a fair amount of good legal counsel that becomes directly relevant outside of a legal practice. For example, “State what you suspect as fact with confidence, and nine times out of ten people will believe you in possession of the evidence and respond accordingly.” That’s a good snippet of legal advice.

Like most Regency romances, there is a slow romance ... my favorite kind because it's more realistic and believable. Through weeds and thorns and rocky soil, love still sprouts and blossoms with all the delightful historical details of England in the early-1800s. The language and description are reminiscent of the classics…of the sort to savor and let roll around on your tongue before moving onto the next morsel. “Through the filmy grey fog, he made out a tall stone manor house shrouded in climbing vines and mist. Nearer shore, trees overhung the river—prickly junipers and chestnuts, weeping willows and elms, their hoary heads bowed in grief, their arms reaching out, pushing him back. Warning him away. Benjamin frowned. What a foolish notion. The journey had clearly addled his brains.” My favorite passage!

Isabelle doesn't trust God to know and to do what is best for her. She stays on the island to delude herself that she is in control. Can she trust him? Will she trust him? What needs to happen so that she chooses to surrender to Him? These questions tickled the back of my mind as I continued to read through twist after twist and secret after secret is revealed. Is anyone who they seem to be?

I thoroughly enjoyed The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen and give it five stars!

This is the Julie Klassen style I really enjoy. A strong sense of mystery makes this book a romantic suspense more than just a historical romance.
Something strange was definitely going on. Questions about the dreams Isabelle had and something connected to the orange wine what was made on the island had a strong thread throughout.
There were many suspicious characters that will have you guessing at who killed Uncle Percy. I felt I had a good idea in the beginning but that seemed too obvious so I had to keep reading to see if I was right or not.
Overall a very good read, I have missed this type of book from Julie.
Visit Julie here.
Grab your copy at your local bookstore, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Christianbook.com or your favorite retailer.
A copy of this book was given to me through Netgalley.com. All opinions are my own.

Julie Klassen's The Bridge to Belle Island blends romance with mystery in her latest book. Benjamin Booker's professional reputation as a lawyer suffered after trusting a client who lied to him. To boost him confidence, his law partner asks him to investigate the death of a former legal colleague, which turns out to be embroiled in scandal and mystery. The clues led him to Belle Island, and his prime suspect is Isabella Wilder, who has not left the island in ten years. Did she commit the murder? Was she framed? Who is responsible? Klassen has once again weaved an intricate plot with a few surprises along the way and of course romance. A must read!

1819 England. Murder mystery. Information slowly unfolds. Isabelle can't leave the island where her home is, believing a curse after her parents and sister are tragically killed. The man, a distant uncle, who is running the estate treats her and her niece terribly and wants to sell part of her island off. He is murdered in London, something discovered by Benjamin, a young lawyer in the firm. It would have looked different if not for his excellent power of observation and detail. He had lost a case, and the elder law partner sent him out to Belle Island to uncover information. Isabelle is suspected even though she hasn't been able to leave the island for many years. Interesting and endearing characters and this small community unfold as you get to know them and the information winds out. As it nears the end the story gets intense and is impossible to put down. The story is set in a time before the establishment of a centralized police force as we know it today. Excellent Christian historical that you can expect from Julie Klassen. Struggles with insecurities and forgiveness are themes.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher and NetGalley book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

#NetGalley #TheBridgeToBelleIsland

I adore Julie Klassen books and this one captured my attention once again. The mystery combined with romance is truly enjoyable. I had a hard time putting it down to get on with my day. Readers will appreciate a clean book with fully developed characters and plot.

Say what? Julie Klassen wrote a murder mystery? I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy and I loved every minute of this beautiful story. It’s atmospheric and broody.

Our heroine has been trapped on the island for years with a sort of agoraphobia that prevents her from crossing the bridge to the mainland. She has made a good life for herself in spite of that, but it’s breaking her heart that she will have to miss her beloved niece’s wedding in London. At least she thinks that’s her worst trouble—until Benjamin Booker shows up with news that the estate trustee was murdered in London and there’s evidence she was present.

What follows is a delightful Golden-Age style mystery along with vivid characters and the tale of a country estate on the Thames. I really loved it that the romance was super low key and the mystery took first priority in the story.

Perfect for ages 14+

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.

This was a very enjoyable book with a great mystery and a sweet romance! I loved learning more about investigations during this time period in England. I also loved the eerie feel of the story, especially as Isabelle dreamt of the murder and it's unclear why she knew details. You also don't know who to trust; everyone seemed to have a motive! I really enjoyed trying to figure out who the murderer was. Benjamin had a strong faith; I loved that he talked about praying instead of worrying, as Isabelle tended to do. It was definitely a great reminder for me! Isabelle struggled with trusting God since she had lost most of her family and also dealt with anxiety, even panic attacks when faced with leaving the island. It was nice to see a heroine who wasn't so perfect. Benjamin also struggled with feeling like a disappointment to his father for not going into the family business and had felt distant from him for years. He was sweet and chivalrous and wanted to trust Isabelle but didn't want to get duped again. The romance was sweet and there was some exciting action. I highly recommend this book if you like Regency, mystery or romance!

I received an ebook from Bethany House Publishers. I was not compensated for this review. All opinions are my own.

A great read. I very much enjoyed this regency novel complete with mystery and an interesting premise. I would have devoured it much sooner but my mom had heart surgery while I was reading it, which caused quite a bit of distraction. The story moved well and the mystery kept my guessing throughout since there was no shortage of suspects. There were quite a few surprises along the way that kept the story intriguing and the ending was pretty much perfect. Recommended!

I received this book through NetGalley and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.

Julie Klassen has done it again. Be transported to another place in an earlier time and delve deep into the story. When you come back up for air you’ll find yourself surprised to not still be on Belle Island.
Klassen’s characters have flaws and quirks that make them achingly human. I could feel the pull of the island, and the fear of the bridge. I heartily understood the desire to want to run things her own way without outside interference. Underlying an interesting plot is the story of forgiveness and redemption that we all need reminded of again and again.

For fans of Klassen, this is another must read, and for fans of good historic fiction of any time period, this book should go on your to-read list!

Sigh, Julie Klassen always hits the spot. The setting: idyllic. The mystery: intriguing. The characters: full of life. I enjoyed puzzling out whodunit and the lovely descriptions of the island (especially while I'm surrounded by the bleak Minnesota mid-winter). Fans of historical Christian mysteries will not be disappointed!

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC! All opinions are my own.

This book is a fun cross between a regency romance and an Agatha Christie style murder mystery. The story begins by introducing Benjamin Booker, a lawyer based in London. When he and his boss/mentor discover one of the partners of their firm murdered, Benjamin is sent on a quest to Belle Island, a small island on the Thames, to question its resident, Isabelle Wilder. As Benjamin sorts through the stories and clues, he realizes that uncovering the murderer will be more difficult than he realized, especially when he begins to fall for the number one suspect.

This was an enjoyable read from start to finish. The wide cast of characters were interesting and well developed. The highlight on mental health and anxiety was refreshing, and made Isabelle more relatable. The plot keeps you guessing, and just when you think you’ve figured it out, there’s another curveball. The ending felt a tiny bit rushed- there were so many loose ends that were wrapped up with a simple sentence, leaving the ending feeling a bit choppy. Regardless, each of the main characters grow and learn, and the ending is very satisfying.

Ah, Julie has done it again with a lovely novel that is on the thicker side and makes you want to sink down into a comfy chair with a cup of tea and a scone and read all afternoon.

This one had a taste of mystery in it, who really did commit the murder? This is not a big spoiler because the murder happens within the first chapter, I believe and the rest of the book is built on finding the killer.

But the book doesn't evolve like you would expect and I found myself leafing ahead so I could discover the murderer and I was surprised. And books like that are good.

The island sounds lovely and quaint. I mean who wouldn't want to live on a whole island with a bridge that reaches over to the mainland? How fun does that sound?

Panic/anxiety attacks are real and need to be treated with respect and care, but it does seem like more could have been done for them, but then again, considering the doctor...well you will have to read the book.

One of the verses that stuck out to me in this book was the verse that says, "Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known unto God." So there was an underlying theme of God in the book, but it is not a broad mention and God doesn't seem to be very personal to anybody really.

I enjoyed the book and it reminds me that I need to read faster because I would love to go back and read Julie's backlist because there are quite a few I haven't read yet.

I received this book from Bethany House via NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review.

I've been an ardent Julie Klassen fan for several years, and this book didn't disappoint. It sort of marks a return to some of her previous, standalone titles after the Ivy Hill series. In fact, it reminded me in some way of her previous titles, The Tutor's Daughter and The Girl in the Gatehouse.

Klassen is known for her unusual Regency stories, with mystery subplots and detailed settings. Which often explore little known aspects of 19th century history, culture and society. The Bridge to Belle Island is very much cast in this mould: its set in a tiny Island in the river Thames. Although fictional, there are hundreds of such islands in reality.

Isabelle and Benjamin were both well-drawn characters. Though suspicious of each other at first, I think their emotional problems and connections with family draw them together. Benjamin suffers from crippling vertigo, and Isabelle suffers from panic attacks if she tries to leave Belle Island. Bought on by memories of what happened to her family and rumors of a curse.

Both are sympathetically portrayed, however. I think I also appreciated the fact that the hero and heroine of this story were rather older than they usually are in stories of this kind. Too many romances write off older characters, and whilst they're still under 40 I liked this little twist on convention, and I honestly found it made the characters a little more relatable.

There was also an interesting cast of supporting characters, although I found Rose her fiance a little on the stale side.

The slow burning romance story is not central to this novel, which is fleshed out with the central mystery, as well as intriguing details about the legal system, medicine and traditional crafts in in 19th century rural Berkshire. The struggles and concerns of people living on a small island river island also seemed credible: flooding and storms would be a much bigger deal for them than those on the mainland. There's also a hint of smuggling, which wasn't just relegated to Cornwall.

Although its appears simplistic, the central mystery ends up having enough twists, turns and suspects and motives aplenty worthy of an Agatha Christie novel. The inspirational elements were also well handled: not too preachy but certainly there.

Overall, The Bridge to Belle Island was a wonderful and impeccable researched Regency novel, well on form for this established author in the genre. The only slip ups I noticed were a couple of uses of the term 'candy' and 'dessert'. These are only minor things though, and didn't detract from the story.

Recommended for all Regency and Historical Fiction fans. This would also be a great introduction to Mrs Klassen's work for new readers.

Grateful thanks to the publisher and their representative, including Anne Rogers for sending me a copy of this novel. I was not required to write a positive one and all opinions expressed are my own.

After taking time away from her staple Regency mysteries to write her charming English village series, Julie Klassen is back with an old fashioned whodunit. When a lawyer is poisoned in his home, many people fall under suspicion. The arsenic-laced wine came from Belle Island, home of reclusive Isabelle Wilder. She claims she hasn't left her island in ten years, but how did she have such a vivid dream of the lawyer's London home on the night he died?

Fresh off a humiliating court case in which he was hoodwinked by a woman's false claims, lawyer Benjamin Booker is sent out of town to help investigate his senior partner's death. He doesn't expect to find Miss Wilder so young, attractive, or compassionate, and he hardens his heart from repeating the same mistake twice. How did Miss Wilder's wine end up at the dead man's house? Did she poison him or does she know who did? Why won't she leave the small island she calls home?

I enjoyed the characters of both Benjamin and Isabelle. They each had complicated histories which informed their decisions and relationships. There are plenty of characters and many strange circumstances surrounding the night of Mr. Norris's murder, which will keep readers guessing until the final reveal. Would highly recommend for fans of historical mysteries!

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

Although this book started out slow for me, I ended up really enjoying it. I love Julie Klassen's writing style. She writes great characters that grow along with the story. I also loved this setting. I would love to revisit it again. The mystery was very well done. There were so many potential killers, I was kept guessing until the very end. If you enjoy romance and mystery, I would highly recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book for review from Netgalley, but I also purchased a copy for myself.

The Bridge to Belle Island was written by Julie Klassen , and is a historical romance/mystery novel.
Summary: Isabelle doesn’t leave Belle Island. Not ever. In fact, she hasn’t stepped one foot over the bridge in more than ten years. Why? Her past is full of tragedies that all begin with family members leaving the island, only to meet their doom, and Isabelle refuses to tempt fate with her own life.
But when her trustee dies under mysterious circumstances in London, she becomes the prime suspect.
Clearly, there has been a mistake, but Isabelle doesn’t remember that night, and she has vivid dreams of the man’s death. What really happened that night? Could she truly have left the island and committed such a serious crime? What really did happened that night?
My Thoughts: This was a good book. Most historical fiction books written in this time period dwell primarily on conflict between castes-she is rich, he is poor, but they are in love kind of thing.
This one though, was an actual mystery, and a good one at that. I definitely enjoyed the plot and the mystery, and the characters were interesting, making this book a fun read.
This book will appeal to historical romance and mystery lovers alike, and I enjoyed it.
I would like to thank Bethany House for providing me with a free digital copy of this book for my unbiased review. Thank you!

This was an interesting to me as I loved the fact that the locale was an island. I was born on island and I teach about islands. The ‘who dunit’ subject was a little slow in moving the novel forward. I did enjoy the romance factor. The main woman’s character was intriguing and I loved the flooding details as I teach Geography.

Nothing but warm feelings embraced me as I turned the last page of Julie Klassen’s The Bridge To Belle Island. A novel that had my head spinning in so many directions… but I enjoyed every bit of it!

I feel like if I go deep into what I really thought about this novel that some spoilers will accidentally slip out, so sorry in advance for my somewhat vague review. 😉 The way that The Bridge To Belle Island started off was amazing. Klassen instantly introduced readers to a story full of mystery, struggle, and faith. Right off, readers get an idea of who the characters are and what their roles are in the story. Only to be surprised that everything wasn’t what it seemed. At least I was surprised. As for the leading characters? Throughout the novel, they struggled with real issues that I could relate to. And the way they came out stronger was something I really liked.

The Bridge To Belle Island also seemed different from Klassen’s previous novels. Maybe because I felt more of a Agatha Christie/Charles Dickens vibe instead of the Brontë/Jane Austen vibe that I usually associate with this author’s writing style. And I loved that difference! It made the story special and kept the characters unpredictable. And the nice thing about it is that I can’t remember one boring moment reading this. It was enjoyable from beginning to end!

*Thanks to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for providing a free copy for my honest review. All thoughts expressed are my own.*

“The Bridge to Belle Island” features both a mystery and a romance. Beginning with a suspicious death in the first chapter and ending with a dangerous situation, this book continually engages readers with action and suspense. The romance between Isabelle and Benjamin adds another dimension to the story. These main characters appear human and fallible, as each possesses a hidden characteristic that prevents them living a full and rich life.

Overcoming these difficulties presents an underlying lesson and source of encouragement for readers.
The opening quotations provide some insight and foreshadowing of themes. Discussion questions at the end of the book also draw attention to key ideas and serve as fodder for discussion groups. The Christian aspects of the story are overt, but not preachy. Readers who enjoy Christian fiction with romance and a touch of danger will enjoy this novel by a well-read and well-known Christian writer.

I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Lots of mystery in this book. Definitely kept me trying to figure it out. A bit of romance thrown in and it makes for a great read! I really enjoy Julie Klassen's books and look forward to the next one.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley on behalf of the Publisher and was under no obligation to post a favorable review.

Can Isabelle find a bridge to the future?
Benjamin Booker is a young lawyer who is embarrassed by a case that went badly. To get away from the scandal, his boss, Mr. Hardy, sends him to Belle Island ( a small island on the Thames) to investigate Miss Isabelle Wilder and her possible connection to the death of her Uncle Percival. Percival is a former law partner of Mr. Hardy's firm. He has handled the trust for Miss Wilder in a particularly sting way. It is 1819, so women often had to deal with men running their lives, even if the women were smart and capable. Benjamin admires Miss Wilder, but can she be trusted or does wine from her island that poisoned her uncle make her a prime suspect.
Isabelle claims she is innocent because she has not left the island in ten years. There is a superstition that she believes that anyone who leaves the island will die in some horrible accident. As the police, Benjamin and others do further digging, they find that there are quite a few people who would benefit from Percival's death.
The author has created a very atmospheric that brings the era and setting to life. It is always fun to learn history fiction rather dry history books. This tale is as much a historical mystery as a romance. My only criticism is the heroine's fear of leaving the island is brought up too many times. If you like sweet historical romance, this is the book for you.
Thanks to Netgalley for giving me a chance to read and review this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve heard great things about Julie Klassen’s books, so when the opportunity came to read her latest release, I looked forward to giving it a try. The Bridge to Belle Island is a historical mystery set in 1819 England. It reminded me a lot of the cozy mysteries I love to read, but with a more contained romance, so I enjoyed it even more and will definitely be reading other Klassen books.

Benjamin Booker is a lawyer who gets the wool pulled over his eyes by a pretty woman and in so doing, he loses a huge case in court. Embarrassed, but given a second chance by his boss and mentor, he agrees to search for answers to the murder of one of their firm’s partners. Benjamin suspects the man has been poisoned though on first glance it looks like he’s been struck on the head.

Benjamin’s boss knows his partner had an argument with a client, so he sends Benjamin to Belle Island to investigate. Benjamin must steel himself against being taken in by another pretty woman since Isabelle Wilder definitely fits that description.

Isabelle loves her island along the Thames. After losing several loved ones, it’s the only place she feels safe. When her home is threatened, she takes a stand against the man who wants to take it away. All that does is land her as the prime suspect in a murder investigation. Can she convince everyone that she is indeed innocent even though everything points to her guilt?

The list of characters who seem guilty is long and the twists and turns of Benjamin’s investigation keep readers guessing at who-done-it. I also liked that the romance thread of the story wrapped up within the telling of this story, unlike many cozy mysteries that weave that thread over several books. The ending felt a tad drawn out, but the characters were such that I didn’t want to leave them behind once the story ended.

I’m glad I chose to read The Bridge to Belle Island and look forward to checking out other books written by Julie Klassen. I hope you’ll enjoy this one, too.

—

I received this book free from NetGalley in order to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Bridge to Belle Island is a really fun murder mystery! I didn't expect that it would lean quite so hard into the murder mystery aspect of the plot, but I found that I really enjoyed it! The plot kept me guessing throughout, and I didn't ever have it quite figured out.

I did feel, though, that once the killer was revealed and the mystery portion was over, the rest of the book fell a little flat. A good 350 or so pages are devoted to a short time period (maybe 2-3 weeks), and then the last 40 pages span months. After being so engaged in the first 85% of the book, I felt like an outsider looking in during the last 15%. It almost felt to me like the novel needed to end once the mystery wrapped up, and then Isabelle and Benjamin's story could continue in a future novel.

I still really enjoyed the novel, and I would recommend it, but it wasn't quite as amazing as I've come to expect a Klassen novel to be.

The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen is a fascinating historical novel. I believe this is Julie Klassen’s best novel yet. The story contains rich, developed characters. The authors vivid descriptions made the characters come alive for me. I enjoyed the depictions of their clothing along with the scenery and homes. I thought Julie Klassen captured the time period. It was fascinating to learn more about the Thames. Living on Belle Island when there are heavy storms is like living in Florida when a hurricane approaches. The water level rises subjecting the inhabitants to flee to the mainland and hope that their homes will still be there when they return. The mystery was fascinating and fun to solve. Someone with access to Percival Norris’s home must have done the evil deed and we get to follow the clues to discover which individual committed the crime. The romance plays out slowly which I liked. Ben is understandably hesitant to trust any woman and Isabel has her own reasons for distrusting men. Julie Klassen’s writing is compelling and drew me right into the story. The pacing is languid which suits the time period and story. The Bridge to Belle Island has romance and mystery in Regency England which is a fabulous combination.

(4.5 stars) - a Regency murder mystery/romance

This was my first Julie Klassen book, and I very much enjoyed it. I love Regency romance as well as Agatha Christie mysteries, so this was totally appealing 

While it's fairly obvious whodunit before the halfway point of the story, peeling away the layers of events that obscured the truth is a bit more complex & made things more interesting - though the coincidental involvement of one of the characters in so many unrelated incidents seemed a bit much 

The romance between Isabelle & Ben is done well. The interplay of their life-directing (& limiting) fears - Isabelle's fear of loss & death with Ben's fear of inadequacy & failure - which culminates in them both suffering from debilitating anxiety disorders, gives them an empathetic bond from the outset. 

I particularly liked how they helped each other grow spiritually, and helped each other to cope with their issues rather than simply & conveniently being healed - God does heal, of course, but more often than not, He wants us to learn to carry our cross. I really appreciated the positive message along with the sweet romance 

*Clean romance level: sweet kisses, nothing graphic 
*Religion: overtly Christian, not at all preachy

I received an ARC from Bethany House via NetGalley this review is my personal opinion

Julie Klassen did a great job in this book, I can only say good things. In this story we go to 1819, we first meet Benjamin Booker, he is a young lawyer in London and he is on court defending what he believes is an innocent client, what happens from here determine not only the tone but also his attitude through the story. Now, here comes the interesting and the most important part of the story. Benjamin was with his mentor Mr. Hardy and they found Percival Harris ( a former lawyer from the law firm) and also a friend of Benjamin mentor dead under suspicious circumstances. Here we start asking so many questions, why him? What were the reasons? And of course who did it?

Benjamin goes to Belle Island in Berkshire as a request to help his mentor to get an answer from Isabelle Wilder since they were heard fighting a few days before he was murder. One of the things I like about these books is that we have two very human characters, with flaws and physical situations. We learn that Benjamin has some issues with his father and brother and in Isabelle's case, her fears on leaving the island (all do sound exaggerate) are real. While the story is developing we have more clues, but also more suspects. And of course more questions!. But, the best of this story and is the reason what I think it is a great choice for anyone who loves historical Christian fiction. This is the type of book that gets better and better. You will not only have all your answers and maybe be a bit shock, but we also remember how valuable and important we are for God, to have faith in Him, and to take a small step toward healing and a new beginning.

This book is the epitome of the cozy mystery genre. Red herrings every chapter, a softly forming romance, and British mainstays make this just as charming as suspenseful.
The story begins with Benjamin's unfortunate gaffe, causing him to question his own abilities and wondering if he allowed a member of the fairer sex to mislead him. On the heels of this humiliating incident, he begins investigating the death of a wealthy but misliked by many Londoner. Benjamin jumps right in, eager to take on the case that will get him out of the city, hopefully long enough for some other news or rumor to let him slip out of the limelight. When the investigation takes him to Belle Island, he fights his feelings towards possible suspect and niece of the murder victim, Belle, vowing to not make the same mistake that put him in hot water in the first place.
As the clues pile up, it becomes even more difficult to figure out whodunit. Did Belle have a larger part than even she realizes? Past mysteries rise to the surface to become entangled with the present case, proving that even the simplest of matters are influenced by our history.
There were a few chapters where the pacing lagged which could have been whittled down without detracting from the story, but this is my only complaint about the book. There was a large cast of characters, but each was given his or her own unique personality that made it easy to keep them all straight. In addition, the author has clearly down her historical research and used the setting and place to her advantage rather than as a lushly padded background. I never came even close to guessing the murderer ahead of time, and yet the clues more than satisfactorily explained the who and why.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary advance copy. This had no impact on my review.

She wanted to trust, but fear and worry all to often won out.

Benjamin Booker is always seeking the admiration of his mentor and lead partner Mr. Hardy. After a devastating loss on a case, Mr. Hardy and Booker visit an old partner Percival Norris which leads to a crime scene. His partner is dead and the evidence leads to Isabelle Wilder of Belle Island. With Hardy's encouragement, Booker goes to Belle Island with the pretense to handle the legal affairs of Miss Wilder. A single woman that has isolated herself on her family's island. She handles the affairs of her niece Rose Lawrence. Ms. Wilder's fear of leaving the island comes from the loss of her family. A superstition that if any family members leave the island, they will meet their demise.

With Mr. Booker's arrival to the island, he is taken with Ms. Wilder but does not want to be fooled again with any deceit. Can he believe Isabelle? Mr. Booker untangles the web of lies that ensnare both him and the woman he has fallen for.

With a Christian theme, I enjoyed the mystery of the crime and how it all unraveled. The characters were easy to relate as they relied on their faith and begin to see their faith anew. It was an enjoyable read as it was descriptive of the island and the character building that was developed thru the plot.

A Special thank you to Bethany House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

Klassen has given us a fun murder mystery with a little bit of romance. It was slightly different than I was expecting. Not my favorite of all her works but still well done. She always does a great job of giving you characters with great depth. I also always love the way she beautifully describes her settings so you can really picture them as you read.

The Bridge to Belle Island
by Julie Klassen

Bethany House


Bethany House Publishers
Christian

Pub Date 03 Dec 2019  


I am reviewing a copy of The Bridge to Belle Island through Bethany House publishers and Netgalley:



Benjamin Booker whose a lawyer resolves to never trust another woman after a mistake humiliated him.


After an old friend is killed, the senior partner of bow street isn’t satisfied with the way things are handled and asks Benjamin to investigate. Benjamin who is more than ready to leave London, at least for awhile agrees. The evidences takes him to a remote island on the Thames, a place that is a world unto itself and is shrouded by mystery. It doesn’t take long before Benjamin finds himself falling for the main subject, a woman who hasn’t left the island in ten years. The problem is he doesn’t know whether he should trust her or not.


Isabelle feels safe on Belle Island, and she leads a productive life, but fear has her trapped there. After Mr Booker shows up at Belle Island with news of her trustees murder in London, she’s stunned. Isabelle hasn’t left the island, but she’s had a recurring dream about a mans death, or could it be an actual memory? She’s had a lot of anger against him, but this was not something he wanted.



After a second person died and the evidence surprisingly points to her, Isabelle has no idea who she should trust. The lawyer whose attractive or the admirer of friends who assemble on the island. They each have grudges against the victim. Isabelle is not even sure that she can trust her own mind. Searching for the truth leads to secrets being brought to the light, and the danger that ensues.



I give The Bridge of Belle Island five out of five stars!


Happy Reading!

This is a terrific English historical mystery. I loved everything about it. The historical setting has outstanding detail. The description of Belle Island made me want to visit there. The storyline is intriguing and romantic. I would think that I had the mystery solved, and then another credible suspect would pop up that would make me question my theory. (I love books like that!) The two main characters are believable and I liked them. Benjamin and Isabelle’s story does not get off to a smooth start, and Isabelle herself is a main suspect, and Benjamin finds himself In a position of not knowing who to trust, even if she appears to be a sweet and beautiful young woman.

If you like English mysteries, you’ll love this one. This book is a keeper, and a I’ll be reading it again.

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

I've read Julie Klassen's Ivy Hill books and really loved them. The Bridge to Belle Island had a great mystery to it along with a fantastic setting along the Thames. I loved Benjamin and Isabelle along with all the side characters. The mystery kept me guessing til the end.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Julie Klassen presents quite the Regency mystery in Bridge to Belle Island, set in 1819. There are so many levels in which one can relate Klassen’s characters. We start with the hero, Benjamin Booker, a young attorney at a prestigious law firm. Booker is young and eager, but failing, afraid, and angry at his demanding father, who chooses to honor Ben’s brother over Ben. Booker has “adopted” his boss and mentor, Mr. Robert Hardy, one of the firm’s founders, as a “surrogate” father figure. Who can’t relate to failure or the fear of failure? How many of us, whether we had good parents or not, could not also point to at least one other adult who made significant contributions to our lives? Ben will need to decide about two loves... that of a certain lady, and whether his father should ever be given a chance to regain his trust and love again.
Our other main character is the very capable, middle-aged spinster, Miss Isabelle Wilder. With her trustee dead, can she finally control her own life, as well as that of her niece, whom she helped raise? Will the old family curse visit Isabelle or will fear of it defeat her? With a bevy of possible suitors, who will she choose?
And, of course, the mystery itself. I love it. We start out with the death of Mr. Norris, Isabelle’s and Rose’s trustee, early on. It will take us a journey through the whole book, with many stops and multiple suspects, to finally discover the true mastermind behind Norris’s death. The novel carries a sense of Edgar Allen Poe, the Clue game, and Charles Dickens all rolled into one. What fun, except for a few times when things were so bleak, I wanted to cry. About three-fourths the way through, the narrative lagged, but picked up and surged forward.
The faith message includes reminders of Philippians 4:6,7. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Faith in God, discernment of whom to trust, and forgiveness are themes in this novel full of twists.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and publisher through NetGalley.
This in no way affects my opinions, which are solely my own.

While Julie Klassen has a mysterious thread to most of her books this was more on the verge of a cozy mystery and I loved it. This is a must read I highly recommend if you love regency romance.

The Bridge To Belle Island by Julie Klassen is a fabulous Christian historical crime novel that I just could not put down.
The action is set in the early nineteenth century in London and on the fictional Belle Island near Maidenhead. The air in the capitol is polluted in both physical and spiritual terms and is in sharp contrast with the fresher air and sunny personalities on Belle Island. Lives live here in community in contrast with the isolation of London.
After crimes are committed, a young lawyer seeks the truth. The truth will always set us free. Lies will imprison us. Sometimes it is the lies we tell ourselves in our minds that build up psychological walls meant to keep us safe but actually trap us.
Events in the past loom large in the present as lives pinpoint backwards to a moment in time. Old insecurities must be faced and dealt with.
There is the theme of forgiveness. If we do not forgive, we risk becoming bitter and carrying a burden that was never meant for us.
The theme of trust looms large. Suspicion lurks around every corner as we wonder who committed the crimes.
A character really wants to trust God. “She did not trust Him (God) with the lives of those she loved… She wanted to trust, but fear and worry… won out.” We need to take a step of faith and trust God, putting our fears and worries aside. When fear and worry darken our lives, we must face them with prayer. “Reminding me not to worry but to pray.” Prayer changes everything.
Julie Klassen has created a marvellous plotline that kept me glued and guessing. I always love her novels and her eclectic mix of characters.
The Bridge To Belle Island is a quintessentially English novel. As I live in England I appreciated the quality of the landscape as well as the artistry of the writing. It was simply marvellous.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

Akin to Rosamunde Pilcher, Julie Klassen's writing is like a warm blanket on a cold day: comforting and relaxing. Her strong sense of setting and characters create an atmosphere that is easy to slip into and forget everything else but the story you are reading.

The Bridge to Belle Island is a delightful mystery with just the right amount of romance. It is a story of healing through faith and through forgiveness. It establishes the importance of family and other relationships.

I loved the examination of the different relationships as it tried to solve a murder mystery. The mystery didn’t give anything away until the characters had the answers which is important for me in a mystery. I hate figuring it out too fast. I am happy when an author can keep me hanging on for the answer and stumps me.

The most important theme I found was forgiveness and healing through faith. It allows for the characters to be full and nuanced. I was drawn into this books and completely enjoyed the story.

I received an ARC through the publisher on NetGalley

A fantastic read by Julie Klassen! This was an easy book to dive into. I was captivated through the whole story. This was a quick read because I did not want to put it down!

Benjamin Booker makes a mistake when he trusts a woman, vowing not to make that same mistake again. When an old friend is found murdered Booker finds himself on Belle Island investigating what happened. There he meets Isabelle Wilder, sister to the man found murdered. Will Booker solve the mysterious murder and how is Isabelle involved in all of this?

Julie Klassen does not disappoint as an author. She captivates her audience leaving us wanting more!