"The Secret of Pembrooke Park" is the most recent Regency novel from Julie Klassen. Abigail Foster's family faces financial ruin due to a bad investment by her father. After being forced to sell their family home and find more reasonable accommodations, the Fosters are surprised to learn that a distant relation is allowing them to lease Pembrooke Park, a home that has been left vacant for nearly twenty years. Abigail oversees the work at Pembrooke and discovers that there is more to the manor, and family history, than meets the eye. Rumors of treasures abound and secrecy shrouds Pembrooke Park. Abigail finds herself in the center of the mystery, made even more intriguing when letters and old journal pages begin to appear in her mail.
This story drew me in completely with the mystery and intrigue. The romance is well-done and not overly sappy. The overall plot keeps the reader engaged from the beginning. The characters were well-developed and likeable. Having been a fan of Klassen's since the beginning, I found this book to be among her best works and definitely a significant improvement over her most previous work, "The Dancing Master". A charming book that I will definitely read again!
(Ive received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publishers through the Book Blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
This story drew me in completely with the mystery and intrigue. The romance is well-done and not overly sappy. The overall plot keeps the reader engaged from the beginning. The characters were well-developed and likeable. Having been a fan of Klassen's since the beginning, I found this book to be among her best works and definitely a significant improvement over her most previous work, "The Dancing Master". A charming book that I will definitely read again!
(Ive received this complimentary book from Bethany House Publishers through the Book Blogger program in exchange for a review. A positive review was not required and the views expressed in my review are strictly my own.)
I loved this book! It reminded me a little of an old Victoria Holt gothic novel. The heroine, Abigail Foster, was smart, kind and one who could be counted on. There is a great, foreboding mystery to the old estate in which they were living. Abigail was determined to find the "secret room", which was rumored to exist. Julie Klassen has done it again with "The Secret of Pembrooke Park."Very entertaining story and highly recommended.
I agree with Janice's review. I could not finish it. It just went on too long. It made me not care about the secret room, who was behind the problems or anything else. I quit about 2/3 of the way through and decided I'd read something that held my interest. I'm sure lots of people will like it, but it's just too long with nothing happening to keep my attention. Maybe next time because I have enjoyed her books in the past.
I have read several Klassen titles before and liked them.
I don't really understand why her novels are classed with "Christian fiction"; they seem like old fashioned traditional regencies to me; the people in them don't go on and on about their particular religion any more than many people in that age really did, when churchgoing was a more common thing and principles of Christian conduct were supposed to inform one's actions; there may be no overt sex in them but there are certainly references and consequences.
Whatever. That said, this is the first Klassen I was unable to finish. I bogged down in the middle, set it aside and couldn't pick it up again. For some reason the story and the "mystery" didn't hold my interest, and the central characters never came to life for me. Instead I would recommend Lady of Milkweed Manor or The Girl in the Gatehouse.
I don't really understand why her novels are classed with "Christian fiction"; they seem like old fashioned traditional regencies to me; the people in them don't go on and on about their particular religion any more than many people in that age really did, when churchgoing was a more common thing and principles of Christian conduct were supposed to inform one's actions; there may be no overt sex in them but there are certainly references and consequences.
Whatever. That said, this is the first Klassen I was unable to finish. I bogged down in the middle, set it aside and couldn't pick it up again. For some reason the story and the "mystery" didn't hold my interest, and the central characters never came to life for me. Instead I would recommend Lady of Milkweed Manor or The Girl in the Gatehouse.
This book was much longer than other ones by this author. That being said I finished it in a day because the mystery component was engaging. I found I didn't connect as much with the characters in this book and the subject matter was overall depressing really. It mentioned architecture but didn't really go into it like the subjects in her other books-it was mostly limited to one house that was constantly looked at. I did like the Pride & Prejudice references but was surprised by a lot of the dialogue from the rector. I didn't "fall for him" but in the end saw how it could work out the way it did. As with many mystery books once you figure out the secret you aren't likely to read it again, unlike many of the author's other books which I would read over, but I didn't strongly dislike this one.
About this book:
Abigail Foster is the practical daughter. She fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms, and the one man she thought might marry her has fallen for her younger, prettier sister.
Facing financial ruins, Abigail and her father search for more affordable lodgings, until a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play . . .
The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem acquainted with the manor's past, the only information they offer is a stern warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure.
This catches Abigails attention. Hoping to restore her family's financial situationand her dowryAbigail looks for this supposed treasure. But eerie sounds at night and footprints in the dust reveal she isnt the only one secretly searching the house.
Then Abigail begins receiving anonymous letters, containing clues about the hidden room startling discoveries about the past.
As old friends and new foes come calling at Pembrooke Park, secrets come to light. Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- Luke 8:17 at the beginning; Church going; Hymns are sung; Very good (but short) sermons; Many Scriptures are quoted; Scriptures are read and discussed; William Chapman is a Parson; Many Prayers.
*Note: a what the devil, a h*ll-bent and different people are called the devil.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a biddy; Drinking wine at parties; Some people think Pembrooke Park is haunted, so theres mentions of that, ghosts, skeletons, etc; Mentions of stabbing & blood (not-detailed); Mentions of murder & almost killing someone (boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed to semi-detailed).
Sexual Content- a 'wanton'; Two semi-detailed kisses; Wishing & Wanting to kiss; Hand kisses; Crushes; Noticing & Staring; a child born out of wedlock; Lousia is a flirt; Love, falling in love and the emotions.
*Note: Mr. Chapman (the local curate) asks Abigail Should I make passionate love to you to make him jealous? this causes heat to the face and him apologizing to which she adds I admit the notion is not within appeal, but I shouldnt like to use you in such a manner.
Chapman: I promise you, Miss Foster, it would take very little acting ability on my part.
Abigail: Thank you, Mr. Chapman. You are very kind to restore my fragile feminine ego. {This conversion takes place on pages 183 & 184. But Im now being told that making love does not mean what it is now, but flirting back in the 1800s. Its up to the parents to decide if they want their daughter reading these lines and the possible discussion.}
-Abigail Foster
-William Chapman
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1818 (Prologue set in 1817)
456 pages (!!)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Lower all ratings half a star for girls who have active imaginations.}
{Lower all ratings half a star for girls who are frighten easily}
Ive been so excited about this novel! I would read the back cover and sigh over how intriguing it sounded! I read this book in a little less than four hoursvery, very late at night. Which probably wasnt a good idea for a scaredy cat like me! The Secret of Pembrooke Park had an in-depth plot and some greats sermons by William but I had to lower ratings because of the comment in the Sexual Content and the mentions of ghosts and such. Imagine this, its really late at night (or really early morning-doesnt matter, the sun isnt up and its super quiet) and right when a chase scene happens your poster in your room falls! Scares the living-daylights out of you! This is what happened to me near the end of reading this book. ;)
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review.
Abigail Foster is the practical daughter. She fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms, and the one man she thought might marry her has fallen for her younger, prettier sister.
Facing financial ruins, Abigail and her father search for more affordable lodgings, until a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for eighteen years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play . . .
The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem acquainted with the manor's past, the only information they offer is a stern warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure.
This catches Abigails attention. Hoping to restore her family's financial situationand her dowryAbigail looks for this supposed treasure. But eerie sounds at night and footprints in the dust reveal she isnt the only one secretly searching the house.
Then Abigail begins receiving anonymous letters, containing clues about the hidden room startling discoveries about the past.
As old friends and new foes come calling at Pembrooke Park, secrets come to light. Will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks...or very real danger?
Series: As of now, no.
Spiritual Content- Luke 8:17 at the beginning; Church going; Hymns are sung; Very good (but short) sermons; Many Scriptures are quoted; Scriptures are read and discussed; William Chapman is a Parson; Many Prayers.
*Note: a what the devil, a h*ll-bent and different people are called the devil.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a biddy; Drinking wine at parties; Some people think Pembrooke Park is haunted, so theres mentions of that, ghosts, skeletons, etc; Mentions of stabbing & blood (not-detailed); Mentions of murder & almost killing someone (boarder-line barely-above-not-detailed to semi-detailed).
Sexual Content- a 'wanton'; Two semi-detailed kisses; Wishing & Wanting to kiss; Hand kisses; Crushes; Noticing & Staring; a child born out of wedlock; Lousia is a flirt; Love, falling in love and the emotions.
*Note: Mr. Chapman (the local curate) asks Abigail Should I make passionate love to you to make him jealous? this causes heat to the face and him apologizing to which she adds I admit the notion is not within appeal, but I shouldnt like to use you in such a manner.
Chapman: I promise you, Miss Foster, it would take very little acting ability on my part.
Abigail: Thank you, Mr. Chapman. You are very kind to restore my fragile feminine ego. {This conversion takes place on pages 183 & 184. But Im now being told that making love does not mean what it is now, but flirting back in the 1800s. Its up to the parents to decide if they want their daughter reading these lines and the possible discussion.}
-Abigail Foster
-William Chapman
P.O.V. switches between them.
Set in 1818 (Prologue set in 1817)
456 pages (!!)
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
{Lower all ratings half a star for girls who have active imaginations.}
{Lower all ratings half a star for girls who are frighten easily}
Ive been so excited about this novel! I would read the back cover and sigh over how intriguing it sounded! I read this book in a little less than four hoursvery, very late at night. Which probably wasnt a good idea for a scaredy cat like me! The Secret of Pembrooke Park had an in-depth plot and some greats sermons by William but I had to lower ratings because of the comment in the Sexual Content and the mentions of ghosts and such. Imagine this, its really late at night (or really early morning-doesnt matter, the sun isnt up and its super quiet) and right when a chase scene happens your poster in your room falls! Scares the living-daylights out of you! This is what happened to me near the end of reading this book. ;)
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
*I received this book for free from the Publisher for this review.
