Book Description:
A ghostly estate. A handsome caretaker hiding a secret. And the intrepid Hyacinth Bell who is set on solving the mystery of both.
1887, the Cornwall coast
For years, rumors have flown through the village of Suttonsbury about Ashthorne Hall--that its occupants hoard pirate treasure, that a ghost walks its halls--but botanist Hyacinth Bell only cares about the estate's extensive, one-of-a-kind orchid collection. As an independent woman, she is eager to focus on her career, even if it means waiting to pursue a romantic relationship. After all, love--like an orchid--must be nurtured and tended before it can bloom.
What she doesn't expect is to be swept away by Lucas Harding, the manor's caretaker, upon their first meeting. He is handsome and charming, and the connection between the two is nearly instantaneous. Hyacinth is certain this autumn will be the season that everything good in her life takes root.
But then strange things start happening in the seemingly empty halls of the estate: unexplainable noises, items appearing then disappearing from her room, threatening messages, and glimpses of a woman in white who vanishes into the dark. Lucas dismisses Hyacinth's worries, insisting that there is no ghost at Ashthorne Hall, but she suspects he is withholding information and decides to investigate the mystery herself.
Armed with little more than her instincts and her courage, Hyacinth must venture deep into the shadows of Ashthorne Hall to uncover the truth Lucas is keeping secret before she herself falls victim to the dangers hidden in the estate.Rorie's Review:
This was an enjoyable, quick read. I'm generally not a fan of insta-love romances, and that kind of bugged me a bit in this book, but other than that, it was a good story. I figured out a bit of the mystery before it was revealed, but not so much that I wasn't intrigued to find out why things were the way they were. I appreciated the author giving a bit of history in the acknowledgement section - I always enjoy reading more historical facts that help bring the story to life even more. The author did a great job of bringing the characters to life, and I found myself unwilling to put the book down.
Title: The Orchids of Ashthorne Hall
Author: Rebecca Anderson
Publisher: Shadow Mountain Publishing
Published: April 2024
ISBN: 1639932356
Source: We received review copies from the publisher. All opinions expressed are our own.
Purchase: Amazon Deseret Book
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