BOOK BY: Abigail Wilson
Readers who loved A Rumored Fortune will enjoy the latest release from Abigail Wilson, Within These Gilded Halls.
Phebe Radcliff is a renowned painter running from her past. Finding refuge in restoring the artwork in Avonthorpe’s ballroom, Phebe finds herself thrust into a murder mystery and the hunt for rumored treasure. Lt. Graham Burke was never meant to inherit Avonthorpe but when his aunt is murdered, the estate and everything is given to him. Not knowing who to trust, Graham searches for the treasure that will save the estate from its financial woes but doesn’t expect a bigger crime taking place on his newly inherited property.
The story started slowly, but about three chapters in it starts to move. This was where my interest was piqued, and the story was engaging until the very end. There’s a slew of characters who aren’t who they seem – including the hero and heroine. Money is the ultimate goal and a powerful motivator for each character, so the criminals aren’t easily guessed.
The descriptions pull the reader into Phebe’s world. One can almost smell the fish in the air and the salty sea that borders the estate.
Some fun twists and turns near the end of the story makes me wonder if there is a follow up book coming. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.
I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.