About the Book
When Heather Toulson
returns to her parents cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers
long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth
about a sixty-year-old murder. Libby, a free spirit who can't be tamed
by her parents, finds solace with her neighbor Oliver, the son of Lord
Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor. Libby finds herself pregnant and alone when
her father kicks her out and Oliver mysteriously drowns in a nearby
river. Though theories spread across the English countryside, no one is
ever held responsible for Oliver's death.Sixty years later, Heather
Toulson, returning to her family's cottage in the shadows of Ladenbrooke
Manor, is filled with mixed emotions. She's mourning her father's
passing but can't let go of the anger and resentment over their strained
relationship. Adding to her confusion, Heather has an uneasy reunion
with her first love, all while sorting through her family's belongings
left behind in the cottage. As Heather digs, she finds a mysterious
journal that belonged to a woman she never knew and it contains clues
that lead to the truth about a mysterious drowning decades ago. What she
uncovers will change everything she thought she knew about her family's
history. Award-winning author Melanie Dobson seamlessly weaves the past
and present together, fluidly unraveling the decades-old mystery and
reveals how the characters are connected in shocking ways. Set in a
charming world of thatched cottages, lush gardens, and lovely summer
evenings, this romantic and historical mystery brings to light the
secrets and heartaches that have divided a family for generations.
My Review ★★★★ ½ (Four ½ Stars)
It’s not often that a story moves me to such emotional depth
as Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor has done. It is a lovely and compelling read
and one that I didn’t want to put it down. I was mesmerized by the characters
and their plight—how negative choices followed from one generation to another,
repeating themselves almost verbatim and the consequences therein.
This is a complex story with many facets. The author chose
to include a character who has what today would be called Autism but in fact
very little was known about in the past. Perhaps the author drew from personal
experience and that is what gave such realism to this character, I don’t know. But
Libby was fascinating and strange and totally captured me from childhood to
adulthood.
Dobson exquisitely shows the isolation and rejection from
society that comes to families who have children that are perceived as
handicapped. I could certainly identify with Maggie, Libby’s mother, as I had a
daughter with severe physical and mental disabilities. Even in our so-called
modern society we experienced some heinous behavior from adults toward our
daughter in her lifetime. It is a daily struggle for a parent to stay focused
and positive for the child’s benefit. The author portrayed this element with
great finesse, though at times I wished for a few happier moments.
In life there are those who think trying to hide their sin
is the best solution but in the end the truth usually prevails. It certainly
did for Maggie. It cost her dearly in her marriage, with repercussions
spreading to her husband and daughter. Walter’s poignant and heartbreaking journal
entries begin each part of the story and are key to what drives it forward, in my
opinion. I felt so sorry for him from the beginning. Not that he was without
some faults but he was rooked.
There are some tough choices and decisions made by each
member of this family that can only be redeemed and used for good through their
surrender to Christ. Not everything is neat and tidy at the end but it was
still an engaging story because the author has a way of weaving words and
emotions together on the page that are mesmerizing. Shadows of Ladenbrooke
Manor is filled with love, betrayal, broken promises and dark secrets exposed.
Melanie Dobson has become one of my favorite
authors and I am looking forward to reading her future work. I
recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian historical/contemporary hybrids
laced with mystery and faith.
Thank you to the author and Howard Books for providing me
with a copy for review purposes. My honest opinion is all that is required. No
compensation has been received.
