The Vanishing at Loxby manor. Abigail Wilson. 2021. [January] 336 pages. [Source: Review copy]
First sentence from the prologue: "Impetuous. Risky. You needn't hold back now, Piers. I know precisely what's ticking in that mind of yours."
Premise/plot: The Vanishing at Loxby Manor is a gothic suspense novel set during the Regency in England. Charity Halliwell, our heroine, has made plans to stay with old family friends while her parents visit her brother in America. The Cavanaghs are old, old family friends. Piers, the oldest son, at one time held her whole heart with no reservations. But his heart wasn't technically free to give in return. Circumstances out of his control interfered with what might have been an offer of marriage. Now that she's returned from a five year stay in Ceylon, she's hoping to slowly but surely find a place for herself in England once again. Perhaps one day--in the far distances--she could find herself a position as a governess. Meanwhile, she wants to RELAX with her friends for a little while.
But soon after her arrival at Loxby Manor, well, all chances of rest and relaxation vanish....along with the literal vanishing of Selene Cavanagh. The two have a brief conversation. Charity loans out a black cloak and a brooch. Selene sneaks out of the house for a clandestine meeting...and never returns.
Charity and Piers work together to try to find out what happened....where did Selene go??? Did she elope with someone? Was she kidnapped? Is she being held hostage? Or is she....dead????
My thoughts: Though this is published by a Christian publisher, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this one to ANY reader who enjoys gothic mysteries OR Regency romances. It is ALL suspense/mystery/horror/thriller. No preaching, I promise.
I think my favorite part was that it kept me guessing. I did NOT see the twists and turns in this one. Perhaps other readers might? Certainly every reader is different when it comes to piecing together clues. But I thought it was well done. The gothic atmosphere was perfect. All the little details click into place by the end and it was quite satisfying. You don't recognize as you're reading all the little things that will come together to create quite a big picture.
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