Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey by Abigail Wilson {A Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

In this new Regency romance, Elizabeth knows she must protect her heart from the charm of her new husband, Lord Torrington. She is not, however, prepared to protect her life.

When the widowed Lord Torrington agreed to spy for the crown, he never planned to impersonate a highwayman, let alone rob the wrong carriage. Stranded on the road with an unconscious young woman, he is forced to propose marriage to protect his identity and her reputation, as well as his dangerous mission.

Trapped not only by her duty to her country but also by her limited options as an unwed mother, Miss Elizabeth Cantrell and her infant son are whisked away to Middlecrest Abbey by none other than the elder brother of her son’s absent father. There she is met by Torrington’s beautiful grown daughters, a vicious murderer, and an urgent hunt for the missing intelligence that could turn the war with France. Meanwhile she must convince everyone that her marriage is a genuine love match if her new husband has any hope of uncovering the enemy.

Determined to keep her son’s true identity a secret, Elizabeth will need to remain one step ahead of her fragile heart, her uncertain future, and the relentless fiend bent on her new family’s ruin.

Abigail Wilson combines her passion for Regency England with intrigue and adventure to pen historical mysteries with a heart. A registered nurse, chai tea addict, and mother of two crazy kids, Abigail fills her spare time hiking the national parks, attending her daughter’s gymnastic meets, and curling up with a great book. In 2017, Abigail won WisRWA’s Fab Five contest and in 2016, ACFW’s First Impressions contest as well as placing as a 2017 finalist in the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense. She is a cum laude graduate of the University of Texas at Austin and currently lives in Dripping Springs, Texas, with her husband and children. Connect with Abigail at www.acwilsonbooks.com; Instagram: acwilsonbooks; Facebook: ACWilsonbooks; Twitter: @acwilsonbooks.

I must admit that until just a little over a year ago, Regency romance novels were not ones that I typically reached for. That all changed however when I stumbled upon Abigail Wilson's first novel, In the Shadow of Croft Towers. I was drawn in by the description and decided to give it a shot. Immediately I was drawn into this world that the author had created. I have since been much more open minded to the genre and discovered many other great titles I have enjoyed... still, when it comes to Regency romances, none have been able to grab me quite like those by Abigail Wilson. Having read her previous two novels, I could not wait to get my hands on her third!

Masquerade at Middlecrest Abbey is not technically part of any series, as far as I can gather, however those who have read the author's previous works will certainly recognize some familiar names. The most noticeable of course being the leading lady herself,  Miss Elizabeth Cantrell, who was first introduced in In The Shadow of Croft Towers. You certainly won't be missing anything if you haven't read them, but if you're anything like me, you'll find yourself wanting to read more anyway so I might suggest you read it first!

Having so enjoyed her previous works, I had high hopes and expectations for this one... and I am happy to say that it did not disappoint. Once again I was drawn into this fantastic world of secrets and intrigue. Let's be honest, there is no shortage of secrets at Middlecrest Abbey, and when a murder occurs on the grounds, the question is: whose secrets led to it? I love how beautifully this story is told, with those secrets revealed ever so slowly throughout leaving us guessing through to the very end. Suspicion is thrown in many places, keeping us right at the edge of our seats wondering how it will all play out in the end. I was certainly not disappointed with how it all ended up! Of course, the romance made it all the better as well. It was a bit of a slow burn perhaps, as far as romances go, but I thoroughly enjoyed seeing these characters I came to enjoy get a second chance of love!

Overall, this was a great read that I am sure fans of Regency romance are going to want to check out. I also encourage anyone who loves a good mystery, but perhaps doesn't typically go for this genre to give it a try. Like me, you might just find yourself to be a new fan!