Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Light Mystery with an Intriguing Setting and Scenario | Review of A Rumored Fortune



About the Book (from Revell)

Welcome to Trevelyan Castle, home of the poorest heiress in Victorian England

Tressa Harlowe's father kept his vast fortune hidden somewhere on his estate in the south of England and died suddenly, without telling anyone where he had concealed it. Now Tressa and her ailing mother are left with a mansion and an immense vineyard and no money to run it.

It doesn't take long for a bevy of opportunists to flock to the estate under the guise of offering condolences. Tressa knows what they're really up to. She'll have to work with the rough and rusticated vineyard manager to keep the laborers content without pay and discover the key to finding her father's fortune—before someone else finds it first.

Available now!

My Rating

Spring

My Review

This was an interesting historical read! I liked the way each chapter starts with a bit of vineyard wisdom that applies to other areas of life. I enjoyed the light mystery (light in the sense of pace and perceived level of danger; the stakes certainly seem high enough to the heroine!). And the setting is intriguing, with plenty of nooks and clues and even wide open spaces to explore.

Engaging while not necessarily "edge of your seat," A Rumored Fortune saves a handful of surprises for last, giving you time to guess and get to know the layered cast of characters. I wouldn't say the hero completely swept me off my feet, but the story still swept me away to a different time alongside a creative heroine who has some difficult lessons to learn and a heart needing to be given away.

A "castle," a vineyard, men with hidden motives, a woman in harsh circumstances, and a treasure waiting patiently to be uncovered in the proper time... All of this makes for a great read that leads you smoothly along to the generally satisfying conclusion.

*With thanks to Revell through NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary e-ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.*

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