Recent Reads - Beneath His Silence

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Beneath His Silence by Hannah Linder - Ella Pemberton is determined to find proof that Lord Sedgewick murdered her older sister, so she recklessly pursues the opportunity to get inside Wyckhorn Manor as a governess. Even though she has no qualifications or background to recommend her. Ella pulls off the ruse and secures the position, and is soon charmed by her sister's young son, Peter.

Henry, Lord Sedgewick, is surprised at how outspoken the new governess is, but she and Peter get along well, and Henry is desperate to provide security and happiness for his little boy so he allows Ella some special privileges and insists that she and Peter take meals with him. He soon finds himself more than politely interested in Ella, but his own guilt and bitterness - and the secrets he holds - hold him back. 

Ella makes use of the freedom she has at Wyckhorn to sneak into the library and into her sister's old room in search of clues to prove Henry's guilt. She eventually discovers a diary and the awful secrets it reveals, and she encounters a mysterious and malevolent figure in the house more than once. And yet, even her hard heart admits that the Lord Sedgewick she is becoming acquainted with would be incapable of murder. Is she seeing the truth, or is she being fooled by his kindness? 

When Ella and Peter are both threatened by violence and danger, Henry must act and hope that he is doing the right thing. When Ella's deception is exposed, will Henry ever be able to forgive her?

The themes of mystery, dark secrets, and revenge are used to advantage in true Gothic romance style, but forgiveness and redemption play roles that are just as important in the storyline. Ella is haunted by stubbornness and a desire for retribution, while Henry is haunted by guilt and old secrets. The characterizations are well done, and the shifts between viewpoint characters are clear and insightful. This is a beautifully written debut that makes me eager for more from this author!

From the Publisher:

Will Seeking Justice Lead to Her Own Demise?

A Gothic-Style Regency Romance from a Promising Young Author

Second daughter of a baron - and a little on the mischievous side - Ella Pemberton is no governess. But the pretense is a necessity if she ever wishes to get inside of Wyckhorn Manor and attain the truth. Exposing the man who killed her sister is all that matters.

Lord Sedgewick knows there's blood on his hands. Lies have been conceived, then more more lies, but the price of truth would be too great. All he has left now is his son - and his hatred. Yet as the charming governess invades his home, his safe cocoon of bitterness begins to tear away.

Could Ella, despite the lingering questions of his guilt, fall in love with such a man? Or is she falling prey to him - just as her dead sister?

Visit Barbour Publishing for more info on where to buy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

This is a book read during the month of November (#47) for The 52 Book Club's 2022 Reading Challenge

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