Within These Gilded Halls by Abigail Wilson Review

 Hello Everyone :)

Happy Friday, and thank you for choosing to stop by The Preppy Book Princess today.

I'm Kirby, and I'm excited to share a review with you all for the upcoming release from one of my favorite historical fiction authors.

I'm not necessarily a mood reader, as I can honestly read books at anytime of the year including Christmas books out of season and whatnot.

However, one of my favorite times to pick up mysteries is during the fall months, as they just seem that much more atmospheric.

Since we've been having an awful crazy heat wave where I live, I've been living vicariously through many mysteries, as it keeps me hoping that fall will hopefully be here before we know it.

I'm excited to share today's review with you all, and I hope you'll keep on reading below to find out if this upcoming book release lived up to all my expectations.

Within These Gilded Halls by Abigail Wilson:

Source: Publisher Via NetGalley

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication Date: October 1st, 2022

Genre: Christian Fiction/Historical Fiction/Mystery/Suspense

Synopsis:

After studying art for two years under Miss Drake, a renowned painter, Phoebe Radcliff is certain she can finally move beyond the childish mistake that’s kept her away from home. She is determined to carve a new, happier future and is thrilled when Miss Drake employs her to complete a complicated ballroom renovation—the first real test of her talent.

Everything changes, however, the moment Miss Drake is murdered. With her last breath she imparts the location of a clue to Phoebe. Can the biggest secret of Avonthorpe Hall be true—the rumored treasure real? Phoebe is tasked to finish the detailed trim work in the ballroom by Miss Drake’s infuriatingly regimented yet all-too-handsome nephew, Lt. Graham Burke. She finds herself in the perfect position to uncover the answers she craves about her beloved teacher’s death as well as fulfill the promise she made regarding the treasure. If only she can do so before Lt. Burke leases the house.

But dark shadows line the gilded halls of Avonthorpe. Soon enough, Phoebe realizes she’s not the only person with knowledge of the clues—and worse, she’ll need Lt. Burke’s help to stay ahead of whoever is hard on her heels. If only she wasn’t so attracted to the gentleman. And why is she exactly? She’s always had far greater plans for her life than an uncomfortable romance with a former military lieutenant.

Caught up in a deadly race for answers, Phoebe must find a way to breach the shroud of lies that surrounds every last resident in the house and, more importantly, face a past she’s been running away from for far too long.

(synopsis from goodreads)

My Review:

Abigail Wilson delivers another wonderful regency era gothic mystery in Within These Gilded Halls, and I think readers everywhere are going to find themselves drawn into the suspense and intrigue surrounding Phoebe and Graham's swoon worthy romance.

I know I can always count on this author delivering a mystery that will keep me engaged right throughout, and usually keep me guessing right until the end. While I'd have a hard time picking a favorite story of hers, this one is definitely right up there, and I could barely bring myself to put it down.

I'm always drawn to mysteries where the characters are trying to solve a mystery in the present that relates to the past, and I loved the treasure quest throughout this one, and how it draws Phoebe and Graham closer together, while at the same time shining a suspicious light on pretty much every character throughout the entirety of the story.

I enjoyed how well pieced together the mystery was, and I ended up being quite surprised by the end reveals. The author definitely keeps the reader hanging on for quite sometime trying to figure out who it was that killed the infamous Mrs. Drake, and I don't think anyone writes a mystery quite as enchantingly as Abigail Wilson does.

I honestly don't have a bad thing to say about this one, and I loved how it heavily reminded me of Jane Austen which is always a good thing in my book.

Another wonderful release from one of my favorite historical fiction authors, and one I'd highly recommend to anyone who is a fan of clean, faith based mysteries and/or regency era romances.

Final Rating: 5/5.

Thanks so much to Thomas Nelson for allowing me to advance read and review this one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary advance reader copy of this novel from the publisher (Thomas Nelson) via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own, and this is my honest review.

Thanks so much for reading guys! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend :)