The Secret of Pembrooke Park

By: Julie Klassen

Narrated by: Elizabeth Jasicki

Abigail Foster fears she will end up a spinster, especially as she has little dowry to improve her charms and the one man she thought might marry her - a longtime friend - has fallen for her younger, prettier sister. When financial problems force her family to sell their London home, a strange solicitor arrives with an astounding offer: the use of a distant manor house abandoned for 18 years. The Fosters journey to imposing Pembrooke Park and are startled to find it entombed as it was abruptly left: tea cups encrusted with dry tea, moth-eaten clothes in wardrobes, a doll's house left mid-play... The handsome local curate welcomes them, but though he and his family seem to know something about the manor's past, the only information they offer Abigail is a warning: Beware trespassers who may be drawn by rumors that Pembrooke contains a secret room filled with treasure. Hoping to improve her family's financial situation, Abigail surreptitiously searches for the hidden room, but the arrival of anonymous letters addressed to her, with clues about the room and the past, bring discoveries even more startling. As secrets come to light, will Abigail find the treasure and love she seeks.... or very real danger?

©2014 Julie Klassen (P)2014 Recorded Books

amazing book

I was looking for a historical romance book that resembles jane eyre and jane austen ' novels. To my personal dismay, most historical romance highlights physical attraction as the driving force of love, which I tend to disagree. This novel, however, refrains from such popular trend of romance and follows a rather sensible and delicate development to render a beautiful love story. with a good happy ending too!

great book

I think this is one of my favorite from Julie klassen. this along with maid of fairborne hall

Excellent narration - entertaining book

The audio performance was TOP NOTCH by the narrator and the book was good as expected from Julie Klassen.
I did feel the end kind of dragged out the last hour/half hour - but it's not a bing thing as the majority of the audio book was excellent!

Very good, Just not my favorite Julie Klassen book.

I have read and immensely enjoyed several of Julie Klassen’s books. Her writing, character development are all great. There is definitely romance, but there is always so much more to her novels. The romance that is there is certainly sweet and beautiful and, more realistically than most romance novels, is not based so strongly on outward appearances.

The Secret of Pembrooke Park has these characteristics as well, but I didn’t get into the mystery aspects of the novel as much as other reviewers did. It seemed a little too Gothic for me and not too believable. On the other hand, I liked that it ultimately connected to the novel’s main storyline.

As far as narration, I thought that Elizabeth Jasicki did a wonderful job. Yes, her reading was slow, but this was only in the beginning parts of the novel—and could easily be moved up to the 1.25 level without altering the sound quality. Otherwise she was a joy to listen to in every way!

very good story, great plot!

I really love this author. She writes compelling stories. I don't see what's coming in advance, it keeps me guessing.

Great book. Wonderful narration.

Entertaining and well written. Story line keeps you guessing. Includes a love story. Will read others by this author.
Love historical fiction.

a happy ending with love not lust

there is a depth of character in each person that I appreciate. no one is shown as all good or all bad... well except for that one guy but he really was all bad. the beginning of the book kind of draged on but that was probably more because I don't particularly like mysteries and there were so many in the beginning being hinted at that I was frustrated by it. all questions were answered and at the end I was left with a happy feeling.

Great mystery!

If I had been reading this book I would have given up half way through because it was long winded and didn't keep my attention very well. But in the end it was a good story!

Excellent!

Great mystery, romance and faith! I highly recommend it and the author and the narrator!

The story was good but way too long and dragged out

This would be so much better if it was reduced down and shortened up quite a bit. I had to force myself to keep going, but the ending was worth it and I’m glad I did. Reid if you have lots of patience and perhaps our next books will not drag on so much.