Review – Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

Libby, a free spirit who can’t be tamed by her parents, finds solace with her neighbor Oliver, the son of Lord Croft of Ladenbrooke Manor. Libby finds herself pregnant and alone when her father kicks her out and Oliver mysteriously drowns in a nearby river. Though theories spread across the English countryside, no one is ever held responsible for Oliver’s death.

Sixty years later, Heather Toulson, returning to her family’s cottage in the shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor, is filled with mixed emotions. She’s mourning her father’s passing but can’t let go of the anger and resentment over their strained relationship. Adding to her confusion, Heather has an uneasy reunion with her first love, all while sorting through her family’s belongings left behind in the cottage. What she uncovers will change everything she thought she knew about her family’s history.

Award-winning author Melanie Dobson seamlessly weaves the past and present together, fluidly unraveling the decades-old mystery and reveals how the characters are connected in shocking ways.

Set in a charming world of thatched cottages, lush gardens, and lovely summer evenings, this romantic and historical mystery brings to light the secrets and heartaches that have divided a family for generations.

My thoughts:  I read the blurb above, and started reading the book, and I’m thinking, wow, they got this back cover copy totally wrong.  But this story is told in two parts, the first being the backstory to the above blurb.
It is a multi-generational story, set in three different time frames.   Maggie’s story, Libby’s story, and Heather’s story. All three are linked together by secrets and heartbreaks.
There is also a mystery regarding the boy next door. Who murdered him?  Did someone cover up the truth?  Who? And why?
This story is completely Wow!  I loved it. It was heartbreaking, spell-binding, engaging and real. I couldn’t put it down.