The Thief of Lanwyn Manor

Written by Sarah E. Ladd

Narrated by Jude Mason

In Regency England an advantageous match could set up a lady for life. Julia knows Matthew Blake, copper mine owner and very eligible bachelor, is the gentleman she should set her eyes upon. But why can’t she steal her gaze away from his younger brother, Isaac?

Cornwall, England, 1818: Julia Twethewey needs a diversion to mend her broken heart, so when her aunt invites her to Lanwyn Manor to be a companion to her pregnant cousin, she quickly accepts. Lanwyn Manor is at the heart of Cornwall's thriving mining industry, and as a guest Julia is instantly swept into its world of balls and parties. Despite her initial enchantment with her new surroundings, she soon realizes something dark is lurking in the ancient halls.

As a respected mine owner’s younger son, Isaac Blake is determined to keep his late father’s legacy alive through the family business, despite his brother’s careless attitude. In order to save their livelihood—and that of the people around them—the brothers approach the master of Lanwyn Manor with plans to help the floundering local industry. Isaac can’t deny his attraction to the man’s charming niece, but his brother has made clear his intentions to court the lovely visitor. And Isaac knows his place.

When tragedy strikes, mysteries arise, and valuables go missing, Julia and Isaac find they are pulled together in a swirl of strange circumstances, but despite their best efforts to bow to social expectations, their hearts aren’t so keen to surrender.

• Full-length, clean Regency romance set in the same time period as Poldark and Bridgerton
• Book 2 in the Cornwall novels (The Governess of Penwythe Hall, The Thief of Lanwyn Manor, and The Light at Wyndcliff), but can be read as a stand-alone story
• Book length: 85,000 words
• Includes discussion questions for book clubs

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Jan 7, 2020
• ISBN: 9780785223962

Sarah E. Ladd

Sarah E. Ladd is an award-winning, bestselling author who has always loved the Regency period--the clothes, the music, the literature, and the art. A college trip to England and Scotland confirmed her interest in the time period, and she began seriously writing in 2010. Since then, she has released several novels set during the Regency era. Sarah is a graduate of Ball State University and holds degrees in public relations and marketing. She lives in Indiana with her family. Visit Sarah online at SarahLadd.com; Instagram: @sarahladdauthor; Facebook: @SarahLaddAuthor; Twitter: @SarahLaddAuthor; Pinterest: @SarahLaddAuthor.  

Reviews for The Thief of Lanwyn Manor

[Berly · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Better than the first one in the series. Just okay.

[rafram-951185 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Julia Twethewey finds herself in a dangerous armed robbery where handsome mining captain Isaac Blake saves her from being shot. Strange things start to happen at Lanwyn Manor where she visits. Valuable items go missing and there is rumors the manor is cursed. Julia and Isaac have to cooperate to find what is going on with the mining community and the thefts from the manor.The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is the second installment in The Cornwall Novels by Sarah E. Ladd, published by Thomas Nelson. The story is set in Cornwall, England 1818 and focuses on Julia Twethewey as she goes to visit her cousin in Cornwall. On arrival she finds herself in the center of an armed robbery, where mining captain Isaac Blake saves her from being shot. When Isaac’s twin brother, mine owner Matthew Blake, starts flirting with Julia, she is pretty sure he just wants to get his hands on her uncle’s mine. Silver and jewels go missing from Lanwyn Manor and something seems a miss. Julia and Isaac are forced to cooperate as strange things keep happening at the manor.Main character Julia Twethewey is mine owner Lambourne niece. She seems quite a determined, assertive and kind but sensitive young woman who looks past wealth and status to focus more on personal character traits, like we would today. She is my favorite character of this story.Uncle William Lambourne is the mine owner who has a collection of negative traits. I find him seriously disagreeable and unsympathetic man who seems to not have much of a heart. He is by far my least favorite character of this story, although there were a couple of other strong contenders. I found the dramatic robbery at the start of the story was particularly well written. I could feel the danger, hairs rising on my back. I enjoyed the vivid and descriptive writing of impressive interiors of the manor and local environments, which made the story come alive.My favorite part of the plot was the mystery about the thievery from Lanwyn Manor. It included several surprising twists and an exciting ending to the story. My least favorite part was descriptions of Matthew Blake’s personal traits and attitude. He seemed condescending and prejudiced. I felt my skin crawl.The mining theme of the plot and the setting in Cornwall reminds me of the Poldark series, but it includes a mystery part about the manor and the sleuthing of the theft, which sets it apart from Poldark.Julia and Isaac were drawn to each other from when he rescues her in the robbery. They meet «accidentally» in the mornings to talk and as they get to know each other better, new closeness emerges. Fans of Sarah E. Ladd would love this story. Readers of historical romance fiction would enjoy it as well. Similar authors to explore might be Julie Klassen or Michelle Griep. All opinions in this review are completely my own.Conclusion: This plot is exciting with a surprising end. It reminds me of the Poldark series and reads like a mystery plot with romance included. I found the character building great and the fabulous writing drew me in from the very start. I excitedly await last installment in the series.

[kris_anderson-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah Ladd has Julia Twethewey traveling to Lanwyn Manor to be a companion to her cousin, Jane who is confined to bed during her latter part of her pregnancy. Julia is accosted at the Gray Owl Inn by men looking for her uncle. William Lambourne, Julia’s uncle, has closed Bal Tressa, his copper mine, which has the local miners up in arms. She is saved by Isaac Blake who helps run a local mine owned by his brother. Valuable items begin disappearing from Lanwyn Manor after Julia’s arrival, and Julia receives threatening notes encouraging her to depart. Something sinister is happening in Goldweth. Julia and Isaac team up to find answers. The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is the second installment in The Cornwall Novels. It can be read as a standalone if you have not indulged in The Governess of Penwythe Hall. I thought The Thief of Lanwyn Manor was well-written with developed characters. The point-of-view alternates between Julia and Isaac. I like that we get a male and female perspective because, let’s face it, men and women see things differently. The story moves along at a gentle pace which suits the story. I like how the pacing increases during tense moments. I enjoyed the authors vivid descriptions of Cornwall, the beautiful homes, and the fashions. There is tension in Goldweth with one mine shut down and the price of copper is low. I liked the mystery surrounding the missing items and the threats which added intrigue and suspense. I thought the author captured the time period beautifully. The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is an intriguing Regency novel with mysterious threats, hidden danger, a special romance, scared miners, and a matchmaking aunt.

[kbranfield-837433 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Set in 1818, The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah E. Ladd is a sweet historical romance with a slight mystery element.  Although this latest release is the second installment in the Cornwall series, it can be read as a standalone.

Suffering from a broken heart, nineteen year old Julia Twethewey  is in need of a diversion. So when her cousin Jane is bedridden due to pregnancy complications, she travels to Lanwyn Manor to keep her company. The house is in a mining town that is dealing with high unemployment rates partly due to her Uncle William Lambourne closing his mine. Julia's introduction to the town is frightening but she is charmed by Isaac Blake who rescues her from a threatening situation. However, her Aunt Beatrice insists she spend time with Isaac's twin brother Matthew since he owns the neighboring estate and mine. As strange and menacing occurrences continue,  Julia is uncertain whom she can trust and her heart and mind are at war as she begins to fall for Isaac. With Aunt Beatrice controlling her every move, will Julia and Isaac get the opportunity to explore their burgeoning feelings for one another?

Julia is a biddable young woman who finds it difficult to stand up to her overbearing Aunt Beatrice.  She is kind, compassionate and caring but she does not trust her own judgment due to her previous relationship. Julia is not at all interested in Matthew but between her aunt's insistence he is the one for her and her unquestioning belief in local gossip, she continues to see him. Julia can never quite let go of her attraction to Isaac, but is there any chance of a future with him?

By a mere three minutes, Isaac  is the younger son so Matthew inherits the family estate and profitable mine Wheal Tamsen.  Isaac would like to reopen the mine he inherited but he lacks sufficient funds to accomplish his goal. Despite his disappointment, he is content to continue to work with Matthew at Wheal Tamsen. Isaac is intrigued by Julia from their very first meeting but he steps aside as soon as Matthew expresses interest in her. He is suspicious of his brother's motives for becoming involved with Julia and the Lambournes, but there is nothing he can do about the situation. The two brothers are complete opposites and although Isaac clearly sees Matthew's faults, he is extremely loyal. However, Isaac eagerly looks forward to spending as many stolen moments as possible with Julia.

The goings on at Lanwyn Manor are quite puzzling and Julia senses something is amiss.  But she cannot quite figure out exactly what is making her so uneasy. Julia is stunned by a shocking accusation and she is also bewildered  by some of Matthew's behavior. She has stumbled onto some confusing information, but try as she might, Julia struggles to understand what it all means.

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is an engrossing historical romance with an interesting mystery to solve. Julia and Isaac are delightful characters who put duty over their own wishes. Aunt Beatrice is quite domineering and not very easy to like.  Sarah E. Ladd  brings the novel  heartwarming conclusion  that readers are sure to love.  Old and new fans are going to enjoy this lovely addition to the Cornwall series.

[hes7 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Take another trip to Regency-era Cornwall as Sarah E. Ladd continues her series with The Thief of Lanwyn Manor! (But don’t worry—it took me a while to remember Julia from The Governess of Penwythe Hall, so I can assure you that it reads easily enough as a standalone, too.) Recovering from a broken heart, Julia Twetheway heads to Lanwyn Manor to act as a companion to her bedridden, pregnant cousin. Of course, intrigue and danger arrive with her. Legends fill the house with a sinister air, tempers flare throughout the community from mining-related struggles, and Julia becomes caught in the romantic intentions of the Blake twins. Ladd allows the story around Julia to unfold with ease—and a couple great twists—making The Thief of Lanwyn Manor a delightful combination of mystery and romance. I so enjoyed this novel and recommend it to anyone in need of a Regency romance.I received a complimentary copy of this book and the opportunity to provide an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, and all the opinions I have expressed are my own.

[anne_rightler-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor by Sarah E Ladd is a wonderful historical romance. Loved the Cornwall early 19th-century setting where readers find Julia visiting Lanwyn Manor, hoping to find a cure for a broken heart. She finds a whole lot more! The characters are well defined and well rounded, with attributes and flaws and they are either likable, relatable, or despicable. They are colorful and riveting--an overbearing aunt, insolent house staff, a sweet cousin bedridden with a difficult pregnancy, and twin brother mine owners, who ultimately compete for Julia's attention. The storytelling is excellent and is replete with lots of twists and turns. There is a mystery afoot in the somewhat gothic manor as well, which helps to keep the interest high. The author has a lovely way with words as she describes the scenery, the homes, the customs, and the mining industry of the 1800s. I enjoyed the book and readers who love a little mystery mixed in with romance set in an English countryside will not want to miss The Thief of Lanwyn Manor.I received a complimentary copy of this book via CelebrateLit. A favorable review was not required, and opinions are my own. This review is part of a CelebrateLit blog tour.

[stardust_fiddle · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Until the past year, the Regency era held little to no interest to me. I attribute this to the fact that I’m not a romance novel devotee, nor do I find myself drawn to matchmaking tales or stories about typical marriage customs. I have read a couple of Jane Austen’s books, and I didn’t care for either one. I prefer the Colonial or Victorian periods. However, last year I read a couple of Christian fiction titles set during the Regency era, and to my surprise, I actually enjoyed them! One of these was “The Governess of Penwythe Hall”, which is book one of The Cornwall Novels series. As a result, I did not hesitate for a moment to sign up for the sequel!“The Thief of Lanwyn Manor” shares many of the themes of its predecessor, but with a unique plot that Sarah Ladd weaves into another intricate tapestry. This book could be read as a standalone, as there are very few spoilers, but I always recommend reading a series in order when possible to get the most out of it and to appreciate how everything comes together. Either way, this second book also has a simultaneously mysterious and romantic air about it. Fans of Abigail Wilson will enjoy The Cornwall Novels, and it is that layer of foggy inscrutability that most draws me to these books. There is an underlying aura of disquiet that permeates the story, an instinctive type of foreshadowing that blends into the romance and makes the narrative intriguing. The plot unfolds slowly but steadily, the pacing appropriate for the style. As for the characters, they are well-developed overall. Julia Twethewey, a child in “Penwythe Hall”, is now 19 and thankful for the opportunity to serve as temporary companion for her cousin, Jane, who is confined to bed for the last trimester of her pregnancy. Part of Julia’s motivation is also to fulfill both her desire and society’s expectation to marry well: “Of course she was in search of a husband. Every single lady of marriageable age was eager for security.” The twins, Isaac and Matthew, add romantic tension and enhance the mysterious elements, and numerous secondary characters populate the narrative to balance the scales. Because of the novel’s location setting, mining plays a significant role, and I learned about the struggles and dangers involved in this livelihood, which in this case become a primary source of conflict. As is still true today, different places, even when near each other, can be vastly diverse in their values and way of life. As Julia notes, “Geographically she was not that far from home, but indeed, there was no denying she was in a very different world.” Nevertheless, as “The Thief of Lanwyn Manor” goes to show, it is not where we live that truly matters, but rather who we are and how we live and, most importantly, Who goes with us.I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

[harley0326 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I don't usually talk much about book covers especially in reviews. I am making an exception for this one. The cover is breathtaking and immediately drew me to the book. It fits right with the story and the time period. The opening of the book will have many readers on the edge of their seat. Good grief ,I uttered as I began the story. This poor woman who has come to help out her family is staring down the barrel of a gun. The author does an excellent job of making the story intriguing as we are introduced to the stunning Julia. Her presence will stir up a mystery and perhaps grab someone's heart.I loved learning about the mines and how hard it is to endure the dangers as they work. I would get anxious and have to run out at the first little rumble I heard. Isaac and Mathew may be brothers but they are nothing alike. Matthew seemed calculated and kinda shady. I did not trust his interest in Julia at all. Isaac is very caring and his intentions are honest. It is a sure sign that something is not right when Matthew pursues Julia and wants to marry her quickly. I smell a rat somewhere and I hope Julia is not fooled by dashing good looks and words that mean nothing.The more I got into the book, the better the story became. The author weaves a tale of mystery that had me reading as fast as I could. Yes there are characters that are not trustworthy in the story and it causes danger for several. Decisions will be made in the story that will cause heartache and perhaps happiness. I can't give anything away so let me leave you with this. Find a comfortable place, grab a blanket and get ready to transport back to 1818 England where trust, danger and a mystery will keep you glued to the book. This is a must read for all Regency fiction fans. If you aren't a fan of this type of story you will be after reading this book.I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[virginia51-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this story and the main characters of Julia and Isaac. They were wonderful people. They were willing to help others over themselves. This story had secrets and intrigue. I did not want to put this book down. I needed to know how Isaac was going to be able to help all the people in the village. There were many twists and turns that had me guessing about what might happen next. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[eamace · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The author has once again given us a unique look at life in the Cornwall area around 1818. Mining is the business of the area, and the livelihood of all depends on the whims of the owners. Julia Twethewey, needing a new beginning, has come to help her beloved cousin, Jane, who is expecting a baby. Cue the Aunt who thinks she is a matchmaker.Things get really interesting for Julia, as she almost gets mugged, accused of thievery and is left feeling like she just doesn’t belong. Who really is the thief? Is there really a treasure in the Manor or is the story there just to frighten those who live there? All the twists and turns find the reader having no idea who the perpetrator might be. Add a wonderful old mansion with secret passages and hidden doors and you have one fabulous story.This ARC was received through Thomas Nelson. NetGalley and CelebrateLit. The impressions and comments are my own and were in no way solicited.

[grammy57 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is the second book by Sarah E Ladd that I have read and I am not disappointed. If you like reading regency books, you will enjoy this. She brings the main characters to life and gives a nice glimpse of life in that time period. The supporting characters were also developed nicely.The story flowed well and kept my interest throughout. I thought I had figured it out early on but throughout the book, I kept changing my mind on whom the thief might be. I will not even give a hint on who it was, but this will keep you turning the pages to find out.The editing was well done, which to me, is very important. I was given a chance to read and review this book from Thomas Nelson Publishing through Netgalley. The review is not required and the opinions are completely my own. I give this a 5 out of 5 star review.

[tcjrogers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is about Julia Twethewey,a young lady who travels to the mining town of Goldweth to stay with her aunt and uncle at their home, Lanwyn Manor, in Cornwall, England. She has left her home for a time to escape humiliation after being betrayed by a man she believed loved her. Upon arriving, she is accosted at gunpoint by men trying to rob her, but she is rescued from harm by Isaac Blake, a young man whom she finds it difficult to get out of her mind. She quickly learns that the townspeople do not like her uncle since he closed his mine putting much of the town out of work, and that they might possibly wish him harm. A series of strange events occur at Lanwyn Manor following the attack on Julia; valuables go missing, strange noises come from the attic, cloaked figures escape into the forest at night. Soon, it becomes clear that Julia herself may be in danger if she stays in Goldweth. But as much as she wants to go home, she is drawn to Isaac Blake and she doesn’t want to abandon the possibility of a future with him. But before any future plans can be made, Julia and Isaac must uncover the truth about the thief at Lanwyn Manor.As I started reading The Thief of Lanwyn Manor, I thought it started a bit slowly. But a few chapters in, it picked up, and I got drawn in. The story was full of action, emotion, scheming, deception, and mystery. Once I was into the story, I read most of the book in one day. I couldn’t wait to find out who was behind everything. Overall, I very much enjoyed reading The Thief of Lanwyn Manor.*I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[vintagebeckie · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fans of Regency romance are going to love Sarah Ladd’s latest novel, The Thief of Lanwyn Manor! Set in a mining town in remote Cornwall, the book finds Julia Twethewey looking for a diversion and a second chance at romance. But distrust and threats await her. I loved the fresh look at the Regency period presented by Ladd. Readers are treated to a very different kind of drawing room drama as the main character interacts with mining families dependent on the business decisions of her uncle. The period details, plus the information about copper mining in the 19th century piqued my interest. I am a coal miner’s granddaughter ? , so I was especially interested in the mining process and the economic and physical difficulties of the business. The romance between Julia and younger son (and therefore undesirable) Isaac was sweet — the two were made for each other, but have to overcome a lot of obstacles. The mystery, including curses, surrounding the ancient Lanwyn Manor kept the pages turning. As new threats emerged, Julia’s resolve firmed — no backing down by our intrepid heroine!The second of Ladd’s Cornwall novels, The Thief of Lanwyn Manor is a recommended read for those who love Regency and romance.Recommended.Audience: Adults.(Thanks to Celebrate Lit and Thomas Nelson for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are mine alone.)