Nocturne for a Widow: Sybil Ingram Victorian Mysteries, #1
3.5/5
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About this ebook
The ghost may be the least of her problems... Vivacious actress Sybil Ingram looks forward to a life of security when she leaves the theater in 1873 to marry a wealthy American. But when he dies on their wedding night, she finds herself a penniless widow. Her only legacy is Brooke House, a Gothic revival manor in the wilds of the Hudson River Valley. However, the eerie mansion comes with two tenants. One is a hostile ghost. The second, and far worse, is former violinist Roderick Brooke--the most insolent, dangerous, maddeningly gorgeous man she's ever met.
As Sybil and Roderick engage in a battle of wills--and wits--an even greater threat arises: the mysterious queen of local society, Mrs. Lavinia Dove. For reasons that Sybil can't imagine, Mrs. Dove is determined to have Brooke House and Roderick for herself... if necessary, by deadly means.
Nocturne for a Widow is a brilliant fusion of cozy mystery, romantic suspense, and romantic comedy, perfect for readers who love dashing Victorian women sleuths like Deanna Raybourn's Veronica Speedwell and Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody. And be sure to explore Sybil's continuing adventures, now available in one complete collection.
Amanda DeWees
Amanda DeWees received her PhD in English literature from the University of Georgia and likes to startle people by announcing that her dissertation topic was vampire literature. Amanda's books include the widely praised historical gothic romance "Sea of Secrets," a finalist in the 2013 Maggie Award for Excellence historical category, and the Ash Grove Chronicles, a captivating young adult "paranormal lite" romance series set in modern-day North Carolina. Besides writing, Amanda's passions include theater, classic film, Ioan Gruffudd, costume design, and the preservation of apostrophes in their natural habitat. Visit her at www.amandadewees.com to explore book extras and more delightful diversions.
Read more from Amanda De Wees
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Reviews for Nocturne for a Widow
22 ratings4 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is the best of Ms. DeWees' gothic novels so far! The mood is eerie and perfect the whole way through, and the touches of humor made her characters charmingly realistic. I devoured the whole thing in one afternoon, with much delight all the way through.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5If you enjoy gothic romance, complete with ghosts, you will love this book. The publisher's summary is quite adequate.Ms Klett is a very accomplished audio performer and gives real depth and voice to all of the characters, not just Sybil."This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In January 1873 London, Sybil Ingram leaves her theatre group and travels to the States to marry. But nothing goes to plan and she finds herself at Brooke House, in the Hudson Bay aiming to be a guardian to young Roderick Brooke.
This romance with a bit of a gothic mystery is a fun and enjoyable read. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Sylvia Ingram has been the darling of the British stage for a while, but it looks like it may be time to step down. She accepts a proposal from a wealthy American widower who has shown serious interest in her for a while.Sylvia packs her bags and sails to America under the belief of a secure life is awaiting her upon her marriage. She arrives to find her intended is deathly ill and his family is completely against his marrying an actress. Things go from bad to worse when her husband dies on their wedding night and she shortly finds out that she is a penniless widow. The only thing left to her is the Brooke House located in the rural Hudson Valley. It is an eerie mansion inhabited by a staff member, a ghost and Roderick, a local teacher and formerly a concert violinist. The ghost and Roderick are not happy about Sylvia’s arrival and make no bones about it.Sybil and Roderick are constantly at odds. He makes scathing remarks about her in hopes of driving her away, while she takes it but also dishes them back. At a point they find themselves on the same side of the fence when the local society queen, Mrs. Dove, makes it clear she is out to get Brooke House and Roderick for herself at any expense. Why is the woman so determined?Along with the mystery, there is tension between Roderick and Sybil from their stubbornness, their artistic tempers and there is an underlying current of attraction to each other that neither one will acknowledge.This isn’t a deep book, but it is a fun read with a little romance, bantering/bickering between the lead characters all in a Victorian setting.