Surviving the assassination of her entire family former spy Jess Beauchene escapes France with nothing but a family heirloom – a cryptic diary in italian. Having spent ten years in hiding, she persuades art expert Derek Thornbury to translate and decipher the diary because it could keep any remaining family safe from danger.

A Pursuit of Home (Haven Manor #3) is about aristocrat Jess Beauchene who escapes attack on royal bloodline in Verbonne, France as an eight year old. She has since covered up her background and has been in hiding from the attackers in the English countryside. For years Jess has believed she was the only survivor of the attack in France, but now she gets report her brother is alive. Being in possession of an heirloom diary which is her only connection to her late family and her past, she feels it urgent to have it translated and deciphered.

I very much enjoyed the mystery part of the plot following Jess on her quest to reconnect with any remaining family. The wealthy and influential friends I recognize as characters from Kristi Ann Hunter’s Hawthorne House Series. I particularly enjoyed the reunion of Daphne and Kit from Heaven Manor Series coming together in this book to help Jess. Derek Thornbury is the interesting new character knowledgeable of the art world and skilled at analyzing objects connected to Jess’s project.

A Pursuit of Home (Haven Manor #3) seems different from others of this genre. I can’t remember having read about art collectors, analyzing techniques and painting brush strokes like this and found it very interesting. It makes the work stand out positively for me. Expertly mixed with amusing situations A Pursuit of Home (Haven Manor #3) makes for a delightful reading experience you don‘t want to miss.

There is in my opinion plenty of descriptions of funny and endearing situations making up Kristi Ann Hunter’s writing style which I enjoy a lot, both in Haven Manor Series, Hawthorne House Series and other works I have read.

There is a bit more of a mystery to this plot than the first two of the Haven Manor Series, which I like. My art appreciation is very limited at best, but I still found I enjoyed this story very much as the plot developed. Both exiting and interesting, reminiscent of a treasure hunt, as Jess and Derek travel across England in search for paintings, to explain her family history.

The romance I found a bit of a slow burn starting with mutual resentment, moving on to understanding and acceptance of each other and friendship. The faith element seems to play a background part in the beginning of the story. As the danger intensifies, the faith element seems to become more distinct.

A Pursuit of Home (Haven Manor #3) is an endearing story mixed with elements of mystery and danger. There is also a slight element of faith intensifying towards the end. Fans of Kristi Ann Hunter will enjoy this book. It is recommended for readers of historical fiction too. For similar works it might be a good idea to check out Julie Klassen’s and Sarah E. Ladd’s work