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.
My rating: 4 stars / 5
Main reasons: exiting plot with surprise ending, great character building, fabulous writing
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