Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor

by Melanie Dobson     Mystery Howard Books   When Heather Toulson returns to her parents' cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth about a sixty-year-old murder. 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.  Don't miss this newest book by Melanie Dobson. Great read! Praise for Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor Dobson handles sensitive issues with tact, careful to avoid too much detail but remaining honest. Mysteries are solved, truths revealed, and loves rekindled in a book sure to draw new fans to Dobson's already large base.     ~ Publishers Weekly How far do patterns of behavior echo through generations? Are they passed down through a family's DNA --- or through choices subtly modeled by one parent after another? 'Armchair psychologists' will love how Dobson tackles these intriguing questions in this past-meets-present page-turner, and Anglophiles will find the manor, cottage and butterfly garden settings irresistible. Perfect with a pot of English tea!     ~ Christian Book Distributors Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/1HuCCkT

Meet the Author

Melanie Dobson is the award-winning author of 14 historical romance, suspense and contemporary novels. Two of her novels won Carol Awards in 2011, and Love Finds You in Liberty, Indiana won Best Novel of Indiana in 2010. Dobson received her undergraduate degree in journalism from Liberty University and her master's degree in communication from Regent University. She worked in publicity and journalism for more than 15 years, including two years as a publicist for The Family Channel. Prior to launching her own public relations company in 1999, Melanie was the corporate publicity manager at Focus on the Family. Dobson and her husband, Jon, enjoy living in the Pacific Northwest with their two daughters. When she isn't writing or playing with her family, Dobson enjoys exploring ghost towns, line dancing and reading historical fiction. Find Melanie online: website, Facebook, Twitter   Landing page: http://litfusegroup.com/author/mdobson