The Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen

It’s no secret that, being the Anglophile I am, I love Julie Klassen’s books. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that her newest release, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall was one of the three books I ordered on Christmas morning after opening my Barnes and Noble gift card from my in-laws. 

When it arrived on my doorstep a few days later, I was giddy with excitement. Of course I had to finish the book I was in the middle of reading, first. But I did. Then I curled in front of the fire ready to enjoy a jaunt into 1800s England. 

As usual, Julie did not disappoint. Margaret Macy, a spoiled rich girl, had to get away from her step father’s attempts to marry her to his nephew in order to gain her inheritance. But Margaret did the unthinkable. She not only ran away, she got hired in a country house as a maid. In the house of the man whose proposal she’s refused two years earlier!

Of course besides all the fun of the peek inside the worlds “above stairs” and “below stairs” there is the constant tension of wondering if Margaret— now Nora Garret— will be found out. 

It was a delightful read, one I had trouble putting down. Well done, Julie! I’m already looking forward to the next one! 

The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen

I had already read one of Julie Klassen’s books—The Apothecary’s Daughter—and thoroughly enjoyed it. So when I was given a copy of another of her books, The Silent Governess, I knew I had to read it. Especially after I’d met Julie face to face!

The Silent Governess did not disappoint. While not as dark as Jane Eyre can be, it follows in somewhat that vein of story—a governess, mysterious circumstances, and a somewhat moody master. What made this story even more fun for me was the setting, because I’ve been there! As I read about Arlington row cottages, a mill, an inn, and an E shaped manor house, I knew it matched my remembrance and my pictures of our trip to the Cotswolds in England. I emailed Julie—and I was right! In fact, Brightwell Court in the book is based on Bibury Court, the E shaped house in the picture below!

Isn’t that amazing? I loved that I’d been to the places being described—and that I recognized them from their descriptions! But more than just the setting held me riveted to the end of the book. Julie wove mystery and romance into one seamless story peopled by memorable characters. This one will definitely remain in my library!