"The Tutor's Daughter" by Julie Klassen

There is something for all Jane Austen fans to love in Julie Klassen's works! In her latest, "The Tutor's Daughter," I saw glimpses of Northanger Abbey, Pride & Prejudice, and Sense & Sensibility. Touches of du Maurier's Rebecca and Bronte's Jane Eyre, too. Of course this novel has its own story, but there's no doubt Klassen drew some inspiration from these classics, which remain well-known for that very reason!

Emma Smallwood is a sensible yet curious young woman who grew up helping her father run Smallwood Academy. After her mother's death, her father grows restless and allows the number of his pupils to dwindle. When they receive an invitation to come privately tutor the younger sons of a baronet, Mr. Smallwood jumps at the chance and soon Emma finds herself making a new home at the seaside manor of Sir Giles Weston. The older sons, Henry and Phillip, had studied under Mr. Smallwood in previous years. Emma is especially looking forward to renewing her friendship with Phillip.

Mr. Smallwood and Emma's arrival at Ebbington Manor turns out to be very different from what they expect. The family seems to be in some measure of disarray, and Lady Weston shows a surprising degree of disapprobation towards them. Soon mysterious happenings begin catching Emma's notice. Items appear in her bedroom which were not there when she went to sleep. On other nights she is awakened by beautiful music coming from the other side of the house, but no one will confess to being the midnight musician. When Henry arrives back at the Manor, his stern demeanor is everything Emma remembers, while Phillip is as affable and companionable as ever.

Within weeks it is quite apparent that Ebbington Manor and the Weston family have a hidden secret. Why is the north wing strictly off limits? Who makes wailing noises during storms? Whose opinions can Emma trust and who is looking out for their own interest?

I could not put this book down once I got to the heart of the story. Early on I had trouble connecting with Emma, and then the sudden and unexpected introduction of another character's point of view on page 85 was as jarring to me as the Smallwoods' arrival was to Lady Weston! But it also made the novel more intriguing, and after that it was a race to the finish to see the mysteries unravel and if true love would triumph in the end.

Click here to see more reviews of "The Tutor's Daughter." Also be sure to check out Julie Klassen's website for more information on all her releases.

I received this book from LitFuse Publicity in exchange for this honest review. All opinions are my own.

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