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Cold Manor: A Gothic Victorian Mystery
When a reclusive widow dies under suspicious circumstances, her final letter reveals a conspiracy spanning centuries.1856, Thornwick, England. Two years after exposing the body-snatching ring, investigative correspondent Rebecca Hayes has earned her reputation as Yorkshire's most fearless seeker of truth. When Lady Margaret Whitmore—the widow who helped solve her first case—is found dead in her locked library, Rebecca knows this is no simple suicide.
Margaret's final letter promised to reveal the truth about Rebecca's father's death. Now both women's secrets are buried with her.
Lady Whitmore had been researching her late husband's involvement with French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars, uncovering evidence of a conspiracy that reaches back fifty years. When Rebecca investigates, she discovers Whitmore Manor holds more than family secrets—its underground tunnels hide a mass grave of murdered prisoners and evidence of an illegal mining operation that continues to this day.
In the shadow of Gothic manor walls and ancient mining tunnels, Rebecca must expose a conspiracy that spans generations.
The trail leads Rebecca deep beneath Yorkshire's countryside, where hidden chambers reveal the horrifying three prominent families have been profiting from murder and theft for decades. What began as wartime crimes has evolved into a modern criminal enterprise, and Margaret Whitmore died because she threatened to expose it all.
But investigating a centuries-old conspiracy makes Rebecca the next target.
When a mysterious Frenchman arrives claiming to research his grandfather's disappearance, Rebecca discovers she's being manipulated by the very people she's investigating. The underground tunnels become a deadly maze where Victorian propriety offers no protection against those who have killed to keep their secrets for fifty years.
Gothic atmosphere meets historical intrigue in this darkly compelling Victorian thriller that proves some family legacies are worth killing for.
What readers are "Cold Manor delivers everything I loved about Hollow Ground with even higher stakes and deeper mysteries."
"M.J. Hartwell has created a Victorian detective who rivals the best historical mystery protagonists."
"The perfect blend of historical depth and psychological suspense—I couldn't put it down."
Perfect for readers who ✓ Victorian historical mysteries with authentic period detail
✓ Gothic mansion settings with hidden passages and dark secrets
✓ Strong female protagonists challenging societal expectations
✓ Historical conspiracies connecting past crimes to present danger
✓ Underground exploration and architectural mysteries
If you enjoyed Sarah Perry, Laura Purcell, or Deanna Raybourn, you'll be captivated by Rebecca Hayes's most dangerous investigation yet."Cold Manor" is the second book in The Thornwick Chronicles, a five-book Victorian Gothic thriller series. While each book features a complete mystery, reading in order reveals the full scope of Rebecca's evolution from conventional lady to Yorkshire's premier investigative correspondent.
Margaret's final letter promised to reveal the truth about Rebecca's father's death. Now both women's secrets are buried with her.
Lady Whitmore had been researching her late husband's involvement with French prisoners during the Napoleonic Wars, uncovering evidence of a conspiracy that reaches back fifty years. When Rebecca investigates, she discovers Whitmore Manor holds more than family secrets—its underground tunnels hide a mass grave of murdered prisoners and evidence of an illegal mining operation that continues to this day.
In the shadow of Gothic manor walls and ancient mining tunnels, Rebecca must expose a conspiracy that spans generations.
The trail leads Rebecca deep beneath Yorkshire's countryside, where hidden chambers reveal the horrifying three prominent families have been profiting from murder and theft for decades. What began as wartime crimes has evolved into a modern criminal enterprise, and Margaret Whitmore died because she threatened to expose it all.
But investigating a centuries-old conspiracy makes Rebecca the next target.
When a mysterious Frenchman arrives claiming to research his grandfather's disappearance, Rebecca discovers she's being manipulated by the very people she's investigating. The underground tunnels become a deadly maze where Victorian propriety offers no protection against those who have killed to keep their secrets for fifty years.
Gothic atmosphere meets historical intrigue in this darkly compelling Victorian thriller that proves some family legacies are worth killing for.
What readers are "Cold Manor delivers everything I loved about Hollow Ground with even higher stakes and deeper mysteries."
"M.J. Hartwell has created a Victorian detective who rivals the best historical mystery protagonists."
"The perfect blend of historical depth and psychological suspense—I couldn't put it down."
Perfect for readers who ✓ Victorian historical mysteries with authentic period detail
✓ Gothic mansion settings with hidden passages and dark secrets
✓ Strong female protagonists challenging societal expectations
✓ Historical conspiracies connecting past crimes to present danger
✓ Underground exploration and architectural mysteries
If you enjoyed Sarah Perry, Laura Purcell, or Deanna Raybourn, you'll be captivated by Rebecca Hayes's most dangerous investigation yet."Cold Manor" is the second book in The Thornwick Chronicles, a five-book Victorian Gothic thriller series. While each book features a complete mystery, reading in order reveals the full scope of Rebecca's evolution from conventional lady to Yorkshire's premier investigative correspondent.
263 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 24, 2025
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