The Heiress of Northanger Abbey

by Nancy Bilyeau

From the bestselling author of The Blue comes this sequel to Jane Austen’s beloved coming-of-age story with a Gothic twist.

Gloucestershire, 1820: Catherine Tilney is living a happily-ever-after twenty-two years later. But her busy life as a clergyman’s wife is shattered by a letter that resurrects her darkest fears. Her daughter Phoebe has fallen under the influence of the unscrupulous Thorpe family—the very figures who once nearly destroyed Catherine’s happiness.

Determined to protect her child from dangerous fortune hunters, Catherine follows Phoebe to an isolated manor on Dartmoor. There, she finds a landscape of reckless passions, family secrets, and a dangerously charming aristocratic neighbor. It all feels eerily like the plot of the latest Gothic sensation, The Vampyre — but is Catherine once again letting her imagination run wild?

The Heiress of Northanger Abbey is a story of mothers and daughters, deception and desire—and of a woman who must learn to trust her power of perception before it’s too late.

“Jane Austen’s most endearing heroine, Catherine Morland (now Tilney), returns for a thrilling new adventure in The Heiress of Northanger Abbey. Bilyeau crafts an elegant story that pays due homage both to Austen and the Gothic novel, and gives the reader a fascinating view into the future of some of Austen's most iconic characters. Don’t let this one pass you by!” — Vanessa Kelly, bestselling author of The Emma Knightley Mysteries

Genres: Historical Fiction, Gothic, Mystery, Retellings, Suspense, Fiction, Regency

260 pages, Paperback

Published August 24, 2026

About the author

Nancy Bilyeau loves crafting immersive historical stories, whether it's Jazz Age New York City in "The Orchid Hour," the 18th-century Gothic manors, salons, and porcelain workshops in "The Versailles Formula," or Henry VIII's tumultuous England in "The Crown."

Her new novel is "The Heiress of Northanger Abbey," a sequel to the Jane Austen classic.

A magazine editor who has worked on the staffs of "Rolling Stone," "Good Housekeeping," and "Entertainment Weekly," Nancy draws on her journalism experience to research her books.

For her Genevieve Planche novels--"The Blue", "The Fugitive Colours", and "The Versailles Formula"--she also draws on her heritage to create a Huguenot heroine. Nancy is a descendant of Pierre Billiou, a French Huguenot who immigrated to what was then New Amsterdam (later New York City) in 1661. Pierre's stone house still stands and is the third oldest house in New York State.

Nancy lives with her family in upstate New York and enjoys reading, gardening, cooking, and touring historic houses in the Hudson Valley.

Visit Nancy's website at www.nancybilyeau.com

Reviews

[Nancy Bilyeau]

Over the length of my writing career, this is my first "retelling." I wrote 'The Heiress of Northanger Abbey' as part of a project on Kickstarter put together by Muse Publications. There were several writers involved. I was asked to pitch a classic Gothic text sequel or retelling, with other writers' selections ranging from Phantom of the Opera to Frankenstein and Dracula, and I landed on 'Northanger Abbey,' which is one of Jane Austen's wittiest novels and makes gentle fun of the protagonist, 17-year-old Catherine Morland, for being obsessed with Gothic fiction to the point that she has wild fantasies based on Gothic plots. Of course, an author's temptation might be to tell a story in which Catherine's Gothic fears prove real. But I wanted to do something different: Put Catherine in a situation where she has to use her perception and judgment to protect her 17-year-old daughter, who may or may not be at risk from ruthless fortune hunters. Perhaps her Gothic imagination will prove a hindrance--or could it be a help?

In addition to honoring Jane Austen's characters and telling a suspensful story with dimensional characters, I wanted to tell a historical novel very much set in 1820. The "action" of 'Northanger Abbey' is believed to have taken place in 1798. The world changed a great deal between 1798 and 1820, and I was interested in exploring that in my novel. The Regency finally ended that year, but the former Prince Regent, now George IV, began his reign under a cloud of public scorn and fury, and not only because of his treatment of his wife, Caroline of Brunswick. England was dominated by the Tory party, while in France and other parts of Western Europe, monarchs and conservative politicians seemed determined to hold onto power. Napoleon was dying on St. Helena. But the forces of revolution were not dead. The culture had been transformed by Lord Byron, Mary Shelley, J.M.W. Turner, Beethoven, and, of course, Jane Austen.

After the Kickstarter campaign, which focused on producing a set of beautiful books in a tête-bêche format, I received the rights back to my book. I decided to add a new chapter, make some tweaks, and write a long Author's Note. All in all, this was an unusual creative experience that culminated in a novel I am deeply proud of. I hope my readers will agree.

[Sophia]

Twenty years after the ending of Jane Austen’s gentle satire about gothic novels, the characters of Northanger Abbey are once again plunged into adventure. After penning several well-crafted historical mysteries, Nancy Bilyeau has turned her talents to a Northanger Abbey sequel full of all the gothic deliciousness for which a reader could love.

The sole narrator is a middle-aged Catherine Tilney nee Morland who has enjoyed a comfortable and happy marriage with her Mr. Henry Tilney, mothering her two lovely, bright daughters, and, as vicar’s wife of Woodston. But, when she enters the doors of Northanger Abbey and visits with her Tilney relations, she secretly feels inadequate and still that young, ignorant girl beside elegant Eleanor, a Viscountess, and confident Aurelia, Frederick’s wife and lady of the manor. The general has passed on and Frederick and his rich wife, Aurelia, have the abbey, but are childless. They are considering Catherine’s eldest, Phoebe- along with Eleanor’s son-, for their heir. The older Tilneys, take Phoebe with them to Bath for the social season while they take the waters. There, she encounters the Thorpe family once again and unsuspectingly writes of this to her parents.
Is history repeating itself?
Catherine is convinced the Thorpes both brother and sister and their offspring can’t have changed much, though settled and married, and worries for Phoebe even when Henry and everyone else tell her she’s being dramatic. Catherine goes to her daughter in Bath and in the presence of the others, she gets an even stronger sense that something is off even through the smiles and friendly overtures. An invitation to Isabella’s husband’s estate on the brooding Devonshire moors and the young girl’s fixation for horrid tales can only bring disaster, Catherine fears, but how can she prevent it?

Though young Phoebe is facing adulthood and the question of whether she wants the traditional life of an heiress debutante or will forge a less conventional path like her female heroines Mary Wollstonecraft and Mary Shelley, this is very much Catherine’s story. Is her imagination getting the better of her like it did once before or is she the only one seeing other people clearly? She is fearful and disheartened that no one supports her including her spirited daughter and husband, but I loved seeing her find her agency even through daunting situations.

The historical detail and atmospheric notes were sensational. Both mother and daughter were layered and vivid personalities so different and sometimes at odds, but still connected by something deeper. I was emotionally vested in Catherine and her efforts to do right by her daughter, engage with her own mid-life crisis as she decided what was true about her marriage and life or if someone was artfully trying to manipulate her into feeling isolated. That was a nice psychological touch I wasn’t suspecting.

All in all, this savory sequel won my heart connecting seamlessly with Jane Austen’s work and portraying a fresh original tale to compliment the classic. Old-style gothic suspense fans and Jane Austen lovers can joyfully take up The Heiress of Northanger Abbey.


I rec'd a print copy from the author and Great Reads Book Promo to read in exchange for an honest review.

My full review will post at The Quill Ink 9.10.26.

[♥Rachel♥]

Twenty-two years after the events in Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, Catherine Tinley is happily married with two daughters, residing with her family at the parsonage of Northanger Abbey. However, the conniving Thorpes figure into her life again when her daughter, Phoebe, encounters them in Bath and becomes fast friends with Isabella’s daughter, Charlotte.

Catherine is suspicious of their interest in her daughter, but her husband Henry and the rest of the family downplay her concern. Catherine insists on heading out to Bath to see what’s going on for herself.

I really felt for Catherine. While she did get her happily-ever-after with Henry, real-life is messy. Being the mother of a teenage girl can be a trial, especially when you get in the way of their plans. Catherine is on the receiving end of Phoebe’s wrath when she puts her foot down about her associations with Isabella and Charlotte. However, Catherine starts to question her reservations when she gets pushback from her husband and family, which leads to a harrowing journey.

I have to say I was miffed at Phoebe and Henry over their treatment of Catherine. It was satisfying to see Catherine’s opinions vindicated.

The Heiress of Northanger Abbey captured the spirit of Austen’s original while feeling like a worthy sequel. I especially enjoyed seeing Catherine grow and stand up for herself. With its engaging plot, touches of suspense, and exciting conclusion, it made for a thoroughly enjoyable read.

I voluntarily read a copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.

[Marilyn (not getting notifications)]

I really enjoyed The Heiress of Northanger Abbey by Nancy Bilyeau, an atmospheric continuation of Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey. More than twenty years later, Catherine Morland is now Catherine Tilney, married to Henry and the mother of two daughters, Phoebe and Susan. I loved revisiting Catherine as an older woman and seeing how her experiences have shaped her into a fiercely protective mother.

When Catherine learned that seventeen-year-old Phoebe, who may one day inherit Northanger Abbey, had become involved with the Thorpe family, painful memories from her own youth return. Determined to protect her daughter, Catherine followed Phoebe from Bath to the isolated landscape of Dartmoor, where Isabella Thorpe had once again entered her life.

I especially enjoyed the Gothic atmosphere—the misty moors, isolated houses, family secrets, and growing sense of danger. Catherine was once again left wondering whether her imagination was running away with her or whether her instincts were warning her of something very real.

The relationship between Catherine and Phoebe gave the story its emotional heart for me. Catherine wanted to protect her daughter from making the same mistakes she once made, but realized that Phoebe must also find her own way. Although I found the pacing a little slow at times, I enjoyed the mystery, the familiar characters, and seeing Catherine discover that the imagination once considered her weakness may actually be one of her greatest strengths.

A very enjoyable 4-star read for fans of Jane Austen, historical fiction, and Gothic mysteries.

Thank you to Admiral Road Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Melanie]

Twenty two years after the Thorpes nearly destroyed her happiness with Henry, Catherine learns that her eldest daughter Phoebe, while staying at Bath, has come under the influence of the very same family. Plagued by fears for her child, she rushes to Bath but is not able to prevent a friendship between her daughter and the daughter of the former Isabella Thorpe.
Later in summer, Phoebe is invited to stay with her new friend in Dartmoor. To protect her daughter, Catherine agrees under one condition - she is to accompany the girl.
Arriving at Dartmoor, Catherine and her daughter seem to become part of a gothic novel full of passion, violence and secret suitors.
Will Catherine be able to prevent her daughter from being harmed? Are the Thorpes indeed a danger to Catherine’s family? And is Catherine’s own marriage really as happy as she always thought.

The story was very well written by the author Nancy Bilyeau. It was the first story of hers I read, and I enjoyed it very much. The story is written in the first person narrative from Catherine Tilney’s point of view. We therefore always know only the things Catherine knows and experiences and have to guess, alongside Catherine, about other people's thoughts and motifs.

I normally quite exclusively read Pride and prejudice variations, but I’m also very fond of Northanger Abbey. Therefore I was thrilled to read this Northanger Abbey variation. And I was not disappointed and enjoyed it very much. This variation is a sequel and takes place over twenty years after the original events.

Like Northanger Abbey, The heiress of Northanger Abbey is also a story written in the style of a gothic novel. It’s dark, it’s thrilling, a bit spooky and very mysterious. There is also a brave heroine fighting against an evil hero. The whole story was very atmospheric. The story is not exactly love story (at least not one where the heroine meets her love interest because Catherine is already happily married) but a story about the love of our heroine for her family, especially her daughter she longs to protect.

I really loved Catherine Tilney, she is such a sympathetic woman. I loved the love she had for her family and that she was like a lioness in fighting for their well-being (especially for her daughter Phoebe). I especially enjoyed that she, despite her being sympathetic and protective, was portrayed as a normal woman with a normal life. She was overall happy but nevertheless had conflicts with her husband or her daughters, like every other person in the world. That made her even more likeable in my eyes. And I really liked that, in the end, everyone was forced to acknowledge that she is not the silly person she often was thought for, but she was right with her instincts about the danger her daughter was in.

He is only a side character and does not have much page time, but I really liked Henry Tilney in this variation. He is a loving and devoted husband, even when Catherine doubts his love for a time. I was glad that Catherine’s doubts were never founded and that the Tilneys had the happy marriage Catherine ever thought they had.

As you may have guessed from the book description and because it is a type of gothic novel, there are villains in the story. I will not tell more to not spoil the story but be assured that the villains are really mean people. I was glad that, in the end, they were not successful with their schemes and that they get what they deserve.

If you would like to know if Catherine is right with her fears, that the Thorpes may be a danger to her daughter, you should read this excellent variation.

I highly recommend it.

I received a free copy of the book via book sirens and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.

[Naori]

This advance reader’s copy is courtesy of NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley and Independent Book Publisher for this advance reader’s copy of Nancy Bilyeau’s novel The Heiress of Northanger Abbey in exchange for an honest review. My words are my own.

Wow. This was Gothic with a capital G. I think Jane Austen would be rolling her eyes but absolutely titillated. With a thundering opening back at the alluring Northanger Abbey, Catherine is hosting her first formal dinner for the Tilney family, 20 years after she met her husband in Bath. Immediately we see the same heights of emotion racing through her character, as she chronicles the arduous nature of a host’s anxieties and travails. Abruptly, a letter arrives from Catherine’s own seventeen year old daughter, who is herself visiting Bath, and has fallen into the company of the once manipulative Thorpes. A frenzy of suspicion, foreboding and high stakes carriage riding ensues.

This was an absolute mastery of gothic tropes and signifiers. The endangered heiress, the mysterious dinner guest, the high strung woman (in this case with an accurate moral compass), the oddly behaving locals, the unnecessary trips to the moors, confusing chases after lost people in the night, the soothsaying village woman, revealing personal letters, secret liaisons and multiple multiple castles. It was honestly the reason PEOPLE (not women) have been fascinated with gothic novels for centuries. Even the way Bilyeau linguistically crafted the narrative showed her understanding of the style. She evoked so much emotion through punctuation. The over abundance of question marks and exclamation marks was not at all gaudy; phrased within Catherine’s internal narrative they really made transparent her processing of emotion - which is one of best part of Gothicism.

There is one scene that I thought was a pivotal moment of awakening for Catherine to the seething madness around. While walking through a ballroom, looking for her daughter with escalating anxiety, she notices the odors and leering glances of the other partygoers. She realizes that although everyone is costumed to perfection, they are all self-medicating to compensate for deficiencies or cover up ailments; everyone is either a victim in the waiting or a predator themselves. She sees the parallels between this false society and the Gothic novel “The Vampyre” that her daughter is reading. Suddenly, this masquerade is no longer entertaining but false, freaky and dangerous. Catherine observes:

“I took a closer look at the faces of the people I passed. Most of them were smiling, chatting, or laughing. But under those unblinking chandeliers, I also saw eyes that could be brightened by unquenchable fever or dulled by alcohol-laced cordial, or even laudanum doses. It was almost like they were a horde of reckless victims of a predator moving stealthy among them. A chill quickened up my spine” (110).

After this awakening Catherine is not just vibrating with fear for herself but also her daughter, which truly amplifies the book. Accompanying her endangered daughter to a castle on the moors she has a symbolic conversation on terror vs. horror with Isabela from Austen’s original book. Full of foreboding, Isabela asserts that terror is based in the real world while horror resides in the supernatural. Bilyeau writes, “terror elevates the soul while horror contracts it” (189). We can almost imagine the muscle of the writing. For those of us who find these genres as spaces to explore identities shut out of more traditional writing, this is an idea worth pondering.

This book is extraordinary for the simple fact that you know it is a gothic novel, it is a sequel to a gothic novel, the ingredients feel so obvious that it tricks your brain into thinking it couldn’t possibly surprise you; yet it is this blatant magicianship that allows Bilyeau to stay one step ahead of the learned reader and yes, create the unexpected. There is no denouncing it: it is stories like these, that hasten our senses and keep us enraptured, that are why people have been telling tales around campfires for millennia.

For all those who think themselves above the formulaic devices of the gothic genre, I dare you to read this book and not be entertained.

[She’s]

Rounded up from 3.5 to 4 stars.

As a Janeite, I looked upon this book with both excitement and trepidation. Sequels/prequels/companions to classic literature are challenging because the writer is coming off of a well-known work but still must add something fresh to the original. I wasn’t blown away by this book, but it is a fun read that starts out slow and picks up the pace toward the end. Austen’s Catherine is lively, credulous, imaginative, and naive, while Bilyeau’s Catherine is dull, impotent, and fanciful. She is humored and patronized by both husband and family, and I found her terribly annoying. I was really hoping for something more from this book but enjoyed it. As a lover of gothic literature, I loved how the book illustrates the difference between early gothic literature from the 18th century and the distinctions between terror and horror and later works like Shelley’s and Polidori’s with more psychological and existential elements. Anyhoo, I don’t love it, but I’m not mad at it. This book is an interesting read for Austen fans and could spark greater discussions around Northanger Abbey for book clubs.

This book is set to be released September 1, 2026. I would like to thank Nancy Bilyeau, Admiral Road, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this uncorrected proof.

[Michelle (Bamamele.reads)]

Thanks to Admiral Road books and the author for the preview. All opinions are my own.

Being a huge Austen fan, I was excited to read this sequel to Northanger Abbey. I’ve always felt it is one of Austen’s most underrated books and one of her funniest. The premise was intriguing as well—what if Catherine’s daughter really was the heiress Catherine was mistaken for so long ago?

The novel really leans into the gothic and dramatic. Catherine herself as our only POV character comes across as overwrought, and sometimes as if she’s just the same at almost 40 as she was at 17. The beginning is a bit frantic, and the end is incredibly dramatic.

Ultimately this wasn’t for me, but I hope it does find the right audience!

[Helen]

Although I like Jane Austen’s novels, I’ve never had much interest in reading any of the many sequels, prequels or retellings written by other authors. However, I’ve read and enjoyed all of Nancy Bilyeau’s other books, so was happy to give this one a chance. As the title suggests, it’s inspired by Northanger Abbey, not my favourite Austen novel (that would be Persuasion), but one that I found entertaining and amusing. Those of you who have read it will remember that the heroine, Catherine Morland, is obsessed with Gothic novels; The Heiress of Northanger Abbey pays tribute to this with plenty of Gothic touches of its own!

The novel opens twenty-two years after the events of Northanger Abbey. Catherine has settled into married life as the wife of clergyman Henry Tilney and they have two daughters, Phoebe and Susan. Seventeen-year-old Phoebe, the eldest, is away from home accompanying her uncle and aunt, Frederick and Aurelia Tilney, who have gone to Bath to take the healing waters. Catherine is aware that as Frederick and Aurelia have no children of their own, they are considering making Phoebe their heiress, which means she would eventually inherit Northanger Abbey. However, in the 19th century being an heiress can be dangerous – as Catherine herself discovered twenty-two years earlier when a misunderstanding made her the target of fortune hunters John and Isabella Thorpe.

Catherine’s sister-in-law Eleanor Granville has come to visit for a few days with her children and Catherine offers to read Phoebe’s latest letter from Bath to them. She’s horrified when Phoebe mentions that the Thorpes are in Bath and that John Thorpe has suggested Phoebe go out riding with his son, Jack. Have Isabella and John set their sights on Phoebe and her possible fortune this time? Leaving eleven-year-old Susan in Eleanor’s care, Catherine heads straight for Bath to investigate – but is she right to distrust the Thorpes or is she just letting her imagination run wild again?

I really enjoyed this book, despite my usual aversion to Austen sequels. If you’ve never read Northanger Abbey, I don’t think that would be a problem at all; Bilyeau doesn’t just assume that you’ve read it and provides enough background information to make it easy to follow what’s happening and to understand Catherine’s history with the Thorpes. The writing style and use of language aren’t exact imitations of Austen’s, but still feel appropriate for the time period and the book can easily be read as an entertaining novel in its own right.

I loved the way we are kept guessing, at least for a while, about whether Catherine is correct about the Thorpes and Phoebe really is the target of their schemes or whether Catherine is judging them based on their actions all those years ago rather than the people they are now. I had my opinion and was proved right, but the story could have gone in different directions and been just as interesting. My favourite thing about the book, though, was the way Bilyeau uses Gothic elements to create suspense and atmosphere: a beautiful heiress who is (possibly) in danger; a mysterious villain; a lonely house on the moors; noises at night; and plenty of discussion of various Gothic novels, particularly John Polidori’s The Vampyre, published the year before the book is set.

My favourite Nancy Bilyeau novels are still the Genevieve Planché thrillers (beginning with The Blue), but this one was also very enjoyable and I’m happy to recommend it, whether or not you’re an Austen fan.

[Ratna]

A beautifully atmospheric Gothic mystery with a powerful mother-daughter heart.

The Heiress of Northanger Abbey was such an enjoyable read! As someone who loves stories with a touch of Gothic mystery, family secrets, and complicated relationships, this one really worked for me.

What I loved most was Catherine’s motherly instinct. From the very beginning, she senses that something isn’t right, and I loved watching her trust her perception even when others might dismiss her concerns. Her determination to protect her daughter made her such a compelling character. There was something incredibly satisfying about seeing Catherine realize that her instincts were right all along.

I also really enjoyed how the story explored motherhood, family legacy, greed, deception, and fortune hunting. The Thorpe family brought exactly the kind of tension and uncertainty the story needed, and I found myself wondering who could actually be trusted.

The Gothic elements were another highlight. The isolated manor, family secrets, dangerous relationships, and underlying sense of unease created an atmospheric quality that made the story feel wonderfully Gothic without overwhelming the character-driven story.

And I especially loved the ending. Seeing Phoebe ultimately make a decision for herself was such a satisfying conclusion. After everything Catherine had done to protect her, it felt meaningful that her daughter was finally able to choose her own path.

Overall, this was a very enjoyable and engaging continuation of Catherine Morland’s story. I loved the combination of Gothic suspense, family drama, maternal love, and questions of perception versus reality. Nancy Bilyeau has created a story that feels like a respectful nod to Austen while giving Catherine and her daughter a new adventure of their own.

Definitely a five-star read for me! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

[Ashley]

Nancy Bilyeau returns readers to the world of Northanger Abbey, but this time Catherine Morland Tilney is no longer an imaginative seventeen-year-old searching for adventure. She is now a wife and mother whose greatest concern is protecting her family, particularly her eldest daughter, Phoebe.

More than twenty years have passed since Catherine first arrived at Northanger Abbey. She has built a quiet, comfortable life with Henry and their children, but the unsettling memories connected to the abbey have never entirely left her. When seventeen-year-old Phoebe travels to Bath and falls into the company of the Thorpe family, Catherine immediately senses that something is wrong. Unfortunately, convincing everyone else to take her concerns seriously proves much more difficult.

I really loved seeing Catherine as a mother. She is thoughtful, compassionate, prayerful, and deeply protective of her children. She may still possess the active imagination readers associate with her younger self, but experience has also given her discernment. The central question becomes whether Catherine is allowing old fears and Gothic stories to influence her or whether she is recognizing a danger that everyone else has overlooked.

One aspect I especially appreciated was Catherine’s relationship with Phoebe. Like her mother before her, Phoebe is fascinated by Gothic literature and the dramatic lives of the people who write it. Catherine does not try to prevent her daughter from reading these stories. Instead, she encourages Phoebe to think more carefully about the difference between appreciating an author’s work and admiring the choices that person made. Their conversations about Mary Shelley were particularly interesting and it added another thoughtful layer to the generational differences between Catherine and her daughter.

The story also explores how easily a woman’s observations can be dismissed when those around her have already decided that she is being emotional or imaginative. Catherine repeatedly finds herself questioning her own judgment because the people closest to her do not share her concerns. That tension made her journey feel like more than a search for answers. She also had to learn to trust the wisdom and perception she had gained through years of motherhood and experience.

And then there was the suspense! Nancy Bilyeau created an incredibly uneasy Gothic atmosphere that had me questioning nearly everyone Catherine encountered. Mysterious strangers, old acquaintances, concealed motives, imposing estates, dangerous journeys, and whispered warnings all contributed to the feeling that something sinister might be waiting just beyond Catherine’s sight.

Was Phoebe genuinely in danger? Was someone attempting to manipulate her because of the fortune she might inherit? Or was Catherine allowing her imagination to transform ordinary circumstances into something much darker?

I am saying nothing more about what happens because this is one of those stories that is much more enjoyable when you uncover its secrets alongside Catherine. There were moments when I felt as though I should be looking over my own shoulder, and I loved never being entirely certain which suspicions deserved to be trusted.

While this novel draws upon familiar characters and ideas from Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, Bilyeau gives the story a darker and more serious Gothic tone. It also stands on its own remarkably well. Even readers who have not read Austen’s original novel can understand Catherine’s history, her relationships, and the experiences that continue to influence her.

The combination of historical detail, family relationships, faith, motherhood, social expectations, and Gothic suspense completely worked for me. I especially enjoyed watching Catherine discover that imagination and intuition are not necessarily weaknesses. Sometimes they allow us to recognize what others are unwilling or unableto see.

The Heiress of Northanger Abbey is a wonderfully atmospheric historical novel filled with secrets, uncertainty, and mounting danger. It kept me turning pages and wondering what might be waiting around the next corner.

I received a complimentary advance copy through NetGalley. I was under no obligation to provide a positive review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Elizabeth Corbett]

What do you do when you get the sense that your family may be in danger? This is what Catherine Tilney, the protagonist from Jane Austen’s Northanger Abbey, fears when she hears that her eldest daughter, Phoebe, has become acquainted with the Thorpes in Bath. She remembers well the horrid experience she had with John and Isabella Thorpe twenty years ago.

Catherine is currently living her happily ever after as the wife of Henry Tilney who is now the rector of Woodston, a town that is 20 miles from Northanger Abbey. They are the parents of two lovely daughters: seventeen-year-old Phoebe and eleven-year-old Susan. Phoebe, long the favorite of her childless Uncle Frederick Tilney and his wife, Aurelia, stands to become the heiress of Northanger Abbey. This is perhaps what Catherine fears the most. When Isabella, now Mrs. Harrowden, comes back into Catherine’s life, she fears that the Thorpe siblings are up to no good and her daughter is the target.

The first thing that captured my attention was the gorgeous cover. It’s very Gothic. The woman looking away from us in regency dress standing in a medieval-looking corridor with a single lantern. You wonder what is down that corridor!

This was my first time reading a book by Nancy Bilyeau. Very much in the similar tone of the original Northanger Abbey, this book is a Gothic novel that is rife with suspense and well-rounded characters. In Catherine, we have a heroine who has grown into respectable middle age. In many ways, Bilyeau’s depiction of Catherine is true to Austen’s original work. I quite enjoyed the idea of Catherine later in life as a rector’s wife and mother of two.

There was a feeling of dread that seemed to permeate throughout the entire book. When the Thorpes made an appearance, it was enough to make one wary. I kept asking myself: Did they really change with age and experience?

This leads me to the next point. I particularly enjoyed Bilyeau’s commitment to historical detail and her well-rounded characters. I think the historical details are perhaps my favorite part of the book. The author did a wonderful job weaving those details into the fabric of her novel, which only added to the story overall. For example, Catherine refers to her “Marie” sleeves and the changing fashions of 1820. Clearly it is a world different from the 1790s when Henry and Catherine married.

As far as characters go, I particularly loved Catherine, her daughter Phoebe, and I did find Isabella and Sam Harrowden fascinating. The sometimes conflict-ridden relationship between mother and daughter was quite convincing.

At no point in this story did I feel lost or bored. The best way to describe it is atmospheric and immersive. The characters, settings, and dialogue definitely felt like they existed in 1820s England. The brief Author’s Note was enjoyable to read because it provided context on what inspired his book and what research was used.

My only critique, which is minor, is that the ending felt a bit rushed and cobbled together too neatly. I try to avoid spoilers, so I will leave it at that.

In closing, I think The Heiress of Northanger was amazing, a masterful Jane Austen pastiche. It is definitely one of the better books I have read all year. I will definitely be reading Nancy Bilyeau’s works in the future.

I graciously received this complimentary Advanced Reader Copy from Admiral Road Books and Netgalley.

[Gregory Van Den Berg]

The Heiress of Northhanger Abbey by Nancy Bilyeau was a Regency-era Gothic suspense novel. The book was a sequel to Jane Austen's1817 novel, Northhanger Abbey. This story began 22 years after Jane Austen's novel. The main character in both stories was Cathering Morland but not was Tilney because she was now married. The story was built around how her daughter Phobe Tilney was in line to inherit the Northhanger Abbey. However, Phoebe was being heavily influenced by the unscrupulous Thorpe family. The author's thesis was how a mature woman's intuition and imagination were powerful tools. They were powerful tools for uncovering truth rather than symptom of foolishnes and delusion.

Ms. Bilyeau's purpose in the writing the story was to challenge how classical literature portrayed women as silly frail creatures. She desired to paint a picture which portrayed women as strong and decisive. The author seemed determined to write a story centering on the psychological lif of a woman, Catherine Tilney. Ms. Bilyeau shifted the focus of the story from a mother-daughter relationship to a defiant and mature woman.

The writing style of the author shpaed the plot, character dynamics, and overall tone of the story. The writing shifted away from Austn's original satire of the time period to a genuine Gothic thriller.She embraced an atmospheric voice which treated the Gothic danger as genuine. The writing was a contrast to Ms. Austen's. While the writing style reflected a free indirect discourse, the author adopted a conventional historical thriller perspective. The story veered away from the ironic lens of Austen to an immersive prose style. This style priorotized plot velocity, emotional stakes, and historical atmosphere.

The central theme of the story was the ever evolving mother's instincts regarding her daughter and her power of perception. The story displaced Austen's story to one of psychological complexities. There were four major themes the throughout the story. The four core themes were:
1.Maternal Protection and Legacy
2.Perception vs. Reality
3. Greed, Deception, and Fortune Hunting
4.The Allure of the Gothic

These themes completely altered the tone, structural pacing, and the narrative of Ms. Austen's story. The themes transformed the story into an intense and urgent thriller departing from the original story. This increased reader engagement and emotional involvement. The plot was allowed to reach its climax and resolution only when Catherine allowed herself to trust her instincts and exposed the true villians.

The book should be read because the author delivered a story was a high stakes Gothic mystery. The author impecably researched her story. The story had been turned into a world of family secrets from Ms. Austen's satrical story. Ms. Bilyeau delivered an emotionally rich, deeply researched narrative. One can easily give this story a five star rating.

[Marie]

I rated this 4.5 out of 5.

I'm a sucker for an Austen adaptation, and Bilyeau did not disappoint with this sequel to Northanger Abbey. Set approximately 20 years after the original novel, Catherine Moreland, now Tilney, is a mother of two daughters. Catherine feels happy in her life as the wife of the rector and is beloved in her community for her empathic insights. However, she dreads being called back to Northanger Abbey for Tilney family functions.

When Eleanor and her Viscount husband come to visit, but Fredrick Tilney and his wife are away in Bath, Catherine is forced to play hostess. This is a reintroduction to Catherine as a character. In many ways, it's a red herring because the reader is lulled into a sense that Catherine is living her happily ever after. This is quickly blown up by a letter from Catherine's eldest daughter telling her that she's met Isabella Thorpe's daughter. After being pushed into a panic and rudely dismissed by her family, she finally convinces Henry to take her to Bath.

The hijnx that ensues from there provides gothic flavors of the original novel. However, the open and naive spirit that Catherine encountered in the events of Northanger Abbey was not present in this book simply due to Catherine's own personal growth as a person. This made some of the events fall a little flat because the reader was constantly being reminded that Catherine no longer believed in stories, nor had the time to read them.

One area I do think Bilyeau stayed true to in the original novels was the exploration of women's roles in society. I thought that the exploration of Mary Shelley and Queen Caroline added layers to the characters, as Catherine and her daughter Phoebe have differing views on Shelley, highlighting generational divides, while they agree on Queen Caroline, showing universal struggles. Additionally, Catherine's struggles with not being informed or considered about choices made for her daughter were an interesting layer to add to the Tilney family dynamics.

I will say I find it interesting that this book is listed with a tag of "horror". I wouldn't say that this book has any horror elements. It holds to the gothic vibes of the original, with mystery elements as Catherine tries to figure out what is real and what is her own imagination.

Overall, if you love Jane Austen, this book will not disappoint.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

CONTENT WARNINGS
Graphic: Chronic illness, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Religious bigotry, Murder, War

[Laura]

What classic novel do you think needs a sequel?

Thank you to @tudorscribe, #admiralroadbooks, and @greatreadsbookpromo for the gift copy of The Heiress of Northanger Abbey.

Twenty-two years after the events in Northanger Abbey, Catherine Morland is a respectable pastor’s wife, married to Henry Tilney. Catherine and Henry live a happy life with their two daughters in a small village near the family estate of Northanger Abbey. Henry’s brother Frederick and his wife Aurelia are childless and Henry and Catherine’s oldest daughter Phoebe, is presumed to be their heiress. When Phoebe runs across the Thorpe family in Bath, Catherine is afraid that history is repeating itself. When Catherine chaperones Phoebe on a trip to Isabella Thorpe’s estate, is her imagination playing havoc with her again or are they in danger?

My thoughts on this novel:
• This is one of the October book club picks for the JASNA Northwoods Book Club. I look forward to discussing it.

• I loved that this was a sequel to a Jane Austen novel that does not often get sequels, Northanger Abbey. I love the original book and it’s fun to see what happened to its characters after the end of the original novel.

• Author Nancy Bilyeau did a great job of capturing the spirit and characters from the original novel.

• I felt for Catherine and her trials trying to parent a strong-willed teenage daughter having one myself.

• The story is told through the first-person point of view of Catherine.

• I loved seeing that Catherine and Henry have a long and happy marriage.

• I don’t want to spoil the story, but I also loved the Gothic elements. It’s a perfect read for the fall.

• I have enjoyed author Nancy Bilyeau’s novels in the past and have been greatly looking forward to this book. It did not disappoint.

• Now I want to read The Vampyre by John Polidori as it is part of the plot. It’s an interesting look into how Gothic novels were changing during that time period.

• Catherine and Phoebe like to discuss books together and I loved their discussion on Mary Shelley.

• I would classify this book as a sequel, historical fiction, suspense, Gothic, and Regency.

Overall, The Heiress of Northanger Abbey by Nancy Bilyeau is an enjoyable Regency Gothic historical fiction novel that is a sequel to Northanger Abbey. It’s got great historical elements a well as a good look into the Gothic fiction of that time.

This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2026...

[Kelsie Carlson (Alaskan.BookDragon)]

Writting a book based on someone else's long established characters is a tough undertaking and I think no matter what you do you will upset someone. I am still trying to decide what I think about the treatment of Catherine Tilney in this book. I could see her like this but I suppose I always thought she would grow more as a person. Sense this is a gothic I can see the necessity of having to keep her distressed.

I did not realize this was a gothic style going in and I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had, once I realized it I did get into the book. Indeed this is actually where The Heiress Of Northhanger shines. The subtle creepyness, the mysterious and alluring villain, the distressed lady. The beginning is a bit slow, but agian that is in keeping with the style, in retrospect you can see how this is setting things up. The comparing of the aristocrats taking treatments in Bath to the life sucking of a vampire from the gothic novels the FMC reads I thought a especially brilliant moment.

Something that bothered me was the treatment of the male characters. To many times one male or another was thrown into suspicion of being deceitful or untrustworthy. Often they were portrayed as lazy. The male characters also seemed to brush off everything. There is no masculinity in this book I am puzzled at how some are supposed to be worthy love interests.

Content notes:
Good witches are given the possibility of being true and probably ok. Agian this is a gothic style so take that in the given light.

Mary Shelleys life is talked of in some detial. If you are unfamiliar it was promiscuous.

The FMC discovers a affair by coming upon the couple and while there is no details it is also obvious what is going on and mentions moaning. Agian this is a gothic so the villain is "irresistible to women" and this is talked about but not in detail.

A side character takes a bolstering drink before attending a event. The FMC has two cups of wine instead of het usual one at one point because she is upset.

The publisher generously gifted a copy of the book to my ever growing horde of books taking over my house. My opinions, like my book horde, are large, uncontrollable, and all mine!

[Margaret Lockhart]

*The Heiress of Northanger Abbey* was an enjoyable blend of historical fiction, mystery, and Gothic atmosphere that kept me engaged from beginning to end. As someone who appreciates stories inspired by classic literature, I liked how the novel paid tribute to *Northanger Abbey* while still telling a story that felt fresh and original. It captured the charm of the historical setting while adding enough suspense to keep me turning the pages.

The heroine was easy to root for, and I enjoyed following her as she uncovered long-buried secrets and navigated a world shaped by family expectations, hidden motives, and unanswered questions. Her curiosity and determination made her a compelling character, and I appreciated watching her grow more confident as the story progressed.

One of my favorite aspects of the novel was its atmosphere. The old estate, the lingering mysteries, and the sense that every room seemed to hold another secret created exactly the kind of Gothic feel I was hoping for. The author's descriptions made it easy to picture the setting, and they added a richness that enhanced the overall reading experience.

The pacing was steady, gradually revealing new clues without giving everything away too quickly. I enjoyed piecing together the mystery alongside the characters, and although I guessed a few details before the final reveal, there were still enough surprises to keep me invested. I also appreciated that the historical elements felt well researched and blended naturally into the story.

If I had one small criticism, it would be that a few supporting characters could have been developed a little further, as I would have liked to understand their motivations in more depth. Even so, they each contributed to the mystery and the atmosphere in meaningful ways.

Overall, *The Heiress of Northanger Abbey* is a captivating historical mystery with memorable characters, an immersive Gothic setting, and a satisfying balance of suspense and emotion. It's a great choice for readers who enjoy atmospheric historical fiction, family secrets, and stories inspired by classic novels. I'd definitely be interested in reading more of Nancy Bilyeau's work.

[M.L. Sizemore]

This is the perfect blend of historical fiction and Gothic literature. From the very beginning, I was completely captivated by the gloomy, foreboding atmosphere. The writing is so beautifully done that it pulls you in & immerses you in the time period—the setting, the travel, the uncertainty, the limited visibility, & that constant feeling that something isn’t quite right. It truly feels like stepping into a Gothic story set in the 1800s, & I absolutely loved that. The story initially feels like a more traditional historical fiction, exploring themes of social hierarchy, inheritance, marriage, & the expectations placed on women. But about 40% of the way through, it becomes something so much more. From that point on, I was glued to the book. There’s this constant tension of trying to understand what is actually happening: Are the characters in danger? Where is this story going? What can be trusted? The questions just keep coming, & the story gets more & more compelling.

One of the themes that stood out to me most was the importance of trusting your own instincts. The main character knows throughout much of the story that something is wrong, yet repeatedly denies what she feels deep down. I also loved the exploration of mothers & daughters, family relationships, growing up, coming of age, & learning to accept your birthright & take the next steps in your life.

And the Gothic influences were SO much fun. I loved all the nods to classic Gothic literature, as well as the clever way the book plays with the conventions of the genre itself. There’s a self-awareness to it that I thought was incredibly well done.

I also really enjoyed the ending. At the core, this is a story about family, belonging, trust, & finding your way forward. It was atmospheric, engaging, beautifully written, & such a fun read.

A fantastic historical fiction with a beautifully crafted Gothic atmosphere, & a clever, loving nod to classic Gothic literature. I would absolutely love a sequel to this story to see how the characters progress.

[Ellie]

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an arc.

The Heiress of Northanger Abbey takes a minute to unfurl into a magnetizing story with compelling characters. The first third is a frantic rush of Catherine catastrophizing quickly, whipping around the readers and characters alike. To me, you really had to stay with the story and wait it out for it to get good and ultimately, it ended it being a pretty good unofficial sequel with serious meditations on the relationship between Catherine and Henry and Catherine's place in the Tilney family.

Catherine's introspectiveness was the strongest part of the story. Her ability to recharacterize events and look at them through new perspectives as she is offered new information, rose-tinted glasses breaking made me want to examine Northanger Abbey again through perhaps a more cynical lenses that this story suggests. And I like it! It's less fairy-tale, more realistic. Catherine is portrayed as naive but also correct at matters of the heart and someone's true character, if only someone listened to her.

There were things I didn't like about the book, though. I didn't like the frantic pacing of the first third of the book. Catherine rushed to action over what felt like nothing, and it felt ridiculous. I also didn't like how many book names were dropped. This book took the gothic genre more seriously, rather than the source material which parodied it, and referenced the material quite heavily which is a departure from Austen's allusion's to works. I think there were just too many references, oversaturating the work.

Overall, I do think that this book is entertaining. It confronts gender roles and expectations of the time period, takes the gothic genre more seriously, and examines the relationships Catherine has with other characters in the original novel critically, all of which I think aids the novel. I would round this up to a 3.5 if I could, because I do think it is a very well-written book.

[Heather]

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Admiral Road Books and NetGalley for the ebook!

Summary
Twenty-two years after Catherine Tilney’s own story, she is now a wife and mother. When she learns that her daughter Phoebe has become involved with the Thorpe family, Catherine immediately fears history may be repeating itself.
She follows Phoebe to an isolated manor on Dartmoor, where family secrets, questionable intentions, romance, and plenty of Gothic atmosphere have Catherine wondering whether her fears are real or if her imagination is once again getting the better of her.

My Review
Being a Gothic lover, I am really happy I read this. I loved the isolated manor, family secrets, questionable characters, and that feeling that something might be wrong even when you aren't completely sure what to believe. It had that classic Gothic atmosphere that I was hoping for.
What I enjoyed most was the mother and daughter relationship. Catherine isn't just dealing with her own fears anymore. She is watching her daughter make choices and trying to figure out when to protect her and when she needs to trust her. I thought that added so much to the story and made Catherine really interesting to read as an older woman.

I also liked the historical fiction side and seeing what Catherine's life looked like so many years later. There was mystery, family drama, danger, and that constant question of whether Catherine was seeing the truth or allowing her imagination to take over again. Overall, this was a really enjoyable Gothic historical fiction read for me.

Would I Recommend?
Yes! Especially if you enjoy Gothic historical fiction, isolated estates, family secrets, mysteries, and strong mother-daughter themes.

[Regency_Fan_ Michelle RegencyFanMichelleAndMore]

Northanger Abbey all grown up, with Catherine now a wife and mother trying to navigate a world that still has plenty of secrets.

I really loved Catherine. She was a wonderful mother, thoughtful, protective, prayerful, and full of discernment. One aspect I especially appreciated was the way she encouraged her daughter to think carefully about the Gothic literature she enjoyed. Catherine didn’t discourage her from reading it, but she gently reminded her that talented authors are still real people whose lives and choices are not automatically worthy of admiration. Having previously read about Mary Shelley myself, that part of the story particularly resonated with me.

And then there was the suspense. I felt like I was looking over my shoulder the entire time! Nancy Bilyeau created such an uneasy Gothic atmosphere that I found myself questioning everything right alongside Catherine. Was something truly wrong? Was imagination taking over? Who could be trusted? I’m saying absolutely nothing more because this is one of those books that is much more fun when you discover everything for yourself.

The combination of historical detail, Gothic atmosphere, faith, motherhood, family relationships, and suspense completely worked for me. And the fact that I could enjoy it so much without having read Austen’s original first was an added bonus.

A wonderfully atmospheric, clever historical read that kept me turning pages and wondering what was waiting around the next corner. One final thought: if Catherine tells you something feels wrong…you might want to listen. 🕯️

I received a complimentary copy and was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

[Charlotte Moran]

The Heiress of Northanger Abbey is a captivating continuation that takes the beloved world of Jane Austen into a new generation while giving Catherine Tilney a compelling new chapter of her own.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its exploration of Catherine as a mother. Twenty-two years after her own coming-of-age story, she is now faced with a deeply personal fear: watching her daughter Phoebe become entangled with people who may have dangerous intentions. The emotional stakes feel especially powerful because Catherine recognizes echoes of her own past in the situation.

The Gothic elements add another layer of intrigue. The isolated manor, family secrets, reckless passions, and dangerously charming aristocratic neighbor create an atmosphere where it becomes increasingly difficult to determine what is real danger and what might simply be Catherine’s imagination.

I particularly enjoyed the novel’s focus on perception and self-trust. Catherine must learn that her instincts and experiences have given her a strength she may not always recognize. Her journey becomes not only about protecting her daughter, but also about trusting her own judgment.

For readers who love Jane Austen, historical fiction, Gothic mysteries, and stories about mothers and daughters, The Heiress of Northanger Abbey offers an engaging blend of familiarity and fresh suspense.

It feels like a thoughtful continuation of Catherine’s story while giving her a new emotional challenge one shaped by motherhood, experience, and the courage to trust what she sees.

[Melissa]

A fun return to Northanger Abbey to meet an older and more mature Catherine. This book as a sequel to the amazing novel by Jane Austen allows to see how Catherine's life married to Henry Tillney has changed over time. Catherine has become more subdued and has settled in her roles as mother and wife. Now her seventeen year old daughter Phoebe has traveled with Henry's brother Frederick and his wife to Bath. However when Catherine finds out that the Thorpes (John and Isabella) have also returned she immediately worries about her daughter. Soon she has convinced Henry to go with her to Bath to protect their daughter only to also find out Frederick may be planning to leave Northanger to Phoebe making her a true heiress. Terrified for her daughter, Catherine must find a way to help her daughter carve out the future for herself while still protecting her from those Catherine fears may try to corrupt her. In doing so, Catherine may finally come to terms with her own past and help heal the wounds that are resurfacing for her.

I really enjoyed this story. To return to these characters that are so beloved and see how their lives may have changed over time was truly fun. I loved that Phoebe is the girl that Catherine always wished she could've been and that she raised her in such a way that she could stand up for what she wanted. I hope she was able to achieve the goals she set as the heiress to Northanger Abbey. I am a fan and was cheering her on as I read.

[Linda Ulleseit]

The Heiress of Northanger Abbey is a gripping story of strong women managing love, marriage, and money. It is a sequel to Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, which I have never read. Nonetheless, I enjoyed the tale of Catherine (Morland) Tilney and her daughter, Phoebe. This novel is a testament to strong women overcoming their darkest fears. Catherine comes to question the strength of her marriage even as a one-time friend, Isabella Harrowden, returns to her life with dubious intent. Phoebe befriends Charlotte, Isabella’s daughter, who is part of her mother’s plot against the Tilneys. Phoebe Tilney is faced with the expectations of her mother as well as her aunt, who owns Northanger Abbey with her husband. Aunt Aurelia wants Phoebe to debut in London, marry well, and inherit the abbey. Phoebe initially wants nothing to do with her aunt’s plans. The novel follows Catherine and Phoebe, and Isabella and her daughter Charlotte, as they grow and change.
Each of the four women, Catherine, Phoebe, Isabella, and Charlotte, are unique and superbly developed as characters. The setting of the abbey and the moors lends itself well to Gothic plots. The Heiress of Northanger Abbey is a story that will take hold of your heart.
I received an early copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelsey | kelseys.booknook]

Northanger Abbey was the first Jane Austen book I ever read, so it was SO FUN getting to be back with Catherine again! I loved seeing her 22 years later, married to Henry and now a mother trying to protect her daughter when it seems like history might be repeating itself…

I loved the mother-daughter dynamic between Catherine and Phoebe! It was so fun seeing Catherine recognize little pieces of her younger self in her daughter while also desperately wanting to keep Phoebe from falling into some of the same situations she did. I especially loved seeing how Catherine has changed over the years while still being the girl we met years ago. It gave their story such a sweet, full-circle feeling.

The Gothic atmosphere was so much fun, especially all the mystery and those moments where you’re wondering if something strange is actually happening or if Catherine’s imagination is running away with her again. I am a gothic fiction girlie, y’all, I just eat it up. 

It was such a fun and nostalgic return to these characters and this world while being something completely new. I think I’ll always have a soft spot for Catherine since she was part of my first Jane Austen experience and I loved getting to spend time with her again! 

Thank you to Nancy Bilyeau, Admiral Road books and Great Reads Book Promotion for the gifted copy!

✨ Releases September 1st! ✨

[Nenia Campbell]

THE HEIRESS OF NORTHANGER ABBEY is an absolutely delightful sequel to Jane Austen's NORTHANGER ABBEY. Now an adult woman in her 40s, and a mother herself, Catherine is nervous about her daughter, Phoebe. She sees traces of herself in her daughter, who is obsessed with gothic novels, and the proposed heiress of Northanger Abbey. Catherine worries this will make her daughter the object of desire of fortune hunters, as she was herself, especially when John and Isabella Thorpe resurface on her daughter's trip to Bath.

This is honestly one of the best portrayals of anxiety I've seen in a while. I liked the push-pull of Catherine's catastrophizing and her very rational and based-seeming fears. Bilyeau interweaves Gothic fiction references with mystery and the everyday background fears of being a woman in a society that does not respect women and actively disenfranchises women, and it's masterfully done. It's also beautifully written and features a believably flawed and compelling narrator.

After reading this book, I added all of the author's other books to my TBR. I'm very picky about historical fiction but I absolutely adored the immersive nature of Bilyeau's writing style and how it positively dripped with gothic atmosphere.

Thanks to the publisher for the review copy!

4.5 stars

[Leanne]

The Heiress of Northanger Abbey is an absolute pleasure — a thoughtful, Gothic‑tinged continuation that feels both true to Austen’s spirit and confidently its own. Nancy Bilyeau picks up Catherine Tilney’s story twenty‑two years later and gives her a richer, more complex inner life while still preserving the charm, imagination, and earnestness that made her so beloved.

What really stands out is how seamlessly the novel blends Regency warmth with a darker, moodier edge. The Dartmoor setting is wonderfully evocative — all mist, moors, and secrets — and it creates the perfect backdrop for a story about mothers, daughters, and the shadows cast by old fears. Catherine’s determination to protect Phoebe gives the book emotional weight, while the Gothic flourishes add just the right amount of intrigue.

Bilyeau writes with affection for Austen’s world but isn’t afraid to push it into more psychologically charged territory. The result is a story that feels familiar yet fresh, comforting yet suspenseful.

A lovely, immersive read for Austen fans who enjoy a hint of the Gothic and a heroine learning to trust her own instincts.

With thanks to Nancy Bilyeau, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Julia]

This is a brilliant Gothic sequel to Jane Austen's original tale of Catherine Morland. Using a similar but unique style she reflects the original atmospheric story throughout. Twenty-two years later, the now Catherine Tilney is wiser and stronger as she faces her eldest daughter meeting the manipulative Thorpe family whilst in Bath with her aunt and uncle. History looks to be repeating itself as Catherine rushes to protect her daughter.

I loved the original novel, and this sequel is an amazing continuation. The original characters are naturally more mature, with different priorities and this is demonstrated well. Catherine and Phoebe travel from Gloucestershire to an brooding Dartmoor instantly increasing the tension as the atmospheric mists roll in.

I loved how the story intertwines classic gothic stories into the plot, as in Austen's original novel. This raises the question whether Catherine is letting her imagination run wild again. The writing feels as if it was written in 1820, adding to the story. I really enjoyed the author's note on how the story came about, and will be reading some of her reference books in the future.

Most definitely recommended if you enjoy historical fiction that compliment their original then this book is 100% for you. 5 stars.

[Angelia]

It’s been 22 years since young and impressionable Catherine Moreland married Henry Tilney. She’s living a happy life as a rector’s wife with two daughters, Susan and Phoebe. But now her life is spinning out of control. She’s overlooked, disregarded and lost in a life that’s filled with secrets and intrigue. Even her relationship with Henry isn’t what she thought it was.
Things come to a head when 17-year-old Phoebe who’s in Bath with her aunt and uncle falls under the influence of Isabella Thorpe, the woman who made Catherine’s life a nightmare all those years ago. In addition, Franklin Tilney and his wife have decided to name Phoebe as their heir without consulting Catherine. Catherine remembers what happened when Isabella and her brother assumed Catherine was an heiress to a large fortune, and she refuses to let her daughter become part of their schemes.
With no one listening to her concerns, Catherine is all alone in her fight.
This book is absolutely brilliant. It’s a wonderful continuation of Northanger Abbey. The characters are brilliantly drawn. The historical details are impeccable, and it’s an absolute pleasure to read. I think Jane Austen would thoroughly approve.
I received an advance copy of this book and am enthusiastically leaving this 5-star review.

[Lorraine]

I always liked the story of Northanger Abbey so was excited to read a sequel, set 22 years in the future. Catherine is now a mature wife and mother, approaching 40 years of age. She has two daughters, one the beautiful Phoebe who is a favourite of her brother-in-law Frederick and his wife Aurelia. They have gone to Bath for Frederick's health, when Catherine read one of Phoebe's letters saying the Thorpe family is in town. Remembering how they treated her, she is unsettled and wants to go there immediately. Henry agrees, but when they spend a couple of days there, it appears that John Thorpe and his sister, Isabella (now married to an MP) are not a danger to Phoebe. Charlotte, Isabella's daughter, invites Phoebe to visit them in their home in Dartmoor and Catherine reluctantly agrees, provided she also attends. This is where the true reasons behind Isabella's seeming friendship become clear.

This book has a very sinister and exciting ending. I thought of the Hound of the Baskervilles while reading this, as this area sounds so dreary and uncomfortable. Nicely done! Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy.