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Hesitant Mediums #1
Haunting Miss Trentwood
Witty, secluded Mary is reeling after her father, Trentwood, passes away and returns in ghostly form. Despite the ghost's constant prodding, Mary continues to live in their aging home with only her aunt and their servants for company.
But their quiet manor house carries secrets even from Mary and Trentwood. When Hartwell, a London lawyer, arrives at their doorstep claiming someone in the house is blackmailing his sister, Mary stumbles into a mystery that forces her to revisit memories and rethink her future.
As Mary and Hartwell seek the blackmailer, each learns about the importance of opening one's heart to trust and betrayal. Haunting Miss Trentwood is a light gothic tale-Legend of Sleepy Hollow meets Casper-written from varied perspectives. Readers will be entertained by bright dialogue and encouraged to reflect on the universal themes of dealing with parents and disappointing relationships, and learning to love again.
But their quiet manor house carries secrets even from Mary and Trentwood. When Hartwell, a London lawyer, arrives at their doorstep claiming someone in the house is blackmailing his sister, Mary stumbles into a mystery that forces her to revisit memories and rethink her future.
As Mary and Hartwell seek the blackmailer, each learns about the importance of opening one's heart to trust and betrayal. Haunting Miss Trentwood is a light gothic tale-Legend of Sleepy Hollow meets Casper-written from varied perspectives. Readers will be entertained by bright dialogue and encouraged to reflect on the universal themes of dealing with parents and disappointing relationships, and learning to love again.
256 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2010
23 people are currently reading
507 people want to read
About the author
Belinda Kroll
13 books94 followersBridgerton vibes with way less spice and way more ghosts.
Belinda Kroll writes and illustrates cozy romantasy. She loves a good "he falls first" story, but it's even better paired with a historical setting and a dollop of magical elements. Join us, dear reader, on this entertaining jaunt into an alternate past where a little magic goes a long way.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE EBOOK: https://books.worderella.com/rg9mrjii71
Belinda Kroll writes and illustrates cozy romantasy. She loves a good "he falls first" story, but it's even better paired with a historical setting and a dollop of magical elements. Join us, dear reader, on this entertaining jaunt into an alternate past where a little magic goes a long way.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE EBOOK: https://books.worderella.com/rg9mrjii71
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 15, 2010
Though I adored the movie Sense and Sensibility, I can’t proclaim to be a voracious reader of Jane Austen type books. However, I LOVED this Victorian ghost story!
Taking place in 1887 in the English countryside, the story begins when 26 year-old Mary Trentwood watches her father’s ghost climb out of his freshly dug grave and begin to boss her around like he did in his living form. Not only is Mary dealing with this frightening predicament, but also the only family member she has to help her with the failing estate is her cold aunt Mrs. Durham.
Soon after Mr. Trentwood’s death, Alexander Hartwell, a mysterious man with a scarred face and brusque personality, visits the estate. At first Mary believes he is her father’s dreaded solicitor but then it leaks out that Alexander is on a hunt for his sister’s blackmailer who is threatening the life of his young nephew. Might the blackmailer be living at the manor? Complicating factors is the arrival of Jasper Steele, a London hottie that Mary still swoons for despite her father’s clear disapproval.
My favorite part of this story is the characterization. These characters feel very real, full of calculation and doubts and flaws and genuine emotion. Mary Trentwood is a plucky, independent, slightly off-kilter lass who’d be just as content to rescue the hero as be rescued herself. Belinda Kroll paces the budding relationship between Mary and Alexander just right, with Jasper’s butting in providing the perfect foil. It is such a wise choice to make Alexander scarred, and I enjoyed the intrigue of how he got the scar. Handsome yet caddish Jasper totally reminds me of one of my favorite characters from Sense and Sensibility: Willoughby. Mr. Trentwood starts off as a smug jerk but then it becomes clear how much he loves his daughter and is only trying to do what “father knows best”. Even the funny butler Pomeroy has depth.
Because of the restrained playfulness of the dialogue, I didn’t realize the true danger from the blackmailer until the threat suddenly springs to the forefront of the story. I rarely figure out the bad guy ahead of time in mysteries, and this story kept me in appropriate suspense.
This was a very fresh take on the familiar elements of paranormal phenomena, romantic triangles, and English society. Haunting Miss Trentwood kept me on my toes with a faint smile on my face. It is quite a pleasurable read!
Because Belinda Kroll and I are both authors in Columbus, Ohio, I had the pleasure of meeting her and I was very impressed by her writing accomplishments at a relatively young age. I look forward to reading her future novels!
Taking place in 1887 in the English countryside, the story begins when 26 year-old Mary Trentwood watches her father’s ghost climb out of his freshly dug grave and begin to boss her around like he did in his living form. Not only is Mary dealing with this frightening predicament, but also the only family member she has to help her with the failing estate is her cold aunt Mrs. Durham.
Soon after Mr. Trentwood’s death, Alexander Hartwell, a mysterious man with a scarred face and brusque personality, visits the estate. At first Mary believes he is her father’s dreaded solicitor but then it leaks out that Alexander is on a hunt for his sister’s blackmailer who is threatening the life of his young nephew. Might the blackmailer be living at the manor? Complicating factors is the arrival of Jasper Steele, a London hottie that Mary still swoons for despite her father’s clear disapproval.
My favorite part of this story is the characterization. These characters feel very real, full of calculation and doubts and flaws and genuine emotion. Mary Trentwood is a plucky, independent, slightly off-kilter lass who’d be just as content to rescue the hero as be rescued herself. Belinda Kroll paces the budding relationship between Mary and Alexander just right, with Jasper’s butting in providing the perfect foil. It is such a wise choice to make Alexander scarred, and I enjoyed the intrigue of how he got the scar. Handsome yet caddish Jasper totally reminds me of one of my favorite characters from Sense and Sensibility: Willoughby. Mr. Trentwood starts off as a smug jerk but then it becomes clear how much he loves his daughter and is only trying to do what “father knows best”. Even the funny butler Pomeroy has depth.
Because of the restrained playfulness of the dialogue, I didn’t realize the true danger from the blackmailer until the threat suddenly springs to the forefront of the story. I rarely figure out the bad guy ahead of time in mysteries, and this story kept me in appropriate suspense.
This was a very fresh take on the familiar elements of paranormal phenomena, romantic triangles, and English society. Haunting Miss Trentwood kept me on my toes with a faint smile on my face. It is quite a pleasurable read!
Because Belinda Kroll and I are both authors in Columbus, Ohio, I had the pleasure of meeting her and I was very impressed by her writing accomplishments at a relatively young age. I look forward to reading her future novels!
September 8, 2023
Actual rating 3.5 stars. A delightful story, though the villain is a bit overdone (though, I suppose, they often are in stories with a gothic bent, which one might argue this book has, so YMMV). I enjoyed it, though I found myself dropping out of the story the more extreme the villain got. But I very much enjoyed our other main characters, and Mary's internal journey.
November 20, 2010
Haunting Miss Trentwood was an enjoyable historical/paranormal read. While many of the usual suspects that you would find in an Austen novel are represented, Miss Kroll gives them a supernatural tweak.
The heroine, Mary, has suffered great loss: Both of her parents have died and she is left in charge of the debt-ridden crumbling family manor. Since the day of her father's funeral, when she is sure that she saw her father crawl from his grave, Mary has been haunted by him. I loved this father/daughter relationship. Mr. Trentwood was not a perfect man, but he was caring father who wanted to see his daughter live a happy life, so much so that he haunts her until she does what he knows is best for her!
Mary has another man looking out for her, her butler/houseman Pomeroy. Pomeroy has some of the best lines in the book and is a funny and loveable character. He snoops and orchestrates and protects Mary-he is like her other parent.
Mr. Steele is the handsome suitor/buffoon. Rejected as an acceptable mate for Mary by Trentwood, Steele continues on his merry way and forgets about Mary until he comes to the manor to read Trentwood's will. Steele is good for comic relief-he's pretty to imagine and slightly silly, but not malicious.
Mrs. Durham, Mary's aunt who lives with her, was the least fleshed out character for me in a novel of great characters. We are told she is evil and crazy, but don't see a lot of evidence of this until near the end. I perhaps wanted a bit more backstory on her.
I've saved Hartwell for last. You are meant to swoon at his frankness, his dashing, his destroyed former good looks, and I certainly did. The banter between him and Mary is classic. You know they're going to end up together from the start, but the journey is delicious.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical romance. The paranormal aspects only add to the story and don't make it too "weird" or stray too far from the genre.
The heroine, Mary, has suffered great loss: Both of her parents have died and she is left in charge of the debt-ridden crumbling family manor. Since the day of her father's funeral, when she is sure that she saw her father crawl from his grave, Mary has been haunted by him. I loved this father/daughter relationship. Mr. Trentwood was not a perfect man, but he was caring father who wanted to see his daughter live a happy life, so much so that he haunts her until she does what he knows is best for her!
Mary has another man looking out for her, her butler/houseman Pomeroy. Pomeroy has some of the best lines in the book and is a funny and loveable character. He snoops and orchestrates and protects Mary-he is like her other parent.
Mr. Steele is the handsome suitor/buffoon. Rejected as an acceptable mate for Mary by Trentwood, Steele continues on his merry way and forgets about Mary until he comes to the manor to read Trentwood's will. Steele is good for comic relief-he's pretty to imagine and slightly silly, but not malicious.
Mrs. Durham, Mary's aunt who lives with her, was the least fleshed out character for me in a novel of great characters. We are told she is evil and crazy, but don't see a lot of evidence of this until near the end. I perhaps wanted a bit more backstory on her.
I've saved Hartwell for last. You are meant to swoon at his frankness, his dashing, his destroyed former good looks, and I certainly did. The banter between him and Mary is classic. You know they're going to end up together from the start, but the journey is delicious.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes historical romance. The paranormal aspects only add to the story and don't make it too "weird" or stray too far from the genre.
November 25, 2010
The Haunting of Miss Trentwood is a gorgeously crafted Victorian novel through which Kroll creates a perfect gothic literary revival. Admittedly, the author suggests that upon completion she recognized the influence of Hamlet in the story. I also see other classical influences such as Bronte and Shirley Jackson. However, the most notable and flattering comparison I can draw is to The House of Seven Gables, by Nathanial Hawthorne because "The Haunting of Miss Trentwood" visits the archetypal theme of withdrawal and return. It explores isolation and redemption along with a person's relationship to the past and determination to a future. It's about escaping and embracing all that influences or paralyzes. This concept (theme) can be examined as it applies to each character, which is fascinating and would make for a lively literary analysis. Similarly, Kroll achieves the proper restraint evocative of the classical Victorian era while harmonizing it with just the right amount of shadowy eeriness necessary when portraying a haunting. The use of the dying house as a character as well as setting is specific and greatly important in this style of novel. Much like Jackson and other gothic authors, the home is often a breathing thing that isolates or separates characters. There is a definite elegance presented in the word choice and proves the painstaking effort the author took in committing to the voice of the story. The lead character, Mary, is vulnerable, but not overtly fragile. There is a feminist quality to her reactions and thoughts, which is evident in her finding a prince in need of rescuing.
March 13, 2011
Haunting Miss Trentwood is, without doubt, one of the finest books I have had the pleasure of reading. Belinda Kroll writes with such fluidity in a style that is reminiscent of classic authors like Jane Austen.
I was swept into the story from the very first page and I found it difficult to put down, often staying up late into the night to complete 'just a few more chapters'. I was not disappointed at any stage within the book, it flowed beautifully, making me feel that I didn't want it to end.
I look forward to reading other books by Belinda Kroll. She has found herself a new-found fan, for sure!
Highly recommended!
I was swept into the story from the very first page and I found it difficult to put down, often staying up late into the night to complete 'just a few more chapters'. I was not disappointed at any stage within the book, it flowed beautifully, making me feel that I didn't want it to end.
I look forward to reading other books by Belinda Kroll. She has found herself a new-found fan, for sure!
Highly recommended!
August 19, 2024
4.5 Stars- this books is Cozy and swoons romantic for those who want a slow burn, hand brushing romance. The banter is KILLER and I just want to say that I can tell that Kroll has an excellent sense of humor.
I loved Alex Hartwell and he will become a permanent addition to my book boyfriend list.
I loved Alex Hartwell and he will become a permanent addition to my book boyfriend list.
July 10, 2024
Compton Beauchamp
Mary trentwood
Mrs Durham ( Mary’s aunt) Ophelia
Pomeroy: trentwoods valet cum butler
Mr hartwell, Alexander
Lady Kirkham(Florence) : Mr hartwells sister
Mary Trentwoods father passed away and they are burying him. As she’s leaving she swears she sees him crawling out of the soil. 3 days later she wakes up and her aunt is there. When her aunt leaves the room she swears her dad is in her room again. Pomeroy stops to check on her and she lets him in in hopes he’ll see her father but doesn’t bat an eye. We get pov of Alexander Hartwell. He gets a ride from a local farmer to the Compton beauchamp house. His sister is friends with Mrs Durham and he was sent to help in any way he can. He’s a barrister.
Mrs Durham slams the door in his face and Mary tells Pomeroy to tell him she has a headache. But then he sees Mary taking off and follows her. He finds her talkin to herself. This is where she finds out he’s a barrister and his mom sent him and she invites him for dinner. Pomeroy takes him to the guest room to dry off. Mrs Durham is acting weird towards him. But Mary is enraptured by him and intrigued by the scar on his face/ eye. Pomeroy shows Mary he found a letter blackmailing someone and he believes it was Mrs, Hartwell. She doesn’t believe this. Alex does call Pomeroy out for going through his things. We get a pov in Mrs Durhams pov that she wants Mr Hartwell gone even though he is the one good Hartwell living. She says something about him not needing to see Mary’s money when the solicitor is there and she won’t lose her house. Mary and Mr Hartwell go for a walk. He tells her he was sent by his sister but to find out who is blackmailing her and she thought Mrs Durham would know, if anyone. He thinks this is what throws Mary off but it’s the carriage with the handsome man she calls Steele getting out of it. And we know Mrs Durham was doing some type of scheming but that was fast to get Steele there. And then we find out Steele is her solicitor. Pomeroy does make a comment about Mrs Durham writing a letter but throwing it in the trash after seeing the carriage, so this wasn’t her doing it’s just a coincidence. Steele seems disgusted by the marks on Hartwells face. Steele goes to go inside the house. Trentwood is watching him and when he feels disrespected he yells at Steele, Mary comes bursting in and then screams at trentwood and starts dry heaving. She demands for him to get out of him. Trentwood is inside of hartwell. I think I’ve left out some of the details of the haunting. Trentwood likes Hartwell. He keeps telling Mary that. But he never liked Steele. Hartwell and Pomeroy think she’s going crazy talking to herself and the room. Hartwell starts to realize what had happened to him, that trentwood was inside of him. He really notices when Mary goes for a walk and he is told to go find her and has a headache. When he finds her, his body makes him run but he doesn’t understand why until Mary wakes up and yells at her father to stop. They find Steele and Mrs Durham in the parlor and Mary is upset because that was her mother’s parlor. Hartwell admits he still thinks Mary could be the one blackmailing his sister so she insists they go downstairs and let Steele look over the papers. He shows that her father leaves it all to her if she has a key. She asks her father what key and he tells her to her mother’s lockbox but won’t tell her anything more.So now she has to find a key. This proves that Mary is not blackmailing Hartwells sister. But he’s determined it has to be someone in this house. When Steele was gathering blankets for Mary’s return when she was out in the rain, he found a stack of letters and discovered that Mrs Durham is the blackmailer. She is sending these letters to Hartwells sister. And we figure out why. Mrs Durham couldn’t have children and her husband decided he didn’t love her anymore and started sleeping with Hartwells sister. So now Mrs Durham is blackmailing her. In Mrs Durham pov we find out that she had poisoned her husband and she intends to have this baby. When Steele confronted her on the blackmail she knocked him out with a rock and is hiding his body in the garden. Before this Steele had proposed to Mary but he had thought hartwell would have protested. But hartwell wants to put more thought into this. Trentwood had agreed he would leave if Mary marrys Steele, is the main reason she wants to do it. But I think she has more feelings for hartwell. Once hartwell has determined the blackmailer he is returning to London and said he’ll give her time to talk to her aunt. She tells him that her aunt is the only family that she has and she wants to talk to her before he sends her to jail. Hartwell is on his way to head back to London when he sees a carriage and realizes it’s his sister. He rushes back to the house. Mrs Durham takes the baby from his sister. He can’t find Mary and trentwood tells him she jumped the window to look for Steele in the garden. We find out when she jumped she accidentally hurt Pomeroy and she got him to the kitchen. And then she found Steele in the garden and knew they needed to get back to the house. She didn’t feel anything in his embrace. Mrs Durham announces that she knows the baby was her husbands making him hers and they’re going to meet his father and she jumps out the window. Mary screams because she watches her aunt fall to her death but trentwood had caught the baby. Mrs Durham gets buried. She goes to see hartwell. They end up kissing and Pomeroy says they have to get married now and he acknowledges the pendant of her mothers and thinks it could be the key she needed. She thinks she agrees with Pomeroy and she will marry hartwell. She doesn’t know if he’ll move to her or she’ll move to him but this is the romance her mom always told her of.
Okay I have mixed feelings about this book. I think it was fun and had a fun vibe. But idk her dad being the ghost was confusing at times. Sometimes it seemed like he could touch and other times he couldn’t which was weird. And how he went into hartwell and that’s the only person he could go inside of. And then how hartwells mother claimed he talked to her and arranged this whole thing. Like he played matchmaker but was also protecting Mary from her psycho aunt. It was a fun and quick read it was just a little different than what I’m used to. I liked that they ended up together and I like that I never liked her aunt so I wasn’t sad when she died😂I own a signed edition of this book. I’ve met Belinda before. She is absolutely wonderful. She’s going to be at an event I’m going to this weekend so I wanted to finally read this so I’d know if I want the whole series. I have an anthology book she’s written in and I think one of her novellas is inside of it so I have to figure out which one. The title was also perfect. Haunting miss trentwood is exactly what her dad was doing.
I’m between 3 and 4 stars. I have gotten stingy where i will rate a book I loved a 4 but a book I LOVED is a 5. And this was a mediocre read to me so it’s like a 3.5. Like I liked it but I didn’t love it but I feel bad 3 starring it. So I’ll give it a 4 and round up😂
Mary trentwood
Mrs Durham ( Mary’s aunt) Ophelia
Pomeroy: trentwoods valet cum butler
Mr hartwell, Alexander
Lady Kirkham(Florence) : Mr hartwells sister
Mary Trentwoods father passed away and they are burying him. As she’s leaving she swears she sees him crawling out of the soil. 3 days later she wakes up and her aunt is there. When her aunt leaves the room she swears her dad is in her room again. Pomeroy stops to check on her and she lets him in in hopes he’ll see her father but doesn’t bat an eye. We get pov of Alexander Hartwell. He gets a ride from a local farmer to the Compton beauchamp house. His sister is friends with Mrs Durham and he was sent to help in any way he can. He’s a barrister.
Mrs Durham slams the door in his face and Mary tells Pomeroy to tell him she has a headache. But then he sees Mary taking off and follows her. He finds her talkin to herself. This is where she finds out he’s a barrister and his mom sent him and she invites him for dinner. Pomeroy takes him to the guest room to dry off. Mrs Durham is acting weird towards him. But Mary is enraptured by him and intrigued by the scar on his face/ eye. Pomeroy shows Mary he found a letter blackmailing someone and he believes it was Mrs, Hartwell. She doesn’t believe this. Alex does call Pomeroy out for going through his things. We get a pov in Mrs Durhams pov that she wants Mr Hartwell gone even though he is the one good Hartwell living. She says something about him not needing to see Mary’s money when the solicitor is there and she won’t lose her house. Mary and Mr Hartwell go for a walk. He tells her he was sent by his sister but to find out who is blackmailing her and she thought Mrs Durham would know, if anyone. He thinks this is what throws Mary off but it’s the carriage with the handsome man she calls Steele getting out of it. And we know Mrs Durham was doing some type of scheming but that was fast to get Steele there. And then we find out Steele is her solicitor. Pomeroy does make a comment about Mrs Durham writing a letter but throwing it in the trash after seeing the carriage, so this wasn’t her doing it’s just a coincidence. Steele seems disgusted by the marks on Hartwells face. Steele goes to go inside the house. Trentwood is watching him and when he feels disrespected he yells at Steele, Mary comes bursting in and then screams at trentwood and starts dry heaving. She demands for him to get out of him. Trentwood is inside of hartwell. I think I’ve left out some of the details of the haunting. Trentwood likes Hartwell. He keeps telling Mary that. But he never liked Steele. Hartwell and Pomeroy think she’s going crazy talking to herself and the room. Hartwell starts to realize what had happened to him, that trentwood was inside of him. He really notices when Mary goes for a walk and he is told to go find her and has a headache. When he finds her, his body makes him run but he doesn’t understand why until Mary wakes up and yells at her father to stop. They find Steele and Mrs Durham in the parlor and Mary is upset because that was her mother’s parlor. Hartwell admits he still thinks Mary could be the one blackmailing his sister so she insists they go downstairs and let Steele look over the papers. He shows that her father leaves it all to her if she has a key. She asks her father what key and he tells her to her mother’s lockbox but won’t tell her anything more.So now she has to find a key. This proves that Mary is not blackmailing Hartwells sister. But he’s determined it has to be someone in this house. When Steele was gathering blankets for Mary’s return when she was out in the rain, he found a stack of letters and discovered that Mrs Durham is the blackmailer. She is sending these letters to Hartwells sister. And we figure out why. Mrs Durham couldn’t have children and her husband decided he didn’t love her anymore and started sleeping with Hartwells sister. So now Mrs Durham is blackmailing her. In Mrs Durham pov we find out that she had poisoned her husband and she intends to have this baby. When Steele confronted her on the blackmail she knocked him out with a rock and is hiding his body in the garden. Before this Steele had proposed to Mary but he had thought hartwell would have protested. But hartwell wants to put more thought into this. Trentwood had agreed he would leave if Mary marrys Steele, is the main reason she wants to do it. But I think she has more feelings for hartwell. Once hartwell has determined the blackmailer he is returning to London and said he’ll give her time to talk to her aunt. She tells him that her aunt is the only family that she has and she wants to talk to her before he sends her to jail. Hartwell is on his way to head back to London when he sees a carriage and realizes it’s his sister. He rushes back to the house. Mrs Durham takes the baby from his sister. He can’t find Mary and trentwood tells him she jumped the window to look for Steele in the garden. We find out when she jumped she accidentally hurt Pomeroy and she got him to the kitchen. And then she found Steele in the garden and knew they needed to get back to the house. She didn’t feel anything in his embrace. Mrs Durham announces that she knows the baby was her husbands making him hers and they’re going to meet his father and she jumps out the window. Mary screams because she watches her aunt fall to her death but trentwood had caught the baby. Mrs Durham gets buried. She goes to see hartwell. They end up kissing and Pomeroy says they have to get married now and he acknowledges the pendant of her mothers and thinks it could be the key she needed. She thinks she agrees with Pomeroy and she will marry hartwell. She doesn’t know if he’ll move to her or she’ll move to him but this is the romance her mom always told her of.
Okay I have mixed feelings about this book. I think it was fun and had a fun vibe. But idk her dad being the ghost was confusing at times. Sometimes it seemed like he could touch and other times he couldn’t which was weird. And how he went into hartwell and that’s the only person he could go inside of. And then how hartwells mother claimed he talked to her and arranged this whole thing. Like he played matchmaker but was also protecting Mary from her psycho aunt. It was a fun and quick read it was just a little different than what I’m used to. I liked that they ended up together and I like that I never liked her aunt so I wasn’t sad when she died😂I own a signed edition of this book. I’ve met Belinda before. She is absolutely wonderful. She’s going to be at an event I’m going to this weekend so I wanted to finally read this so I’d know if I want the whole series. I have an anthology book she’s written in and I think one of her novellas is inside of it so I have to figure out which one. The title was also perfect. Haunting miss trentwood is exactly what her dad was doing.
I’m between 3 and 4 stars. I have gotten stingy where i will rate a book I loved a 4 but a book I LOVED is a 5. And this was a mediocre read to me so it’s like a 3.5. Like I liked it but I didn’t love it but I feel bad 3 starring it. So I’ll give it a 4 and round up😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2010
Haunting Miss Trentwood is a beautifully written story set in the 1800s about a young woman who's father is haunting her. Miss Trentwood was left her father's estate and her only family is Mrs. Durham, her mother's twin sister. When Mr. Hartwell makes his presence, Mrs. Durham is put on edge while Miss Trentwood is rather intrigued by his ghastly scar on his face. Mr. Hartwell announces to Miss Trentwood that he has come to find the person who is blackmailing his sister and everyone is a suspect. What no one knows however, is that the blackmailer is dangerous and won't think twice about hurting those who get in their way.
I don't know how someone can find humor in a story about your dead father haunting you while a dangerous blackmailer lives under the same roof as you, but Belinda Kroll found a way. If you enjoy Haunting Miss Trentwood, I highly recommend her first novel Catching the Rose. Belinda Kroll is the Queen of Quirky Historical Fiction.
I don't know how someone can find humor in a story about your dead father haunting you while a dangerous blackmailer lives under the same roof as you, but Belinda Kroll found a way. If you enjoy Haunting Miss Trentwood, I highly recommend her first novel Catching the Rose. Belinda Kroll is the Queen of Quirky Historical Fiction.
November 4, 2010
I don't understand why the other review on here sounds really good and yet was only 3 stars. So I'm giving it 5!
I've been reading (and writing) so many modern paranormal romances, that I had to get used to the voice of this book. The style is just a little old fashioned, and it reminded me a lot of books I read in high school. This was definitely a ghost story, and it was set in the 1800's, but it wasn't typical by any means. There was a lot of quirky humor in this book, especially when Mr. Trentwood was around. And I love quirky humor.
I was really entertained by this book and I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would. It was one of those books where I carried my Kindle around reading, almost running into walls. :) Great story!
I've been reading (and writing) so many modern paranormal romances, that I had to get used to the voice of this book. The style is just a little old fashioned, and it reminded me a lot of books I read in high school. This was definitely a ghost story, and it was set in the 1800's, but it wasn't typical by any means. There was a lot of quirky humor in this book, especially when Mr. Trentwood was around. And I love quirky humor.
I was really entertained by this book and I enjoyed it even more than I thought I would. It was one of those books where I carried my Kindle around reading, almost running into walls. :) Great story!
November 30, 2010
Haunting Miss Trentwood was a delightfully twisted take on life after the death of ones parents. From the start the characters and settings are described so colorfully I was able to jump right into the story. The language of the book was great at keeping me in the Victorian setting. It was a great read with a touch of romance, definitely a page turner for me!
October 6, 2011
I must say I continued to read this book in order to take part in the discussion. I did enjoy Mary's character and spirit but was reading to finish; not for enjoyment.
December 8, 2023
Духовете в популярната литература са или твърде любезни и добросърдечни, или прекомерно сърдити и зловещи създания, с недовършена работа сред живите им наследници. Е, призраците на Белинда Крол са най-вече дразнещи дупета – и това го казвам с абсолютна искрена честност, даже посмекчавайки умерено личната си оценка, които могат спокойно да преминат към светлината и да си гледат следващите животи, или да си висят от някой облак, или да си вземат спа бани в някой казан, според вярванията и заслугите, но просто избират да тормозят на общо основание. И го правят по най-комичния и саркастичен начин, на който са способни, погазвайки всякакви предания, закони и правила на отвъдния живот.
Сега, това не е някакъв викториански Битълджус, призраците никой не ги вика, но те си намират своя път към избраните жертви на обитание, без да вият в полунощ, носейки се в анти еротично екипче, състоящи се чаршаф и вериги, без да сочат с пръст и да викат глухо, но оглушително Ти си следващия. Те просто цъфват пред тъжните герои на поредицата, оглеждат ги критично от горе до долу, след което започват да коментират прическата, дължината на фустата или чистотата на ризата им, вадейки отвъдземните списъци със все още неженени и дишащи младежи и девойки, които според живи и неживи са в отчаяна нужда от съпружеско присъствие в животите си.
Е, може и да се наложи да се разкрие някое и друго скрито престъпление, да се хване някой мерзавец – убиец, или измамник – досадник, но целта на призраците винаги накрая е да оженят живите до крак и туй-то. С много чувство за хумор, лек зловещ привкус, очарователни странни герои и многоцветност на историята, Белинда Крол разказва една история за нрави, мъртъвци и романтика, която със сигурност ще ви забавлява до последна страница.
Сега, това не е някакъв викториански Битълджус, призраците никой не ги вика, но те си намират своя път към избраните жертви на обитание, без да вият в полунощ, носейки се в анти еротично екипче, състоящи се чаршаф и вериги, без да сочат с пръст и да викат глухо, но оглушително Ти си следващия. Те просто цъфват пред тъжните герои на поредицата, оглеждат ги критично от горе до долу, след което започват да коментират прическата, дължината на фустата или чистотата на ризата им, вадейки отвъдземните списъци със все още неженени и дишащи младежи и девойки, които според живи и неживи са в отчаяна нужда от съпружеско присъствие в животите си.
Е, може и да се наложи да се разкрие някое и друго скрито престъпление, да се хване някой мерзавец – убиец, или измамник – досадник, но целта на призраците винаги накрая е да оженят живите до крак и туй-то. С много чувство за хумор, лек зловещ привкус, очарователни странни герои и многоцветност на историята, Белинда Крол разказва една история за нрави, мъртъвци и романтика, която със сигурност ще ви забавлява до последна страница.
November 7, 2022
Whimsical Gothic
I read A LOT, so it’s rare when I see a book—especially a fiction book--that is truly something different. This is one of those rare unique books, and though I’ve finished it, I haven’t quite decided whether or not I like it.
The book feels a bit uneven to me, going between a very British tongue-in-cheek humor and a somewhat macabre Gothic feel. The dialogue felt a little stilted at times, like the author was trying a little too hard, perhaps. If the dialogue were better, I think I would have been more firmly on the “like” side of the equation.
The characters have strongly distinctive voices; you can easily determine which perspective character a chapter is written from before you read too far. The heroine is strong, cannily intelligent, and sure of herself, even in unusual circumstances. The hero is a no-nonsense guy… who has to deal with a lot of nonsense. The butler Pomeroy was a hoot, in the classically English understated way, whenever he showed up. The ghost dad was a bit gruff, but you could tell he loved his daughter and wanted the best for her.
So, this is a quirky read that you’ll probably either love or hate, depending on how you feel about a book that could be called whimsically Gothic.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
I read A LOT, so it’s rare when I see a book—especially a fiction book--that is truly something different. This is one of those rare unique books, and though I’ve finished it, I haven’t quite decided whether or not I like it.
The book feels a bit uneven to me, going between a very British tongue-in-cheek humor and a somewhat macabre Gothic feel. The dialogue felt a little stilted at times, like the author was trying a little too hard, perhaps. If the dialogue were better, I think I would have been more firmly on the “like” side of the equation.
The characters have strongly distinctive voices; you can easily determine which perspective character a chapter is written from before you read too far. The heroine is strong, cannily intelligent, and sure of herself, even in unusual circumstances. The hero is a no-nonsense guy… who has to deal with a lot of nonsense. The butler Pomeroy was a hoot, in the classically English understated way, whenever he showed up. The ghost dad was a bit gruff, but you could tell he loved his daughter and wanted the best for her.
So, this is a quirky read that you’ll probably either love or hate, depending on how you feel about a book that could be called whimsically Gothic.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
March 14, 2023
Haunting Miss Trentwood was a bit different from other victorian romances I've encountered. Mr. Trentwood, Mary Trentwood's father dies after a lengthy illness, only to return as a ghost, and start haunting his daughter. Rather than rattling chains or engaging in jump scares, Mr. Trentwood behaves as a stern, disapproving father would, criticizing Mary for her poor choices, and trying to get her to make decisions of which he would approve. The story becomes more interesting with the arrival of barrister Alexander Hartwell, who is investigating the blackmail of his sister, who is a friend of Mary's aunt, Mrs.Durham.
The cast is complete with the subsequent arrival of soliciter Mr. Steele, Mary's crush, who has had no contact with Mary following the refusal of Mr. Trentwood to countenance Steele's courting Mary.
The characters are well drawn, their motivations are easily understood, and their behavior is consistent with their motivations. The only criticisms I have are that Mr. Steele is a bit too feckless, and that the ending is a little too pat. Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more from Belinda Kroll.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The cast is complete with the subsequent arrival of soliciter Mr. Steele, Mary's crush, who has had no contact with Mary following the refusal of Mr. Trentwood to countenance Steele's courting Mary.
The characters are well drawn, their motivations are easily understood, and their behavior is consistent with their motivations. The only criticisms I have are that Mr. Steele is a bit too feckless, and that the ending is a little too pat. Nonetheless, this was an enjoyable read, and I look forward to reading more from Belinda Kroll.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
March 17, 2023
I absolutely ADORED this book!
When I first read the synopsis, I was a little worried I was getting into a scary story, but I'm very pleased to tell you I had nothing to worry about. Instead of hiding under the covers of my bed I was laughing all the way through! Belinda's characters are sassy and hilarious and she weaves a beautiful sweet romance into this cozy Victorian setting.
Mary and Alex's story starts out with one of my favorite tropes - annoyances to lovers! I'm a sucker for two people who start off on the wrong foot and then completely fall head over heels for each other. Alex is just everything, and Mary feels familiar in so many ways. I adored them and cheered the whole way through as they grew to love each other. Then there's Trentwood. He will have you laughing so hard your friends and family will look at you funny as you look at your phone screen because you have to know what he's going to say next. I fell in love with all of them and was a little sad when I turned the page to the Acknowledgements because it meant I didn't get more Mary and Alex.
This whole book is darling and I love it! I can't wait for Jasper and Tessa's story and to get to see Jasper grow up - and good heavens I hope the man grows a backbone. This really is your next feel good read!
When I first read the synopsis, I was a little worried I was getting into a scary story, but I'm very pleased to tell you I had nothing to worry about. Instead of hiding under the covers of my bed I was laughing all the way through! Belinda's characters are sassy and hilarious and she weaves a beautiful sweet romance into this cozy Victorian setting.
Mary and Alex's story starts out with one of my favorite tropes - annoyances to lovers! I'm a sucker for two people who start off on the wrong foot and then completely fall head over heels for each other. Alex is just everything, and Mary feels familiar in so many ways. I adored them and cheered the whole way through as they grew to love each other. Then there's Trentwood. He will have you laughing so hard your friends and family will look at you funny as you look at your phone screen because you have to know what he's going to say next. I fell in love with all of them and was a little sad when I turned the page to the Acknowledgements because it meant I didn't get more Mary and Alex.
This whole book is darling and I love it! I can't wait for Jasper and Tessa's story and to get to see Jasper grow up - and good heavens I hope the man grows a backbone. This really is your next feel good read!
November 29, 2016
What a delightful and cozy read this one was!
Sometimes you are not in the mood to read any of the books you have started but instead decide to grab a Victorian mix of romance & ghost story with a little bit of mystery element and it proves to be exactly what you needed!
I really liked Mary, because she was a bit unconventional for the times, but not anachronistically so, and she was trying to deal with all the changes and news and losses as best as she could, and doing a pretty decent job, being haunted and all!
Harkwell was not exactly what I expected when I first saw him on page, and I'm glad that he wasn't exactly presented as obvious love interest as I've seen it done in books, and although the story takes place in a short period of time, the relationship and its progression seemed to flow so very naturally with the plot progression and the characters. It never felt rushed and I only remarked on the short time elapsed when the characters themselves did!
Very satisfying and entertaining, it'd be the perfect book to keep you company & feel good on a rainy day! Well deserved 4 stars!
Sometimes you are not in the mood to read any of the books you have started but instead decide to grab a Victorian mix of romance & ghost story with a little bit of mystery element and it proves to be exactly what you needed!
I really liked Mary, because she was a bit unconventional for the times, but not anachronistically so, and she was trying to deal with all the changes and news and losses as best as she could, and doing a pretty decent job, being haunted and all!
Harkwell was not exactly what I expected when I first saw him on page, and I'm glad that he wasn't exactly presented as obvious love interest as I've seen it done in books, and although the story takes place in a short period of time, the relationship and its progression seemed to flow so very naturally with the plot progression and the characters. It never felt rushed and I only remarked on the short time elapsed when the characters themselves did!
Very satisfying and entertaining, it'd be the perfect book to keep you company & feel good on a rainy day! Well deserved 4 stars!
October 16, 2024
I really enjoying the first half of this book but struggled to finish it by the end. The concept was definitely a little silly right from chapter one, but I was enjoying the characters and the vibes. Unfortunately, later into the book I was getting more and more confused by certain scenes to the point I had to skip back a few minutes in the audiobook multiple times even when paying close attention.
I don’t know what happened, but I started to get to the point that I felt like the personalities of the characters were altered, and it was getting more and more silly. I also hated that she didn’t call her father by “father,” but as Trentwood because this confused me several times throughout the book.
Overall the vibes were silly and sort of fun if you like that kind of book. I wish the characters would have show a little more growth and we would’ve gotten a little more plot outside of Mary behind haunted by her father’s ghost.
I don’t know what happened, but I started to get to the point that I felt like the personalities of the characters were altered, and it was getting more and more silly. I also hated that she didn’t call her father by “father,” but as Trentwood because this confused me several times throughout the book.
Overall the vibes were silly and sort of fun if you like that kind of book. I wish the characters would have show a little more growth and we would’ve gotten a little more plot outside of Mary behind haunted by her father’s ghost.
November 4, 2023
3.75 stars
When Mary Trentwood lays her father to rest, she doesn't expect his ghost to climb right back out of the grave, but that's precisely what happens, followed by an unexpected guest. Will Mary discover the reason she's being haunted before it's too late?
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This was a really cute story. Both Mary and Hartwell were likeable characters, and the banter between them was quite enjoyable. Additionally, the writing style was easy to follow. I was very curious about both Mary being haunted and why Hartwell was there, and I enjoyed the way the mystery unfolded. The wee dash of romance was also nice.
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And Mary's ghost dad was quite comical, but also still protective of his daughter, which was very sweet.
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Mary did have some trauma to process and I felt it was glossed over a bit.
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If you're looking for a quick, cozy, haunting mystery, this one may just suit your fancy.
When Mary Trentwood lays her father to rest, she doesn't expect his ghost to climb right back out of the grave, but that's precisely what happens, followed by an unexpected guest. Will Mary discover the reason she's being haunted before it's too late?
.
This was a really cute story. Both Mary and Hartwell were likeable characters, and the banter between them was quite enjoyable. Additionally, the writing style was easy to follow. I was very curious about both Mary being haunted and why Hartwell was there, and I enjoyed the way the mystery unfolded. The wee dash of romance was also nice.
.
And Mary's ghost dad was quite comical, but also still protective of his daughter, which was very sweet.
.
Mary did have some trauma to process and I felt it was glossed over a bit.
.
If you're looking for a quick, cozy, haunting mystery, this one may just suit your fancy.
September 4, 2022
I enjoyed this historical romance story with all of the characters. The three main characters were Mary, her father and Hartwell.
Mary father has past away. But his ghostly form has returned to the country manor. Where now she lives with her aunt and some servants. When a lawyer that is name Hartwell arrives on her doorstep claim that someone in the house is blackmail his sister. While trying to find the blackmailer she find out secrets from her family's past.
This was a fun mystery story. It had action, suspense and drama within. It also had a few laughs and giggles to.
I received a complimentary copy via StoryOrigin. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
Mary father has past away. But his ghostly form has returned to the country manor. Where now she lives with her aunt and some servants. When a lawyer that is name Hartwell arrives on her doorstep claim that someone in the house is blackmail his sister. While trying to find the blackmailer she find out secrets from her family's past.
This was a fun mystery story. It had action, suspense and drama within. It also had a few laughs and giggles to.
I received a complimentary copy via StoryOrigin. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
October 25, 2022
Haunting Miss Trentwood is a charming, sweet romance that will have you devouring each chapter in pursuit of answers and just more time with these eccentric characters. The ghost is very nearly the star of the show with his frank and teasing observations. That said the rest of the cast hold their own, each being interesting individuals with backstories, motives and agendas of their own.
For all the darker moments, ultimately this story is charming and more often than not the characters leave you smiling and wanting more. I loved reading every page of this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
For all the darker moments, ultimately this story is charming and more often than not the characters leave you smiling and wanting more. I loved reading every page of this story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 24, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️,5/5
L’histoire est simple mais bien écrite, même si la fin a été un peu trop rushé à mon goût (vraiment, on ne comprends pas trop pourquoi les événements enchaînent ainsi) — idem pour les relations, qui sont, je trouve, un peu survolées (sauf celle entre Mary et son père, qui, même si quelque peu étonnante, apporte un vent de fraîcheur). Les personnages sont intéressants même si, comme le reste, ils sont sous-développés : j’aurais aimé en savoir plus sur Hartwell, sur la mère d’Hartwell (après tout, c’est elle qui est la médium !), sur Pomeroy et même sur Steele et Mrs.Durham !
En tout cas, j’ai passé un bon moment de lecture !
L’histoire est simple mais bien écrite, même si la fin a été un peu trop rushé à mon goût (vraiment, on ne comprends pas trop pourquoi les événements enchaînent ainsi) — idem pour les relations, qui sont, je trouve, un peu survolées (sauf celle entre Mary et son père, qui, même si quelque peu étonnante, apporte un vent de fraîcheur). Les personnages sont intéressants même si, comme le reste, ils sont sous-développés : j’aurais aimé en savoir plus sur Hartwell, sur la mère d’Hartwell (après tout, c’est elle qui est la médium !), sur Pomeroy et même sur Steele et Mrs.Durham !
En tout cas, j’ai passé un bon moment de lecture !
March 1, 2022
So cool and so different.
This book was very different, very unique and I enjoyed the author’s writing style. It has a rather dry humor with a touch of suspense and danger within this fantasy. I liked the characters but I did second guess the heroine and that whole Jasper thing. The ending was super interesting I loved it. If you are looking for something ordinary this is not the book for you but if you want to live on the edge pick this one up. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
This book was very different, very unique and I enjoyed the author’s writing style. It has a rather dry humor with a touch of suspense and danger within this fantasy. I liked the characters but I did second guess the heroine and that whole Jasper thing. The ending was super interesting I loved it. If you are looking for something ordinary this is not the book for you but if you want to live on the edge pick this one up. I did receive a free copy of this book from Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
February 9, 2023
This is endearing story as readers are introduced to Mary, who has lost her father. Though this doesn't last as her father makes an appearance as a ghost and provides Mary with company. Hartwell arrives on a personal mission, and he finds it difficult to get used to the whimsical Mary. Nonetheless, their relationship builds over time. Readers view from both Mary and Hartwell as they uncover truths and secrets.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.
I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to StoryOrigin and author.
March 24, 2024
Miss Trentwood has just buried her father when he appears to her again as a ghost. Thinking she's losing her mind, dealing with her grief, her difficult aunt, their lack of funds, and the relationship with her father to mend, Mary has enough on her plate when Alexander Hartwell barges into her life looking for his sister's blackmailer.
Haunting Miss Trentwood is a fun, fast historical fantasy romance. I enjoyed the world and the characters were excellent. I especially enjoyed Alex and his relationship with Mary. I'm eager to read more in this world.
November 13, 2024
I really love the premise of this books. A father coming back as a ghost to make sure his daughter is ok (well, and to dissuade her from marrying the wrong man) is really interesting.
The reason I only have it 3 stars was I really struggled to follow along. I felt it jumped into different stages or people without good segues. It could have just been me but I struggled to follow the story and by the end, I didn’t even know what was going on anymore.
The reason I only have it 3 stars was I really struggled to follow along. I felt it jumped into different stages or people without good segues. It could have just been me but I struggled to follow the story and by the end, I didn’t even know what was going on anymore.
November 4, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book. Haunting Miss Trentwood felt refreshing and different, the mix of Victorian setting, humor, gentle romance, and a meddling ghost father made it so entertaining. I loved Mary’s character growth and how she stepped into her strength, and Hartwell added the perfect balance of mystery and charm. Belinda Kroll wrote this story with personality and creativity, and I truly appreciate how unique and fun this reading experience was.
March 13, 2020
Summary in one word: weak !
With weak characters and a very flimsy story, the ghost is the only thing moving this along. Moreover, till halfway I wasn’t even sure if the ghost was a good or bad parent.
Mary started off nice and strong but was unraveled and all over the place by the end.
Managed to eventually sleepily finish it as I didn’t want a DNF but primarily I was bored.
With weak characters and a very flimsy story, the ghost is the only thing moving this along. Moreover, till halfway I wasn’t even sure if the ghost was a good or bad parent.
Mary started off nice and strong but was unraveled and all over the place by the end.
Managed to eventually sleepily finish it as I didn’t want a DNF but primarily I was bored.
March 5, 2022
The first book in the Hesitant Mediums series, this is a new Author to me. Mary, Trentwood her Father's ghost and London lawyer Hartwell's story.The story is well written with an interesting storyline that kept me turning pages. This is a new Author to me. I want to read more by her. I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 28, 2023
Wow, I loved this book. First off, it was hilarious. I laughed out loud multiple times while reading it. Second, I really enjoyed the combination of a Victorian setting, light paranormal element, and sweet romance. The author's bio states that she is a Korean drama lover (me, too), and this book had that same feel but in a Victorian setting.
December 9, 2023
That cover is to die for awesome! I love love love it! The book has everything I adore.
HAUNTING MISS TRENTWOOD is a cozy victorian fantasy featuring sweet romance, found family, and ridiculous comedy-of-manners fun.
The author does a fantastic job delivering on every promise made on her back cover.
This back cover blurb left me laughing and clicking the "Buy" Button.
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