The Secrets of Chateau Swansea

Tortured Souls #4

by R.C. Matthews

When the hunter becomes the hunted ~

A grisly murder leaves a haunted estate without an heir, and a powerful medium scrambles to find answers from beyond the grave.

Determined to escape the nightmarish memories of her childhood, heiress and psychic Maribeth Sommerset pursues the adventurous life of a psychic investigator, beginning with a murder and the spirits who hover behind at the haunted Chateau Swansea.

Meanwhile, devoted steward of the chateau Arthur Dunn plays a dangerous game of deception to shield his employer's good name, landing himself at the top of Maribeth's suspect list.

Amidst scandalous secrets and destructive lies, will Maribeth uncover the secrets of Chateau Swansea before the killer strikes again?

Don't miss out on this thrilling Victorian gothic romance!

Genres: Historical Romance, Gothic, Historical Fiction

Unknown Binding

About the author

I was born and raised by deaf parents in the Metro-Detroit area along with four siblings. Growing up in a house full of children, there was never a dull moment! We all inherited the reading gene from our father, who is a voracious reader. And the reading gene continues strong in my own two sons. I'm happily married (second time is a charm) to a patient and loving man who always cheers me on from the side-line to pursue my dreams. What more can a girl want?

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet the charming Maribeth Sommerset, fledgling psychic investigator filled with dreams of mystery and adventure as Fate puts her in the right place at the right time to unveil THE SECRETS OF CHATEAU SWANSEA!

R.C. Matthews takes us back in time to a haunted estate where a grisly murder gives Maribeth a chance to test her powers as a medium to reach beyond the veil for answers from beyond the grave.
Not everyone will support Maribeth’s efforts as the estate steward blocks all attempts that may shed a bad light on the ailing master of the house. Why is Arthur being so difficult? He’s the one who hired her…Does he have something to hide?

Someone from both sides of the veil know the secrets hidden within these walls, will Maribeth find out more than she could have imagined?

More than a Gothic Who-dunnit, R.C. Matthews has created a fun and riveting tale with some very unexpected twists! Maribeth’s character sparkles against Arthur’s dark and seemingly untrustworthy character, is Arthur hiding secrets of his own?

Quick, thoroughly entertaining reading that was over far too soon!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from R.C. Matthews!

Publication Date: October 1, 2018
Publisher: R.C. Matthews
Genre: Historical Romantic Suspense
Print Length: 205 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

R.C. Matthews has done it, again, writing a riveting tale with twists and tortured soul romance!

I love it when minor characters from other works receive their own story. In this case we get to focus on Maribeth Sommerset, a medium who is trying to make it as a physic investigator. She gets her chance to prove her skills when a supposed murder happens at Chateau Swansea. But Arthur Dunn, the steward of the property, continually throws doubt in her investigation. Could he be the mastermind of the curious incidents occurring around the property?

This book kept me turning the pages till the very end, which concluded on a high note full of love, hope, and promises for future happiness!

I received this as an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of my own free will in exchange for an honest review.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first gothic romance and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

The Secrets of Chateau Swansea was well written, and it kept me engaged from start to finish. It was interesting how everything played out, and there were even some twists that surprised me.

I will admit, I was slightly put off by what I saw as Arthur's "games" or him being less than forthcoming about things, but he managed to redeem himself. :) Highly recommend.


**I requested an ARC from R.C., and she graciously provided me with one.**

[Lauralee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maribeth is a psychic investigator who is hired to explore the ghosts that haunt the Chateau of Swansea. She meets Arthur Dunn, the steward of the chateau who seems to be hiding secrets. Maribeth finds him suspicious and wonders if he could be behind the murders of Swansea Castle. As Maribeth continues her investigation, she finds that the chateau is linked to her past. She soon discovers that she is in great danger because someone in the castle wants her dead.

Maribeth is really a fun character. She is haughty, stubborn, and feisty. There are times when she is playful and loves to flirt with Arthur Dunn. She is a medium that can communicate with the dead and wants to have a career as psychic investigator. She is willing to continue any lengths to solve the mystery behind the chateau, even if it means using deception.

While I love Maribeth, I thought that Arthur needed more character development. Some of his actions in this novel did not make any sense. As a love interest, he was bit underwhelming. Their love was instant at first sight. Thus, I thought the author should worked more on the development on Arthur’s character and their romance.

Overall, this novel is about family, secrets, and love. While the characters needed more development, the writing itself was very well done. The setting was haunting and atmospheric. The mystery was very thrilling. The killer was not someone who I suspected and the motive was compelling. The Secrets of Chateau Swansea was very fast-paced and a fun ride! It was filled with suspense and ghosts! This is a perfect read for Halloween! I highly recommend it for fans of The Architect's Song, The Other Side of Midnight, and The Dead Travel Fast!
(Note: This book was given to me as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.)

[Cassie May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed on behalf of 3 Degrees of Fiction Blog
It has been a while since I have read a book set in a past time. I rarely read those, because most of the times the flowery language and etiquette annoys me to no end. The Alphas are too tame, the women are not sassy enough and all that put me off, BUT the blurb of this one captured my attention and I was hooked.
Maribeth was an unusual heroine in a book set I that time and I really enjoyed getting glimpses of her past and wished I would have gotten more of that time on the pirate ship. Is there another book, explaining those times?
Arthur was a nice gentleman, not very alpha, but he was very well portrayed and I connected well with both characters. Their actions and words painted a picture of two people who tried to find their place in between the stands of that era, where looks and an impressive name were often more important than feelings.
Following their footsteps to see where the solving of the murder would lead us, I was hooked on the secrets of the Chateau and its inhabitants. I absolutely did not expect the turning of events and liked the ending so much!
The writing style was good, just flowery enough to support the era and not enough to make me bored and annoyed with the words. I will definitely pick up more books by this author.

[Julia O'Connell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maribeth Sommerset is determined to start her career as a psychic investigator, despite protestations from her friends and family that she should focus on finding a husband instead. First, though, she needs to find someone to hire her. When the mistress of Chateau Swansea is found dead on the very day that Maribeth visits the historic estate, it seems to be the perfect opportunity. Aurthur Dunn, the handsome steward of the estate, is reluctant to put his faith in a medium. But if talking to ghosts is what it takes to clear his employer’s name from this grisly murder, that’s what he’ll have to do. But once Maribeth starts investigating, she realizes that the identity of Mrs. Turner’s killer isn’t the only mystery at Chateau Swansea, and she may be more deeply entangled in the history of this haunted home than she knows.

Read my full review at https://www.thegothiclibrary.com/the-...

[Inishowen Cailín · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The mystery and the paranormal scenes really lent a supernatural and Gothic feel to the story. There were plenty of twists in the tale which kept me guessing and I was completely caught off guard when the killer was revealed.
I liked the romance. It was nice and subtle and didn't overshadow the main story.

I am still confused about title. The story is set in England but the people live in a chateau in Swansea.
I thought it was either going to be set in France or Wales as the family lived in a chateau in Swansea. It just didn't make sense.
There is no explanation why it's called a chateau as the characters are not French. It would be less confusing if it was a castle with an English name rather than a French castle named after a city in Wales but set in England.

[Ryanne Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you a believer or a skeptic? In truth, in love, in ghosts? Our heroine, Maribeth, is gifted and wants to prove to others, and herself, that she has all the skills needed to be a psychic investigator. If she fails, her guardians will insist she marry - and soon. Her first real case falls into her lap as she and her companion vacation in Swansea, home to the reputedly haunted Castle Swansea.

This novel has a good storyline and the characters are there to be loved or hated or possibly both. They are well fleshed out: even the ghosts! As you read, things happen that pull you deeper into the story. It’s not as dark as some Gothic novels I’ve read but that didn’t stop me from devouring it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christine Woinich · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this story very intriguing. I love a good ghost story, spirits, familial pasts, and this story gave me that. I enjoyed watching as Arthur came to believe in Maribeth's abilities. Maribeth was a great foil for him. This was a good story, and I recommend this story.

I received an ARC of this story from the author, and this is my unsolicited review.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Victorian gothic romance mystery with ghosts, psychics and murders, suspense, drama, and danger. A book I was not putting down until I had finished it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maribeth wants to be a ohysuc investigator and she finally gets the Chance. I loved this book as the story pulls you in from the beginning and dies not let you go until the end. Awesome writing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

A horrible murder leaves a haunted estate without a heir. She goes to try to find out what happened and who did it. Can she find out before they kill again? How will she find out? See how

[Rachel Bonner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book I picked up on a special offer. It was light, humourous and I enjoyed it much more than I expected to.

[Tiffany Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect ending for the series

Another wonderful tale. Mystery, suspense, true love. A fabulous series for any lover of a good gothic romance. Sorry it’s over