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Das Geheimnis von Belle Island
After a humiliating mistake, lawyer Benjamin Booker resolves to never again trust a beautiful woman. When an old friend is killed, the senior partner isn't satisfied with Bow Street's efforts and asks Benjamin to investigate. Eager to leave London for a while, Benjamin agrees. Evidence takes him to a remote island on the Thames, a world unto itself, shrouded in mist and mystery. Soon he finds himself falling for the main suspect—a woman who claims not to have left the island in ten years. But should he trust her?On Belle Island, Isabelle feels safe and leads a productive life, but fear keeps her trapped there. When Mr. Booker arrives with news of her trustee's murder in London, Isabelle is stunned. She has not left the island, yet she has a recurring dream about the man's death. Or is it a memory? She had been furious with him, but she never intended...this.When a second person dies, and evidence shockingly points to her, Isabelle doesn't know who to the attractive lawyer or the admirer and friends who assemble on the island, each with grudges against the victim. Can she even trust her own mind? While they search for the truth, secrets come to light and danger comes calling.
Hardcover
First published December 3, 2019
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About the author
Julie Klassen
33 books6,162 followersJulie Klassen loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. She has also won the Midwest Book Award, the Minnesota Book Award, and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. She blogs at http://www.inspiredbylifeandfiction.com.
Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.
Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 645 reviews
January 30, 2020
Say what? Julie Klassen wrote a murder mystery? I couldn’t wait to get my hands on a copy and I loved every minute of this beautiful story. It’s atmospheric and broody.
Our heroine has been trapped on the island for years with a sort of agoraphobia that prevents her from crossing the bridge to the mainland. She has made a good life for herself in spite of that, but it’s breaking her heart that she will have to miss her beloved niece’s wedding in London. At least she thinks that’s her worst trouble—until Benjamin Booker shows up with news that the estate trustee was murdered in London and there’s evidence she was present.
What follows is a delightful Golden-Age style mystery along with vivid characters and the tale of a country estate on the Thames. I really loved it that the romance was super low key and the mystery took first priority in the story.
Perfect for ages 14+
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
Our heroine has been trapped on the island for years with a sort of agoraphobia that prevents her from crossing the bridge to the mainland. She has made a good life for herself in spite of that, but it’s breaking her heart that she will have to miss her beloved niece’s wedding in London. At least she thinks that’s her worst trouble—until Benjamin Booker shows up with news that the estate trustee was murdered in London and there’s evidence she was present.
What follows is a delightful Golden-Age style mystery along with vivid characters and the tale of a country estate on the Thames. I really loved it that the romance was super low key and the mystery took first priority in the story.
Perfect for ages 14+
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a free reading copy. A favorable review was not required.
December 3, 2019
This reminded me of a Hercule Poirot story. It was a story of who done it! Someone was murdered and I had no idea who killed them. And things just got more mysterious with every page. I love this authors writing and I love the time period.
But having said that...This wasn’t as romantic as I’d wished and parts of it dragged for me. Don’t get me wrong, the writing was good and I’m always going to read every book she writes. I hope this was helpful.
This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own.
But having said that...This wasn’t as romantic as I’d wished and parts of it dragged for me. Don’t get me wrong, the writing was good and I’m always going to read every book she writes. I hope this was helpful.
This was a NETGALLEY gift and all opinions are my own.
March 18, 2023
Well, well, well I would consider this a cozy mystery and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Of course, the slow burn romance helped a lot too.
Ben is a lawyer and discovers one of his partners dead. This leads him to the niece, Isabella, who lives on Belle Island. An investigation ensues.
I loved the setting of Belle Island! I loved Isabella's character! I actually loved all the characters, side characters included. There were also plenty of likely suspects which was fun to try to piece together. My guess was half right, although I didn't guess the right person in the end.
I loved it! Bit of faith in there too. It was really fun. Recommend!
Of course, the slow burn romance helped a lot too.
Ben is a lawyer and discovers one of his partners dead. This leads him to the niece, Isabella, who lives on Belle Island. An investigation ensues.
I loved the setting of Belle Island! I loved Isabella's character! I actually loved all the characters, side characters included. There were also plenty of likely suspects which was fun to try to piece together. My guess was half right, although I didn't guess the right person in the end.
I loved it! Bit of faith in there too. It was really fun. Recommend!
January 18, 2020
When lawyer Benjamin Booker and his senior partner Robert Harvey stumbles upon a crime scene, they are horrified the victim is longtime friend and company founder Percival Norris. The case seems connected to Isabella Wilder of Belle Island. Benjamin agrees to pay her a visit to investigate the murder under the cover of giving her legal advice.
The victim, Mr. Norris, has served as trustee of the Wilder estate in a way which increasingly worries and angers his charge Isabella. For the last ten years she has not left the island even once because she believes in a curse on her family. She is adamant on keeping everything as it is, stay on the island and run her willow basketry business as usual. Only trouble is, she has this strange and vivid dream of being present in the Wilder’s town house at the time of the murder.
When Benjamin arrives at Belle Island, he is eager to both please his employer, Mr. Hardy, and regain confidence in himself after a very public and humiliating loss in court. He is trying to quietly dig up additional evidence in the murder case and figure out what Isabella has to do with it all. Could it be she or another family member is the actual murderer?
This plot had great build up of tension. I was kept busy suspecting a number of characters of some kind of foul play throughout the story. When the victim is found I felt people of the house seem to act evasive and strange, which caught Ben's eye. Harsh weather conditions I felt added to the drama of the story too, as well as characters from Isabella's previous life entering the scene at this curious time.
The vivid writing of this story draws me into the plot. It feels like I’m actually there in the beautiful English hamlet Riverton with the old village church, thatch roofed cottages and the Thames River lazily floating by. I love the descriptions of life on the river at the time. A lot of activity seemed to be going on with fishing boats and net makers trying to make a living.
Weeping willow trees and lush greenery add to the lovely nature scene. I can almost hear birds chirping in the trees and feel the sun on my face, while I visualize the story. Who could imagine bad things happen in a beautiful place like this.
I found the menu descriptions of the dinner party at Belle Island as thorough as they were impressive. People really did know how to eat and party at the time. The dancing part an issue in it’s own right.
The relationship between Isabella and Ben I felt grew slowly but surely amidst all the drama in a way that complimented the story without overpowering it.
The Bridge to Belle Island is recommended for fans of Julie Klassen’s other works and for readers of historical fiction.
My rating 5 stars / 5
(All opinions in this review are my own)
The victim, Mr. Norris, has served as trustee of the Wilder estate in a way which increasingly worries and angers his charge Isabella. For the last ten years she has not left the island even once because she believes in a curse on her family. She is adamant on keeping everything as it is, stay on the island and run her willow basketry business as usual. Only trouble is, she has this strange and vivid dream of being present in the Wilder’s town house at the time of the murder.
When Benjamin arrives at Belle Island, he is eager to both please his employer, Mr. Hardy, and regain confidence in himself after a very public and humiliating loss in court. He is trying to quietly dig up additional evidence in the murder case and figure out what Isabella has to do with it all. Could it be she or another family member is the actual murderer?
This plot had great build up of tension. I was kept busy suspecting a number of characters of some kind of foul play throughout the story. When the victim is found I felt people of the house seem to act evasive and strange, which caught Ben's eye. Harsh weather conditions I felt added to the drama of the story too, as well as characters from Isabella's previous life entering the scene at this curious time.
The vivid writing of this story draws me into the plot. It feels like I’m actually there in the beautiful English hamlet Riverton with the old village church, thatch roofed cottages and the Thames River lazily floating by. I love the descriptions of life on the river at the time. A lot of activity seemed to be going on with fishing boats and net makers trying to make a living.
Weeping willow trees and lush greenery add to the lovely nature scene. I can almost hear birds chirping in the trees and feel the sun on my face, while I visualize the story. Who could imagine bad things happen in a beautiful place like this.
I found the menu descriptions of the dinner party at Belle Island as thorough as they were impressive. People really did know how to eat and party at the time. The dancing part an issue in it’s own right.
The relationship between Isabella and Ben I felt grew slowly but surely amidst all the drama in a way that complimented the story without overpowering it.
The Bridge to Belle Island is recommended for fans of Julie Klassen’s other works and for readers of historical fiction.
My rating 5 stars / 5
(All opinions in this review are my own)
September 12, 2022
3.5 stars, personally.
About this book:
“After a humiliating mistake, lawyer Benjamin Booker resolves to never again trust a beautiful woman. When an old friend is killed, the senior partner isn't satisfied with Bow Street's efforts and asks Benjamin to investigate. Eager to leave London for a while, Benjamin agrees. Evidence takes him to a remote island on the Thames, a world unto itself, shrouded in mist and mystery. Soon he finds himself falling for the main suspect—a woman who claims not to have left the island in ten years. But should he trust her?
On Belle Island, Isabelle feels safe and leads a productive life, but fear keeps her trapped there. When Mr. Booker arrives with news of her trustee's murder in London, Isabelle is stunned. She has not left the island, yet she has a recurring dream about the man's death. Or is it a memory? She had been furious with him, but she never intended...this.
When a second person dies, and evidence shockingly points to her, Isabelle doesn't know who to trust: the attractive lawyer or the admirer and friends who assemble on the island, each with grudges against the victim. Can she even trust her own mind? While they search for the truth, secrets come to light and danger comes calling.”
Series: No, a stand-alone novel.
Spiritual Content- Psalm 32:6 at the beginning; Scriptures are read, remembered, mentioned, quoted, & thought over; Bible reading; Prayers & Thanking God; Going to a chapel & reading a book of sermons and praying; Talks about God & Him watching over us; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Isabelle thinks that God may be loving, but doesn’t trust Him with the lives of her loved ones (she wants to trust, but fear and worry often win and wishes she would trust God and not worry); Isabelle hasn’t prayed much in recent years, but tries to do better; Benjamin realizes he’s neglected prayer lately and does better; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of Bibles (and copies of the New Testament and Psalms) & Bible reading; Mentions of churches/chapels, church going, vicars/clergymen, services, hymns, worship, communion, & sermons; A few mentions of thanking God; A couple mentions of those in the Bible; A couple mentions of plaques with the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Apostle’s Creed on them; A couple mentions of people being called saints; A couple mentions of sins (including not blaming a son for the sins of his father); A mention of thinking someone had prophetic dreams; A mention of a blessing; A mention of a religious conviction about drinking; A mention of Easter; A mention of Benjamin’s keen sense of smell being a blessing or a curse;
*Note: Mentions of a curse on the Wilder family that those who were born on the island and then leave, die young (Isabelle says it isn’t logical, but still worries about it and has anxiety about going over the bridge out of the island; *Spoiler* ); A few mentions of different men being called a devil & looking like a devil; A couple mentions of a devilishly handsome man; A mention of the phrase “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t”; A mention of someone’s injury burning “like hades”; A mention of a woman casting a spell on a man.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘bah’, a ‘blasted’, a ‘hurt like the blazes’, a form of ‘idiot’, a ‘good night!’, a ‘thunder and turf’, a ‘what the…’, two ‘merciful heaven’s, three ‘dash it’s, three ‘dashed’s (replacement for darned or stronger), four forms of ‘stupid’, and five ‘good heavens’s; Mentions of curses (said, not written; including Benjamin stifling one); A little bit of eye rolling & sarcasm; Seeing a murdered body (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Isabelle has anxiety about crossing the bridge out of the island and nearly faints when trying to go over it (similar to a panic attack, she describes it and it also happens, someone else calls it “some sort of hysteria” and another says that in her mental state, he would recommend an asylum for her, semi-detailed); Passing out & Benjamin struggles with vertigo (up to semi-detailed); Being pushed/attacked, Pain, & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Isabelle wakes up with a bad headache after drinking a lot of wine the night before (she doesn’t typically drink that much, but she was sad, though she regrets it the next day; *Major Spoiler* ; After a failing case, Benjamin craves a strong drink, but refrained since he knows that the relief would be temporary and would have painful consequences; Benjamin goes into a taproom, but does not drink; Seeing others drink & social drinking (wine and champagne); A dog is nearly ran-over by a carriage (but is saved, up to semi-detailed); Isabelle is sad over the death of a pet dog (barely-above-not-detailed); Benjamin doesn’t see eye-to-eye with his father and can be disrespectful/harsh to him (he does regret some of his words *Spoiler* ; All about many, many mentions of a murder/deaths, the body, how it happened, the murderer, alcohol, drinking, a heavy drinker, being drunk, poison, & being poisoned (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of robberies, thieves, smuggling, stealing, stolen items, & a thief possibly being shot; Many mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of deaths (including at sea, a bad carriage accident and the drunk driver, & a son grieving the death of his parent, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of wars, battles, fighting, & deaths; Mentions of an abduction (not done with evil intentions); Mentions of hangings and executions; Mentions of jails/prisons, arrests, crimes, criminals, break-ins, & a possible fight; Mentions of threats & threatening someone; Mentions of gunshots, being shot at, someone being shot, & someone being threatened with a gun (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of fights, pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a young boy cutting his finger badly, stitching it, the boy passing out, & all the blood (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a doctor’s experiments with mice, animal body parts, and animal skulls (portrayed as creepy and Isabelle doesn’t approve, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of someone being drugged (*Spoiler* ); Mentions of a flood (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of cigars, pipes, tobacco, & smoking; Mentions of hunters & poachers; Mentions of manure & animal droppings; Mentions of the death of a beloved dog (Isabelle is concerned he was poisoned, but most think it was due to his old age); A few mentions of potential drownings; A few mentions of a man wanting to punch another man & grabbing his collar (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of debts & a vengeful moneylender; A few mentions of gambling & a father not wanting to gamble so he donated his winnings of a game; A few mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of nightmares of people dying; A couple mentions of a woman thinking a man is going to hit her; A couple mentions of a divorce & a man charging his wife with bigamy to get a divorce; A mention of a dead body; A mention of a dead body being topped overboard a ship (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of children becoming addicted to opium; A mention of a man being slapped; A mention of hatred; A mention of jealousy; A mention of a dead sheep (barely-above-not-detailed);
*Note: A mention of a man saying that his pregnant daughter is as “big as a house”.
Sexual Content- A cheek kiss, an almost kiss, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and a semi-detailed kiss; Recalling a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Dancing, & Hand holding (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); Benjamin tries not to think about or stare at Isabelle’s legs or ankles (barely-above-not-detailed); A man makes Isabelle uncomfortable & she has heard about him being dangerous; Mentions of a woman recalling men having expectations about her since she was a singer, “benefactors”, & one being dangerous when she refused to spend time with him; Mentions of men leaving their wives for another woman; Mentions of chaperones & reputations (including Isabelle isn’t concerned about her reputation at her age, her and a man being alone at night together (nothing sexual happens), & a man helping her to her bedroom, though nothing romantic happens); A few mentions of an unmarried couple rooming together & evidence of their “previous activities”; A few mentions of flirting; A couple mentions of kissing & kisses; A couple mentions of some men boasting about their conquests to impress other men, whether true or not; A mention of a bride being ready for her wedding night (no details, just blushes); A mention of a man stealing a kiss from his intended when her chaperone isn’t nearby; A mention of a couple possibly going off on a romantic assignation; A mention of a woman of “easy virtue”; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of “women’s troubles” (hinted to be that time of the month); A mention of a woman teasing that she’s seen men in less clothing than a man in his shirt-sleeves (she clarifies that she meant in her years in the theater).
-Isabelle Wilder, age 30
-Benjamin Booker, age 31
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1819-1820
400 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
I’ve had this novel on my TBR for a time, and while I enjoy reading regencies and mysteries, I kept pushing this one off because of its thick size of 400 pages.
Overall, it was an enjoyable and entertaining reading—some parts more interesting than others, of course. There were parts that…not necessarily dragged, but let’s just say it wasn’t as exciting as the last 25% (100 pages). Once things started to be pieced together and revealed, I had the urge to go back to the beginning of the story to see if I could pick up clues. The last time I felt this way was with “A Midnight Dance” by Joanna Davidson Politano and the mystery found in that historical novel. I was quite satisfied with the ending and there was a decent amount of faith content. I also really liked how the mystery was the focal point of the story, not the romance.
I didn’t dislike nor love Isabelle or Benjamin. They were good characters with flaws and I enjoyed seeing their development as the story continued, but I never felt super connected to them.
There’s some innuendoes (listed in the Sexual Content section of this review), though I would say it was kept pretty clean in terms of the romance and most of those hints would go over a young teen’s head. They are still there, however, as well as many, many mentions of drinking and alcohol.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“After a humiliating mistake, lawyer Benjamin Booker resolves to never again trust a beautiful woman. When an old friend is killed, the senior partner isn't satisfied with Bow Street's efforts and asks Benjamin to investigate. Eager to leave London for a while, Benjamin agrees. Evidence takes him to a remote island on the Thames, a world unto itself, shrouded in mist and mystery. Soon he finds himself falling for the main suspect—a woman who claims not to have left the island in ten years. But should he trust her?
On Belle Island, Isabelle feels safe and leads a productive life, but fear keeps her trapped there. When Mr. Booker arrives with news of her trustee's murder in London, Isabelle is stunned. She has not left the island, yet she has a recurring dream about the man's death. Or is it a memory? She had been furious with him, but she never intended...this.
When a second person dies, and evidence shockingly points to her, Isabelle doesn't know who to trust: the attractive lawyer or the admirer and friends who assemble on the island, each with grudges against the victim. Can she even trust her own mind? While they search for the truth, secrets come to light and danger comes calling.”
Series: No, a stand-alone novel.
Spiritual Content- Psalm 32:6 at the beginning; Scriptures are read, remembered, mentioned, quoted, & thought over; Bible reading; Prayers & Thanking God; Going to a chapel & reading a book of sermons and praying; Talks about God & Him watching over us; 'H's are capital when referring to God; Isabelle thinks that God may be loving, but doesn’t trust Him with the lives of her loved ones (she wants to trust, but fear and worry often win and wishes she would trust God and not worry); Isabelle hasn’t prayed much in recent years, but tries to do better; Benjamin realizes he’s neglected prayer lately and does better; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of Bibles (and copies of the New Testament and Psalms) & Bible reading; Mentions of churches/chapels, church going, vicars/clergymen, services, hymns, worship, communion, & sermons; A few mentions of thanking God; A couple mentions of those in the Bible; A couple mentions of plaques with the Ten Commandments, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Apostle’s Creed on them; A couple mentions of people being called saints; A couple mentions of sins (including not blaming a son for the sins of his father); A mention of thinking someone had prophetic dreams; A mention of a blessing; A mention of a religious conviction about drinking; A mention of Easter; A mention of Benjamin’s keen sense of smell being a blessing or a curse;
*Note: Mentions of a curse on the Wilder family that those who were born on the island and then leave, die young (Isabelle says it isn’t logical, but still worries about it and has anxiety about going over the bridge out of the island; *Spoiler* ); A few mentions of different men being called a devil & looking like a devil; A couple mentions of a devilishly handsome man; A mention of the phrase “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t”; A mention of someone’s injury burning “like hades”; A mention of a woman casting a spell on a man.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘bah’, a ‘blasted’, a ‘hurt like the blazes’, a form of ‘idiot’, a ‘good night!’, a ‘thunder and turf’, a ‘what the…’, two ‘merciful heaven’s, three ‘dash it’s, three ‘dashed’s (replacement for darned or stronger), four forms of ‘stupid’, and five ‘good heavens’s; Mentions of curses (said, not written; including Benjamin stifling one); A little bit of eye rolling & sarcasm; Seeing a murdered body (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Isabelle has anxiety about crossing the bridge out of the island and nearly faints when trying to go over it (similar to a panic attack, she describes it and it also happens, someone else calls it “some sort of hysteria” and another says that in her mental state, he would recommend an asylum for her, semi-detailed); Passing out & Benjamin struggles with vertigo (up to semi-detailed); Being pushed/attacked, Pain, & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Isabelle wakes up with a bad headache after drinking a lot of wine the night before (she doesn’t typically drink that much, but she was sad, though she regrets it the next day; *Major Spoiler* ; After a failing case, Benjamin craves a strong drink, but refrained since he knows that the relief would be temporary and would have painful consequences; Benjamin goes into a taproom, but does not drink; Seeing others drink & social drinking (wine and champagne); A dog is nearly ran-over by a carriage (but is saved, up to semi-detailed); Isabelle is sad over the death of a pet dog (barely-above-not-detailed); Benjamin doesn’t see eye-to-eye with his father and can be disrespectful/harsh to him (he does regret some of his words *Spoiler* ; All about many, many mentions of a murder/deaths, the body, how it happened, the murderer, alcohol, drinking, a heavy drinker, being drunk, poison, & being poisoned (up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of robberies, thieves, smuggling, stealing, stolen items, & a thief possibly being shot; Many mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of deaths (including at sea, a bad carriage accident and the drunk driver, & a son grieving the death of his parent, up to semi-detailed); Mentions of wars, battles, fighting, & deaths; Mentions of an abduction (not done with evil intentions); Mentions of hangings and executions; Mentions of jails/prisons, arrests, crimes, criminals, break-ins, & a possible fight; Mentions of threats & threatening someone; Mentions of gunshots, being shot at, someone being shot, & someone being threatened with a gun (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of fights, pain, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a young boy cutting his finger badly, stitching it, the boy passing out, & all the blood (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of a doctor’s experiments with mice, animal body parts, and animal skulls (portrayed as creepy and Isabelle doesn’t approve, barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of someone being drugged (*Spoiler* ); Mentions of a flood (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of cigars, pipes, tobacco, & smoking; Mentions of hunters & poachers; Mentions of manure & animal droppings; Mentions of the death of a beloved dog (Isabelle is concerned he was poisoned, but most think it was due to his old age); A few mentions of potential drownings; A few mentions of a man wanting to punch another man & grabbing his collar (barely-above-not-detailed); A few mentions of debts & a vengeful moneylender; A few mentions of gambling & a father not wanting to gamble so he donated his winnings of a game; A few mentions of throwing up; A few mentions of nightmares of people dying; A couple mentions of a woman thinking a man is going to hit her; A couple mentions of a divorce & a man charging his wife with bigamy to get a divorce; A mention of a dead body; A mention of a dead body being topped overboard a ship (barely-above-not-detailed); A mention of children becoming addicted to opium; A mention of a man being slapped; A mention of hatred; A mention of jealousy; A mention of a dead sheep (barely-above-not-detailed);
*Note: A mention of a man saying that his pregnant daughter is as “big as a house”.
Sexual Content- A cheek kiss, an almost kiss, two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and a semi-detailed kiss; Recalling a kiss (barely-above-not-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Dancing, & Hand holding (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); Blushes; Noticing & Nearness (barely-above-not-detailed); Benjamin tries not to think about or stare at Isabelle’s legs or ankles (barely-above-not-detailed); A man makes Isabelle uncomfortable & she has heard about him being dangerous; Mentions of a woman recalling men having expectations about her since she was a singer, “benefactors”, & one being dangerous when she refused to spend time with him; Mentions of men leaving their wives for another woman; Mentions of chaperones & reputations (including Isabelle isn’t concerned about her reputation at her age, her and a man being alone at night together (nothing sexual happens), & a man helping her to her bedroom, though nothing romantic happens); A few mentions of an unmarried couple rooming together & evidence of their “previous activities”; A few mentions of flirting; A couple mentions of kissing & kisses; A couple mentions of some men boasting about their conquests to impress other men, whether true or not; A mention of a bride being ready for her wedding night (no details, just blushes); A mention of a man stealing a kiss from his intended when her chaperone isn’t nearby; A mention of a couple possibly going off on a romantic assignation; A mention of a woman of “easy virtue”; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: A mention of “women’s troubles” (hinted to be that time of the month); A mention of a woman teasing that she’s seen men in less clothing than a man in his shirt-sleeves (she clarifies that she meant in her years in the theater).
-Isabelle Wilder, age 30
-Benjamin Booker, age 31
P.O.V. switches between them
Set in 1819-1820
400 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
I’ve had this novel on my TBR for a time, and while I enjoy reading regencies and mysteries, I kept pushing this one off because of its thick size of 400 pages.
Overall, it was an enjoyable and entertaining reading—some parts more interesting than others, of course. There were parts that…not necessarily dragged, but let’s just say it wasn’t as exciting as the last 25% (100 pages). Once things started to be pieced together and revealed, I had the urge to go back to the beginning of the story to see if I could pick up clues. The last time I felt this way was with “A Midnight Dance” by Joanna Davidson Politano and the mystery found in that historical novel. I was quite satisfied with the ending and there was a decent amount of faith content. I also really liked how the mystery was the focal point of the story, not the romance.
I didn’t dislike nor love Isabelle or Benjamin. They were good characters with flaws and I enjoyed seeing their development as the story continued, but I never felt super connected to them.
There’s some innuendoes (listed in the Sexual Content section of this review), though I would say it was kept pretty clean in terms of the romance and most of those hints would go over a young teen’s head. They are still there, however, as well as many, many mentions of drinking and alcohol.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
December 5, 2019
I have read almost all of Julie Klassen's books and this has to be my favorite of all of them.
The characters really jump off the page at you, demanding your attention to solve the case before another murder occurs.
The story line was superb and I learned about Belle Island and River Thames , the ebb and flow of the river and it's flooding.
Belle Island is fiction but I could picture myself there among it's people watching the mystery crack wide open.
The story involves a disenchanted lawyer on the island to get answers to a shocking murder. All the clues point to a beautiful woman, but is she really innocent as she claims or does she have something sinister hidden behind her beautiful eyes.
Smooth flowing the story takes us from one mysterious event to the next as the story progresses .
Pub Date 03 Dec 2019
I was given a complimentary copy. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
The characters really jump off the page at you, demanding your attention to solve the case before another murder occurs.
The story line was superb and I learned about Belle Island and River Thames , the ebb and flow of the river and it's flooding.
Belle Island is fiction but I could picture myself there among it's people watching the mystery crack wide open.
The story involves a disenchanted lawyer on the island to get answers to a shocking murder. All the clues point to a beautiful woman, but is she really innocent as she claims or does she have something sinister hidden behind her beautiful eyes.
Smooth flowing the story takes us from one mysterious event to the next as the story progresses .
Pub Date 03 Dec 2019
I was given a complimentary copy. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.
November 29, 2019
The author kept me guessing, almost to the end, and thankfully a wonderful job is done to totally complete this read.
Greed and Pride, and maybe more, but these come in to play, and end with murder, but who wanted this lawyer dead? When the facts begin to fall, the list grows, and really surprises abound.
The setting sounds so ideal, a beautiful island on the Tames, made me want to live there!
If you like a book that is filled with action, most you won’t see coming, intrigue, and mystery, and natural disaster, this one won’t leave you wanting!
I received this book through Net Galley the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
Greed and Pride, and maybe more, but these come in to play, and end with murder, but who wanted this lawyer dead? When the facts begin to fall, the list grows, and really surprises abound.
The setting sounds so ideal, a beautiful island on the Tames, made me want to live there!
If you like a book that is filled with action, most you won’t see coming, intrigue, and mystery, and natural disaster, this one won’t leave you wanting!
I received this book through Net Galley the Publisher Bethany House, and was not required to give a positive review.
July 4, 2022
Another great story by Julie Klassen!
This mystery really captured my attention from the very beginning. The romance was lighter than what I’ve come to expect from Julie—the mystery was the focal point but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Similar to the last book I read of hers, Shadows of Swanford Abbey, the romance in the end was wrapped up quickly which is a little dissatisfying, but I appreciated the story for what it was…an intriguing mystery! I was totally surprised to find out who the perpetrator was in the end!
This mystery really captured my attention from the very beginning. The romance was lighter than what I’ve come to expect from Julie—the mystery was the focal point but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Similar to the last book I read of hers, Shadows of Swanford Abbey, the romance in the end was wrapped up quickly which is a little dissatisfying, but I appreciated the story for what it was…an intriguing mystery! I was totally surprised to find out who the perpetrator was in the end!
May 31, 2022
I really enjoyed this story! 3.5-4 stars for me, rounded up to 4. The ending pushed it up to a 4 stars for me.
This story is a Christian Historical Fiction - primarily in the Mystery genre with a small regency romance undertone.
This story follows lawyer Benjamin Booker who is working to investigate a murder of Isabelle’s trustee. Isabelle had a recent disagreement with him so she is the prime suspect. However, she has not left Belle Island in 10 years because close family members always die young when they leave the island and she is paralyzed with fear to leave. Even though she never leaves the island and knows there is no way she did it, she keeps having a dream about the man’s death and doesn’t understand why. More mysterious things keep happening and the story takes off from there.
This gave me Agatha Christie, Poirot and Cozy Mystery vibes! I had a lot of fun reading this, it did keep me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happens next, but I ultimatley wanted more romance between the two characters that end up together.
I liked the faith sprinkled throughout the story with the characters. We had prayer, scriptures and crying out to God for protection and asking for the truth to set them free.
Overall, a great Christian Historical Fiction with Cozy Mystery Vibes! The ending was action packed and I enjoyed it!
This story is a Christian Historical Fiction - primarily in the Mystery genre with a small regency romance undertone.
This story follows lawyer Benjamin Booker who is working to investigate a murder of Isabelle’s trustee. Isabelle had a recent disagreement with him so she is the prime suspect. However, she has not left Belle Island in 10 years because close family members always die young when they leave the island and she is paralyzed with fear to leave. Even though she never leaves the island and knows there is no way she did it, she keeps having a dream about the man’s death and doesn’t understand why. More mysterious things keep happening and the story takes off from there.
This gave me Agatha Christie, Poirot and Cozy Mystery vibes! I had a lot of fun reading this, it did keep me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happens next, but I ultimatley wanted more romance between the two characters that end up together.
I liked the faith sprinkled throughout the story with the characters. We had prayer, scriptures and crying out to God for protection and asking for the truth to set them free.
Overall, a great Christian Historical Fiction with Cozy Mystery Vibes! The ending was action packed and I enjoyed it!
December 11, 2019
I have read many Julie Klassen novels and was overjoyed when I received The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen. This book introduces a lawyer named Benjamin Booker who experiences a detrimental loss in his career. So now, he has trust issues, particularly with beautiful women. When he and his mentor discover that an old partner has been found murdered, they are determined to bring the culprit to justice. The evidence leads them to Isabelle Wilder on Belle Island. Isabelle has experienced so much tragedy in her life that she has not left her island in 10 years. Or has she? Evidence points to her, but she is adamant that she is innocent. Can Benjamin believe her? Or is he too trusting? If she is innocent, then who committed the murder?
I have always enjoyed Julie Klassen novels but this one is just on another level! There is a wonderful romance story and historical aspect, but the murder mystery just adds so much more. It is complex and I was trying to solve the murder as I was reading. It was not predictable either, which is huge for me! The moment I picked up the book, I did not want to put it down. The characters feel so real and engaging. In fact, I could really relate to both Benjamin and Isabelle. Benjamin struggles with vertigo and Isabelle struggles with severe anxiety. Both of which, I struggle with. In fact, both put me in the hospital. So I could really relate to the fear and struggle they both experience. I really hope people can learn how debilitating both of these illnesses are.
The book touches on many themes, but the major one is forgiveness which really tugs at the heartstrings. Isabelle is such a darling character and watching her rise above and care for those around her and forgive those who hurt her the most. Then seeing Benjamin deal with learning to trust again is beautiful as well. Those who enjoy inspirational historical fiction will love this book and those who love a good mystery won’t be disappointed either! This book deserves 5 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to Julie Klassen, Bethany House, and NetGalley for a copy of the book!
I have always enjoyed Julie Klassen novels but this one is just on another level! There is a wonderful romance story and historical aspect, but the murder mystery just adds so much more. It is complex and I was trying to solve the murder as I was reading. It was not predictable either, which is huge for me! The moment I picked up the book, I did not want to put it down. The characters feel so real and engaging. In fact, I could really relate to both Benjamin and Isabelle. Benjamin struggles with vertigo and Isabelle struggles with severe anxiety. Both of which, I struggle with. In fact, both put me in the hospital. So I could really relate to the fear and struggle they both experience. I really hope people can learn how debilitating both of these illnesses are.
The book touches on many themes, but the major one is forgiveness which really tugs at the heartstrings. Isabelle is such a darling character and watching her rise above and care for those around her and forgive those who hurt her the most. Then seeing Benjamin deal with learning to trust again is beautiful as well. Those who enjoy inspirational historical fiction will love this book and those who love a good mystery won’t be disappointed either! This book deserves 5 out of 5 stars!
Thank you to Julie Klassen, Bethany House, and NetGalley for a copy of the book!
December 11, 2019
The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen
Characters
Isabelle Wilder: Feels a curse is on her
Benjamin Booker: Attorney seeking truth of a partner's murder
Rose Lawrence: Isabelle's beloved niece
Theodore Grant: Doctor and long time friend to Isabelle
Robert Hardy: Senior partner in the law firm, Ben's boss
Uncle Percy: Distant relative, trustee of Wilder estates.
Christopher Adair: Rose's intended
Evan Curtis: Isabelle's ex-fiancé
Carlota Medina: Isabelle's friend and lady's maid
1819, London and Berkshire, England
For nearly ten years Isabelle has created a self imposed prison at the Wilder family's country estate, an island in Berkshire, England. Because of the deaths of most of her family while not on the island, she's come to believe if she leaves, she will die.
This didn’t stop the lawyers from suspecting she may have killed her uncle, a day's carriage ride to London. They were made aware of a disagreement she had with him about how to best handle the property, Uncle Percy being the trustee. Plus with her gift of two bottles of orange wine that had been poisoned, she was top on the list of suspects.
Benjamin, the family's attorney, proceeded to the island to assess the possibility of her guilt. His visit was extended and one by one, new clues emerged.
This was a wonderful "who-done-it". Different for Ms. Klassen. Lots of characters, lots of incidents, a surprise around every corner. And who did it? You may never guess until it’s revealed, and boy, does the action ramp up about that time!
Characters
Isabelle Wilder: Feels a curse is on her
Benjamin Booker: Attorney seeking truth of a partner's murder
Rose Lawrence: Isabelle's beloved niece
Theodore Grant: Doctor and long time friend to Isabelle
Robert Hardy: Senior partner in the law firm, Ben's boss
Uncle Percy: Distant relative, trustee of Wilder estates.
Christopher Adair: Rose's intended
Evan Curtis: Isabelle's ex-fiancé
Carlota Medina: Isabelle's friend and lady's maid
1819, London and Berkshire, England
For nearly ten years Isabelle has created a self imposed prison at the Wilder family's country estate, an island in Berkshire, England. Because of the deaths of most of her family while not on the island, she's come to believe if she leaves, she will die.
This didn’t stop the lawyers from suspecting she may have killed her uncle, a day's carriage ride to London. They were made aware of a disagreement she had with him about how to best handle the property, Uncle Percy being the trustee. Plus with her gift of two bottles of orange wine that had been poisoned, she was top on the list of suspects.
Benjamin, the family's attorney, proceeded to the island to assess the possibility of her guilt. His visit was extended and one by one, new clues emerged.
This was a wonderful "who-done-it". Different for Ms. Klassen. Lots of characters, lots of incidents, a surprise around every corner. And who did it? You may never guess until it’s revealed, and boy, does the action ramp up about that time!
January 13, 2020
Squeal! Eep! Squeeppp!!! Regency with a Gothic flare! I'm swooning just on principle. :-)
Love the slow build to the mystery. Very atmospheric. The murder happens right at the start but the sifting through clues is delectably laborious. So many potential suspects, so many questions left unanswered. So many false trails to follow. And the secrets! Isabelle's safe island haven is anything but.
Though the mystery is an important part of the story, it doesn't outshine the luxurious Regency details -- the kind of scenes and dialogue that Klassen is known for. Or the intriguing relationships and community life on Belle Island. It's a far cry from the bustling London Benjamin is used to. Just as Isabelle isn't what he expected. The gentle attraction that shimmers between them is subtle and sweet, adding an understated charm to their love story. Truly sublime!
I'm still basking in a blissful happy reader after-glow!
Love the slow build to the mystery. Very atmospheric. The murder happens right at the start but the sifting through clues is delectably laborious. So many potential suspects, so many questions left unanswered. So many false trails to follow. And the secrets! Isabelle's safe island haven is anything but.
Though the mystery is an important part of the story, it doesn't outshine the luxurious Regency details -- the kind of scenes and dialogue that Klassen is known for. Or the intriguing relationships and community life on Belle Island. It's a far cry from the bustling London Benjamin is used to. Just as Isabelle isn't what he expected. The gentle attraction that shimmers between them is subtle and sweet, adding an understated charm to their love story. Truly sublime!
I'm still basking in a blissful happy reader after-glow!
January 4, 2020
Lovely historical novel by the talented Julie Klassen. The characters and setting are both charming in this Regency novel.
November 14, 2019
Julie Klassen is a hit or miss author for me. Some of her books I love others not so much. This one fell right in the middle. It was a slow moving mystery with a bit of romance attached to the end. The story and characters take time to build. The mystery is a very good one. I was pretty stumped. Klassen wrote this so you would suspect everyone! Even the sweet leading lady who I knew could not have done it. It was a very well done book. I just felt like the characters got lost to the mystery with this one and I am all about the characters. This is very chaste, there is a murder and attempted murders and some good bad guys. This is also a Christian novel, but you wouldn't know that till almost the end of the book.
October 22, 2022
I had so much fun reading this! The build up of intrigue and suspense was well paced and kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next. Though I would not say this is necessarily "action-packed," there was always something new revealed that kept the story moving forward right when you think it might be slowing down. I really loved the characters, especially Isabelle, and they all served a purpose within the story. I was suspecting nearly everyone at one point or another! For the romance, I personally like how it took a backseat to the plot on this one. I thought Isabelle and Benjamin a well suited couple and I like that their relationship/attraction for one another was built off conversations and qualities they admire in each other. It wasn't super lusty or appearance focused, which I appreciated. Though I think most of all, I loved the atmosphere. I love how Klassen describes the setting... I felt like I could really picture myself on Belle Island with her imagery!
I'm bouncing between a 4 and 5 star rating for this, so it's subject to change. :)
I'm bouncing between a 4 and 5 star rating for this, so it's subject to change. :)
April 16, 2021
En realidad podría ser un 3,5/5 pero le puse un 4 porque es mi autora favorita de romántica histórica. No le lo tengan en cuenta. Se trata de un thriller con romántica histórica y aunque ha sido un libro entretenido y que he disfrutado bastante, pero siento que me ha faltado algo. Hubo momentos en que me aburrió un poco. Y el final podría haber sido mejor. Aún así, no ha estado mal.
March 30, 2023
I liked this book. This was my first Julie Klassen and I had a nice time reading it. I enjoyed the regency era -english country side settings. I appreciated seeing the characters deal with mental health and the faith aspects. Although the mystery was not as thrilling as I prefer it was a charming reading experience. Definitely worth a read.
Read
November 30, 2019One of the best Julie Klassen books I've ever read outside of Pembroke Hall. But this one is my favorite by hers.
It's quite a bit different from what I'm used to reading by her but it's all good.
The setting of this story is just right for what goes on in the book. The way Julie writes I pictured myself there perfectly.
I enjoyed reading about Isabelle. Her struggles with anxiety reminds of of someone else I know.
We lived by a creek. I've seen that creek when it's flooded and the bridge we crossed wasn't solid like Isabelles was. This was a swinging wooden bridge that we had to cross everyday no matter what. It was really scary so I prayed every time we had to cross it. I got dizzy when I looked down at that swirling water!
I had some sneaky suspicions throughout the book on who it was and I was right!! Sometimes people seem one way and then they disappoint you. I've been there many times.
Like Isabelle I've finally learned to put my trust in God. Oh yes, I'm still struggling with that for it's not easy because we think we can handle things on our own. Not so!!
There's a verse that I love and it's written as a choral hymn. Our choir sang it once and it's stuck with me.
God is our Refuge and Strength in times of trouble. Though the mountains will fall we will not fear something like that.
Benjamin is my favorite! I love that he's flawed and along the way he too finally learns to listen and trust. Listening especially isn't easy. Too many times we have to learn the hard way just like Benjamin did. I'm just glad he didn't learn it too late.
Life is fragile. We never know from one day to the next where it will take us. It's why we should tell our loved ones that we love and appreciate them while they're here.
I know because all of my immediate family has passed away and like Isabelle I'm the only one left. When I lost my dad it was like I was out in limbo for a while. Some days I still feel like that until I remember my Heavenly father who truly loves me for who I am.
I didn't find anything wrong with this book at all. To me, it was written perfectly.
Even the cover is gorgeous. I love it. It's a wonderful hint as to what or whom the book might be about.
I highly recommend this book!
NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.
It's quite a bit different from what I'm used to reading by her but it's all good.
The setting of this story is just right for what goes on in the book. The way Julie writes I pictured myself there perfectly.
I enjoyed reading about Isabelle. Her struggles with anxiety reminds of of someone else I know.
We lived by a creek. I've seen that creek when it's flooded and the bridge we crossed wasn't solid like Isabelles was. This was a swinging wooden bridge that we had to cross everyday no matter what. It was really scary so I prayed every time we had to cross it. I got dizzy when I looked down at that swirling water!
I had some sneaky suspicions throughout the book on who it was and I was right!! Sometimes people seem one way and then they disappoint you. I've been there many times.
Like Isabelle I've finally learned to put my trust in God. Oh yes, I'm still struggling with that for it's not easy because we think we can handle things on our own. Not so!!
There's a verse that I love and it's written as a choral hymn. Our choir sang it once and it's stuck with me.
God is our Refuge and Strength in times of trouble. Though the mountains will fall we will not fear something like that.
Benjamin is my favorite! I love that he's flawed and along the way he too finally learns to listen and trust. Listening especially isn't easy. Too many times we have to learn the hard way just like Benjamin did. I'm just glad he didn't learn it too late.
Life is fragile. We never know from one day to the next where it will take us. It's why we should tell our loved ones that we love and appreciate them while they're here.
I know because all of my immediate family has passed away and like Isabelle I'm the only one left. When I lost my dad it was like I was out in limbo for a while. Some days I still feel like that until I remember my Heavenly father who truly loves me for who I am.
I didn't find anything wrong with this book at all. To me, it was written perfectly.
Even the cover is gorgeous. I love it. It's a wonderful hint as to what or whom the book might be about.
I highly recommend this book!
NO compensations were received. All opinions are my own.
May 25, 2020
Isabelle Wilder is a 30 year old spinster who is chained to her home on Belle Island by fear since most of her relatives who left the island ended up dead. Thirty one year old Benjamin Booker is a lawyer who just lost an important case due to being swayed by the wiles of his female client. Now one of his bosses, Percival Norris, has been found dead; and the main suspect is Isabelle Wilder whose trust he handled. When his other boss, Mr. Hardy, sends Benjamin to Belle Island to investigate, he finds much more than he bargained for.
Slow building suspense and a plethora of suspects set the stage for a well developed Regency, romantic suspense. When you just about think you have figured out who killed Percival Norris, there is a twist that seems to point the finger at someone else. I felt the pace was a bit slow in places, but overall a very enjoyable read.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
Slow building suspense and a plethora of suspects set the stage for a well developed Regency, romantic suspense. When you just about think you have figured out who killed Percival Norris, there is a twist that seems to point the finger at someone else. I felt the pace was a bit slow in places, but overall a very enjoyable read.
**I received a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. Opinions are mine alone. I was not compensated for this review.
July 5, 2023
The Bridge to Belle Island was a great read! I was surprised to see that it was a murder mystery! Loved that! It was so much fun to try and figure out who killed him.
I loved the characters. I wasn't sure how I felt about Rose or her fiance, but I liked Benjamin and Isabelle right away.
All in all, The Bridge to Belle Island was such a good story and I recommend it to fans of this genre.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
I loved the characters. I wasn't sure how I felt about Rose or her fiance, but I liked Benjamin and Isabelle right away.
All in all, The Bridge to Belle Island was such a good story and I recommend it to fans of this genre.
*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
November 22, 2021
3,5/5 ⭐️ La autora da un giro muy interesante a su estilo, deteniéndose poco en el romance pero creando un misterio alrededor de una escena del crimen con mucho que averiguar.
Me ha tenido entretenida hasta el momento de la resolución de la persona culpable. Después, la historia en sí de la pareja me ha enganchado menos. Seguiré leyendo a la autora porque me gusta mucho su forma de escribir y ha sabido salir muy bien de su zona se confort.
Reseña: http://rincondemarlau.blogspot.com/20...
Me ha tenido entretenida hasta el momento de la resolución de la persona culpable. Después, la historia en sí de la pareja me ha enganchado menos. Seguiré leyendo a la autora porque me gusta mucho su forma de escribir y ha sabido salir muy bien de su zona se confort.
Reseña: http://rincondemarlau.blogspot.com/20...
July 2, 2020
4.5 stars
"Stay at home! Stay safe!"
Her mother's last words . . . . forever etched in her brain; compelling Isabelle Wilder to remain tethered to her beautiful home on Belle Island. And now, unfortunate suspicions are swirling about her trustee's untimely death; murder they say . . . . . and somehow she is connected, albeit impossible, because she never travelled to London on that fateful night. However, she does remember having a troubling dream.
Attorney Benjamin Booker has been assigned to investigate the Wilder case; the murder of Percival Norris leads him directly to Belle Island, where a lovelier-than-expected young woman turns out to be his person of interest. The case poses so many unanswered questions and supplies so many people who refuse to answer them that Ben finds it hard to truly suspect anyone, unless he suspects everyone. The longer he remains a guest of the island, the harder it becomes to think that Isabelle Wilder is capable of inflicting harm on anyone, but regrettably Ben has been wrong about attractive women before.
Beautifully written, the author creates a scenario swirling with intrigue and curiosity, before placing all the pieces of the puzzle in exactly the right places; carefully allowing her readers to savor a slow burn romance, while carefully tucking in valuable faith lessons that will undoubtedly outlast the pages of her book.
"State what you suspect as fact with confidence, and nine times out of ten people will believe you in possession of the evidence and respond accordingly."
"Stay at home! Stay safe!"
Her mother's last words . . . . forever etched in her brain; compelling Isabelle Wilder to remain tethered to her beautiful home on Belle Island. And now, unfortunate suspicions are swirling about her trustee's untimely death; murder they say . . . . . and somehow she is connected, albeit impossible, because she never travelled to London on that fateful night. However, she does remember having a troubling dream.
Attorney Benjamin Booker has been assigned to investigate the Wilder case; the murder of Percival Norris leads him directly to Belle Island, where a lovelier-than-expected young woman turns out to be his person of interest. The case poses so many unanswered questions and supplies so many people who refuse to answer them that Ben finds it hard to truly suspect anyone, unless he suspects everyone. The longer he remains a guest of the island, the harder it becomes to think that Isabelle Wilder is capable of inflicting harm on anyone, but regrettably Ben has been wrong about attractive women before.
Beautifully written, the author creates a scenario swirling with intrigue and curiosity, before placing all the pieces of the puzzle in exactly the right places; carefully allowing her readers to savor a slow burn romance, while carefully tucking in valuable faith lessons that will undoubtedly outlast the pages of her book.
"State what you suspect as fact with confidence, and nine times out of ten people will believe you in possession of the evidence and respond accordingly."
February 14, 2022
What book have you read recently that played out like a movie in your head?
For me, The Bridge to Belle Island did exactly that. The way the scenes are written, character interactions and how the story cuts from one to the next scene, I feel like I’m watching a favourite movie or tv show. I can just picture the atmospheric Belle Island, the river flowing by, the beautiful estate... it’s a place I’d love to visit someday.
I liked how the romance was there subtly, a bit backseat, but moved along realistically, not taking away from the mystery shrouding Belle Island. I also like how the MCs are both older, have more experience behind them, and have real fears and flaws which makes them relatable to today’s audience. Benjamin has been duped before by a pretty woman and can’t afford to make the same mistake, and Isabelle has a crippling fear she must come to terms with in order to live her life fully. Definitely a great read, I’d recommend reading it as much in one sitting as possible and you have a (in my opinion) better alternative to watching a movie ;)
For me, The Bridge to Belle Island did exactly that. The way the scenes are written, character interactions and how the story cuts from one to the next scene, I feel like I’m watching a favourite movie or tv show. I can just picture the atmospheric Belle Island, the river flowing by, the beautiful estate... it’s a place I’d love to visit someday.
I liked how the romance was there subtly, a bit backseat, but moved along realistically, not taking away from the mystery shrouding Belle Island. I also like how the MCs are both older, have more experience behind them, and have real fears and flaws which makes them relatable to today’s audience. Benjamin has been duped before by a pretty woman and can’t afford to make the same mistake, and Isabelle has a crippling fear she must come to terms with in order to live her life fully. Definitely a great read, I’d recommend reading it as much in one sitting as possible and you have a (in my opinion) better alternative to watching a movie ;)
January 11, 2020
I love Julie's books!
April 7, 2020
So glad Julie Klassen is back to doing mysteries! Such beautiful descriptions of the island, it makes me want to book a ticket to England. Great to read since I'm stuck at home.
November 27, 2019
First she pulled me into a haunting, gothic romance and most recently inviting me into a delightful village to save an old coaching inn. For this occasion, she introduces an island estate on the Thames and a mystery tying it to a dark deed done in London driving me to high expectation. Julie Klassen is a deft hand at taking the reader back to the Regency Era with her engaging characters and the gentle flow of story that passes quickly leaving the reader is left well-satisfied, but still wanting more at the end.
Young lawyer, Benjamin Booker, has just experienced a humiliating loss in court when the client he thought innocent had charmed him into risking all to defend her and it turned out she had utterly lied. He feels that he has disappointed his mentor at the firm and took a hard hit to his confidence in reading people and situations. However, he soon has the opportunity to prove himself to his mentor, Mr. Hardy, when Mr. Hardy wants justice for the death of his former colleague at the firm who lately held the position of trustee for the Wilder family and was murdered in their London Town House.
Isabelle Wilder has seen a great deal of tragic death in her family and it has left her with a neurosis that won't allow her to leave her island family home for years now. She is sorry to miss her niece's engagement party in London because of her own weakness and has a terrible dream that their skin flint trustee was murdered. Then, a skeptical lawyer from the family firm shows up both to sort their legal matters, but to investigate the death with her as chief suspect. It was a dream, right? She has nothing to hide, she hopes, so welcomes Mr. Booker to Belle Island and invites him into her life there where he starts to mellow until disturbing facts start to come to light leading right to her door.
In my mind, there can be nothing better than a murder mystery paired with the author's Regency world. The murder mystery drove much of the plot and was a solid, twisting one that had me pointing the finger a few different directions.
But, it is not the only element. The main characters who shared the narration are given sympathetic and flawed backstories that affect the present. Isabelle is confronted by not trusting her safety if she leaves the island as a result of not coming to peace with past loss and Benjamin by his issues of inadequacy because he was never good enough with his father and because he didn't take up the family medical practice. This is where the inspirational element is strongest as they work through their issues and rely on their beliefs and promises in Scripture to aid them.
The attention to historical background and the island setting was well done as usual. I enjoyed learning about life on the island estate that was on the Thames. The growing of the willow reeds for the basket weaving that was their prime income besides the sheep herd was fascinating, but never tedious. There is also focus on how criminal investigation was handled in those pre-CSI days and on trusteeships and their effect on single gentlewomen.
As to the romance, ah yes, both Isabelle and Benjamin had me hoping. The attraction was there, but also some barriers to make it interesting. Benjamin has stiff competition from Isabelle's childhood friend, the village doctor, and her former love interest in the past (there is a strong whiff of Jane Austen's Persuasion with this story thread). At first, they are warily circling one another because Ben doesn't trust women not to trick him and Isabelle is still a prime suspect. Isabelle feels her issues will keep her single all her life even as she wistfully admires Benjamin who is London born and bred. I enjoyed the halting progress and sweetness of what built between them through harrowing moments and then the time of reflection at the end.
All in all, The Bridge to Belle Island was another winner from an auto-buy author. If you love sweet Regency Romance, but want the spice of a cunning murder mystery, this book is for you.
Young lawyer, Benjamin Booker, has just experienced a humiliating loss in court when the client he thought innocent had charmed him into risking all to defend her and it turned out she had utterly lied. He feels that he has disappointed his mentor at the firm and took a hard hit to his confidence in reading people and situations. However, he soon has the opportunity to prove himself to his mentor, Mr. Hardy, when Mr. Hardy wants justice for the death of his former colleague at the firm who lately held the position of trustee for the Wilder family and was murdered in their London Town House.
Isabelle Wilder has seen a great deal of tragic death in her family and it has left her with a neurosis that won't allow her to leave her island family home for years now. She is sorry to miss her niece's engagement party in London because of her own weakness and has a terrible dream that their skin flint trustee was murdered. Then, a skeptical lawyer from the family firm shows up both to sort their legal matters, but to investigate the death with her as chief suspect. It was a dream, right? She has nothing to hide, she hopes, so welcomes Mr. Booker to Belle Island and invites him into her life there where he starts to mellow until disturbing facts start to come to light leading right to her door.
In my mind, there can be nothing better than a murder mystery paired with the author's Regency world. The murder mystery drove much of the plot and was a solid, twisting one that had me pointing the finger a few different directions.
But, it is not the only element. The main characters who shared the narration are given sympathetic and flawed backstories that affect the present. Isabelle is confronted by not trusting her safety if she leaves the island as a result of not coming to peace with past loss and Benjamin by his issues of inadequacy because he was never good enough with his father and because he didn't take up the family medical practice. This is where the inspirational element is strongest as they work through their issues and rely on their beliefs and promises in Scripture to aid them.
The attention to historical background and the island setting was well done as usual. I enjoyed learning about life on the island estate that was on the Thames. The growing of the willow reeds for the basket weaving that was their prime income besides the sheep herd was fascinating, but never tedious. There is also focus on how criminal investigation was handled in those pre-CSI days and on trusteeships and their effect on single gentlewomen.
As to the romance, ah yes, both Isabelle and Benjamin had me hoping. The attraction was there, but also some barriers to make it interesting. Benjamin has stiff competition from Isabelle's childhood friend, the village doctor, and her former love interest in the past (there is a strong whiff of Jane Austen's Persuasion with this story thread). At first, they are warily circling one another because Ben doesn't trust women not to trick him and Isabelle is still a prime suspect. Isabelle feels her issues will keep her single all her life even as she wistfully admires Benjamin who is London born and bred. I enjoyed the halting progress and sweetness of what built between them through harrowing moments and then the time of reflection at the end.
All in all, The Bridge to Belle Island was another winner from an auto-buy author. If you love sweet Regency Romance, but want the spice of a cunning murder mystery, this book is for you.
December 29, 2019
The Bridge to Belle Island by Julie Klassen, while a good book is not my favorite book of hers. I think for me the problem was that I did not really like most of the characters. The plot was good but was a slow starter. Other than that I did enjoy this book once I got into it. By the time I reached the last quarter of the book, I had to keep reading, at that point I wanted to know what happened. So grab the beverage of your choice and settle in for a good read.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own. I did subsequently by my own paperback copy.
I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley.com with no expectations. All thoughts are my own. I did subsequently by my own paperback copy.
November 13, 2019
'Did she believe God was loving? She wanted to trust, but fear and worry all too often won out.'
I have been a Julie Klassen fan since her very first book, which I have read several times. Her Regencies are perfect and the mystery she throws in completes them. I was drawn in immediately here and continually kept trying to find the culprit. Her characters are great and the plot was also the same and the build up to the ending was superb! Recommended.
*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
I have been a Julie Klassen fan since her very first book, which I have read several times. Her Regencies are perfect and the mystery she throws in completes them. I was drawn in immediately here and continually kept trying to find the culprit. Her characters are great and the plot was also the same and the build up to the ending was superb! Recommended.
*My thanks to Bethany House Publishers for a preview copy of this book via Net Galley. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.
April 25, 2020
Much more of a mystery/suspense than a romance. I’m not sure if that was the intention, but it felt different for this author.
Character-filled plot at times makes it a little difficult to keep track of everyone that pops up, you’ll find yourself trying to solve the murder. All the while, wondering if a romance will develop between the two main characters. It’s different for sure and if you are interested in a suspenseful historical fiction, this will be the story for you.
I received a complimentary eARC from Netgalley. This is my honest review.
Character-filled plot at times makes it a little difficult to keep track of everyone that pops up, you’ll find yourself trying to solve the murder. All the while, wondering if a romance will develop between the two main characters. It’s different for sure and if you are interested in a suspenseful historical fiction, this will be the story for you.
I received a complimentary eARC from Netgalley. This is my honest review.
January 29, 2022
If this book hadn’t had such a large emphasis on wine, it would have earned that final star.
What a great murder mystery! It was tense from the discovery of the body, and the plot kept twisting about until I was second-guessing my speculations. It was intriguing to see how certain superstitions played a role in a couple of aspects of the story, as that heightened the stakes.
It was highly unusual for a Klassen novel to focus more on the leading man than the leading lady. I felt misled by the cover art, as a woman was featured there. This book would have been better served with a male model on the cover, since we spent the majority of the scenes in Benjamin Booker’s point of view. I thought Mrs. Klassen well handled the masculine POV. He wasn’t as emotional as female leads in prior books, though he was superbly written and did show a few feelings every now and then.
I hope there are more murder mysteries upcoming for Mrs. Klassen! She could easily become a new favorite mystery writer if there are. This was a great story with which to dabble in that genre.
Content: pubs, alcohol, tobacco, replacement expletives
What a great murder mystery! It was tense from the discovery of the body, and the plot kept twisting about until I was second-guessing my speculations. It was intriguing to see how certain superstitions played a role in a couple of aspects of the story, as that heightened the stakes.
It was highly unusual for a Klassen novel to focus more on the leading man than the leading lady. I felt misled by the cover art, as a woman was featured there. This book would have been better served with a male model on the cover, since we spent the majority of the scenes in Benjamin Booker’s point of view. I thought Mrs. Klassen well handled the masculine POV. He wasn’t as emotional as female leads in prior books, though he was superbly written and did show a few feelings every now and then.
I hope there are more murder mysteries upcoming for Mrs. Klassen! She could easily become a new favorite mystery writer if there are. This was a great story with which to dabble in that genre.
Content: pubs, alcohol, tobacco, replacement expletives
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