The Letter from Briarton Park (The Houses of Yorkshire Series)
In 1811 England, Cassandra Hale is a strong young woman whose past is shrouded in mystery. As Mrs. Denton, the woman who raised her, lies dying, she gives her a letter written by a Mr. Clark. The cryptic letter, which was written two years before, instructs her to come to Briarton Park if she wants to learn more about her family. Suddenly, it feels as if her entire life has been a lie. Not long after, Cassandra travels north to Yorkshire, to a village called Anston, where she hopes to discover who Mr. Clark is and to have her questions answered. When she arrives, she learns that Mr. Clark has died and that the new owner of Briarton Park is Mr. James Warrington. Cassandra faces no end of mystery and danger from the moment she shows up in the village. The more they interact, the more Cassandra and James feel drawn to each other. Eventually, he agrees to help protect her from the dangers that lurk around each corner.
Sarah E. Ladd’s novels are just the right combination of romance, mystery, intrigue, and faith. The Letter from Briarton Park is no exception. In Cassandra Hale we have a capable young woman who has been forced by necessity to be strong. James Warrington is a grieving widower who lost his beloved wife and now lives with his mother-in-law and sister. When Cassandra and James come together, their chemistry is palpable. I particularly enjoyed their characterization and the romance that blossoms between them. Like Ladd’s other novels, this book is beautifully written, and the characters have such realism and depth. Another character I was fond of was James’s younger sister, Rachel, who was spirited and naive at times. This book has a great balance between romance and mystery which kept me engaged from beginning to end.
