Before anything else, can we please all take a moment to exclaim in delight over this cover? I can't pinpoint exactly what prompts it, but this cover makes my Fantasy loving heart all aflutter. I won't even attempt to deny that my choice to read this was a serious case of cover lust. In fact, I only skimmed the synopsis for this before I started. Honestly? I think that was the perfect way to go. Everything that came next was a surprise.

All my love goes to Alexandra Monir for bringing to life a world of wealth and opulence. The beginning of this story grabbed my hand, and led me into Imogen Rockford's life. A life filled with sprawling mansions, elegant libraries, and enough hidden secrets to keep me wanting to read on. I loved the disconnect between Imogen and Rockford Manor. Monir artfully keeps our heroine away from everything until she's older, which makes for a much more in depth look into the secrets her family hides. I felt like, despite the fact that this is set in current times, it was almost an older tale of sorts. The kind that lies hidden until someone is ready to uncover it.

In fact, Imogen is a rather likable character overall. I never found her pompous, or overbearing, despite her family's wealth. Imogen is the exact opposite of all that. She sees the people around her for what they are. Simply, people. As she navigated the ins and outs of the British peerage, I couldn't help but be amused. Imogen's view of the whole thing was candid and enjoyable. It made for a nice balance between her observations of her wealth, and the unfortunate circumstances surrounding the way she obtained it.

Where the story fell apart, in my opinion, was near the ending. Up to that point, you would have gotten nothing but love from me if you asked how I was enjoying the book. Imogen and Sebastion were stellar characters, the world they inhabited was lavish, and the history they were uncovering intriguing. The problems started when the twist near the end of the book hit. It wasn't what I was expecting, to be sure, but moreover it left so many things untouched. I can't really explain what I was hoping for without spoilers, but I can say that I genuinely hope that there are more of these books. I absolutely must know more about the Rockford family. ( )

Contemporary gothic with a slightly predictable ending, made all the more unbelievable by being set in the 21st century. What works is the paranormal mystery, and Imogen's naivete about the world into which she's thrust. What doesn't work, is, as I said, the twist. No, there isn't a madwoman in the attic, but it's as improbable. Still, it's worth a read for that eerie gothic atmosphere that Monir captures so well. (Provided by publisher) ( )

3.5 stars...The potential was there but it fell a little short of the mark. ( )

While the psychological impressions are present, and the Gothic elements that made [b:Rebecca|17899948|Rebecca|Daphne du Maurier|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1386605169s/17899948.jpg|46663] a great book are also present, it lacks the stranglehold of du Maurier's original, that feeling of entrapment and harrowing fear felt by the protagonist. So, with that in mind, this book would be fine for a younger audience, maybe 10-12 year old, depending on the maturity of the reader. There is no real blood/guts, and the romance is not "adult" in nature, and like I said the psychological fears are lightly touched upon and tend not to linger within the story for any length of plot time. ( )

Okay, so I’ll admit the main reason I gravitated towards Suspicion, by Alexandra Monir, was the absolutely gorgeous cover. But, a cover alone isn’t enough to warrant a read — the synopsis itself is what sealed the deal. Tales of class intrigue are always fun, then add to that the unexpected inclusion of the paranormal, and it’s an easy sell.

Suspicion starts near the end of the story with an incident involving the police wanting to question main character Imogen Rockford, newly crowned Duchess of Wickersham. Overcome with emotion, Imogen relives the past seven years of her life — beginning with a tragic accident that claimed the life of not only her parents, but her close cousin’s parents as well. Wrought with guilt over the death of her parents, Imogen left her remaining family – including newly orphaned cousin – behind and moved back to America, locking away any memory of her life before the devastating fire. Circumstances changed when Imogen finds herself on the cusp of adulthood and was thrust back into English society, coming face to face with the past she sought to forget.

Monir does an excellent job threading together memories of the distant past with more recent recollections. Every piece of information Monir uses in the story serves to propel the narrative forward. Clues are sprinkled throughout the story hinting at what will happen, at what has happened, yet placed so gingerly that the reader barely gives it a second glance. Once the mystery is solved and the twist at the end revealed, all of the breadcrumbs sprinkled earlier in the story come together. Even characters that seemed extraneous (hello Zoe) had their purpose, and ofttimes more than one reason for existing.

My sole complaint would be that, for all of the serious themes it touches, Suspicion felt too light of a book. I would have loved a deeper look into the characters, a greater sense of darkness or fear from the events. However, given it is meant for a tween/teen audience, I definitely can understand the limitations and still found it enjoyable.

Suspicion is a great, fun read, especially for those interested in YA. I definitely would love to see a follow-up.

// I received this title for free in exchange for an honest review // ( )