Another great story by Abigail Wilson! I’ve read all the others and hope she writes more.

This suspenseful mystery, treasure hunt, light romance is set in Regency England. Phoebe Radcliffe (daughter of Lord Torrington from a previous book) is an artist working for Miss Drake to refurbish the paint in the ballroom of Avonthorpe Manor. Her childhood friend Daniel is helping. Miss Drake’s nephew Lt. Graham Burke arrived for an unexpected visit along with his friend Mr. Montague which brings new tension to the house. Miss Drake is attacked and in her final moments, whisper/shares the hiding place of the clues to find the long lost family treasure. She asks Phoebe to tell no one. Miss Chant is Phoebe’s companion and together they start looking for the treasure. Soon there is an interest between Lt. Burke and Phoebe and they join forces to look for the treasure.
There are others looking for the treasure too. The butler, Arnold, the strange couple living there, the Fagens and Mr. Haskell, a local resident with ties to the family history.

Then Phoebe encounters the man she had feelings for two years ago, Jean Cloutier, who is a French spy and used her innocence to escape from her father. She finally sees him for what he is and comes to grips with how he used her.

I like the building relationship with Lt. Burke and how they learn to trust each other despite all the turmoil around them. A delightful story with twists and turns and hope for dreamers. ( )

This novel combines a Regency romance with artistry, smuggling, a murder, and a treasure hunt! What an intriguing combination. When Phoebe gains employment as an artist, tasked with restoring Miss Drake's ballroom decorations, she never imagines she will become embroiled in searching for clues and seeking buried treasure. While this novel might be considered a romance, it is much more than that.

Readers who enjoy a novel of romantic suspense will no doubt find this a welcome addition to their reading repertoire.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own. ( )

A time period mystery that has all the adventure, clues and murder you could ask for. I bit slow getting started but the plot got going and the characters were interesting enough until it got rolling. Definitely a mystery that keeps you thinking!
*I received an arc from the publisher through NetGalley for an honest review ( )

Abigail Wilson is a master at gothic romance, and Within These Gilded Halls is the perfect example! The Avonthorpe estate is the perfect setting, its opulent decor in contrast to the many secrets it keeps hidden about the Drake family treasure. The hunt for the treasure was thrilling and kept me on my toes until the end.
I loved working through the clues with Phoebe and Graham and watching them form a respect that turned to friendship, and then, to more. Their slow-burn romance was expertly crafted and made for many sighs and swoony scenes. I thought they balanced each other well, Phoebe, with her adventurous spirit, and Graham with his more structured personality.
The characters are so well-written and have such depth to them. You will be drawn to even the vilest characters on the hunt to find the treasure–and a murderer. I found myself going over the treasure hunt clues even when my book was tucked away. It’s such an intriguing mystery.
Overall, this is an excellent book, and I would highly recommend it to any fan of Regency romance. It’s the perfect read on a cozy night with your favorite blanket and cup of tea! You won’t be disappointed you chose to follow Phoebe and Graham along on this dangerous and thrilling adventure.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own. ( )

Title: Within These Gilded Halls
Author: Abigail Wilson
Pages: 320
Year: 2022
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Lt. Graham Burke never thought he would inherit Avonthorpe, his aunt’s country home, but that is what happens when she is murdered a few days after his arrival at Avonthorpe for a visit. Who would want to kill his middle-aged aunt? After her will is disclosed to him, he now knows of a possible motive for her death…a treasure of royal jewels. Allegedly, the jewels were King John’s and were lost in a nearby marsh when the king was traveling. A long-ago relative discovered the jewels, hid them, and passed down clues to find the treasure from generation to generation. No one has found the treasure, but many continue to search. Avonthorpe and the surrounding property needs repairs, but there is no money unless Graham can find the treasure.
Phoebe Radcliff is a young woman who has spent two years at Avonthorpe, studying under the guidance of her mentor, Miss Drake. When Miss Drake’s nephew arrives, Phoebe is not impressed. He is stuffy and too militarily minded. One evening, Phoebe discovers Miss Drake mortally injured and minutes from death. As Miss Drake breathes her last, she imparts a clue to the treasure to Phoebe and tells her she wants Phoebe to have it rather than him. Who was the him she was talking about? Her nephew? Phoebe has a secret of her own she is keeping, but will Graham find out?
This is a good regency mystery, treasure hunt and romance all rolled into one! The story starts off slow, but the last half of the book picks up the pace. I liked the interaction between the two lead characters, starting off as hardly being able to speak civilly to one another, to becoming friends, leading to romance. Creature sounds adorable, and I loved his interactions with Graham. There is little mention of God or faith in the story, which I think should be more prominent in a novel published by a Christian publisher and marketed to a Christian audience. This was my first time reading this author, and I would be willing to read another of her novels if the plot sounds interesting.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility. ( )