The Landlord
by Hannah Ross
When Allie Morton rents an isolated lake cabin near the picturesque village of Gosbury, she only wants a quiet place to sort herself out after an abusive marriage. The last thing she expects is an encounter with a ghost that takes her back to the Regency era. At first Allie doubts her own sanity, but when she delves into the tragic fate of Elizabeth Williamson, the mysterious woman from two centuries ago, she doesn't just uncover a dark secret of the past - she opens a new venue to her future.
My Take:
Allie Morton is so done with her old life. Reeling from an ongoing, messy divorce from an emotionally abusive tyrant, she desperately seeks a quiet, peaceful place to recover. She snaps up a rental cabin by a peaceful lake near Gosbury for an unbelievable price. She quickly finds that the amazingly low rent has a reason. The cabin is in disrepair, far from the beaten path, and hasn't seen a tenant in decades. And that's before she learns there's a ghost.
The peaceful lake is home to a forlorn 200-year-old ghost trying to get resolution for her tragic end. Allie first believes the visions and dreams she has are stress-induced hallucinations, visions of a beautiful woman named Elizabeth Williamson, from the Regency era. When she finds out that Elizabeth did in fact exist around that time, she delves into her tragic story and death, aided by her ghost, uncovering a dark secret buried deep in the past, and inadvertently opening a new hope for her own future.
The peaceful lake is home to a forlorn 200-year-old ghost trying to get resolution for her tragic end. Allie first believes the visions and dreams she has are stress-induced hallucinations, visions of a beautiful woman named Elizabeth Williamson, from the Regency era. When she finds out that Elizabeth did in fact exist around that time, she delves into her tragic story and death, aided by her ghost, uncovering a dark secret buried deep in the past, and inadvertently opening a new hope for her own future.
Content:
Drug Content:
PG - Alcohol is consumed a few times, there are a few scenes at a bar. One of the patrons at the village bar gets wasted, as well as an underage boy.
Violence:
PG - There is a shooting death, and a death under mysterious circumstances. Violence and death are threatened multiple times.
Language:
PG - The Lord's name is taken in vain once, there are a few other mild expletives.
Adult Content:
PG - Affairs are discussed. A man has a reputation as a ladies' man, advances are made on married women. A gentleman uses position to attempt to seduce women of lesser state.
Christian content:
The pastor of the town church in the Regency era struggles with the decision of whether to expose a grievous sin, when it would be futile. He leaves judgement in the hands of a higher and later court. Faith plays a part in his life, but not much in the lives of any of the other characters. Sin is condemned soundly by certain characters in the novel, though their harsh judgmental condemnation is of the person, not the sin. Friendship, loyalty, forbearance, mercy, and grace all play a part in this work.
Final analysis:
Allie is a very believable character, and Elizabeth also has depth of character. The setting was immersive and the supporting cast were likable and real. I found the demarcations between the past and present a bit difficult to follow, but a great plot device. The pace was steady and fast, the action thrilling, the suspense tangible. I'm not a big fan of Regency but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Five Stars!
About the Author:
Hannah Ross wrote her first story at the age of six and hasn’t stopped since. Wishing to have a steady profession, she trained as a clinical nutritionist, but the writing bug was too strong and Hannah continued to write fiction in the form of short stories, novels, poetry and plays, as well as many non-fiction essays and articles.
Hannah enjoys a quiet life in the country with her husband, three children, two cats and a flock of chickens.
Hannah Ross wrote her first story at the age of six and hasn’t stopped since. Wishing to have a steady profession, she trained as a clinical nutritionist, but the writing bug was too strong and Hannah continued to write fiction in the form of short stories, novels, poetry and plays, as well as many non-fiction essays and articles. Hannah enjoys a quiet life in the country with her husband, three children, two cats and a flock of chickens.
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