Reviewer's bookshelf: The Tutor's Daughter by Julie Klassen

I decided to label my book reviews in the title of my posts.  When you see "Reviewer's bookshelf" you'll know that you're about to read a book review : ).  I really enjoy reading and reviewing books for Bethany House.  I was excited to be able to review Julie Klassen's newest book, "The Tutor's Daughter."

*This book was given to me for free from Bethany House to give an unbiased book review*

This story is set in 1812 England, primarily on the Cornwall coast, which was known for its shipwrecks and superstitions .  The beautiful mansion you see in the picture is the home of the Westons, a prominant family in Cornwall and the home of four Weston brothers.  The two youngest brothers are in need of a tutor, and Emma Smallwood's widowed father is offered the position...after Emma applies for it on his behalf.  Emma can tell her father is unhappy at their Longstaple home, the place where memories of her mother linger, and hopes a change will help him out of his depression.  For many years Mr. Smallwood has run a school for boys, housing and preparing them academically for a future at a prestigious college.  This is where a young Emma first meets the two older Weston brothers, Henry and Phillip.  One was merciless in his pranks and teasing, the other kind and thoughtful.  Emma is older now and unattached, so she accompanies her father to Cornwall to help with the tutoring.  Mysteries abound at the large home...strange sounds, someone sneaking in to Emma's room at night, missing possessions, and Emma feels confident that several members of the family are hiding something.  Emma must also face feelings of fear and embarrassement from her past as well as growing affection in her present.  "The Tutor's Daughter" is a definite page-turner.

I have to say that a book cover is the first step to capturing my attention.  When I see a cover like this, I really want to know what's inside.  It's beautiful, isn't it?!  As a big Jane Austen fan, I love books set in the same time period (Regency) and also look forward to any book by Julie Klassen.  This book did not disappoint!  I haven't read all of Julie's books, but I felt like the mystery aspect of this book was much stronger than some of her others.  Especially when Emma and her father arrived at the Weston home.  There was an immediate feel that when the Smallwoods were not welcomed when they arrived in town, the decision to move to Cornwall was not going to be an easy one.  When Emma sensed there was someone in her room while she was trying to sleep, I could feel my pulse rising.  It was quite suspenseful.  As she would find evidence of someone tampering with her things, I was curious to know who was doing all of this...because there were several potential suspects.  At the same time, though, I was reminded of a slightly similar plot line in Jane Eyre, one of my favorite novels.  I was hoping that Emma's experience wouldn't be the same as Jane's because that would honestly disappoint me.  I really hoped this would be an original storyline.  I can say, without giving anything away, that the plot and outcome in "The Tutor's Daughter" was original and complex.  I really appreciated the layers of storyline that Julie Klassen offered in this novel and it made it especially satisfying!  There were little giveaways throughout the story that could help draw some conclusions as to the ending, but my personal way of pleasure reading is to not spoil it for myself by trying to figure out too much...I like to just enjoy the process.  If you're like me, you'll be satisfied with the ending/resolution. 

I would definitely recommend Julie Klassen's other novels as well.  Happy reading!