Book Description:
In the vein of The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick, a priceless manuscript could be one woman’s key to finding her missing grandmother—and to her own second chance.
It’s not just Ellora Lockwood’s home that’s being emptied as she prepares to sell—her heart seems to be empty too. Since the mysterious disappearance of her beloved Grandma June and separating from her husband, Alex, Ellora has felt adrift. Then comes an invitation from Alex to teach history at a summer program at Alnwick Castle in England. He’s even found information about the location of a medieval manuscript that was her grandmother’s obsession before she vanished.
Warily, Ellora accepts Alex’s offer. Surrounded by lush English countryside and captivating history, she pieces together clues about the manuscript’s whereabouts—and uncovers new questions. Could someone have been sabotaging her grandmother’s work? Anonymous threats lead Ellora to suspect she too may be in danger, but as she and Alex work together, she’s finding strength, new purpose and the courage to see this quest through, wherever it may lead…
Narelle’s Thoughts:
I enjoyed reading The Lost Manuscript, set in a small town in north-western England. Ellie’s grandmother is missing, and she disappeared in England while searching for a mysterious lost manuscript. Ellie takes on a history teaching role at the historic English college where her estranged husband is living and working because she wants to solve the mystery of her grandmother’s disappearance.
Traumatic circumstances led to the breakdown of Ellie and Alex’s marriage, and the emotional fallout is explored in the story. Alex assists Ellie in her search for her grandmother and the elusive lost manuscript, and they’re forced to deal with the consequences of their past choices.
I appreciated the strong faith element and the forgiveness themes in the story. Historical fiction readers will love the fascinating historical threads woven into a contemporary fiction story. I recommend The Lost Manuscript to contemporary romance readers who like married couple romances with a compelling mystery that draws on the rich historic setting of an English castle and village.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Love Inspired for the advanced reader copy.