The Burning of Rosemont Abbey
About
Everyone in Wilbeth Green has something to hide, but she's about to uncover their secrets.
1956: In a quiet English village, the smoldering ruins of Rosemont Abbey have set the residents' tongues wagging, and everyone is quick to accuse troublemaker Paul Everly of the crime of arson. Paul has vanished without a trace, leaving only his plucky twin sister, Louisa, certain of his innocence. Fueling her conviction is an inexplicable connection--she felt her twin's death an hour before the abbey went up in flames.
Armed with nothing but her wit and her keen sense of intuition, Louisa embarks on her own investigation, challenging the dubious townspeople and the disdain of her aunt and uncle. Even Inspector Malcolm Sinclair, once Paul's closest friend, warns Louisa to abandon her pursuit. But Louisa is determined to solve a murder no one else believes was committed, even if it means unraveling secrets that could shake Wilbeth Green to its core.
"A thrilling and beautifully written tale from start to finish, filled with a strong sense of time, deft characterization, and more than enough twists to keep one guessing. Readers will be as hard-pressed as I was to put this one down once they begin."--ANNA LEE HUBER, USA Today bestselling author
"What an absolute delight of a novel! Naomi Stephens has a new fan in me!"--SARAH SUNDIN, Christy Award-winning author
"An English murder mystery set in the 1950s, plus a friends (and sometimes enemies)-to-more romance? Naomi Stephens is an author to watch!"--JULIE KLASSEN, bestselling author
Endorsements
"A thrilling and beautifully written tale from start to finish, filled with a strong sense of time, deft characterization, and more than enough twists to keep one guessing. Readers will be as hard-pressed as I was to put this one down once they begin."
Anna Lee Huber, USA Today bestselling author
"An English murder mystery set in the 1950s, plus a friends (and sometimes enemies)-to-more romance? Naomi Stephens is an author to watch!"
Julie Klassen, bestselling author
"What an absolute delight of a novel! Deftly combining the quirky humor of Father Brown with gravitas and shocking twists, The Burning of Rosemont Abbey kept me laughing and pondering alongside the insightful and amusing heroine. Plus, romance! Naomi Stephens has a new fan in me!"
Sarah Sundin, Christy Award-winning author of Embers in the London Sky
"Escape to a quaint English village where a young woman's twin brother has mysteriously vanished. Reminiscent of Agatha Christie, The Burning of Rosemont Abbey is a fast-paced blend of mystery, romance, and faith that will keep you guessing until the very end. I loved the richly layered details of life in a 1950s country mansion as Louisa delves into her complicated family history to solve a long-simmering mystery."
Elizabeth Camden, RITA Award-winning author
"Imagine a delicious intrigue rich in colorful, quirky characters, devilishly clever banter, and simmering with a romantic chemistry that will have you swooning! This perfectly paced British whodunit will by turns keep you grinning, gasping, and guessing until the very last page. Thoroughly captivating!"
Kate Breslin, bestselling author of In Love's Time
"I'm a fan of atmospheric, well-written whodunits that are peopled with unforgettable characters. Naomi Stephens's The Burning of Rosemont Abbey checks all the boxes for me. Readers who grew up with Nancy Drew and Agatha Christie will become fast friends with Louisa Everly. Be warned, this book will keep you up past your bedtime."
Susie Finkbeiner, author of The All-American and Stories That Bind Us
"Twists abound in this engrossing, suspenseful, and atmospheric mystery. Readers will be drawn into a labyrinth of intrigue that deepens with every chapter. Layered with memorable themes and multifaceted characters, The Burning of Rosemont Abbey is a deftly plotted and thoroughly satisfying tale. Fans of Agatha Christie will be captivated."
Amanda Barratt, Christy Award-winning author of Within These Walls of Sorrow and The Warsaw Sisters
"Here's one for the top of your reading pile! Vivid writing, compelling characters, and a classic mystery that would make Agatha Christie break out in a hearty round of applause. I enjoyed every minute of The Burning of Rosemont Abbey, and you will too."
Michelle Griep, Christy Award-winning author of Of Gold and Shadows
"Smashing good fun! This historical mystery hits all the notes--a touch of romance, a heroine full of sass and verve, a cast of characters to utterly charm me, and a mystery that kept me guessing until the very end! I want to reread it right now!"
Roseanna M. White, bestselling author of The Imposters
"Naomi Stephens has crafted a delightful, atmospheric mystery full of all the twists and turns an armchair sleuth could want. Readers will adore following the lively heroine and endearing cast of side characters as they puzzle out the clues to discover whodunit. Highly recommended to fans of Golden Era detective fiction."
Amy Lynn Green, author of The Foxhole Victory Tour
"Stephens leaves the reader guessing with this delightful homage to Agatha Christie where the mystery gets more intricate with each page and every character is a suspect. Fast-paced and beautifully plotted, The Burning of Rosemont Abbey is a novel sprinkled with clues, seeped in timeless truths, and capped off with a twist of an ending you'll never see coming."
Jennifer L. Wright, Carol Award-nominated author of The Girl from the Papers
The Author
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© Jenna Therese Naomi Stephens
Naomi Stephens (NaomiStephens.com) is a bookworm turned teacher turned writer. Her first novel, Shadow among Sheaves, was an INSPY Award shortlist contender and the winner of the 2020 Carol Award in Debut Fiction. Though she has called many places home...
Continue reading about Naomi Stephens
Reviews
"This immersive whodunit captivates."
Publishers Weekly
"Stephens has penned an expertly plotted mystery in the classic style of Agatha Christie or Alan Bradley. Readers will follow plenty of red herrings and suspect everyone at least once before the end."
Library Journal
"The Burning of Rosemont Abbey by Naomi Stephens is deliciously Christie-esque with its English village setting, clever mystery, and intriguing characters. The 1950s British setting gives the story an overall Clue vibe as well, which I loved, and the witty humor (Mrs. Watson!!) was the perfect touch."
Reading Is My SuperPower
"Naomi Stephens is a new-to-me author who is now on my must-reads list. From the gripping first chapter to the jaw-dropping ending, this story keeps you guessing until you finally find out what really happened at Rosemont Abbey."
Interviews and Reviews
"The Burning of Rosemont Abbey delivers a period mystery full of twists that culminate in a surprise conclusion."
Novels Alive 5-Star Review
"Author Stephens checks every box in this novel. It is a mystery with many twists and turns. I defy any reader to guess the culprit."
Historical Novel Society
"A wonderful mystery in the veins of Nancy Drew. A nosey main character who plans on solving the case, and nobody better get in her way. With a dash of romance and lots of intrigue I thoroughly enjoyed the plot and characters."
Paperbacks and Ponytails
"A delightful blend of mystery and romance. . . This novel will appeal to readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with a slight Agatha Christie flare."
Eli's Novel Reviews