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Lauren Belfer, the author of “Ashton Hall” has written a thought-provoking and captivating novel. The genres are Historical Fiction, Mystery, Suspense,Fiction and Thriller. The author vividly describes the historic castle, the architecture, and the scenery in England. Lauren Belfer describes the colorful and dramatic characters as complex, complicated, flawed, and intense. There is also an empathetic and loyal dog. The timeline for this story is set in the present and takes us back to the Elizabethan era in England in looking for answers to a haunting mystery.
The female protagonist, Hannah Larson, is American, and her challenging son Nicky are visiting her ailing uncle Christopher in Ashton Hall, a historic manor in England. Hannah has just found out some unsettling news about her husband. Nicky is a young boy, who is “wired” differently and is extremely curious, and explores the huge manor. Nicky finds a skeleton in one of the old sections. This female skeleton comes from The Elizabethan era, and demands answers. There are historical books and ledgers from that era, and Hannah becomes involved in researching the information of the families.
Hannah can identify with some of the ancestors, and starts thinking about her future. as well as the past. She realizes that women have always had ways of protecting their children and finding themselves. I highly recommend this intriguing novel.
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