Review: The Tutor's Daughter

Yay for more historical fiction from Bethany House!  When I requested The Tutor's Daughter, I did not realize it was the same author of The Girl in the Gatehouse, which I reviewed a while back and thoroughly enjoyed.  Julie Klaussen is a self-proclaimed Jane Eyre and Jane Austen nut, so I was especially excited to read her newest book.

Emma Smallwood grew up in her father's boarding school for young men, but when the opportunity arises for Mr. Smallwood and Emma to travel to Cornwall and serve as private tutors for the Weston family, they pack up, let their house, and embark on their new adventure.  Twenty-one year old Emma is eager to reunite with Phillip, one of the Weston brothers who graduated her father's school some three years before, but she is equally leery of running into his older brother Henry, who teased her mercilessly and played several pranks of her during his time at the Smallwood Academy.

The Smallwoods arrive at the Weston estate, and much to Emma's excitement, learns that her friend Phillip has taken a respite from his studies at Oxford.  She enjoys conversations with her old friend as she and her father settle into their roles as tutors for the two younger Weston boys when strange things begin to happen.  Emma awakens in the middle of the night to feel as though someone is in her room.  She hears music playing from the pianoforte at night, but finds no one at the keys.  Mysterious notes and messages are slipped underneath her door.  Emma's suspicions begin to escalate, and real danger becomes eminent.  Who can she turn to during this confusing time?

I enjoyed this story almost as much as The Girl in the Gatehouse and thought Klaussen wove an excellent tale.  Unlike most historical fiction novels, this one actually kept me guessing about certain story lines for more than the first few pages.  In fact, I didn't figure out the mystery on my own, but rather finally understood it as Klaussen continued her plot development; it was a nice surprise not to be able to completely guess the outcome of the book in the first several chapters!  I would recommend this book if you are looking for an enjoyable read.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."