Legacy of Longdale Manor – Carrie Turansky, A Review

It’s not very often that my online life and my reading life overlap – but I love how they did with this book.

Carrie Turnasky has written a delightful novel that brings the legay of 2 very different generations connected to one very grand house. Set 100 years apart, we meet two women who are central to our manor’s story.

Carlotte Haper learns a damaging, hidden truth about her family and learning this after her father’s death has her only able to share it on the pages of her diary. Desperate for new housing, she and her mother travel to a sheep farm in the Lake District (where Beatrix Potter lived and where she set her books). It was during her interactions with the sheep herd that I found myself knowing what was coming next. This is thanks to a shepherdess I watch on Youtube. It was so fun, I couldn’t wait to see where the story went next. Charlotte’s grandfather is the master of Longdale manor, and he is a proud man with early 20th century sensibilities and staunchness.

Gwen, our heroine in 2012 is sent to the Lake District on behalf of her Grandfather’s appraising business. It appears that getting her out of London is more a matter of pride for her Grandfather after a terrible mistake she has made. Her task is to valuate the paintings and antiques for the currently residents of Longsdale Manor – longtime family friends of her Grandfather.

A discovery of Charlotte’s journals, and a uniquely carved staff – one she has seen in photos before bring the two worlds together.

I enjoyed this book very much- the location, the history the characters (I especially liked Charlotte’s shepherd), are lovely and wonderfully brought to life.

I’m looking forward to recommending this to our readers at the church’s library.

“Book has been provided courtesy of Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.”