Mollie Rushmeyer

Title: The Lost Manuscript
Author: Mollie Rushmeyer
Pages: 368
Year: 2023
Publisher: Love Inspired
My rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Ellora, or “Ellie” Lockwood is a young woman who loves just about everything having to do with British history’s medieval period. She is a professor at a local university and is married to a British professor of history as well. However, after a tragedy approximately one year ago, her marriage is in shambles and her husband in England while she is in the U.S. She sent divorce papers to him three months ago, but he hasn’t returned them. Out of the blue he calls her and asks her to teach a summer session at a British castle where he will also be working. A family emergency has led one of the professors to be unable to teach and so there is an immediate need to fill the position and Ellie fits the bill.
Ellie is also facing the loss of her grandmother who raised her. Her grandmother is a historian in her own right and has been missing for months while searching for an elusive manuscript that some believe doesn’t even exist. Ellie receives a letter her grandmother had written before her disappearance urging Ellie to come to England to help her search for the manuscript. Ellie wants to go to try to find out what happened to her grandmother, but she doesn’t want to be around her husband. What follows is a winding trail of clues, mystery, and danger.
This was an enjoyable tale replete with British history, a beautiful British castle as the setting, and a mysterious missing manuscript. The beginning half of the book moved a bit too slow for me and there were some repetitions of material. However, the second half of the book was most enjoyable. The faith element was present in the story, as well as the possibility of a rekindled romance. I would recommend this book for those who like searching for lost treasure, as well as for history lovers. I hope this author writes more in this genre soon!
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.… (mehr)

Thanks to Harlequin and NetGalley for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This appealing novel combined elements of a priceless ancient manuscript, British medieval history, a person mysteriously disappearing, a young couple confronting the frailty of their marriage, and blended it with grief, loss, and faith to provide an absorbing Christian-themed mystery.

Ellora and Alex are in the final stages of divorcing when he invites her to teach history at a summer program at Alnwick Castle in England, where he has been living for the past seven months. As this is the same area where her Grandma June has been searching for a lost medieval manuscript before she disappeared, Ellora is compelled to accept Alex’s offer.

This hope-filled novel was a second chance romance and a mystery reminiscent of Nancy Drew as Ellora puts together the clues her grandmother left for her, and dodges anonymous threats, survives a sabotaged float, is trapped in a cave, and braves other dangerous situations.

I appreciated the way author Mollie Rushmeyer incorporated Ellora’s faith crisis into the plot. Also enjoyed the symbolism and allusion to family and history. Grandma June had taught Ellora “to love history. To find secrets behind what’s already known. To dig deeper and never settle for what’s on the surface. She encouraged Ellora in her passion for historical truth.” It was this passion that drove Ellora to continue her search for her grandmother and the missing ancient manuscript.

This was a satisfying novel of brokenness, heartbreak, forgiveness, and redemption. 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.

Content Warning: miscarriage… (mehr)

This book by new-to-me author Mollie Rushmeyer was a treat. The historical puzzle, the family drama, and the who-done-it type mystery combine to create an intriguing story that is difficult to step away from. Having read it during the first week of my recovery from injuries sustained in a serious automobile accident, it meant a lot to have such a wonderful diversion.

The central theme of this book revolves around the struggle to hold onto one's view of a loving and caring God when life is extremely hard and filled with disappointment and sorrow. While that may sound depressing, this book overall has a positive vibe. If The Lost Manuscript had a soundtrack, its final chapters would be accompanied by the song Blessed Be His Name by Matt and Beth Redman.

I am grateful to have received a complimentary copy of The Lost Manuscript from Harlequin's Love Inspired via NetGalley without obligation. All opinions expressed here are my own.… (mehr)

"It's in our broken places God plants seeds of hope. He will grow something beautiful from ashes."

Hope Sparrow planned to spend one night in Wanishin Falls, Minnesota, before returning to Chicago. A letter from her mother written so many years ago had led her to this town near Lake Superior. Hope was looking for

"a copy of Anne of Green Gables, the first volume of Little Women, and the three-volume set of Jane Eyre. All first editions."

The books might lead to a family secret. A family secret that could lead to her dream come true: a food truck. A different type of food truck. The food will be literary-themed inspired by the books available for sale.

I loved Hope's name and why she chose it. I loved the Dusty Jackets bookstore. It wasn't only a letter that had led Hope to this bookstore. The bookstore owned by Ulysses and Margaret (Mags) Barrick and Fitzwilliam, the feline that roamed within the store and living quarters as he pleased. Hope was appalled at the state of the store when she first entered.

A woman scarred. Inside and outside. Trying to move forward, holding panic attacks and the triggers of PTSD at bay. What is to become of her if she can't find the books? How can she return to Chicago with nothing?

A story that captures the reader's heart. The descriptive writing is beautiful. One of my favorite descriptions was the water on the shores of Arrowhead Bay. The messaging meaningful. Healing. Hopeful. Finding a place to call home. Being able to trust again. To love without fear.… (mehr)