True to its genre,All the Gold in Abbotsford is rich with references to English history. Whether invoking battles, and the impacts of both victories and defeats, or using historical figures as characters within the story, Daniel adeptly blends fact with fiction, offering readers striking insight into the historical circumstances of 14th century England while maintaining a consistently gripping plot. Her prose invokes the cadences of speech of the time, and a significant stretch of the narrative is devoted to period romance, exploring the intimacies of Stephen’s relationship with his wife–and the mores and expectations of the era. Blending the social and the personal, the climax hurtles toward a resolution of the town’s political problems, but also the duo’s marital problems.

Some readers may be intimidated by the novel’s length, while others will be distracted by some convoluted plot points. But overall, Daniel is an accomplished and convincing writer, who will eventually draw any reader of political and domestic historical fiction into the enchantingly different world. This series debut proves as engrossing as it is informative.

Takeaway: Lovers of historical fiction will be captivated by this foray into 14th century England village politics and romance.

Great for fans of: Sarah E. Ladd’s The Letter from Briarton Park, Samantha Harvey’s The Western Wind.

Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: B