Lady of a Thousand Treasures by Sandra Byrd

Thursday, November 15, 2018



Genre: Historical Fiction

Rating: ♥♥♥ Three and a half out of five hearts= good

A Victorian Ladies novel

About:

When a wealthy client dies, Eleanor (an evaluator of antiquities) is charged with the task of deciding where his valuable collection will go. With his son, Harry, the rightful heir who betrayed Eleanor, or with a museum for all the world to enjoy? She will have to be discerning if she is to choose the right thing. Certainly the first option is popular with the rich crowd, and it would shame Harry to have his father's possessions taken from him...

This is not the only thing weighing on Eleanor's mind, however. With her father gone and her uncle's health declining, she is the only one of her family left to manage Sheffield Brothers, and it seems as if their business is being targeted. And then there are the bill collectors, who keep coming to call...

Eleanor's life has suddenly become very complicated.


My Review:

Definitely a well-researched historical novel! Sandra Byrd has done her work with Lady of a Thousand Treasures, and it was really interesting for me to be introduced to the world of antiquities in the 1800's (a man's profession at that time). She is a master at introducing and pulling you in to a world from the past that you knew nothing about. I'm no Einstein when it comes to England's Victorian period so I may be wrong, but the facts seemed reliable and from the author's note at the end, it seemed that there was a lot of research involved. 

The book (set in first-person, and only viewed through Eleanor's eyes, so you are uncertain whom to trust) also was good at keeping you on your toes. You may have an idea of who (if anybody) Eleanor will end up with at the conclusion, but as for me, I was never entirely sure. Just as the heroine must ask questions and try to figure out who is right, who is the true person in her life (like she does with the antiquities she examines and evaluates), you must also go with her on her journey and learn along with her the clues that will lead up to the ending. 

Like I mentioned before, though, the book was set in first person. Which I've never totally been a fan of, but am slowly warming up to, if used right. It was used correctly here, to some degree, and made you unsure of the ending, pulled you into Ellie's mind and world. That also was a bad thing, though, because the dirty London streets, the Sheffield family's declining wealth and approaching doom coupled with the first person made me a bit  depressed and claustrophobic at times and made me want to finish the book and move on to something else (call me weird, but that's how it was for me). Several scenes also tended to feel a bit slow as well. 

In the end, no one can deny that Mrs. Byrd is a good writer, and you'll gain knowledge if you do decide to purchase and read this novel. It had its inspiring moments, and Eleanor Sheffield is a heroine you can admire. 

Note: I got this book from Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

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4 lovely thoughts

  1. Thank you for all of these wonderful book reviews! If there's anything I'm good at it's reading and I've enjoyed reading your thoughts on so many new books. You do an amazing job of it. :)
    Love ~ S.F.

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    1. Thank you so much, S.F.! I appreciate that. :) I'm passionate about books and stories, so it's been fun to interact with others on my blog about it.
      As a side note, I'm so sorry I didn't reply to your comment until now! I didn't see it until today.

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