Whispers at Painswick Court

She expected her return to Painswick would bring memories of the past--not danger and romance.

Anne Loveday, a surgeon's daughter, is determined to live a single, useful life. To escape her matchmaking stepmother, she accepts an invitation from an old friend to return to Painswick, the place where she and her sister spent many happy summers until that last, fateful year.

Soon after arriving, Anne is asked to serve as sickroom nurse to Lady Celia, who forbade her nephew to marry Anne's sister years before. Pushing aside resentments, Anne moves into Painswick Court, a shadowy old house rumored to be haunted. Also in residence are Lady Celia's spinster daughter, her handsome adult nephews, and a secretive new lady's maid. Two local doctors visit regularly as well, one of whom admires Anne while concealing secrets of his own.

As an escalating series of mishaps befalls her patient, Anne realizes someone is trying to kill the woman. But who? When Anne finds herself a suspect and her resolution to avoid romance challenged, can she discover the real culprit--and protect her heart--before it's too late?

Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen in this compelling Regency-era novel laced with intrigue, love, and English village charm for fans of historical romance and whodunit mysteries.

This discussion guide was provided by the publisher, Baker Publishing Group.

Book club questions for Whispers at Painswick Court by Julie Klassen

Use these discussion questions to guide your next book club meeting.

Did you enjoy the book overall? What scene or moment did you especially like?

What was your opinion of Lady Celia? Did your feelings about her or any other character undergo a significant change as you read? Did you have a favorite character?

Have you ever visited a town or village in the Cotswolds (or elsewhere in England)? Does the setting appeal to you?

Ever since her mother’s death while under her care, Anne has struggled with feelings of failure and doubts God hears and answers her prayers. Have you ever struggled to persevere when it seems your prayers go unanswered? What would you say to someone struggling in this way?

In the past, “fallen women” often faced gossip, censure, and ostracization. As you read, was it difficult to keep in mind how attitudes toward female virtue and pregnancy outside of wedlock have changed in the last two hundred years?

This novel is set before the establishment of a centralized police force as we know it today. Did anything about the people involved in law enforcement (constable, coroner, magistrate) surprise you? Did any of the other historical details strike you as interesting?

How early did you figure out the identity of the culprit? Did you suspect different characters over the course of the novel? Did you enjoy the mystery elements of this novel?

Anne’s stepmother says, “Do you really think there is only one path to happiness? God is bigger and life is more complicated than that.” What are your thoughts on this sentiment? Do you agree or disagree? Discuss.

Whispers at Painswick Court Book Club Questions PDF

Click here for a printable PDF of the Whispers at Painswick Court discussion questions