Spotlight on Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale

As a longtime blog reader, you know my love for Downton Abbey. I was eagerly awaiting the release of the final movie, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. thanks to Focus Features, I was able to watch the movie from the comfort of my home. I am so delighted to be reunited with these beloved characters.

 
However, things are changing at Downton Abbey. It's the 1930s, and society is very different. Mary finds herself at the center of a public scandal, and Downton is facing financial trouble. This turmoil brings Edith and Mary closer together, which was heartwarming to see. Additionally, beloved characters Carson and Mrs. Patmore are retiring. Daisy and Andy have big shoes to fill! Mary wants to officially take the reigns of Downton, but after the scandal, Robert is hesitant to let her.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale even pays tribute to former favorites who are no longer with us, such as Matthew, Sybil, and, of course, Violet, whose grand portrait watches over Mary as she makes her decisions at Downton Abbey.

 

The movie also features the London season, which was exciting to see as high society brush elbows at opulant balls, and the ever popular Ascot race. As usual, the costumes were gorgeous!

 

 

I still remember the first time I saw the sweeping views of Highclere Castle in person, and those memories will stay with me forever. So, if you appreciate the sweeping views of Downton Abbey, you won't be disappointed with the gorgeous setting depicted in the film as it was captured beautifully.

Fans of the series will love reuniting with their favorite characters. And don't worry—things are left on a high note. After 15 years of enjoying the show, it's bittersweet to see it all come to an end, but the final movie does a great job of wrapping things up and officially closing the book on Downton Abbey.

 

If you are like me, and would love to snuggle up at home to watch the movie, you can explore your options here; however, it's still playing in theaters, too. You can also learn more about the movie by visiting the Facebook, and connecting on Instagram and Twitter/X. 

 

 

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale will make for an excellent holiday gift. The DVD releases November 11th and includes special features, so be sure to add it to your holiday wish list. There's even an Ultimate Legacy Collection coming out that features all three films and six television season together for the first time. The Ultimate Legacy Collection features a 52 page book, sketches, bios, photos and more - a must have for all Downton Abbey fans.  

 

Are you a Downton Abbey fan? Did you see the final movie? Are you sad to say goodbye? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.  

Discover the Best Books to Read If You Love Downton Abbey

Downton Abbey is finally coming to an end. I can hardly believe it! At the same time, I'm glad that the characters and the story continued longer than I expected. To honor the final movie of Downton Abbey, I’m sharing some books that are perfect for fans of the show and its movies. Here are a few of my favorites, along with links to my reviews.

 

Adult Fiction:

 

Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon

Rutherford Park by Elizabeth Cooke

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

The Girl in the Castle by Santa Montefiore (also known as The Irish Girl)

Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

Ross Poldark by Winston Graham

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig

A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes (or any of the other TV show inspired books)

Cavendon Hall by Barbara Taylor Bradford

An American Duchess by Sharon Page

The Heiress Gets a Duke by Harper St. John 

 

 

 

 

 

The Duke and I by Julia Quinn 

The Address by Fiona Davis

Lady Takes the Case by Eliza Casey

At Summer's End by Courtney Ellis

The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher

The Husband Hunters by Anne de Courcy 

 

 

 

 

The Collector's Daughter by Gill Paul 

Our Kind of People by Carol Wallace 

The Last Debutantes by Georgie Blalock 

The Social Graces by Renee Rosen

The Glorious Guinness Girls by Emily Hourican

YA Novels:

Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame

Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

The Heiresses by Alison Rushby

To Be Read Pile:

 

Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Below Stairs by Margaret Powell

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson

Habits of the House by Fay Weldon

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonsson

 

You can shop all books here:

 

Have you read any of these books? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

If You Love Downton Abbey

Ever since Downton Abbey ended, there's been a bit of a hole left behind. However, the release of the Downton Abbey movies makes every fan's heart soar. I am looking forward to seeing the latest Downton Abbey movie and meanwhile, here's a list of books that have a similar vibe.  I've updated this list as it's been a few years and linked the books to my reviews. Let me know what you think in the comments below.

 

 

Adult Fiction:

Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon

Rutherford Park by Elizabeth Cooke

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

The Girl in the Castle by Santa Montefiore

Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

Ross Poldark by Winston Graham

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig

A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes (or any of the other TV show inspired books)

Cavendon Hall by Barbara Taylor Bradford

An American Duchess by Sharon Page

 

 

 

 

 

The Address by Fiona Davis

Lady Takes the Case by Eliza Casey

At Summer's End by Courtney Ellis

The Kennedy Debutante by Kerri Maher

The Husband Hunters by Anne de Courcy 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The Social Graces by Renee Rosen

The Last Debutantes by Georgie Blalock

The Glorious Guinness Girls by Emily Hourican

The Collector's Daughter by Gill Paul

Our Kind of People by Carol Wallace

YA Novels:

Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame

Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

The Heiresses by Alison Rushby

To Be Read Pile:

(I have many of these Downton Abbey-esqe books on my TBR list!)

Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Below Stairs by Margaret Powell

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

Longbourn by Jo Baker

Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson

Habits of the House by Fay Weldon

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonsson

 

So, have you read some of these books? Do you have any Downton Abbey read-alikes to recommend to me? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

 

Book Review: Lady Takes the Case by Eliza Casey

Pages: 304

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction

Pub. Date: November 26, 2019

Publisher: Berkley 

Source: Publisher for review

My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "When a dinner party turns deadly, the feisty Lady Cecilia Bates and intuitive cat Jack are on the case, in this first entry to an exciting new historical-mystery series.  England 1912. Danby Hall is the only home Lady Cecilia Bates has ever known. Despite the rigid rules of etiquette and her mother the Countess of Avebury's fervent desire to see her married off, Lady Cecilia can't imagine life anywhere else. But now, with an agricultural depression sweeping the countryside, the Bates family's possession of the hall is suddenly in peril.  A possible solution arrives in the form of the imperious American heiress Annabel Clarke. The Earl and Countess of Avebury are determined that Cecilia's brother, Patrick, will win Annabel's hand in marriage--and her fortune along with it. To help the lackluster Patrick in this pursuit, the Bates and their staff arrange a grand house party upon the heiress's arrival.  When a guest dies after sipping from a glass meant for Annabel, it's clear the Bates have a more poisonous problem on their hands than a lack of chemistry. As the scandal seizes Danby, Cecilia sets out to find the culprit, with help from Annabel's maid, Jane, and Jane's curiously intelligent cat, Jack.  After the poison that someone had stashed away inside the manor is discovered, Cecilia is left with two possibilities: Either a resident of Danby snapped and tried to kill the arrogant heiress, or the threat is coming from one of their guests, who would love to see the Bates family's decline become permanent."

While Danby Hall is a beautiful estate, it's upkeep is a difficult undertaking, which is the situation regarding most of the grand estates in England. There's only one way to save Danby and it's American money. Many of the British aristocracy married American heiresses in order to save their family's estate and that's the hope of Lady Avebury.  She hopes that she can arrange a marriage between her son, Patrick, and the American heiress, Annabel Clarke. When Annabel comes to visit Danby, they are hoping she will be enamored with its grandness and its history.  However, during a  dinner party, disaster ensues.  One of the guests, a famous world explorer, falls ill during the dinner party and dies. Everyone is a suspect, especially Patrick who has a laboratory filled with herbs, plants, and the like. When the Inspector starts questioning Patrick, Lady Cecelia Bates, Patrick's sister, gets concerned, because knows that Patrick wouldn't harm anyone.  Lady Cecelia forms a friendship with Annabel's maid, Jane, and together, along with Jane's cat, they figure out who is responsible for this horrific dinner party murder.  Having a friend like Jane, Cecelia is privy to the goings-on downstairs as well as the details surrounding the new footman.  Lady Takes the Case by Eliza Casey is a cozy historical mystery that's perfect for fans of Downton Abbey as well as Jane Austen.

Lady Cecilia is an interesting and unconventional character in Lady Takes the Case. She is already "out" in society, but hasn't had any offers. So, she throws herself into figuring out who is responsible for the murder of traveler, Hayes.  There are many suspects--Annabel, the new footman, someone else from downstairs or could it be.....her brother? It does raise a red flag that he was hesitant to get married to an American and also he has a laboratory where he does a variety of expeiments using various concoctions. Things aren't looking promising for Patrick, which is why Cecelia gets involved with the help of Annabel's maid, Jane.  Normally someone of Cecelia's social set wouldn't be involved with a lady's maid, but Cecelia marches to the beat of her own drum, which I appreciated.  

All of the secondary characters in Lady Takes the Case were a lot of fun. They were mysterious, interesting, and reminiscent of an Agatha Christie novel.  I wasn't quite sure who the murder could be and enjoyed going along the ride with Cecelia.  This wasn't an edge of your seat murder mystery though; it was more of a cozy read that's perfect for the holiday season.  

The whole upstairs/downstairs vibe in Lady Takes the Case along with the great family estate is also similar to Downton Abbey, especially with the quest to find an American heiress in order to keep the estate up and running.  I think this new hysterical mystery series will definitely be a hit with fan the show.

So, if you like to cozy up this holiday season with a mystery that won't give you high blood pressure, but rather make it feel like you are watching your favorite Masterpiece TV show, I urge you to pick up Lady Takes the Case.  I look forward to book two as the ending of book one left me gasping!

Audio Book Review: The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty

Genre: Adult Historical Fiction/Audio Book

Pub. Date: June 5, 2012

Publisher: Penguin

Source: Personal Copy

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "The Chaperone is  a captivating novel about the woman who chaperoned an irreverent Louise Brooks to New York City in 1922 and the summer that would change them both.  Only a few years before becoming a famous silent-film star and an icon of her generation, a fifteen-year-old Louise Brooks leaves Wichita, Kansas, to study with the prestigious Denishawn School of Dancing in New York. Much to her annoyance, she is accompanied by a thirty-six-year-old chaperone, who is neither mother nor friend. Cora Carlisle, a complicated but traditional woman with her own reasons for making the trip, has no idea what she’s in for. Young Louise, already stunningly beautiful and sporting her famous black bob with blunt bangs, is known for her arrogance and her lack of respect for convention. Ultimately, the five weeks they spend together will transform their lives forever.  For Cora, the city holds the promise of discovery that might answer the question at the core of her being, and even as she does her best to watch over Louise in this strange and bustling place she embarks on a mission of her own. And while what she finds isn’t what she anticipated, she is liberated in a way she could not have imagined. Over the course of Cora’s relationship with Louise, her eyes are opened to the promise of the twentieth century and a new understanding of the possibilities for being fully alive.  Drawing on the rich history of the 1920s,’30s, and beyond—from the orphan trains to Prohibition, flappers,  and the onset of the Great Depression to the burgeoning movement for equal rights and new opportunities for women—Laura Moriarty’s The Chaperone illustrates how rapidly everything, from fashion and hemlines to values and attitudes, was changing at this time and what a vast difference it all made for Louise Brooks, Cora Carlisle, and others like them."

The year is 1922 and Cora Carlisle finds her life is at a crossroads.  Her twin sons are grown and away for the summer, her husband is a successful lawyer and is always busy, and Cora is tired of the same old things.  Although her much older husband, Alan, seems like the perfect husband, things aren't as great as they appear at first glance.  So, when Louise Brooks, a young girl in Cora's neighborhood, has the opportunity to attend dance school in New York City, but needs a reliable chaperone, Cora jumps at this opportunity.  Not only will she get to be in exciting New York City, she also has some unfinished business in this city as well.  This business is in regards to her childhood as Cora grew up in an orphanage in New York City. While she was adopted by a nice couple in Kansas, she has always wanted to know the truth surrounding her biological parents.  Perhaps this trip as Louise's chaperone will provide some answers as well as some closure on that end.  However, Louise isn't your average fifteen year old girl.  She is known to be a bit wild, adventurous, and someone who challenges convention. Maybe being Louise's chaperone won't be as easy as Cora had hoped.  The audio book, The Chaperone by Laura Moriarty was a delight; historical fiction fans will enjoy this novel, especially Elizabeth McGovern's narration.

Cora Carlisle, at first glance, appears to be your run of the mill housewife stuck in the conventions of 1922.  However, there's so much more to her in The Chaperone. As her story unfolds and we learn more about her background, I was even more interested in Cora.  Her childhood at the orphanage truly tugged on my heartstrings.  After her adopted parents passed away, she was finding herself in trouble again and one might think that Alan saved her when she needed saving; however, there's so much more to the situation than that.  I also enjoyed the mystery surrounding Cora's birth parents and I appreciated her courage in trying to find out the truth despite all the obstacles in her way. While investigating, she meets Joseph, a janitor at the orphanage, and sparks fly between the two.  I really loved their budding friendship and although Cora is married to Alan, I wanted so much more for her as Alan ended up being a disappointment.

Louise is an equally compelling character in The Chaperone.  Louise Brooks, the famous silent film star, does travel to New York with a chaperone in 1922, so it was interesting how Moriarty invented the character of Cora, but also kept so much factual information in the novel about Louise.  Poor Louise lived during the wrong time period; she would have done very well now. She bobbed her hair, challenged authority, and broke all the conventional rules. I really liked her and her friendship with Cora. I appreciated the fact that both women were before their time and they truly believed in women's rights.  

I am a huge Downton Abbey fan, so I loved that Elizabeth McGovern, who plays Cora on Downton, narrated this audio book.  It was like listening to a friend read a story; I have to say she is now one of my favorite narrators.  Also, I appreciated the fact that the creators of Downton Abbey have made The Chaperone into a movie, which will air on PBS the end of this month.  Cora will be played by Elizabeth McGovern, so that was a nice touch and one that I enjoyed.  

So, if you are looking forward to watching The Chaperone on PBS, I urge you to check out the book or audio book first; historical fiction fans as well as fans of Elizabeth McGovern won't be disappointed. 

 

Audio Book Review: The Husband Hunters by Anne de Courcy

Genre: Non-Fiction/Audio Book

Pub. Date: August 7, 2018

Publisher: MacMillan Audio 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Goodreads says, "A deliciously told group biography of the young, rich, American heiresses who married impoverished, British gentry at the turn of the twentieth century – The real women who inspired Downton Abbey  Towards the end of the nineteenth century and for the first few years of the twentieth, a strange invasion took place in Britain. The citadel of power, privilege and breeding in which the titled, land-owning governing class had barricaded itself for so long was breached. The incomers were a group of young women who, fifty years earlier, would have been looked on as the alien denizens of another world - the New World, to be precise. From 1874 - the year that Jennie Jerome, the first known 'Dollar Princess', married Randolph Churchill - to 1905, dozens of young American heiresses married into the British peerage, bringing with them all the fabulous wealth, glamour and sophistication of the Gilded Age.  Anne de Courcy sets the stories of these young women and their families in the context of their times. Based on extensive first-hand research, drawing on diaries, memoirs and letters, this richly entertaining group biography reveals what they thought of their new lives in England - and what England thought of them."

This non-fiction audio book was just as riveting as some of the fictional tales I've listened to lately.  De Courcy focuses on the Victorian and the Edwardian eras and the American heiresses who married into the British aristocracy.  I was worried a non-fiction audio book wouldn't work for me and that I'd be lost. However, not once did I get confused; de Courcy brings it all to life in an easy way to understand. The Husband Hunters was deliciously addicting, especially for fans of this time period as well as Downton Abbey.

I needed a Downton Abbey fix and The Husband Hunters was the perfect solution.  Anne de Courcy didn't just focus on American women, she also focused on the time period and how difficult it was for women at times.  She goes over gender roles, expectations, money issues, class issues, social issues, American women vs, British, and so much more. I feel like I have a stronger grasp on the time period and how its impact on women, especially those seeking to marry into the British aristocracy.

The Husband Hunters focuses on a few important women, but the ones who stood out for me were Jennie Jerome (Winston Churchill's mother), Consuelo Vanderbilt, and the "marrying" Wilsons.  I had just read a few novels featuring some of these women, so this was a perfect followup.

The Husband Hunters is narrated by Clare Corbett and her voice is absolutely perfect for this audio book. She was clear, easy to understand, and really brought the facts to life in a way that made it entertaining.  It is easy to see how Corbett has a successful career on the stage as her voice is outstanding; in fact, she may be one of my favorite narrators second to Davina Porter.

If you are interested in the time period or you love Downton Abbey, check out The Husband Hunters.  It was not only educational, but it was juicy at times. The truth is often stranger than fiction and that is definitely the case here.  

Perhaps I should listen to more non-fiction audio books in the future. Are you a fan of non-fiction audio books? If so, let me know some of your favorites.

If You Love Downton Abbey

Ever since Downton Abbey ended, there's been a bit of a hole left behind. No show has really filled the void, but I have found some books as well as other TV shows that have a similar vibe.  Here are a few of my favorites with links to my reviews:

Adult Fiction:

Lady Catherine, the Earl and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon

Rutherford Park by Elizabeth Cooke

The American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin

The Girl in the Castle by Santa Montefiore

Belgravia by Julian Fellowes

Ross Poldark by Winston Graham

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton

The Ashford Affair by Lauren Willig

A Year in the Life of Downton Abbey by Jessica Fellowes (or any of the other TV show inspired books)

Cavendon Hall by Barbara Taylor Bradford

An American Duchess by Sharon Page

YA Novels:

Wentworth Hall by Abby Grahame

Manor of Secrets by Katherine Longshore

Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed

The Heiresses by Alison Rushby

To Be Read Pile:

(I have many of these Downton Abbey-esqe books on my TBR list!)

Summerset Abbey by T.J. Brown

Lady Almina and the Real Downton Abbey by the Countess of Carnarvon

The House at Riverton by Kate Morton

Below Stairs by Margaret Powell

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

Longbourn by Jo Baker

Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson

Habits of the House by Fay Weldon

The Summer Before the War by Helen Simonsson

TV Shows That Are Similar: 

Upstairs, Downstairs

Mr. Selfridge

War & Peace

Doctor Thorne

Poldark

Have you read any of these books or watched these shows? What are some of your favorite novels or shows that are in the same vein as Downton Abbey? Be sure to let me know in the comments below. 

Julian Fellowes' Belgravia: Progressive Blog Tour and Giveaway

I am so excited to be a part of Julian Fellowes' Belgravia Progressive Blog Tour. I am sharing my thoughts on Episode 9: The Past is a Foreign Country.  If you are just hearing about Belgravia for the first time, here's a general synopsis. 

"Julian Fellowes’ Belgravia the story of a secret. A secret that unravels behind the porticoed doors of London's grandest postcode. Set in the 1840s when the upper echelons of society began to rub shoulders with the emerging industrial nouveau riche, Belgravia is peopled by a rich cast of characters. But the story begins on the eve of the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. At the Duchess of Richmond's new legendary ball, one family's life will change forever."

Last week, the progressive blog tour stopped at Mimi Matthews and focused on Episode Eight.  After reading this episode,  I was very worried for Lady Maria Gray and her unfortunate betrothal to John Bellasis.  How will Lady Maria get out of this one? Plus, John Bellasis and Oliver are relentless; they have been investigating Charles Pope on the sly.  Will the truth come out regarding who Charles Pope really is?

A Re-Cap of Episode Nine:
Episode Nine starts off with a bang.  Anne and James are discussing the possible damage control that will ensue if Lady Brockenhurst acknowledges Charles as her grandson. Anne and James wonder how this impact their relationship with him and how will this impact their daughter, Sophia's, reputation?  

At breakfast, Anne notices her daughter-in-law, Susan, is not only acting strangely, but she seems distracted. Has she put on weight? What could it be? (Readers knows that Susan is having an affair, so could she be pregnant? But isn't she barren? Gasp!) During breakfast, Anne also receives a note from Sophia's former maid, Croft. Croft is concerned, because Ellis, Anne's current maid, has been making inquiries about Charles Pope.  It seems that inquiring about Charles Pope has become everyone's favorite pastime! 

Meanwhile, Lady Maria Gray's mother realizes that her daughter has feelings for Charles Pope.  This just won't work, so she wants to send her daughter away while she plans the upcoming wedding to John Bellasis.  Mother of the year, yes?  Speaking of John Bellasis, he is channeling Sherlock Holmes and is continuing to investigate Charles Pope. He is coming up with many theories, but the readers know they are all wrong.  

Ellis meets with Sophia's former maid and steals letters from her that she was going to share with Anne.  Uh-oh. These letters are filled to the brim with family secrets.  

Even the men experience drama in this episode of Belgravia. Oliver and James have an unfortunate blow-up in public about (you guessed it!)....Charles Pope. Oliver feels his dad is playing favorites and Pope is getting preferential treatment. 

We finish off the episode with some scandalous behavior. Lady Maria writes Charles saying she wants him to meet up with her in secret. You see, she wants to run away with him, but Charles knows better than to sully her reputation.  They go to Lady Brockenhurst for her opinion on what to do and she happens to be in the middle of hosting a tea party. Guess who is a guest at this party? Lady Maria's mother!  While Lady Brokenhurst and Lady Maria are in the other room, Lady Maria's mother takes this opportunity to sharpen her claws and warn Charles to stay away from her daughter. Meanwhile Lady Brockenhurst is just about to divulge the truth about Charles to Lady Maria. Is the cat really out of the bag?

My Thoughts:
I've really been enjoying Belgravia and one of my favorite aspects of the novel is the fact that it's serialized or it can be read in "episodes."  This makes the cliffhangers even more exciting. I know in the past this was a popular technique used by Charles Dickens and many others. I can see why it's so compelling when presented this way.

I also really enjoyed Fellowes' use of dramatic irony in Belgravia.  We, the readers, are aware of who exactly Charles Pope is, but many of the characters are still left guessing.  This only adds to the suspense and drama. Obviously  Fellowes uses this technique very well.

I also really enjoyed the upstairs/downstairs vibe that Belgravia possessed.  There's always drama and secrets amongst the upstairs crew.  In episode nine when Ellis starts sneaking around for John Bellasis, it only adds to the supspense. What will she find out? Will she get caught?  

Even though Belgravia takes place in the 1800s, I think people can still relate to the many issues in the novel. There's scandals, affairs, crazy in-laws and relatives, families fighting over money, issues with inheritance, jealousy, parents trying to control children, secret pregnancies, and so much more.  

Readers who want a Downton Abbey fix will enjoy Belgravia.  Some of the servants were reminiscent of some of Downton's and the family dynamics as well as the rules of society were all very similar.  The whole struggle of finding and/or dealing with an heir is also similar to Downton and of course the deep rooted family secrets are as well.  Fans of historical fiction will savor Belgravia, especially in its serialized form.  The next stop on the blog tour is on June 9th at Laura's Reviews. I am looking forward to discussing Episode Ten.


Questions For Discussion:
1)  Do you think Anne and James should protect Sophia's secret or should they come out with it if Lady Brockenhurst does as well? What would you do?
2)  What do you think of Susan?  Do you feel badly for her or do you think she is just as conniving as Oliver? What do you think of her "secret?"  
3)  Do you think Maria will be able to get out of her arraigned marriage? Even if Pope's secret comes out, do they actually have a chance?
4)  This whole episode revolves around secrets.  A lot of the family drama is brought on by people hiding the truth.  There's people who keep secrets, people who try to uncover them, and people who make new ones.  Other than Charles, who is impacted the most by these secrets?
5)  Downton Abbey fans, can you make any connections to Belgravia?  Are there any similar characters or themes?

Looking to follow along? It's not too late!  You can get the Belgravia APP.   The free app will be launched via the Belgravia website on April 14, 2016 and is also available via Googleplay and iTunes. The first episode, “Dancing into Battle” will be free to download. You can subscribe to the full 11-episode weekly serial for £9.99/US$13.99 (both text and audio) or purchase individual weekly episodes for £1.49/US$1.99 which will be delivered automatically to your device the moment they air every Thursday. 

PURCHASE LINKS:

Belgravia Website | Grand Central Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Goodreads

BELGRAVIA PROGRESSIVE BLOG TOUR SCHEDULE:

April 14 – Austenprose.com: Episode 1: Dancing into Battle

April 14 – Edwardian Promenade: Episode 2: A Chance Encounter

April 21 – Fly High: Episode 3: Family Ties

April 28 – Calico Critic: Episode 4: At Home in Belgrave Square

May 05 – Luxury Reading: Episode 5: The Assignation

May 12 – Risky Regencies: Episode 6: A Spy in our Midst

May 19 – Book Talk and More: Episode 7: A Man of Business

May 26 – Mimi Matthews: Episode 8: An Income for Life

June 02 – Confessions of a Book Addict: Episode 9: The Past is a Foreign Country

June 09 – Laura’s Reviews: Episode 10: The Past Comes Back

June 16 – Gwyn Cready: Episode 11: Inheritance

AUTHOR BIO:

Educated at Ampleforth and Magdalene College, Cambridge, Julian Fellowes is a multi-award-winning actor, writer, director and producer. As creator, sole writer, and executive producer of the hit television series Downton Abbey, Fellowes has won three Emmy awards.  Fellowes received the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for Gosford Park (2002). His work was also honored by the Writer's Guild of America, The New York Film Critics' Circle and the National Society of Film Critics for Best Screenplay. Other writing credits for film include Piccadilly Jim (2004), Vanity Fair (2004), Young Victoria (2009), The Tourist (2010), Romeo & Juliet (2013), and the upcoming three-part drama Doctor Thorne for ITV. Fellowes also directed the award-winning films Separate Lies and From Time To Time. Fellowes wrote the books for the Tony-nominated stage production of Mary Poppins and School Of Rock – The Musical which opened on Broadway in December 2015, and is written and produced by Andrew Lloyd Webber.  Fellowes has authored two novels: the international bestsellers Snobs (2005) and Past Imperfect (2008/2009). Julian Fellowes became a life peer in 2010. He lives in Dorset and London with his wife, Emma.

Giveaway Contest: Win a Copy of Julian Fellowes’ Belgravia

In celebration of the release of Julian Fellowes' Belgravia, Grand Central Publishing is offering a chance to win one of the three (3) hardcover copies of the book!  

To enter the giveaway contest, simply leave a comment on any or all of the stops on the Julian Fellowes’ Belgravia Progressive Blog Tour starting April 14, 2016 through 11:59 pm PT, June 22, 2016. Winners will be drawn at random from all of the comments and announced on Austenprose.com June 23, 2016. Winners have until June 30, 2016 to claim their prize. The contest is open to International residents and the books will be shipped after July 5, 2016. Good luck to all!