Meet the fastidious and clever

Emma Smallwood 

in Julie Klassen’s

The Tutor’s Daughter

Bethany House

The Story

Emma Smallwood, determined to help her widowed father regain his spirits when his academy fails, agrees to travel with him to the distant Cornwall coast, to the cliff-top manor of a baronet and his four sons. But after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen and danger mounts. Who does Emma hear playing the pianoforte, only to find the music room empty? Who sneaks into her room at night? Who rips a page from her journal, only to return it with a chilling illustration?

The baronet’s older sons, Phillip and Henry, wrestle with problems–and secrets–of their own. They both remember Emma Smallwood from their days at her father’s academy. She had been an awkward, studious girl. But now one of them finds himself unexpectedly drawn to her. When the suspicious acts escalate, can the clever tutor’s daughter figure out which brother to blame…and which brother to trust with her heart?

Enjoy meeting Emma!

Brief physical description

Emma Smallwood, 21, is slim with excellent posture. She has fair skin, soft green eyes, and straight, dark blond hair with fringe (bangs).

Resembles…

I envisioned actress Hattie Morahan, who played Elinor in the BBC’s 2008 remake of Sense and Sensibility (though with tawny blond hair vs. the dark hair she sported for this role).

Rel: On a side note, Hattie is married to Blake Ritson who played Mr Elton in BBC’s 2009 remake of Emma with Romola Garai!

Strengths and weaknesses

Emma is capable, intelligent, studious, and organized.

However, she is also self-reliant to a fault. Her need for control keeps her from relying on others (including God).

Quirk (if any)

Emma loves to make lists. And she is the sort of person who has a place for everything and keeps everything in its place.

Your inspiration for the character

I was somewhat inspired by reserved, sensible Elinor Dashwood of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility. But I also wanted to write a character so much different from me–fastidiously neat and orderly I’m not!

Background to the story

When their boarding school fails, Emma Smallwood accompanies her tutor-father into Cornwall to the manor of a baronet and his four sons. But soon after they arrive and begin teaching the younger boys, mysterious things begin to happen. Emma hears someone playing the pianoforte at night, but finds the music room empty. Then someone begins sneaking into her room, leaving behind strange mementos.  When the suspicious acts escalate into danger, Emma must figure out which brother to blame and which to trust with her heart.

Relz Reviewz Extras
Reviews of The Tutor’s Daughter, The Maid of Fairbourne Hall,  The Silent Governess, The Apothecary’s Daughter & Lady of Milkweed Manor

Character spotlight on Margaret & Nathaniel
Character spotlight on Olivia & Lord Bradley
Character spotlight on Mariah & Matthew

Character spotlight on Lilly
Visit Julie’s website
Buy The Tutor’s Daughter at Amazon or Koorong