The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia A. McKillip

Sealey Head is a quiet seaside outpost with one unusual feature; every day at the moment of sundown, an unseen bell rings out. No one knows its origin. A stranger comes to town, eager to solve the mystery of the bell. Ridley Dow calls himself a travelling scholar and he suspects magic may be afoot. Sealey Head townspeople believe the bell may be connected to a ship that went down at sea long ago. Dow is more interested in searching a crumbling mansion called Aislinn House. Will he discover what Emma, the young housemaid, already knows? That any door in the house might open into an enchanted other version of the house, complete with knights and murderous crows?

It is nice to come across an absorbing, shorter (277 pages) fantasy for adults. I also liked the characters very much, especially the strong women. This book will interest teens from Grade 8 and up as well as adults.