The Lost Melody is yet another engaging tale from Joanna Davidson Politano.
Book Blurb
When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant’s father dies, he leaves to her the care of an adult ward she knew nothing about. The woman is supposedly a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. The woman’s portrait is shockingly familiar to Vivienne, so when the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams.
The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know. But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?
My Thoughts
I have loved Joanna Davidson Politano ever since I read A Rumored Fortune. The Love Note cemented my status as a die-hard fan, and A Midnight Dance reminded me why Politano will forever be a must-read author. But The Lost Melody made me fall in love with her writing even more.
Vivienne Mourdant’s character is so real. I don’t know how else to explain it. Vivienne is a Victorian woman through and through, but she’s also reminiscent of a woman today, making her a compelling character who is easy to root for. Her journey to discover the truth is compelling and filled with twists and turns that kept me turning pages when I should have been productive.
I don’t regret a thing.
The romance is this book is also stellar. I don’t want to spoil it, but I will say the moment I met the love interest, I fell in love with him. He’s amazing. Hands down. And his storyline, complete with well-placed glimpses of the shame he struggles with, resonated with me. I don’t know how Politano does it, but she always manages to craft characters who resonate. Then there’s the faith arc for Vivienne and the discussions about light in the darkness which is really well done.
And, if you read A Midnight Dance, there’s a little Easter egg that you’ll love. I almost squealed as if I were a little girl and not a grown woman.
Overall, The Lost Melody is a well-crafted tale full of mystery and compelling characters. Historical fans, especially those who love the Victorian era, will enjoy this story.
(Note: I received a complimentary copy via NetGalley for an honest review. A positive review was not required. All opinions expressed are my own.)
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