The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

The audio version of this review was first shared in A Bookchat about The Hidden Prince with Tessa Afshar & a Review of The Lost Melody by Joanna Davidson Politano

The Book

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?

The Review

Today’s bookworm review is brought to you by Christie K. of the historical bookworm review team.

Politano creates another fantastic story with an undercurrent of foreboding, seemingly insurmountable obstacles, a forbidden romance, and a heroine who is determined to find her path through it all. Vivienne, a woman besieged by the men in her life, must unravel the circumstances that led her to Hurstwell Asylum and discover the truth regarding a figure from her childhood who may be trapped there. She meets an interesting array of characters along the way who either propel or prevent her from obtaining the answers she desires. Perhaps the most surprising thing to Vivienne is the way she begins to see the patients themselves and how perhaps, the mysterious magic of music can be a balm to us all. 

The Author

Joanna Davidson Politano freelances for a small nonfiction publisher but spends much of her time spinning tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives. Her debut novel, Lady Jayne Disappears, released from Revell. She lives with her husband and their two babies in a house in the woods and shares stories that move her at www.jdpstories.com.

Disclaimer: The publisher offered a complimentary copy of this book. The review was given freely, without payment. All views expressed are only the honest opinion of a member of the Historical Bookworm Review Team.