 Author: Joanna Davidson Politano Genre: Gothic Historical Romance Pages: 400 Release Date: April 15, 2025 Publisher: Revell A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets. It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she's never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on. The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people--including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle's death, the late master's nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn. Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property--or someone else will.
 Reviewer: Emily Stephens I really enjoyed this mysterious Christian Gothic book. It centers on Sydney, who inherits an island estate from an uncle she’s never met. Add in cousins contesting her inheritance, the uncle’s many unique inventions, and an unusual butler, and you’ve got all the makings of a great read! Sydney is a Christian, albeit one with some doubts due to past unanswered prayers. I enjoyed her musings about God and faith and seeing how she grows stronger while dealing with her unusual circumstances. She’s a fabulous main character, with a quirky personality, love of reading, and an active mind. I enjoyed seeing her learn more about her family and her surprising inheritance. There’s also an interesting and slowly evolving relationship with Andre, the estate butler. I won’t share any more about that to avoid spoilers, but watching the two gradually learning more about each other was very rewarding. The author beautifully ties up all the island’s mysteries by the end, and I found the conclusion to be logical and satisfying. Definitely one of my favorite books so far this year! I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Laura J. Davis The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano is a magical historical novel perfect for readers who like puzzles, mystery, danger and romance. Sydney Forrester, an orphan raised by her Aunt Lottie, discovers that she had a great-uncle, who has left his house to her. However, when she gets to the house, she realizes she was not the only one the house was left to. In addition, there is a concerted effort by her late uncle’s nephews to keep her from inheriting. They will do anything to make that happen, even claiming she killed the uncle she had never met. Along the way, Sydney discovers allies in the house cook, Mrs. Holligan and Mr. Montagne, who she believes to be a former pirate her uncle saved when he washed up on the shores of Blakely House. There is much to capture the imagination in this book. From the remarkable inventions that Sydney is adept at fixing, to the house itself that seems to point Sydney to clues she desperately needs to claim her innocence. This book was a delightful mystery that made me feel like I was in an escape room because of all the puzzles to solve. The remarkable inventions that made the house come alive added to the magic of this story. And of course, we can’t forget the pirate! Mr. Montagne was a mystery at first. He seemed dangerous, yet also charming. I absolutely loved his part in this story and the surprise at the end had me reading until the wee hours. If you enjoy mysteries, romance, a bit of magic and puzzles, you will love the Curious Inheritance of Blakely House. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell via NetGalley for my honest review. Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer All I can say is, wow. This story is amazing! It gives all the mysterious fantasy vibes. Every time I think I have something figured out, there is another twist and turn. Sydney Forester is an orphan. Her mother abandoned her and her father passed away. Her Aunt Lottie has taken her in as a child and raised her. Their career has been running a clock repair shop in London. One day, a mysterious woman in a veil brings Sydney an unusual clock with an invitation to go to Blakely House for an inheritance to her great uncle Emmett. Once she arrives, she is surprised that she is not the only one in the running to inherit the house. The characters are so interesting! The staff that works at the house and the cousins in running to inherit it. She has to prove to everyone there that a woman is capable and intelligent. This is a page turner for sure and every page has a new mystery to it! A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell Publishers through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone. Reviewer: Lori Parrish
A strange novel if I’ve ever read one, but I soon found myself immersed in it. And happily so, because I can definitely relate to Sydney when it comes to her books. I soon found her a wonderful character though. There is a lot of mystery, but that’s definitely worth the read. Politano does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing the whereabouts of Sydney’s uncle. I finished this book in the wee hours of the morning because I couldn’t put this adventure down! Wow! Five stars for a job well done. I really loved this title. I think it’s her best yet. I highly recommend it. I thank Revell for a copy of this book, which I received through Interviews & Reviews via NetGalley. Leave a Reply. |
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