 Author: Joanna Davidson Politano Genre: Historical Romance Pages: 400 Release Date: April 9, 2024 Publisher: Revell Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past. Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.
 Reviewer: Demetria Head In the intricate tapestry of Christian historical fiction, Joanna Davidson Politano's "The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple" emerges as a shining gem, captivating readers with its blend of mystery, romance, and spiritual depth. Set against the backdrop of the Roaring Twenties, this novel transports readers to a world of glitz and glamour, where silent-film star Lily Temple dazzles audiences with her on-screen charm while concealing a past shrouded in mystery. At the heart of the story is Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator whose quest for the legendary Briarwood Teardrop leads him into the enigmatic orbit of Lily Temple. From the moment they meet, sparks fly between these two compelling characters, drawing readers into a mesmerizing dance of secrets and revelations. Politano deftly weaves together elements of suspense and romance, keeping readers intrigued as Peter and Lily navigate the treacherous waters of deception and desire. One of the novel's greatest strengths lies in its richly drawn characters, each imbued with depth and complexity. From the charismatic Peter, with his unwavering determination and underlying vulnerability, to the enigmatic Lily, whose facade of glamour belies a soul yearning for redemption, Politano breathes life into her protagonists, inviting readers to journey alongside them as they confront the ghosts of their pasts and discover the true meaning of grace and forgiveness. Furthermore, Politano's prose skillfully evokes the sights and sounds of the Jazz Age, immersing readers in a vividly rendered world of flappers and speakeasies, where danger lurks around every corner and trust is a precious commodity. Through her meticulous attention to historical detail and atmospheric storytelling, Politano transports readers to a bygone era where faith and resilience are tested against the backdrop of a rapidly changing society. Moreover, "The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple" transcends the confines of traditional genre boundaries, offering readers a thought-provoking exploration of themes such as identity, redemption, and the power of love to overcome even the darkest of secrets. As Peter and Lily's relationship deepens and their quest for truth takes unexpected twists and turns, readers are reminded of the timeless message of hope found in the unlikeliest of places. Overall, "The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple" is a captivating tale that will resonate with fans of Christian historical fiction and lovers of mystery and romance alike. With its compelling characters, evocative setting, and powerful message of faith and redemption, Joanna Davidson Politano's latest novel is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers long after they've turned the final page. For my honest opinion, I received a complimentary copy from Revell via Interviews & Reviews.  Reviewer: Conny Withay "I was an actress, a professional storyteller, here at the holding cell of a condemned man, armed with naught but a story,” Lily admits in Joanna Davidson Politano’s novel, The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple. At four hundred pages, this paperback targets those interested in a historical romance in England in the early nineteenth century involving the life of a silent-film actress and fairy tales. With no profanity, the topics of lying, theft, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. The ending includes the author’s note, an excerpt from another book by the writer, the author’s biography, and advertisements. In this story, Lily Temple is an actress who manipulates others both on and off the stage through her storytelling and sleight of hand. The mesmerizing woman meets Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator, who is hired to find an exquisite gem that some say has healing properties. As the two try to protect those wrongfully punished, Lily seeks the real truth that sets her free. Having read and enjoyed other books by this author, I was looking forward to this read about the cine-cinema. I found the chapters written in first person by the protagonist well described and engaging as she searched for and unveiled the truth about her past. There are plenty of interesting, dynamic characters involved who help Lily find herself. Those who do not believe in God may not appreciate this story that correlates to the Almighty being the gardener who tends to our lives. Since I do not care for fairy tales, I felt the read bogged down and sometimes displaced, veering off topic at times. I struggled to get through the book because it jumped around too much. While I like tales that interject the Creator into the storyline, even if they are fairy tales, I wish this somehow mentioned Jesus Christ being the only way to eternal salvation, as any religion could reference their god in the book’s dialogue. I prefer all pronouns of Deity capitalized for reverence. If you like a story that involves a woman hiding from her true self as she animates fairy tales on film and in her life, this one comes full circle to completion. Although it didn’t hold my interest due to the many fables, those who appreciate them might enjoy it. For my honest opinion, I received a complimentary copy from Revell via Interviews & Reviews. I am under no obligation to give a positive review. Reviewer: Emily Stephens This is another truly lovely novel by Joanna Davidson Politano. She is a versatile author, and each book she writes brings something unique and worthwhile to the reader. This novel is a slowly evolving character portrait of Lily, a silent film actress. As a reader, I enjoyed learning more about Lily as a person while also being captivated by the unfolding narrative. Investigator Peter comes into Lily's life as he's trying to obtain a missing sapphire that happens to be in her possession. The two end up working together, and a charming and realistic love story develops over time. I found myself truly invested in both characters as individuals, and even more so in their relationship. The author skillfully reveals more and more backstory information, all of which leads towards the resolution of the mystery and the deepening of the romantic relationship. The attention to period detail was perfect as well. Enough description of places, clothing, and customs is included so that I could easily visualize the setting, but never so much that it bogged down the story. The faith element was also perfectly balanced. It was definitely present and relevant to the unfolding events, but never overdone to the point that it felt "preachy." 5 stars! I received a review copy courtesy of Revell through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Joy Hannabass I so much enjoyed The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple. I love historical fiction with a mixture of several genres, and this book has all of this. Silent film actress Lily Temple has many qualities, and her ability to tell lies may be her best quality to date. Throughout the story, sometimes I wasn't sure if her words were the truth or a fabrication of the story she was telling. When Peter Driscoll was hired to find a special and rare sapphire called the Briarwood Teardrop, he was surprised to find that it was around Lily's neck. How would he obtain this stone? This is a story with many layers throughout. Sometimes I went back and re-read parts of the story to fully understand what was going on. For me, doing this made the story more understandable and intriguing. I liked following the journey through England on the heels of Peter and Lily, as Peter tries to figure out how in the world he would get the rare stone that's around Lily's neck. Joanna Davidson Politano creates amazing characters for these two main characters, as well as their supporting characters throughout the book. I loved Politano's vivid description of each scene, which at times made me feel as though I was there interacting with the characters. Politano's writing is phenomenal, and she writes a beautiful story in The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple. A story I won't soon forget. I absolutely love this book, and if you enjoy historical fiction, fairytale retelling, and mystery, you are sure to love this one too. I've given The Elusive Truth of Lily Templep five stars, and it's too bad I can't give it more. I highly recommend this book. You will not be disappointed. For my honest opinion, I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishers via Interviews & Reviews. Reviewer: Elizabeth Eckmeyer Lilly Temple is a mystery in and of herself. Peter Driscoll is a mystery solver. I found this story to be a mystery, along with a fairy tale. The story told many stories. It was beautifully written, and the characters were intriguing. I enjoyed the mystery and learning more. I felt the beginning and end were very interesting. However, I really struggled to stay interested in the story. I would start out really interested, understanding, and guessing my way through, and then I would get lost and have no idea who was doing what or where we were time-wise. I felt that the reason for the disinterest was mine alone. Poetry is difficult for me to stay engaged in, and I was just getting lost. Because it was beautifully written, I'm looking forward to trying another novel of hers so that I can get through the novel with understanding. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell House Publishers through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion. Reviewer: Jeanette Durkin Wow! This amazing book blew me away! Joanna Politano's writing takes the reader on a journey that is complicated, sometimes dangerous, and filled with surprises! Each page kept me guessing and trying to figure out what was going to happen next. Lily Temple is a true artist, a storyteller who skillfully hides nuggets of truth within her tales. Peter, I loved from the beginning! He listens, and in that listening, he gleans information pertinent to his job. Together, they make the perfect team! I enjoyed aspects of the film industry. How worlds were created by illusion and fairytales. I also loved the references to the gardener and how he longs for people to draw near and understand. In this book, the lost are found, the broken are made whole, and truth prevails. For me, it challenged my way of thinking about eternity and the story that our lives tell. I was provided a copy of the book from Baker Publishing Group via Netgalley through Interviews and Reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.  Reviewer: Laura J. Davis
I will preface this review by saying that I love Joanna Davidson Politano's writing and have enjoyed every book she has written. Unfortunately, for some reason that I can't put my finger on, The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple had me struggling to finish it. That said, the writing was superb as always, and the author has done a fantastic job of weaving in a faith element that will speak to your heart (if you keep on reading, which I did). The problems for me began in the first few chapters, as I had a hard time following what was going on. I loved the quotes at the beginning of the book from various fairy tales, which added to the whimsy of Lily. And as I got to know the characters, the story became clearer, and I enjoyed it. Lily was definitely a mystery, and investigator Peter Driscoll was perceptive and kind as he tried to determine if she had stolen the legendary Briarwood Teardrop. As he gets to know her, he enlists her aid in another case, and the two begin to trust each other. The book is beautifully written, but it wasn't my cup of tea. However, this will not deter me from reading another book by Joanna, as she is a brilliant wordsmith, and I look forward to her next book. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Revell through NetGalley for my honest review. Leave a Reply. |
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