The Lost Story of Via Belle

Author: Melanie Dobson
Genre: Dual-time Fiction
Pages: 384
Release Date: April 14, 2026
Publisher: Tyndale House Fiction

Searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a bestselling classic novel and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it.

1940. Via Belle’s sweet romance novels made readers believe in happily ever after. But Via’s reality was much more complicated. While her first husband was alive, her creativity thrived in a beautiful stone estate situated above a pristine lake and moonflower garden. After his tragic death and a whirlwind second marriage shrouded in secrets, Via vanished from public life, leaving behind a shadow of scandal . . . and her final story.

2006. Screenwriter Harper Rayne is desperate for a breakthrough, if only she can find the right story to tell. But when she digs into the life of her late mother’s favorite novelist, she never expects it to become personal. Drawn to the quaint Pennsylvania town where both her mother and Via once lived, Harper discovers more than a mystery to solve—she finds echoes of her own longing for love, healing, and home. As long-buried secrets come to light, Harper must decide if she’ll protect the past or rewrite this particular ending.

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Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

“A good story is strong enough to save a life.” 

I am partial to dual-timeline stories, and Ms. Dobson is an expert at weaving the two times together. 

This is such a great story about a popular author, Via Belle, of the 1940s who goes missing after her second marriage. 

Harper in 2006 returns to a place she visited as a child and is caught up in the stories of Via Belle as she searches for a topic for a script that she wants to write. What she finds is a little romance and connections that are surprising. 

Especially interesting is the historical look at the life of an author from the past and her struggles with her faith and her newfound love. The descriptions of the house, gardens and lake that were an inspiration to Via put you right in the story. I began to care about the heroines in both timelines and cringed at the duplicity of the villain. All the mystery and subterfuge made for an exceptional story. 

You will want to put this on your list!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale Fiction via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.

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Reviewer: Adriann Harris

I have followed Melanie Dobson throughout her entire writing career, and can say without a doubt that her new novel, The Lost Story of Via Belle, is her best work thus far. Dobson, a master dual timeline storyteller, takes her readers on a multitude of whodunnits in this very intriguing Christian romantic mystery.

Dual timelines are sometimes difficult, as usually one timeline outshines the other, but Dobson proved to her readers, me included, that she could capture our attention and keep us totally engaged with her enthralling prose regardless of which era one prefers reading. I was spellbound by the women’s stories, and the building suspense kept me totally captivated to the astonishing end.

The Lost Story of Via Belle is an incredible, thought-provoking, character-driven story, which I highly recommend regardless of your genre preference.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale House Publishers via NetGalley through Interviews & Reviews. I was not obligated to write a favorable review, and all opinions are my own.

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Reviewer: Mindy Houng

It is another amazing dual timeline historical fiction by Melanie Dobson that is melodic, heart-stirring, and thought-provoking. The author really knows how to transport her readers into her story world. 

I loved spending time in Haven House in Catawba, PA in the 1940s and in 2006 as well as in southern California in 2006. Olivia from the 1940s had a heart-broken and lost third person voice that left me with a nostalgic ache which never quite went away, even though she rediscovered her purpose and zest for life. 

Isadore had a naïve, and oftentimes an immature, romantic heart from the 1940s timeline which balanced out Olivia’s grief-worn one. Harper from 2006 was spunky, resilient, sarcastic, witty, and determined, even with life and circumstances trying to crush her. I loved that both Olivia and Harper had brilliantly creative minds that would wander, twirl, and dance with characters and stories and that they both had someone to keep them grounded in reality even while dreaming. I thoroughly enjoyed the bit of intrigue and suspense in the 1940s subplot that wove itself into the 2006 subplot. I never would have expected that kind of plot twist. 

If you enjoy beautifully written dual timeline historical fiction, this is a must read. 

I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Tyndale House Publishers via Interviews & Reviews and NetGalley. I was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

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