“The Lost Melody” by Joanna Davidson Politano

Title: The Lost Melody
Author: Joanna Davidson Politano
Publisher:  Revell
Year: 2022
Genre(s):  historical fiction, gothic fiction, suspense, romance
Part of a Series: Yes, but can be read separately

Rating: 

Why I read it: Once Upon a Book Club pick

Summary: Accomplished concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant is surprised when she becomes the guardian of a ward at Hurstwell Asylum. When the asylum insists her ward doesn’t exist, Vivienne goes to investigate herself. But powerful forces conspire against her and she soon finds herself an inmate at Hurstwell. Will she be able to figure out the asylum’s dark secrets and bring light to its patients? Or will she succumb to the darkness and madness herself?

Review: This was a good read, though I was not expecting how religious it ended up being. I myself am a practicing Catholic and even I thought it was a bit heavy-handed. But it wasn’t too distracting from the plot but just something I wanted to note so others aren’t caught off-guard like I was.

The Lost Melody carries on the tradition of gothic novels. I even looked it up because I was certain it fit the criteria to be considered “gothic” but I wanted to be sure. According to Wikipedia:

Gothic fiction is characterized by an environment of fear, the threat of the supernatural events, and the intrusion of the past upon the present.

The setting typically includes physical reminders of the past, especially through ruined buildings which stand as proof of a previously thriving world which is decaying in the present.

Hurstwell certainly fits that last description, especially with its forbidden tower, graveyard and the hidden room with a piano that Vivienne is able to restore at night. It seems everyone at Hurstwell is haunted in some ways – Vivienne hears phantom music and receives notes she believes are from the ghost of her ward, Dr. Mitchell Turner hears the ghost of his wife, etc. The past just haunts everyone there for different reasons.

The Wikipedia article also mentions dreams and I can confirm that they play an important part of the story as well.

All the characters are intriguing, though some are more infuriating than others. But to the author’s credit, we do feel Vivienne’s frustration with the situation and are deeply aware of how unfair the 19th century asylum system truly is, victimizing people who are already disadvantaged. It is very clear that she did her research.

I have listed romance as third genre because it plays a part in the story but nothing major. Vivienne has two potential matches and I won’t reveal who ends up coming out ahead – I think you’ll figure it out very quickly. In my opinion, she just had better chemistry with him over the other potential match.

But the main focus is on Vivienne’s relationships with the other women in the asylum. She wants to do good but plans to do it on a grander scale. The women she meets at Hurstwell show her that small acts of kindness go a lot farther than some of the grand plans she had. She makes connections and builds friendships with people society as cast aside, finding worth in them when no one else will. And that is absolutely beautiful.

Bottom line: A haunting read perfect for those who love gothic literature

Sex: None

Moonlight Musing

Would you be willing to work with those society have cast aside?