The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano ~ a book review

  

Set in Victorian England and based on a real place, this book is an interesting mix of mystery, suspense and adventure.  In 1901, Sydney Forrester is working in her aunt’s curiosity shop. Her specialty is repairing clocks and watches. She has an uncanny ability to know what needs to be tweeked or twisted in order to get them running smoothly. Unfortunately, because of the social restraints on Victorian women, she has to hide the fact that she is the workman.  One day, she has a mysterious visitor to the shop, who leaves her with a strange clock and a riddle and a promise of an inheritance.  In order to claim this inheritance, she must go to Blakely House.

At first, Blakely House seems a bit creepy with its newfangled electricity and lights that mysteriously come on by themselves.  As Sydney discovers more about the house, she is fascinated by all the gadgets and automation.

This is an intriguing story of mystery, suspense, humor, riddles, conspiracy, love and faith.  There is a long list of unusual and quirky characters that add a uniqueness to the story. When Sydney first arrives at the house, she discovers that there are more heirs that are trying to prove their right to the fortune. It seems that, in order to inherit, they must participate in a mysterious contest. Her skills enable her to accomplish the tests.  The other “cousins” are threatened by her.  She is often in dangerous situations but her spunkiness pulls her through. You are constantly guessing about who is doing what and why is it happening.  Who can Sydney trust to keep her safe?  And who is mysteriously helping her?

This is from the publisher’s website: 

“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.”

 The reader is kept guessing, through all the plot twist and turns and puzzles, to the very end.

Go HERE to read an excerpt 

There is a definite Christian salvation message but it is not overwhelming.

I really enjoyed this ‘steam-punk meets faith’ story.

 

I received a complimentary ARC copy of this book from Revell and Baker
Publishing Group through their book review program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed above are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”