By Kelly Bridgewater
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.
Described as a “powerhouse in dual-timeline Christian fiction” (Library Journal), Melanie Dobson delivers another rich, atmospheric novel about the legacy of sacrificial love and the redemptive power of truth.
Standalone dual-timeline historical mystery filled with drama, faith, and intrigueClean, suspenseful historical fiction, perfect for fans of Susan Meissner, Lisa Wingate, or Patti Callahan HenryIncludes discussion questions for book groups
My Thoughts:
The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson is writers’ story. From the moment that Via Belle comes across the pages of the novel, something magical with her writing comes across the pages. Dobson does a wonderful job at crafting a story filled with mystery, historical charm, and modern-day hunting. The plot is fast moving and plenty of concern for the different characters make the story move along quite nicely. Even though the story does feature three different heroines, I really had no problem moving from one character’s point of view to the next. They were different, but similar. Dobson crafted characters with a past and a present that tie together nicely. Characters that readers will want to keep moving through the story to follow and see the ending of the novel. On the other hand, the setting is described well and gives a good background for the treachery and rest that the story alludes to. Dobson does not weave a spiritual element through the story, so the readers who just enjoy a good, safe story should pick up the story. While I enjoy a good, strong faith element in the story, even though it is not overly overt in the plot, it doesn’t hurt the story. Overall, The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson was a delightful story to read with the dual timeline and the hunt for what really happened to Via Belle.
I received a complimentary copy of The Lost Story of Via Belle by Melanie Dobson from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.
My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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