The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House by Joanna Davidson Politano is this week’s Reader Friday. Here are the opening lines: Grafton, Shropshire, England, 1901. It was a strangely calm morning in March, with no wind off the dales, when the woman I assumed to be my mother slipped into the shop.
But first the photo and verse. The photo was taken at Dauphin Island last week and is one of my favorites, as is the verse. Our balcony looked out over the Gulf, giving me many opportunities for photos. I actually got this shot of the Strawberry Moon in between clouds. Patience is a great virtue when taking photos. lol
And now for The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House. Here’s the cover and back copy:
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.
My take:
I really enjoyed this book, and I’m not one who reads historicals. But this one was so entertaining. A mystery, a romance, a gothic steampunk meets Gilded Age, whimsical and deep–all descriptive words for The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House. I loved Sidney’s independence and her cat Micah. And the hero who saved Micah from a sure death, André, was a swoon-worthy character. Sydney thought he was a pirate since several of the characters were pirates who had washed up on the beach after their ships floundered on the rocks. The owner had rescued many shipwrecked travelers who would have otherwise died, and then he disappeared.
The owner, Emmett Sinclair, invented many useful machines, including an automaton. (A moving mechanical device made in imitation of a human being, and I think animals.) And Sidney is determined to make it work. She also discovered letters Emmett had written to his one true love, Sophe but no one believed she existed. Was she real? I’ll leave that for you to find out.
This was a fascinating story about a woman who believed she didn’t fit in anywhere until she came to Blakely House. It captivated me from the beginning.
You can find buy links at Joanna Davidson Politano’s website, as well as read about her other fabulous books!
So, Readers, what are you reading this week? Leave the first line, or just let me know if you knew what an automaton was. 
(I didn’t) If you do, I’ll enter you in a June drawing for one of Steve Hooley’s fine pens! You can check them out at his website.
Now for something a little different. I’ve always loved Willie Nelson’s songs and found this one where he performed with his sister, Bobbie.
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Comments 33
The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House sounds really good! Yes, I knew what an automaton was because I married a dear man who loves classic science fiction books/movies.
Author
Priscilla, I’d read a book last year with automatons in it, but forgot. lol And it had birds and small animals as well.
A Midnight Dance by Joanna Davidson Politano. I have read several of her books not this one yet.
Author
She’s a great writer, Sharon!
I always love the photos you pair with scripture verses!! The music you share is always my kind!
Thank you!
Author
So glad you enjoy the music, Charlotte…and photos and verses. 🙂
Your patience indeed paid off with that beautiful photo. Great choice for the matching verse. I learned what an automaton was when I began learning, and thus reading about, chess. This was way before the Internet, but here’s the one I’d read about: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mechanical_Turk
Your featured book sounds really good. Thanks for the pointer.
I’m currently reading “Rescued” by Jerusha Agen. The first line is: “The screaming blare sought her in the darkness.” I’ve yet to be disappointed by one of Ms Agen’s books.
Author
I endorsed that one, Tim. I love Jerusha’s books! I’ll hop over and look at the link.
Author
Tim, that was such an interesting article!
I know you were thrilled to get that amazing photo of the strawberry moon! As you wrote, patience is a virtue and this paid off! When I read the Scripture, I couldn’t help but sing the words.
That was a good review of Joanna Politano’s book. I’ve read several of her books, but I haven’t read this one, yet.
Last night, I finished By Way of the Moonlight by Elizabeth Musser. The first line of the back cover is following: “For as long as she can remember, Allie Massey, a gifted physical therapist, has dreamed of making her grandparents’ ten-acre estate into a trauma recovery center using equine therapy—a dream her grandmother, Nana Dale, embraced wholeheartedly.”
This book was duel time with lots of twist and turns and several surprise endings. Plus, I learned a lot of info about horses, the US Coast Guard Mounted Patrol and more.
Author
That sounds like an interesting book, Barbara. I’ll have to get it–my daughter used equine therapy as a speech pathologist and I was one of her horse walkers. It always amazed me at the difference in a child after the session!
Wonderful photo. I thought I’d read that book but now I’m not sure. I’ll check it out 🙂
Author
I really enjoyed it! Glad you enjoyed the photo, Delores.
Gorgeous photo of the strawberry moon Pat, and a very fitting verse!
Like you, I don’t usually read historicals but this book does sound interesting.
I am reading The Tenth Plague by Adam Blumer. I’m not sure how I discovered this author but this is the second book in a series, and I find the story line different but interesting.
Author
I love discovering a new series, Mary G! I’m glad you enjoyed my photo and verse.
I looked up automaton as I wasn’t sure of the meaning. Interesting sounding book.
June 23, 1914
Perfect husbands were rare, except perhaps in fiction, but Grace Percy, Countess of Astley, had married the real-life equivalent, she was certain.
The Highland Heist by Pepper Basham
Author
An intriguing opening, Gloria! I love Pepper’s books!
I’m currently reading A Worthy Risk by T. Elizabeth Renich. Just starting it, so can’t say too much about it, but the first page has kept me reading.
Author
I’ve not heard of that book, Megan. Will have to check it out!
I read Joanna’s book and loved it as I have all her books.
I am reading The Codebreaker’s Daughte4 by Amy Lynn Green. It takes place in 1917 and 1944.
“As the bell above the drugstore door gavr it’s apologetic half jingle, Dinah Kendall turned casually on her stool to see who else has ventured out on such a blustery winter afternoon.”
Historical abour dpies and of course codebreakers.
Author
I would havw loved to be a codebreaker, Paula! I used to do the cryptograms in our paper until they quit having them. This sounds very interesting.
It sounds like a really interesting book. Thank you for sharing.
Author
It was very interesting, Diana. I love pirates anyway. 😉
The book sounds a lot like something written by Michelle Grip(sp?)
Really interesting. I’ll have to add it to my want list. I’m reading a book now while I’m at the beach that I’ve wanted ever since it came out. I finally “bit the bullet” and bought it. The Other Sister by Jessica Patch, and it’s a doozy! Getting close to the end. Lots happens in it and I’m curious how it ends.
Author
Oh, my goodness, Gail! The Other Sister is fabulous! I was hoping there would be a follow up book, but it seems not. I loved the character.
Beautiful picture of the Strawberry Moon. The verse suits it.
The book sounds interesting. I’m not familiar with the author.
I am reading An Inconvenient Death by Dan Walsh. The first line says:
Lt. Joe Boyd really needed this trip.
By the way, Pat, the pen came last Saturday, but I’ve just been doing just what I had to in order to be with Brenda. She is going to a skilled nursing facility for PT. Thanks again for the pen!
Author
I’m glad the pen arrived safely, Edward, and I hope Brenda’s pain is better! You both are in my thoughts and prayers.
knew about automaton
Author
I didn’t exactly understand about the mechanical man in the story until I looked it up. And had no idea that they were around in the early 1900s BN!
Currently reading Destination Love series by Brooks Wright! Book sounds interesting!
Author
That series sounds interesting, Shelia!
I love the opening line of the book you reviewed!
Author
Thanks, Sally Jo! When’s your next book releasing?