Joanna Davidson Politano has crafted something quite remarkable in The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House—a novel that reads like a love letter to both Victorian ingenuity and the transformative power of belonging. Set against the atmospheric backdrop of 1901 England, this latest offering demonstrates why Politano has become a distinctive voice in historical fiction, blending gothic mystery with heartfelt romance in ways that feel both familiar and refreshingly unique.
The story follows Sydney Forrester, a clockmaker whose mechanical expertise with gears and springs proves to be the perfect metaphor for a woman who must learn to fit the broken pieces of her life into something beautiful. When she inherits the mysterious Blakely House from an estranged uncle she’s never met, Sydney discovers not just a house but an entire world of wonder—complete with automated mechanisms, rescued shipwreck survivors, and secrets that run as deep as the island’s foundations.
Character Development: Where Politano Truly Shines
Sydney Forrester: A Heroine Worth Rooting For
Sydney emerges as one of Politano’s most compelling protagonists, a woman whose gifts extend far beyond her acknowledged skill with clockwork. Her characterization feels authentic and layered—she’s neither the helpless Victorian maiden nor the anachronistically modern heroine that often plagues historical fiction. Instead, Sydney possesses a quiet strength rooted in her understanding of how intricate mechanisms work, a skill that proves metaphorically perfect for navigating both the literal mysteries of Blakely House and the emotional complexities of family, identity, and love.
Politano excels at showing rather than telling Sydney’s growth. We witness her evolution from a woman who views herself as fundamentally broken—abandoned by her mother, raised by a man who wasn’t her father—to someone who discovers that being different doesn’t mean being defective. The author’s background in crafting character-driven narratives, evident in previous works like The Lost Melody and The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple, serves her well here.
André Montagne: The Pirate with Depth
The romantic lead, André Montagne, initially appears to fit the brooding, mysterious love interest archetype. However, Politano subverts expectations by revealing layers that make him far more interesting than his “pirate” exterior suggests. His relationship with the late Emmett Sinclair and his genuine care for the shipwrecked men he helps rescue adds dimension to what could have been a stock character.
The revelation that André captains a chartered vessel rather than a traditional pirate ship serves as a brilliant metaphor for the novel’s central theme—that things (and people) are often more complex and wonderful than they first appear. His struggle between wanderlust and the desire for roots creates genuine romantic tension that doesn’t rely solely on misunderstandings or contrived obstacles.
Atmospheric World-Building: A Character in Itself
Blakely House as Living Entity
Perhaps the novel’s greatest achievement lies in how Politano transforms Blakely House from mere setting into a character with its own personality. The house literally comes alive with Emmett Sinclair’s inventions—lights that guide visitors through corridors, mechanical creatures that scurry across floors, and rooms that respond to human presence. This fantastical element elevates the novel beyond typical historical fiction into something that feels almost steampunk in its celebration of Victorian innovation.
The author’s descriptions of the house’s mechanical wonders strike the perfect balance between whimsical and believable. When Sydney first enters and experiences the house’s automated welcome, Politano captures both the wonder and slight terror such an encounter would inspire. The house becomes a reflection of its creator—complex, misunderstood, but ultimately designed with love and purpose.
Gothic Elements That Enhance Rather Than Overwhelm
The gothic atmosphere never overwhelms the story’s warmer elements. Politano uses classic gothic tropes—the isolated estate, family secrets, mysterious deaths—but tempers them with humor and genuine human connection. The presence of Angel, the devoted housekeeper, and the community of rescued sailors adds warmth that prevents the novel from becoming too dark or brooding.
Thematic Depth: Beyond Surface Romance
The Art of Being “Specially Put Together”
The novel’s most powerful theme revolves around the idea that what makes us different makes us valuable. Sydney’s ability to understand and repair complex mechanisms serves as both literal skill and metaphor for her capacity to see beauty in things others consider broken or useless. This theme resonates throughout the story, from the automated house that others see as merely eccentric to the shipwrecked men whom Emmett Sinclair rescues and values.
Politano handles this theme with a delicate touch, never becoming heavy-handed or preachy. The message emerges naturally through character actions and plot developments, making it feel earned rather than imposed.
Family, Identity, and Belonging
The exploration of what constitutes family proves equally compelling. Sydney’s journey from feeling fundamentally unwanted to discovering multiple communities where she belongs reflects the novel’s optimistic worldview. The revelation about the imposter Sydney Forrester and the complex family dynamics among Emmett’s nephews add layers to this theme without becoming convoluted.
Romance: Sweet Without Being Saccharine
A Love Story Built on Mutual Respect
The romance between Sydney and André develops naturally, rooted in mutual respect and shared values rather than mere physical attraction. Their relationship grows through shared adventures and genuine appreciation for each other’s unique qualities. Politano avoids the common pitfall of instant, overwhelming passion in favor of a slower burn that feels more authentic to the characters and time period.
The author particularly excels in small moments—André’s appreciation for Sydney’s mechanical genius, her growing trust in his reliability, their shared concern for others in need. These details create a foundation that makes their eventual declaration of love feel inevitable and satisfying.
Supporting the Central Romance
The subplot involving Emmett Sinclair and Sophie Holland provides a poignant counterpoint to the main romance. Their decades-long separation and Sophie’s final gift to the younger couple adds emotional weight without overwhelming the primary story. This narrative technique, which Politano has employed effectively in previous novels, enriches the romantic elements without feeling forced.
Plotting and Pacing: Minor Stumbles in an Otherwise Engaging Journey
Mystery Elements That Work
The central mystery surrounding Emmett Sinclair’s death and the appearance of the false Sydney Forrester maintains reader interest without becoming overly complex. Politano plants clues effectively and provides a satisfying resolution that ties together the various plot threads. The revelation about the imposter’s motivations feels logical within the story’s context.
Pacing Considerations
While the novel generally maintains good pacing, certain middle sections feel slightly sluggish, particularly during some of the mechanical explanations and house exploration sequences. Politano’s obvious delight in the fantastical elements occasionally slows narrative momentum. However, these moments serve important character and world-building functions, and readers who appreciate detailed world-building will likely find them engaging rather than tedious.
The climactic sequences involving the sea rescue and final confrontations feel appropriately urgent and emotionally resonant, building to a conclusion that satisfies both the romantic and mystery elements of the plot.
Writing Style: Politano’s Signature Voice
Prose That Captures Wonder
Politano’s writing style perfectly suits her subject matter. Her prose captures the sense of wonder that defines Sydney’s character while maintaining the slightly formal tone appropriate to the historical setting. The author has a particular gift for describing mechanical marvels in ways that feel both technically plausible and magically enchanting.
Her dialogue feels natural and period-appropriate without being overly formal or difficult to follow. The banter between Sydney and André sparkles with wit and genuine affection, while the interactions with secondary characters feel authentic and purposeful.
Balancing Multiple Elements
One of Politano’s greatest strengths lies in her ability to balance multiple genre elements without allowing any single aspect to overwhelm the others. The gothic atmosphere, romantic development, mystery plot, and fantastical mechanical elements all receive appropriate attention and contribute to a cohesive whole.
Critical Assessment: Strengths and Areas for Improvement
What Works Exceptionally Well
- Character Development: Sydney’s growth arc feels genuine and well-earned
- Atmospheric World-Building: Blakely House becomes a memorable, living setting
- Thematic Integration: The novel’s themes emerge naturally from character and plot
- Romance Development: The central relationship builds convincingly and satisfyingly
- Historical Detail: The 1901 setting feels authentic without being overwhelming
Areas That Could Strengthen
- Secondary Character Development: Some of Emmett’s nephews feel underdeveloped, serving more as plot devices than fully realized characters
- Pacing Inconsistencies: Certain sections, particularly in the middle act, could benefit from tighter editing
- Mystery Resolution: While satisfying, the revelation about the false Sydney could have been set up with slightly more subtle foreshadowing
Comparison to Politano’s Previous Works
Evolution of Style and Themes
The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House represents a continuation of themes Politano has explored throughout her career while showing growth in her handling of fantastical elements. Readers familiar with The Lost Melody will recognize similar concerns with characters who don’t fit conventional molds, while those who enjoyed The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple will appreciate the blend of mystery and romance.
This novel shows Politano becoming more confident with incorporating speculative elements into historical settings. The mechanical marvels of Blakely House feel more integrated into the story than some of the more fantastical elements in her earlier works.
Building on Established Strengths
The author continues to excel at creating heroines who are strong without being anachronistic and at developing romances that feel both passionate and appropriate to their historical contexts. Her skill at weaving multiple plot threads together while maintaining focus on character development remains one of her defining characteristics as a novelist.
For Readers Seeking Similar Adventures
Recommended Companion Reads
Readers who enjoy The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House might also appreciate:
- Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series – For similar Victorian settings with unconventional heroines
- Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate series – For steampunk elements and witty Victorian romance
- Susanna Kearsley’s historical fiction – For atmospheric settings and romantic mystery
- Katherine Arden’s The Ten Thousand Doors of January – For fantastical elements in historical settings
- Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody series – For adventurous heroines and historical mystery
Within Politano’s Own Bibliography
New readers to Politano’s work might consider starting with Finding Lady Enderly or The Lost Melody to appreciate her development as a writer before tackling this more fantastical offering.
Final Verdict: A Delightful Addition to Historical Romance
The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House succeeds as both an entertaining genre novel and a thoughtful exploration of belonging, identity, and the beauty found in unconventional places. While it occasionally stumbles in pacing and could benefit from stronger development of some secondary characters, the novel’s strengths far outweigh its weaknesses.
Politano has created a world that readers will want to revisit, characters who feel like friends, and a love story that satisfies without overwhelming the novel’s other elements. The book offers enough mystery to engage thriller readers, sufficient romance to please genre enthusiasts, and enough historical detail to satisfy those seeking authentic period flavor.
For readers seeking escapist fiction that doesn’t sacrifice intelligence or heart, The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House provides exactly the right combination of wonder, warmth, and wisdom. It’s a novel that reminds us that the most beautiful creations often come from taking broken pieces and arranging them into something entirely new—much like love itself.
The book stands as a testament to Politano’s growth as a novelist and her continued ability to find fresh approaches to beloved genre conventions. In a market often saturated with formulaic historical romances, this novel offers something genuinely special: a story that celebrates the extraordinary potential hidden within the seemingly ordinary, wrapped in prose that sparkles with genuine affection for its characters and their world.
