Lady Jayne has disappeared and no one knows what has happened to her. Was she murdered, did she emigrate to another country, was she kidnapped? Only Nathaniel Droll knows for sure because he is writing her story in serial format. But, another question is who is Nathaniel Droll?

Lady Jayne Disappears is a book that kept me confused, but kept enough humor in the confusion to keep me reading. Aurelie Harcourt's father died in Shepton Mallet, the local debtors prison. Her only relative is her father's sister, Aurora, and she has a reputation for not being a welcoming soul. Her father's niece and her family live with Aurora, and they create just enough chaos for Aurora.

Aurelie's father is using Nathaniel Droll as his nom de plume while he writes Lady Jayne's story. After his death, Aurelie picks up the story and carries it on, adding to the mystery of who Nathaniel Droll really is.

Joanna Davidson Politano has written a real "screen swiper" of a book with intriguing characters and interesting settings. Imagining the places is not a difficult because of the fitting descriptions Joanna provides. The action in the story moves fast enough to keep the reader interested all the way through. This is a five star book with two thumbs up and a new chapter to your favorite book.

My thanks to Revell Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book.

I enjoyed Lady Jayne a lot. Twists and turns, a wink at Gothic literature, over-the-top characters... it was amusing and fun. And funny! I found myself laughing many times. Part of me wishes that the characters living in the mansion were a little more meaty/three-dimensional, but that's just personal preference. In this case, with the type of story it is, it makes sense to set up the characters in this way. Feels like a Jane Austen with a dose of Poe or Irving or Brown's Wieland.

Lady Jayne Disappears is a pleasant enough story. The lead character, Aurelie, is likable and plucky, the "leading man" is mysterious but kind-hearted, and the relatives are appropriately boorish. The basic story is familiar - disadvantaged girl gets shipped off to unknown wealthy relatives after father's death, meets handsome but mysterious man, uncovers devastating family secret - all in a grand manor house in the English countryside. What makes this stand out is the action around Aurelie becoming a writer, which is wonderful. What made this less enjoyable for me was the heavy-handed religious overtones, making this highly reminiscent of 19th century gothic romance pedantic style. All in all, a pleasant enough story but not one that I will remember.

Truly excellent novel. Fantastic characters, good period feel, and some wonderful twists and turns that kept me enthralled throughout. This is exactly how a great book should be written!

I have been so looking forward to reading this debut novel by Joanna Davidson Politano! I obviously had no idea what to expect and can happily say that I quite enjoyed it! I was intrigued by the idea behind the story - a young woman searching for answers to finish her father’s novel and finally know the truth herself. The story drew me in from the first and kept me up until the early hours of the morning, having to know how it was going to end!
Ms. Politano has a very unique writing style that I found very engrossing! I’ve not often read stories that alternate between a first person perspective and another character’s observations and I have found I really enjoy it. I knew exactly what Aurelie was thinking, while at the same time, I was anticipating the story switching to Silas’ view so I could know what his thoughts on the matter. I relished getting to know these characters and found myself forgetting at times that they were fictional. Aurelie is so honest and straightforward, without the air of sophistication her family clings to so thoroughly. I did find her a bit immature at times, though based on her upbringing and the age of her character, it actually suited her. That didn’t stop me from wanting to shake some sense into her a time or two, though. But, I think that made her even more realistic. She shares much deeper thoughts in conversations with Silas, and found herself simply wanting to fit in with her vapid relations.
I also really enjoyed the mystery surrounding Lynhurst Manor and the illusive Lady Jayne. Ms. Politano definitely kept me on my toes, with the various twists and turns, until I wasn’t at all sure what would happen next! The ending actually really surprised me, something that doesn’t happen very often, though I had figured out one clue beforehand. I did find the story a bit disjointed at times, losing several days between chapters, or simply a change in scenery that confused me for a few sentences. Also, I’m no historian by any stretch of the word, but I did notice a couple things that seemed a bit out of place in the time period - mainly just some words and thoughts that seemed rather modern for the setting. Though, I don’t believe I’ve read any other books set in England during the mid 1800s, so it could very well just be me.
Overall, I found this story to be incredibly engrossing and didn’t wanted to put it down! With a mystery that kept me guessing and characters that became dear friends, I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy historical fiction with a twist. I also can’t want to learn more about this author’s next book!

*My thanks to the publisher for my complimentary copy of this book! I was not required to write a positive review and have not been compensated for it in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was such an interesting and enjoyable read. This was a debut novel for Joanna and it was fantastic. There were so many twists and turns. I did not want to put this down. I loved Aurelie and she has an interesting family. I look forward to many more books by this author if they can be this good and unique. I received this book from Revell for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

I am often a bit apprehensive when agreeing to read a new author’s first book but have added quite a few of them to my must read list. I am delighted to say that after reading “Lady Jayne Disappears” I have added Joanna Davidson Politano to that growing list.

“Lady Jayne Disappears” is the perfect book for lovers of Gothic mysteries like myself. I loved the atmosphere of the old mansion filled with secrets as well as that of the debtors’ prison. It was the perfect backdrop for the haunting tale of a young woman searching for information about the mother she never knew.

This story within a story features Aurelie Harcourt who spent her life in debtor’s prison with her father until his death. Sent to live with wealthy relatives, Aurelie hoped that by completing her father’s serial novel she might discover the truth about her mysterious mother. Numerous surprises are in store for the reader as they begin to love Aurelie and her unassuming and compassionate nature. Dare we hope she finds the truth and perhaps love too?

I liked “Lady Jayne Disappears” quite a lot and eagerly look forward to this author’s next offering to her readers. I would suggest that everyone who enjoys this genre make haste to pick up their own copy.

*I received this book from NetGally in exchange for an honest review.

FANTASTIC! Politano kept me guessing with each new chapter as to who the "villain" of the story actually was. I love that this had the feel of a book within a book. If you like a solid mystery with a touch of romance thrown in, this book is definitely for you! I enjoyed the Christian aspect of Politano's writing, but it's definitely not overpowering if thats. not your thing. All in all, great character development, great voice, and great imagery! I could see myself right beside Aurelie Harcourt as she makes her way into her new wealthy family and tries to figure out her place in it and in society itself.

This one was interesting. I felt like there were some discrepancies in the story and that the book was more about Aurelie's writing and how it mirrored her life than the actual mystery of her mother. That said, I thought the characters were well written and loved that there is a lot going on with the story. I look forward to reading more by Joanna!

Aurelie Harcourt has spent her entire life living in debtor's prison. She is loved by all the inmates, but her closest relationship is with her father. As his scribe, she pens the serial instalments of the magnificent book he is writing under the name of Nathaniel Droll. Lady Jayne Disappears is a success everywhere, among the wealthy and the poor, but no one knows that Aurelie and her father are behind it. Together they are an inseparable team.

When her father suddenly dies, Aurelie is unexpectedly claimed by her wealthy relatives. She is abruptly relocated to Lynhurst, her family's mansion. Now she must learn to navigate the social life her father left behind, and somehow solve the mystery that his life's work was based on: What happened to Lady Jayne? Unanswered questions are everywhere, not the least of which is that most of Aurelie's own family do not know her true identity. Her only constant supporters are Silas Rotherham, houseguest at Lynhurst, and her lady's maid, Nelle- but even they don't know Aurelie's deepest secret.

I have not enjoyed a book as much as Lady Jayne Disappears in a long time. The characters had depth and unexpected sides, the mystery was genuine and unexpected, and the resolutions were just ragged enough to be authentic. Aurelie's faith was woven throughout the novel and was expressed in thought-provoking ways. There were a few anachronistic moments in the story, but not enough to detract from the book. I would rate this book a four out of five stars. I received a complimentary copy from Revell Publishers in order to write an unbiased review.

What I Loved: Lady Jayne Disappears was one of those fantastic novels that leave you speechless and wanting to gush all at the same time. I seriously loved everything here. The characters: There was a wide range of complex characters making up the cast.
The plot: This was such a fun ride from start to finish. The plot twisted and turned in unexpected ways. The mystery evolved at a slow and steady pace. And where the title may lead you to think it will be a suspenseful read, that wasn't the case at all. It was mysterious but not life-threatening.
Politano brings a new, fresh voice to the Christian Historical Fiction genre and I can't wait to see what she has for us next! Lady Jayne Disappears was delightful in every way and I plan to keep it on my re-read list.

Rating and Recommendation: I'm giving it 5 stars and recommending it to those who enjoy Christian Historical Fiction.

~I received a copy from Revell through Net Galley. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts are my own.

Lady Jayne Disappears is a story of great loss (the death of Aurelie's father - author Nathaniel Droll and the mysterious death of her mother.), detectivity (when Aurelie goes looking into the death of both her Mother and her Father.) fictitious (Aurelie writes about the death of both Parents using as characters in the book she is finishing that her Father started - she is also using as charaters in the book her Fathers family she just met and has treated her like trash - a piece of trash.), and audaciousness (when Aurelie takes on her nasty, low down dirty relatives - she is a very bold women.

I loved every minute while I was reading - the author spins an amazing tale, and with all of the twists and turns, I never knew what was going to happen next. I cannot wait to read more by this author.

A book that is written in the first person, and that being said, we walk in Aurelie Harcourt’s shoes throughout the story. The author even brings us right into the debtors prison and we walk from door to door, and see the injustice of this place.
The author presents a young woman who is throw with the murder of her father into the midst of a family that wanted nothing to do with her. With money, why did they allow her and her Dad to live in the prison?
Then we are privy to who is the famous author, and we see it get rather personal, to funny, and they all want to know who is Nathaniel Droll, and guesses sure go wild!
I sure was surprised as the story unfolded and never saw a lot of what happened. A look at some of the dark side of old England, and one that a lot of aristocrats probably wouldn’t want seen, but we walk the halls and see first hand.
I received this book through Revell Blogger Program, and was not required to give a positive review

Lady Jayne Disappears is a pretty good read. I found Joanna Davidson Politano's writing style to be unique and refreshing. Aurelia is the main character of the book and I was not sure what I thought of her at first. After a few chapters, she started to grow on me. I did not think that the plot to be predictable and did not expect the twist towards the end.

I enjoyed Lady Jayne Disappears and give it 4 1/2 stars. A good, suspenseful historical.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my honest opinion.

3.5 stars
I have to admit, I took a chance on this book because the cover is so delightfully interesting! I found the mystery engaging and interesting, though Aunt Eudora's continued keeping of secrets was annoying to me as well as to the heroine. The descriptions of the prison and the country house are very well done and make the scenes easy to imagine. I really loved how the color purple was identified as Lady Jayne's color, and how that thread was carried through to the end.

It's a good story for a debut, and I loved Politano's almost retro writing style. At times I was frustrated with the heroine's immaturity/naivety; though I understood that she had lived a strangely sheltered/exposed life in Shepton Mallet, it doesn't mean I have to like that trait of hers. Also, at times it lost focus a bit, and the lying also bothered me. It seemed like nearly everyone in the story had their own version of something or other that required a glib lie or deception, so each chapter had a new one. That was overkill for me.

The last quarter of the book was excellent, and I didn't put it down at all after about page 275. It definitely works up to a bang of revelation, and I'm still not sure it entirely cleared up Aurelie's view of her beloved father vs. the scoundrel/wastrel others viewed him as. Also, <spoiler> I need to know what happened to Nelle!! </spoiler>

I'll definitely be getting a copy of Politano's next book to see how she grows as a writer.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy. Positive review not required.

Lady Jayne Disappears is a masterful metafictional tale that blurs the line between telling a story and living the truth. Aurelie Harcourt picks up the telling of Lady Jayne Disappears upon the death of her father, inheriting the mysterious nom de plume: Nathaniel Droll. And I must say that this secret authorial identity passed from father to daughter is, indeed, quite droll. Prepare to be amazed and amused.

Joanna Davidson Politano’s writing is so wonderfully melodic and lyrical that my heart soared with every word, and I could almost hear the crescendo of an imaginary musical score punctuating the ending of this delightful story about a story. How beautiful is that?

The plot of Lady Jayne Disappears is a journey that must not be rushed. It must be savored and gripped with both hands. Each twist reveals another clue, each character delights, and each moment satisfies, until the reader is beset with eagerness for the next installment in the serial titled Lady Jayne Disappears in the novel called Lady Jayne Disappears. Aurelie Rosette Harcourt is a rose among thorns as she navigates her new life with a family she never knew she had. Writing is her solace and her downfall and her saving grace, in that order.

What I love most about Lady Jayne Disappears is the constant havoc that Aurelie unwittingly wreaks at Lynhurst Manor from the minute she arrives after a lifetime spent at her father’s side in debtor’s prison. She never truly fits in with this mess of a family, which according to Silas Rotherham, is a good thing. And speaking of Silas, he’s an absolute true hero, and he loves to read books. Need I say more?

If you are ready for an exquisitely told tale about love, betrayal, secrets, crashing revelations, heartbreaking realizations, and a “snit of a girl” with a hearty appetite, then Lady Jayne Disappears is the book for you. Trust me.

I'd heard such amazing things about Lady Jayne Disappears, so I was beyond excited to read it. I've gotta say, all the praise is well warranted! I was held captive from the first page to the last. I absolutely loved the author's writing style. It's wholly unique and had me reading as fast as I could. It was a perfect Gothic mystery that constantly kept me guessing.

Aurelie was infinitely likeable. The way she handled everything, the way she held herself in less than ideal situations was so admirable. And Silas... what can I say about him? He was so intriguing! I could never get enough of him. I loved all the great nuggets of wisdom sprinkled throughout the novel.

Lady Jayne Disappears is one of those books that's so astoundingly good that I have a difficult time putting into words my feelings about it and describing exactly how awesome it is. I just want to shout to everyone to go read it right now! You won't be disappointed! I can't say enough good things about this book! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.

On a dark and rainy night in 1861, Aurelie Harcourt is released from a debtor’s prison and picked up by a carriage sent by a mysterious aunt. This scene is described in Aurelie’s own words, casting her as a romantic and fanciful writer following in her author father’s footsteps. Yet she has no formal education and lacks the social graces required of her for her future. Her actions become a source of disparagement for her cousin who believes the younger woman should have no place in the family. It’s no surprise that Aurelie’s closest friend should be the family seamstress, who has secrets of her own.

An alternate perspective of Aurelie’s story comes from Silas Rotherham, a family friend. Here the narrative switches to third person and, while it reveals useful information, feels slightly out of place. I suspect this is because the prologue sets up the story as though Aurelie is telling it to a publisher. How would she know what Silas was doing and thinking while not in her company? More jarring to me, however, is the naming of the prison and how it is referred to throughout. In the book, it is called Shepton Mallet Prison in an area called Glen Cora and referred to as The Mallet. In actuality, there is a former prison in the town of Shepton Mallet, Somerset, and it was sometimes known to as Cornhill because of its location in town. Each time someone referred to Shepton Mallet, or The Mallet, in the book my mind went to the town whereas they meant the prison. This was a personal problem, however, and readers unfamiliar with the area will most likely not experience it.

Overall, Lady Jayne Disappears is a bit of a gothic melodrama. It contains mysteries in an imposing, brooding, mansion, and over the top characters such as Aurelie’s cousin and that woman’s daughter. There are several twists and turns to keep the reader guessing, and plenty of Victorian scandal. I did find the ending a bit too abrupt for my liking, however, and had a couple of questions for which answers were not to be had.

Thank you to Revell for my complimentary copy of Lady Jayne Disappears.

When I read the prologue, I was very confused, but I want to tell readers, Hang on, if you find yourself in the same predicament. By the beginning of chapter 2, you will make sense of the direction of the story. Most of Lady Jayne Disappears is a flashback, told as if in the present. It took me a bit to figure that out. Later in the story, you come back to where you started and then move forward from there for the remainder of the book.
Lady Jayne Disappears is all about puzzles and unraveling the fairytale world Aurelie’s father created with his stories. Aurelie Harcourt grew up in debtor’s prison and her father tells her stories that she then pens in notebooks and they mail to the Marsh House Publishing company. These stories are published as the books of Nathaniel Droll.
“It isn’t the writing that’s so fascinating, when it comes to Nathaniel Droll. It’s the mystery of the man himself. He’s only famous because no one knows who he really is.”
But when Aurelie’s father suddenly dies, Aurelie finds herself displaced from the only home she’s ever known into the fairytale world of her father’s stories, Lynhurst Manor, or so she thought. “This is what Papa had pictured as he wrote. Suddenly I could not imagine tearing myself away from this place. Papa had spoke of Lynhurst Manor so much that it had settled into the dear parts of my memories as if it were my own childhood home”
On arrival she finds herself very much unwanted and surrounded by a confusing world of social games, secrets, and out-right lies. She longs to fit in with her family, but finds she cannot mold herself to their image.
“My dear Aurelie, if you fit into this world, this very broken, selfish place, it would be you who was the wrong size.”
When Aurelie determines to finish her father’s novel, she assumes his identity as Nathaniel Droll and writing her family members into the story as unflattering characters. As the new installments are released, the household explodes in an uproar as they attempt to uncover the secret identity of Nathaniel Droll. All the while, Aurelie tries to put together the puzzle pieces and clues left by her father to determine the cause of his death and her mother’s disappearance.
“Every now and then when Lady Jayne found the answers to her most pressing questions, she earnestly wished to unlearn them immediately. -Nathaniel Droll, Lady Jayne Disappears”
But not all is as it seems, and Aurelie unravels the fairytale only to have it crash around her, uncovering truths she never expected. Hero’s and Heroine’s become villains and villains become friends.
“You were right, you know. Books are not always an escape. Sometimes they untangle real life marvelously well.”
But God has a purpose in bringing her to this place. Could her stories bring healing to this damaged and dysfunctional family?
“What will be fixed must first be broken.”
As secrets unfold and the story draws to a close, can the broken puzzle of her family be mended? Can she accept the truths as they are revealed? Will happened to Lady Jayne? Why did she leave her child behind? Who are the real imposters? Who are the hero’s? Who are the villains? Can Lady Jayne be united with her true love? Will she disappear once more, relegated to the pages of a novel?