Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano weaves mystery, suspense and romance all together masterfully. Aurelie Harcourt had never known anything other than the debtor’s prison and her father’s stories she put to paper and posted for publication. With his passing, Aurelie learns of the family she never knew she had and in the process she starts to understand that Lady Jayne is actually her mother.
She must adjust to her new standing in society while remaining true to who she is. As she continues on with her father’s publication, the truth starts to unravel and the world she knew changes immensely.

Politano brought the reader into Lynhurst and into the time period with her writing. It was reminiscent of Austin. It flowed well and kept me interested and wanting to know more. I particularly enjoyed every chapter starting with a quote from Nathaniel Droll’s work. It was fitting and gave little clues as to what we may experience in the upcoming pages.

Would I recommend this to others? Yes, for those who are fans of historical fiction, with a touch of Christian fiction, this would be a great read for you.

There aren't words to express how much I completely loved this book! Ms. Politano has truly won herself a new fan!

This book completely captivated me! It’s deliciously intriguing, achingly beautiful and immensely satisfying.

Aurelie Harcourt is not a normal girl. Being raised in a debtor’s prison, she has seen things many people her age or even older don’t even dream of or just choose not to acknowledge. However, it’s in the dark and dirty aisles of this place that Aura Rose finds protection, happiness, purpose, and family among strangers. All changes, though, when her dear papa suddenly dies and Aurelie is taken to live with those related to her by blood but who, until then, hadn’t the mind to seek her and her father out and try to help them with their predicament.

In this new world full of sparkles and masks, Aurelie is determined to remain true to herself and to her father, finding solace in the stories he called so dear to his heart. However, soon enough, she finds out that not everything is what it seems… when she quickly learns to see through the masks, to listen to the house and its stories (because, yes, Lynhurst Manor is as much a character as any other person in this book), to look for the signs pointing to the truth, can she hold on to her true self? Being pulled by her convictions as well as her personal desires, can she find peace and be whole, regardless of the answers she might find?

I was hooked on the first page by more than just the mystery or the characters, but simply because of the author’s voice. It transcends the pages and guides your own emotions to match those of the characters. It’s refreshing, witty and inspiring. There are some books impossible to believe to be a debut novel, this is one of them. There are moments so honestly vulnerable that you know the author has just exposed a precious part of herself. There are no dull moments in this book, that’s for sure! The way Joanna Davidson Politano worked through the main character’s thoughts in the first person made this story personal and relatable as more than just a Christian or a reader (we do have our share of bookworms in this story!!), but also as a mere human-being trying to live in a broken world. Because there is light despite the darkness, there is peace despite the hurts, there is love despite betrayal, there is hope despite so many hardships and challenges trying to defeat you… there is a place to call home despite feeling odd and as if you don’t fit. And Aurelie is soon to find out that these truths are for everyone and it’s our mission to point them out with our gifts.

I found everything in this story fascinating, from the characters to the mystery, and especially the surprises in each turn of the page. Never think you have figured everything out! There were moments in which I felt such a nagging anxiety because of the tormented situations and misunderstandings so well expressed and put out that I almost believed them to be definite – and I was tempted to skip to the end of the book just to make sure everything would turn out well and the way it was supposed to be… eventually, I was able to control myself and wait for the appropriate moment to arrive at the ending. And what a bittersweet moment! Trust me that you will not be disappointed, except for the fact that the book ended and you’re not emotionally ready to say goodbye to these characters.

Good thing there is another book by Joanna to look forward to already 😊

Lady Jayne Disappears by JoAnna Davidson Politano is an interesting and unique story set in the Victorian age. Right from the prologue, Davidson grabbed my attention and drew me into the story. It seemed different than anything else I have read. The synopsis gripped my attention, and I couldn't wait to read what this debut author had written. It was hard to believe this was a novel written by a debut author; it was well-written.
Politano does a great job at inviting me into the setting with her details and her writing. I was drawn into Miss Harcourt's thoughts and emotions and felt her struggle throughout the novel. I admired the character of Miss Harcourt. She was a strong woman who was raised with practically nothing, but she knew of a way to make a living on her own. She had a kind soul and made friends with practically everyone she met.
The story idea with the mystery gripped my attention. I couldn't wait to see what happened to Lady Jayne, and what would happen to Miss Harcourt. The story centers around Miss Harcourt as she struggles to survive in the elite society of London while trying to keep her identity secret and solving the mystery of what happened to Lady Jayne. The romance was low key for me, which I like, don't get me wrong, but it felt not the forefront of Politano's story, but she threw it there for good measure. I think the mystery element could have carried the story without the romance.
As for the plot, I really enjoyed it. It was unique, fresh, and artistically rendered. I had a hard time putting the story down. It started out with giving me the feeling of a classic novel that you want to read over and over again. Further along in the plot, it started to wind down a little, and I wondered if Politano was dragging out the middle to meet a word count quota. The climax of the mystery I did not see coming. Politano surprised me with the person behind it. I didn't see that coming. I feel like I need to reread it and observe this person more closely and see if it fits the bad guy.
Overall, Lady Jayne Disappears by JoAnna Davidson Politano is an original mystery dancing on the streets of upper and lower class London in the Victorian age. I enjoyed the concept and the main character. I really can't wait to see what Politano comes up with next.
I received a complimentary copy of Lady Jayne Disappears by JoAnna Davidson Politano from Revell Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano is a wonderful tale of intrigue that offers a number of nods to Dickens and the Brontës. Characters are well-drawn and believable, even as they are somewhat caricatured (not at all surprising for this Victorian-era novel). Aurelie Harcourt presents as an appealing protagonist with whom readers will easily identify - she is likable and kind, but not without weaknesses that result in several missteps throughout the novel. The history is rich in the novel, painting vivid pictures of Victorian homes and the starkly contrasting debtors' prison. The novel reminded me of BBC's production of Little Dorrit - but with a more assertive main character (and certainly, plenty of plot differences).

In the novel, Politano offers a wonderful balance of faith (which refrains from being preachy) and gives us plenty of mystery to unravel. It's an original offering that includes some Gothic elements (large manor homes, possibly haunted) but keeps itself grounded through the relationships it describes, particularly those between Aurelie and two other characters (a cousin and a friend).

This one was a joy to read, and I lost myself (and my sense of time) throughout most of it. It kept me guessing and didn't rely too heavily on romance (though what was there was pleasant). It's a novel rooted firmly in mystery and social dynamics - and one that left me very satisfied in the end.
Lady Jayne Disappears is scheduled for release by Revell on October 3, 2017. Start counting down - this is a good one to get!

Fantastic! What a gem of a story. Absolutely a must read! If I had to give a small negative, I would want even more pages given to the romance aspect of the story. I did wish for more interactions between the two...

I voluntarily read the advanced sneak peak of this book and I loved it. I need more ASAP, I can not wait for this book to come out!

4 1/2 stars! Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano was a wonderful debut book. Full of mystery and suspense. Romance and misunderstandings between several of the characters. Aurelia Harcourt was raised in debtors prison by her father whom is a storyteller and author and passes his abilities to his daughter. After he dies she continues to write the serial he was dictating to her; even after she is taken to the family she didn't even know existed. Most of the family do not know who she is or where she came from and don't want her there. But she makes a few friends especially with Silas Rotherham, a friend of the family. Great story and cast of characters. I will be reading more from this author!

I received this book from NetGalley and was not required to give a positive review.