Joanna Davidson Politano has crafted something delightfully peculiar in “The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House”—a Victorian gothic romance that hums and whirs with mechanical precision while occasionally skipping a beat in its emotional clockwork. This latest offering from the author of “The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple” and “The Lost Melody” presents readers with an inheritance story that’s equal parts treasure hunt and heart hunt, set against the backdrop of 1901 England’s industrial wonder.
A Heroine Worth Her Gears
Sydney Forrester arrives at Blakely House clutching nothing but a mysterious inheritance and her own formidable skills as a clockmaker. Politano has created in Sydney a protagonist who embodies the very essence of her craft—methodical yet creative, precise yet capable of beautiful improvisation. Like the timepieces she repairs, Sydney herself seems initially “broken” but reveals herself to be specially crafted for a unique purpose. Her journey from an outsider questioning her place to someone who finds her perfect fit mirrors the novel’s central theme about being purposefully designed rather than accidentally assembled.
What makes Sydney particularly compelling is her authenticity. She’s neither a swooning damsel nor an impossibly perfect heroine. Instead, she’s a woman who understands the delicate balance between functionality and beauty, much like the inventions that surround her. Her growing confidence throughout the novel feels earned rather than gifted, and her mechanical aptitude serves as both literal skill and metaphor for her ability to see how broken things—including people—might be repaired.
An Island of Wonders and Mysteries
Blakely House itself emerges as perhaps the novel’s most enchanting character. Politano’s description of the estate reads like something from a steampunk fairy tale—a living, breathing entity where automata dance on command, lights guide mysterious midnight wanderers, and every room holds secrets waiting to be discovered. The house responds to Sydney’s presence with an almost sentient awareness, creating an atmosphere that’s both welcoming and slightly unsettling.
The author’s attention to mechanical detail shines throughout these descriptions. From hydraulic systems to clockwork mechanisms, every invention feels plausible and purposeful. Politano has clearly done her research, likely drawing from the acknowledgments’ mention of her engineer husband’s expertise. The result is a world where Victorian ingenuity feels both historically grounded and magically enhanced.
A Butler Worth Falling For
André Montagne, the enigmatic butler with a pirate’s past, proves to be the perfect romantic counterpart to Sydney’s clockmaker. His character arc—from wandering adventurer to someone willing to build a permanent life—provides the novel’s emotional anchor. The tension between his desire for exploration and Sydney’s need for roots creates genuine conflict that extends beyond mere romantic obstacles.
Notable strengths in their relationship include:
- Gradual emotional development – Their attraction builds slowly through shared work and mutual respect
- Complementary skills – His mechanical knowledge pairs naturally with her clockmaking expertise
- Authentic dialogue – Their conversations feel period-appropriate without being overly formal
- Balanced power dynamics – Neither character rescues the other; they work as partners
The romantic elements never overshadow the mystery plot, instead weaving seamlessly through the larger narrative about family, belonging, and purpose.
The Mystery Elements: Gears and Red Herrings
The central mystery surrounding Emmett Sinclair’s disappearance and the various claimants to his inheritance provides steady momentum throughout the novel. Politano skillfully plants clues while maintaining suspense, though some plot threads feel more organic than others. The revelation about the true Sydney Forrester’s identity, while surprising, occasionally strains credibility in its convenience.
The novel’s strongest mystery element lies not in “whodunit” but in “who was he really?” Emmett Sinclair emerges posthumously as a complex character whose true nature becomes clear through his inventions, his letters, and the testimony of those who knew him. The gradual revelation of his secret correspondence with Sophie Holland provides the emotional heart of the mystery.
Where the Clockwork Falters
Despite its many charms, the novel occasionally shows the strain of balancing its multiple genre elements. The pacing sometimes stutters between the domestic romance and adventure sequences, particularly during the Norwegian expedition. While these scenes provide necessary plot resolution, they feel disconnected from the novel’s strongest element—the atmospheric mystery of Blakely House itself.
The villainous nephews, Dane Hutchcraft and Tom Jolly, serve their plot function but lack the complexity that makes other characters memorable. Their motivations feel one-dimensional compared to the nuanced portrayal of Emmett’s household staff or even minor characters like Mrs. Holligan. Additionally, some coincidences in the final act stretch the bounds of believability, though they don’t derail the overall reading experience.
Technical Craftsmanship
Politano’s prose maintains a consistent period voice without falling into purple excess. Her descriptions of mechanical wonders balance technical accuracy with lyrical beauty, making complex inventions accessible to readers unfamiliar with Victorian engineering. The dialogue feels natural for the era while remaining comprehensible to modern readers.
The novel’s structure effectively alternates between mystery, romance, and adventure elements, though some transitions feel more seamless than others. The author’s decision to maintain Sydney’s perspective throughout provides narrative coherence, even when it limits readers’ access to certain plot information.
Thematic Resonance
Beyond its entertainment value, the novel explores meaningful themes about purpose, belonging, and the difference between being broken and being uniquely crafted. Sydney’s journey mirrors the process of understanding and repairing a complex mechanism—what appears malfunctional may simply operate according to different principles.
The story also examines legacy and inheritance beyond mere material goods. Characters inherit not just property but responsibilities, relationships, and purposes. Emmett Sinclair’s true legacy lies not in his inventions but in his capacity to see potential in others and provide them with homes where they can flourish.
A Place in the Literary Landscape
Readers who enjoyed Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody series or Gail Carriger’s Parasol Protectorate novels will find familiar pleasures here, though Politano’s work maintains a stronger inspirational fiction foundation. The novel sits comfortably within the growing steampunk romance subgenre while honoring traditional historical fiction conventions.
For readers seeking similar experiences, consider:
- “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune – For found family themes
- “The Invisible Bridge” by Julie Orringer – For atmospheric historical fiction
- “The Clockwork Dynasty” by Daniel H. Wilson – For mechanical wonders
- “The Silent Companions” by Laura Purcell – For gothic house mysteries
- “Soulless” by Gail Carriger – For steampunk romance elements
Final Verdict
“The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House” succeeds as an engaging blend of historical romance and gothic mystery, even if it doesn’t quite achieve the mechanical perfection of its fictional inventions. Politano has created a world worth visiting and characters worth caring about, despite some plot mechanics that creak under examination.
The novel’s greatest strength lies in its celebration of ingenuity, both mechanical and human. Like Sydney’s approach to clockmaking, Politano demonstrates that something need not be perfect to be perfectly suited to its purpose. For readers seeking atmospheric historical fiction with romantic elements and just a touch of the fantastical, this inheritance proves well worth claiming.
- What works: Engaging heroine, atmospheric setting, authentic period details, satisfying romance
- What doesn’t: Uneven pacing in adventure sequences, underdeveloped antagonists, some convenient plot resolutions
This is comfort reading at its finest—a novel that wraps readers in the warm glow of gaslight and the steady tick of well-maintained clockwork, reminding us that the most beautiful mechanisms are often those designed with love.
The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House represents another solid entry in Joanna Davidson Politano’s growing bibliography of atmospheric historical fiction, confirming her position as a reliable voice in inspirational romance while showing continued growth in her handling of mystery elements.