The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple: A Novel

Joanna Davidson Politano

Apr 2024 · Baker Books

About this ebook

Peter Driscoll, an underground investigator to the wealthy, has never met anyone like Lily Temple. The beautiful silent-film actress spins fairy tales and plays frivolous roles in front of the cine-camera, but beneath the costumes and stage makeup is a woman with a quick wit--and a murky past.

Peter has been tasked with locating the legendary Briarwood Teardrop, an exquisite sapphire, which Lily wears beneath her gown. In order to stay close to her and hopefully unravel the mystery of her story--and the sapphire--Peter employs Lily's help on a case, which leads to a useful partnership. But as they are investigating together, Peter is also investigating Lily. The closer he gets to the truth, the more danger they face. And the closer he gets to Lily, the clearer it is that he needs her even more than she needs him.

Award-winning author Joanna Davidson Politano whisks you away to Edwardian England in 1903 for a whimsical and layered tale that treads the crooked line between real and make-believe.

Ratings and reviews

Whimsical, enchanting, romantic, mysterious, inspiring! I adored figuring out the mystery of Lily Temple. Actress, storyteller, thief? This beautiful homage to fairytales & great storytelling captivated my imagination & didn’t let go. It’s a lyrical, gorgeously written story of redemption, seeking faith, finding love, & facing the realities of life. I loved the story within the story & the way these utterly endearing characters drew me in. I found myself missing them & can’t wait to reread!

The author has done wonderful work creating a story that is captivating, magical, and dreamy. This story has a beauty and vividness to it that makes it really feel like a film from the Golden Age of Cinema. This is a book that will keep you reading late into the night! The author's writing style is smooth and sparkling with beauty, wit, and emotion. I cannot recommend this book highly enough! It is fabulous. 5 stars!

I don’t even know how to begin to describe The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple. Lighthearted and Deep. Whimsical and grounded. Mysterious and familiar. Heartbreaking and joyful. This book was a romance, but it was also an allegory of the depth of Jesus’ love for us and the great lengths that He goes in his steady, persistent pursuit for the hearts of mankind. This book was impossible to put down, from the moment I began to read the first page.

About the author

Joanna Davidson Politano is the award-winning author of Lady Jayne Disappears, A Rumored Fortune, Finding Lady Enderly, The Love Note, A Midnight Dance, and The Lost Melody. She loves tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives and is eager to hear anyone's story. She lives with her husband and their children in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan. You can find her online at www.JDPStories.com.