Review: "Finding Lady Enderly" by Joanna Davidson Politano

Over the past few years, I've come to greatly anticipate Joanna Davidson Politano's releases, as I can always count on them to be thought-provoking, intriguing mysteries. Her new release, Finding Lady Enderly, is no exception!

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Raina Bretton is a rag woman in London's east end when a handsome stranger appears in a dank alley and offers her a glittering smile and a chance for adventure. Rothburne Abbey has a unique position for her, one that will take her away from her hardscrabble life and give her a chance to be a lady. Things she could only dream of might be coming true. But some dreams turn out to be nightmares.

Though Raina has traded squalor for silk and satin, something about the abbey is deeply unsettling. As she wrestles with her true identity, the ruin, decay, and secrets she finds at the heart of the old mansion tear at her confidence and threaten to reveal her for who she really is. Only one man stands between her and the danger that lurks within--and only if he decides to keep her biggest secret hidden.

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A tale of danger and intrigue, Finding Lady Enderly is a fabulous historical mystery! Raina is a rag woman in London who is rescued from her poor existence by a mysterious man who asks her to masquerade as Lady Enderly while the real lady recovers from a trip abroad. But Raina soon discovers that things are not what they seem, and she finds herself trapped by the charade.

Delicious twists abound in this novel, so to say much more would be a disservice to future readers! But here are a few things I loved: Raina and a certain man use books to convey secret messages to one another (a book lover's dream!); much emphasis is placed on the truth setting us free; and so many minor characters are simply delightful!

While it took me a bit to get into the novel, I was soon flying through the pages. This is another solid, enjoyable historical mystery from Politano, and I can't wait to read her next novel! 4 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of Politano's Lady Jayne Disappears (5 stars) and A Rumored Fortune (3-1/2 stars).

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Joanna Davidson Politano freelances for a small nonfiction publisher but spends much of her time spinning tales that capture the colorful, exquisite details in ordinary lives. Her manuscript for Lady Jayne Disappears was a finalist for several contests, including the 2016 Genesis Award from ACFW, and won the OCW Cascade Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is always on the hunt for random acts of kindness, people willing to share their deepest secrets with a stranger, and hidden stashes of sweets. She lives with her husband and their two babies in a house in the woods near Lake Michigan and shares stories that move her at www.jdpstories.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Revell through the Revell Reads program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission.I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."