"The Lost Melody" by Joanna Davidson Politano

When concert pianist Vivienne Mourdant's father dies, he leaves to her the care of an adult ward she knew nothing about. The woman is supposedly a patient at Hurstwell Asylum. The woman's portrait is shockingly familiar to Vivienne, so when the asylum claims she was never a patient there, Vivienne is compelled to discover what happened to the figure she remembers from childhood dreams. The longer she lingers in the deep shadows and forgotten towers at Hurstwell, the fuzzier the line between sanity and madness becomes. She hears music no one else does, receives strange missives with rose petals between the pages, and untangles far more than is safe for her to know. But can she uncover the truth about the mysterious woman she seeks? And is there anyone at Hurstwell she can trust with her suspicions?

There's something horrifyingly intriguing about stories of insane asylums. One just can never be sure if what is presented is true, or if it's delusions that lead one to thinking it's true, or if it's deliberate manipulation. Vivienne certainly encounters her share, and sorting the truth from the rest is enough to make anyone feel crazy.

While I was hooked for the first half or more of the story, the feeling of allegory was so strong that it pushed me out of the story in the latter part. The metaphor of light in the darkness feels too heavy-handed (I'd have appreciated significantly more subtlety to it), but unquestionably it's a good and timely message. I just didn't like the feeling of manipulation from the figures of authority in her life--namely Marcel and the music therapist--who push her into being that light, with no regret for their actions. She eventually embraces the role, but it just feels like she was manipulated into it and had no other choice (save despair).

It was still a riveting story, full of suspense, but as happens with stories focusing on insanity, it left me feeling unsettled.

Thank you Revell and NetGalley for the complimentary e-book. I was not required to write a positive review, and all opinions are my own.