“You were witness to it, Miss Temple. Restoration did occur. We cannot burden the ending of any story with our expectations.”― Joanna Davidson Politano, The Elusive Truth of Lily Temple
It is 1903 in Edwardian England and Lily Temple is a beautiful silent film star who brings fairy tales to life and plays light hearted, endearing characters for her audience. Lily is much more complex than she appears to be on film. She has a quick wit, a mysterious past, a story for every occasion, and a secret. She is constantly alert and ready to run on a moment’s notice.
Peter Driscoll is a private inquiry agent hired to find the Briarwood Teardrop, a legendary sapphire that has been missing for years. He has discovered the jewel is being used as a prop in the latest Lily Temple film and that Lily often keeps the jewel on a chain under gown. He befriends her and asks for her help on another case in order to keep her close and try to solve the mystery of the gem. As he investigates Lily, the more he learns all is not as it seems, and he and Lily find themselves in dangerous and complicated situations, including their growing feelings for one another.
Joanna Davidson Politano has crafted a compelling mystery with twists, turns, and unexpected revelations. Mystery, whimsy, magic, danger, and reverence combine to create a story with terrific ambiance. This book has a firm foundation in faith and the underlying message is more about God finding His lost children than finding a missing jewel.
Content Warning: Emotional abuse, peril, kidnapping