👗⛲ “The Lost Dresses of Italy” (2024) ⛲ 👗 – Book Review
MY REVIEW
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Alcove Press (February 6, 2024)
Language: English
ISBN: 1639105646
ISBN-13: 978-1639105649
⬅️ Click Photo for Purchase Information
“In this rich, atmospheric historical novel, perfect for fans of Brenda Janowitz and Adriana Trigiani, two stories of love and deceit intertwine nearly a hundred years apart in Verona, Italy.
Verona, 1947. Textile historian Marianne Baxter comes to post-war Italy with one thing on her mind: three pristine Victorian dresses, once owned by the famous poet Christina Rossetti. Hidden away in a trunk for nearly a century, they were recently discovered at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti and Marianne’s expertise is needed before they go on exhibit. Still grieving the loss of her husband, the trip is also a reason for Marianne to start over. But when she arrives, she discovers an unsupportive but handsome museum owner, a superstitious local community, and a mysterious letter with a scribbled warning hidden among the dresses.
Verona, 1864. Christina Rossetti returns to her family’s homeland in hopes of leaving her unfulfilled personal life and poetry career in England and beginning a new chapter. After a chance encounter with an old family friend, she finds a gift her father once gave her: a small ornate box with the three Muses carved into the lid. When she stumbles across a secret compartment, Christina finds a letter from her father with an urgent and personal request.
The letter, speaking of a pendant and stolen book that must be returned, connects Marianne and Christina—and leaves them both with more questions than answers. Inspired by the real-life mysteries surrounding poet Christina Rossetti, The Lost Dresses transports readers to Verona with the enchantment and intrigue of Italian art and fashion.”
Thank you in advance to the publisher, Alcove Press, for providing a complimentary review copy through Kate Rock Book Tours. A positive review was not required nor requested, and all words are my own.
My grandfather served in World War II (WWII) as well as Korea. He died when I was four (4), so I didn’t get to hear his war stories. Although, some are on YouTube (look up USS Kadashan Bay) thanks to the Department of Defense and Department of the Navy. He was stationed more in the Pacific Theater and didn’t get the Europe action.
As a result, I naturally gravitate to the WWII books. And, I’ve read almost all types: prior to the war to just before it ends, the entirety of the war, middle of it to the end. And, it’s been from almost all perspectives: allied fighters (U.S, England, etc), every day people who were just working, underground resistance, even the victims. And, from all areas: England, France, Germany, Poland.
Even though this isn’t EXACTLY a WWII novel, it is just after, a period of “reconstruction” as it seems. So – I definitely wanted to read it.
I also like the romantic suspense genre. If there’s a suspense or even a “mystery” in a book, as long as it meets my requirements – I’m likely to read it – even if it comes from a “new-to-me” author like M.A McLaughlin. As of note – I have some relatives by the name of McLaughlin, so that made me curious as well.
That said …
This is a dual timeline story set mostly in Verona, Italy with only two POVs – despite the many characters:
✒️ Christina (1865, not 1864)
🧣 Marianne (1947)
McLaughlin also introduces readers to:
👗 Rufina
🏛️ Alessandro (Director of Museum)
🖌️ Nico (Alessandro’s brother)
🎨 Dante Gabriel (Christina’s brother)
What I didn’t know – Christina Rosetti was an actual person. According to the last page – she died in December 29, 1894 (aged 64) – unmarried. Her Monna Innominata sonnets begin each chapter regardless of whose POV it is. Some are included at the end of Christina’s POV in the book.
It is interesting to note she was often featured in her brother Dante Gabriel’s paintings.
As with any story that includes a real person – some events are inevitably spoiled by research. There is a mention of Christina’s sister-in-law, Elizabeth Siddal, overdosing on laudanum – likely a result of the stillborn death of her daughter in 1861, and finding out she was again pregnant in 1862.
While the blurb states 1864 as Christina’s story – it was, in the story, 1865. This coincides with the last time she left England – and her second out of country trip. It was on a trip to Northern Italy (where Verona is located) with her brother William and her mother.
Moving on …
The prologue begins in April 1945 with a male POV in first person – Tonio. He is Alessandro’s nephew. As of the beginning of Marianne’s 1947 story – Tonio’s murder is still unsolved.
In October 1947, Marianne – a widow – is on her way to Verona, Italy as her friend has found an old trunk with three mostly preserved historic dresses. Upon authenticating them, they will be displayed in an exhibit.
Upon examining the dresses, Marianne and Rufina wonder how the trunk ended up in Italy when Christina was from England and lived there, having died some 53 years earlier.
Marianne finds a letter and a fabric postcard. The letter is from Christina’s father Gabriele. He tells his daughter of his first love and wife – someone other than Christina’s mother.
Christina’s POV opens up in 1865 – three (3) years after Goblin Market has been released. She credits her artist brother Dante Gabriel for the success. However, it is not a happy time. He experienced a tragedy that same year when his wife committed suicide.
She, her mother, and brother William are heading to Italy – Milan, Verona, and Brescia. Other than sight-seeing, Christina also wants to return a book and pendant mentioned in a letter her father left for her to find.
Marianne is trying to investigate to see who Christina was in order to learn why the trunk was there – was it stolen? Left behind on purpose? In talking with Nico, Alessandro’s brother, she learns more about the murder that seems to give superstitious vibes near the museum. This prompts Alessandro to warn her off. He does mention that he doesn’t know if the killer lives there and doesn’t want anything to happen to her or Nico. Alessandro knows, by Marianne’s observation of a portrait, that she is the type who digs deeper. Namely poking around in things that don’t concern her.
She sees it as research – Alessandro doesn’t care.
However, they do seemingly make a connection despite his gruffness. He genuinely cares for her. And, for the first time since her husband’s death – she too begins to have feelings.
Marianne’s research leads her to a professor who ends up finding something, but is seriously injured, but not before he gives her what turns out to connect both Marianne and Christina – a picture.
Christina’s visit in Italy leads her to someone she loves. And, a mysterious attack brings her closer to the man. But, after an incident with the man’s father, who happened to have been her father’s friend, she realizes her dream of love is snuffed out. However, she soon learns a devastating secret and suffers an excruciating loss.
Once Marianne learns the truth – danger and deception wraps itself around her in this dramatic, evocative, intriguing, mysterious, and tragic story. One that has a multitude of sins … love, regret, greed, murder, and generations of family secrets.
The author seemingly did her research with this story, especially the parts about Christina’s “real” life. The fictional parts are entertaining and do seemingly add to the poet’s mysterious and rather private life. However, like most, I do believe she truly loved Charles. However, she was not willing to give up on her faith, standing on principle.
It is interesting to note that the real-life Christina Rossetti had bouts of severe depression as well as breast cancer, which is what later claimed her life.
With regard to the fictional aspects …
The 1947 tale with Marianne – the author starts off slow, almost to the point of being uninteresting. I felt like it was going nowhere, yet, I KNEW it was going somewhere.
In 1865, the parts with Christina’s life seemed mundane, however I loved how the author took a sightseeing, touristy vacation and wove a wonderful story that does, in actuality, seem believable. Even more so, considering Christina Rossetti’s private life.
Yet towards the end, everything came together and became fascinating and intriguing. By about % towards the end, I literally couldn’t stop reading. And, both timeline plot twists I didn’t see coming.
This isn’t a romance per se. It has more or less the hallmarks of a historical mystery centered more on the women’s fiction side.
However, one of the most interesting take-aways for me, was when Alessandro was talking to Marianne about love and grief –
“Sometimes being a survivor seems almost worse, but if we don’t honor their memory by living our lives, then they died for nothing”.
This is a standalone read, especially when it comes to Christina’s life. I would be interested in reading a book about Marianne’s Italy trip as there was a surprise I didn’t see coming.
For those who love fashion and historical period dresses – this is a fantastic read. Fans of Rossetti might find this and interesting read as well. Anyone who is found of 19th Century poetry and history, might want to check this one out.
RATING:
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Bookbub
4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html;update https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2022/07/what-goes-into-my-reviews-2022-edition.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
M.A. McLaughlin is an award-winning, multi-published author. She completed her MPhil at the University of York (England) and teaches nineteenth-century British literature, composition, and fiction writing at Florida Southwestern College. She has also given numerous workshops in the US and abroad on all aspects of creating/publishing a novel ad is a member of the Byron Society, Historical Novel Society, Florida Writers Association, and Women’s Fiction Writers Association.
She can also be found on the following social media sites:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MAMclaughlinAuthor
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m_a_mclaughlinauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AmbroseMarty
Website: https://martyambrose.com/
**This review contains Amazon affiliate links.
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