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The Lost Dresses of Italy
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 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, A Forsaken Vow transports readers to Verona with the enchantment and intrigue of Italian art and fashion.
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 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, A Forsaken Vow transports readers to Verona with the enchantment and intrigue of Italian art and fashion.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 190 reviews
November 24, 2023
Verona, 1864. Christina Rossetti, accompanied by her mother Frances and brother William returns to Italy for a long awaited holiday, she’s a successful poet and her latest suitor is keen to get married. After meeting an old family friend of her father’s Giovanni Pecora, she discovers a small ornate box with the three Muses carved into the lid and it has a secret compartment. Christina finds a letter from her father Gabriele Rossetti with an urgent and personal request, he wants her to return a stolen book of poetry and an emerald pendant.
The story has a dual timeline, it's set in 1864 and 1947 and is told from the two main characters points of views, Christina and Marianne and I had no trouble following it.
Verona, 1947. Widow Marianne Baxter is a textiles historian and her friend from college Rufina Rovelli has invited her to visit Italy, two years after the Second World War ended and restore three dresses that belonged to Victorian poet Christina Rossetti. They have been hidden away in a trunk for nearly a century, they were recently discovered at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti and will be part of it's opening display. The owner of the museum Alessandra Forni is rather curt and offish and only gives Marianne a few weeks to restore the dresses, get them ready to display on mannequins and that’s not long enough when handling delicate antique fabrics. Marianne discovers a mysterious letter with a warning message hidden among the dresses, she wants to solve the mystery and this leads her down a dangerous path.
I received a digital copy of The Lost Dresses of Italy by M. A. McLaughlin from the publisher and NetGalley/Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Inspired by the real-life of Victorian poet Christina Rossetti, her poetry was about humanity, pleasure, divine love, abandonment and relinquishment. Which ties in with Marianne’s quest to restore and display the three gowns, she’s uncovers a sinister secret and is betrayed by someone she trusts and it wasn't predictable and took me completely by surprise.
I enjoyed reading about Italy, Verona, how it was still recovering from the Second World War and the restoration of the three Victorian era gowns. A story full of mystery, intrigue, secrets, murder, history and five stars from me. I'm keen to find out more about Christina Rossetti and read her poetry and she's a fascinating woman.
The story has a dual timeline, it's set in 1864 and 1947 and is told from the two main characters points of views, Christina and Marianne and I had no trouble following it.
Verona, 1947. Widow Marianne Baxter is a textiles historian and her friend from college Rufina Rovelli has invited her to visit Italy, two years after the Second World War ended and restore three dresses that belonged to Victorian poet Christina Rossetti. They have been hidden away in a trunk for nearly a century, they were recently discovered at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti and will be part of it's opening display. The owner of the museum Alessandra Forni is rather curt and offish and only gives Marianne a few weeks to restore the dresses, get them ready to display on mannequins and that’s not long enough when handling delicate antique fabrics. Marianne discovers a mysterious letter with a warning message hidden among the dresses, she wants to solve the mystery and this leads her down a dangerous path.
I received a digital copy of The Lost Dresses of Italy by M. A. McLaughlin from the publisher and NetGalley/Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. Inspired by the real-life of Victorian poet Christina Rossetti, her poetry was about humanity, pleasure, divine love, abandonment and relinquishment. Which ties in with Marianne’s quest to restore and display the three gowns, she’s uncovers a sinister secret and is betrayed by someone she trusts and it wasn't predictable and took me completely by surprise.
I enjoyed reading about Italy, Verona, how it was still recovering from the Second World War and the restoration of the three Victorian era gowns. A story full of mystery, intrigue, secrets, murder, history and five stars from me. I'm keen to find out more about Christina Rossetti and read her poetry and she's a fascinating woman.
December 20, 2023
The Lost Dresses of Italy was the first book that I had the privilege of reading by M. A. McLaughlin. It was set in the romantic city of Verona, Italy during 1864 and then almost a century later in 1947. The Lost Dresses of Italy was an intriguing historical fiction mystery that centered around three incredible Victorian dresses that were believed to have once belonged to the English poet, Christina Rossetti. I was drawn into this captivating story immediately and was shocked and surprised by the more than satisfying ending. The two timelines were seamlessly woven together by the conclusion of the book and never caused any confusion as I progressed through the book. It was well paced and had me turning the pages as quickly as I could.
Marianne Baxter had recently become a widow. Her husband had lost his life during World War II. Even though the war had been over for several years, Marianne still missed her husband terribly. When Marianne’s good friend from college, Rufina Rovelli, invited Marianne to Verona, Italy in 1947 to lend her expertise at restoring three recently discovered Victorian dresses that were believed to have belonged to English poet, Christina Rossetti, Marianne jumped at the opportunity. Perhaps a change of scenery would do wonders for Marianne. After all, Maryanne was a textile historian. The exhibit was to be held at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti which was being renovated from the damage it suffered during the war. Upon Marianne’s arrival, Rufina brought Marianne to the museum and introduced her to the owner, Alessandra Forni, who appeared to be far from gracious, helpful or welcoming. There was also an obvious reluctance by the local residents to frequent the museum. Something happened there during the war and the people of Verona had a hard time forgetting about it. Marianne was excited, though, to restore these dresses and learn more about Christina Rossetti and why these dresses had been hidden away for all this time. As Marianne began to restore the dresses she also discovered messages hidden carefully inside the dresses. What would Marianne discover about the dresses and their owner?
Cristina Rossetti, daughter of Gabrielle Rossetti, struggled with the lack of recognition and acceptance she received as a woman poet in England in 1864. Only male poets were recognized for their artistic contributions. Therefore, Christina viewed her poetry as merely mediocre. Christina was one of four siblings. She had a sister who was planning on taking her vows to become a nun, a younger brother who was a very talented artist and an older brother who held a steady job. Christina, her brother, William and their mother had recently decided to finally visit Italy, the birthplace of her late father. Several days before their departure, Christina unexpectedly met a friend of her late father’s that he had known since his childhood. This encounter reminded Christina about a box that her father had given her before he died. While Christina examined the box and its contents, she discovered a hidden compartment within the box. Inside the compartment was a handwritten letter to her from her father that he must had written right before his death. In her father’s letter to her he wrote about a pendant and a stolen book. Christina decided to keep the letter and its contents to herself. Since her father’s old childhood friend was planning on being in Italy at the same time as her family and had graciously offered to show them around, Christina decided to share her secret with him and employ his help in returning the book.
The Lost Dresses of Italy was inspired by the real-life mysteries of the English poet, Christina Rossetti. Marianne’s curiosity and passion to discover more about Christina’s trip to Italy in 1864 and why she left her beautiful dresses behind led her to a whole lot more questions than answers but Marianne was determined to find the answers that plagued her. Would Marianne be able to unravel all the clues that led to the mysterious life Christina led? What occurred during that trip to Italy that made her leave her beautiful dresses and significant treasures behind? Will Marianne be able to put the pieces together to solve the mystery?
I was very impressed with M. A. McLaughlin’s impeccable research she conducted in order to write this book. It was well written and the ending was so unexpected. The Lost Dresses of Italy was about art, family, poetry, history, friendship, fashion, romance, secrets and losses. I really enjoyed reading The Lost Dresses of Italy and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Alcove Press for allowing me to read this advanced reader’s copy of The Lost Dresses of Italy by M. A. McLaughlin through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
Marianne Baxter had recently become a widow. Her husband had lost his life during World War II. Even though the war had been over for several years, Marianne still missed her husband terribly. When Marianne’s good friend from college, Rufina Rovelli, invited Marianne to Verona, Italy in 1947 to lend her expertise at restoring three recently discovered Victorian dresses that were believed to have belonged to English poet, Christina Rossetti, Marianne jumped at the opportunity. Perhaps a change of scenery would do wonders for Marianne. After all, Maryanne was a textile historian. The exhibit was to be held at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti which was being renovated from the damage it suffered during the war. Upon Marianne’s arrival, Rufina brought Marianne to the museum and introduced her to the owner, Alessandra Forni, who appeared to be far from gracious, helpful or welcoming. There was also an obvious reluctance by the local residents to frequent the museum. Something happened there during the war and the people of Verona had a hard time forgetting about it. Marianne was excited, though, to restore these dresses and learn more about Christina Rossetti and why these dresses had been hidden away for all this time. As Marianne began to restore the dresses she also discovered messages hidden carefully inside the dresses. What would Marianne discover about the dresses and their owner?
Cristina Rossetti, daughter of Gabrielle Rossetti, struggled with the lack of recognition and acceptance she received as a woman poet in England in 1864. Only male poets were recognized for their artistic contributions. Therefore, Christina viewed her poetry as merely mediocre. Christina was one of four siblings. She had a sister who was planning on taking her vows to become a nun, a younger brother who was a very talented artist and an older brother who held a steady job. Christina, her brother, William and their mother had recently decided to finally visit Italy, the birthplace of her late father. Several days before their departure, Christina unexpectedly met a friend of her late father’s that he had known since his childhood. This encounter reminded Christina about a box that her father had given her before he died. While Christina examined the box and its contents, she discovered a hidden compartment within the box. Inside the compartment was a handwritten letter to her from her father that he must had written right before his death. In her father’s letter to her he wrote about a pendant and a stolen book. Christina decided to keep the letter and its contents to herself. Since her father’s old childhood friend was planning on being in Italy at the same time as her family and had graciously offered to show them around, Christina decided to share her secret with him and employ his help in returning the book.
The Lost Dresses of Italy was inspired by the real-life mysteries of the English poet, Christina Rossetti. Marianne’s curiosity and passion to discover more about Christina’s trip to Italy in 1864 and why she left her beautiful dresses behind led her to a whole lot more questions than answers but Marianne was determined to find the answers that plagued her. Would Marianne be able to unravel all the clues that led to the mysterious life Christina led? What occurred during that trip to Italy that made her leave her beautiful dresses and significant treasures behind? Will Marianne be able to put the pieces together to solve the mystery?
I was very impressed with M. A. McLaughlin’s impeccable research she conducted in order to write this book. It was well written and the ending was so unexpected. The Lost Dresses of Italy was about art, family, poetry, history, friendship, fashion, romance, secrets and losses. I really enjoyed reading The Lost Dresses of Italy and highly recommend it.
Thank you to Alcove Press for allowing me to read this advanced reader’s copy of The Lost Dresses of Italy by M. A. McLaughlin through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
December 13, 2023
“But what’s wrong with knowing the truth? We have to remember what came before to make peace with what comes after.”
What a fascinating combination - poetry and fashion - sewn together in an intriguing conspiracy surrounding a pre-Raphaelite poet’s secret life in Italy!
In the 1947 timeline, textile historian, Marianne Baxter, looking for a way to deal with grief, heads to Verona, Italy at her friend Rufina Rovelli’s insistence to mount an exhibit of recently discovered Victorian dresses. These textiles have intriguing provenance - they once belonged to the famous poet, Christina Rossetti. As Baxter diligently spends her three weeks before the exhibit opening, arranging the dresses, she uncovers a secret and soon discovers she’s caught up in a web of lies and murder. It seems that Rossetti had once travelled to Italy and the experience had been so memorable that it changed the direction of her life. Whatever happened, Rossetti felt the need to be secretive and left clues in three of her dresses.
In the 1864 timeline, Rossetti arrives in Italy and discovers a gift once given to her by her father. When she finds a secret compartment, it gives her solace (a letter from her father) and purpose (an urgent request). It’s the content of the ornate box that unites the two women and the two tragic timelines.
What you will get: an amazing fictional story that uncovers what may have happened to Rossetti on her trip to Italy.
Inspired by the real-life mystery surrounding poet Christina Rossetti, this book will transport you to the magical city of Verona and enchant and intrigue you with art and fashion. You’ll finish, agreeing that although Rossetti never felt free in her personal life to adopt bohemian ways (the focus of the pre-Raphaelite poets) she still found a way to be creative!
‘When I read about costume historian Baxter's discovery (and the discovery that led to the discovery), and dream come true, I wished I was a fly on the wall of the Fondazione Museo Menigatti.
I loved finding the similarities between the two women, decades apart, who arrive in Italy hoping to begin anew as much as I enjoyed seeing how Baxter dealt with her challenges: an indifferent museum owner, a less than friendly community and a hidden warning letter. The thread of (1) starting anew was echoed not only in both women’s lives, but also in the initiative to restart the fashion industry post-war. Reviving through the artistry of the past, McLaughlin demonstrates, it really where beginning anew starts. When allowed to “peer through a portal” into the past, we should consider ourselves thankful and seize the opportunity for growth. I appreciated the excitement the costume curator had in being given “a chance to connect with something tangible after the wearer was long gone.“ The thread of (2) seeking the truth joined the two timelines seamlessly. I valued the insight about garments and how they “show truths about our past as a society” and how “they have meaning just like any other release or objet d’art.” The author wove in the mystery of ‘fata morgana’ with such flair and the story about the jewels with such emotional heartache.
This story was so much more than I anticipated! I liken it to the box Rossetti was gifted. The more I read, the more I discovered and learned, and the more endearing the book became.
I can’t wait to return to Verona, visit the Arco della Costa and look up! Legend would want me to believe that it will fall on me….
I was gifted this copy by Alcove Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
What a fascinating combination - poetry and fashion - sewn together in an intriguing conspiracy surrounding a pre-Raphaelite poet’s secret life in Italy!
In the 1947 timeline, textile historian, Marianne Baxter, looking for a way to deal with grief, heads to Verona, Italy at her friend Rufina Rovelli’s insistence to mount an exhibit of recently discovered Victorian dresses. These textiles have intriguing provenance - they once belonged to the famous poet, Christina Rossetti. As Baxter diligently spends her three weeks before the exhibit opening, arranging the dresses, she uncovers a secret and soon discovers she’s caught up in a web of lies and murder. It seems that Rossetti had once travelled to Italy and the experience had been so memorable that it changed the direction of her life. Whatever happened, Rossetti felt the need to be secretive and left clues in three of her dresses.
In the 1864 timeline, Rossetti arrives in Italy and discovers a gift once given to her by her father. When she finds a secret compartment, it gives her solace (a letter from her father) and purpose (an urgent request). It’s the content of the ornate box that unites the two women and the two tragic timelines.
What you will get: an amazing fictional story that uncovers what may have happened to Rossetti on her trip to Italy.
Inspired by the real-life mystery surrounding poet Christina Rossetti, this book will transport you to the magical city of Verona and enchant and intrigue you with art and fashion. You’ll finish, agreeing that although Rossetti never felt free in her personal life to adopt bohemian ways (the focus of the pre-Raphaelite poets) she still found a way to be creative!
‘When I read about costume historian Baxter's discovery (and the discovery that led to the discovery), and dream come true, I wished I was a fly on the wall of the Fondazione Museo Menigatti.
I loved finding the similarities between the two women, decades apart, who arrive in Italy hoping to begin anew as much as I enjoyed seeing how Baxter dealt with her challenges: an indifferent museum owner, a less than friendly community and a hidden warning letter. The thread of (1) starting anew was echoed not only in both women’s lives, but also in the initiative to restart the fashion industry post-war. Reviving through the artistry of the past, McLaughlin demonstrates, it really where beginning anew starts. When allowed to “peer through a portal” into the past, we should consider ourselves thankful and seize the opportunity for growth. I appreciated the excitement the costume curator had in being given “a chance to connect with something tangible after the wearer was long gone.“ The thread of (2) seeking the truth joined the two timelines seamlessly. I valued the insight about garments and how they “show truths about our past as a society” and how “they have meaning just like any other release or objet d’art.” The author wove in the mystery of ‘fata morgana’ with such flair and the story about the jewels with such emotional heartache.
This story was so much more than I anticipated! I liken it to the box Rossetti was gifted. The more I read, the more I discovered and learned, and the more endearing the book became.
I can’t wait to return to Verona, visit the Arco della Costa and look up! Legend would want me to believe that it will fall on me….
I was gifted this copy by Alcove Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
February 13, 2024
Poetry, textiles and Verona, with murder thrown in!
I’m conflicted about this title. I love textiles and was absolutely fascinated by Marianne Baxter’s work towards restoring the lost Victorian dresses of Christina Rossetti.
I’ve always admired Rossetti’s poetry and to have her, and the pre Raphaelites, intwined in the story seems like a gift.
The tension built up so slowly I found myself reading other titles in between the long pauses.
In the end I was caught up in the plot, but it took so..oo..oo long to get to the point where I wanted to continue.
I’m totally puzzled as to why that occurred. Was it switching between the two points of view, between post war Italy of 1947 and Christina in 1865 England and Italy. It certainly wasn’t the place, Verona, the home of Romeo and Juliet! Who could not be drawn to anything set there? Still puzzling that out. Truly this book had it all, and yet, it just didn’t grab me in that first instance.
A fascinating tale of love lost and love found despite my reservations, murder not withstanding, and with a surprising ending.
An Alcove Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
I’m conflicted about this title. I love textiles and was absolutely fascinated by Marianne Baxter’s work towards restoring the lost Victorian dresses of Christina Rossetti.
I’ve always admired Rossetti’s poetry and to have her, and the pre Raphaelites, intwined in the story seems like a gift.
The tension built up so slowly I found myself reading other titles in between the long pauses.
In the end I was caught up in the plot, but it took so..oo..oo long to get to the point where I wanted to continue.
I’m totally puzzled as to why that occurred. Was it switching between the two points of view, between post war Italy of 1947 and Christina in 1865 England and Italy. It certainly wasn’t the place, Verona, the home of Romeo and Juliet! Who could not be drawn to anything set there? Still puzzling that out. Truly this book had it all, and yet, it just didn’t grab me in that first instance.
A fascinating tale of love lost and love found despite my reservations, murder not withstanding, and with a surprising ending.
An Alcove Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
March 26, 2024
THE GOOD:
Gorgeous cover.
Beautiful descriptions of Italy.
The author has a great way of packing a lot into a sentence without it becoming overly wordy.
Interesting tidbits about textile restoration.
Good, clean fiction with no overt scenes, little vulgar language, and thankfully no diversity bingo checklist characters.
THE BAD:
The climactic points (plural) near the end seem to come out of the blue with no foreshadowing.
Easy to mix up the two timelines and characters.
CONCLUSION:
An entertaining tale with a lot packed in. History, mystery, romance.
I would love for it to be titled The List Dresses
of Verona.
Recommended.
Gorgeous cover.
Beautiful descriptions of Italy.
The author has a great way of packing a lot into a sentence without it becoming overly wordy.
Interesting tidbits about textile restoration.
Good, clean fiction with no overt scenes, little vulgar language, and thankfully no diversity bingo checklist characters.
THE BAD:
The climactic points (plural) near the end seem to come out of the blue with no foreshadowing.
Easy to mix up the two timelines and characters.
CONCLUSION:
An entertaining tale with a lot packed in. History, mystery, romance.
I would love for it to be titled The List Dresses
of Verona.
Recommended.
March 9, 2024
I genuinely did not see the end of this coming. A book about history turns into a thriller really. A tragic tale that is told in such a unique way- with fabrics and notes and stitches. I liked the relationship aspect of it too. Just still surprised at the ending honestly.
🌀Synopsis
Marianne Baxter wants to preserve as much history as possible. So when she gets the opportunity to preserve some dresses, she takes it and goes to Italy. What she finds are three dresses with hidden history. Hidden history from a famous poet no less.
Marianne dives into a complicated past that actually ties to her present. With the help of the handsome museum owner, she starts to unravel the mystery. Just when she thinks she has it all figured out her friend delivers another surprise.
🌀Synopsis
Marianne Baxter wants to preserve as much history as possible. So when she gets the opportunity to preserve some dresses, she takes it and goes to Italy. What she finds are three dresses with hidden history. Hidden history from a famous poet no less.
Marianne dives into a complicated past that actually ties to her present. With the help of the handsome museum owner, she starts to unravel the mystery. Just when she thinks she has it all figured out her friend delivers another surprise.
April 26, 2024
This sounded like my kind of historical fiction, but I couldn't connect with any of the three main characters across two timelines. I also found the writing very clunky and hard to get into.
For me, a great read is a book that is so easy to follow that I almost forget I'm looking at words, instead having the words flow over my eyes and straight into my brain. Unfortunately, this book wasn't that for me so I'll be moving on to something that will hopefully be a better fit.
For me, a great read is a book that is so easy to follow that I almost forget I'm looking at words, instead having the words flow over my eyes and straight into my brain. Unfortunately, this book wasn't that for me so I'll be moving on to something that will hopefully be a better fit.
June 12, 2025
This book was such a fun surprise! I randomly picked it out because it took place in Italy, and I was going to Italy, but I didn’t expect much of it. But it ended up being so good!
So I wasn’t expecting it to be from two perspectives but it was. One of the POVs was Christina Rossetti, the 19th century poet, and the other was from Marianne Baxter, a costume curator post WW2.
It was the perfect mix of mystery, romance, and historical fiction. I actually learned a ton about Italy’s history and culture, and I’m probably going to go and look deeper into Christina Rossetti.
It took an insanely surprise twist, and definitely was a little darker than I expected towards the end. But the plot twist was very well hidden by the author, and is definitely a jaw dropper.
It gets really sad in the end, and it’s not quite a happy ending. In fact it’s a really depressing ending for one of the characters, but for the other there is hope in the end, and I really liked that.
So I would highly recommend over all!
I felt like some of the parts of the book were a bit rushed or sudden (like oh, she’s in love with him already), but other than that it was pretty clean.
Def a five stars! And PERFECT if your literally where the book takes place!
So I wasn’t expecting it to be from two perspectives but it was. One of the POVs was Christina Rossetti, the 19th century poet, and the other was from Marianne Baxter, a costume curator post WW2.
It was the perfect mix of mystery, romance, and historical fiction. I actually learned a ton about Italy’s history and culture, and I’m probably going to go and look deeper into Christina Rossetti.
It took an insanely surprise twist, and definitely was a little darker than I expected towards the end. But the plot twist was very well hidden by the author, and is definitely a jaw dropper.
It gets really sad in the end, and it’s not quite a happy ending. In fact it’s a really depressing ending for one of the characters, but for the other there is hope in the end, and I really liked that.
So I would highly recommend over all!
I felt like some of the parts of the book were a bit rushed or sudden (like oh, she’s in love with him already), but other than that it was pretty clean.
Def a five stars! And PERFECT if your literally where the book takes place!
February 18, 2024
The book, despite its potential, failed to capture my full attention, leaving me less invested in the narrative. While I have a genuine interest in history and appreciated the inclusion of some beautiful poems, the dual timeline structure didn't enhance the overall engagement for me. The storytelling, rather than drawing me in, seemed to prioritize presenting simple facts. This approach, though informative, fell short of creating a compelling and immersive reading experience.
On the positive side, the historical aspects were intriguing, and the inclusion of poetry added a unique and artistic touch. However, the dual timeline, meant to add complexity, didn't effectively enhance the storytelling for my taste. The book's focus on straightforward facts seemed to overshadow the potential for a more captivating narrative. Despite these shortcomings, I acknowledge the merit in the historical content and the artistic elements present in the form of poetry.
On the positive side, the historical aspects were intriguing, and the inclusion of poetry added a unique and artistic touch. However, the dual timeline, meant to add complexity, didn't effectively enhance the storytelling for my taste. The book's focus on straightforward facts seemed to overshadow the potential for a more captivating narrative. Despite these shortcomings, I acknowledge the merit in the historical content and the artistic elements present in the form of poetry.
August 14, 2023
A captivating dual timeline story set in Verona, inspired by real mysteries involving poet Christina Rossetti. I loved the Italian setting, culture, and fashion that histfic fans will clearly adore too.
March 3, 2024
Neat idea, clumsy and amateurish execution.
February 21, 2024
Present me with a book that takes place in Italy and I’m in no matter what it’s about. With that, I didn’t look much into what this one was about before diving in. I’m not sure what I expected from this one, but it was so much more! Within the covers of this book the reader is given a lesson in poetry, history, and mystery. All of that is woven into the threads of dresses from the century prior and the way the dual storylines intersected was so beautifully done.
We follow the story of both Christina Rossetti, an aspiring poet who takes a life-changing trip to Italy in 1864, and Maryanne Baxter, a widowed consume curator who travels to Italy in 1947 at the request of her best friend to restore the found dresses as part of exhibit that will restore the art culture that was destroyed in the war.
Both storylines were compelling and left you wanting more while also lending clues to the other storyline. Both Christina and Maryanne were worthy, strong female leads and I found myself rooting for each of them as events unfolded. At one point I was even left with my mouth hanging open and I totally didn’t see that twist coming.
I love historical fiction, but this one was so much more than just that. It delivered on so many different levels and I adored this story from cover to cover.
We follow the story of both Christina Rossetti, an aspiring poet who takes a life-changing trip to Italy in 1864, and Maryanne Baxter, a widowed consume curator who travels to Italy in 1947 at the request of her best friend to restore the found dresses as part of exhibit that will restore the art culture that was destroyed in the war.
Both storylines were compelling and left you wanting more while also lending clues to the other storyline. Both Christina and Maryanne were worthy, strong female leads and I found myself rooting for each of them as events unfolded. At one point I was even left with my mouth hanging open and I totally didn’t see that twist coming.
I love historical fiction, but this one was so much more than just that. It delivered on so many different levels and I adored this story from cover to cover.
December 12, 2023
Historical fiction story of a trunk of dresses discovered in a damaged building in Verona, Italy after the Second World War. The dresses belonged to an English Victorian poet, Christina Rossetti, a real life poetess who lived in London in the 1800s. Rossetti is the poet writer of the song In The Bleak Midwinter, a well known Christmas carol. The novel imagines a reason for her to travel to Italy, and to write some of her real life poems. The 1800s timeline references real events and people in the life of Christina. The 1940s timeline references real events in the reconstruction of Italy after the war. The storyline of the dresses, Christina’s visit to Italy and her reason for never marrying is fiction. The novel is engaging and well written, with twists that were interesting and surprising. It is a mystery novel, as the modern historian is trying to discover details about the poet, as well as discovering a tie between a murder and a long lost emerald pendant that was worn with one of the dresses. There is a bit of romance as well. Overall an enjoyable read, and recommended. The book will publish on February 6, 2024, so get on your library list for it now. Thank you to NetGalley for an advance review digital copy for review.
February 27, 2024
"The Lost Dresses of Italy" begins with an end. At the close of World War II, something is stolen and someone is murdered in Verona. The book alternates between 1947, when Italy is struggling to recover itself, and the mid 19th century. In 1947, Marianne Baxter, a Boston widow and textile historian, arrives in Italy to help her friend preserve and showcase three exceptional Victorian dresses uncovered during a museum's rebuilding. In 1864, poet Christina Rossetti uncovers a letter from her father, a man who died a decade previously. As Marianne uncovers historical artifacts and mysteries, we are treated to the Rossetti family's unorthodox artistic existence in London.
The narrative switches worked effectively, but I was much more engaged in the 19th century than the 20th. The 20th century actors did not have well-developed motives for their actions. I was very surprised by the antagonist's reveal, but I still have no idea why the antagonist was searching for items connected to Christina Rossetti (generalized to avoid spoilers). "The Lost Dresses of Italy" is a solid historical fiction novel reminiscent of A. S. Byatt's 1990 novel, "Possession," worth reading if you are a fan of the dual timeline, fashion history, or Christina Rossetti.
"The Lost Dresses of Italy" was released in the U.S. on February 6, 2024. Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this audio ARC given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The narrative switches worked effectively, but I was much more engaged in the 19th century than the 20th. The 20th century actors did not have well-developed motives for their actions. I was very surprised by the antagonist's reveal, but I still have no idea why the antagonist was searching for items connected to Christina Rossetti (generalized to avoid spoilers). "The Lost Dresses of Italy" is a solid historical fiction novel reminiscent of A. S. Byatt's 1990 novel, "Possession," worth reading if you are a fan of the dual timeline, fashion history, or Christina Rossetti.
"The Lost Dresses of Italy" was released in the U.S. on February 6, 2024. Thanks to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this audio ARC given in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
October 7, 2023
Wow, what a great book! A historical dual time line story set in Verona, Italy.
I was so pleased to read that the story was inspired by a real life mystery involving the famous London based poet Christina Rossetti and members of her family.
It is the mid 1880s and Christina Rossetti travels to her fathers birth country, Italy, with her mother and brother William. It is in Verona that she falls in love with Angelo. Her aunt has had three beautiful dresses made for her niece’s trip and it is these three dresses that are found in a trunk in 1947 just after WWII with a letter that Christina’s father Gabriele Rossetti had written to his daughter about his exile from Italy.
Marianne a textile restorer travels to Verona at the request of her friend to restore Christina’s dresses for an upcoming museum exhibit. Marianne begins a quest to find out more about Christina and why the dresses were left behind. Marianne has lost her husband Paul in the war and is still grieving but as she brings Christina back to life through the exhibit, Marianne becomes revived also.
The past and present begin to collide. There is mystery, a little bit romance and a great story to be told.
I was so pleased to read that the story was inspired by a real life mystery involving the famous London based poet Christina Rossetti and members of her family.
It is the mid 1880s and Christina Rossetti travels to her fathers birth country, Italy, with her mother and brother William. It is in Verona that she falls in love with Angelo. Her aunt has had three beautiful dresses made for her niece’s trip and it is these three dresses that are found in a trunk in 1947 just after WWII with a letter that Christina’s father Gabriele Rossetti had written to his daughter about his exile from Italy.
Marianne a textile restorer travels to Verona at the request of her friend to restore Christina’s dresses for an upcoming museum exhibit. Marianne begins a quest to find out more about Christina and why the dresses were left behind. Marianne has lost her husband Paul in the war and is still grieving but as she brings Christina back to life through the exhibit, Marianne becomes revived also.
The past and present begin to collide. There is mystery, a little bit romance and a great story to be told.
July 15, 2025
That was interesting... pros of this book are the 2 concurrent timeline stories that are the same but different at the same time. Poor Christine being used by her father's friend and Marianne also being used by her best friend. Story read like it wasn't back in the day (to me) it seemed more modern times. And I didn't quite believe the freedoms both women had.. even though it was limited also. Overall slow moving but things built well and the end was to be expected.. the moment I realized who was the villain I crossed my fingers for a good outcome. lol
It was all right under both their noses.
It was all right under both their noses.
March 26, 2024
Loved this story but I wish I knew what was factual and what imagined. I’m guessing that a good deal of it was imagined to try to explain Christina Rossetti’s character and works. Unfortunately, there was no author’s postscript to clarify, at least not in the audiobook. But it was an enjoyable read/listen.
March 30, 2024
A couple years after World War II, widow Marianne Baxter is asked to come to Italy by her old friend Rufina, to look at three Victorian dresses found recently in a trunk for an exhibit. Marianne is a textile historian and in need of a change after the loss of her husband goes to Italy and discovers the dresses were once owned by poet Christina Rossetti. The story then switches to 1860's England and Italy and the Rosetti family and Christina finding some secrets about her Italian father and Dante scholar, Gabriele Rosetti. There are murders, wars, love and betrayals in both women's stories and the author weaves them together nicely.
February 4, 2024
This is a story that reminds us of the power of love, the fragility of life, and the resilience of the human spirit.
The novel has two timelines that take place in Verona in 1867 and 1947, both of which are equally captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the stories of post-war Italy, the resilient people who survived the war, and the heart-wrenching losses they experienced. Christina Rossetti's story is as dark as it is captivating. The textile historian's journey to narrow down Rossetti's timeline in Italy and uncover her secrets kept me on the edge of my seat.
I really enjoyed the detective aspect of the story. The author used many creative methods to uncover the truth. While I was surprised by the betrayal revealed at the end of the novel, the clues were cleverly hidden throughout the story. Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read that combined historical events from the resistance movement with the life of an esteemed Victorian poet.
Thank you, NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel in exchange for my honest review.
The novel has two timelines that take place in Verona in 1867 and 1947, both of which are equally captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the stories of post-war Italy, the resilient people who survived the war, and the heart-wrenching losses they experienced. Christina Rossetti's story is as dark as it is captivating. The textile historian's journey to narrow down Rossetti's timeline in Italy and uncover her secrets kept me on the edge of my seat.
I really enjoyed the detective aspect of the story. The author used many creative methods to uncover the truth. While I was surprised by the betrayal revealed at the end of the novel, the clues were cleverly hidden throughout the story. Overall, it was a quick and enjoyable read that combined historical events from the resistance movement with the life of an esteemed Victorian poet.
Thank you, NetGalley for a free and advanced copy of the novel in exchange for my honest review.
March 15, 2024
I recognized Christina Rossetti’s name from a poem I read as a child, so when I saw this book was about her life, I was intrigued! The story hops back and forth between Rossetti in 1864-65 and a girl named Marianne Baxter in 1947. Marianne is asked to curate a museum exhibit around a set of dresses discovered in post-WW2 Verona, Italy and discerned to have belonged to the English poet, Rossetti. When Marianne begins preparing the dresses for the museum exhibit, she discovers a mystery surrounding Rossetti’s dresses dating back to her visit to Italy almost a century prior.
I was captivated by the mystery behind the dresses, and I enjoyed learning more about Christina Rossetti in the flashbacks to her life. The ending of the story was surprising and suspenseful and not what I saw coming!
In her lifetime, Christina Rossetti did travel to Italy, and it is not known what occurred while she was there. I loved this fictional account of what could have happened.
I was captivated by the mystery behind the dresses, and I enjoyed learning more about Christina Rossetti in the flashbacks to her life. The ending of the story was surprising and suspenseful and not what I saw coming!
In her lifetime, Christina Rossetti did travel to Italy, and it is not known what occurred while she was there. I loved this fictional account of what could have happened.
April 3, 2025
Very interesting historical fiction. Listened on audiobook
January 27, 2024
I enjoyed this book, but it was a very slow burn which caused me to lose interest now and then. The ending is worth the rest of the book. The dual timelines play well with each other and lead to a satisfying ending. I just wish the book moved a bit faster paced. This could just be a personal preference. Both female characters are beautifully written, and you really can connect with them on a personal level as a reader. Just overall I wasn’t in love with this book, but I also enjoyed it enough that I am happy to recommend it if someone is looking for a newer historical fiction title.
Thank you to Alcove Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
Thank you to Alcove Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.
February 21, 2024
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.
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.
April 23, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for an audio arc in exchange for an honest review.
In 1947, Marianne has been invited to Verona, Italy to assist a museum in restoring and displaying three Victorian dresses once owned by famed poet Christina Rossetti. While working on the pieces she discovers hidden secrets sewn inside the dresses leading her to delve into the mysterious life and romance of the famed writer. What drew her to Italy and why had the gowns been left behind?
1864 Verona, Christina Rossetti along with her mother and brother to Italy to see the sights and museums although she has been tasked with a much bigger mission by her deceased father. She has been swaying between her ambitions of being a writer (and likely a spinster) or conforming to society and marrying a man she does not love. While there she discovers the life and love her father had before moving to England, finding herself in love along the way. However, these star crossed lovers might find themselves having the same fate as the cities most famous couple.
This is a dual timeline historical fiction (with some glaring historical errors and liberates) told by the POV of Christina and Marianne. Antonio's POV didn't feel necessary. I enjoyed the Victoria era and storyline of Christina, feeling like it had more layers and character development. I really struggled with Marianne. She is incredibly self-centered and demanding, giving very little concern to the people around her or the country trying to climb out of a world war devastation. The way she makes the discovers is a bit of an eye roll and it keeps happening with each garment. The writing style attempts to be poetic and at times comes across clunky and slow. There is a spattering of Italian thrown in which is jarring and disrupts the flow. The ending is just ridiculous. There was an interesting story in there but I would have preferred staying with Christina instead of trying to cover so much in the duel narratives.
I had the audio version read by Hope Newhouse; Melanie Crawley; Edoardo Camponeschi. They were all okay but not enough voice deviation between characters. Edoardo is authentic but hard to understand at faster speeds.
In 1947, Marianne has been invited to Verona, Italy to assist a museum in restoring and displaying three Victorian dresses once owned by famed poet Christina Rossetti. While working on the pieces she discovers hidden secrets sewn inside the dresses leading her to delve into the mysterious life and romance of the famed writer. What drew her to Italy and why had the gowns been left behind?
1864 Verona, Christina Rossetti along with her mother and brother to Italy to see the sights and museums although she has been tasked with a much bigger mission by her deceased father. She has been swaying between her ambitions of being a writer (and likely a spinster) or conforming to society and marrying a man she does not love. While there she discovers the life and love her father had before moving to England, finding herself in love along the way. However, these star crossed lovers might find themselves having the same fate as the cities most famous couple.
This is a dual timeline historical fiction (with some glaring historical errors and liberates) told by the POV of Christina and Marianne. Antonio's POV didn't feel necessary. I enjoyed the Victoria era and storyline of Christina, feeling like it had more layers and character development. I really struggled with Marianne. She is incredibly self-centered and demanding, giving very little concern to the people around her or the country trying to climb out of a world war devastation. The way she makes the discovers is a bit of an eye roll and it keeps happening with each garment. The writing style attempts to be poetic and at times comes across clunky and slow. There is a spattering of Italian thrown in which is jarring and disrupts the flow. The ending is just ridiculous. There was an interesting story in there but I would have preferred staying with Christina instead of trying to cover so much in the duel narratives.
I had the audio version read by Hope Newhouse; Melanie Crawley; Edoardo Camponeschi. They were all okay but not enough voice deviation between characters. Edoardo is authentic but hard to understand at faster speeds.
August 25, 2023
dskioljolkk
Anything or anyone who leaves us forever never leaves without leaving something or someone behind. In this instance, it is three dresses. These dresses belong to the genius Christina Rossetti. A lady from Boston, Marianne, has traveled to Italy to research these garments. They were found in a small hidden room. So delicate you must wear gloves to touch them. From the Nineteenth Century to the Twentieth Century the dresses have traveled. From Boston to Italy, there is a life of unknowns to uncover and to discover.
Time is in motion. It moves without us. It is in control of us. When my mother died, I rushed home. My sister and I went straight to my Mother's bedroom. to talk, catch up. Sitting in my Mother's rocker, my eyes landed on the closet door. Her daily house dresses hung there. I felt a chill. She was in the bedroom. She was over at the closet choosing that day's dress At that moment, I did not feel her death. I felt her life again. Pieces of clothing are sewn into quilts: prom dresses, ties, cumberbunds, jeans,aprons, a nurse's cap a Sunday go to meeting dress or a baby's christening dress. None of these are old rags. They are our lives. They tell our secrets.
I am dying for Marianne, M.A. Mclaughlin to tell Christina Rossetti's private and public life. I only have read a few pages and my skin is tingling to travel back to the Victorian Age. I will travel back home more cautious. Caring about what is thought of as throwaway. Because some where a woman or man is not fully gone. They are in a locket, a watch, in a pair of shoes, in a peacock pin. I would love to read more books like The Lost Dresses. I am humbly and blissfully in Italy. By the way, did Christina Rossetti have a small waist or one that showed her love for Italian food? Where did her thoughts wander? Where are those dresses now?
Anything or anyone who leaves us forever never leaves without leaving something or someone behind. In this instance, it is three dresses. These dresses belong to the genius Christina Rossetti. A lady from Boston, Marianne, has traveled to Italy to research these garments. They were found in a small hidden room. So delicate you must wear gloves to touch them. From the Nineteenth Century to the Twentieth Century the dresses have traveled. From Boston to Italy, there is a life of unknowns to uncover and to discover.
Time is in motion. It moves without us. It is in control of us. When my mother died, I rushed home. My sister and I went straight to my Mother's bedroom. to talk, catch up. Sitting in my Mother's rocker, my eyes landed on the closet door. Her daily house dresses hung there. I felt a chill. She was in the bedroom. She was over at the closet choosing that day's dress At that moment, I did not feel her death. I felt her life again. Pieces of clothing are sewn into quilts: prom dresses, ties, cumberbunds, jeans,aprons, a nurse's cap a Sunday go to meeting dress or a baby's christening dress. None of these are old rags. They are our lives. They tell our secrets.
I am dying for Marianne, M.A. Mclaughlin to tell Christina Rossetti's private and public life. I only have read a few pages and my skin is tingling to travel back to the Victorian Age. I will travel back home more cautious. Caring about what is thought of as throwaway. Because some where a woman or man is not fully gone. They are in a locket, a watch, in a pair of shoes, in a peacock pin. I would love to read more books like The Lost Dresses. I am humbly and blissfully in Italy. By the way, did Christina Rossetti have a small waist or one that showed her love for Italian food? Where did her thoughts wander? Where are those dresses now?
March 4, 2024
I’m a bit disappointed when there is an anachronism in a historical novel; in this case, a key item in the story is a silk postcard from Italy in the 1860’s -- but the first silk postcard wasn’t produced until 1898 in Germany. But I am very pleased when a historical novel is built around real people and real places. Christina Rosetti was a Victorian era poet (as well as the sister of Dante Rosetti, the leader of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and daughter of Gabriele Rosetti, poet and lauded Italian revolutionary who had to live in exile in England). In this dual timeline novel, Christina visits her father’s Italian homeland, falls in love, loses her love, and abandons the fine dresses she wore while touring. In 1947, her things are found in a trunk hidden in a museum. A textile curator decides to get to the bottom of the story. The museum actually exists in Verona (the Fondazione) as do several other sites (would love to see the Madonna bella Corona sanctuary). Great to be able to look up pictures of the places. The historical character and real places made the novel interesting, but the plot seemed amateurish, with the characters giving speeches to explain their actions (which isn’t how people really behave) and the characters making ridiculous connections between doubtful clues (like concluding that Christina wore a particular pendant necklace because there were microscopically small thread disturbances in the dress where the pendant would have rested). Improbable over-all.
Rather liked the excerpts of Christina’s poetry included in the book, and when I looked her up, was surprised to find out that she authored the lyrics of two well-known Christmas carols, “In the Bleak Midwinter” and “Love Came Down at Christmas.”
Rather liked the excerpts of Christina’s poetry included in the book, and when I looked her up, was surprised to find out that she authored the lyrics of two well-known Christmas carols, “In the Bleak Midwinter” and “Love Came Down at Christmas.”
December 31, 2023
To live in the world of imagination is to touch the divine.’
As a poet, I can say this was one of the most inspiring and fascinating stories I have ever read on a literary figure I admire. I love Victorian (and Romantic) era literature and this novel is a feast for those who also share this same interest. M.A. McLaughlin has made Poetess Christina Rossetti come alive in such a unique way on the page that this story will never be forgotten. The author’s passion for the topic is obvious and her meticulous research is astounding. Along with these important elements is her exceptional writing ability. With such winning ingredients, this story could not help but shine! I say this with an honest heart: this is a profound and poetic masterpiece. The mystery that permeates the plot keeps this story rolling along. There are numerous goosebump moments and lots of hair raising action. All the while being dotted with beautiful poetic lines that made me want to linger on the page. Many phrases from Christina’s poems are utilised throughout the story. No stone is left unturned in finding information to help resolve the dilemmas faced by Marianne and Christina in both timelines.
I will not recap the story here except to say this is a dual timeline set in 1865 (told by Christina) and 1945 (told by Marianne) and we are smoothly transported back and forth between the two realms with ease and care. Set in London, England and Verona, Italy, the descriptions are so vivid you feel you are there. As for the plot: it is utilised brilliantly in unveiling the events of these two women many years apart. Yet there are some common denominators. When one world slides into the other, the past enters the present in a powerful revelation. Once the many pieces of the puzzle come together, the full picture is breath-taking. And what an unpredictable turn of events they are! There’s betrayal, denial, deception and disgrace but also growth, determination, persistence and passion. The characters are well drawn and intriguing and some like Senora Pecora are not what they appear. There is a lot here to keep you guessing in trying to decide who is on whose side.
I love that the nightingale, the bird of poets and passion, is mentioned especially in relation to Christina and her potential love interest at Lake Como. These birds have a mythic status as they have been written about so many times in poetry. So, it is only right that Christina would mention them. In her own words, she writes: ‘I met him here and first heard the nightingale sing…’ And as Rufina explains: ‘The nightingale is the bird of the night that lovers hear together…until the sun rises…’ When Romeo and Juliet spent one night together, they heard a bird and debated whether it was a Nightingale or a Lark (the former is associated with night and the latter with morning). And like these two tragic lovers, tragedy follows in this story.
I found Marianne’s profession as a textile historian fascinating. Every antique dress has a unique story to tell. She is moved by the fabric, the styles, the stories behind the clothing and the person who wore them. Her work truly is her passion. She knows that creativity and commitment can make a clothing exhibition successful. In her moments of self-doubt, she remembers encouraging words from her husband (who died in the war). ‘You have to believe in yourself and the importance of your work.’ This kind of affirmation builds confidence in an artist’s heart and she needs these positive words. Even though she is exceptional at what she does—her parents never appreciated her choice of study or its value in the art and history world.
For Christina, the advice from her loved one is similar. She must realise ‘the importance of the words’ she composes. There are strong parallels between the two women—each losing someone they love who believed in them and their talent.
Christina’s necklace left to her by her father, symbolises ‘something once lost, could be found and should always be treasured.’ This, in many ways, could be said of all antique gifts of importance. They are items to be appreciated. So many of us find ourselves standing in a museum looking at artefacts and imagining the lives of those attached to the pieces. It gives us both a thrill and a chill. It is part of the human story—a never ending one that continues throughout the centuries. To remember the past generations is a beautiful thing. For in doing so, we honour the person—the trials they may have faced, endured and survived through. These remnants of history give us hope and courage so that when we are facing our darkest and most challenging moments, we know that if they survived, we will, too.
Christina and Dante were called the ‘stormy’ ones by their father Gabriele, whereas Maria and Willian were the two calms. It is an intriguing concept and we wonder if they ever changed as they got older. (From research, it appears Christina certainly did.) In The Lost Dresses of Italy the focus is on poet Christina and brother poet-painter Dante. We get to see the two stormy ones in action as Dante is with Christina in a number of scenes. It is interesting to listen in on their conversations and to see their dynamics as siblings but also as creative figures. (Plus, to hear about their romantic interests and the affects on their artistic endeavours.)
One of the most moving passages for me with Marianne was when she expresses her strong connection to Christina Rossetti. She meets her in the clothes left behind that she must evaluate and showcase. I could feel the weight of Marianne’s grief in her words: ‘…I had come to Italy to repair my broken heart. Maybe that’s why I had felt a connection with Christina from the moment I saw her dresses; we were both women who had experienced such wreckage in our personal lives that we almost drowned from sorrow. I could feel it in every stitch of her clothing. Every hem. Every piece of trim. It all breathed from her spirit to mine.’
I could fill this review with numerous quotes from the novel but I won’t. As the story progresses, there are many more exceptional passages. A book could be written about this book! Instead, I will share a small sample of my own poetry: what might have been Marianne’s thoughts when she learns of Christina’s condemned love affair.
Imagine the flesh held by this loyal garment
That sun and moon have touched and kissed
The passion concealed by roaming shadows
Falls prey to light behind cold steps
Beyond the darkness and secret message
The nightingale sings on of wild desire
As fervent hearts are torn by precepts
And left to smoke and dust and sky.
There is a lot here to dine upon (and be inspired by) in this beautifully written story that brings the Rossetti past into the present for those who have a passion for English literature. This remarkable novel will forever be one of my all-time favourites. The Lost Dresses of Italy is way beyond 5 Stars. It’s a creative celestial masterpiece. ✨
Many thanks to Alcove Press, the author and Netgalley for a review copy.
As a poet, I can say this was one of the most inspiring and fascinating stories I have ever read on a literary figure I admire. I love Victorian (and Romantic) era literature and this novel is a feast for those who also share this same interest. M.A. McLaughlin has made Poetess Christina Rossetti come alive in such a unique way on the page that this story will never be forgotten. The author’s passion for the topic is obvious and her meticulous research is astounding. Along with these important elements is her exceptional writing ability. With such winning ingredients, this story could not help but shine! I say this with an honest heart: this is a profound and poetic masterpiece. The mystery that permeates the plot keeps this story rolling along. There are numerous goosebump moments and lots of hair raising action. All the while being dotted with beautiful poetic lines that made me want to linger on the page. Many phrases from Christina’s poems are utilised throughout the story. No stone is left unturned in finding information to help resolve the dilemmas faced by Marianne and Christina in both timelines.
I will not recap the story here except to say this is a dual timeline set in 1865 (told by Christina) and 1945 (told by Marianne) and we are smoothly transported back and forth between the two realms with ease and care. Set in London, England and Verona, Italy, the descriptions are so vivid you feel you are there. As for the plot: it is utilised brilliantly in unveiling the events of these two women many years apart. Yet there are some common denominators. When one world slides into the other, the past enters the present in a powerful revelation. Once the many pieces of the puzzle come together, the full picture is breath-taking. And what an unpredictable turn of events they are! There’s betrayal, denial, deception and disgrace but also growth, determination, persistence and passion. The characters are well drawn and intriguing and some like Senora Pecora are not what they appear. There is a lot here to keep you guessing in trying to decide who is on whose side.
I love that the nightingale, the bird of poets and passion, is mentioned especially in relation to Christina and her potential love interest at Lake Como. These birds have a mythic status as they have been written about so many times in poetry. So, it is only right that Christina would mention them. In her own words, she writes: ‘I met him here and first heard the nightingale sing…’ And as Rufina explains: ‘The nightingale is the bird of the night that lovers hear together…until the sun rises…’ When Romeo and Juliet spent one night together, they heard a bird and debated whether it was a Nightingale or a Lark (the former is associated with night and the latter with morning). And like these two tragic lovers, tragedy follows in this story.
I found Marianne’s profession as a textile historian fascinating. Every antique dress has a unique story to tell. She is moved by the fabric, the styles, the stories behind the clothing and the person who wore them. Her work truly is her passion. She knows that creativity and commitment can make a clothing exhibition successful. In her moments of self-doubt, she remembers encouraging words from her husband (who died in the war). ‘You have to believe in yourself and the importance of your work.’ This kind of affirmation builds confidence in an artist’s heart and she needs these positive words. Even though she is exceptional at what she does—her parents never appreciated her choice of study or its value in the art and history world.
For Christina, the advice from her loved one is similar. She must realise ‘the importance of the words’ she composes. There are strong parallels between the two women—each losing someone they love who believed in them and their talent.
Christina’s necklace left to her by her father, symbolises ‘something once lost, could be found and should always be treasured.’ This, in many ways, could be said of all antique gifts of importance. They are items to be appreciated. So many of us find ourselves standing in a museum looking at artefacts and imagining the lives of those attached to the pieces. It gives us both a thrill and a chill. It is part of the human story—a never ending one that continues throughout the centuries. To remember the past generations is a beautiful thing. For in doing so, we honour the person—the trials they may have faced, endured and survived through. These remnants of history give us hope and courage so that when we are facing our darkest and most challenging moments, we know that if they survived, we will, too.
Christina and Dante were called the ‘stormy’ ones by their father Gabriele, whereas Maria and Willian were the two calms. It is an intriguing concept and we wonder if they ever changed as they got older. (From research, it appears Christina certainly did.) In The Lost Dresses of Italy the focus is on poet Christina and brother poet-painter Dante. We get to see the two stormy ones in action as Dante is with Christina in a number of scenes. It is interesting to listen in on their conversations and to see their dynamics as siblings but also as creative figures. (Plus, to hear about their romantic interests and the affects on their artistic endeavours.)
One of the most moving passages for me with Marianne was when she expresses her strong connection to Christina Rossetti. She meets her in the clothes left behind that she must evaluate and showcase. I could feel the weight of Marianne’s grief in her words: ‘…I had come to Italy to repair my broken heart. Maybe that’s why I had felt a connection with Christina from the moment I saw her dresses; we were both women who had experienced such wreckage in our personal lives that we almost drowned from sorrow. I could feel it in every stitch of her clothing. Every hem. Every piece of trim. It all breathed from her spirit to mine.’
I could fill this review with numerous quotes from the novel but I won’t. As the story progresses, there are many more exceptional passages. A book could be written about this book! Instead, I will share a small sample of my own poetry: what might have been Marianne’s thoughts when she learns of Christina’s condemned love affair.
Imagine the flesh held by this loyal garment
That sun and moon have touched and kissed
The passion concealed by roaming shadows
Falls prey to light behind cold steps
Beyond the darkness and secret message
The nightingale sings on of wild desire
As fervent hearts are torn by precepts
And left to smoke and dust and sky.
There is a lot here to dine upon (and be inspired by) in this beautifully written story that brings the Rossetti past into the present for those who have a passion for English literature. This remarkable novel will forever be one of my all-time favourites. The Lost Dresses of Italy is way beyond 5 Stars. It’s a creative celestial masterpiece. ✨
Many thanks to Alcove Press, the author and Netgalley for a review copy.
October 30, 2023
The Lost Dresses by M.A. McLaughlin is an engaging historical tale that showcases one of the Victorian age’s noted poets, Christina Rossetti.
In 1864 Verona, Italy, Christina Rossetti returns to her family’s homeland with great expectations. Her hope is to wash away her unfulfilling life and poetry career in England and embrace a new chapter in her life. Perchance, she has an exchange with an old family friend and finds a gift her father once gave her. It is a precious box with three distinct Muses carved into the lid. Curious, she puzzles over how to open the mysterious box and finds a secret compartment. Inside, there is a letter from her beloved father with a request to carry on his wishes of something he was unable to do in his lifetime.
Fast forward to Verona, 1947, and Marianne Baxter is traveling from her Boston home to post-war Verona for the opportunity of a lifetime. She is an accomplished textile historian, and the purpose of the trip is to see three exquisite Victorian dresses that were once owned by the famous poet Christina Rossetti. Apparently, the dresses had been hidden away in a trunk for nearly a century and most recently discovered at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti. Given Marianne’s exceptional knowledge and expertise, it only makes sense she would be the chosen one to bring the dresses to life once more for the purpose of putting this incredible find on display. Still grieving from the loss of her husband Paul, there’s a part of this trip that gives her hope to start over. However, once in Verona and at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti, the rather handsome and debonaire owner is not exactly the most welcoming. Compounded by his icy reception and her first inspection of the dresses, Marianne discovers a mysterious letter with a daunting warning that was hidden among the dresses. It alludes to a pendant and stolen book that must be returned, that is a connection between Marianne and Christina which ultimately triggers more questions than answers.
M.A. McLaughlin has done a superb job of showing wonderful historical accounts of the famed Victorian-era poet, Christina Rossetti. The stunning scenes of the beautiful backdrop of Verona set the tone for believable dialogue and the reader is easily transported to a romantic period of time of days gone by. McLaughlin has precision focus when detailing and developing Marianne’s character as an accomplished textile historian. "...Holding my breath as we moved closer, I finally stood in front of it, gazing down at its contents, neatly folded garments within the frayed brocade interior. With my fingertips, I lifted the blue poplin walking dress on top and noted that a layer of white silk separated it from the one beneath it, preserving them from each other..." (pg. 27) What an enchanting read this is. In addition, M.A. McLaughlin delivers a zinger of a plot twist at the end which is another reason why The Lost Dresses is a must-read!
Quill says: The Lost Dresses is a wonderful journey that enlightens the reader with the rich history of one of the Victorian era’s most noted poets, Christina Rossetti.
In 1864 Verona, Italy, Christina Rossetti returns to her family’s homeland with great expectations. Her hope is to wash away her unfulfilling life and poetry career in England and embrace a new chapter in her life. Perchance, she has an exchange with an old family friend and finds a gift her father once gave her. It is a precious box with three distinct Muses carved into the lid. Curious, she puzzles over how to open the mysterious box and finds a secret compartment. Inside, there is a letter from her beloved father with a request to carry on his wishes of something he was unable to do in his lifetime.
Fast forward to Verona, 1947, and Marianne Baxter is traveling from her Boston home to post-war Verona for the opportunity of a lifetime. She is an accomplished textile historian, and the purpose of the trip is to see three exquisite Victorian dresses that were once owned by the famous poet Christina Rossetti. Apparently, the dresses had been hidden away in a trunk for nearly a century and most recently discovered at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti. Given Marianne’s exceptional knowledge and expertise, it only makes sense she would be the chosen one to bring the dresses to life once more for the purpose of putting this incredible find on display. Still grieving from the loss of her husband Paul, there’s a part of this trip that gives her hope to start over. However, once in Verona and at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti, the rather handsome and debonaire owner is not exactly the most welcoming. Compounded by his icy reception and her first inspection of the dresses, Marianne discovers a mysterious letter with a daunting warning that was hidden among the dresses. It alludes to a pendant and stolen book that must be returned, that is a connection between Marianne and Christina which ultimately triggers more questions than answers.
M.A. McLaughlin has done a superb job of showing wonderful historical accounts of the famed Victorian-era poet, Christina Rossetti. The stunning scenes of the beautiful backdrop of Verona set the tone for believable dialogue and the reader is easily transported to a romantic period of time of days gone by. McLaughlin has precision focus when detailing and developing Marianne’s character as an accomplished textile historian. "...Holding my breath as we moved closer, I finally stood in front of it, gazing down at its contents, neatly folded garments within the frayed brocade interior. With my fingertips, I lifted the blue poplin walking dress on top and noted that a layer of white silk separated it from the one beneath it, preserving them from each other..." (pg. 27) What an enchanting read this is. In addition, M.A. McLaughlin delivers a zinger of a plot twist at the end which is another reason why The Lost Dresses is a must-read!
Quill says: The Lost Dresses is a wonderful journey that enlightens the reader with the rich history of one of the Victorian era’s most noted poets, Christina Rossetti.
February 13, 2024
All the best historical fiction seamlessly blends real events and people with fictional characters and, often, periods of historical figures’ lives from the author’s imagination. In this dual timeline story, McLaughlin introduces her readers to Marianne Baxter, a war widow and costume curator, who is invited to Verona, Italy in 1947 by a friend to research and restore three Victorian-era gowns for the reopening of a museum that was damaged during the war. When she finds a letter in a sleeve addressed to famed poet Christina Rossetti from her father, it begins a hunt for clues not only about the woman who wore the dresses, but also how they ended up in a walled-over room in the museum. In her postscript, McLaughlin mentions a cryptic quote from Christina Rossetti’s brother William, who accompanied her on her trip to Italy in 1865, which presumably was the inspiration for this fictionalized period of her life. “Had she [Christina] henceforth lived in Italy…she would, I believe, have been a much happier woman than she was.”
The story opens with a murder outside the museum, when a young man in the Italian Resistance is double-crossed by a compatriot who kills him for the emerald he was about to sell to raise money for their cause. In the letter, Christina’s father writes of a pendant that she would have found after his death, a probable connection to the murder. As Marianne begins to follow the clues as to what transpired during Christina’s visit to Italy, it angers the museum director, Alessandro Forni, whose cousin was the murder victim. As he tells her, “Wading into the unfamiliar waters of a foreign country, which has so recently endured a bitter war, can stir up nothing but ugly things lurking in the depths.” This foreshadows what becomes a suspenseful mystery that combines the restoration of various art forms with jewelry theft, the physical and emotional toll war’s death and destruction had on the people and the morally dubious choices they had to make to survive, and an epic love story that has faint echoes to the most famous star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. So, it’s only fitting that most of the book is set in Verona.
McLaughlin chose a dual POV, featuring two creative women eighty years apart who went to Italy and found love when they weren’t looking. Their trajectories were different, but their time there profoundly changed them. Don’t be surprised if you end up going down a rabbit hole Googling information about the Rossetti family, especially after reading the conversations between Christina and her more famous brother, Dante, both of whom their mother referred to as the “storms” (versus their other siblings, William and Maria, who were the “calms”). The Lost Dresses of Italy is a compelling story with vibrant characters driven by greed, obsession, passion, and grief, one that you won’t quickly forget. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Alcove Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
The story opens with a murder outside the museum, when a young man in the Italian Resistance is double-crossed by a compatriot who kills him for the emerald he was about to sell to raise money for their cause. In the letter, Christina’s father writes of a pendant that she would have found after his death, a probable connection to the murder. As Marianne begins to follow the clues as to what transpired during Christina’s visit to Italy, it angers the museum director, Alessandro Forni, whose cousin was the murder victim. As he tells her, “Wading into the unfamiliar waters of a foreign country, which has so recently endured a bitter war, can stir up nothing but ugly things lurking in the depths.” This foreshadows what becomes a suspenseful mystery that combines the restoration of various art forms with jewelry theft, the physical and emotional toll war’s death and destruction had on the people and the morally dubious choices they had to make to survive, and an epic love story that has faint echoes to the most famous star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. So, it’s only fitting that most of the book is set in Verona.
McLaughlin chose a dual POV, featuring two creative women eighty years apart who went to Italy and found love when they weren’t looking. Their trajectories were different, but their time there profoundly changed them. Don’t be surprised if you end up going down a rabbit hole Googling information about the Rossetti family, especially after reading the conversations between Christina and her more famous brother, Dante, both of whom their mother referred to as the “storms” (versus their other siblings, William and Maria, who were the “calms”). The Lost Dresses of Italy is a compelling story with vibrant characters driven by greed, obsession, passion, and grief, one that you won’t quickly forget. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Alcove Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.
June 26, 2024
3.5 Stars.
The Lost Dresses of Italy by M. A. McLaughlin is presented as historical fiction, but a murder mystery, filled with twists and turns, is also woven into the fabric of this captivating tale. The novel begins with a seemingly unrelated murder, setting the stage for an intricate story that unfolds over two timelines in Verona, Italy: the late 1800s and 1947, just after WWII.
The discovery of three well-preserved Victorian dresses in a trunk in Verona is the catalyst for the story. Textile historian Marianne Baxter, a meticulous and determined researcher, is enlisted by a personal friend to prepare these dresses for a museum display. The dresses belonged to the renowned poet Christina Rossetti, and hidden within them are clues about her personal life during her stay in Verona. As Marianne delves into Christina's past, she enlists the help of other researchers, including the witty and resourceful historian Dr. Jameson, to uncover connections between Rossetti and the missing Menigatti family jewellery.
McLaughlin masterfully intertwines the two timelines, drawing readers into a richly detailed world where history, mystery, and suspense converge. Marianne's investigation reveals hidden truths about Christina Rossetti, and as the pieces of the puzzle come together, Marianne finds that her own life and the lives of those around her may be in danger.
The narration by Hope Newhouse, Melanie Crawley, and Edoardo Camponeschi is a stroke of genius, breathing life into the story. Each voice adds depth and nuance to the characters and their experiences, creating an immersive experience for the reader. You'll feel like you're right there in Verona, uncovering the secrets alongside Marianne.
The Lost Dresses of Italy is a captivating journey through time, teeming with historical intrigue, mystery, and the haunting beauty of Verona. McLaughlin's adeptness in weaving a complex narrative with rich historical detail and suspenseful twists makes this book a must-read for fans of historical fiction and mystery genres.
Thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The Lost Dresses of Italy by M. A. McLaughlin is presented as historical fiction, but a murder mystery, filled with twists and turns, is also woven into the fabric of this captivating tale. The novel begins with a seemingly unrelated murder, setting the stage for an intricate story that unfolds over two timelines in Verona, Italy: the late 1800s and 1947, just after WWII.
The discovery of three well-preserved Victorian dresses in a trunk in Verona is the catalyst for the story. Textile historian Marianne Baxter, a meticulous and determined researcher, is enlisted by a personal friend to prepare these dresses for a museum display. The dresses belonged to the renowned poet Christina Rossetti, and hidden within them are clues about her personal life during her stay in Verona. As Marianne delves into Christina's past, she enlists the help of other researchers, including the witty and resourceful historian Dr. Jameson, to uncover connections between Rossetti and the missing Menigatti family jewellery.
McLaughlin masterfully intertwines the two timelines, drawing readers into a richly detailed world where history, mystery, and suspense converge. Marianne's investigation reveals hidden truths about Christina Rossetti, and as the pieces of the puzzle come together, Marianne finds that her own life and the lives of those around her may be in danger.
The narration by Hope Newhouse, Melanie Crawley, and Edoardo Camponeschi is a stroke of genius, breathing life into the story. Each voice adds depth and nuance to the characters and their experiences, creating an immersive experience for the reader. You'll feel like you're right there in Verona, uncovering the secrets alongside Marianne.
The Lost Dresses of Italy is a captivating journey through time, teeming with historical intrigue, mystery, and the haunting beauty of Verona. McLaughlin's adeptness in weaving a complex narrative with rich historical detail and suspenseful twists makes this book a must-read for fans of historical fiction and mystery genres.
Thank you to NetGalley and Regal House Publishing for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
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