As someone who has always been captivated by the rich history and stunning beauty of Martha’s Vineyard, I was excited to dive into The Lost Letters of Martha’s Vineyard by Michael Callahan. The blurb promised an intriguing premise: long buried murder on the island, a touch of Old Hollywood, and the mysterious disappearance of a promising starlet, Mercy Welles, in 1959. Unfortunately, the novel fell short in delivering on its promises, leaving me underwhelmed. While the island’s history and charm were hinted at, they never came to life in the pages of this book. Instead, the narrative seemed to focus more on superficial portrayals of the female characters, often reducing them to their physical appearances and relationships, with little depth or substance. The juvenile romance scenes felt out of place, distracting from what could have been a much richer exploration of the island’s unique allure and the fascinating secrets Mercy Welles carried with her. The writing itself also failed to engage me. The dual timeline format, which I felt was overused and largely ineffective, only added confusion rather than enriching the story. I found the dialogue to be awkward and forced, with characters constantly fixating on each other’s appearances, what they ate, and how “demure” they were (a word that, quite frankly, was overused to the point of annoyance). In my view, this novel didn’t meet the standards of historical fiction. It lacked the depth, atmosphere, and careful research that such a genre demands. The plot centers around Kit O'Neill, a junior producer who uncovers a playbill from a 1950s Martha’s Vineyard production featuring Mercy Welles. To her shock, Kit learns that Mercy is actually her late grandmother Nan, and she embarks on a journey to uncover the hidden truths of Mercy's life. The dual timeline alternates between Mercy’s past and Kit’s present-day search, revealing secrets of forbidden love, long-buried murders, and painful truths. However, these revelations felt disconnected from the island itself, as the history of Martha’s Vineyard seemed like little more than a backdrop for a story more concerned with melodrama than substance. Ultimately, The Lost Letters of Martha’s Vineyard didn’t live up to my expectations. The story failed to capture the essence of the island and its history, and the overemphasis on shallow character traits and predictable plot twists left me wanting more. In my opinion, this book would barely qualify as a beach read—not because of its depth, but because it lacked the charm and immersion necessary to transport the reader to a place as enchanting as Martha’s Vineyard. 2.5/5