Provenance Unknown

by Sonia Nicholson

An archivist without a past of her own doesn't expect her profession to get personal.Thirty-year-old single mom Michele Norman has finally found her dream job at the city archives in her hometown of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. But while she does a deep dive into every inquiry that comes in, there' s one past she won' t her own. After all, she doesn' t need to know why she grew up with her best friend, Amanda. If Michele' s family didn' t want her, then good riddance to them. Besides, with a son starting kindergarten, a stack of unpaid bills, and the possibility of her work hours being cut back, she has enough to worry about.When she discovers a forgotten French diary from WWII in the vault, the treasure hunt for information is on; she' s drawn to the notebook more than anything before. Written by a local woman, it tells a story of love, loss, second chances, and an injustice that leaves Michele livid. In her obsessive quest to make things right, Michele makes questionable choices that jeopardize not only her fledgling career and her already precarious living situation but her relationships too. Soon she uncovers the shocking truth about the mystery writer and, even more determined, embarks on a journey from the west coast of Canada all the way to Paris, France. On route, she meets Sé bastien, a Parisian workaholic who is full of surprises. It's not long before she's fully swept up by City of Light's charms -- and by his. Will Michele be distracted from her mission by the intriguing and maddening lawyer? Or will she finally find answers to the family questions she has never been ready to ask?

234 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 5, 2023

About the author

Sonia Nicholson’s work has appeared in Inspirelle, Literary Heist, Pinhole Poetry, Heimat Review, Rivanna Review, The New Quarterly, and others. Her writing explores themes of identity, family, and place. A Portuguese Canadian, she was born and raised in Osoyoos, British Columbia. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in French and Spanish from the University of Victoria and continues to call Victoria home. Her debut novel Provenance Unknown was published in 2023 (Sands Press) and 2025 (She Rises Studios), and she has written two more. She is also the author of a poetry chapbook, Asleep/Awake (Stripes Literary Magazine).

Sonia is represented by literary agent Rachel McMillan.

Reviews

[Heather Maciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Sonia Nicholson’s debut novel, “Provenance Unknown”! The storyline is refreshingly original: Michelle, a single mom who works as an archivist in the charming city of Victoria, discovers a long-forgotten French diary in the vault. In a leap of faith, she books a flight to Paris to unravel the story in the diary. She quickly discovers that her impromptu trip has left her with no idea of how to explore her surroundings, but fortunately, she meets the intriguing Philippe, who insists on showing her the secret Paris not found in any brochure.
As if Sonia’s enticing glimpses into the joys of Paris aren’t enough, she adds some exciting surprises into the mix, as she takes Michelle on the search not only for answers to the diary but also to her own past.
“Provenance Unknown” kept me reading far into the night, with twists and turns that had me turning page after page, and a finale that has me hoping for a sequel!

[Louise Herlinveaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful story about a young single mom finding her way in the world and discoverying her roots. It shows how coincidences can change the course of your life.
This book has inspired me to research my own genealogy and has opened my eyes to the job of an archivist. If you have interest in your discovering your own family background, this book is a must read.

[Steveston Dale · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author's knowledge of Archives and the cities of Victoria BC and Paris shine through in this novel. I enjoyed the unravelling of the mystery behind the diary found in the Archives and the ensuing adventures that take Michele from Victoria to Paris. Could absolutely picture all the places mentioned! A light, enjoyable read!

[Lily Heise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sonia Nicholson has written a beautiful and intriguing story of self-discovery and uncovering one's roots. A real page turner, the reader feels right next to the main character, Michele, as she zooms around Paris, by scooter, boat, métro, and on foot, on the hunt for answers about her family's past, having some fun along the way. It's a great read for lovers of Paris and family mysteries alike.

[Susan Bagby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a delightful tale of an archivist on an adventure to unravel her past. Eloquently written, the reader feels like they are in Paris and the love interest only makes the story better. Highly recommend this enjoyable read.

[Cristal Macor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sonia is both an articulate and eloquent writer. I enjoyed the descriptive journey, romance, and attention to detail that create a personal bond between the reader and the protagonist. I'm looking forward to reading her next novel.

[Maggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m hoping Sonia’s second book is a sequel; I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book! It was a great light beach.

[ss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read! Author’s in-depth knowledge of archives and the book’s settings add depth and interest. Highly recommend.