The Lost Carousel of Provence

August 1, 2018

Cady Drake is at a crossroads after losing the only family she's ever known. In her frustration, she kicks her beloved antique carousel rabbit figurine and discovers a box hidden in its belly. Inside is a photo of a woman in front of a carousel and a love note. Accepting a job photographing Parisian carousels, Cady uses her free time to research the woman and the carousel, eventually crossing paths with handsome architect Jean-Paul, whose family owns the Provence chateau where the carousel was built. Cady travels to the chateau, where Jean-Paul's cantankerous, elderly cousin Fabrice guards the property. He takes a liking to Cady and allows her to stay, letting her roam the grounds in exchange for helping him around the house. Highlighting various perspectives throughout the last century, including that of Fabrice's grandmother Josephine, who commissioned the carousel, to Fabrice's work with the French Resistance during World War II, Blackwell (The Paris Key) successfully crafts multiple mysteries in several time periods, all surrounding one family. VERDICT Recommended for readers who enjoy family sagas spanning generations.--Brooke Bolton, Boonville-Warrick Cty. P.L., IN

Copyright 2018 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

August 1, 2018
American photographer Cady Drake has never felt that she truly belonged anywhere. When her mentor passes away, Cady is left feeling even more unmoored. At the encouragement of her only friend, Cady takes a freelance assignment to photograph Parisian carousels as a way to begin healing. Before departing, Cady discovers an old photograph of an unknown woman hidden along with a note in her beloved carousel figurine, Gus. She decides she must find out who the woman is and how her picture ended up in California. Upon arriving in France, Cady meets Fabrice, the elderly gentleman who owns Chateau Clement, the backdrop of the mysterious photograph. Begrudgingly, Fabrice lets Cady into his life at the chateau, where she begins to uncover hidden family secrets that may lead her to the unknown woman in the photograph. Narrating from several perspectives, Blackwell (Letters from Paris, 2016) weaves together a tale of love lost, repressed passion, and finding a sense of belonging that should utterly charm and delight readers new to her and current fans alike. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)