The Curious Inheritance of Blakely House

By: Joanna Davidson Politano

Narrated by: Amy Scanlon

A clever young woman, a contested will, and an estate that does not easily give up its secrets.

It is 1901 when clockmaker and tinker Sydney Forrester receives a most unusual inheritance. Blakely House, the island estate of an estranged uncle she's never met, seems almost alive, revealing and hiding its secrets at will. It is filled with remarkable inventions, including an intriguing unfinished automaton Sydney is itching to get her skilled hands on.

The estate is also home to a number of peculiar people—including two men intent on removing this interloper from the island. Convinced that Sydney has something to do with their uncle's death, the late master's nephews contest the will and work against their cousin at every turn.

Sydney finds a sometimes-ally in the estate's butler, an ex-adventurer who ran aground on the island years ago. But when a mysterious man washes ashore with a stunning surprise that upsets everything, Sydney must prove she has inherited the late master's brilliance as well as his property—or someone else will.

"Readers will be on tenterhooks from start to finish."—Publishers Weekly

©2025 Joanna Davidson Politano (P)2025 Recorded Books

Beautiful imagery!

Beautiful imagery portrayed throughout the storyline. Especially as it mirrors the love of Jesus in that he left his home to sacrifice himself to rescue us and how he is ever present to help us in our brokenness.

This Book Filled My Soul

What an amazing listen..
Though it may sound cheesy… this book was balm to my soul… heart swelling at its climax… so very satisfying

A most beautiful love story!

I really love this story, it was so well written and read beautifully. This author is becoming one of my favorites.

Won Me Over

I don’t usually pick up gothic steampunk mysteries but Politano won me over w her poetic prose, multi-layered characters, and deft use of suspense. Loved it. Excellent narrator to boot!

“…not broken, just not finished yet…”

Pleasantly surprised and drawn into a unique and curious revelation of a brilliant and creative mind. The wrap up so very thought provoking. Deeply moving to me were the Creator themes and the love letters. I thought I had the ending projected only to be outwitted. There is such a young girl and her romance novels element, and yet so much depth and evidence of study that obviously went into building the unique setting and primary overarching character. All the technical details ! I had put the story aside at one point but so glad I picked it back up. Wonderful. Wonderful. And very excited / looking forward to seeing Politano’s next creative adventure. Amy Scanlon is a FANTASTIC narrator. Love love her voice acting !