Lydia Joyce The Music of the Night

The Music of the Night

Lydia Joyce

Signet, Nov 2005, $6.99, 320 pp.

ISBN: 0451217063

Sarah Connolly barely survived the poverty of the worst slums of London, when an opportunity through a caring friend arises that enabled her to attend school. Now a new chance to improve her lot in life occurs when she is offered the position of companion to an elderly woman in Venice; feeling the woman is kind she accepts.

Earl Sebastian Grimsthorpe had lived a hedonistic life until a betrayal by a friend, Bertand de Lint, and an explosion while driving his coach destroyed more than his visage; it ripped asunder his soul. Now he hides behind shadowy masks living for vengeance, only waiting for the right moment. That is until he meets Sarah; she somehow sees behind the mask and begins to heal his heart. Will love be enough to prevent a second tragedy, or will his festering anger overwhelm their relationship before she mends his soul?

In some ways this powerful romantic suspense, that grips the reader from the moment the lead couple meet and never slows down, feels like a Gothic thriller, as the innocent heroine falls in love with the brooding male protagonist. The action-packed storyline is character driven, especially by Sarah who expects a life of tranquility as a servant, which is all she wants, as a street urchin cannot expect to achieve more until she encounters the enigmatic Earl. As she risks everything that she worked so hard to obtain, to reach out to the man she loves, fans will hope she succeeds, knowing that Sebastian lives for revenge not love. A final twist will shock the audience, though afterward this subplot will seem obvious, leaving fans to rejoice.