The Truth About Melody Browne

I am a mega fan of Lisa Jewell and have read, reviewed and enjoyed all nine of her most recent books. In January 2021, her publisher re-released one of her earlier books, The Truth About Melody Browne, which was originally published in 2009.

I went into the book expecting a mystery with sinister secrets about Melody's past before a childhood accident stole her memory. There are some twists, but this turned out to be more of a dysfunctional family drama with less focus on the edge-of-your-seat scenes that we have recently come to expect from Jewell. 

The story jumps between flashbacks from Melody's unusual childhood and her adult life as a single mom of 17-year-old Ed. One of my favourite parts of the book was her bond with Ed which goes to show that despite her strange upbringing (and a supremely crappy parent), that with bucket loads of tenacity and the support of a BFF, she was able to overcome her past and raise a stellar human. I loved that!

Unfortunately and unexpectedly, this book was a bit of a struggle for me. I felt out of touch with Melody and found the story to be predictable and a bit implausible in a couple of spots. I liked the premise and saw brief similarities with her second to last book The Family Upstairs, but I thought the ending was too pat and I didn't feel it was as strong as her later work.

This book is a departure from her recent books, but not quite as light as her earliest books. It has a strong dramatic feel that many readers will love and while it isn't in my top Lisa Jewell books, she continues to be one of my must-read authors and I cannot wait to read her upcoming book The Night She Disappears which publishes in the Fall of 2021.

Disclaimer: Generously received as an advanced copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

My Rating: 3 stars

Author: Lisa Jewell

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Type and Source: eBook from publisher via NetGalley

Publisher: Pocket Books (Atria)

First Published: January 1, 2009

First Line: Melody Browne opened her eyes and saw the moon, 

a perfect white circle, like a bullet hole shot through the sky.

Book Description from GoodReads: When she was nine years old, Melody Browne's house burned down, taking every toy, every photograph, every item of clothing and old Christmas card with it. But not only did the fire destroy all her possessions, it took with it all her memories - Melody Browne can remember nothing before her ninth birthday. 

Now in her early thirties, Melody lives in a council flat in the middle of London with her seventeen-year-old son. She hasn't seen her parents since she left home at fifteen, but Melody doesn't mind, she's better off on her own. She's made a good life for herself and her son and she likes it that way. Until one night something extraordinary happens. Whilst attending a hypnotist show with her first date in years she faints - and when she comes round she starts to remember. 

At first her memories mean nothing to her but then slowly, day by day, she begins to piece together the real story of her childhood. Her journey takes her to the seaside town of Broadstairs, to oddly familiar houses in London backstreets and to meetings with strangers who love her like their own. But with every mystery she solves another one materialises, with every question she answers another appears. And Melody begins to wonder if she'll ever know the truth about her past.