ABOUT THE BOOK:
Something terrible happened here...Hollywood, 1975: Tragedy sends troubled film star Vivien Lockhart into the arms of Giovanni Moretti, and it seems her fortunes have finally changed. Until she meets his sister, and learns that her new husband's past holds dark secrets. Tuscany, Present day: Everyone in London is searching for Lucy Whittaker - so Lucy needs to disappear. But her new home, the crumbling Castillo Barbarossa, is far from the secluded paradise it seemed. Across the decades, Vivien and Lucy find themselves trapped in the idyllic Italian villa. And if they are ever to truly escape its walls, they must first unearth its secrets...
MY REVIEW:
The Silent Fountain by Victoria Fox
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Silent Fountain by Victoria Fox is a 2017 Mira publication.
This is a moving, heartbreaking story written with shades of Gothic mystery and romance.
In the 1970s, after escaping an abusive home life, Vivien finally got her big break as an actress, but the price of success comes at a big cost. After a horrific accident, Vivien is nursed back to health by the handsome Dr. Giovanni Moretti. The couple falls madly in love, but secrets from the past could stain their lives together, while tragedy tears away the remaining shreds of happiness left in their relationship.
Fast forward to present day and we find the aging and haunted Vivien living in Tuscany, on the Castillo Barbarossa estate, which is only a shadow of its former glory. Needing help, Vivien hires, Lucy Whittaker, a young woman who needs a change of scenery after a finding herself at the heart of gut wrenching scandal.
But, once Lucy arrives, she feels ill at ease in the old house, which is full of strange noises, and the neglected courtyard fountain seems to hold the knowledge of horrifying crimes. Lucy is compelled to figure out all of Vivien’s secrets, but, she never would have imagined the ghastly truths she would uncover, which will more than explain why Vivien has been living a reclusive life, while Lucy, discovers a few truths about herself and what is really important in life.
This story is an emotional tale, full of dark family secrets, sadness, cruelty, and heartbreak, but is also a story of redemption, closure and new beginnings.
I loved the Gothic undertones in this story. The old estate, the reclusive actress, the buried secrets and crimes helped to create a taut, atmospheric tone, full of suspense and danger. There were a few weak spots in the story right there at the beginning, where events were glossed over, perhaps to propel the story onwards, but other than that, the reader will be easily drawn in by all the mystery and the romance surrounding Vivien and will worry about Lucy’s involvement and her current predicament as the press begins to zero in on her private location.
The tale is bittersweet, and in some ways a little moody, and melancholy, but I loved the way things turned out for Lucy, which was a very pleasant and upbeat way for the book to conclude.
Overall, the author did a great job of capturing a pure Gothic tone while weaving a mesmerizing tale of suspense, love and loss. This book was right up my alley! I really do wish there were more books written like this one!
GET YOUR COPY HERE:
https://www.amazon.com/Silent-Fountain-Victoria-Fox-ebook/dp/B06X18JMBK/
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-silent-fountain-victoria-fox/1125530272
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Victoria Fox lives in Bristol with her husband and young daughter. She used to work in publishing and is now the author of seven novels. Visit her at victoriafox.net and on Twitter @VFoxWrites.
Victoria's favorite things are blustery walks, golden retrievers and Argentinean red wine.
