The Book of Lost and Found

The Book of Lost and Found follows photographer Kate Darling as she uncovers a family secret in 1986 that leads her to investigate her mother's past. Her search takes her between London, Paris, and Corsica as she traces the connection between her mother and a famous artist from the 1920s. The narrative moves between two timelines - Kate's journey in the 1980s and the love story that began in 1928 between aspiring artist Thomas Stafford and ballet dancer Alice Eversley. Their romance plays out against the backdrop of bohemian Paris and the looming shadow of World War II. Kate's quest to understand her heritage intersects with themes of art, legacy, and the ways truth can become obscured by time. The novel examines how past decisions echo through generations and how understanding history shapes identity.

Readers found this dual-timeline romance slow-paced but atmospheric. The historical sections in 1920s-30s Paris and Corsica received more positive feedback than the modern-day storyline. Liked: - Rich descriptions of art, fashion, and European settings - Complex mother-daughter relationships - Photography and art world details - Connection between past and present narratives Disliked: - Predictable plot developments - Slow first third of book - Modern protagonist described as passive - Some found the romance elements underwhelming One reader noted: "The historical sections transported me, but Kate's modern story dragged." Another mentioned: "Too much time spent on setup before getting to the heart of the mystery." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (13,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (300+ ratings) Common comparison: Kate Morton's novels, though readers note this moves at a slower pace.

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📚 Author Lucy Foley worked as an editor at Headline Publishing before becoming a full-time writer at age 28 🎨 The book features a fictional portrait painter named Thomas Stafford, inspired by real-life society painters of the 1920s like John Singer Sargent 🗺️ The story spans multiple locations including London, Paris, Corsica, and New York, reflecting the author's personal love of travel and different cultures ✍️ Though The Book of Lost and Found was Foley's debut novel, she went on to become a bestselling author in a different genre with her crime thrillers The Hunting Party and The Guest List 🎭 The narrative alternates between the 1980s and 1920s, exploring how past secrets and decisions echo through generations of families