The Lost Carousel of Provence

Carly Drake, a photographer from San Francisco, travels to France to document an antique carousel. Her assignment leads her to a historic chateau in Provence, where she encounters both the carousel's remains and the property's reclusive owner. The narrative moves between present day and 1900s France, exploring the world of master carousel carvers and the Belle Époque era. Through alternating timelines, the story follows Carly's modern-day quest alongside the past experiences of Maelle Tanguy, a woman who worked for a renowned carver during carousel-making's golden age. The mysteries of the carousel's origins intersect with personal histories as Carly uncovers documents and photographs from the chateau's archives. Her search reveals connections between the carousel's craftsmen, the chateau's residents, and events spanning both World Wars. This novel examines themes of artistic legacy, preservation of cultural heritage, and the impact of war on art and memory. The carousel serves as a symbol for the ways objects carry history through generations, connecting past to present.

Readers appreciate the dual timeline structure and detailed research into carousel-making and French history. Many note the vivid descriptions of Provence and French culture create an immersive experience. Common praise focuses on the authentic portrayal of photography work and antique carousels, with readers highlighting the technical details that enhance authenticity. Multiple reviews mention becoming emotionally invested in both the modern and historical storylines. Main criticisms center on the slow pacing in the first third of the book. Some readers found the main character's initial reluctance to engage with others frustrating. A few reviews noted predictable plot elements and romance subplots. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (6,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (1,100+ ratings) BookBub: 4.3/5 (900+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "The carousel details and historical research shine through, but it takes too long to get the story moving." - Goodreads reviewer

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🎠 Carousels were originally created as training devices for knights, helping them practice spearing rings with their lances while riding wooden horses 🎨 The novel's character Fabrice Clement is loosely inspired by real-life French carver Jean Lamonby, who was known for his exquisite carousel animal carvings 📚 Author Juliet Blackwell spent significant time researching in France's Loire Valley, visiting historic châteaux and studying traditional carousel craftsmanship 🏰 Many French châteaux were requisitioned during World War II, serving as headquarters for German officers, similar to the storyline in the book 🎡 The golden age of carousels was between 1880-1930, when thousands were crafted in Europe and America, though today only about 150 classic carousels remain operational in the United States