The Lost Story of Via Belle

Searching for a story to adapt for film, an aspiring screenwriter becomes captivated by a bestselling classic novel—and the mysterious disappearance of the woman who wrote it.

1940

Via Belle’s sweet romance novels made readers believe in happily ever after, but her own life was far more complicated. While her first husband was alive, her creativity thrived in a beautiful stone estate overlooking a pristine lake and moonflower garden. After his tragic death and a whirlwind second marriage shrouded in secrets, Via vanished from public life, leaving behind a shadow of scandal . . . and her final story.

2006

Screenwriter Harper Rayne is desperate for a breakthrough—if only she can find the right story to tell. When she begins researching her late mother’s favorite novelist, she never expects the project to become personal. Drawn to the quaint Pennsylvania town where both her mother and Via once lived, Harper discovers more than just a mystery to solve—she finds echoes of her own longing for love, healing, and home.

As long-buried secrets come to light, Harper must decide whether to protect the past or rewrite this particular ending.

Described as a “powerhouse in dual-timeline Christian fiction” (Library Journal), Melanie Dobson delivers another rich, atmospheric novel about the legacy of sacrificial love and the redemptive power of truth.

• Standalone dual-timeline historical mystery filled with drama, faith, and intrigue

• Clean, suspenseful historical fiction, perfect for fans of Susan Meissner, Lisa Wingate, and Patti Callahan Henry

• Includes discussion questions for book groups