The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell

The Truth About Melody Browne is the first novel I have read by bestselling English author Lisa Jewell and boy was this a great introductory book!

The story starts with Melody Browne, a quiet woman, who lives alone with her teenage son Edward. When she was only nine years old, her house was burnt down, she lost all her possessions, apart from a painting of a Spanish dancer, but the fire not only took all her possessions but it also took her memories. So she has no memories of her life before she was nine years old, that part of her life is a blur.

Now in her thirties, her life is simple and uncomplicated, after getting pregnant at such a young age, her parents disowns her so it is just Edward and her and her best friend Stacey. Whilst sitting on a bus one day, a man approaches her and tells her that she has amazing shoulders. Shocked at his openness and charm, she ends up giving him her phone number and agrees to go on a date with him, unaware of what he has planned. He brings her to see Julius Sardo, the world famous mind-controller and hypnotist. Julius picks Melody out of the crowd to take part in his act and hypnotises her into thinking that she is a five years old again. When he clicks his fingers to bring her out of the trance, she collapses and when she comes round, she realises that things are no longer the same.

Suddenly nothing really makes sense, as she lights up her cigarettes she discovers she no longer has a taste for them and she can cook! Then she begins to notice things, memories that mean nothing in the beginning. But then slowly piece by piece she begins to figure out things about her life and as she solves each puzzle, a new one appears and this makes Melody wonder if she will ever figure out her past and finally know the truth about Melody Browne.

This book is an enrapturing read. From start to finish you are addicted to Melody and her simple life, as she figures out the mysteries of her life, you are constantly wondering what will happen next. But as she begins to unravel her history, you also begin to wonder, should the past stay where it belongs or should you just stand up and face it.

You can buy [amazon_link id=”0099533677″ target=”_blank” ]The Truth About Melody Browne on Amazon[/amazon_link] and other good bookshops.