An enjoyable historical fiction read. It's a dual timeline story with Christina Rosetti, a real-life poet in the 1800s, and Marianne Baxter, a textile historian hired to prepare 3 of Christina Rosetti's dresses from the 1800s. When she discovers a mysterious letter with a scribbled warning, which kicks off a mystery for Marianne to discover. In Marianne's timeline, we uncover the mystery of what happened with Christina during her time in Italy, along with why those dresses were stored away. In Christine's, we see her head off to Italy with her brother and mother, fulfill a request from her late father, and meet up with a childhood friend of her father.

This story had mystery, intrigue, danger, history, and a bit of romance. I'd love to read more stories by this author and I definitely recommend it.

Thanks to Alcove Press, Netgalley, and the author for the ARC of this story.

I knew nothing about Christina Rosetti before reading this novel and I was very intrigued by this story. Well written and researched. I enjoyed the mystery, and will be seeking more of this authors work.
Many thanks to Alcove Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

With dual timelines in Verona, Italy, this story has mystery, danger and a hint of romance. One timeline features Christina Rossetti, famous Victorian poet in an 1965 visit to Italy. The other is 1947, in a struggling post-war Verona where Marianne comes to help a friend with a museum restoration project after 3 dresses are found in an old trunk. In both stories, things are not what they seem. Mystery, danger and a hint of romance.

Title: The Lost Dresses of Italy
Author: M. A. Mclaughlin
Genre: Historical fiction
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Verona, 1947. Textile historian Marianne Baxter comes to post-war Italy with one thing on her mind: three pristine Victorian dresses, once owned by the famous poet Christina Rossetti. Hidden away in a trunk for nearly a century, they were recently discovered at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti and Marianne’s expertise is needed before they go on exhibit. Still grieving the loss of her husband, the trip is also a reason for Marianne to start over. But when she arrives, she discovers an unsupportive but handsome museum owner, a superstitious local community, and a mysterious letter with a scribbled warning hidden among the dresses.

Verona, 1864. Christina Rossetti returns to her family’s homeland in hopes of leaving her unfulfilled personal life and poetry career in England and beginning a new chapter. After a chance encounter with an old family friend, she finds a gift her father once gave a small ornate box with the three Muses carved into the lid. When she stumbles across a secret compartment, Christina finds a letter from her father with an urgent and personal request.

The letter, speaking of a pendant and stolen book that must be returned, connects Marianne and Christina—and leaves them both with more questions than answers. Inspired by the real-life mysteries surrounding poet Christina Rossetti, A Forsaken Vow transports readers to Verona with the enchantment and intrigue of Italian art and fashion.

I was way too engrossed in both timelines of this book! I’d read Goblin Market by Christina Rossett years ago, but knew absolutely nothing about her, so this was a fascinating story to me. So evocative, and so absolutely tragic.

Marianne’s story also enthralled me from the beginning, as she arrived in Italy and then saw the dresses. I loved all the historical details and had trouble putting this book down!

M. A. Mclaughlin is from St. Louis. The Lost Dresses of Italy is her newest novel.

(Galley courtesy of Alcove Press in exchange for an honest review.)

Poetry, textiles and Verona, with murder thrown in!

I’m conflicted about this title. I love textiles and was absolutely fascinated by Marianne Baxter’s work towards restoring the lost dresses Victorian dresses of Christina Rossetti.
I’ve always admired Rossetti’s poetry and to have her, and the pre Raphaelites, intwined in the story seems like a gift.
The tension built up so slowly I found myself reading other titles in between the long pauses.
In the end I was caught up in the plot, but it took so..oo..oo long to get to the point where I wanted to continue.
I’m totally puzzled as to why that occurred. Was it switching between the two points of view, between post war Italy of 1947 and Christina in 1865 England and Italy. It certainly wasn’t the place, Verona, the home of Romeo and Juliet! Who could not be drawn to anything set there? Still puzzling that out. Truly this book had it all, and yet, it just didn’t grab me in that first instance.
A fascinating tale of love lost and love found despite my reservations, murder not withstanding, and with a surprising ending.

An Alcove Press ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)

All the best historical fiction seamlessly blends real events and people with fictional characters and, often, periods of historical figures’ lives from the author’s imagination. In this dual timeline story, McLaughlin introduces her readers to Marianne Baxter, a war widow and costume curator, who is invited to Verona, Italy in 1947 by a friend to research and restore three Victorian-era gowns for the reopening of a museum that was damaged during the war. When she finds a letter in a sleeve addressed to famed poet Christina Rossetti from her father, it begins a hunt for clues not only about the woman who wore the dresses, but also how they ended up in a walled-over room in the museum. In her postscript, McLaughlin mentions a cryptic quote from Christina Rossetti’s brother William, who accompanied her on her trip to Italy in 1865, which presumably was the inspiration for this fictionalized period of her life. “Had she [Christina] henceforth lived in Italy…she would, I believe, have been a much happier woman than she was.”

The story opens with a murder outside the museum, when a young man in the Italian Resistance is double-crossed by a compatriot who kills him for the emerald he was about to sell to raise money for their cause. In the letter, Christina’s father writes of a pendant that she would have found after his death, a probable connection to the murder. As Marianne begins to follow the clues as to what transpired during Christina’s visit to Italy, it angers the museum director, Alessandro Forni, whose cousin was the murder victim. As he tells her, “Wading into the unfamiliar waters of a foreign country, which has so recently endured a bitter war, can stir up nothing but ugly things lurking in the depths.” This foreshadows what becomes a suspenseful mystery that combines the restoration of various art forms with jewelry theft, the physical and emotional toll war’s death and destruction had on the people and the morally dubious choices they had to make to survive, and an epic love story that has faint echoes to the most famous star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet. So, it’s only fitting that most of the book is set in Verona.

McLaughlin chose a dual POV, featuring two creative women eighty years apart who went to Italy and found love when they weren’t looking. Their trajectories were different, but their time there profoundly changed them. Don’t be surprised if you end up going down a rabbit hole Googling information about the Rossetti family, especially after reading the conversations between Christina and her more famous brother, Dante, both of whom their mother referred to as the “storms” (versus their other siblings, William and Maria, who were the “calms”). The Lost Dresses of Italy is a compelling story with vibrant characters driven by greed, obsession, passion, and grief, one that you won’t quickly forget. Highly recommended.

I received a complimentary ARC of this book from Alcove Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

In 1947, costume historian Marianne Baxter, a war widow, accepts the invitation of her colleague and college friend Rufina to travel to Verona to restore three Victorian-era dresses for an upcoming museum exhibition. The dresses, Marianne discovers, once belonged to Christina Rossetti, who had vacationed in Italy in 1864 and seemingly abandoned her garments, which had been hidden in an old trunk since that time. As Marianne works to get the dresses into presentable shape, she contends with the difficult museum director while looking into mysteries involving the renowned, reclusive poet. A second narrative thread features Christina on her journey to Italy, which involves a request from her late father. M. A. McLaughlin's The Lost Dresses of Italy is a novel about secrets from the past, unexpected romance, and the inner lives of women that lets you travel vicariously to a beautiful, historic place and learn details about antique clothing restoration. (Intro to author interview at https://readingthepast.blogspot.com/2024/02/interview-with-m-mclaughlin-about-her.html )

The Lost Dresses of Italy was the first book that I had the privilege of reading by M. A. McLaughlin. It was set in the romantic city of Verona, Italy during 1864 and then almost a century later in 1947. The Lost Dresses of Italy was an intriguing historical fiction mystery that centered around three incredible Victorian dresses that were believed to have once belonged to the English poet, Christina Rossetti. I was drawn into this captivating story immediately and was shocked and surprised by the more than satisfying ending. The two timelines were seamlessly woven together by the conclusion of the book and never caused any confusion as I progressed through the book. It was well paced and had me turning the pages as quickly as I could.

Marianne Baxter had recently become a widow. Her husband had lost his life during World War II. Even though the war had been over for several years, Marianne still missed her husband terribly. When Marianne’s good friend from college, Rufina Rovelli, invited Marianne to Verona, Italy in 1947 to lend her expertise at restoring three recently discovered Victorian dresses that were believed to have belonged to English poet, Christina Rossetti, Marianne jumped at the opportunity. Perhaps a change of scenery would do wonders for Marianne. After all, Maryanne was a textile historian. The exhibit was to be held at the Fondazione Museo Menigatti which was being renovated from the damage it suffered during the war. Upon Marianne’s arrival, Rufina brought Marianne to the museum and introduced her to the owner, Alessandra Forni, who appeared to be far from gracious, helpful or welcoming. There was also an obvious reluctance by the local residents to frequent the museum. Something happened there during the war and the people of Verona had a hard time forgetting about it. Marianne was excited, though, to restore these dresses and learn more about Christina Rossetti and why these dresses had been hidden away for all this time. As Marianne began to restore the dresses she also discovered messages hidden carefully inside the dresses. What would Marianne discover about the dresses and their owner?

Cristina Rossetti, daughter of Gabrielle Rossetti, struggled with the lack of recognition and acceptance she received as a woman poet in England in 1864. Only male poets were recognized for their artistic contributions. Therefore, Christina viewed her poetry as merely mediocre. Christina was one of four siblings. She had a sister who was planning on taking her vows to become a nun, a younger brother who was a very talented artist and an older brother who held a steady job. Christina, her brother, William and their mother had recently decided to finally visit Italy, the birthplace of her late father. Several days before their departure, Christina unexpectedly met a friend of her late father’s that he had known since his childhood. This encounter reminded Christina about a box that her father had given her before he died. While Christina examined the box and its contents, she discovered a hidden compartment within the box. Inside the compartment was a handwritten letter to her from her father that he must had written right before his death. In her father’s letter to her he wrote about a pendant and a stolen book. Christina decided to keep the letter and its contents to herself. Since her father’s old childhood friend was planning on being in Italy at the same time as her family and had graciously offered to show them around, Christina decided to share her secret with him and employ his help in returning the book.

The Lost Dresses of Italy was inspired by the real-life mysteries of the English poet, Christina Rossetti. Marianne’s curiosity and passion to discover more about Christina’s trip to Italy in 1864 and why she left her beautiful dresses behind led her to a whole lot more questions than answers but Marianne was determined to find the answers that plagued her. Would Marianne be able to unravel all the clues that led to the mysterious life Christina led? What occurred during that trip to Italy that made her leave her beautiful dresses and significant treasures behind? Will Marianne be able to put the pieces together to solve the mystery?

I was very impressed with M. A. McLaughlin’s impeccable research she conducted in order to write this book. It was well written and the ending was so unexpected. The Lost Dresses of Italy was about art, family, poetry, history, friendship, fashion, romance, secrets and losses. I really enjoyed reading The Lost Dresses of Italy and highly recommend it.

Thank you to Alcove Press for allowing me to read this advanced reader’s copy of The Lost Dresses of Italy by M. A. McLaughlin through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

I loved this book. I loved how well it goes from one time period and one womans perspective and thoughts to another. I was entrantsed by this story and I could not get enough of it. 5 star read! This is a book you won't forget!
I just reviewed The Lost Dresses of Italy by M. A. Mclaughlin. #TheLostDresses #NetGalley
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The Lost Dresses of Italy is a historical fiction book and a murder mystery. The story is told in two points of view and with two timelines. In October 1947, widow Marianne Baxter, a textile historian, travels to Italy to help prepare three dresses for an exhibit. The dresses were owned by Christina Rossetti and found in a trunk in a museum undergoing restoration. In 1865, Christina Rossetti is almost late to a meeting with a potential donor. Christina volunteers at a halfway house for women, and the potential donor had contacted her. It turns out the donor is an old friend of her father’s from their revolutionary days in Italy. He will meet her again in Italy during a trip planned by several members of Christina’s family. The trips for both women, Marianne in 1947 and Christina in 1865, become far more than they initially planned. Both trips involve mysteries, deception, and betrayal.

As I read, I found myself looking up information about Rossetti because the book piqued my interest. The author also starts each chapter with the beginning lines from Monna Innominata: A Sonnet of Sonnets, written by Rossetti. There are several mysteries in the book. The book opens with a murder that is still unsolved. No one knows how Christian Rossetti’s expensive dresses ended up in Italy; her home was in London. It seems these two events are unrelated, but as the story continues, the answer to smaller mysteries leads to bigger ones. I enjoyed reading this book. Recommended.

Thanks to #NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.

A lovely dual time line novel set in 1864 and 1947 Italy that sent me off to look for more information on the poet Christina Rosetti. In 1947, new widow Marianne is asked to restore three dresses that belonged to Rosetti but she finds so much more than the apparel- she finds a letter. Christina lived a quiet life - or did she? This is the sort of historical fiction that opens your eyes to things you might have otherwise missed, in this case a poet. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I enjoyed this book, but it was a very slow burn which caused me to lose interest now and then. The ending is worth the rest of the book. The dual timelines play well with each other and lead to a satisfying ending. I just wish the book moved a bit faster paced. This could just be a personal preference. Both female characters are beautifully written, and you really can connect with them on a personal level as a reader. Just overall I wasn’t in love with this book, but I also enjoyed it enough that I am happy to recommend it if someone is looking for a newer historical fiction title.
Thank you to Alcove Press and Netgalley for allowing me to read an advance copy of this title.

I didn't love this one but I also didn't hate this one. However I'm not sure how I feel about this one. It was kind of meh.

The Lost Dresses of Italy gives the reader a chance to solve a mystery. Poet Christina Rossetti was a devout Catholic, yet her poems held clues to her inner torment. Historians and writers have devoted papers trying to piece together the puzzle that her poems eluded to. This story uses two time spaces to further the mystery. We hear Christina’s voice in one , all the intrigue, two suitors rejected for reasons that ring shallow even today. Textile historian Marianne Baxter finds herself in post war Italy looking for three dresses of the Victorian era. Little does she know how completely her life will be impacted by a women from that era who was looking to begin again only to be haunted by failure in a world run by men.

This dual timeline historical fiction novel is a fascinating insight into the life of English poet Christina Rossetti on her 1864 trip to Verona, Italy through the lens of Marianne Baxter, a textile historian working in Verona in 1947. As Marianne works with Christina’s dresses and looks to create a narrative of Christina’s trip to Verona, but she discovers a mysteriously threatening note that may tie to a recent murder in Verona, setting her down this unknown and potentially dangerous path. In Christina’s timeline, readers learn about this mysterious trip, the facts behind the note and the murder, and why Marianne ended up working with these three particular dresses. Readers will enjoy the murder mystery aspect of this historical fiction novel, while Mclaughlin also weaves in the literature element of Rossetti’s poetry and personal history throughout the novel. The characters are the best part of the mile, while Verona also acts as a character in the novel given its presence in both Christina and Marianne’s narratives and the murder connecting the two women. Mclaughlin’s narrative skill, worldbuilding prowess, and ability to create detailed, dynamic characters and settings makes this book an enjoyable and immersive historical fiction novel.

The Lost Dresses of Italy by M. A. Maclaughlin is something special for you to leap into, especially if you are a Historical Fiction reader. The dual timelines are beautifully enmeshed, both equally spellbinding in setting, story telling, fashion and characterization. But that's not all...there are also love, mystery, poetry and inspiration.

In 1864, poet Christina Rossetti finds a letter from her father with particular instructions which take her on a journey. Her brother is a poet and painter so they have an understanding as fellow artists. Christina's very private life is full of secrets, love, adventure and sorrow. Her dresses become more than clothing...each has a story.

In 1947, textile historian Marianne is requisitioned to travel to Verona by her friend with an irresistible discovery...three dresses with a history. Marianne's job is to ready them for an exhibit but only has three weeks to painstakingly repair and prepare. The craftmanship details are stunning! She is eager to find out more about who owned the garments.

My favourite aspects are the insight into Christina Rossetti's life and personality as well as intriguing textile details I hadn't known or thought of before. As the author said, garments reveal much about culture and society. I spend a lot of time in Italy so the setting in Verona is meaningful. The nightingale is beautifully symbolic. All in all, a lovely book to get lost in.

My sincere thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this engrossing novel.

I received a complimentary copy of this book via Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are my own opinions.

I enjoyed this novel vintage fashion and the history behind it is a great interest to me so I was invested from the start. Add a mystery and duel timelines and I am a satisfied reader

To live in the world of imagination is to touch the divine.’


As a poet, I can say this was one of the most inspiring and fascinating stories I have ever read on a literary figure I admire. I love Victorian (and Romantic) era literature and this novel is a feast for those who also share this same interest. M.A. McLaughlin has made Poetess Christina Rossetti come alive in such a unique way on the page that this story will never be forgotten. The author’s passion for the topic is obvious and her meticulous research is astounding. Along with these important elements is her exceptional writing ability. With such winning ingredients, this story could not help but shine! I say this with an honest heart: this is a profound and poetic masterpiece. The mystery that permeates the plot keeps this story rolling along. There are numerous goosebump moments and lots of hair raising action. All the while being dotted with beautiful poetic lines that made me want to linger on the page. Many phrases from Christina’s poems are utilised throughout the story. No stone is left unturned in finding information to help resolve the dilemmas faced by Marianne and Christina in both timelines.

I will not recap the story here except to say this is a dual timeline set in 1865 (told by Christina) and 1945 (told by Marianne) and we are smoothly transported back and forth between the two realms with ease and care. Set in London, England and Verona, Italy, the descriptions are so vivid you feel you are there. As for the plot: it is utilised brilliantly in unveiling the events of these two women many years apart. Yet there are some common denominators. When one world slides into the other, the past enters the present in a powerful revelation. Once the many pieces of the puzzle come together, the full picture is breath-taking. And what an unpredictable turn of events they are! There’s betrayal, denial, deception and disgrace but also growth, determination, persistence and passion. The characters are well drawn and intriguing and some like Senora Pecora are not what they appear. There is a lot here to keep you guessing in trying to decide who is on whose side.

I love that the nightingale, the bird of poets and passion, is mentioned especially in relation to Christina and her potential love interest at Lake Como. These birds have a mythic status as they have been written about so many times in poetry. So, it is only right that Christina would mention them. In her own words, she writes: ‘I met him here and first heard the nightingale sing…’ And as Rufina explains: ‘The nightingale is the bird of the night that lovers hear together…until the sun rises…’ When Romeo and Juliet spent one night together, they heard a bird and debated whether it was a Nightingale or a Lark (the former is associated with night and the latter with morning). And like these two tragic lovers, tragedy follows in this story.

I found Marianne’s profession as a textile historian fascinating. Every antique dress has a unique story to tell. She is moved by the fabric, the styles, the stories behind the clothing and the person who wore them. Her work truly is her passion. She knows that creativity and commitment can make a clothing exhibition successful. In her moments of self-doubt, she remembers encouraging words from her husband (who died in the war). ‘You have to believe in yourself and the importance of your work.’ This kind of affirmation builds confidence in an artist’s heart and she needs these positive words. Even though she is exceptional at what she does—her parents never appreciated her choice of study or its value in the art and history world.

For Christina, the advice from her loved one is similar. She must realise ‘the importance of the words’ she composes. There are strong parallels between the two women—each losing someone they love who believed in them and their talent.

Christina’s necklace left to her by her father, symbolises ‘something once lost, could be found and should always be treasured.’ This, in many ways, could be said of all antique gifts of importance. They are items to be appreciated. So many of us find ourselves standing in a museum looking at artefacts and imagining the lives of those attached to the pieces. It gives us both a thrill and a chill. It is part of the human story—a never ending one that continues throughout the centuries. To remember the past generations is a beautiful thing. For in doing so, we honour the person—the trials they may have faced, endured and survived through. These remnants of history give us hope and courage so that when we are facing our darkest and most challenging moments, we know that if they survived, we will, too.

Christina and Dante were called the ‘stormy’ ones by their father Gabriele, whereas Maria and Willian were the two calms. It is an intriguing concept and we wonder if they ever changed as they got older. (From research, it appears Christina certainly did.) In The Lost Dresses of Italy the focus is on poet Christina and brother poet-painter Dante. We get to see the two stormy ones in action as Dante is with Christina in a number of scenes. It is interesting to listen in on their conversations and to see their dynamics as siblings but also as creative figures. (Plus, to hear about their romantic interests and the affects on their artistic endeavours.)

One of the most moving passages for me with Marianne was when she expresses her strong connection to Christina Rossetti. She meets her in the clothes left behind that she must evaluate and showcase. I could feel the weight of Marianne’s grief in her words: ‘…I had come to Italy to repair my broken heart. Maybe that’s why I had felt a connection with Christina from the moment I saw her dresses; we were both women who had experienced such wreckage in our personal lives that we almost drowned from sorrow. I could feel it in every stitch of her clothing. Every hem. Every piece of trim. It all breathed from her spirit to mine.’

I could fill this review with numerous quotes from the novel but I won’t. As the story progresses, there are many more exceptional passages. A book could be written about this book! Instead, I will share a small sample of my own poetry: what might have been Marianne’s thoughts when she learns of Christina’s condemned love affair.

Imagine the flesh held by this loyal garment

That sun and moon have touched and kissed

The passion concealed by roaming shadows

Falls prey to light behind cold steps


Beyond the darkness and secret message

The nightingale sings on of wild desire

As fervent hearts are torn by precepts

And left to smoke and dust and sky.

There is a lot here to dine upon (and be inspired by) in this beautifully written story that brings the Rossetti past into the present for those who have a passion for English literature. This remarkable novel will forever be one of my all-time favourites. The Lost Dresses of Italy is way beyond 5 Stars. It’s a creative celestial masterpiece. ✨

Many thanks to Alcove Press, the author and Netgalley for a review copy.

I’m afraid I have mixed feelings about ‘The Lost Dresses of Italy’.
I was initially interested in this book due to the elements of Italy, & fashion/textiles, then to discover Christina Rossetti was ‘the icing on the cake’. Having become enthralled with her story, & being drawn in to feel so much for her, I was immensely disappointed to discover only at the end of the book that it was conjecture, rather than based on fact.
Apart from that, there were other surprises : I was not expecting the violence in a book about dresses...
War does not end at an arbitrary hour & date, it does not just suddenly switch off & people’s lives return to normal. Life can never be as it was beforehand, there will always be ongoing ramifications – often lasting forevermore.
And I still have mixed feelings about ‘The Lost Dresses of Italy’.... 3 1/2 stars

This book is a dual time book set in 1865 and 1945, and the story begins in London England, but then leads to the magical city of Verona, Italy, and reading it felt like I was in a beautiful dance filled with amazing paintings, poetry, amazing characters, beautiful architecture, step by step telling a story that was mysterious, exciting, well-written, unpredictable, and will go on my favorites list. Reading this story was like sitting down as a puzzle lover, and putting together a puzzle with an unknown picture that gets better and better as I put in each peace, until the end, at which made a picture that totally and unexpectedly blew me away! I absolutely loved this book, and learned so much about Christina Rossetti, even though the book was fiction, but she was a real person, a beautiful poet. I give this 5 out of 5 stars (one of my top 3 reads of 2023), and highly recommend it. Going to tell everyone I know about this amazing book, and just can't say that enough! It was fantastic!!!