77 Seaview: A Novella Where Songs Become Sanctuary

By Hal Roberts

77 Seaview is a sweeping, dual-timeline novel of hidden histories, forbidden love, and the power of a single song to defy silence. Perfect for fans of The Night Watch by Sarah Waters, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, and historical fiction that blends mystery with heart.

The Past: 1927, The Gilded Lily

Beneath the respectable fa ade of Seaview Street lies a secret sanctuary. In the smoky basement of 77 Seaview, Nickie Thorn-a young singer with a voice older than her years-finds refuge in The Gilded Lily, a speakeasy where society's outcasts gather under coded songs and whispered passwords. Here, love is dangerous, survival is communal, and every note sung is an act of rebellion.

But when flashing red and blue lights shatter the sanctuary, Nickie must choose between escape and loyalty. In the chaos of a police raid, she discovers a hidden object that will echo through generations-a secret bound to her voice, her courage, and the fragile family forged in the shadows.

The Present: Early 2000s, The Thorn Household

Decades later, Eliza Thorn grows up in the same house, unaware of its buried past. Her father, Richard, demands stability, conformity, and silence. To him, life is a straight line: university, career, marriage. To Eliza, life feels like a cage.

When she stumbles upon a leather-bound diary and a deed signed by Lilian Devereaux, she uncovers the forgotten legacy of The Gilded Lily. The entries speak of raids, resilience, and a song that was "the key." For Eliza, the discovery is more than history-it's a lifeline. The voices of Nickie and her community whisper across time, urging her to claim her own truth, even as her father builds walls around her future.

A House That Remembers

From the jazz-soaked nights of Prohibition to the suffocating expectations of modern family life, 77 Seaview is a novel about the walls we inherit and the songs that break them down. It is about chosen families, hidden sanctuaries, and the courage to exist authentically in a world that demands silence.

The house itself becomes a character-its beams soaked in smoke and song, its attic hiding deeds and diaries, its floorboards whispering secrets. For Nickie, it was a fortress against prejudice. For Eliza, it is a map to freedom. For readers, it is a reminder that history is never truly silent.

Why Readers Will Love 77 Seaview

Dual timelines: A gripping blend of 1920s speakeasy drama and modern family conflict.

Queer historical fiction: Celebrates hidden communities and the resilience of LGBTQ+ voices across generations.

Atmospheric writing: Rich sensory detail-smoke, jazz, velvet, sunlight-creates immersive scenes.

Mystery & discovery: A diary, a deed, and a cryptic refrain-"The song is the key"-drive suspense.

Emotional depth: Explores themes of belonging, repression, chosen family, and the courage to defy silence.

Perfect For Fans Of:

Historical fiction with queer narratives (Sarah Waters, Emma Donoghue)

Dual-timeline mysteries (Kate Morton, Kristin Hannah)

Literary fiction that blends atmosphere with emotional resonance (Donna Tartt, Amor Towles)

Step into 77 Seaview. Hear the siren song of the past. Discover the voices that refuse to be silenced.

If you love novels that intertwine mystery, history, and heart, 77 Seaview will stay with you long after the final page.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0G48JW6GD
• ISBN13: 9798276313580
• Release Date: November 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 156 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"