Written in Secret (The Art of Love and Danger) by Crystal Caudill is this week’s Reader Friday post. Here are the first two lines: Lydia tucked her feet beneath the plush chair and adjusted the borrowed rubber coat tighter around her body as the booking clerk of the Oliver Street station house ogled her again. What had she been thinking when she agreed to wear trousers?
I loved this story and eagerly look forward to reading the next one! But before I tell you more, first the photo and verse. I caught the sun peeking through the trees early one morning and couldn’t resist snapping the photo. I love sunrises…and sunsets…and lakes, and mountains. And I love that verse that so perfectly describes God.
And now for Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill. But first here’s the cover and back copy:
What happens when fiction becomes reality? In the corruption-infested Queen City, danger lurks in every shadow, but Lydia Pelton refuses to stay silent. She writes under a pseudonym, E. A. Dupin, crafting crime novels to exact justice and right the wrongs she sees in society. When a serial killer decides to be the sword to her pen, Lydia is confronted with the consequences of her words. Four men are dead, and the city blames her.
With murders on the rise, Officer Abraham Hall’s only lead is Lydia’s fiction, and he is thrust into an investigation with the “Killer Queen of Romance.” Despite his misgivings about the woman, he realizes that even with his reputation for catching elusive criminals, he needs her help. But his unexpected attraction to Lydia proves as difficult to manage as the woman herself.
My take:
As I said above, I love this historical romantic suspense. I was telling someone about it at our conference two weeks ago, long after I read it. Crystal Claudill did a fantastic job of giving Lydia what she wanted–she was a famous author of dime novels under her own name. But when a serial killer uses her crime books written under her pen name to target victims, she questions if that desire was really from God.
Caudill crafted strong characters in Lydia and Abraham and watching them spar was fun to watch. Abraham was swoon-worthy, and very noble, but he had to learn to bend a little! And Lydia had me laughing out loud with her fearless antics. Lydia’s friends were very interesting, and I looked forward to each of them having their own story.
The spiritual thread was very convicting because at first, I agreed with Lydia’s Billy Poe. But as Caudill developed the story, I had to stop and think, and that’s what a good book does for the reader. The mystery and suspense was well-crafted and had me flipping pages to find out who the serial killer was. It was a great read, and I was blessed to read an early copy of the book provided by the author, but I liked it so well, I bought my own copy. And will buy the next one as soon as it is released.
Written in Secret is a book I believe romantic suspense readers will enjoy.
Okay Readers, what are you reading this week? Have you read many historical romantic suspense books? I hadn’t, but that’s about to change.
Leave a comment, and I’ll enter you in a March drawing for a beautiful pen handcrafted by Dr. Steve Hooley, a $60 value. You can see more of his work at his website. I’ll be giving away one of his pens each month on my Reader Friday Blog.
Written in Secret (The Art of Love and Danger) by Crystal Caudill is this week's Reader Friday post. Check it out! Share on X
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Comments 37
I read Trapped in Yosemite by Dana Mentink. Fantastic book, I had no idea until the end who the bad person was.
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I have that on my TBR table, Phyllis! You’re making me want to skip ahead.
I read Mistaken Identities by Tara Taylor Quinn.
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Diana, I love Tara Taylor Quinn’s books…but it’s been a while.
Gorgeous photo and verse, Pat! Oo, I do like it when a book makes me stop and think. Written in Secret sounds terrific!
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Thank you Priscilla! I think you would enjoy Written in Secret.
I love sunrise/sunset photos, and your sunrise is fantastic! Usually, I find cloud add to the beauty, but as the verse states, a cloudless morning removes all distraction and puts the focus on just the sun; a reminder that we need to keep our focus on the Son!
I don’t go looking for historical Christian suspense. Perhaps I should! I do like watching movies in historical settings. Must be a mind thing with me 🙂
I’m currently reading “Break My Fall” by Liz Blackburn. I’ve enjoyed all her past books, and this one has me wondering when the bad stuff will start to happen. It always does. The first line is easy enough: “No more peppermints, Mrs. Frost, or the next time it’s a root canal.” The dentist is the leading lady in the book, Dr. Meredith Quinn. Heart of gold, fiercely brave, and about to get into big trouble.
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I love sunsets and sunrises, too, Tim. I’m finding I really like historical suspense. And Break My Fall sounds like something I would enjoy as well!
Beautiful photo, Pat. It always amazes me how perfectly your Scriptures fit.
I loved your review of Written in Secret and I also love Crystal Caudill’s books!!! It was a pulling-in review. I haven’t gotten this one yet, so I am very glad of the reminder.
BTW, Tim. I never used to like or even think about Historical Christian suspense books either. However, I have found some fabulous well-written stories out there and I am hooked on them now. So, do give them a try!
“No lights shone from the house. Not even the porch light. Homeland Security Agent Clair Green turned her back on the cold wind and leaned on the doorbell again.” This is the the first few lines from Death Under the Ice by Deborah Sprinkle.
Barbara, thank you for your recommendation to try historical Christian suspense again. By the way, I just purchased “Death Under the Ice” inspired by what you’re reading now.
Hahah, Tim hours ago, I wrote you back. I just now checked and realized I wrote it in my head. So of course, you never got it!
Let me know if you’d like me to send you some suggestions on historical Christian fiction authors and books.
You’re going to enjoy Deborah’s book.
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Oh, Wow, Barbara…how did I miss Death Under the Ice? I thought I’d read all of Deborah Sprinkle’s books! I love her stories. And I really enjoyed Crystal Caudill’s book. Sometimes it made me laugh out loud and then I’d be on the edge of my seat again.
Haha Pat. Deborah had these books at the conference. It’s a newer one, I believe.
So glad you enjoyed Crystal’s book. Yep laughing and edge of the seat, I agree. I really enjoy her stories
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I’m afraid I didn’t get over to her booth at the conference, Barbara. 😉 I’ll be reading it on my Kindle soon…
nice review
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Thanks, BN!
I am reading Tempest at Annabelle’s Lighthouse by Jaime Jo Wright.
I love historical suspense. I read Written in Secret and loved it!
Try some of Abigail Wilson or Joanna Davidson Politano books. Also Erica Vetsch or Michelle Griep.
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Great suggestions, Paula! And I have Jaime Jo Wright’s book on my TBR table!
What an absolutely great photo and verse. Thanks so much. I’ll look forward to reading the book, too.
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Thanks, Delores. I think you’ll enjoy it!
Love the photo! I. too, love sunrises and sunsets. I agree with Barbara – you always manage to pair the photos and scripture verses so well!
Cryatal Caudill’s book, Written in Secret, sounds really good.
Seventeen years ago “I want you to go into the store and tell the clerk that you need help”.
Deception by Christy Barritt
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Thanks, Mary G. Christy Barritt’s books are so intriguing!
I love Crystal Caudill! Her newest is next up on my list after I finish my current read, whish is an ARC of Cara Putmans The Accused. It’s so good, you’ll love it!
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Cara Putman writes the best lawyer suspense books, Megan!
I am looking forward to Crystal’s book and it is on my wish list. Thanks for the review, Pat.
Prologue
I’d love to say I became famous because of my excellent writing skills.
Some Like it Scot by Pepper Basham
Thanks for featuring Written in Secret today. I’ve read all of Crystal’s previous books, and I’m looking forward to reading this new title. My current read is Amish Country Killer by Mary Alford.
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Hi Connie! I’ve read some, but not all of Crystal’s books…will change that. And I know you’ll enjoy Mary Alford’s Amish Country Killer.
Currently reading Where can I flee by A.M. Heath
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That title sounds intriguing, Shelia!
I finally got here. That is a beautiful picture and a great verse, Pat. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the sun quite like that. It almost looks like a huge fire above the house. This would make a great cover picture for the book I started reading earlier today. I finally got the time to read Nancy Mehl’s Cold Threat. The Prologue opens with: I watched as fire devoured the house as if it were a living, breathing monster, ravenous for death and destruction.
I read Historical Christian Suspense on occasion, but most of the books I read are contemporary. That is due in part to the fact that most of my favorite authors write contemporary stories and also because the books I am sent to proofread or to do a first read are usually contemporary.
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Good to see you, Edward and you’re never late. 🙂 Nancy’s Cold Threat was a page-turner for sure…kept me up into the wee hours to finish it.
I am currently reading an ARC of Deadly Badlands Pursuit by Sharee Stover.
I don’t normally go looking for historical books but have really enjoyed the ones I happened to run across.
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That’s kind of mne, Carolyn. I was on Crystal’s launch team and read this one, then went on to buy it.
Pat, Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Written in Secret. Sounds like one not to miss.
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I loved the book, Caryl!
I am reading Shelia Stovall’s Every Life Filled with Purpose.
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I’ll have to check that one out, Sally Jo!