Favorite Books of 2024

 By Kelly Bridgewater

Here are my favorite books of 2024: (All images come from Goodreads.) 

Majority of these books were non-stop action, which I need to make a good story. Meyer and Raybon surprised me with their unique, yet lovable story lines. Shocklee's story tore at my heart, and I have recommended it to a number of people to read. I have put Under the Tulip Tree on my Christmas Wish List. I can't wait to dive into it again. 

One Last Chance by Susan May Warren

One Last Stand by Susan May Warren

Fury by Ronie Kendig and Steffanie Webb

For a Lifetime by Gabrielle Meyer

Truth be Told by Patricia Raybon

Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee

Quell the Nightingale by Michelle Israel Harper

Of Gold and Shadows by Michelle Griep

A Hope Unburied By Kimberley Woodhouse

70 North by Kimberley Woodhouse

I would love to know if you read these books, what did you think?

Patricia Raybon: Truth Be Told

By Kelly Bridgewater

Denver's newest detective. A garden's deadly secrets.

On a lovely June night in 1924, amateur detective Annalee Spain is mingling bravely at a high-class political fundraiser in the lush backyard garden of famed political fixer Cooper Coates, one of the wealthiest men in Denver's Black neighborhood of Five Points. When Coates’s young daughter discovers a pretty stranger dead in her father’s garden shed, Annalee is thrust onto the baffling new case just as she’s reeling from another recent discovery―a handwritten letter, found buried in her own garden, that reveals the identity of her mother.

Not ready to face the truth about her hidden past, Annalee throws herself into solving the mystery of the young woman’s demise. With the help of her pastor boyfriend Jack Blake, her orphaned buddy Eddie, and her trustworthy church friends, Annalee follows the clues to three seemingly disconnected settings―a traveling carnival set up downtown, a Black civic club, and a prestigious white seminary on the outskirts of Denver. Intriguing advice also comes from a famous, real-life Denver visitor. But is Annalee on the right track or just running in circles, fleeing from conflicts racing in her heart?

In a taut, heart-gripping narrative driven by secrets, romance, and lies, Annalee must unravel a case with higher stakes than she imagined―one where answers about a lovely woman's death point to truths and tensions still throbbing today.

 

My Thoughts:

Truth Be Told by Patricia Raybon may take place in Denver, Colorado in 1924, but I believe the story could be ripped from the headlines today. I loved how she does take a murder mystery, which is one of my favorite genres, and wraps it in a timely historical element. I love the chapter openings with Sherlock Holmes’ quotes. Conan Doyle’s character is one of my favorite literary characters. I love the character of Annalee Spain. She is proud, determined, and does not let little things get her down. Especially in this book, Raybon has put her to the test a number of times, and Annalee keeps on trudging toward justice for the dead young black woman. I love how kind she is to everyone no matter their skin color or race. The plot is nicely handled with plenty of moments of watching Annalee as she tries to question others and solve the case. One of my favorite aspects is the budding romance between Annalee and Jake Drake. It has developed nicely over the three books. Overall, Truth Be Told by Patricia Raybon is a delightful mystery that I will own on my bookshelf.

I received a complimentary copy of Truth Be Told by Patricia Raybon from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:   4.5 out of 5 stars

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Patricia Raybon: All That Is Secret

 By Kelly Bridgewater

From award-winning author Patricia Raybon comes a compelling new historical mystery series, a riveting puzzle confronting the hidden secrets of class, race, family, and love.

Can an amateur detective solve the cold-case mystery of her lost father's murder?

In the winter of 1923, Professor Annalee Spain―a poor, prim but clever Black theologian--a fan of Sherlock Holmes--leaves her overworked teaching job in Chicago to return home to solve the murder of her estranged father. But in Colorado's dangerous winter of 1923, when the Klan rules the state, will she find answers for crimes before becoming a victim, too?

With her daring spirit and her literary hero Sherlock Holmes as inspiration, Annalee launches her hunt for clues, attracting two surprising allies: Eddie, a relentless young orphan boy searching for his missing father, and Jack, a handsome young pastor who loves nightclub dancing and rides in his sporty car, awakening Annalee's heart to the surprising highs and lows of romantic love.

With their help, Annalee follows clues that land her among Denver's powerful elite. But when their sleuthing unravels sinister motives and deep lies, Annalee could confront all that is secret that others will kill to hide

 

My Thoughts:

All That is Secret by Patricia Raybon is a thrilling chase through historical political strife as the hunt for justice as dead bodies pack up. The plot touches on the historical racism of the time. Not in a horrifying way, but a realistic punch to what occurred during the time. The story does feature the Ku Klux Klan, but it is realistic part of America’s dark past. As a reader, I felt like I was watching the story unfolded in the important moments of history. It rang true to my amateur mind. Annalee was a brave, educated woman who loves Sherlock Holmes with a heart for the downtrodden. Holmes is a huge love of mine. I enjoyed suspense stories, so throw in a little history, and the author grabs my attention. Rayborn definitely does this. A little bit of romance. Not overwhelming at all. On the other hand, there is one issue that I had with the plot. Internal dialogue. There are numerous incidents in the story where Rayborn would stop the action by freezing the characters so that Annalee could think through things. Sometimes her thoughts would go on for pages. A little too much for my taste. I wanted to know what was happening on around her. Overall, All That is Secret by Patricia Raybon is a historical mystery with touches of reality. I’m interested in reading book two since there will be more stories featuring Annalee.

I received a complimentary copy of All That is Secret by Patricia Raybon from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

My Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

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About the Author: 

A writer of faith by day and mystery by night, Patricia Raybon is an award-winning Colorado author, essayist and novelist whose top-rated books explore the daring intersection of faith and race.

Her first fiction -- an historical detective series, All That Is Secret, set in 1923 in Colorado's Klan era -- is set to release Oct. 5, 2021, from Tyndale House.

"Readers will be hooked from the first line of this page-turning mystery...Captivating." (Julie Cantrell) "A good mystery." (Rhys Bowen) "Fast-paced and intriguing." (Manuel Ramos) "Engrossing and thrilling....This intrepid sleuth would give Sherlock Holmes a run for his money." (Sophfronia Scott).

For a deep dive into Patricia's compelling world of faith and fiction, connect with her daring and insightful books--and receive a free download of her "Busy Person's Guide to Hearing God" -- at patriciaraybon.com

Image and Notes about the Author taken from Goodreads.com