All That Is Secret - An Annalee Spain Mystery by Patricia Raybon Hardcover
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4.8 out of 5 stars with 4 reviews
5 out of 5 stars
13 October, 2021
Historical Fiction Must Read
Patricia Raybon’s debut of her historical mystery ‘All That Is Secret’ is AMAZING! Raybon has achieved success with this novel, first in a new series. It is fast-paced, honest and raw, with characters I long to know more about. Meet Annalee Spain, a theology professor and amateur sleuth but no amateur at life. Annalee finds herself up to a monumental task of trying to solve the mystery surrounding her father’s death. When this smart protagonist travels by rail from Chicago to Denver during the winter of 1929, she encounters twists and turns that puts her life (and lives of others) in constant danger. Raybon’s pearls of Christian wisdom and thought are sprinkled throughout the chapters as Annalee relies on her wit, gut and faith. Patricia Raybon is a talented author with skill and style of turning a phrase. Her use of descriptive and figurative language creates a magnificent story that is authentic and fresh. The character Annalee is honest and displays raw truth. We seldom can admit when our own faith waivers. But Raybon peels away the layers of Annalee’s angst like an onion. Annalee thinks about the past year and admits to herself that she is “ so blasted confounded with God.” Wow! I can certainly identify with this truly multifaceted character. Will amateur sleuth, Annalee Spain solve the murder of her cherished but alienated father? Or instead, will Annalee become another victim of yet another unsolved murder? Looking for a thrilling novel to add to your Must Read List? Allow Patricia Raybon to take you into the past to places where mystery, faith and emotions intersect. The elements in this historical mystery work very well to bring forth a lesson of spiritual awaking.
5 out of 5 stars
13 October, 2021
TWISTS AND TURNS APLENTY
History, mystery, romance and Gospel all mixed into a fast paced, mind-bending plot that kept me guessing until the very end. The opening chapters are like getting on an old-fashioned wooden rollercoaster. Suspense builds as it creaks and clanks up that first tall hill. Then, when it lets go at the top the twists, turns and plunges just keep coming. Patricia Raybon has created a thoroughly likable main character in Annalee Spain, a Bible scholar, who leaves her teaching position in Chicago to solve her father’s murder in Denver during the 1920s when the KKK held sway. Annalee is a black woman. So, the danger is very real. But not all of the villains are white, nor are all of the good guys black. By the end of the story, Annalee, who has struggled with doubts about her faith throughout, has preached an effective sermon without ever letting it get in the way of the plot. Although I received an electronic Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher, the opinions above are my own.
5 out of 5 stars
11 October, 2021
Compelling Story, Beautifully Written
All That Is Secret is the riveting story of Professor Annalee Spain's quest to unravel the mystery of her father's murder. I was completely absorbed by page 2 of the Prologue and found the setting and period details of Denver in the late 1920s especially fascinating. Patricia's precise narrative and well-drawn characters make this book a joy to read from start to finish, and I'll be thinking about this story for a long time to come. A stellar debut!