Stephen Curry’s March 2022 Literati Book Club Pick
Parade Magazine pick for Fall 2021 “Mysteries We Love”
PBS Masterpiece’s “Best Mystery Books of 2021: As Recommended by Bestselling Authors”
CrimeReads “Best Debut Novels” pick for October 2021
BookBub’s “16 Best Historical Mysteries of 2021”
From award-winning author Patricia Raybon comes a compelling new historical mystery series about a young Black theologian—and Sherlock fan—seeking to solve her father’s cold case murder in a city ruled by the KKK.
Can an amateur detective solve the cold case mystery of her lost father’s murder? In the winter of 1923, Professor Annalee Spain―a clever but overworked theologian at a small Chicago Bible college―receives a cryptic telegram calling her home to Denver to solve the mystery of the murder of her beloved but estranged father.
For a young Black woman, searching for answers in a city ruled by the KKK could mean real danger. Still, with her literary hero Sherlock Holmes as inspiration, Annalee launches her hunt for clues, attracting two surprising allies: Eddie, a relentless young white boy searching for his missing father, and Jack, a handsome Black 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 secrets, Annalee confronts the dangerous truths and beliefs that could make her a victim too.
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Sexual Content - 1/5
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Violence - 1/5
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Language - 0/5
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Drugs and Alcohol - 1/5
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Summary
From: Rebecca Maney
Book Title: All That Is Secret
Book Author: Patricia Raybon
What do you like about this book:
4.5 stars
"Truth doesn't stay hidden. Neither do secrets. One day, to a praying heart, they disclose themselves."
When theology professor Annalee Spain leaves her teaching position at a Chicago Bible College in response to a puzzling telegram, the details surrounding the death of her father in Denver, Colorado become her new mission . . . why did someone want a weathered old nobody cowboy dead? What had he seen? Who did he know? How could Joe Spain have been a threat to anyone?
Annalee arrives at her destination under duress. Picking up a familiar stray orphan in the baggage car was just one of her worries. The biggest surprise (besides running for her life and hiding under a rail car) was that Reverend Blake, the assumed sender of her summons, was not at all who she expected . . . he was much younger, and far more handsome . . . than his aged uncle. The question was, how far would a popular young black pastor go, ministering in a klan-invested city like Denver, to fuel Annalee's amateur detective tendencies?
What a breath of fresh air ! . . . with its clever, creepy, corrupt criminals and its invigorating, innovative, inventive heroine this book will capture the rapt attention of many a sleuth! Its pages practically turn themselves (not really, but it sure seemed like it), for there are a wealth of clues to follow and three characters who can barely keep up with their own story. Romantic? Absolutely. Spiritual depth? Let's just say that Jack Blake is born to preach, (and in spite of, and maybe because of Annalee's muted protests) any time, anywhere!
I'm just glad this is only the beginning of time spent with Annalee Spain!