Written in Secret

About the Book

 

Title: Written in Secret 

Series: The Art of Love and Danger #1 

Author: Crystal Caudill 

Publisher: Kregel Publications 

Release Date: March 11, 2025 

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense Romance 

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. 

As the mystery unfolds, Abraham and Lydia race to rewrite the ending, not only for Cincinnati's citizens, but for their own hearts too.

My Review: 

When a plan to rescue a circus animal goes awry, Lydia Pelton finds herself caught up in the mayhem and the wrong side of the law. Officer Abraham Hall is immediately attracted to this bold and daring young lady who he must take in for questioning. I loved the friendship and camaraderie of Lydia and her two friends who are known as The Guardians who stand with each other through thick and thin, including a trip to the police station.

Lydia learns a valuable lesson and experiences firsthand the saying that “the pen is mightier than the sword” as a vigilante brings to life her novels of punishing criminals. She must face hard questions about her motives behind her writing. Do her books really bring about the justice that she set out to achieve? With several suspects and plot twists, I was surprised to discover who was the perpetrator of the murders that were inspired by her books. 

This is the first book in the new Love of Art and Danger series. I love the setting of the Gilded Age in Cincinnati with streets named that are actually real locations. I look forward to reading more of these books that have strong faith elements.  

I received a complimentary copy of this book from JustRead Tours. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.

 

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Kregel Publications | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop

Also Available

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About the Author

Crystal Caudill is the Christy Award–winning author of “dangerously good romance,” including the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

Connect with Crystal by visiting crystalcaudill.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Written in Secrets and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 12, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on March 19, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!