All That is Secret

Title: All That is Secret

Series: An Annalee Spain Mystery #1

Author: Patricia Raybon

Publisher: Tyndale Publishers

Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction,

Source: Net Galley

My Review:

All That is Secret is the first book I have read by Patricia Raybon. It is also the first book in the Annalee Spain Mystery series. I requested this book because it sounded amazing.

The prologue was exciting and drew me in. I wanted to hear more about the incident described in the prologue, but it took a long time to get to that point. Joe Spain seemed like a good guy, trying to do the right thing, but it ended up getting him killed.

However, once I got into the story it seemed to drag a bit. I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters, I found several things unrealistic to the time period, and the phraseology of the story was awkward throughout.  Also, the overuse of italics distracted me from the story and annoyed me to no end.

I appreciate that Annalee is a smart, educated woman, which is rare for that time, but she didn't always act educated. I also appreciated her taking on Eddie Brown Junior and trying to help him out.  I am trying hard to find the right words, but the story just felt disjointed. 

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Synopsis (from Goodreads): 

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 daring 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.