Carla's Book Crush

Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill
Series: The Art of Love and Danger – Book 1
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.

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

This book is jam-packed with suspense and action. Even though I figured out the killer early on, it was still thrilling. Lydia is strong, intelligent, and well-balanced. Seeing her wrestle with whether her words could inspire murder felt heartfelt and real.

Lydia had that internal struggle that many of us deal with—the way of the world versus the way of God. As she continued to make heart-wrenching decisions about how to balance her love of writing, everything going on around her, and her desire to do what was right by God, I felt more and more drawn to her.

Officer Abraham Hall is headstrong, smart, and determined to solve the case. I don’t know what Caudill specifically wrote to make me think this way—perhaps it was the physical description and the personality—but I pictured him as a very handsome man. Kudos!

Abraham struggles with both his suspicions about Lydia, his thoughts on her career choice, and his growing feelings for her. He is very strong in his Christian faith and relies heavily on the power of prayer—except when he’s being stubborn about his viewpoints!

Despite my love for romantic suspense, I have strong opinions about romance during traumatic events (why is a love interest important now?), but somehow, Caudill made it work! The romance was both slow-building and fast-paced, making it feel authentic and rewarding. I may now truly understand the lure of a relationship under these circumstances.

With strong themes of justice, humility, and mercy, this book delivers a powerful Christian message. I loved it and can’t wait for the next in the series! 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher.
All opinions are my own.

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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.

Tour Giveaway

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

e 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

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