Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill Book Review & Giveaway!

Hi. It’s me – the girl who is reading fast than she is reviewing lol. But I’m finally here with a review!!! I promise I’m trying to do better, it’s just ya know, books are so good and I just want to keep reading. Hehe!! But seriously guys, if Crystal Caudill’s new series isn’t on your radar, it needs to be! Just keep reading……

** Affiliate links used **

About the Book

Written in Secret
Author Crystal Caudill
Published by Kregel Publications
on March 11, 2025
Genres: Fiction / Christian / Romance / Historical
Pages: 336

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.

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | ChristianBook.com | Goodreads

My Perspective

Oh my do I love this book. I was laughing, crying, nervous, swooning, and just all the emotions. I adored Caudill’s first series, but I think I might like this one even more! I LOVE the premise – a dime novelist (I’m not a writer, but I am a reader!) who writes under a pen name and then those murders end up happening. Um…..every bookish suspense lover’s dream right there!

And then to pair that with the very handsome and intelligent Officer Abraham Hall. What more could a girl want? I loved their chemistry right from the start. I mean, they didn’t really get off on good feet so to speak. Hall wasn’t really, well, thinking highly of Lydia to put it nicely. But man, that made it even more fun to read! (I know you’re probably thinking I have a few nuts loose, but I promise I don’t!) The more time they spent together, the more the chemistry just built and had this reader highly anticipating that first smooch!

Caudill takes readers on such a wonderful ride in solving who the real “Dupin” is in this story. I thought I had it figured out, but slowly Caudill showed me just how very wrong I was, and when I actually figured it out I was like yep – I should have saw that coming. Oh it was just so well done. I kinda want to go back and read it again to see if I can pick up on any hints early on in the book.

Written in Secret was everything I wanted it to be and more. In addition to the romance build up, intriguing plot, and super fun mystery, you’ve also got a beautiful faith thread that speaks directly to your heart. I highly recommend for historical fiction and suspense fans alike!

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

Favorite Quotes

“I wasn’t flirting. I was being witty and charming. I have to test, on occasion, what my heroines say, just so I know what a man’s real reaction would be.”

Only God could see the heart, and was not this moment revealing that he had a heart as judgmental as hers?

“Well, I did consider making you a villain for a short time. But truly, you make a much better hero. Any woman would swoon over you.”

“If Abraham wasn’t careful, he might find himself facing a former criminal as his wife.”

“It is not our place to serve as judge, jury, and executioner. We must abide by the decisions of those God has placed in authority, even if we don’t agree. He has His reasons.”

“What I desire above all things is real love, and real love comes from the ordinary. Only, to those two people, the ordinary becomes something extraordinary. Little touches, walking through the trials of life together, fighting for each other as needed.”

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.

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

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

What interests you about this story?