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Duskin
Take a fresh look at a well-loved Grace Livingston Hill classic. Secretary Carol Berkley is a woman ahead of her time. When her boss has an accident, she volunteers to go on a business trip for him. It is her chance to prove her worth. . .and save the company from corruption. But as she boards a train bound for Chicago, she inadvertently steps into a dangerous plot. Who can she trust with her knowledge—and her life?
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1929
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171 people want to read
About the author
Grace Livingston Hill
591 books569 followersalso wrote under the pseudonym Marcia MacDonald
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
also published under the name Grace Livingston Hill Lutz
A popular author of her day, she wrote over 100 novels and numerous short stories of religious and Christian fiction. Her characters were most often young female ingénues, frequently strong Christian women or those who become so within the confines of the story.
niece to Isabella MacDonald Alden
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
June 24, 2022
Save us from smart business women (and men too...) who come onto a construction project thinking they know everything that's going on just because they've seen the financials. Ick. Here's a storyline that tells me builders have been dealing with these same problems for years. Poor Duskin.
I love the character of Carol in this particular book. Here's something quite radical for the time period this was written in - a young woman who is taking on the authority of an entire project, who is trying to call the shots, and is showing the men how it's done. Of course she messes it all up - but NOT because she's a woman. Instead she's been led astray -the counsel she's had has been poor, and the numbers inaccurate. There's a suspense plot going on here - and Carol proves herself very smart indeed and quite the equal partner to Duskin.
Ooooh, but I liked this pairing.
I love to see how Grace shows us that the modern woman (for her time anyway) can still be a strong Christian, but can also be a success in business. I would love to see another book with this same couple - what kind of team would they make - and what kinds of things would they build? This was an awesome experience to read and one I enjoyed tremendously. Very fresh and interesting!
I love the character of Carol in this particular book. Here's something quite radical for the time period this was written in - a young woman who is taking on the authority of an entire project, who is trying to call the shots, and is showing the men how it's done. Of course she messes it all up - but NOT because she's a woman. Instead she's been led astray -the counsel she's had has been poor, and the numbers inaccurate. There's a suspense plot going on here - and Carol proves herself very smart indeed and quite the equal partner to Duskin.
Ooooh, but I liked this pairing.
I love to see how Grace shows us that the modern woman (for her time anyway) can still be a strong Christian, but can also be a success in business. I would love to see another book with this same couple - what kind of team would they make - and what kinds of things would they build? This was an awesome experience to read and one I enjoyed tremendously. Very fresh and interesting!
January 8, 2024
I enjoyed this story. While I wouldn’t say it was a favorite, it was fun and I read almost all of it in one afternoon. Carol was a bit annoying at times because she seemed inconsistent. She knew some guys were crooks, but then she also seemed to take their word that another man was also a crook. She seemed to think that was “evidence.” Some of the situations seemed a little stretched but hey, it made the story more exciting. I knew from the start who was good and who wasn’t, but that was okay.
There was some Bible verses, and there is at least one prayer.
There was some Bible verses, and there is at least one prayer.
February 23, 2017
Another of my favorites. The mystery in this one was great!
July 17, 2021
Rating: 4 / 5
This story is a bit different from Hill’s usual works, but no less lovely as a result. It centers around Carol Berkeley, a secretary who suddenly finds herself in a position of trust and authority with regards to her company’s latest project. In this sense, you can really feel Hill campaigning for the capability and initiative of the “modern woman” in taking charge of business in a man-dominated profession (which feels appropriate since this was written in the 1920s), though of course she leaves out the nasty habits of smoking and drinking. What I myself especially liked about Carol was the honesty of her portrayal in how one can be wrong in judgement sometimes and how power can go to anyone’s head, even if they’re a pure heroine in a Christian romance novel.
There wasn’t a focus on either religion or romance for this book, but instead on the project itself, correcting misunderstandings, and sidestepping corruption and evil plans. I’m taking a star off because I’m not much of a fan of fight-first-then-fall-in-love romances, and that was the direction that this story took in terms of Duskin and Carol’s relationship. Not my preferred Hill read, in other words, but still plenty interesting and one of the best in terms of campaigning for strong female characters in a business world and workforce. A nice addition to my shelves.
This story is a bit different from Hill’s usual works, but no less lovely as a result. It centers around Carol Berkeley, a secretary who suddenly finds herself in a position of trust and authority with regards to her company’s latest project. In this sense, you can really feel Hill campaigning for the capability and initiative of the “modern woman” in taking charge of business in a man-dominated profession (which feels appropriate since this was written in the 1920s), though of course she leaves out the nasty habits of smoking and drinking. What I myself especially liked about Carol was the honesty of her portrayal in how one can be wrong in judgement sometimes and how power can go to anyone’s head, even if they’re a pure heroine in a Christian romance novel.
There wasn’t a focus on either religion or romance for this book, but instead on the project itself, correcting misunderstandings, and sidestepping corruption and evil plans. I’m taking a star off because I’m not much of a fan of fight-first-then-fall-in-love romances, and that was the direction that this story took in terms of Duskin and Carol’s relationship. Not my preferred Hill read, in other words, but still plenty interesting and one of the best in terms of campaigning for strong female characters in a business world and workforce. A nice addition to my shelves.
April 8, 2021
I really enjoyed this book.
There was one place where it said she wasn’t sure what she could do for the business (as a woman), because men usually looked after those things.
That was a common belief back then - but she actually proved herself by the end of the book.
It was a riveting story that I couldn’t put down. Good read.
There was one place where it said she wasn’t sure what she could do for the business (as a woman), because men usually looked after those things.
That was a common belief back then - but she actually proved herself by the end of the book.
It was a riveting story that I couldn’t put down. Good read.
August 9, 2016
Good...but definitely not my favorite GLH novel.
November 21, 2016
Not really a huge fan of Grace Livingston Hill, but I really enjoyed this one! The romance was so sweet, and the action scenes were impeccable!
July 29, 2024
This is the first Grace Livingston Hill book I have ever read. I didn't even know about her until my mom found some of her books at a thrift store and discovered her to be a Christian author.
I adored GLH's writing style! It felt its age without it being difficult for me to read or get through at a decent pace. She wrote the chemistry between the main couple absolutely brilliantly! It was a slow burn for SURE but I like a slow burn when it's done well.
The premise hardly interested me but I still enjoyed the story as a whole! And I can't imagine how much more I will like GLH's other books of which the premises seem more interesting!
🚨 Spoilers ahead 🚨
Fave Chapter:
Chapter 4
When Duskin finally entered the story! I completely guessed at who he was but loved seeing Carol so oblivious 😂 and I was happy her speech went so well!
Fave Character:
Duskin
The cover makes him look like Tom Cruise so that's what I had in mind the whole time 😂 His work ethic is on another level. His affection for Carol was so sweet! He seemed like a solid guy.
Ship:
Carin (Duskin x Carol)
They had instant chemistry while still having a sort of 'enemies to lovers' kind of vibe. Twice Duskin saved her as a damsel in distress. I know some dont like that kind of thing but i found it swoon worthy. And Carol wasn't completely helpless. I liked how capable she was while still allowing Duskin to help her in big ways.
I adored GLH's writing style! It felt its age without it being difficult for me to read or get through at a decent pace. She wrote the chemistry between the main couple absolutely brilliantly! It was a slow burn for SURE but I like a slow burn when it's done well.
The premise hardly interested me but I still enjoyed the story as a whole! And I can't imagine how much more I will like GLH's other books of which the premises seem more interesting!
🚨 Spoilers ahead 🚨
Fave Chapter:
Chapter 4
When Duskin finally entered the story! I completely guessed at who he was but loved seeing Carol so oblivious 😂 and I was happy her speech went so well!
Fave Character:
Duskin
The cover makes him look like Tom Cruise so that's what I had in mind the whole time 😂 His work ethic is on another level. His affection for Carol was so sweet! He seemed like a solid guy.
Ship:
Carin (Duskin x Carol)
They had instant chemistry while still having a sort of 'enemies to lovers' kind of vibe. Twice Duskin saved her as a damsel in distress. I know some dont like that kind of thing but i found it swoon worthy. And Carol wasn't completely helpless. I liked how capable she was while still allowing Duskin to help her in big ways.
December 11, 2020
Very worthwhile book, good story!
There are so many lessons on life & faith in all of Grace Livingston Hill's books. In this story, a faithful mother sends a Bible with her young adult daughter as she sets out on a difficult business assignment not normally given to a woman.
As she keeps her promise to read her Bible, she stumbles upon verses that she ponders & they teach & guide & encourage her. Judging a matter before she knows or understands it all makes the job more difficult than it had to be in the beginning.
An unwise decision puts her in grave danger & she is rescued by the very one she has doubted. Her sacrificial dedication to her job, her courage, & writing down a suspicious conversation she overhears before she sets off on her journey is the key to solving the mystery.......And then there's the romance!
There are so many lessons on life & faith in all of Grace Livingston Hill's books. In this story, a faithful mother sends a Bible with her young adult daughter as she sets out on a difficult business assignment not normally given to a woman.
As she keeps her promise to read her Bible, she stumbles upon verses that she ponders & they teach & guide & encourage her. Judging a matter before she knows or understands it all makes the job more difficult than it had to be in the beginning.
An unwise decision puts her in grave danger & she is rescued by the very one she has doubted. Her sacrificial dedication to her job, her courage, & writing down a suspicious conversation she overhears before she sets off on her journey is the key to solving the mystery.......And then there's the romance!
July 24, 2021
I have nothing much to say about this book, so I probably won't write much of a review.
Important points, though, include the following:
1. The hero's name is NOT Graham
2. The hero's last name is NOT Graeme
And that about sums it up! There was also a wedding without a proposal or any declarations of love, though, so that was interesting...has to be the most off-page romance I've ever read, even from GLH.
I think I need to take a break from GLH...I've read something like 13 books of hers this week, and I'm getting tired, and probably judging them too harshly. I'm just so competitive and want to beat my mother in this reading contest...
Overall rating- this held my interest, but probably not a re-read for me.
Important points, though, include the following:
1. The hero's name is NOT Graham
2. The hero's last name is NOT Graeme
And that about sums it up! There was also a wedding without a proposal or any declarations of love, though, so that was interesting...has to be the most off-page romance I've ever read, even from GLH.
I think I need to take a break from GLH...I've read something like 13 books of hers this week, and I'm getting tired, and probably judging them too harshly. I'm just so competitive and want to beat my mother in this reading contest...
Overall rating- this held my interest, but probably not a re-read for me.
January 16, 2021
This book is at the top of my GLH favorites list.. action, intrigue, romance and more. Carol is not prepared but certainly pulls it off as a representative of a company when she has to fill in for her boss. Her problem is who should she trust.
Miss Hill keeps us in suspense as we watch Carol work it all out. Of course, a happy ending is always just another problem away...
Miss Hill keeps us in suspense as we watch Carol work it all out. Of course, a happy ending is always just another problem away...
February 16, 2021
An interpreted vacation
Over hearing evil plans, a "mere girl" taking her boss's place on an important business trip, a challenging confrontation with the construction foreman. My only disappointment, the book needed 2 more chapters after the end
Over hearing evil plans, a "mere girl" taking her boss's place on an important business trip, a challenging confrontation with the construction foreman. My only disappointment, the book needed 2 more chapters after the end
January 9, 2023
Wonderful!
I've always loved Grace Livingston Hill's books. I sometimes think I was born in the wrong era because I love how men and women are described and how they treat each other. This story kept me mesmerized with its mystery and description of the tiniest details.
I've always loved Grace Livingston Hill's books. I sometimes think I was born in the wrong era because I love how men and women are described and how they treat each other. This story kept me mesmerized with its mystery and description of the tiniest details.
February 13, 2025
one of my all time favorite novels! a sweet, easy read & finished it in a day ;)
Read
April 10, 2025For someone raised in NYC the same time as my grandfather, she seemed awfully naive...
June 7, 2025
This was such a fun Hill novel, with such a great roaring-twenties feel. We even get a peek into a skyscraper being built.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was simple, sweet, and fun.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. It was simple, sweet, and fun.
April 24, 2014
I read A LOT of GLH's books when I was younger and really enjoyed them. So I was excited to see some on sale recently for my Kindle app. I couldn't remember if I had read this one or not and thought it would be interesting because it sounded like the heroine would be a strong business woman. However, I was disappointed in the way the storyline portrayed her at first. It took me several tries to finish the book. I didn't totally dislike the book but I didn't love it. But I still have very fond memories of reading and enjoying GLH's books so I will definitely try another one. :)
December 29, 2025
Set in the 1929s, the 1990s era picture on the cover is sort of hilarious. It makes the main character look as if she’s in her mid forties talking to a man who could be her son!
The story was good. Carol, secretary at a building company, has to go out west to clear up a company misunderstanding and gets caught up in a scheme to cheat the company out of money. Still not sure why this is labeled a romance. Anything romantic happened within half a page in the last chapter. The theme was a young lady making her way through a male-dominated business society.
The story was good. Carol, secretary at a building company, has to go out west to clear up a company misunderstanding and gets caught up in a scheme to cheat the company out of money. Still not sure why this is labeled a romance. Anything romantic happened within half a page in the last chapter. The theme was a young lady making her way through a male-dominated business society.
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May 31, 2011Grace Livingston Hill is my guilty pleasure...Duskin is one of my favorites!
August 6, 2021
Really enjoyed this one. Loved to see the heroine learn from her mistakes and humble herself, then receive her reward!
September 22, 2018
It was okay. I didn't particularly like her attitude going into it. She didn't know what she was doing. She just wanted to look good for the company. Very naive. She got into a dangerous situation because she just let herself be towed along.It all worked out in the end, as all of Ms Hill's books do.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews