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The Secrets of Rosa Lee
Everyone assumes that Rosa Lee Altman lived a life without passion. Her once-beautiful home now sits silent and empty, its gardens overgrown and its windows boarded up, surrounded by what passes for progress in Clifton Creek, Texas. And if some of the townsfolk have their way, this idyllic reminder of times past will be sold off to the highest bidder, despite its rich history. When a group of community members with little in common is chosen to decide the fate of the old Altman place, they soon learn that this home is more than bricks and mortar. No one is prepared for what they discover beneath Rosa Lee’s overgrown roses—or how her legacy will change not only their town, but their very lives.
384 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
121 people are currently reading
282 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Thomas
128 books2,501 followersI'm a New York Times and USA Today Best Selling author, wife, mother, in-law, grandmother, sister, friend, and owner of one fat cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 13, 2022
A beautiful cover with wrap around roses. Small town life with a little bit of mystery. Charming characters.
April 19, 2017
A great set of characters, a mystery to be solved and a disparate group of people come together in a spirit of adventure and community to see it through to the end.
May 6, 2020
I've read just about every book that Ms. Thomas has written and this one was a disappointment. The "secret" wasn't much of a secret and there were just a few too many loose ends for my taste such as who DID beat Billy up?
That said, read her other books. ANY of her other books. I can highly recommend the Harmony series and, surprisingly for me, the Wife Lottery series.
That said, read her other books. ANY of her other books. I can highly recommend the Harmony series and, surprisingly for me, the Wife Lottery series.
December 21, 2016
Jodi Thomas writes "The Secrets of Rosa Lee".
I loved reading this story, it is a mystery that hits you right from the start. There is an old house (mansion) sitting on Main street and is is deteriorating fast. One of the founding fathers of the town lived there till his death and he had a daughter Rosa Lee that also lived there as a recluse.
There was lot of talk about this woman -no one had been in the house except a nurse many years ago to help. Rosa Lee never went out except to tend her rose garden while she was able to.
The Mayor forms a committee to check out The Altman house,of a group with no connections to one another to decide the fate of the old house.
This story tells of interaction between this group and soon they are friends helping one another.
The mystery about secrets will pull you in and you won't want to quit reading page after page to the end. a great ending too will fill you with pleasure as you remember all the characters. Thanks Jodi.
I loved reading this story, it is a mystery that hits you right from the start. There is an old house (mansion) sitting on Main street and is is deteriorating fast. One of the founding fathers of the town lived there till his death and he had a daughter Rosa Lee that also lived there as a recluse.
There was lot of talk about this woman -no one had been in the house except a nurse many years ago to help. Rosa Lee never went out except to tend her rose garden while she was able to.
The Mayor forms a committee to check out The Altman house,of a group with no connections to one another to decide the fate of the old house.
This story tells of interaction between this group and soon they are friends helping one another.
The mystery about secrets will pull you in and you won't want to quit reading page after page to the end. a great ending too will fill you with pleasure as you remember all the characters. Thanks Jodi.
April 10, 2018
easy book to pick up and put down. light on detail but still tells the story well. I did get a little frustrated with the characters taking so long to work things out
March 25, 2021
These Characters!!!
July 29, 2023
A really enjoyable read.
April 15, 2012
I really enjoyed this story. It had a lot of ingredients. A mystery concerning the old mansion known after its owner Rosa Lee. People who want the house torn down and and will do anything to make it happen, including threatening the committee left to decide the house's fate. A bit of romance and some humour throw in and all done without lots of language and sex scenes, which I appreciated. A good read, even if you do guess some of the secrets as I did.
June 24, 2012
Good book. First book by Jodi Thomas that I have read but I hope to read many more. Loved the characters, the plot, the romance and the mystery. Kept me interested and trying to figure out how the book would end. liked the way the story started with six people that were different being selected to serve on a committee concerning saving an old house. Then things begin to happen and he people become friends and protectors of each other. Some humor at the right times.
January 13, 2011
Since I was a little girl, I have dreamed of a big old house with lots of rooms and secret places. This book was as if I had found the house. It is a wonderful read!! I read the whole book in 2 days. It is filled with loyalty,love, sacrifice, and sweet acts of kindness. It left me feeling as if I had been there in the old house.
November 2, 2021
This was a great book. It’s not your usual romance book. This has a plot and a great mystery that runs through the story. I loved how the author weaved all the characters together, all loners who became friends.I don’t know where Jodi Thomas gets her ideas, but this was great! Recommend for fans of Jodi Thomas and anyone who enjoys a good story.
March 18, 2019
What a terrific read! Great plot, characters and suspense that kept me guessing till the end!
October 21, 2024
IN the small town of Clifton Creek, Texas is an old house.
The town wants to sell it so they can drill for oil underneath the house.
It is known as the Altman house. A committee is established to decide whether it should be preserved or sold off to the highest bidder.
None of the committee members know each other prior to meeting about the house.
There is a preacher, a couple of older women who are sisters, a Professor, a young guy just out of jail for some kind of minor charges, a younger woman home after a divorce.
As they sort out the ideas for what should be done with the house the past starts to come out.
There are people that don't want some things known.
So there is trouble.
However, as this is being sorted out, the committee members become friends and help each other out.
The committee members learn a lot about themselves while figuring out the secrets and past of the old house.
The town wants to sell it so they can drill for oil underneath the house.
It is known as the Altman house. A committee is established to decide whether it should be preserved or sold off to the highest bidder.
None of the committee members know each other prior to meeting about the house.
There is a preacher, a couple of older women who are sisters, a Professor, a young guy just out of jail for some kind of minor charges, a younger woman home after a divorce.
As they sort out the ideas for what should be done with the house the past starts to come out.
There are people that don't want some things known.
So there is trouble.
However, as this is being sorted out, the committee members become friends and help each other out.
The committee members learn a lot about themselves while figuring out the secrets and past of the old house.
January 30, 2023
Everyone assumes that Rosa Lee Altman lived a life without passion. Her once-beautiful home now sits silent and empty, its gardens overgrown and its windows boarded up, surrounded by what passes for progress in Clifton Creek, Texas. And if some of the townsfolk have their way, this idyllic reminder of times past will be sold off to the highest bidder, despite its rich history. When a group of community members with little in common is chosen to decide the fate of the old Altman place, they soon learn that this home is more than bricks and mortar. No one is prepared for what they discover beneath Rosa Lee’s overgrown roses—or how her legacy will change not only their town, but their very lives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
2.5/5; 3 stars.
I always like the way this author draws her small town characters and I enjoyed that aspect of this book. I felt like she forgot to finish it though because there were definitely dangling threadsIts like the author walked away in the middle of plotting and forgot what she was doing.
I always like the way this author draws her small town characters and I enjoyed that aspect of this book. I felt like she forgot to finish it though because there were definitely dangling threadsIts like the author walked away in the middle of plotting and forgot what she was doing.
February 10, 2018
Disappointed
Having already read a few of Ms. Thomas' books and liking them tremendously, this book wasn't as fulfilling to me as others had been. Still is a good story, I just liked others much more.
Having already read a few of Ms. Thomas' books and liking them tremendously, this book wasn't as fulfilling to me as others had been. Still is a good story, I just liked others much more.
April 15, 2024
Excellent Book
I have read this book twice now. I wish she would write a follow-up to this book. I was upset when I was interrupted while reading. I loved the characters and the town. I want to know more about them. That's how good this book is.
I have read this book twice now. I wish she would write a follow-up to this book. I was upset when I was interrupted while reading. I loved the characters and the town. I want to know more about them. That's how good this book is.
February 11, 2025
Unlike most "mysteries," there was no murder involved. A committee in a small Texas searches to discover the secrets of a former resident of a now-abandoned house. While doing so, some of the committee members discover some of their own secrets.
August 25, 2020
This book was wonderful!! I was happy I figured it out, before it was resolved!! People always think they know everything about a person. Hmmmm no you don't!
August 7, 2022
Raamat kippus ikka käest ära libisema ja kuhugi kapinurgale jääma. Midagi seal oli, et pidin lõpu teada saama, aga karakterid olid nii igavad, ilmetud.
February 18, 2023
Everyone has a connection to everyone
March 2, 2023
Another humorous, loving story about people in a committee formed to determine the usefulness of a derelict historical home.
January 4, 2025
Couldn’t put it down
Great story. Something always happening to where I didn’t want to stop reading. Mystery and romance all in one story.
Great story. Something always happening to where I didn’t want to stop reading. Mystery and romance all in one story.
January 19, 2025
Wish we could have a ‘out of ten stars’ system, would give this a 5
Was $5 at KMart for a reason
Was $5 at KMart for a reason
December 12, 2025
Not my favorite of hers. These characters were not the most compelling ones. Finding the balance between gothic and slimy is an art form. Sadly, for me it fell short, but not flat.
May 27, 2024
3.5*
A LOT of characters to get sorted out. I also wasn't sure how I felt about the final reveal of Rosa Lee's secrets. Perfectly pleasant, but one that's headed to the giveaway box now that I've read it.
A LOT of characters to get sorted out. I also wasn't sure how I felt about the final reveal of Rosa Lee's secrets. Perfectly pleasant, but one that's headed to the giveaway box now that I've read it.
Read
May 15, 2015Rosa Lee Altman's house had been built almost a hundred years ago by the town's founding father Henry Altman. Rosa Lee had been dead for two years and had left her house to the town. A committee had been chosen to decide what was to become of the house. Would the house be sold to an oil company for drilling or would the house be restored?
The committee consisted or Professor Sidney Dickerson, retired school teachers, the Roger sisters, preacher Micah Parker, troublemaker Billy Hatcher, divorcee Lora Whitman.
Billy Hatcher was son to the town drunk. He was four years older than Lora. He assigned himself to protect Lora because someone was threatening the members of the committee. Someone wanted the house torn down and the property sold. Lora was talked to death by her mother and was being pushed into a relationship with the town's pretty, rich boy. He wasn't interested in her, he wanted to get close to her in order to secure the Altman property for his family's drilling company. Billy really wasn't that bad. He just took the rap for his father's mistakes and was labeled a troublemaker. The sheriff saw what was going on with Billy and offered him a job while he began taking college courses to become a deputy sheriff. He and Lora became involved after her resisting at first. They were together more and more while investigating the mystery surrounding the house. Billy got beat up pretty bad during the course of the story and Lora realized that she was more interested in him than she first thought.
The sisters were more of a nuisance during the story. They talked a lot and were a source of gossip. Micah had to go to the local bar one night and pick them up to take them home. While at the bar, he met the owner, Randi. He tried to fight his attraction for Randi, him being the preacher and her the local bar owner. It didn't work and he decided to pursue a relationship with her regardless of their differences.
Sidney had never married. Her mother and grandmother had died in a car accident. It turns out that her mother and grandmother were on their way to claim the Altman house when they were in that accident. Sidney ended up leading the group and on the first night of the committee meeting, a drill bit was thrown through a window and Sidney, although unhurt, ended up in the hospital. She was visited by Sloan McCormick, a representative of one of the oil companies interested in the Altman property. They grew closer throughout the story and Sloan helped unravel the mystery surrounding the property.
It turns out that Rosa Lee's father was involved in a religious group the persecuted others with different beliefs. Something went wrong with one of the groups disciplines and someone ended up dead. This ate at Henry until he lost his mind. Rather than face the humiliation, Rosa Lee reported her father dead and kept him locked up in the house. Rosa Lee had met a rodeo circuit rider and gotten pregnant. He had died before they could marry and she gave the baby to a friend to raise. That friend turned out to be Sidney's grandmother. These were the secrets of Rosa Lee, the baby and her father actually being alive and locked up in the house when everyone else thought he was dead.
The property went to the Howard Drilling Company. Sloan and Sidney ended up together at the end of the story.
The committee consisted or Professor Sidney Dickerson, retired school teachers, the Roger sisters, preacher Micah Parker, troublemaker Billy Hatcher, divorcee Lora Whitman.
Billy Hatcher was son to the town drunk. He was four years older than Lora. He assigned himself to protect Lora because someone was threatening the members of the committee. Someone wanted the house torn down and the property sold. Lora was talked to death by her mother and was being pushed into a relationship with the town's pretty, rich boy. He wasn't interested in her, he wanted to get close to her in order to secure the Altman property for his family's drilling company. Billy really wasn't that bad. He just took the rap for his father's mistakes and was labeled a troublemaker. The sheriff saw what was going on with Billy and offered him a job while he began taking college courses to become a deputy sheriff. He and Lora became involved after her resisting at first. They were together more and more while investigating the mystery surrounding the house. Billy got beat up pretty bad during the course of the story and Lora realized that she was more interested in him than she first thought.
The sisters were more of a nuisance during the story. They talked a lot and were a source of gossip. Micah had to go to the local bar one night and pick them up to take them home. While at the bar, he met the owner, Randi. He tried to fight his attraction for Randi, him being the preacher and her the local bar owner. It didn't work and he decided to pursue a relationship with her regardless of their differences.
Sidney had never married. Her mother and grandmother had died in a car accident. It turns out that her mother and grandmother were on their way to claim the Altman house when they were in that accident. Sidney ended up leading the group and on the first night of the committee meeting, a drill bit was thrown through a window and Sidney, although unhurt, ended up in the hospital. She was visited by Sloan McCormick, a representative of one of the oil companies interested in the Altman property. They grew closer throughout the story and Sloan helped unravel the mystery surrounding the property.
It turns out that Rosa Lee's father was involved in a religious group the persecuted others with different beliefs. Something went wrong with one of the groups disciplines and someone ended up dead. This ate at Henry until he lost his mind. Rather than face the humiliation, Rosa Lee reported her father dead and kept him locked up in the house. Rosa Lee had met a rodeo circuit rider and gotten pregnant. He had died before they could marry and she gave the baby to a friend to raise. That friend turned out to be Sidney's grandmother. These were the secrets of Rosa Lee, the baby and her father actually being alive and locked up in the house when everyone else thought he was dead.
The property went to the Howard Drilling Company. Sloan and Sidney ended up together at the end of the story.
June 25, 2019
To avoid a conflict of interest, the town mayor decides to appoint a group of people to decide if Rosa Lee’s house should be designated as ‘heritage’, or should be sold to bidding oil developers.
Upon researching the house and it’s former inhabitants, it becomes evident that there’s a secret. The professor finds personal links to the house history and is working against the clock to put the pieces together and possibly- discover her own heritage.
Every step of the way, there are ‘accidents’ or warnings discouraging the continuation of detective work. The secret doesn’t really end up being that exciting, by the time you get to the end. I would have liked more plot and story development and less of the secondary characters taking up space.
Upon researching the house and it’s former inhabitants, it becomes evident that there’s a secret. The professor finds personal links to the house history and is working against the clock to put the pieces together and possibly- discover her own heritage.
Every step of the way, there are ‘accidents’ or warnings discouraging the continuation of detective work. The secret doesn’t really end up being that exciting, by the time you get to the end. I would have liked more plot and story development and less of the secondary characters taking up space.
September 1, 2011
I'm not sure if it was me or the book, but I struggled to get this book read. I even laid it aside and read another book. But today I was determined to get it read. I found it took half of the book before it became interesting and kept my attention. I enjoyed the last half much better then the first half. I don't know what the problem for me was. It seemed that each chapter covered a different character in the book. So when it started to get interesting, BANG!! A new chapter talking about another character. I just lost interest, but I realize it was introducing us to each characters background, and how they each fit into the story. So like I said the last half was much more interesting.
Jodi Thomas is one of my favorite authors, and I am so glad this is not the first book by her I have read. I have read quite a few books by her and really liked them. Therefore, I will continue to read her books.
Jodi Thomas is one of my favorite authors, and I am so glad this is not the first book by her I have read. I have read quite a few books by her and really liked them. Therefore, I will continue to read her books.
June 14, 2014
What brought six people together? One house that's up for demolition with a vote on a special committee. In Clifton Creek, Texas, that's what Professor Sidney Dickerson was chairman of for a week. When six people come together, they all look for the secrets of Rosa Lee Altman and the history of the legacy she left behind in her house. While they look around her home, bad things have happened to six good people--threats, fights, warnings and plenty of trouble in one Texas winter. But for three people, in this journey, they brought friendship and find love along the way. Each one of them have emotional baggage they left behind in the past. For one week, they've gotten to know each other better and became a special friendly. And for Sidney Dickerson, she discovered the shocking secret of them all. What a lovely contemporary romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews