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Secrets of the Blue Hill Library Book #2
Shadows of the Past
While cataloging books at the library, Anne stumbles on an old, yellowed map of Pennsylvania tucked inside the pages of a historical book from Aunt Edie's private collection. When Anne studies the map, she sees markings that hint at its use by Lewis and Clark! Could it really be authentic? And if it is, how did Aunt Edie come to possess a map that had been stolen from the now-defunct Blue Hill Historical Society one hundred years ago?
Meanwhile, Anne's son Ben, starts disappearing for long periods of time, though he's always close by and comes home when she calls. His furtive, increasingly strange behavior and - stranger still for a nine-year-old boy - frequent showering make Anne wonder what secrets her son is hiding from her.
Meanwhile, Anne's son Ben, starts disappearing for long periods of time, though he's always close by and comes home when she calls. His furtive, increasingly strange behavior and - stranger still for a nine-year-old boy - frequent showering make Anne wonder what secrets her son is hiding from her.
283 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
5 people are currently reading
207 people want to read
About the author
Emily Thomas
135 books56 followersEmily Thomas was born in London, and has lived there most of her life – except between the ages of 13 and 18 when she lived in Maldon in Essex on board a Thames Sailing Barge, with her family of seven assorted siblings and stepsiblings and two warring cats. Emily also works as an editor of many different kinds of books, including children’s and young adult fiction. She now lives in Brixton, with no pets and a lot of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
August 1, 2015
Shadows of the Past by Emily Thomas is a lovely mystery story. It reminds me of a (somewhat) grown-up version of the Trixie Belden mystery series I loved as a child.
Anne Gibson has returned to the community of Blue Hill where she had grown up. She is now a widow and the mother of two children-9 year old Ben and his little sister Liddie. Anne's Aunt Edie had left her a home and a bequest: leave New York City and come back to Blue Hill and open a library in the house.
Of course, I was in love with this premise-imagine having a library in your home! But there are complications when Anne finds a map that may have been stolen from the Blue Hill Historical Society. Anne sorts out these problems while dealing with another mystery closer to home: why has her son suddenly become so secretive?
I found the story soothing. I enjoyed the characters and was entertained by the plot. Altogether a satisfying (and undemanding) reading experience.
Anne Gibson has returned to the community of Blue Hill where she had grown up. She is now a widow and the mother of two children-9 year old Ben and his little sister Liddie. Anne's Aunt Edie had left her a home and a bequest: leave New York City and come back to Blue Hill and open a library in the house.
Of course, I was in love with this premise-imagine having a library in your home! But there are complications when Anne finds a map that may have been stolen from the Blue Hill Historical Society. Anne sorts out these problems while dealing with another mystery closer to home: why has her son suddenly become so secretive?
I found the story soothing. I enjoyed the characters and was entertained by the plot. Altogether a satisfying (and undemanding) reading experience.
July 7, 2021
This takes place in September near Pittsburgh. The story involves a treehouse, a dog, a map, theft, and a party. The story was slow, and the mystery wasn't as interesting as I thought it would be. Part of that stems from the characters. I didn't like them as much in this book.
March 18, 2020
DNF Slow and uneventful story.
dnf
March 28, 2020Super inspirational (read: religious). Just not my jam.
July 21, 2019
Great book. I am loving this series.
The spiritual background, the mystery to solve, and the lovely little Library in the quaint little town. That would be a dream job for me!
I love the realness of the characters. They feel like they could be my neighbors. I would love to live in Blue Hill.
"She got back in her car and let herself cry just a little. She'd bawled on Ben's first day of school, and came close to doing the same when Liddie started this year. At least for Anne. She wanted to hold them close, love and cherish them, yet give them the space to learn and grow into the amazing potential they had." (pg 214)
I am so glad to have found this series. Something else to look forward to in the months to come.
And.. the bonus was that the Secrets of the Blue Hill Library series seems to be a mystery type of amateur detective book. I can count this book as one of my Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s).
"Anne simply couldn't tell her. Not yet. 'I've always loved mysteries.' Wasn't that the truth? Alex would more than agree to that statement. She'd dragged him into more mystery chases in their childhood than she cared to admit. 'A missing map is similar to a treasure hunt to me. I just wanted to see if I could figure our what happened to it.' (pg 101)
"Grace nodded. 'Good thinking.' She rubbed her hands together. 'It's been a while since I've done any real sleuthing.' She grinned at Anne. 'You're a good influence on me.'
Alex snorted and shook his head. 'You're a reporter, Grace. Isn't sleuthing what you do?' he said.
'There's not a whole lot of sleuthing to do in Blue Hill.' said Grace. 'Usually.'
'Well, this is definitely something to look into,' said Anne. 'I don't know if I'd call this going undercover or not.'
A really good book from a really nice series and not a plot you can predict. Interesting. Lovely. Wonderful!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
#30 A book featuring an amateur detective
The spiritual background, the mystery to solve, and the lovely little Library in the quaint little town. That would be a dream job for me!
I love the realness of the characters. They feel like they could be my neighbors. I would love to live in Blue Hill.
"She got back in her car and let herself cry just a little. She'd bawled on Ben's first day of school, and came close to doing the same when Liddie started this year. At least for Anne. She wanted to hold them close, love and cherish them, yet give them the space to learn and grow into the amazing potential they had." (pg 214)
I am so glad to have found this series. Something else to look forward to in the months to come.
And.. the bonus was that the Secrets of the Blue Hill Library series seems to be a mystery type of amateur detective book. I can count this book as one of my Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s).
"Anne simply couldn't tell her. Not yet. 'I've always loved mysteries.' Wasn't that the truth? Alex would more than agree to that statement. She'd dragged him into more mystery chases in their childhood than she cared to admit. 'A missing map is similar to a treasure hunt to me. I just wanted to see if I could figure our what happened to it.' (pg 101)
"Grace nodded. 'Good thinking.' She rubbed her hands together. 'It's been a while since I've done any real sleuthing.' She grinned at Anne. 'You're a good influence on me.'
Alex snorted and shook his head. 'You're a reporter, Grace. Isn't sleuthing what you do?' he said.
'There's not a whole lot of sleuthing to do in Blue Hill.' said Grace. 'Usually.'
'Well, this is definitely something to look into,' said Anne. 'I don't know if I'd call this going undercover or not.'
A really good book from a really nice series and not a plot you can predict. Interesting. Lovely. Wonderful!
Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge prompt(s) –
#30 A book featuring an amateur detective
August 24, 2017
Anne is putting books away in the library when she finds an old map. While she is trying to get it authenticated, controversies pop-up big time when several people claim the map is theirs. The map is needing to be authenticated because, if it is real, it could have been used by Lewis and Clark.
Meanwhile, Ben, Anne's son, keeps disappearing for hours on end but he is always close. She tries to get him to tell her where he is an what he is up to, but he does not tell her anything. She finally finds out, but will Ben get what he really wants most?
This book is recommended to those who love mysteries, serial books, chick books and books written from a Christian point of view.
This book can be read by anyone.
Meanwhile, Ben, Anne's son, keeps disappearing for hours on end but he is always close. She tries to get him to tell her where he is an what he is up to, but he does not tell her anything. She finally finds out, but will Ben get what he really wants most?
This book is recommended to those who love mysteries, serial books, chick books and books written from a Christian point of view.
This book can be read by anyone.
August 26, 2023
This book is interesting. The main character, Anne, shows amazing tenacity as she works to solve the secret. I admire her strength as she fulfills her role as a single mom. This is the second book in the “Secrets of the Blue Hill Library” series, but I imagine you could enjoy it as a stand-alone. I’m sure after reading this story, you would want to tract down the rest of the series. My favorite character in this book is 9-year-old Ben. He’s really a good kid, but some of his decisions aren’t the best.
Note: Emily Thomas is the pen name for this series. The books are written by various authors. Shadows of the Past is written by Robin Carroll.
Note: Emily Thomas is the pen name for this series. The books are written by various authors. Shadows of the Past is written by Robin Carroll.
July 24, 2020
I enjoyed the second book of the Secrets of the Blue Hill Library better than the first one.
This is such a cozy mystery. It was slow in the beginning but the plot picked up speed very quickly. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough towards the end.
I really enjoyed all the characters, but Ann is probably one of my favorites next to her kids, Ben and Liddie.
There is no romance in this novel.
The spiritual content is very sweet.
If your looking for a clean cozy mystery with a sprinkle of suspense than this book is for you.
This is such a cozy mystery. It was slow in the beginning but the plot picked up speed very quickly. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough towards the end.
I really enjoyed all the characters, but Ann is probably one of my favorites next to her kids, Ben and Liddie.
There is no romance in this novel.
The spiritual content is very sweet.
If your looking for a clean cozy mystery with a sprinkle of suspense than this book is for you.
February 5, 2022
I like all the books in this series that I have read so far. I find the mysteries interesting, and there is some humor as well. The characters feel like people I would like to know. The only thing that seems unrealistic at times is when Ann does things to solve a mystery that could possibly endanger her children, although she thankfully listens to some of her friends and doesn't confront anyone alone. A little side mystery involving her son Ben, which is solved quickly. Her daughter Liddie is cute.
April 19, 2018
This is the second in the Blue Hill library and even though it has a different author it continues the story well. Anne is busy getting her library ready when she finds an old map. If the map is real how did it end up in the library after the now defunct historical society reported it stolen 100 years ago. Trying to figure out the answer is an interesting and sometimes dangerous problem. I look forward to the next in the series.
March 19, 2020
Haven't read #1 in the series, but didn't feel terribly lost. Not much of a mystery, but it's a light read. Anne has inherited her aunt's house and turned it into a library, per her aunt's instructions. The townsfolk all donated books, and it's nearly ready to open after some renovations. When Anne finds an old map in on of the donated books, she unearths a mystery that goes back quite some time, and may reopen old wounds for some people in town.
November 16, 2022
Anne finds a very old map in a book in the library, is it a real map or a fake? When people in the town find out, some try to get people to boycott the library and threaten her, also opens old wounds up about certain people accused of stealing things and money from the now defunct Historical Society. While all this is going on the new library opens it doors and Ben Anne's son starts acting strange, disappearing a lot. What secret is he hiding. This book shows readers that you can have mystery and suspense without swear words and sex. Just a real good book!
July 12, 2023
The story continues is the main reason I love reading a series. You see the characters change over time. It is a journey to see how the story finally ends. In this book the library opens and Aunt Edie's vision is bought to life. The Gibsons' life in Blue Hill has begun. I can't wait for the next segment.
October 28, 2018
Lovin this series so far! Love trying to solve the mysteries along with the characters. And the main character is the same age as me, 34. I'm starting to see more of something develop between Anne and Alex. Hoping for some romance in the future.
May 1, 2019
Second in the series about a library made inside an aunt’s beautiful house, run by her niece and grand-niece/nephew. Love this series - desperately want to visit the house/library.
The mystery is just a bonus to help explore the town and its literary and religious needs.
The mystery is just a bonus to help explore the town and its literary and religious needs.
October 5, 2023
I stumbled upon this in a thrift store, and love cozy mysteries. What I didn't know is that this is Christian fiction, which is fine, but not my taste. Beyond that the writing itself wasn't engaging, and it dragged.
December 6, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up. The MC Anne is probably the most gullible sleuth there ever was. Also, she's not exactly a warm or likeable character. Her friend Wendy should have been the lead of this series, but I digress. Overall, it was interesting story.
February 11, 2018
I totally thought this was the first in the series. It wasn't, but it sure felt like it. Which means I don't feel like I missed anything. Anyhow, a book about a library? AWESOME!
July 2, 2019
Anne had no idea finding a old map would cause so many problems.
Read
May 1, 2020Another good read.
October 23, 2021
It is a Guideposts book. Nice enough story but too much religion and excessively strict parenting standards thrown in, which makes no contribution to the story and hence totally unnecessary.
February 3, 2022
Absolutely amazing!!! Loved the twist n turns in this one
Can't wait for book 3
Can't wait for book 3
February 16, 2022
Fun cozy mystery.. I like a little mystery every now and then. :)
July 13, 2022
I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to and one who wants to read good clean godly mystery book! Any person or age will love this clean mystery!
December 21, 2024
Rating 3.5 Nice light easy Christian fiction reading.
July 1, 2025
It was interesting. I like that Anne has people to help her.
December 23, 2016
About this book:
“While cataloging books at the library, Anne stumbles on an old, yellowed map of Pennsylvania tucked inside the pages of a historical book from Aunt Edie's private collection. When Anne studies the map, she sees markings that hint at its use by Lewis and Clark! Could it really be authentic? And if it is, how did Aunt Edie come to possess a map that had been stolen from the now-defunct Blue Hill Historical Society one hundred years ago?
Meanwhile, Anne's son Ben, starts disappearing for long periods of time, though he's always close by and comes home when she calls. His furtive, increasingly strange behavior and - stranger still for a nine-year-old boy - frequent showering make Anne wonder what secrets her son is hiding from her.”
Series: Book #2 in the “Secrets of the Blue Library” series. (Review of book #1 Here!)
Spiritual Content- Many Prayers & Blessings over food; A couple Scriptures are quoted & remembered; A few Talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Many mentions of prayers, blessings over food & trusting God; Many mentions of churches, church going, services & a reverend; Mentions of God & His will; Mentions of a program that trained missionaries & mission work; A few mentions of a ministry; A few mentions of being a blessing; A few mentions of tithes; A couple mentions of professing Jesus as your Lord; A couple mentions of principles found in God’s Word; A couple mentions of the song Jesus Loves Me; A couple mentions of miracles; A mention of God’s children; A mention of Heaven;
*Note: A mention of someone looking like they saw a ghost.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘rats’, a ‘sucker’, four ‘shut up’s, fourteen ‘stupid’s; All about a stolen item, embezzlement, a theft & crimes; Mentions of deaths & a car accident (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of con-artists & cons; Mentions of threats; Mentions of young kids skipping school & smoking cigarettes; Mentions of a pipe & tobacco; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of lying, lies & deception; A few mentions of stealing & cheating; A few mention of a father leaving his family because of her special need; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of a cigar box; A couple mentions of using the bathroom; A few mentions of hunting.
Sexual Content- A couple mentions of being high school sweethearts.
-Anne Gibson, age 34
P.O.V. of Anne
274 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star (and a half)
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Ahhh. Every Guidepost book I’ve picked up has been just so relaxing…it’s just I call a front porch read. It’s a good, peaceful book that you can read in a swig or rocking chair on a front porch. Now, I didn’t do that, but they put me in the mood to do so. “Shadows of the Past” picks up shortly after “Nowhere to be Found” and gives us a new historical mystery to follow along with. I felt like this one was more detailed in the details, if that makes sense, but I think that’s because Robin Carroll wrote this one. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“While cataloging books at the library, Anne stumbles on an old, yellowed map of Pennsylvania tucked inside the pages of a historical book from Aunt Edie's private collection. When Anne studies the map, she sees markings that hint at its use by Lewis and Clark! Could it really be authentic? And if it is, how did Aunt Edie come to possess a map that had been stolen from the now-defunct Blue Hill Historical Society one hundred years ago?
Meanwhile, Anne's son Ben, starts disappearing for long periods of time, though he's always close by and comes home when she calls. His furtive, increasingly strange behavior and - stranger still for a nine-year-old boy - frequent showering make Anne wonder what secrets her son is hiding from her.”
Series: Book #2 in the “Secrets of the Blue Library” series. (Review of book #1 Here!)
Spiritual Content- Many Prayers & Blessings over food; A couple Scriptures are quoted & remembered; A few Talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Many mentions of prayers, blessings over food & trusting God; Many mentions of churches, church going, services & a reverend; Mentions of God & His will; Mentions of a program that trained missionaries & mission work; A few mentions of a ministry; A few mentions of being a blessing; A few mentions of tithes; A couple mentions of professing Jesus as your Lord; A couple mentions of principles found in God’s Word; A couple mentions of the song Jesus Loves Me; A couple mentions of miracles; A mention of God’s children; A mention of Heaven;
*Note: A mention of someone looking like they saw a ghost.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘rats’, a ‘sucker’, four ‘shut up’s, fourteen ‘stupid’s; All about a stolen item, embezzlement, a theft & crimes; Mentions of deaths & a car accident (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of con-artists & cons; Mentions of threats; Mentions of young kids skipping school & smoking cigarettes; Mentions of a pipe & tobacco; Mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of lying, lies & deception; A few mentions of stealing & cheating; A few mention of a father leaving his family because of her special need; A few mentions of jealousy; A couple mentions of a cigar box; A couple mentions of using the bathroom; A few mentions of hunting.
Sexual Content- A couple mentions of being high school sweethearts.
-Anne Gibson, age 34
P.O.V. of Anne
274 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star (and a half)
New Teens- Three Stars
Early High School Teens- Four Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
Ahhh. Every Guidepost book I’ve picked up has been just so relaxing…it’s just I call a front porch read. It’s a good, peaceful book that you can read in a swig or rocking chair on a front porch. Now, I didn’t do that, but they put me in the mood to do so. “Shadows of the Past” picks up shortly after “Nowhere to be Found” and gives us a new historical mystery to follow along with. I felt like this one was more detailed in the details, if that makes sense, but I think that’s because Robin Carroll wrote this one. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
November 30, 2021
Ohhh! Such a lovely story. The Blue Hill Library is having its grand opening! (Personally, I would have liked to have been there in person to see it all.) Plus there's a map that leads to treasure... (No, not exactly a treasure map. Just an old map chronicling the travels of Lewis and Clark that just might close a 100-year-old mystery, and just might lend itself to some treasure anyways.)
Such a fun, cozy read.
Such a fun, cozy read.
August 9, 2017
Anne finds a map in a donated book that could be the key to ending a multi-generation feud between two of the towns history society families. Anne is also dealing with her son Ben has an attitude all of a sudden.
Overall I enjoyed this story. So far this whole series has been quick and easy reads for me. Since this is a cozy mystery we know it's all going to end okay, and that most of the people will be happy. The romance between two people is really starting to be hinted at as well, which is something that I'm not sure if I want to be happening this quickly when you think about how much time has passed so far in this series.
I did find myself getting a little annoyed with Anna at times when it came to her always going to certain other people to watch her children, yet in the first book she wanted that same person to back off. I also found the way that she was dealing with Ben in this one a little frustrating, she wanted to know what he was doing, yet she never asked around, or spent more time with him to see what was going on. It just didn't make sense to me. (I know she has a lot going on, but her children should be more important than finding out if a map is real or not.)
I'm curious to see where the next book takes us, and what other secrets this library could hold.
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Overall I enjoyed this story. So far this whole series has been quick and easy reads for me. Since this is a cozy mystery we know it's all going to end okay, and that most of the people will be happy. The romance between two people is really starting to be hinted at as well, which is something that I'm not sure if I want to be happening this quickly when you think about how much time has passed so far in this series.
I did find myself getting a little annoyed with Anna at times when it came to her always going to certain other people to watch her children, yet in the first book she wanted that same person to back off. I also found the way that she was dealing with Ben in this one a little frustrating, she wanted to know what he was doing, yet she never asked around, or spent more time with him to see what was going on. It just didn't make sense to me. (I know she has a lot going on, but her children should be more important than finding out if a map is real or not.)
I'm curious to see where the next book takes us, and what other secrets this library could hold.
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April 5, 2016
Emily Thomas is the pen name for a group of writers who are creating The Secrets of the Blue Hill Library Series. Shadows of the Past is the second book in the series and the first one that I have read. It is written by Robin Carroll, a Southerner who was born in Louisiana.
I picked this book up at a used book sale because I was intrigued by a series that centers on a library. The plot of this book was very different than I anticipated. I expected more information about Lewis and Clark when solving the mystery. The book was more about small town politics and the challenges of single parenting.
I picked this book up at a used book sale because I was intrigued by a series that centers on a library. The plot of this book was very different than I anticipated. I expected more information about Lewis and Clark when solving the mystery. The book was more about small town politics and the challenges of single parenting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews