House of Secrets

Shandra Covington #1

by Jeffrey S. Savage

Shandra Covington simply assumed her grandmother's house was sold after she hastily moved in with Shandra and her mother two decades ago. Yet, here it was, deeded to Shandra in her grandmother's will. Shandra, single aggressive, and an accomplished journalist has tender memories of the time spent as a young girl in the old house on the hill, and her curiosity and sentimentality lead her to a final visit of the forgotten home. What she discovers shocks Shandra to her very core. Not only is the house still filled with her grandmother's old belongings, but there is also a body, long since dead, and covered with the same thick layer of dust as the rest of the items in the house. Returning with the sheriff and his handsome deputy, Clay, they find the body missing. In its place is another body this one dead fewer than 12 hours. And all evidence points to Shandra. Desperate to clear her name and uncover the truth behind these troubling mysteries, Shandra puts her journalistic training to use. Between the reluctant townspeople, ominous warnings, and physical threats, Shandra learns the truth, little by little all the while knowing that someone is determined to keep old secrets buried, even if it means burying Shandra as well. . . .

Genres: Mystery, Lds Fiction, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Lds, Adult, Audiobook

295 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2005

About the author

Also writes under the name J. Scott Savage.

Reviews

[Daron · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fun read. The topsy-turvy plot and surprises were both interesting and "catchy". Catchy works for music, right? Why not a book?

This is the first book I have read by either Jeffrey S. Savage or J. Scott Savage. I am quite impressed that he was able to do the story in first person . . . as a girl. Jeff is definitely in touch with his feminine side.

The scene in chapter thirty-eight, where Clay kisses Shandra, and her toes curl in her shoes when he touches her makes me wonder: Did Jeff really write that, or did his wife? Perhaps Jeff actually has that affect on his wife Jennifer.

I am going to have to ask my wife, also named Jennifer, if I have that affect on her when I kiss her . . .

If not, I am going to ask for some pointers from Jeff.

[Doctor reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy reading it

How Jeffrey S. Savage able to write the story in the POV of Shandra is amazing, I felt really connected to the character. The writing was smooth but felt elongated at some point, I personally think there are too many chapters in this book while each chapter is too short than any usual book. The entire plot was given away at 34% of the story could make a reader lost interest. The plot is predictable but the twist is still unexpected. Slow-paced mystery book but quite enjoyable.

[Wynette Hawks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gotta love a good murder mystery!

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

House of Secrets is a fun murder mystery short chapters, Shandra Covington simply assumed her grandmother;s house had been sold after she hastily moved in with Shandra and her mom. Shandra has wonderful memories of her childhood spent in the old house on the hill. She is single an accomplished journalist and aggressive so what she discovers in the house shocks her to the core. Not only is all her grandmothers belongings still there but there is a dead body; lonng since dead, and covered with a thick layer of dust as is the rest of the house. When she returns with the sheriff and his deputy the body is gone and there is another recently murdered body in its place and all the evidence points to Shandra having committed the crime. Desprite to clear her name she begins asking questions of the towns people, suddenly she is getting ominous warnings , and psychical threats, little by little she is learning thee truth. All the while lnowing that someone is determined to keep the old secrets buried , even if it means burying Shandra with them.. Afantastic fun mystery its reads like a locked room case in some parts with plenty of twists and turns. Look forward to reading more books by Jeffrey S. Savage

[Connie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought the story was interesting and not as predictable as some mysteries I've read. I don't think the author was very successful with the female voice. I just didn't buy some of the inner dialogue. Shandra seemed very immature for an almost 30-year-old reporter from a big city. I also found 4 typos in the book and that tends to knock a star off for me. Decent book, but I'm looking forward to this author's middle grade stuff.

[Lanette Bulloch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a very good murder mystery. I also enjoyed it because there was no foul language and it wasn't a gory mess. I would recommend it for all young adults and adults will enjoy it, too. The author is really good at keeping you turning the pages to find out what happens next. I look forward to reading more of his books, especially the ones starring Shandra Covington.

[Shilo Goodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will admit that I haven't read a lot of great books this year. With that in mind, this is one of the best books that I've read this year. It wasn't easy to solve the mystery. There were several times that I thought I had things figured out only to encounter another plot twist. There was a huge question of who Shandra could and could not trust. Let's just say that I was wrong several times.

This is a clean novel. There's no swearing, sexual content, or graphic violence. There were a few times when Shandra's life is in danger, and she does get injured. The injuries of the characters might be the more disturbing part of the story.

If you like funny main characters with a bit of a sarcastic feel to them and you like clean murder mysteries, this book is for you. I am interested in reading the other books in the series. This is a book that I would definitely recommend.

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A newspaper reporter named Chandra has recently lost her grandmother and plans to sell her house. She goes to the home to take pictures and discovers a body in the closet at her Grandmother's home. She stays to investigate it herself and someone burns down her grandmother's home and another body is found in the basement. A police officer is a love interest for Chandra. It turns out that his dad had been in love with Chandra's grandmother and had killed her grandfather (body Chandra found) and a homeless (body found in the basement after the fire) man who watched over the house. The two men (policeman and his dad) try to kill Chandra when she comes out to their house. They are caught in the end and she goes back to Salt Lake.

[Anna Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved having a much needed clean (in both language and gore) murder mystery to read! It was short and yet a page turner the whole time. I really enjoyed Shandra’s character and her perspective. She was real, bold, and quirky. Some of the plot was predictable and you knew other characters would have an important role and yet it still threw you on how. The major twist at the end was great. Overall a fun read and I’m already itching to pick up the next book!

[Johanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was better than I expected. The murder mystery was really good with lots of unexpected twists. My only drawback is that I found the main character to be a little obnoxious. But the story line kept me interested enough to keep reading. I've downloaded the second one already to keep reading. This book was also clean with no foul language or sex scenes. Overall, I enjoyed this book.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. It was a good mystery that kept me interested all the way through. Plenty of excitement. I like this author's writing style and I love that it was what I consider a "clean" read. No bad language, nothing sexual... just a good clean story. I will definitely read more from this author.

[Keith Bornmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

I enjoyed this book. It was clean enough for any aged person to read. There was some violence. This author writes well. Even the most boring situations were very interesting.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

House of secrets

Twists and turns,histories revealed and rerevealed, warnings and creepy characters mesh into a plot that keeps the reader involved. The main star of the story gets into quite a mess of dangerous situations. A light read that is fun.

[Tara Beck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Filled with suspense and a completely unforeseen plot twist near the end, this book is one to keep in the repertoire! This is a fast-paced, thoroughly mysterious, and intriguing story, and I would definitely recommend giving this book a read!

[Kath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story. I had a very hard time with all the errors in this particular edition. Every few pages there were errors. I hope other printings were fixed and his other books are proofread much better. I would have given it 5 stars if not for the errors.

[Sonia Bhattacharyya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping story.

Loved the book from the beginning till the end. The character Sandra Covington is expertly created. The story has unpredictable twists and turns, keeping the reader glued to the pages, eager to know more. Smooth language, easy read.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the story. Loved how she was independent yet was also mostly obedient. Smart and not to daring. She did thing I could have seen me do at that age to protect myself. Heck I’ve done more stupid things that that just being on a farm. Minus the shooting part but my brother was after me.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept who dunnit to the end with a twist!

Well worth reading. Good story line and tension. Very few typos. Try LifeRegeneration Editing for great editor and great price!

[Sherry McWilliams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received a free copy for a review. Wow this was good. Talk about twists and turns. Loved it!

[Hailey Fackrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was a great book! Kept me reading until the end. Lots of twists and turns I didn't expect!

[Zitlalyc Manuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Es un libro muy bueno

[Jadee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[John B Affleck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I enjoy all different types of books. This is the first time reading a book by Jeffrey Savage. I will look forward in reading more of his books!

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun afternoon read about a girl discovering the past of her grandmother and the dangers that ensued

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suspenseful. It is somewhat predictable. But still enjoyed the book. Lots of detail which I like and nothing repetitive.

[Lillie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Suspenseful with an unexpected twist at the end. Interesting characters also.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun, well- written and exciting murder mystery! I really enjoyed the main character, but she gets herself into a lot of dangerous situations!!!!

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down. Great mystery! Hope i can find the next book.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not to interested in mystery unless there is a love story somewhere...this one didn't fit the criteria, but I still liked it. I as guessing until the end with who the real bad guys were that killed Shandra's grandfather.
She inherits a cabin in rural Utah and is planning on taking pictures for the realator, but when she decides to go inside she discovers that her grandmother left her beloved home with all her belongings plus a dead body. She tells the authorities, Sheriff Orr and Clay his deputy. They go and investigate and find not the body that Shandra found but a new one and arrest her for the murder. She begs a favor off of her friend and law officer, Bobby and get her out and aquitted, but her investigative instinks won't let her leave it at that...who killed her grandfather and the other unknown man.
Clay shows and interest in her, but it is fake. His grandfather killed Shandra's because he wanted his wife and didn't want him to have Else. He cauned her grandfather into believing that he could help him clear his name from the wrongdoings toward his daughter, Shandra's mother, but lied. Clay's grandfather told Else after he killed him that Torrence, a man who had helped for after her husband left that he killed him. Else left to leave no witness to testify against Torrence a man she cared about. Shandra finds this all out in a confession by Clay's father as she is trying to flee from his attempts at killing her with a combine, a gun, and a fire to her grandmother's house. Clay was in it all for greed for want of his grandfathers possesions and good side. Bobby comes to the rescue and her grandmother is cleared of murder of her husband along with Torrence. The bad go to jail and Bobby is her hero.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shandra Covington, is "single, aggressive, and an accomplished journalist". She travels to the long forgotten home of her deceased grandmother who, to Shandra's surprise had deeded the home to Shandra.
Before she enters the house and old rancher pulls up and asks her if she is lost. She explains her reasons for being there and he says, "Wouldn't stick around here if I was you". That leaves Shandra puzzled but there's more to come. As she makes her way through the house she discovers much to her surprise and horror there is a dust covered skeleton on the floor of what once was her grandmother's bedroom. She goes into the town and gets the sheriff and his attractive young deputy to come out to the house where they find a very much newly deceased body having replaced the long dead one. Shandra then finds herself in jail and in the middle of a murder mystery that appears to involve her dead grandparents.

The stage is set for what was for me a totally enjoyable read. Shandra is charming and very engaging. I know there is at least one more book in this series and I plan on reading it.

This book has been on a couple of my "to read" lists for sometime now. Found a soft cover edition in a local book store for a very reasonable price and so I bought it. Unfortunately Goodreads doesn't have that edition available for review. So, this review is for the soft cover edition of the book. I am assuming the publisher is the same for both editions.