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Secrets of the Blue Hill Library Book #5
The Christmas Key
Anne is busy preparing for Christmas when she finds a delicate key among Aunt Edie's holiday decorations. Anne soon discovers that the key unlocks a cubby in the church's Advent cabinet, which contains a beautiful sapphire ring. Did it belong to her recently deceased great-aunt? If so, why was it locked away and not among Aunt Edie's jewelry? And why is Reverend Tom tight-lipped when Anne asks him about it? Her search for the truth uncovers new revelations about her beloved great-aunt and a trail of secrecy and intrigue that stretches from cozy Blue Hill to Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Anne is delighted when Ben and Liddie agree to participate in the church's annual Christmas play, but the production is in jeopardy when costumes go missing and the director becomes ill. Can they overcome the obstacles to ensure that the show goes on?
Meanwhile, Anne is delighted when Ben and Liddie agree to participate in the church's annual Christmas play, but the production is in jeopardy when costumes go missing and the director becomes ill. Can they overcome the obstacles to ensure that the show goes on?
284 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 22, 2017
About this book:
“Anne is busy preparing for Christmas when she finds a delicate key among Aunt Edie's holiday decorations. Anne soon discovers that the key unlocks a cubby in the church's Advent cabinet, which contains a beautiful sapphire ring. Did it belong to her recently deceased great-aunt? If so, why was it locked away and not among Aunt Edie's jewelry? And why is Reverend Tom tight-lipped when Anne asks him about it? Her search for the truth uncovers new revelations about her beloved great-aunt and a trail of secrecy and intrigue that stretches from cozy Blue Hill to Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Anne is delighted when Ben and Liddie agree to participate in the church's annual Christmas play, but the production is in jeopardy when costumes go missing and the director becomes ill. Can they overcome the obstacles to ensure that the show goes on?”
Series: Book #5 in the “Secrets of the Blue Hill Library” series. Reviews of #1 Here, #2 Here, and #3 Here! (The fourth book has not been reviewed yet.)
Spiritual Content- Set during Christmas; A few Scriptures are quoted & mentioned; Prayers; Church going, sermons/lessons, & a Nativity play; A few talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Many mentions of churches, church going, hymns/carols, sermons, reverends/pastors, Sunday schools, & a nativity play; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of those and events in the Bible & in first Christmas; A few mentions of thanking God; A few mentions of missions; A couple mentions of blessings; A couple mentions of miracles;
*Note: Mentions of Santa.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two ‘stupid’s; Many mentions of stolen items, thefts/crimes, & thieves; A few mentions of accidents, illnesses, & deaths; A few mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of rumors; A couple mentions of embezzlement; A mention of cigarettes;
*Note: Mentions of books & movies; A couple mentions of car brands.
Sexual Content- Mentions of dating, couples, & breakups.
-Anne Gibson
P.O.V. switches between them
269 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
This was such a calm, relaxing read! I so enjoy Guidepost mystery books, but I definitely think this is my favorite series they’ve done. :)
I have a feeling us book-lovers will agree with Anne in this quote:
“Wendy gave her a quizzical look. “You know, you’ve got a whole building full of books that she can read for free. I know she reads a lot, but I don’t think she’s made her way through all of them yet.”
Anne assumed a mock lecturing tone, raising a finger for each point. “Number one: Books are always good gifts, no matter how many you already have or have access to. That’s just axiomatic.” Wendy rolled her eyes at Anne’s two-dollar word choice, so Anne amended, “Self-evident. Number two: There’s a big difference between borrowing a book and actually owning it. As a librarian, of course, I’m in favor of both. And number three”—her tone became warmer and more knowing—“I think this book in particular is one she’ll want to keep.””
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.
“Anne is busy preparing for Christmas when she finds a delicate key among Aunt Edie's holiday decorations. Anne soon discovers that the key unlocks a cubby in the church's Advent cabinet, which contains a beautiful sapphire ring. Did it belong to her recently deceased great-aunt? If so, why was it locked away and not among Aunt Edie's jewelry? And why is Reverend Tom tight-lipped when Anne asks him about it? Her search for the truth uncovers new revelations about her beloved great-aunt and a trail of secrecy and intrigue that stretches from cozy Blue Hill to Philadelphia.
Meanwhile, Anne is delighted when Ben and Liddie agree to participate in the church's annual Christmas play, but the production is in jeopardy when costumes go missing and the director becomes ill. Can they overcome the obstacles to ensure that the show goes on?”
Series: Book #5 in the “Secrets of the Blue Hill Library” series. Reviews of #1 Here, #2 Here, and #3 Here! (The fourth book has not been reviewed yet.)
Spiritual Content- Set during Christmas; A few Scriptures are quoted & mentioned; Prayers; Church going, sermons/lessons, & a Nativity play; A few talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Many mentions of churches, church going, hymns/carols, sermons, reverends/pastors, Sunday schools, & a nativity play; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of those and events in the Bible & in first Christmas; A few mentions of thanking God; A few mentions of missions; A couple mentions of blessings; A couple mentions of miracles;
*Note: Mentions of Santa.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: two ‘stupid’s; Many mentions of stolen items, thefts/crimes, & thieves; A few mentions of accidents, illnesses, & deaths; A few mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of rumors; A couple mentions of embezzlement; A mention of cigarettes;
*Note: Mentions of books & movies; A couple mentions of car brands.
Sexual Content- Mentions of dating, couples, & breakups.
-Anne Gibson
P.O.V. switches between them
269 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
This was such a calm, relaxing read! I so enjoy Guidepost mystery books, but I definitely think this is my favorite series they’ve done. :)
I have a feeling us book-lovers will agree with Anne in this quote:
“Wendy gave her a quizzical look. “You know, you’ve got a whole building full of books that she can read for free. I know she reads a lot, but I don’t think she’s made her way through all of them yet.”
Anne assumed a mock lecturing tone, raising a finger for each point. “Number one: Books are always good gifts, no matter how many you already have or have access to. That’s just axiomatic.” Wendy rolled her eyes at Anne’s two-dollar word choice, so Anne amended, “Self-evident. Number two: There’s a big difference between borrowing a book and actually owning it. As a librarian, of course, I’m in favor of both. And number three”—her tone became warmer and more knowing—“I think this book in particular is one she’ll want to keep.””
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.
July 19, 2015
I adore this Christian mystery series. I have all the books (24) but have a lot to go. They are great mysteries with inspirational things happening as well. Can't wait to finish the set! These are definitely worth the time to read!
May 23, 2018
Another enjoyable book in the series. Anne finds a key in her house and finds out that it is the missing Advent cabinet key from her church. When she opens the cabinet she finds a very nice ring and can’t figure out where her aunt got it or whose it is. Besides all the busyness of Christmas at the library and with her family she sets out to figure out the mystery of the ring.
December 29, 2024
I enjoyed the Christmastime setting of the story and rhe mystery was definitely one that had me guessing. I wasn’t a fan of some of the elements of the mystery though which lowered my rating a bit. Good read all in all.
December 23, 2018
Anne finds a key that goes to the advent calendar at church when going through decorations and once she opens that day of the calendar what she finds takes all of her focus. She's also helping with the Christmas play, and decorating the library. But when it comes to decorating her own house she almost forgets about it.
Overall I few things about this book through me mainly with things suddenly (I believe this is because of each book being written by a different author). Besides that though this is a Christmas book that is more of a mystery with a side of Christmas. Anne is busy trying to find out who something they found belongs to and why it was left where it was. Add in a lying businessman and a mysterious houseguest her aunt had and everything gets rather complicated.
This wasn't my favorite book in this series so far, and it was just kind of meh for me if we're being honest. I was expecting it to be full of Holiday cheer and it wasn't exactly. I am glad I finally read it and can continue on with the series next month.
Overall I few things about this book through me mainly with things suddenly (I believe this is because of each book being written by a different author). Besides that though this is a Christmas book that is more of a mystery with a side of Christmas. Anne is busy trying to find out who something they found belongs to and why it was left where it was. Add in a lying businessman and a mysterious houseguest her aunt had and everything gets rather complicated.
This wasn't my favorite book in this series so far, and it was just kind of meh for me if we're being honest. I was expecting it to be full of Holiday cheer and it wasn't exactly. I am glad I finally read it and can continue on with the series next month.
November 1, 2017
As Christmas approaches Anne finds a key in her aunt Edie's Christmas decorations. She soon finds out the key was missing for a year, it belonged to the church for an advent cabinet. She opens the cabinet to find a ring, a mystery began. As her children join the churches play she asked the priest about the ring. She goes to a store to find out the sapphire is fake, but who does it belong to is the big question. Anne goes to talk to many people hopefully finding the rightful owner. As she can't find the owner it makes you want to read more.
As I read the book it took a long time to finally get facts to find out the facts. I will give it a 4/5 star rating because it relates to regular moms commotion between her kids, and her thoughts. Anne has a complicated librarian job, kids to take care of, and a mystery she wants to solve. I love how you feel like you can be the one to solve the mystery with all the facts that Emily Thomas gives you. Some parts of the book are really slow, but overall I liked it.
As I read the book it took a long time to finally get facts to find out the facts. I will give it a 4/5 star rating because it relates to regular moms commotion between her kids, and her thoughts. Anne has a complicated librarian job, kids to take care of, and a mystery she wants to solve. I love how you feel like you can be the one to solve the mystery with all the facts that Emily Thomas gives you. Some parts of the book are really slow, but overall I liked it.
October 10, 2023
This is the fifth book in the Secrets of the Blue Hill Library by “Emily Thomas.” There are several favorable attributes that I took note of. The authors were very adept at showing the character growth of many of the characters, which makes this novel a gratifying read. And, I appreciated the spiritual growth of some of the characters. Also, many of the characters grew mentally. I was pleased that young Ben, Anne’s son, made a huge leap in maturity and Brad, the young pastor finally grew into the leader that God knew he could be. On the other hand, I found it quite annoying that Anne was so caught up in the mystery that her priorities were skewed. She did manage to pull everything together, thanks to her friends.
August 25, 2017
The church that Anne and her kids, Liddie and Ben, go to have an advent box, but the key to one of the doors is missing. While going through her Aunt Edie's Christmas decorations, Anne finds the missing key. Now she has to solve the mystery as to why her aunt had the key in the first place.
Ben and Liddie agree to be in the church's Christmas play. But when the clothes are ruined and the director and most of the kids get sick, will the play be able to go on?
People who enjoy mysteries, chick books, serials and books written by Christians should enjoy this one.
This book can be read by anyone.
Ben and Liddie agree to be in the church's Christmas play. But when the clothes are ruined and the director and most of the kids get sick, will the play be able to go on?
People who enjoy mysteries, chick books, serials and books written by Christians should enjoy this one.
This book can be read by anyone.
November 26, 2022
Who would think a ring found in an Advent Calendar would have so much mystery attached to it. Anne finds out at her church their is a key missing for December 7th, and so the door can not be opened and she finds the key among he Aunt's things then opens the door to find a sapphire ring. Then the mystery of finding out who the owner of the ring is begins, there are many surprising twists along the way. Meanwhile, Anne is trying to get the library and her home ready for Christmas and also, help watch the children during play rehearsals at church. With the help of God and her friends the mystery is solved and the Christmas play goes on. Just a really good book.
May 31, 2021
Wow! I really enjoyed this mystery. It had me on the edge of my seat. I always wanted to know what would happen next. Awhile I loved the plot, I personally wasn't fond of the writing style but I know that was just me as the reader. If you're looking for a Christian book without romance this definitely would be one. Overall, I would recommend this book if you enjoy a cozy mystery based in a small fiction town.
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April 25, 2021Anne finds a key in her aunt’s Christmas decorations that’s been missing from the church’s advent cabinet since at least the previous Advent. She spends the busy holiday season tracking down the owner of what’s locked in the cabinet instead of shopping for her kids and watching their final pageant performance practice
July 23, 2023
Nice read. The family is becoming more involved in the community and are feeling more at home. Story is set at Christmas and describes how wonderfully busy the season can be. It seems this series has more normal storylines that mimic real life, other than all the murder and mayhem. I guess it is this aspect that makes the series so appealing.
December 3, 2021
This was a cutesy little read. I liked the Christmas feels in the small town. Cozy mysteries are not something I gravitate to, and probably because of that I wanted more from the mystery, but overall this was fine.
July 3, 2019
Christmas in July. Good story, loved the kids the most. Alex as Santa was priceless.
December 22, 2019
Easy read. Mystery kept my interest.
Read
December 30, 2020I enjoyed this book quite a bit. It isn't as suspenseful as the other Guidepost mystery series though, so I tend to enjoy those a little more.
June 19, 2021
Nice, enjoyable Christian mystery near Christmas. I am working my way through the series.
February 15, 2022
This one was amazing and loved the twist and turns!!
November 23, 2022
Another great read from the Secrets of the Blue Hill Library - Feel Good Cozy Mystery at Christmas time
June 11, 2024
Like the cover better than the story, although the story isn’t bad.
January 27, 2026
This was a good cozy book. The mystery kept me guessing until the end
Read
March 4, 2026Great Book!
January 16, 2021
A fairly cozy romance with a typically happy ending. It's a nice change of pace to read books like this in between more explicit/violent series.
April 25, 2016
Christmas is coming to Blue Hill. When librarian Anne Gibson unpacks the decorations she discovers a unique key with the number seven embossed on it packed along side. The next Sunday at church, the pastor pulls out the church's Advent Cabinet and there are 24 matching keys, one for each day except the seventh which is missing. Bringing the key in, a beautiful ring is discovered inside the number seven cubbie. Everyone is puzzled by the ring in the cabinet as well as how the key ended up packed with the holiday decorations. Anne takes on the task of finding out who owns the ring and how the key ended up among her decorations.
September 4, 2015
Not my favorite story line in the series, but I enjoyed all the town's Christmas preparations.
January 5, 2016
A delightful Christmas story of Anne & her kids in a Blue Hill Library mystery.
June 26, 2017
Love love her books. Fast reading, grabs you right off, keeps you hooked to the last page. Characters are great. Getting next 2 in her series. There are 24, cant wait to read all.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews