Small Town Secrets

by Lillian Duncan

On the surface, Shady Valley looks like the ideal all-American place to live with beautiful flowering trees lining both sides of the street as you enter the picturesque town. Neighbors help neighbors. Doors are often left unlocked.

Serious crimes are practically nonexistent— almost but not quite!

But like all small towns, everyone knows everyone, which means everyone knows everyone' s business, and not everyone in Shady Valley is what they appear to be. Some have secrets— deadly secrets— that they hide behind the masks they wear.

When Angie McVey disappears on her wedding day, rookie officer Cami Martine is determined to find her best friend, but there are no leads to follow. Angie seems to have disappeared into thin air.

If Cami is to bring her best friend home, she will need to discover the deadly secrets of her friends and neighbors to find the one who wears the biggest mask.

245 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 13, 2023

About the author

Lillian lives in a small town in Ohio with her husband. She writes the type of books she loves to read--mystery and suspense with a touch or two of romance!

Reviews

[Mary Hake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This engaging and rapid-paced suspense novel swept me up in the action and kept me guessing. Why would a bride disappear right before her wedding? Who might be behind this? Police officer Cami Martine doesn’t believe her best friend ran away from the man she loved and longed to marry. Cami’s determination may help reveal clues and work to find answers, but it could endanger her own life too. The exciting plot with its twists and surprises keeps you glued to the page. As the author shows in this thriller, even small towns can be the setting for serious crimes and dangerous doings. She brings the cast of characters to life well—each one seems real and unique. I did guess who might be one of the bad guys, but the unfolding drama still held my attention till the end. I received a copy from Celebrate Lit. All opinions are my own.

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome, readers, to the cozy streets of Shady Valley, where small-town charm hides myriad secrets waiting to be unearthed. In “Small Town Secrets” by Lillian Duncan, we embark on a journey of mystery, suspense, and faith that will keep you captivated from the first page to the last.

The story starts with Angie McVey's disappearance on her wedding day, sending shockwaves through the tight-knit community. As Angie’s best friend and rookie officer, Cami Martine takes it upon herself to unravel the mystery behind her friend’s vanishing act, we’re drawn into a web of intrigue where alliances shift, and trust is a scarce commodity. It’s hard to know who to trust.

Duncan’s masterful storytelling shines through as she skillfully crafts a narrative that is as gripping as it is thought-provoking. With each twist and turn, we’re drawn deeper into the heart of Shady Valley, where everyone knows each other’s business but not necessarily their darkest secrets. You must read to the end to see how this tale turns out.

What sets “Small Town Secrets” apart is its richly developed characters and intricate plotlines. Cami Martine’s journey of self-discovery and growth is relatable and inspiring as she grapples with her doubts and fears while navigating the murky waters of small-town politics and personal vendettas.

But amidst the suspense and intrigue, a message of hope and redemption resonates throughout the story. As Cami leans on her faith to guide her through the darkest times, we’re reminded that God's grace is ever-present, even in the most challenging circumstances.

Whether you’re a mystery, suspense, or Christian fiction fan, “Small Town Secrets” offers something for everyone. Duncan’s seamless blend of genres creates a reading experience that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, leaving you eagerly turning pages until the very end.

In conclusion, if you’re looking for a captivating read that will keep you guessing until the final reveal, look no further than “Small Town Secrets” by Lillian Duncan. With its compelling characters, intricate plotlines, and uplifting message of faith, this novel will leave a lasting impression on readers of all backgrounds. So, grab a copy, cozy up with a cup of tea, and prepare to uncover the secrets hidden beneath the surface of Shady Valley.

I received a complimentary copy of this book, but this in no way influenced my review. All opinions are my own.

[Becky Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Her mind told her not to trust him, but her heart told her something different.”

Small towns can be a lot of fun with everyone knowing their neighbor and their business. Shady Valley, OH, is no exception, with its unlocked doors and safe environment. However, things take a dark turn when a bride goes missing on her wedding day, and secrets begin to unravel.

I was hooked by Lillian Duncan's plot in Small Town Secrets. It was like I was transported down a rabbit hole, eagerly reading to discover who was behind Angie's disappearance and the other crimes that followed. I was curious to see if Cami and Zack could put aside their differences and work together to bring justice.

If you enjoy contemporary mystery and suspense, with a touch of romance and faith, this book is definitely worth checking out. It also explores the themes of enemies-to-lovers, being unequally yoked as a couple, and mental illness. The book also emphasizes the need for earthly fathers to accurately portray the Heavenly Father. Even if you solve the mystery before the end of the book, you'll still be on the edge of your seat between your knowledge and the criminal's capture!

The book ends with a devotional note that offers guidance on how to deal with unjust situations.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit, but I also bought my own copy. This review is entirely my own, and no positive review was required.

Notable Quotables:

“You do know that you don’t have to keep the entire world safe. That’s not your job. God loves you for you, not for what you do.”

“God listened to her wordless prayer anyway. He knew her heart.”

[Kendra Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christian Suspense Romance books are one of my favorite genres. Small Town Secrets by Lillian Duncan is the latest in this genre that I have read. Lillian Duncan is a new to me author and I was excited to read this book.

Cami Martine is a rookie detective who lives in Shady Valley. Shady Valley is small town where Crime, especially serious Crime, doesn't have much, if ever. Shady Valley is a small town where everybody knows everybody, and some are not who them seem to be. Cami is determined to find her Best Friend, Angie McVey, who disappeared on her wedding day. Cami seems to not find any leads and it seems her best friend has disappeared "into thin air". Cami feels that someone in town knows what happened to Angie and secrets will need to be uncovered and some of those secrets might be deadly. Will Cami uncover the person in town who knows what happened to Angie? Will the town secrets come to light during her investigation?

WOW, this story is filled with many twists and turns and keeps the story very interesting. I really LOVE books that are based in a Small Town. I have never really read a suspense book based in a small town and that aspect was intriguing. Cami truly is an amazing character and her faith and determination are exceptional. I thought I knew "whodunit" but the ending was quite a surprise. The book is not predictable and I enjoy that! I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Christian Suspense Romance. GREAT BOOK!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Town Secrets is a sweet mystery novel. I’m from a small town. Grew up in one, live near one now as well. It hits home! There is a town near us that seems to have all the bad things happen in it. A mass homicide, well only one guy was killed but multiple people fired the shots. And then one time when I was pregnant with my first, someone did a c-section on a pregnant woman and took her baby. It’s crazy! So much bad in that little town!

Anyway. I knew I was going to love this book. Crime in a small town. It’s something people like to ignore or think don’t happen. But it does. Normally it’s low key like drugs or speeding. But occasionally it is bad. We’re talking kidnapping and murder etc.

Can they find the missing bride? Where is she? Who took her? Why did she get taken? And what will happen next?

This novel read super fast. I couldn’t put it down. The characters were engaging. I needed to know what was happening and what would come next. And boy was it fast paced. It just kept moving forward and I knew I would miss a lot if I tried to stop reading.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Deana Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has so many twists I wasn’t sure who to believe. A small town that seems to be a great place to live suddenly becomes a sequence of violence. The title fits the story perfectly as secrets keep the story intriguing. Cami is my favorite character because her faith is strong and she never gives up. When her best friend disappears right before she is to be married, Cami knows someone is not who they seem to be. Lies, jealousy and greed fuel the story with danger. I loved the constant action and how the author keeps readers on the edge of their seat.

Just when one crime is wrapped up another pops up. For a small town it sure has its share of criminals. The people you least suspect are the ones to watch out for in this action packed story. It wasn’t until the end that I finally realized who one of the suspects was. Great writing with faith throughout the story makes this a must read book.

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found Lillian Duncan's Small Town Secrets to be a pretty good read. I enjoyed travelling to the little town of Shady Valley, finding myself immersed in the mystery, and figuring out with Cami what could have possibly happened to her friend Angie. There were secrets to discover along the way with some twists and turns that I did not see coming. I thought it was a great story to read that had me engaged with it from the start and held my attention until the very end.

I am giving Small Town Secrets five stars. I highly recommend it for readers who love to read clean suspense. I would love to read more books like this one from Lillian Duncan.

I received a paperback copy of Lillian Duncan's Small Town Secrets from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.

[Carol Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like other famous small towns, this one has issue after issue. The crimes and twists, and drama just keep popping up. Whew! It all started with a missing bride. Angie vanished on the day of her wedding, and her fellow officer isn't going to just take that without finding her. What Cami sets off, the chain reaction is nothing short of stunning. What everyone thinks they know about everyone else, doesn't include their dark sides, or dark secrets. This book is quite real in the way that it shows humanity, and it's beautiful faith-filled, never dropping our reliance on God's grace and strength to get us through mind-altering circumstances and situations. I would read another book by this author, very easily!

Thanks to Celebrate Lit for a digital copy of this book. This review is my own, a positive review is never required.

[Connie Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small Town Secrets is written by Lillian Duncan. This is the first book that I’ve read by this author. It will not be my last. I was drawn into this fast paced suspense within the first few pages. Shady Valley looks like a great place to move. But what this small town holds is secrets along with violence.

Cami is a rookie officer when her best friend, Angie goes missing. She is bound and determined to find her. However there seems to be no leads and it seems that Angie has vanished into thin air.
To get to the bottom of her disappearance Cami must try and flush out the truth. But at what stakes will those with secrets go to keep it buried.

Well written and engaging I really enjoyed this book. I hope to read more from this author. Thank you to the author, publisher and Celebrate Lit for allowing me to read a copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.

[Amy Schimpf · Rating 2 out of 5]

I hate when a book has editing errors. Every “there” instead of “they” or occurrence of a word repeated in a sentence like “to to” is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me.
Add to those errors that the book starts off with the bachelor & bachelorette parties occurring the night before the scheduled wedding (nope not a thing in the locale where this book is supposed to be happening) which already starts off with me having more trouble buying in to the situation.
Also not a fan of such obvious foreshadowing of events being beaten over the reader’s head but the protagonist is absolutely clueless. If she’s supposed to really be a detective then she is awful at her job. But I did give the book one extra star for the fact that it wasn’t overly long for the story being told.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a book that had surprises that the I really didn’t see coming. It was a hard to read but I know things that happened in the book does happen in real life so I continue to read it and tell myself the book is just a story. I really think if I was struggling so much in my life over something the book wouldn’t have been troublesome to read. I am really glad that the ending ended the way I wanted it too. But it was a surprise as well. I would like to read about book about these characters picking up where this book ended.
I was given a complimentary copy from the author and Celebrate Lit and these opinions are my own.

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was happily surprised by this mystery. There is lots of action and the plot moves at a good pace. Duncan's writing style makes for good mystery reading. The characters are developed well. I really liked Cami's commitment to her job. I was a little puzzled by Zack and didn't initially like him at all but his character came out well in the end. While there are some red herrings, there are enough obvious clues that I figured out the villain long before Cami did.

I think this might be the first novel I have read by Duncan. I liked it and will be looking for more from her.

[Virginia Winfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this contemporary novel filled with secrets that need to come out. I loved Cami and Zack. I loved that this really shows that faith will help in all situations. I enjoyed the little start to a romance and the action. I liked that this is a fast paced story that I did not want to put down. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was most interesting for me because I lived and taught in Wooster, Ohio for five years. I smiled every time she mentioned something special about the town or Wayne county. The story was good - predictable. That’s why I gave it a 4.
I have read numerous Christian fiction books; however, I have never read a Christian fiction mystery.

[Beverly Duell-Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book was very hard to put down!