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Kaleidoscope of Secrets: A Family Crime Novel
Ever feel like someone’s hiding something? We all have.
Mia Graham came to know that feeling all too well.
A Chicago antiques appraiser by trade, Mia discovers an ominous truth about her family that leaves her reeling. Her family’s unassuming trade is a cover for a high-stake smuggling operation. Thrust into a treacherous world of intrigue and deceit, Mia must decide whether to expose her family’s illicit trade, or to safeguard their legacy.
This family thriller pits two accomplished and ambitious women against each other: one who has earned her influence and one who will kill to keep hers.
Mia Graham came to know that feeling all too well.
A Chicago antiques appraiser by trade, Mia discovers an ominous truth about her family that leaves her reeling. Her family’s unassuming trade is a cover for a high-stake smuggling operation. Thrust into a treacherous world of intrigue and deceit, Mia must decide whether to expose her family’s illicit trade, or to safeguard their legacy.
This family thriller pits two accomplished and ambitious women against each other: one who has earned her influence and one who will kill to keep hers.
360 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2023
270 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 28, 2024
Caught my attention from the beginning and I stayed captivated all the way through! You’ll find yourself saying “Just one more chapter” over and over. I plan on reading it again! Definitely recommend.
May 10, 2024
Entertaining from the beginning - loved how the characters developed and intertwined - I am left wondering several things - hope there is a sequel or some way to answer my questions … really enjoyed the story line
June 13, 2024
Pretty good!
June 1, 2024
I really enjoyed the prose within this book. Clear, concise, active descriptions. I appreciated the limited usage of gerunds which added to the overall appeal to the prose. I also appreciated the story getting into the conflict quickly. The story and plot were intriguing, but a little weak on the ending. It was easy to see the end result of the antagonist.
My complaint is not with the story or the writing, but the printing. In one place the word "heath" was printed when I believe it should have been "health". A couple other places readability words like "a" or "the" appeared to be missing, and one time dialogue beginning and ending quotation marks were in the middle of a paragraph of dialogue.
My complaint is not with the story or the writing, but the printing. In one place the word "heath" was printed when I believe it should have been "health". A couple other places readability words like "a" or "the" appeared to be missing, and one time dialogue beginning and ending quotation marks were in the middle of a paragraph of dialogue.
June 23, 2024
Kaleidoscope of Secrets
Well i could not stop reading this book , just my kind of thing to read not much blood and guts which i for once was great it was like the old black and white films the hint of violence was there. The thing i found weird was there was hardly any description of the artifacts ? But in all i liked the book very much . Don't forget to write more books , maybe more on Mia
Thanks 😊 Sandy Clements for the enjoyable read x
Well i could not stop reading this book , just my kind of thing to read not much blood and guts which i for once was great it was like the old black and white films the hint of violence was there. The thing i found weird was there was hardly any description of the artifacts ? But in all i liked the book very much . Don't forget to write more books , maybe more on Mia
Thanks 😊 Sandy Clements for the enjoyable read x
June 4, 2024
Mia is finding out about her family's past and it makes a good story. Their criminal past is coming back to haunt her and she needs to keep out of it. The formatting of the book on my reader made it hard to keep going sometimes and a lot of little mistakes were annoying, there is no h in wisp and too much detail was put into wardrobe and make up for my liking but the story and characters made up for that in the main.
July 2, 2024
"Kaleidoscope of Secrets" is a thrilling and captivating novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
With twists and turns at every corner, you'll be drawn into a world of mystery and intrigue.
Sandy Clements weaves together a story that will leave you guessing until the very end.
It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good suspenseful read!
With twists and turns at every corner, you'll be drawn into a world of mystery and intrigue.
Sandy Clements weaves together a story that will leave you guessing until the very end.
It's a must-read for anyone who loves a good suspenseful read!
December 26, 2024
Great storyline!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters were well developed and the story was just the right pace to keep me interested. There were Kindle formatting issues that were distracting at first, but I was able to ignore them as so got deeper into the book. Looking forward to reading more books by Sandy Clements.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The characters were well developed and the story was just the right pace to keep me interested. There were Kindle formatting issues that were distracting at first, but I was able to ignore them as so got deeper into the book. Looking forward to reading more books by Sandy Clements.
September 11, 2025
A Family Affair
From the opening pages Sandy Clemente catches one's attention and interest. KALEIDOSCOPE OF SECRETS is a well crafted story that takes one on a journey into the unknown of Mia's and Louisa's family. Strong and believable characters guide one through a treacherous time.
From the opening pages Sandy Clemente catches one's attention and interest. KALEIDOSCOPE OF SECRETS is a well crafted story that takes one on a journey into the unknown of Mia's and Louisa's family. Strong and believable characters guide one through a treacherous time.
January 28, 2024
This was a fresh, entertaining and suspenseful mystery that hooked me from the beginning! Watching a child and her grandmother pursue to live their lives differently - to break the family’s chains without losing their own lives. It will hook you in chapter 1!
July 30, 2024
A compelling story about an unusual mother-daughter relationship that takes on a new facet when the mother is injured in a hit and run accident. The accident takes place days before an art auction where the mother has an essential role. Oh yeah, there are some diamonds involved.
March 12, 2024
Amazing read. The story line was excellent and loved the characters!! It grabs you from the very first chapter and it is a book that cannot be put down!!!!
August 21, 2024
Enjoyed reading. Thriller, kept you reading to find out what happens next.
November 25, 2024
interesting book about untraditional crime in the art world.
Was not expecting much but Got caught up in the story of international art smuggling and found I enjoyed it.
Was not expecting much but Got caught up in the story of international art smuggling and found I enjoyed it.
January 8, 2025
That was an adventure! Highly recommend this book!!
February 27, 2025
3.5 stars. This was pretty good. There was a big twist towards the end that I didn’t see coming. The ending felt a little abrupt though. As drawn out and detailed as a few days were, I’d love to have had more of the story post-gala. Overall, it was an interesting read and I’d be interested in a sequel or novella if there was one in the future.
July 11, 2025
Well written, but I did not take to the characters and generally not my bag.
August 18, 2024
A gripping story
The content of this book, along with the characters, is great. However the digital format is very distracting, with just a few words on many pages. Also what does 1C2 mean? It appears throughout the digital book. This took away from the book.
The content of this book, along with the characters, is great. However the digital format is very distracting, with just a few words on many pages. Also what does 1C2 mean? It appears throughout the digital book. This took away from the book.
August 22, 2025
Fantastic Story
Enjoyed this story! I identified with the main character and the struggle she was going through. Great ending too. Thanks.
Enjoyed this story! I identified with the main character and the struggle she was going through. Great ending too. Thanks.
June 17, 2024
Great read
This book is very well written with interesting characters. The
Author keeps everything moving with enough twists and turns to keep you interested. Descriptions of both characters and scenes are well described.
This book is very well written with interesting characters. The
Author keeps everything moving with enough twists and turns to keep you interested. Descriptions of both characters and scenes are well described.
July 23, 2024
Excellent!!!
March 21, 2024
Life got in the way after I started this book but once I had more than 5 minutes, I HAD to finish it. 5 stars because a friend wrote it and because it left me with lingering questions at the end. In a way, there should be a sequel, but in another way, good books should be left just as they are.
March 22, 2024
This story had me hooked from the very first chapter! Lots of mystery and suspense. I can't wait for the next thrill ride!!!
March 27, 2024
A very riveting book. The lies and deceit surrounding the characters kept me reading this book from the first chapter. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery and suspense stories.
March 28, 2024
Fantastic book, great twists and turns
June 20, 2024
I will break down the reasons I did not care for this book into four sections.
1. Kindle formatting
The formatting on Kindle was atrocious with many mostly blank pages and a strange lack of separation of quotes from different people (i.e., running together instead of having a line break or inserting the break in the wrong place). One example:
“Yep. Can you believe it?” “Just
tell her no, Mia.”
2. Strange writing
“Adrenaline. It surged through her veins with an excitement that only a lion tamer might understand...” Really? Only a lion tamer? Not even a trapeze artist or a tightrope walker (if we want to stick with the circus) or a bank robber, an Olympic athlete, an astronaut…
“A deep growl escaped through Mia’s clinched teeth.” Were her teeth really “clinched”? Perhaps they were clenched.
The doctor says, “Once she regains consciousness, we will be able to better access her prognosis…” What does “better access her prognosis” mean? “Better determine”?
“They visited about it all.”
3. Fashion show and perfection
Maybe someone finds this type of information interesting, but I certainly did not.
“…her fit, thirtysomething assistant…Dressed in a form-fitting charcoal-gray suit with a perfectly knotted deep-maroon tie…”
“He unconsciously reached toward his Van Dyke-styled goatee that had been carefully crafted to accent his chiseled face.”
“…the impeccably dressed bachelor as she offered her freshly manicured hand.”
“Mia stood in front of her full-length mirror and inspected her outfit. The pecan-colored pantsuit with the white blouse fit perfectly.”
“…she pulled her hair into a low bun, letting a whisp of hair hang from her bangs…selected a leopard-print scarf that hung to her waist.”
“She slipped her wallet…into a brown snakeskin satchel…”
“Dark brown trousers, a cashmere camel jacket pulled together by a rich brown patterned tie. His hair waved gently…”
“He looked especially dashing in his black Hugo Boss suit that fit his sculpted body to perfection.”
“She watched him react to her form-fitting coral wrap dress. The neckline made a long V, the opening nearly reaching the leather belt that accentuated her waist. The coral was balanced by black Louis Vuitton shoes and an 18K black onyx necklace with diamonds. Her hair waved gently past her shoulders.”
“…Mia slid on soft terry cloth sweatpants and a hoodie. With the towel wrapped perfectly on her head…”
“Nikki slipped into her zebra print mink coat.”
“Polished black shoes, his silk bowtie perfectly tied…”
4. Contrived
She found a key. She found a hidden door in a fountain that was locked. “…remembered the key she’d found yesterday. Could this be the key to the portal in the fountain?” Let me take a wild guess.
The above may sound like I am nitpicking but there was so much of this nonsense that it interfered with the story.
1. Kindle formatting
The formatting on Kindle was atrocious with many mostly blank pages and a strange lack of separation of quotes from different people (i.e., running together instead of having a line break or inserting the break in the wrong place). One example:
“Yep. Can you believe it?” “Just
tell her no, Mia.”
2. Strange writing
“Adrenaline. It surged through her veins with an excitement that only a lion tamer might understand...” Really? Only a lion tamer? Not even a trapeze artist or a tightrope walker (if we want to stick with the circus) or a bank robber, an Olympic athlete, an astronaut…
“A deep growl escaped through Mia’s clinched teeth.” Were her teeth really “clinched”? Perhaps they were clenched.
The doctor says, “Once she regains consciousness, we will be able to better access her prognosis…” What does “better access her prognosis” mean? “Better determine”?
“They visited about it all.”
3. Fashion show and perfection
Maybe someone finds this type of information interesting, but I certainly did not.
“…her fit, thirtysomething assistant…Dressed in a form-fitting charcoal-gray suit with a perfectly knotted deep-maroon tie…”
“He unconsciously reached toward his Van Dyke-styled goatee that had been carefully crafted to accent his chiseled face.”
“…the impeccably dressed bachelor as she offered her freshly manicured hand.”
“Mia stood in front of her full-length mirror and inspected her outfit. The pecan-colored pantsuit with the white blouse fit perfectly.”
“…she pulled her hair into a low bun, letting a whisp of hair hang from her bangs…selected a leopard-print scarf that hung to her waist.”
“She slipped her wallet…into a brown snakeskin satchel…”
“Dark brown trousers, a cashmere camel jacket pulled together by a rich brown patterned tie. His hair waved gently…”
“He looked especially dashing in his black Hugo Boss suit that fit his sculpted body to perfection.”
“She watched him react to her form-fitting coral wrap dress. The neckline made a long V, the opening nearly reaching the leather belt that accentuated her waist. The coral was balanced by black Louis Vuitton shoes and an 18K black onyx necklace with diamonds. Her hair waved gently past her shoulders.”
“…Mia slid on soft terry cloth sweatpants and a hoodie. With the towel wrapped perfectly on her head…”
“Nikki slipped into her zebra print mink coat.”
“Polished black shoes, his silk bowtie perfectly tied…”
4. Contrived
She found a key. She found a hidden door in a fountain that was locked. “…remembered the key she’d found yesterday. Could this be the key to the portal in the fountain?” Let me take a wild guess.
The above may sound like I am nitpicking but there was so much of this nonsense that it interfered with the story.
March 15, 2024
Wow, that was a wild ride! Sandy Clements created a world of mystery and intrigue that will keep you on the edge of your seat. What would you do if the family that you loved and thought you knew was involved in a gem smuggling ring? What would you do if you then found yourself a part of it against your will? Would you risk it all to protect your loved ones? Overall, the book is very good and I do recommend you read it. It is a solid mystery with lots of twists and turns but no blood and gore (which I appreciate). I did have some issues with the story which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. Personally, I thought that the beginning of the book became a bit muddled with too many flashbacks/ setting up characters. I found there to be too much information at some points. And, I found issues with the attraction or romantic scenes going on when Louisa was in the hospital. Mia was super stressed dealing with Louisa's accident and being in ICU on top of the realization that her family was involved with some sketchy transactions. I find it hard to believe that she would be thinking about her friend kissing her at that point in the story. With that said, the plot was very well thought out, the characters are varied and dimensional, and the mystery will keep you guessing.
July 5, 2024
📚 Book Review 📚
Kaleidoscope of Secrets
By
Sandy Clements
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mia Graham is an antique appraiser from Chicago, coming from a family of appraisers with a distinguished reputation in the business. Mia’s parents had been unexpectedly killed and Mia has developed a close relationship with her grandmother, Louisa, who is teaching Mia the family business. Tragedy strikes when Louisa is critically injured on her way to meet Mia, who is hospitalized and unconscious. Questions are raised on whether the accident was intentional and why. Due to her grandmother's accident, Mia is thrust into a world she has not expected nor prepared for—a world of treachery, deceit, and danger. If revealed, the family’s hidden secret would bring her whole world down and destroy what has taken her family generations to build.
I enjoyed reading this story, finding it intriguing and thrilling from the very beginning. The character development was convincing and smoothly, dramatically conceived. The plot was perceived in a manner that kept me turning pages to discover what was coming next as the story progressed and the tension and unexpected circumstances evolved. This is a book I would not hesitate to recommend. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Readers Copy
Kaleidoscope of Secrets
By
Sandy Clements
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mia Graham is an antique appraiser from Chicago, coming from a family of appraisers with a distinguished reputation in the business. Mia’s parents had been unexpectedly killed and Mia has developed a close relationship with her grandmother, Louisa, who is teaching Mia the family business. Tragedy strikes when Louisa is critically injured on her way to meet Mia, who is hospitalized and unconscious. Questions are raised on whether the accident was intentional and why. Due to her grandmother's accident, Mia is thrust into a world she has not expected nor prepared for—a world of treachery, deceit, and danger. If revealed, the family’s hidden secret would bring her whole world down and destroy what has taken her family generations to build.
I enjoyed reading this story, finding it intriguing and thrilling from the very beginning. The character development was convincing and smoothly, dramatically conceived. The plot was perceived in a manner that kept me turning pages to discover what was coming next as the story progressed and the tension and unexpected circumstances evolved. This is a book I would not hesitate to recommend. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Readers Copy
March 11, 2024
Do you like stories with strong women characters? This one has two very strong women in Mia and Nikki.
Do you like stories that discover a long-lost buried family secret? This one has that covered!
What about a backstory of a childhood friendship that lasted over the years? Covered.
And … what about just a bit of back-and-forth romance? That’s here too.
How about a couple of bad guys? Check that one off as well.
I didn’t realize how much I appreciated a strong female main character or two. This is something that appealed to me as I was turning the pages. I like Mia’s character as she comes across as meek and mild, maybe even a bit standoffish, until she comes face-to-face with Nikki.
Nikki, the other main female character, is on the opposite end of the spectrum to Mia. I think this provides an excellent contrast in these two characters.
There are a whole host of characters that make this a colorful read. Their personalities really pop off the pages. Join Mia as she goes through a kaleidoscope of emotions as she uncovers a couple of long-lost, deeply buried secrets that she was not expecting. And the twist? That was totally unexpected.
Do you like stories that discover a long-lost buried family secret? This one has that covered!
What about a backstory of a childhood friendship that lasted over the years? Covered.
And … what about just a bit of back-and-forth romance? That’s here too.
How about a couple of bad guys? Check that one off as well.
I didn’t realize how much I appreciated a strong female main character or two. This is something that appealed to me as I was turning the pages. I like Mia’s character as she comes across as meek and mild, maybe even a bit standoffish, until she comes face-to-face with Nikki.
Nikki, the other main female character, is on the opposite end of the spectrum to Mia. I think this provides an excellent contrast in these two characters.
There are a whole host of characters that make this a colorful read. Their personalities really pop off the pages. Join Mia as she goes through a kaleidoscope of emotions as she uncovers a couple of long-lost, deeply buried secrets that she was not expecting. And the twist? That was totally unexpected.
July 30, 2024
Thank you to the author, publisher and Bookworms Anonymous (FB).
I'm not much of a thriller reader but this one was an interesting one. It was very fast paced, and I couldn't wait to to see what was going to happen, not only with Mia and Louisa, but the secret was mentioned in the plot on the back of the book. I figured out the title of the book very quickly. Many secrets in this book.
I was so involved that I didn't even know what page I was on at times. It kept me reading.
There's even a bit of rivalry/romance going on with Pete, Mia's long time friend who wants more than friendship and with Charlie, who is living in Louisa's basement and another good friend of Mia's.
Talk about an interesting last 50 pages or so. It all came to fruition with the characters, the sub-characters, etc.
As for the epilogue, I was sort of disappointed that it didn't tie things up for Mia in the romance department.
I'm not much of a thriller reader but this one was an interesting one. It was very fast paced, and I couldn't wait to to see what was going to happen, not only with Mia and Louisa, but the secret was mentioned in the plot on the back of the book. I figured out the title of the book very quickly. Many secrets in this book.
I was so involved that I didn't even know what page I was on at times. It kept me reading.
There's even a bit of rivalry/romance going on with Pete, Mia's long time friend who wants more than friendship and with Charlie, who is living in Louisa's basement and another good friend of Mia's.
Talk about an interesting last 50 pages or so. It all came to fruition with the characters, the sub-characters, etc.
As for the epilogue, I was sort of disappointed that it didn't tie things up for Mia in the romance department.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews