Secrets in the Hollow

Drake & Wilde #1

by J.L. Jarvis

In Sleepy Hollow, history doesn't rest... and neither do its secrets. When historian Iris Drake takes a job as a tour guide in Sleepy Hollow, she expects to share tales of headless horsemen and haunted bridges. Instead, a chance encounter with the enigmatic and brilliant Professor Jackson Wilde plunges her into a centuries-old conspiracy that could rewrite American history.

As Iris and Jackson race to decode cryptic messages left by the Founding Fathers, they uncover a world of hidden chambers, shadowy societies, and a mysterious seal guarded by the Wardens of Liberty. With each clue bringing them closer to the truth—and to each other—the line between ally and enemy blurs.

Their growing attraction only heightens the stakes as they find themselves pursued by those who would keep the past buried. In a town where legend and reality intertwine, Iris must decide how much she's willing to risk for the truth... and for love.

Because in Sleepy Hollow, some secrets are worth killing for – and others might just save a nation.

But in a town where nothing is as it seems, who can they trust? Dive into the mystery today!

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2024

About the author

J.L. Jarvis is a left-handed former opera singer/teacher/lawyer who lives and writes books on a mountaintop in upstate New York. For information about upcoming books, sign up for her newsletter at jljarvis.com.

Reviews

[Laynara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to read the second book in this series and I can tell you it was worth it! I am still left with so many unsolved questions and can’t wait to read on!

[Ashlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars

This book was a captivating blend of suspense, romance, and historical intrigue. Iris Drake and Professor Jackson Wilde make for a compelling duo as they unravel a thrilling mystery that ties American history to the supernatural legends of Sleepy Hollow. The author does a fantastic job weaving together historical details, cryptic puzzles, and a touch of romance. The chemistry between the two protagonists is undeniable, adding depth to the story without overshadowing the action. The pacing was steady, and each twist kept me wanting more, though some of the romantic elements felt a little predictable at times. Overall, it’s an exciting, well-crafted adventure that fans of romantic suspense and historical mysteries will thoroughly enjoy.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nere · Rating 2 out of 5]

Secrets in the Hollow prometía continuar la emocionante aventura de Iris y Jackson en Sleepy Hollow, pero desafortunadamente no cumplió con mis expectativas.
El inicio del libro me dejó desconcertada. Después del intenso clímax del primer libro, esperaba una continuación directa, pero en su lugar encontramos una historia que parecía arrancar desde cero. La falta de conexión entre ambos libros fue un golpe para mí.
Conforme avanzaba la trama, perdí el interés en los personajes principales. Iris y Jackson se volvieron más unidimensionales y sus acciones me resultaron poco creíbles. Los nuevos personajes secundarios tampoco lograron destacar y rápidamente se convirtieron en figuras olvidables.
El ritmo de la historia era irregular, con picos de acción que se sucedían a momentos de calma sin una transición adecuada. El final, aunque intentaba ser sorprendente, me dejó con una sensación de insatisfacción.
En comparación con el primer libro, que me había cautivado por completo, Secrets in the Hollow me decepcionó.
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Secrets in the Hollow promised to continue Iris and Jackson's exciting adventure in Sleepy Hollow, but unfortunately, it didn't meet my expectations.
The beginning of the book left me bewildered. After the intense climax of the first book, I was expecting a direct continuation, but instead, we found a story that seemed to start from scratch. The lack of connection between the two books was a shock for me.
As the plot progressed, I lost interest in the main characters. Iris and Jackson became more one-dimensional, and their actions seemed less believable. The new secondary characters also failed to stand out and quickly became forgettable figures.
The story's pace was uneven, with peaks of action following moments of calm without a proper transition. Although the ending was intended to be surprising, it left me feeling dissatisfied.
Compared to the first book, which completely captivated me, Secrets in the Hollow disappointed me.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second installment in the Drake & Wilde series picks up the frantic search for the secret Revolutionary era artifacts begun in the series' starter story. Iris and Jackson are joined by a third-wheel graduate student history research assistant, who is also a genius cyber security tech spy genius. This really should have been part of the first story story, and still has some of the same issues with the pacing and developing; the action being too-rushed and the revelations too quickly and the revelations underdeveloped and convenient to moving the plot quickly. Despite wanting more depth and literary/history context from the mystery, the characters, writing, and the premise still kept me reading. I want more, but I also want the series to improve in storytelling execution.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Secrets in the Hollow (book 2 in the Drake & Wilde Mysteries). Picked up directly where book one ended.

Historian Iris Drake finds herself on an adventure, uncovering secrets with professor Jackson Wilde.

I loved all the history and spookiness coming up from this small town.

Iris is a historian at heart and this comes through and everything that she does.

We learn more about Jackson in this own.

I found the story to be very engaging for a cozy mystery. Legends of Sleepy Hollow . This sTory was fast paced and so fun to adventure along Iris and Jackson. Will what they find reveal secrets of American history.

Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Cottage_reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this cozy mystery series set in Sleepy Hollow.

It is the perfect read to curl up with on a cold night.

I will definitely continue reading this series and hope there will still be many more books.

Read this if you love:
🎃 Cozy mystery
🎃 Sleepy hollow
🎃 Slow burn
🎃 Quirky sidekicks

Thank you Booksprout and the author for this ARC.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

historians find themselves tangled in pitched battles, with rituals, rites, and power hungry folks pitted against unexpected scolars, warriors, and reluctant might be matyrs or heroes.

intense and wrenching challenges that make for great reading.