Das unglaubliche Talent der Bailey Dowery: Roman

by Trisha R. Thomas, Julia Walther (Translator)

Was bedeutet es, eine Schwarze Frau in Amerika zu sein?

1954, Bailey Dowery, eine Schwarze Schneiderin, ist mit der Gabe der „zweiten Sicht“ Sobald sie eine ihrer Kundinnen berührt, erfährt sie Visionen über deren Wünsche, Ängste und Zukunft. Sie arbeitet für die Frauen der lokalen Ölbarone und fertigt edle Roben und Brautkleider für die Elite der Stadt an. Trotz der Warnungen ihrer Tante, sich aus den Angelegenheiten der Weißen herauszuhalten, hilft Bailey gelegentlich, wenn Bräute sie um ihre besondere Hilfe bitten. Als Elsa Grimes, Tochter eines der reichsten Ölbarone Oklahomas, um Baileys Dienste bittet, wird diese mit einer erschreckenden Wahrheit konfrontiert. Schon bald wird ein Mann ermordet aufgefunden und Elsa als Verdächtige inhaftiert. Bailey gerät in einen Strudel aus Lügen und Geheimnissen und ihr wird klar, dass ihr Talent genauso gefährlich wie es ein Geschenk sein kann …

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Historical, Fantasy, Audiobook, African American

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 4, 2024

About the author

Trisha R. Thomas is the author of the highly acclaimed Nappily Series, best known for her debut novel Nappily Ever After (Random House).

Reviews

[Emaleigh Nichelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ll be back later with my thoughts, which are many. But, I’ll leave you with this … Ingrid is the most dangerous type of white woman in 1954 and in 2024
.

My Thoughts: Oklahoma 1954. An oil baron, a seamstress, a privileged daughter, and a long lost love.
There are a lot of people in this story and they are all connected and initially don’t know it. Ingrid is the most dangerous type of white woman in 1954 and 2024. There is a common theme in the story that father and daughter are both selfish in their wants and desires with no care or concern of the dangers it causes those they claim to love in 1926 or 1954.
This story has many moving parts. It’s a bit of a mystery, a bit of coming of age, a bit of love, a bit of history and a bit of magical realism if your like you stories to include any of those you should give this a read.
To be continued …. I have more to say ….

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great story. This book transports you to Oklahoma in the 50’s where not everything is as it seems from the outside. Everyone has secrets and they are all entwined. It’s part mystery, and part a story about being able to live life with the person you love. Well written and very entertaining. I couldn’t put it down. Thank you William Morrow for the chance to read an advanced copy!

[Lisa Burgos · Rating 4 out of 5]

A stark picture of racism in the south during the Jim Crow Law Period, along with wealth and classism.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of the book "The Secret Keeper of Main Street" The book takes place in Oklahoma in the mid 1950s. Bailey is a black woman who works at her aunt's dressmaker shop. She works there as a seamstress making beautiful wedding gowns. Bailey has a secret talent. she can tell how someone is feeling and can sense the future for someone { like if they are sad or may be in trouble} When Elsa comes into the shop Bailey senses a sadness in the future bride and tells her she does not think she is happy about her upcoming wedding. turns our Bailey is correct, Elsa does not want to marry her fiance and has good reason. When Elsa's future husband Connor, ends up dead Elsa is a suspect. This book is full of secrets that more than one character has kept. and all unravel as the book goes on. I don't want to give spoilers but found this book good enough to keep me turning the pages to find out what those secrets are and how they all come together.

[Latoya (jamaicangirlreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kind of story that reminds me why historical fiction is my sweet spot. really enjoyed this!

[RaceTo230 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed. The synopsis was great, but it took too long to get to what was in the description and even then, it didn’t live up to it. I feel like a different book was actually written. Then the last few chapters were unbelievable. It’s like the author wanted to wrap everything up with a pretty little bow.

[Courtney Shapiro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay. The concept of a dressmaker who has premonitions and visions about people was really cool, but it fell flat for me. I also thought there were too many things happening. It felt like a book that had been done before, just with a different title and setting. I wish the author would have stuck to one thing and flushed those out, but there were too many plot lines. Surprisingly, the book was fast-paced though. I didn't feel stuck reading a chapter for too long; it was an easy progression. I also liked the different perspectives, but again, the characters felt like they'd been done before, and the basicness of the story is where I stopped enjoying it. This had the potential to be so good, but I don't think it's for me. Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for an e-ARC to read and review.

[tre be · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️ The Secret Keeper of Main Street has been one of my most highly anticipated reads this year and it didn’t disappoint. First of all, Ms. Trisha is one of my longtime favorite authors and she does 👏🏾not 👏🏾miss👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

The story is set in 1950s Oklahoma. Bailey is the secret keeper. She is a seamstress who makes dresses for well-to-do women and she also has visions about people through touch. Imagine the lowdown, juicy scandals she conjures up in this small town!!

It was interesting to see Bailey’s struggle with her gift against all of the women coming to her for “help” and direction. If I had the gift of sight I wouldn’t tell nobody!! 😂

This story has a little bit of everything- secrets & drama, mystery and romance, and a sprinkle of fantasy! The various characters brought a fresh and interesting twist to the story that weaved together so beautifully! I was thoroughly entertained from start to finish!!

Highly recommend!!

[Brielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really excited to read this book, but it ended up being a disappointment. I almost DNF'd at 10% and honestly wish I had. The synopsis sounded amazing, but the actual story felt like a completely different book. It didn’t capture what I'd expect of 1950s Oklahoma at all, and so many parts just didn’t seem believable. The pacing was painfully slow for the first 75%, and while it did pick up toward the end, by then, I had already mostly checked out. The last few chapters were focused on tying up all loose ends, but the book would've been much more interesting if some of those resolutions were woven into the book earlier instead of in a rushed heap at the end.

[Kim’s Kindle Reads. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ this was a decent read. I wanted the murder aspect to happen a little sooner but that’s okay. Love Bailey. Ingrid was hot mess of a mother. So happy for aunt Charlene. Mathias surprised me. Rochelle said “that’s nice but I’m out of here” 😂. I enjoyed this immersive read.

[Tamisha booklovertamisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been a fan of this author since reading her Nappily series years ago. This book is just as good, if not better. I really enjoyed this story about Bailey. Bailey had a gift, and she used it wisely, most of the time. She was a genuinely sweet character who was immensely talented.

I loved seeing her relationships with the other characters. The story was set in the 1950s, so it was interesting to see the juxtaposition of the women despising Bailey because of her race while marveling at her gift. Bailey definitely held her own throughout the story.

I saw where the story was going early on, but I enjoyed how it unfolded. I love how the author was able to tie up the story at the end. I hate an unfinished ending. I was fully into this story, even though it was a tad predictable.

[Dez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Jukaschar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part magical realism, part historical fiction, The Secret Keeper of Main Street takes place in the 1950s in small town Oklahoma amid the memory of the 1921 Tulsa massacre and the early 20th century Oklahoma oil rush.

I'm glad I started reading more books outside of my main interest speculative fiction as I wouldn't have come across this book otherwise. It's very well written, with relatable characters that interact in and with a world that seems quite far removed from my personal environment at first glance. However, the grievances they encounter, the love they desire and the goals they want to achieve are the focus of this story and that's where - as always - the similarities lie.

While I may not come across Trisha R. Thomas in my reading-more-fiction quest, I'm going to make sure to check out more fiction/historical fiction in the future.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

“The Secret Keeper of Main Street” by Trisha R. Thomas is about a small southern towns bridal shop seamstress who has the gift of sight. All the prominent women in town come to her to predict their future lives with their betrothed. When she predicts unhappiness to her client Bailey who then finds her fiancée dead, Bailey becomes the prime suspect. Elsa the seamstress becomes the towns target because of her gift and is at risk of losing everything. This book has great characters and is beautifully written, but it gives a stark picture of racism in the south. I loved the premise of this story, I just found it hard to read.

Thank you NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Ebony (whatebonyreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine being able to perceive people's innermost feelings with just a touch. When something terrible happens, you must use this gift to help a friend in a dire situation.

That’s what happened to Bailey Dowery when her new friend, Elsa Grimes, finds herself at the center of a town scandal.

If historical fiction and a modern soap opera had a baby, this would be it. The plot was filled with so many secrets and I loved every minute. The hint of mystery was woven in perfectly, just enough to keep the story moving forward. This book has solidified my identity as a historical fiction fan.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

A talented young dressmaker in 1950's oil rich Oklahoma with a gift of 2d sight. Lots of family drama and a murder.
A fun easy read. Too many issues and plot lines for me. I wish the author would have just stuck with the gifted protagonist and her need for secrecy.
However, bc of aforementioned multiple issues and plots this would make for good book discussion. 😁

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format:
📱 Kindle

Ratings:
Overall: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Plot: 4.5/5

[Alanna Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Secret Keeper of Main Street
Historical fiction has a special place in my heart. Trisha Thomas does a fantastic job of transporting readers back to the 1950s to a small town in Oklahoma. The story line is unique from other historical fiction stories I’ve read because of the main character, Bailey’s, ability to see her client’s past, present, and future. This cast of characters tangle themselves in a complex web on love, prejudice, wealth, expectation, and despair. Trisha has you wanting to know if anyone ever gets untangled.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an outstanding historical read, perfectly blending jaw-dropping drama, intriguing mystery, a touch of magical realism, and a heartfelt theme of found family. It also beautifully captures the complexity and bravery of interracial friendships and relationships during a time when they were publicly taboo, adding depth to the story. The vivid narrative would make an excellent movie.

[B. Malary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an amazing historical story that mixes incredible drama, a cool mystery, a sprinkle of magical realism, and a warm theme about found family. It also shows the courage and complexity of friendships and relationships between different races during a time when such things were frowned upon, making the story even richer. If you're bored with the same old historical fiction and want something fresh, you should definitely read this book! It's filled with secrets and lots of drama!

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book and was intrigued by the premise. It fell flat for me. It started out fine, but the characters were really one dimensional. I thought that Alice (first customer of Bailey's we are introduced to) was going to be a major player. And her true love appeared several times looking for her. So John, the true love, hasn't seen her in months, and Bailey sees a vision of her sad in her house after she was married (not to John). And then in the end, Alice and John are seen happy on a bench together???? Huh. I mean it seems like a story about Alice was eluded to then just never materialized. Elsa appeared to be just a petulant child throughout-I understand she was traumatized, but I could never muster any sympathy for her. And what about the whole Matty/Char relationship arc. I mean one minute, Matty is married to Ingrid, parent to Elsa, and then the next minute Bailey, Charlene, Matty and Elsa are sitting down to dinner like a proper family. I mean, what??? A lot of blanks concerning interactions and conversations between characters that we are not privy to.

Overall a miss for me.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this book and am having a difficult time reviewing it. 1954 in Oklahoma, and a black seamstress, Bailey, works in an exclusive boutique. Bailey can see emotions and visions when she touches people. She does not publicize this, but people know and ask her for help.
There are many characters and coincidences that make this difficult to review without spoilers.
There is an interracial love story in 1926 that comes back in 1954 and I wonder how it will continue in the South of 1954, as it was illegal. That couple is intertwined in Bailey's story. There is a toxic mother daughter plot, as well as a secret gay plot point, and 2 unwed mother's whose stories end very differently. There is also a rape and a murder
The small town segregated divide is very well portrayed and seeing everything that happens through Bailey's eyes brings the story to life.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review of a story line I have not encountered before.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this novel set in Oklahoma in the 1950s. Lots of different storylines going on, but they all weave together.

[Michelle Schaaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read. I truly enjoyed this book.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was giving To Kill A Mockingbird vibes yall!! I loved every single page.

[Alymal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Bailey the dressmaker—she was my favorite character. The characters were well developed. It gave a different view on segregation in the South. The ending wasn’t very realistic, but overall, it kept you wanting to read.

[Shauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Bailey has the gift of site in 1950’s Oklahoma. I loved the details in the story and how it developed. There were some “oh my” moments that I never saw coming. Another great point about this story was that considering the time setting, there were no disparaging slurs. You will not be disappointed with this story. I highly recommend and let’s not keep it a secret.😉

[Kayybereading · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very slow and it dragged! The secrets that were told to wasn’t anything too crazy! I thought it was gonna be some off the wall secrets but it wasn’t! However i did enjoy Bailey and Auntie Charlene!!!! And Ingrid can go to H-E- double hockey stick !

[Mo Sande · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had huge anticipation for this book (kept it building for ages) and it didn’t disappoint. It’s a captivating historical fiction story that mixes incredible drama, mystery, magical realism, and a warm theme about found family and friendships across racial lines. Highly recommend!

[Kim G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am just so overwhelmed by how beautiful this storytelling is. I count this book as one of my favorite books this year. Innocence, sadness, jealousy, and forgiveness are all emotions that play out in this story. Love, family, and new friendships are essential aspects of this remarkable story. The story has so much grace. The author is a great storyteller. Well Done, Trisha R. Thomas.