Secrets That Remain: The Emil Fricker Story

by Julie Bawden-Davis

A Suspenseful Historical Novel Inspired by True Events

In 1924, a murder rocked a county in southern Illinois, leading to the downfall of a well-respected dairy farmer and his family. In this true account written by Emil Fricker’s direct descendants, discover the behind-the-scenes story of what really went on at the Fricker dairy farm and how one of the wealthiest men in Madison County ended up convicted and on the gallows.

Written from the viewpoints of Emil’s wife, children, and others closely involved, the book is based on information directly passed down through generations and from court records and publicity of the time.

While this dramatized account of real events reveals scandal, betrayal and murder, this story is also a testament to how those left behind overcame great tragedy and prevailed.

388 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

Bestselling author Julie Bawden-Davis loves writing page-turning suspenseful books often spiced with romance, garden books that turn any brown thumb green, and spiritual books meant to enlighten and inspire.

Julie began penning stories at the age of 5, when she wrote sweet, little romance books for her grandma. From there, she graduated to sneaking to a neighbor’s house to watch “Dark Shadows” (because her parents thought it was too scary for her). Then, in her teens, she raced home from school, dragging her younger sister behind her, to become immersed in the world of “General Hospital.”

Julie lives in Southern California, where she enjoys sunny, blue skies most days and year-round gardening. She gains inspiration by being surrounded by plants when she writes.

Sign up to join her Romance/Suspense Email Mailing List at http://eepurl.com/cw31x5 to get sneak peeks of upcoming books and participate in contests and giveaways.

Reviews

[C.Y. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is undoubtedly one of the most heart-wrenching I've read in a long time. A part of me had hoped it was fictional, akin to Julie's other works, and that the story wasn't true. It's devastating to acknowledge that this family suffered due to one person's struggle with alcohol addiction. The fact that the mistress escaped accountability for her harmful actions is infuriating. It almost makes me wish that they had the technology today to know that someone was telling the truth. The fact that she had two husbands die should've raised suspicions about her credibility. Rose exemplified remarkable strength. My heart aches for her and her children, especially Blanche. This book was engrossing, evoking intense emotions and making it impossible to put down. The inclusion of photographs at the end was a poignant touch. I highly recommend this book, although it's difficult to reconcile its greatness with the family's tragic experiences. I wish that Julie's mom was alive to see the outcome of this book.

I was given an advance copy of this book for free and I’m leaving my review volunteer

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a winner on many levels!

I was really interested in reading this book because I spent about three years of my life at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, which is 15 minutes away from Highland, Illinois.

I love how it was a story of Family and some of the demons that caused descension and frustration, especially alcoholism.

The author’s, special abilities to draw us into the plot from the very beginning through the end was unique.

I think this would make a really good movie or streaming presentation.

I highly recommend.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Constance M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this advance copy of the book from the author through Book Funnel.

I find autobiographical or biographical books, while interesting, do not flow like fiction, which is to be expected. Not everyone lives a story comparable to fiction.

while the story is named for the father figure, it is truly the strength and stamina of the females (most especially his wife, Rose) that bring the story to life.

The authors did a lot of work collecting newspaper excerpts and pictures to bring the full picture to the reader.

Living with the secret of their husband and father definitely must have had a significant impact on how life was lived through the years.

[lesley Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rose is the hero in this true story
She kept the family together and got money back from lawyers who stole from her by giving her money to buy a cafe this is told by actual relatives
Having pictures at the end of the book was good so you could put faces to names.

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

[Mike Corcoran · Rating 4 out of 5]

The interesting thing about this book is that it was written by the granddaughter and great granddaughter of the man and woman at the center of the story. It not only takes you through the true crime story of murder in a small town but also how they learned about it and how it impacted their family. Definitely an interesting and worthwhile read. I gave it 4 stars, because some of the constructed dialogue just didn’t ring true for me.

[PagePilgrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets That Remain isn’t just a retelling of a 1924 murder case—it’s a full immersion into a family tragedy, stitched together with court records, historical documents, and the voices of those who lived it. Written by Emil Fricker’s descendants, it has that rare quality of being both meticulously factual and deeply personal.

For me, the heart of the story wasn’t as much Emil or the scandal—it was Rose. Rose is portrayed as this unbreakable, resilient woman who had every reason to crumble, yet carried herself with a strength that’s downright inspiring. Honestly, she’s the kind of figure you remember long after closing the book. In contrast, the mistress? Don’t get me started. The fact she slid away from accountability still makes my blood boil. And seeing her photograph included? Let’s just say I remain deeply unimpressed with how alcohol affected Emil’s taste.

This book pulls you through every emotion—anger, sadness, admiration, disbelief—and it does it with the pacing of a page-turner. It’s one of those reads where history feels alive, almost uncomfortably close, because of how layered and human the storytelling is.
What is saddening and concerning is that Emil maintained his innocence until his last breath.

And as if all that wasn’t enough, the recipes at the back are a stroke of brilliance. There’s something grounding about being able to cook from Rose’s own kitchen, bridging the gap between her world and ours. It makes her presence linger long after the last page.

In short: tragic, powerful, maddening, and unforgettable. A true-crime story, yes—but at its core, a tribute to resilience and the everyday strength of women like Rose.

I received this ARC for free and leaving this review voluntarily

[Katy The Sleepy Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good true crime story. This one is a little bit different but a good one, nonetheless.

This book centers around the Fricker family, a wealthy farming family. The year is 1924, and we've just arrived in Madison County, Illinois. A local man is found murdered, the husband of a woman who works for the head of the Fricker family, Emil.

Emil and Rose live and maintain the farm, they have three children, Arline, Richard and Blanche. Arline is from Emils first marriage and is married to Eldo and they have a son; Eldo Jr. Robert is 14 and Blanche is 10. The night that the sheriff came to "just talk" to Emil would shatter this tight family and this quiet farming community.

The sheriff comes to take Emil away for some questioning and its the last time his family ever sees him outside of jail and the courtroom. Emil had been having an affair with the murdered man's wife, Minnie. The accusation is that he murdered the husband to be with Minnie. The only evidence they really seemed to have was the testimony of a man who had worked for Emil for over 20 years.

Minnie was obviously, by all accounts, not a good person. She had two husbands die under suspicious circumstances and she was adulterous. Emil is not innocent in that department, but I saw very little evidence that he actually murdered her husband or commissioned it. He was a drunkard and also an adulterer.

The hero, so to speak of the story, is Rose. She not only held the family together during the trials and his eventual hanging, but she also flourished by forcing the lawyers who stole from her, to give her money to open a cafe and buy the land it was on.

The book is written by one of her actual relatives. I love that it is told from that perspective and that they were able to bring this tragic story to us. I really loved the photos at the end of the book. It really helps to put faces to the people we were reading about. Minnie looked nothing like I envisioned her.

The story as a whole is heart wrenching. The children had their world ripped from them, however, their mother was there to carry on and make things the best she could. Her resilience is evident in the women who wrote this book together. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am an ARC reader for Book Sirens and this is my honest opinion. This book intrigued me when I read the blurb, and it didn't disappoint. Written by two grandchildren of the central characters, they grew up aware of a family secret and found the details as adults through their own detailed research. The book contains records and newspaper reports from the time. The story illustrates, clearly how people living in relatively small communities in the past were constrained by what was considered "Respectable" and " Proper". How lives could have been different without so much constraint. This story is, in a way the story of how five men's lives were ruined by the temptation of the demon drink and a pair of swaying hips. It isn't all doom and gloom since the authors include a photo album of the family up to the modern day. An interesting read.

[Susa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It takes a lot of strength to decide to write a book about the darker side of your family’s history … and it wasn’t easy to read this book for me because it moved me so, so much to experience how these strong people (Rose, Arline, Richard and little Blanche) must have suffered through this whole ordeal.
However, this book gives a totally realistic insight into the life style of wealthy farmers about 100 years ago. The dreams the family had and the dreadful fate that is sprung on all of them thanks to a wrong decision taken by one family member.
This story is definitely worth your time - I’ll also try out some of Rose’s recipes.

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

[Danielle Dowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets That Remain is one of those books that feels both deeply personal and quietly haunting, like you’re reading someone’s family history while also watching a much bigger story unfold around it.
I especially appreciated the inclusion of the newspaper articles and historical details, because they gave the story a grounded, “this really happened” texture that made everything feel even more unsettling and real. You can feel how scandal, silence, and survival shape the family from the inside out.

Overall, I found it compelling, emotionally resonant, and surprisingly hard to put down once it got its hooks in. If you like true event-inspired historical fiction, and family secrets that linger after the last page, this one’s worth a read.

[Kat M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as a murder mystery novel, it had that element that I was wanting and had that historical element that I was looking for and glad worked overall. I enjoyed the feel of this world and how the time-period was used. The characters were written well and had that feel that I wanted and enjoyed in this universe. Julie Bawden-Davis was able to weave a strong tale and enjoyed the feel of this and how the characters were told. It uses the true crime element perfectly and had that feel that I wanted.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Pamela Bloink · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is incredible. It is a story that grips ahold of you from the start and doesn't let go til the end. I devoured this book in 2 days because I had to find out what happens next. The newspaper articles were copied verbatim. Her mother's recollections were interesting. The photos are a great addition. A true tale of love and perseverance in the face of tragedy.

[Sandy Goguen-Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

A true story that is heartbreaking. The story was told by the granddaughter and her daughter. I thought it was very brave for the women to share their family secret. The courage and strength of his wife, Rose, was amazing.

I received this ARC from Book Sirens, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sharmani Jayaram · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of hardship, courage and suffering by the family of the accused for murders he was accused of committing .Emotional and full of family drama in this intriguing read which is very moving. I received this ARC copy via Booksprouts and recommend this book to other readers.

[Sandi Niemeyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

This is a well-written, true story of a family's mystery. It is written by a mother and daughter and is enjoyable, albeit sad. You can truly feel this family as if they were your relatives or next-door neighbors. I feel a little lost for being done with it.

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is a true life story. It just shows you how strong these women are. When faced with hardships they face them head on.

[Candlelight · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a story, what a memoir; what courage it must have took to write this book!
Check it out if you want to read something very different!

[ecastell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets That Remain: The Emil Fricker Story is the heartbreaking story about the destruction of a once well respected family as the result of alcoholism and infidelity.

Emil Fricker was a wealthy and successful dairy farmer in Highland, Illinois in the early 1900s. After the death of his beloved first wife he remarried Rose Jenny. Rose was a devoted wife and mother but was never able to fill void left in Emil’s life by the loss of his beautiful Anna.

Emil’s grief leads him to drink too much moonshine liquor from the still in his barn and to his extramarital affair with Minnie, his young dairymaid. When the second of Minnie’s husbands is found mysteriously dead, Emil is arrested and convicted of his murder.

Julie Bawden-Davis, author and great granddaughter of Rose and Emil, skillfully crafts her story through the dramatic retelling of family history and carefully researched newspaper articles. Historical accounts of Emil’s trial and execution will delight fans of true crime literature/podcasts.

The crushing hardship that Rose and her children had to overcome is the true heart of this story. Rose lost her home, the dairy farm and all her valuables to Emil’s legal defense team. But through all of the humiliation, Rose never lost her dignity. Her drive to create a career for herself and to restore her children’s future was truly remarkable.

The final pages of the book are full of family photos, recipes and poems written by Rose. These serve well to humanizing the story.

Many thanks to the author and the publisher for this free copy. I am happy to provide my thought and opinions.

[Beth Stromberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is it a historical fiction? Is it a memoir? Is it a true crime story? Yes, to all of these.
Secrets That Remain: the Emil Fricker Story, is co written by Fricker's granddaughter and great granddaughter. Although it is technically historical fiction, it reads like true crime; there are actual, verbatim news articles, at appropriate times, and reflections of the authors, here and there.
The descriptions, character development, and story telling are far above par.We get to know Rose Fricker,and her children, and truly care for her, and her family, and root for them. She was a strong woman, during a time when it was totally unexpected.
As an added bonus, at the end of the book there are poems by Rose, recipes for of Rose's amazing baked goods, and finally ,a biography of where each of the characters, ended up. I think it is a book not to be missed!.

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

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book. I finished it in three days because I really wanted to see how this book ended. I enjoyed how it was told from different family member’s perspective and how they dealt with what was going on in the family. It’s a story about love and strength.

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

[SusanH · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Secrets that Remain is a heart-wrenching book told by the direct descendants of Emil Fricker, who was put to death by hanging in the 1920s. He was sentenced to the murder of two men, who were the consecutive husbands of the milkmaid on his farm, with whom he carried on a long affair. Rose, his long suffering wife, attributed his actions to the moonshine he created and drank heavily. The mistress, who testified against him, appeared to escape any accountability for her actions toward Rose and the family. Written with actual newspaper articles, court documents and family photos, it depicts the public shame and mixed feelings endured by all those around him, particularly his children. With thanks to BookSirens for this ARC. My opinions are my own.

[Katie Weissberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets That Remain is a spellbinding work of historical fiction. I was captivated by Rose Fricker’s quiet devastation and fierce resilience when she was caught in the ruinous wake of scandal, betrayal, and public shame. Bawden- Davis crafted a narrative that is as much about personal survival and perseverance of an amazingly strong woman as it is about the way a single act can unravel entire lives. The historical details were meticulously woven into the story. This book is one of my favorites!

[Alexis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets That Remain is a wonderful tribute to the authors’ ancestors. Through their research, not only did a secretive past come to light, but the heroic efforts of their ancestors to put a troubled past behind them were uncovered. I can imagine that the process of researching and writing this novel was very therapeutic for the authors.

With that being said, this book has been described in blurbs as a suspenseful and dramatic historical novel inspired by true events. As an avid thriller reader, including crime novels based on true events, this blurb is misleading. If you’re looking for an edge-of-your-seat, suspense-filled crime/trial thriller, this is not it. The focus is more on how the selfish actions of one man had ripple effects through the generations, as well as the strength and perseverance of his family members left with the burden.

A few liberties here and there could’ve been taken to make it more intriguing and enjoyable as a historical fiction novel. A few fictionalized diary entries could’ve been added. Some of the chapters could’ve been written from Minnie or even Fricker’s POV. There were a couple chapters from the Sheriff’s and farmhand’s POV, but I don’t feel they added much to the story.

Some of the formatting was a little off and it took away from the flow of the story. Although the use of actual newspaper clippings was great, they could’ve been spaced out more effectively and utilized better to move the story along. I wish there was more of a balance between the past and the author’s personal experiences. The few that there were just seemed dropped in at random parts. Some of the dialogue, including inner dialogue, was a little off and not genuine sounding.

There were many things I did enjoy though. A story told from multiple viewpoints and across generations has always been interesting to me. Rose was very likable and relatable. Her strength was impressive. The photographs, short bios, and recipes at the end were a nice touch. I liked being able to put names to faces and finding out what happened to them. The overarching theme of how the consequences of one person’s actions can leave a lasting effect through future generations is something that I believe most of us can relate to.

Overall, this was an interesting read. It may have been better suited to a nonfiction/memoir type genre rather than historical fiction though.

I received an ARC and this is my voluntary opinion.

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Secrets That Remain tells the haunting and personal story of a family bound by silence and shadow. It unearths the dark legacy of Emil Fricker, a respected Illinois farmer whose life spiraled into scandal and tragedy during the 1920s. Told through the eyes of his descendants, the book blends history, memoir, and fiction to explore the ripple effects of buried secrets across generations. At its core, though, it’s about the women who survived him, Rose, his steadfast wife, and her descendants, who spent decades piecing together what really happened when love, jealousy, and pride collided on the Fricker dairy farm.

The writing is vivid and tender, with a rhythm that feels both old-fashioned and relatable. The authors don’t just tell a crime story, they tell a story about endurance. Their style has an honesty that made me forget I was reading about people long gone. I found myself caught between empathy and disbelief, shaking my head at the choices Emil made and aching for Rose, who bore the cost of them. The mix of real newspaper clippings and narrative gave the book a gritty authenticity that made me want to keep turning pages late into the night.

Some chapters sank into so much detail that I wished for a pause to breathe between the grief and revelations. But that weight also mirrors the emotional load the family carried. It’s a book that doesn’t look away, and I respect that. The storytelling feels like a conversation between the living and the dead, with the authors trying to make peace with ghosts. I admired their courage in confronting painful truths that their family once hid.

When I finished, I sat for a long time just thinking. I’d recommend Secrets That Remain to anyone who loves historical family sagas, true crime with a human heart, or generational stories about forgiveness and resilience. It’s especially for readers who understand that the past never really stays buried.

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this book reads like a fictional murder mystery, it is largely the true account of the tragedy that befell the Fricker family in the 1920s. Emil Fricker, wealthy and well-respected dairy farmer, fell from grace, largely due to two things: his overindulgence in his own moonshine and his lust for another man’s wife. Emil, married to Rose, his second wife, seemed to have it all. A loving wife, adorable children, and a successful farm. But Minnie brought out the worst in him, and fueled by liquor, he eliminated her husbands each time she married. A proclamation by a dying man finally proved to be Emil’s undoing. This gripping tale of a family’s sorrow and grief for a man they loved and who loved them is quite heartrending. The story is interspersed with actual verbatim printed accounts at the time of his arrest and the trials of Emil Fricker. Also included are numerous pictures and photos of the family and cherished family artifacts. Well written and historically accurate, the authors paint a picture of what life and the criminal justice system were like in the early 1900s. They poignantly describe the unhappiness of the children when they were bullied by their peers. But the authors also illustrate the fortitude of Rose as she salvaged her self-respect and made a new life for her children, providing for their welfare. This is really her story, and it is an amazing one, well lived and well told.

I was given an advance copy for free through BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Secrets that Remain: The Emil Fricker Story’ was fascinating. It began with Emil being picked up by law enforcement for running a still. However, that changed fast after Emil was told he was arrested for murder. Told in the vernacular of the 1920s and including actual reprinting of publications, and/or court documents, and personal questions and conversations with family members, the author captured the essence of the true-life drama that unfolded, leading up to the murder(s), the trials, including character witnesses, eyewitness accounts, and the verdicts.
Additionally, the book showed the beginnings of the timeline, which included how Emil approached his second wife’s father about being betrothed, the lust, making the moonshine in his still, and the mayhem planning which led to Emil’s downfall. Also, the book shared tidbits of the culture of the period and the aftermath of the families’ lives that were torn asunder in the tragedy. This book, based on tragic events, made me misty-eyed while reading, yet it was mesmerizing. Moreover, the recipes, the family photographs, the great-grandmother’s poetry, and family heirlooms presented at the end of the book were touching. Overall, I appreciated the author’s documentary-type writing style while retelling a part of her family’s engaging yet devastating story.
I received a copy for free and am giving my honest review.

[Katrina Freckleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, it was an interesting story but I found it a little bit disjointed between story and factual. I understand it would be hard to write about your family and I enjoyed the parts that were written as though the author researched and then wrote, but I found that it began to jump back and forth so it did not flow in parts. I also realise that the author may have had to do some embellishing as some things were not known i.e. how Rose felt or reacted and conversations that were had. BUT it again highlights alcoholism, strong women and the need for survival. And how this family overcame all the trials and tribulations that come along with this hidden part of their lives.

It was interesting also reading the inserts from the papers of the day and finding facts as they happened as well as photos.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book, the authors will be so proud of their research and getting this family history told.
What a well written book. I couldn't stop reading, the story flowed and you just wanted to know more and more and more.

What would you do if your husband was arrested for murder?

A lot of factual records were researched and told as well as the emotions of the family members living thru it.
To know this was a real story and part of the authors personal family history was quite profound. What a way to clear family secrets and bring the history out into the open. I'm sure many people will see this as amazing. There are many secrets in many families and this one was told beautifully.
A must read.

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

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Julie and Lynn brought their family secrets out of the shadows and I applaud them! This story is part of their family history. Emil ripped his family apart with murder, alcohol addiction & his cheating. Rose Fricker and her children Arline, Richard, & Blanche had no other choice but to liter build a new life from the ground up. The strength & courage it took for Rose to literally rebuild her life after the betrayal & death of her husband is truly inspiring. I loved seeing the family photos that were included in the book. I highly recommend this book.

[Mandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Secrets That Remain: The Emil Fricker Story. This true family narrative was so well written, I just couldn't put it down. The courage and strength that Rose demonstrated in the face of such devastation was remarkable. Holding her head high and raising her children after the torment her husband put her through was nothing short of extraordinary. This one will stay with me for a long time.