The Dictograph Case: Patriotic Device

by Diane Wahn Shotton

Sometimes the truth is difficult to believe. And finding it has consequences.

In 1937, a German immigrant is beaten in the dark. Everyone suspects who did it. No one will say.
Journalist Michael Schumann and schoolteacher Olivia Kendall start asking questions—Michael haunted by his grandfather’s ruin in 1918, Olivia by her father’s suspicious death. What they uncover is worse than rumor: their small town’s powerful men built their reputations on surveillance, coercion, and a weaponized version of patriotism. And that machinery is still running.
Every answer leads to another threat. Every witness who talks pays a price. And the deeper they dig into the past, the more dangerous the present becomes.

Would you stay silent?
Uncovering the truth might redeem a town’s conscience…or destroy everything they love.

The Dictograph Case is a morally complex historical mystery about the lies communities tell to protect themselves—and the price of that protection.

For readers who love Louise Penny’s intricate character work and Jacqueline Winspear’s atmospheric interwar tension.

Genres: Historical Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published September 20, 2025

About the author

Diane tells stories about ordinary people navigating extraordinary choices—strong women, complicated families, and the quiet heroism that history too often overlooks. Her work explores the grit and love of everyday sacrifice, the weight of generational legacy, and the emotional cost of injustice.

She's drawn to the small, domestic histories that rarely make headlines but shape lives in lasting ways. If you've ever wondered how personal stories intersect with larger historical forces—or longed to find yourself in the quiet strength of those who endured—these stories are for you.

Her debut novel, Motty's Vow, follows a young girl's courageous stand to hold her family together during the Civil War. Her latest work, The Dictograph Case, is a historical thriller about buried truths, dangerous propaganda, and the price of silence in a small American town.

Born in Covington, Kentucky—just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, she finds her stories rooted in the places and circumstances that shaped her family. Diane lives in Cave Creek, Arizona surrounded by her family.


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Reviews

[Kelly Waters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dictograph Case was a very meaningful and compelling read. The focus is on how German people were treated during and after WW2, it’s something that we can learn from and apply to the world today in current conflicts. I enjoyed both perspectives involved and the ways they intertwined. There’s a great amount of fun characters & I was hooked on the mystery.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worlds collide as journalist Michael Shumann investigates the assault of a German family, and schoolteacher Olivia Kendall finds a letter hinting at the murder of her late father.

The Dictograph Case isn't only a mystery of attacks and murders, but of hate—who could be so angry and hateful to do these things. The similarities between what's going on in American politics now and what happened then is startling. The technology has improved, but other than that, the world and viewpoints are the same.

Shotton creates fantastic characters—they feel real and you want so badly for them to find their answers. I loved how the story ended, and things were resolved in an accurate, needed way.

This is a thrilling historical mystery for those that want to step back into another time, but still see the parallels between current events. Highly, highly recommend.

[Jennifer Vandenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dictograph Case is a historical novel that provides a glimpse into the US-German community between WWI and WWII, when anti-German sentiment was high and arguments about what it meant to be an American were increasing. The story deftly bounces between two time periods and two families as the past looms increasingly larger and larger for Olivia and Michael.

I loved the page-turning quality of the story. It was one of those books that I read in two or three gulps because it was tough to put down. Like all good historical novels, the Dictograph Case prompts us to connect to the past to today. What does a mean to be patriotic, and how can nationalism go off the rails?

Thanks to the author for gifting me an early draft in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily Gawlak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an amazing read! The Dictograph Case is gripping from beginning to end! Shotton does an amazing job covering the history of the story before diving into the mystery that is being set. The characters of the in the story are incredibly enjoyable. I love how the story starts with two different sides of a story and they end up working together to be one. I find the history that the story is based on to be incredibly intriguing. I love that Shotton brings two worlds together. She does an amazing job bringing 1919/1920 the forefront of 1937. When the two worlds collide, be ready to go for ride, because you will not want to put it down

Once the base of the mystery begins, there’s a depth to the mystery that I have not encountered before. To me one of the underlying points of the story is be careful who you trust and just because someone is close to you doesn’t mean they necessarily feel the same way about you or would go to the same lengths to protect you as you would them.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. It is a fantastic read, and you learn a lot through the historical aspect of the story to me. This book is more than just a mystery. It shows a history and it brings back to the forefront.

This is the perfect book to devour in a few sittings. I found that I was reading it in big gulps because it is hard to put down. I highly recommend that you give it a go because you will truly enjoy it. I will say the historical aspect at the beginning does start out a little slow, but it picks up and once it picks up, it does not stop and it is so enjoyable to read . I really hope this turns into a series, but if not, it is an exquisite standalone book and you should definitely give it a read.

Until next time, happy reading! 📖

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

A recommended must read - profound, disturbing and thought provoking.

A well written, brilliant and thought provoking story. The truths portrayed within its pages were both heartbreaking and heartwarming. An honest and real portrayal of events and its impact on the lives of those affected during the period. It exposes the ugly truths of human greed and power as well as frailty, deceit and complicit behaviour in the face of fear and propaganda. Sometimes the truth is difficult to believe. It portrays the courage of the few in finding the truth and the consequences.

This book while fiction left an indelible mark on me and its message is as true today as it has been throughout history. I highly recommend this book, by the time I got to chapter 4 there was no way I was putting it down till the end. Regards AJ.

[Judith Worthington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in a small American town in the late 1930s, a series of brutal attacks against German Immigrants lead a reporter, school teacher, and their friends on a dangerous quest for answers.

During WWI, a gang of bullies disguised as Patriots, work to rid their town of German infiltrators. Post World War, these men become the town's leaders and they reign through fear and intimidation.

Which side will prevail?

I found the story difficult to get into, but by the middle of the book, I was invested. I also went through a personal health crisis while reading this book and could not concentrate enough to read for about six weeks. That I was able to pick this book back up and remember the story and characters was a good thing.

[Kristin Keogh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided with an Advanced Reader Copy of "The Dictograph Case". I really enjoyed this book. It was easy to get into, follow, and read. The characters are interesting and most of them have a good character arc. It is hard to ignore the similarities of 1930's America and the America we live in today. The authors message of choosing justice, empathy and unity in a time of fear and division are as powerful today as they were a century ago.

[Melanie Leforte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction is my most loved genre to read, and this book did not disappoint! My favourite books are ones that teach me about little known parts of history that don’t often get talked about. The story was engaging; I didn’t find it drawn out in any parts.
I would recommend this book for anyone interested in learning lesser-known facts about the world wars and how Germans not even in Europe were affected.

[Sue Riemersma · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Dictograph Case was an enjoyable read. I wish it would have gone into more depth about the actual dictograph and why it was placed in the businesses. There are also some main characters that are light on background information. I would have rated this book 4 stars if it had been written in past tense.

[Diane]

Hello Readers!
100 lucky folks received a copy of The Dictograph Case last week and I'm excited to hear what you think. A quick word or rating helps the book find readers like you!
Comments and questions are welcome! Just let me know.
Happy reading!
Diane Wahn Shotton