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But There Were Signs
What happens when good and evil collide?Four pastors’ wives–turned amateur sleuths are playing a deadly game of cat and mouse with a suspected killer in Appalachia in Georgia Curtis Ling’s suspenseful, contemporary Christian, fast-paced thriller, But There Were Signs novel.
Ally Marshall leads the sisterhood of the Pastors’ Wives Club. They meet every third Thursday evening at the Mockingbird Coffee House in Spring Valley, Tennessee, a small town with a strong religious presence. These women share a common bond and rely on their like-minded friends in their unique challenges and joys of ministry life. The coffee house, sheltered under the high cathedral ceiling of an old church, offers the historic charm of a sacred place and becomes a haven of tranquility—until the unthinkable happens. One of their own is found dead.
The clock is ticking as these women band together, stopping for nothing as they race to solve their beloved friend’s mysterious death before time runs out and the killer gets away with murder. In their relentless search for truth, they discover a dark secret that they believe is the key to proving the “accidental death” was murder.
But suspicion does not solve the mystery. Their investigation takes them out away from their safe comfort zone and into the outskirts of a forbidden zone of a killer’s obsession, which fueled the motivation for the murder and will change their lives forever when he attempts to conceal his crime by killing again. With unimaginable and perilous days ahead, only the faith they cling to and their friendships will carry them through.Would you risk your life seeking justice for a friend?Think… James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club goes to church. A completely addictive Christian suspense page turner with a twist you won’t see coming.
If you’re a fan of Creston Mapes, Terri Blackstock, Lynette Eason, Elizabeth Goddard, and Colleen Coble you’ll love But There Were Signs, a suspenseful contemporary Christian fast-paced thriller by bestselling author Georgia Curtis Ling.
A Stand Alone Christian thriller with a twist you won’t see coming.
A completely addictive Christian suspense page-turner!
★★★★★ “Georgia Curtis Ling’s newest book introduces well-crafted characters, folk history, and faith blended with her skilled Appalachian flair. Fans are in for a new treat when they read But There Were Signs!”
Reader Review
★★★★★ “Grab your copy of But There Were Signs and your coffee to settle in for an entertaining page-turner!”
Reader Review
★★★★★ “Fans will love watching clues unfold and the danger escalate as the Pastors’ Wives Club are on the heels of a killer in Georgia Curtis Ling’s latest release, But There Were Signs.”
Reader Review
Ally Marshall leads the sisterhood of the Pastors’ Wives Club. They meet every third Thursday evening at the Mockingbird Coffee House in Spring Valley, Tennessee, a small town with a strong religious presence. These women share a common bond and rely on their like-minded friends in their unique challenges and joys of ministry life. The coffee house, sheltered under the high cathedral ceiling of an old church, offers the historic charm of a sacred place and becomes a haven of tranquility—until the unthinkable happens. One of their own is found dead.
The clock is ticking as these women band together, stopping for nothing as they race to solve their beloved friend’s mysterious death before time runs out and the killer gets away with murder. In their relentless search for truth, they discover a dark secret that they believe is the key to proving the “accidental death” was murder.
But suspicion does not solve the mystery. Their investigation takes them out away from their safe comfort zone and into the outskirts of a forbidden zone of a killer’s obsession, which fueled the motivation for the murder and will change their lives forever when he attempts to conceal his crime by killing again. With unimaginable and perilous days ahead, only the faith they cling to and their friendships will carry them through.Would you risk your life seeking justice for a friend?Think… James Patterson’s Women’s Murder Club goes to church. A completely addictive Christian suspense page turner with a twist you won’t see coming.
If you’re a fan of Creston Mapes, Terri Blackstock, Lynette Eason, Elizabeth Goddard, and Colleen Coble you’ll love But There Were Signs, a suspenseful contemporary Christian fast-paced thriller by bestselling author Georgia Curtis Ling.
A Stand Alone Christian thriller with a twist you won’t see coming.
A completely addictive Christian suspense page-turner!
★★★★★ “Georgia Curtis Ling’s newest book introduces well-crafted characters, folk history, and faith blended with her skilled Appalachian flair. Fans are in for a new treat when they read But There Were Signs!”
Reader Review
★★★★★ “Grab your copy of But There Were Signs and your coffee to settle in for an entertaining page-turner!”
Reader Review
★★★★★ “Fans will love watching clues unfold and the danger escalate as the Pastors’ Wives Club are on the heels of a killer in Georgia Curtis Ling’s latest release, But There Were Signs.”
Reader Review
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2025
About the author
Georgia Curtis Ling
14 books35 followersExperience the rich tapestry of Appalachian storytelling that will ignite your imagination and inspire your spirit.
Georgia Curtis Ling is an acclaimed author known for her inspirational and captivating storytelling. Her faith-fueled works delve into the intricacies of human emotions and relationships, resonating with readers worldwide.
Born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Georgia holds dear the three inherent mountain values of faith, family, and the land. An inspirational storyteller, Georgia’s latest novel But There Were Signs is a suspenseful contemporary Christian thriller set against the backdrop of the Appalachian region and the evil that lurks in the shadows of a small town.
She and her husband, Phil Ling, live in central Kentucky. Her Amazon Charts bestselling Christmas romance novels include The Ornament of Hope, Santa’s Promising Christmas, A Christmas Blessing for Gracie, and Carol of the Winter Songbirds. Georgia is the author of the bestseller, What’s in the Bible for Women, the Moms in Faith Bible study series, In Mom They Trust, and Mom’s Lead in Love. Over her career, Georgia’s work has appeared in numerous periodicals and thirteen bestselling inspirational books.
Georgia Curtis Ling is an acclaimed author known for her inspirational and captivating storytelling. Her faith-fueled works delve into the intricacies of human emotions and relationships, resonating with readers worldwide.
Born and raised in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Georgia holds dear the three inherent mountain values of faith, family, and the land. An inspirational storyteller, Georgia’s latest novel But There Were Signs is a suspenseful contemporary Christian thriller set against the backdrop of the Appalachian region and the evil that lurks in the shadows of a small town.
She and her husband, Phil Ling, live in central Kentucky. Her Amazon Charts bestselling Christmas romance novels include The Ornament of Hope, Santa’s Promising Christmas, A Christmas Blessing for Gracie, and Carol of the Winter Songbirds. Georgia is the author of the bestseller, What’s in the Bible for Women, the Moms in Faith Bible study series, In Mom They Trust, and Mom’s Lead in Love. Over her career, Georgia’s work has appeared in numerous periodicals and thirteen bestselling inspirational books.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 5, 2025
I enjoyed this more than I expected I would! I love murder mystery and honestly really enjoyed the Christian spin of this book. Refreshing. I liked it 🤷🏼♀️
November 25, 2025
“You should never underestimate the determination of a pastor’s wife.”
In an East Tennessee town, a gaggle of pastors’ wives started as strangers and became a sisterhood, meeting together once a month to support each other through the hardships and blessings of ministry. Now Mariah, one of their own, is dead, and this close-knit group of ‘saintly women’ (as a crusty old detective character calls them) refuse to believe the official conclusion that it was accidental. But There Were Signs tells a thrilling story that kept me on the edge of my seat, not to figure out whodunit (because we know that pretty early on) but to see who outsmarts who first – the killer or the pastors’ wives.
I love amateur sleuth stories. I love thrillers. I love East Tennessee and Appalachia. And crusty detectives with a heart of gold who remind me of my fave – Joe Kenda. So it should come as no surprise that I very much enjoyed reading Georgia Curtis Ling’s latest novel (and first thriller, as far as I can tell) which delivers all of the above. I saw a little of myself in each surviving member of the Pastors’ Wives Club and appreciated that we get each of their perspectives – including Mariah’s – as the story progresses. Don’t tell the others but Ada is my favorite… though I think I’m most like Ally. I loved the setting of their meetings too – an historic old church that’s been turned into a coffee shop by Ada – and that it still has a Prayer Nook in use. Where we used to live in central Kentucky there was a similar gorgeous old church that had been repurposed but, alas, it was a pizza restaurant with no remnant of its former purpose other than the building’s distinctive shape and ‘church windows’. Still, it allowed me to easily picture the ladies gathered over their coffee or food as they prayed together and plotted how to prove Mariah’s death was murder.
We suspect who Mariah’s killer is right away, based on the foreshadowing we’re given before she disappears. And it doesn’t take long for this truly twisted individual to give themselves away – to readers anyway. It will be quite a while before everyone else sees their true colors. The fact that we’re in the killer’s head too, not just the POVs of the pastors’ wives, amps up the suspenseful intensity that lingers for a while in the shadows of this story before boldly taking center stage. Knowing who did it but not knowing when/if/how they would be caught – or which of our beloved new friends might be irreparably harmed in the process – had me fully immersed in the experience, sometimes holding my breath and more than once tempted to peek at the end. (Don’t come at me – I restrained myself lol.) But there are also quietly profound threads woven throughout, themes that set it apart from other thrillers you might pick up at the ‘popular fiction’ section of your local bookshop. Truth about ourselves and about God. About the depravity of sin and the lavishness of grace. About ministry and friendship and marriage. About the secrets we keep and the masks we wear. About discernment and Divine intervention. None of it takes away from the suspense, rather it’s all embedded so naturally into the framework of the plot that it wouldn’t be the same story – the same characters – without this undergirding element of faith.
Bottom Line: Buckle up, because But There Were Signs by Georgia Curtis Ling is a gripping journey toward justice, one that will take a group of determined amateur sleuths to the depths of someone else’s darkness and might even expose their own. The pace of the story, the set-up of the unofficial investigation, the ever-growing feeling that everything was about to fall apart (but for the killer? or for the pastors’ wives?)… it all builds to a pivotal showdown and delivers an entertaining and atmospheric read. These pastors’ wives may not have badges but they’ve got courage and wisdom and a fierce loyalty that turns their grief into determination. I really enjoyed getting to know each one of them as well as some of the supporting characters who become part of the story too. The alternating points of view, the cat-and-mouse tension with the killer, and the undercurrent of faith all create a thriller that’s both chilling and deeply meaningful, reminding us that – even in the darkest schemes – God gets the final word.
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
In an East Tennessee town, a gaggle of pastors’ wives started as strangers and became a sisterhood, meeting together once a month to support each other through the hardships and blessings of ministry. Now Mariah, one of their own, is dead, and this close-knit group of ‘saintly women’ (as a crusty old detective character calls them) refuse to believe the official conclusion that it was accidental. But There Were Signs tells a thrilling story that kept me on the edge of my seat, not to figure out whodunit (because we know that pretty early on) but to see who outsmarts who first – the killer or the pastors’ wives.
I love amateur sleuth stories. I love thrillers. I love East Tennessee and Appalachia. And crusty detectives with a heart of gold who remind me of my fave – Joe Kenda. So it should come as no surprise that I very much enjoyed reading Georgia Curtis Ling’s latest novel (and first thriller, as far as I can tell) which delivers all of the above. I saw a little of myself in each surviving member of the Pastors’ Wives Club and appreciated that we get each of their perspectives – including Mariah’s – as the story progresses. Don’t tell the others but Ada is my favorite… though I think I’m most like Ally. I loved the setting of their meetings too – an historic old church that’s been turned into a coffee shop by Ada – and that it still has a Prayer Nook in use. Where we used to live in central Kentucky there was a similar gorgeous old church that had been repurposed but, alas, it was a pizza restaurant with no remnant of its former purpose other than the building’s distinctive shape and ‘church windows’. Still, it allowed me to easily picture the ladies gathered over their coffee or food as they prayed together and plotted how to prove Mariah’s death was murder.
We suspect who Mariah’s killer is right away, based on the foreshadowing we’re given before she disappears. And it doesn’t take long for this truly twisted individual to give themselves away – to readers anyway. It will be quite a while before everyone else sees their true colors. The fact that we’re in the killer’s head too, not just the POVs of the pastors’ wives, amps up the suspenseful intensity that lingers for a while in the shadows of this story before boldly taking center stage. Knowing who did it but not knowing when/if/how they would be caught – or which of our beloved new friends might be irreparably harmed in the process – had me fully immersed in the experience, sometimes holding my breath and more than once tempted to peek at the end. (Don’t come at me – I restrained myself lol.) But there are also quietly profound threads woven throughout, themes that set it apart from other thrillers you might pick up at the ‘popular fiction’ section of your local bookshop. Truth about ourselves and about God. About the depravity of sin and the lavishness of grace. About ministry and friendship and marriage. About the secrets we keep and the masks we wear. About discernment and Divine intervention. None of it takes away from the suspense, rather it’s all embedded so naturally into the framework of the plot that it wouldn’t be the same story – the same characters – without this undergirding element of faith.
Bottom Line: Buckle up, because But There Were Signs by Georgia Curtis Ling is a gripping journey toward justice, one that will take a group of determined amateur sleuths to the depths of someone else’s darkness and might even expose their own. The pace of the story, the set-up of the unofficial investigation, the ever-growing feeling that everything was about to fall apart (but for the killer? or for the pastors’ wives?)… it all builds to a pivotal showdown and delivers an entertaining and atmospheric read. These pastors’ wives may not have badges but they’ve got courage and wisdom and a fierce loyalty that turns their grief into determination. I really enjoyed getting to know each one of them as well as some of the supporting characters who become part of the story too. The alternating points of view, the cat-and-mouse tension with the killer, and the undercurrent of faith all create a thriller that’s both chilling and deeply meaningful, reminding us that – even in the darkest schemes – God gets the final word.
(I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book that I read via Kindle Unlimited.)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
September 9, 2025
Excellent Read
Loved this book. There was no foul language or offensive scenarios. There was frequent scripture quoted. The storyline was interesting even though at times it lagged slightly. I would definitely recommend.
Loved this book. There was no foul language or offensive scenarios. There was frequent scripture quoted. The storyline was interesting even though at times it lagged slightly. I would definitely recommend.
October 2, 2025
In But There Were Signs, Georgia Curtis Ling weaves a suspenseful mystery set in a small Appalachian town, centering on a circle of pastors’ wives who band together to investigate what appears to be a suspicious “accidental death.” The plot moves at a brisk pace and leans more on intrigue, faith, and relational conflict than graphic violence or salacious content, making it a relatively “clean” thriller in the Christian-fiction sphere. The characters are layered — friendship, loyalty, and the tension between public persona and private secrets drive much of the suspense. While the women follow leads, dodge danger, and try to discern which “signs” are meaningful, the author keeps the tone more atmospheric than brutal, which should appeal to readers who prefer their mysteries light on profanity and heavy on moral stakes.
At its heart, the dominant theme is one of Christian discernment — how do believers perceive God’s guidance, interpret warning signs, and act faithfully when evil lurks just beneath the surface? The narrative suggests that faith isn’t passive: you must “read the signs,” test spirits (1 John 4:1 comes to mind), and act out of love, courage, and community. The protagonists’ spiritual convictions (their prayers, doubts, and reliance on Scripture and each other) provide a kind of moral compass even when the path grows dark. A more subtle, second theme is the tension between appearance and hidden reality — the book repeatedly reminds us that public facades (especially in church life) can conceal wounds, secrets, and deception. The contrast between what a pastor’s wife is “supposed” to be, and who she actually is (or who she fears), becomes a quiet echo of the mystery at the center.
But There Were Signs gives you enough mystery to stay hooked, enough faith to provoke reflection, and not so much grit that you feel morally “out of bounds.” It never feels like the author is driving you to the brink — more like leaving “signposts” along the road for you to follow. All in all, this is a book that once started, I could not put down.
At its heart, the dominant theme is one of Christian discernment — how do believers perceive God’s guidance, interpret warning signs, and act faithfully when evil lurks just beneath the surface? The narrative suggests that faith isn’t passive: you must “read the signs,” test spirits (1 John 4:1 comes to mind), and act out of love, courage, and community. The protagonists’ spiritual convictions (their prayers, doubts, and reliance on Scripture and each other) provide a kind of moral compass even when the path grows dark. A more subtle, second theme is the tension between appearance and hidden reality — the book repeatedly reminds us that public facades (especially in church life) can conceal wounds, secrets, and deception. The contrast between what a pastor’s wife is “supposed” to be, and who she actually is (or who she fears), becomes a quiet echo of the mystery at the center.
But There Were Signs gives you enough mystery to stay hooked, enough faith to provoke reflection, and not so much grit that you feel morally “out of bounds.” It never feels like the author is driving you to the brink — more like leaving “signposts” along the road for you to follow. All in all, this is a book that once started, I could not put down.
April 30, 2026
But There Were Signs starts off as a Christian mystery, but then it becomes a suspense story when the killer is revealed early on. Readers get chapters with viewpoints from a lot of characters, most notably a pastor’s wife named Ally and the (unnamed, spoiler-free review) killer.
Ally and fellow pastors’ wives in a not-too-small Tennessee town gather monthly to support one another. It’s hard living in a fishbowl, so this group of friends who understand each another is precious.
One of their group’s members dies. Was it an accident or murder?
I really enjoyed the mystery/suspense aspect of the novel. I liked that the story digs into the psychology of characters’ decisions and addresses things like domestic abuse, motherhood, trauma from sexual assault, and secrets in marriage. I appreciated the snippets of Scripture and prayers that characters use to support one another and to lean on God.
I took off a star because there are pages of backstory for every major character which slowed down the story and had me losing interest. Instead of backstory threads being woven into the story at strategic points, chunks of backstory serve as introductions to characters.
I took off half a star because there are a LOT of point-of-view characters. It would have been easier to read if the story stuck with just Ally’s POV and the killer’s POV (and the victim’s, via her journal). But I feel this is a reader-preference thing. Other readers might enjoy a lot of point-of-view characters, so only half a star off.
Overall, But There Were Signs is a great suspense novel with some flaws, but with gripping passages and inspiring Christian themes. 3.5 stars.
Ally and fellow pastors’ wives in a not-too-small Tennessee town gather monthly to support one another. It’s hard living in a fishbowl, so this group of friends who understand each another is precious.
One of their group’s members dies. Was it an accident or murder?
I really enjoyed the mystery/suspense aspect of the novel. I liked that the story digs into the psychology of characters’ decisions and addresses things like domestic abuse, motherhood, trauma from sexual assault, and secrets in marriage. I appreciated the snippets of Scripture and prayers that characters use to support one another and to lean on God.
I took off a star because there are pages of backstory for every major character which slowed down the story and had me losing interest. Instead of backstory threads being woven into the story at strategic points, chunks of backstory serve as introductions to characters.
I took off half a star because there are a LOT of point-of-view characters. It would have been easier to read if the story stuck with just Ally’s POV and the killer’s POV (and the victim’s, via her journal). But I feel this is a reader-preference thing. Other readers might enjoy a lot of point-of-view characters, so only half a star off.
Overall, But There Were Signs is a great suspense novel with some flaws, but with gripping passages and inspiring Christian themes. 3.5 stars.
October 27, 2025
I loved this book, it kept me on my toes the whole time. This was fast pace and had you trying to solve the murder along with Ally. At first, I was afraid that the different perspective thing would be confusing but it was done so well that I caught on right away. I also appreciated the scripture and bringing it back to “goodness” and not letting the evil take the forefront of the story. The topics do get a bit heavy, as well, so fair warning but they were done tastefully in my opinion. Enjoyed it and will be looking for more books from this author :)
TW:
Murder (some what described)
Domestic violence (not in depth)
Violence (described)
Rape (act not described in detail)
TW:
Murder (some what described)
Domestic violence (not in depth)
Violence (described)
Rape (act not described in detail)
September 22, 2025
To say this book is good is an understatement. I finished this book in a weekend, and I was not expecting it to peak my interest as much as it did. The storytelling of the different perspectives flowed so well and kept me wanting more. Just the right amount of everything: friendship, love, crime, resolve.
November 10, 2025
Thank you to Goodreads Giveaways for giving me an opportunity to read this book! It was really nice knowing you didn’t have to read profanity the whole time and I enjoyed the scripture sprinkled throughout. However, I felt like the story was far fetched and somehow the main character always knew everything.
March 23, 2026
Book club book. Almost was a DNF. Wasn’t impressed. I also had problems with the formatting of the book. Sadly, I wound up not being able to go to book club. I heard it was a mixed review on the book but with good discussion. Maybe I am pickier because I was a pastor’s wife for 45 years. Just not for me.
October 25, 2025
A story of love, deception, friendship and pastors wives!
This was a well written story of a group of woman who came together with like minded thoughts and beliefs. I felt it was well written , fast paced and believable.
This was a well written story of a group of woman who came together with like minded thoughts and beliefs. I felt it was well written , fast paced and believable.
November 11, 2025
dnf at 111 pages. the killer was revealed at an early point, which isn't any fun. I flipped to the back to see if I was just crazy and I wasn't. The writing style was pretty and realistic! just wish it wasn't spoiled so soon.
September 30, 2025
4.5 stars~
November 3, 2025
WOW!
This story is really, really, really good. I highly recommend it! I has everything a good novel
should. Relax. Just stop, be still and enjoy.
This story is really, really, really good. I highly recommend it! I has everything a good novel
should. Relax. Just stop, be still and enjoy.
January 18, 2026
Quick read, good story line!
March 29, 2026
Great!!
March 30, 2026
This book surprised me it was very good.
May 14, 2026
I had hopes for this since it’s a Christian suspense book. But there’s so much happening and it’s unnecessarily long with the short chapters. I couldn’t keep up with what was going on
May 16, 2026
Story was ok writing not so good
The storyline was mildly interesting but the writing style was very beginner. There was no real suspense since you knew what was going to happen.
The storyline was mildly interesting but the writing style was very beginner. There was no real suspense since you knew what was going to happen.
May 20, 2026
Very suspenseful!
And full of faith. I loved the realistic portrayal of Christians - imperfect people who love God. Very good suspense too!
And full of faith. I loved the realistic portrayal of Christians - imperfect people who love God. Very good suspense too!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews