The Treasure of Cedar Creek

by Brenda Stanley

In 1896, the isolated and vast state of Idaho is a haven for the polygamous splinter group called The Kingdom of Glory, which is hiding more than their outlawed practice of plural marriage.

At the compound called Cedar Creek, the prophet is hoping to increase his congregation, even if that means marrying off girls to men decades older. When Peri, who escaped the compound years earlier, returns to help rescue Grace, a girl betrothed to the prophet himself, she ends up also saving her own sister Emma. As the three women make a frantic and deadly escape from the compound, they take with them both the newborn heir to the church, and their dead mother's cryptic journal to the prophet's hidden treasure. Along their journey, the women realize to truly be free they must face what holds them captive, even if those answers are more horrifying than they ever imagined.

Genres: Historical Fiction

262 pages, Paperback

Published March 26, 2018

About the author

Brenda Stanley is former television news anchor and investigative reporter for the NBC affiliate in Eastern Idaho. She has been recognized for her writing by the Scripps Howard Foundation, the Hearst Journalism Awards, The Idaho Press Club and the Society for Professional Journalists. She is a graduate of Dixie College in St. George, Utah and the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. She is the mother of 5 children, including two sets of twins. Brenda and her husband Dave, a veterinarian, live on a small ranch near the Snake River with their horses and dogs.

Reviews

[Miranda Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

"This isn't my story. I'm telling this for the lost souls. I've been told that I am safe now, but my heart still pounds..."

Peri, her sister Emma, and Grace are escaping from The Kingdom of Glory - an extremely dubious polygamous cult that buys women for breeding purposes.

But (of course) when you first join, they don't exactly list that little tidbit in the terms and conditions.

"We had no idea how terribly misguided we were, and if we'd even had a clue, I don't think we could have imagined how horrifying our lives were to become."

Years ago, Peri and Emma were introduced to the cult when the sisters, their brother and their recently widowed mother are taken in after falling upon hard times.

Peri realizes the cult's true nature and after a failed attempt to convince her family, she makes her escape, having to leave her semi-brainwashed younger sister behind.

Now, in present time, Peri returns for a rescue - but it's not for who you think:

"She'd agreed to rescue this girl [Grace] as a favor for the man she loved, but she had no idea what a prattling little idiot she was."

but when Peri discovers her sister heavily pregnant, she finds herself forced to rescue both her sister and Grace.

But when Emma's water breaks, and Grace makes a few questionable decisions, suddenly their escape doesn't seem so certain after all.

Overall, I liked this one - I did have to struggle a bit with the character's motivations (there quite a few snap-decisions and snap-rulings that seemed a bit out of place) but ultimately the plot won me over.

This was a fast and exciting novel - full of twists and turns! What a ride!!

I really appreciated that while the book focused on escaping from the cult, that that wasn't all the characters did. They had a mystery to solve, run-ins with the law and a few betrayals from trusted friends along the way.

I enjoyed Grace's gentle, spacey take on life (and I LOVED the way she could always pickpocket a gun). Peri's fierce attitude kept the book fiesty and engaging. And who could forget Emma's dire circumstances and ultimate horror?

The only thing that really, truly bothered me was this:

"It is science. AG is silver. It is called that on the periodic table.

As a scientist - OHMYGOSH IT'S Ag NOT AG. But honestly, that's pretty minor (all things considered).

This was a fun, short read - definitely one to check out!

With thanks to the author for a free copy in exchange for an honest review

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[Nancy (The Avid Reader) · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Marty learns that Peri was once a part of a polygamous group known as The Kingdom of Glory and lived in one of the compounds in Cedar Creek, the same compound where his sister lives he enlist Peri’s help to rescue his sister after he finds out that the compound is not the place he thought it was. Peri escaped from there many years ago with no plans of ever returning but how can she tell the man she loves no.

Peri returns to the compound to rescue Grace, Marty’s sister but ends up rescuing another girl from the compound, Emma her sister as well. When Peri escaped from the compound she wanted Emma to come with her but for whatever reason Emma chose not to. This hurt Peri very much so she has been upset and mad at Emma ever since so needless to say Peri and Emma’s reunion was not a happy one.

The two girls are not the only ones that Peri helped to escape that night no she had another passenger that she never counted on and that was the heir to the kingdom so to speak. Unbeknown to the girls they also had taken another treasure that belongs to the compound. The people of the compound wanted their treasure and the heir back so they gave chase to Peri and the girls. These men will do whatever it takes to get back them back and will run down anyone gets in their way.

The Treasure of Cedar Creek grabbed me from the beginning and didn't let go until the end and even now it is still lingering on and doesn't seem to want to let go. The Treasure of Cedar Creek has mystery and suspense around every corner that will keep you glued to your seat wanting more.

I really enjoyed taking a step back into the past with Peri, Grace, Emma, Cooper, Sam and Ben. I loved following them on their adventures and would love to know more about these characters and where they are going next.

If you like historical books with lots of suspense and mystery then The Treasure of Cedar Creek is the book for you. Pick up your copy today!

[Ddt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It got my attention from the very beginning and never let go. I liked the descriptive writing, and I thought the characters were very interesting and well-developed. The storyline kept me turning pages to find out what would happen next. I am looking forward to reading the next Brenda Stanley novel!

[Љубица · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read, well written, really enjoyed the story and the characters. A unique theme, highly recommend!

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! An enjoyable read filled with facts and Idaho history. Once I started the book I wasn’t able to put it down until I finished! Our bookclub read the book in May 2018 and loved discussing the different characters, storyline, and feelings that came up for us throughout the book.

[Vivian Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner!

Great storyline and characters with setting in one of my favorite areas. Couldn't put it down. Would recommend if you enjoy, mystery and suspense. Good to see geniune kindness to others.

[Cathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Telling the story through different timeframes, this historical novel about three women escaping a polygamous religious cult in Idaho and its intrepid protagonist, Peri, takes you on a perilous voyage filled with many twists and turns that will have you rooting for her all the way. Well written and filled with great descriptions of the characters as well as the lush landscape.

[Sharon Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It held your interest and was hard to put down. I really liked the authors’ style of writing. The historical facts and background information added appeal. I especially liked the feisty Peri! Hope to read more of Brenda Stanley soon.
Sharon Bennett

[Becky H. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Peri has escape from a polygamist society and has decided to return to rescue Grace. Grace is her friend's sister. She did not expect to also rescue her own sister and be wanted for murder. So now they are on the run. Not only from the men from Cedar Creek but also from the law.

Not what I was expecting. It kept my attention but I didn't find it enjoyable. I will need to be careful on who to recommend it to because of language and sex. Not young adult like her other books.
Idaho author

#50/50BookQuest=Paperback, noun in the title, female author, and set in the past

[Jlease · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 actually.