Three Can Keep a Secret

Stella Crown Mystery #2

by Judy Clemens

When Stella Crown hires a new farmhand to help run her Pennsylvania dairy business, she gets more than she bargained for. Her new helper is a Mennonite widow who arrives burdened not only with grief, but with rumors of infidelity and murder...and a young child. Before you know it, Stella, battling her own deep sorrow over the loss of her long-time friend and employee Hank as well as worries over her shaky finances, copes with an influx of nasty in-laws, heartbroken beaus, and spiteful vandalism. Determined to protect herself and her farm, Stella sets out to discover the truth while trying to give her new employee a respectful benefit of the doubt. Meanwhile, Stella's good friend and fellow biker, Lenny, is riding a crisis. At one moment jovial, the next angry and suspicious, Lenny is haunted by pain and secrets he won't share with Stella. His bizarre behavior is soon complimented by vicious attacks on his home and his business.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Suspense

256 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2005

About the author

Judy Clemens is the author of LEAVE TOMORROW BEHIND, the newest book in the Anthony and Agatha-nominated Stella Crown mysteries. She also writes the Grim Reaper mysteries, and wrote LOST SONS, which is a stand-alone.

She lives in the beautiful state of Ohio with her family.

Reviews

[Ivonne Rovira · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the sequel to Till the Cows Come Home, dairy farmer Stella Crown continues to mourn the loss of her father figure, Howie Archer, who served the Crown family as farm hand and friend for decades. Even grief-stricken, Stella realizes she cannot continue tending to her rural Bucks County, Pennsylvania, farm alone; therefore, she hires a pretty Mennonite widow, Lucy Lapp. The hardworking, quiet Lapp and her 8-year-old daughter Tess move onto Royalcrest Farm.

But is the solemn Lucy too good to be true? Soon Stella begins to have doubts about blushing and awkward Lucy due to an anonymous telephone call and some inconsistencies in Lucy’s story. Some nasty vandalism aimed at Lucy begins to make Stella wonder about Lucy’s old life. How was it that Lucy’s husband died? Were the circumstances as shady as the anonymous caller made out and was that what made Lucy flee Lancaster, Pennsylvania? Or could it be just a healthy desire to get away from her in-laws, particularly Lucy’s controlling fundamentalist father-in-law?

Meanwhile, Stella’s biker buddy Lenny Spruce fears something from his outlaw motorcycle past. Threats, attempted break-ins and worse convince Stella she needs to persuade him to reveal the truth. But Lenny continues to stubbornly keep his secrets, no matter how dangerous.

Stella continues pretty prickly, but, for some reason, I find Stella more tolerable than I did in the first book. Stella’s more forgiving of others, and she seems less judgmental here than she was in Till the Cows Come Home. While I found Stella abrasive and unlikable in the series’ debut, she proves herself a good friend to Lenny and a selfless friend to others.

Kudos to Judy Clemens for serving up a cup of the milk of human kindness to Stella. She — and the readers — are better off for it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little too frenetic and fraught in the storyline but I like the main character.

[Cat Jenkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ms. Clemens' MCs always seem to be unduly physically stressed and Stella Crown is no exception. This was my first encounter with the series and it was alright, but it didn't give me the quirky enjoyment the Grim Reaper series did. I read this book while waiting to acquire the Grim Reaper #1 (yes, I've been reading them backwards and was totally hooked by GR #3).

In all honesty, there's nothing to dislike about Three Can Keep a Secret (although my private beef was that, yes, this may be a motto of the Hell's Angels now, but the genesis of the saying came from Ben Franklin). I wasn't able to immerse myself in it because of the Mennonite atmosphere clashing up against the biker culture. It just didn't mesh well for me. The mystery aspect was well-done, but, again, it didn't find much resonance with me. I recognized the pattern of plot and MC that Clemens follows now, and watching a writer's development is what I find truly interesting.

Onward to the Grim Reaper #1 book...

[Eric Herr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by this author and I enjoyed this book even more that the first. There are many of the same characters carried forward into this book from the first. I found that I was even more connected to the characters in this novel than the first and I found the story more captivating as well. I am looking forward to reading the third book in this sudo-series.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lenny has a secret from his past which surfaces, one of his old biker buddies is killed and he wants to confess to past misdeeds. His daughter is part of a rival bike group, shows up and harasses him and his bike shop buddy Bart.

Meanwhile Stella has hired a new hand, Lucy, who comes with a daughter and whispers of killing her husband. The worst accusers are the in laws who show up unexpectedly.

Stella gets anonymous telephone warnings, sudden inspections from Protective Services and graffitti on her barn.

As usual Stella digs into both mysteries until the truth is uncovered. Lucy confronts her past and is exonerated by Det Willard in front of her husband's family.

Fast, easy read.

Compelling story.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella Crown Mystery, #2. Read by Tavia Gilbert. 2005. Stella Crown is a motorcycle riding, Pennsylvania dairy farm girl. Due to an accident on her bike, she finally concedes she needs help while she heals. Lucy, a Menonite widow and mother , becomes her new hire. Now trouble begins. There is graffiti, fire, in-law problems (Lucy's) and out-law (past motorcycle gang) problems. Money is short and problems are plenty. She has a biker friend, Lenny. What's his secret? Why can't he tell it? Is his secret related to the crime occurrences?

[Barbara Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

#2

This is the second book in the series and I liked it even better than the first one. If you're thinking of reading the series, start from the beginning because there are a lot of references to events and people in the first book throughout this one. There's not as much drama in this book as the first one had, but the story is very believable. I'm going to read all of them!

[Margie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, kept you wondering what was going to happen next.

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Drama and tension to the point of ridiculous and not very believable. I found this draining and skimmed the last 60 pages.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three Can Keep a Secret by Judy Clemens is book 2 of the Stella Crown mystery series set in contemporary Pennsylvania dairy farming country. When Stella hires a new farmhand, a widow with a young daughter, troubles begin. Strangers spray nasty graffiti on her barn, Social Services comes to check if the daughter has a proper environment, and Stella gets an anonymous phone call suggesting the widow killed her husband. Stella really likes the woman, and wants to give her the benefit of the doubt, but since her farm business is at stake, she needs to investigate Lucy's past to know the truth.

Stella's Harley-Davidson is in the shop for repair. Shop owner Lenny, a good friend, begins acting strangely, clearly haunted by a terrible secret. He refuses to tell, but introduces her to a good friend from his past, who sells motorcycle parts. When both Lenny and his partner are attacked, Stella is compelled to investigate long-ago events.

Stella's very dear friend Abe wants to move their close relationship into romance and marriage.

As if that isn't enough to deal with...a tornado hits.

Like in the first book, Stella is repeatedly hit hard with misfortune, until she ferrets out the truth to resolve all the mysteries. A bit farfetched (once again) that so much could happen nonstop to one person, but enjoyable reading nonetheless.

[Grey853 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella is still recovering from her motorcycle accident at the start of this second mystery in the series. She's also still grieving for the loss of her mentor farmhand Howie. Her doctor advises rest, but that's hard to do when one has to run a dairy farm to make a living.

As luck would have it, she does find a suitable farmhand and hires Lucy Lapp, a widow and mother. She's hardworking and competent with milking and other chores. Events soon heat up, however, when it becomes clear that members of her last community believe that she murdered her husband and got away with it. Her in-laws are trying to take her daughter away and harassment begins.

I really liked Lucy and Tess her daughter almost as much as I like Stella. Clemens has a very natural way with dialogue, too, which is refreshing.

I did have two problems with the book, though. I thought it was out of character for Stella to voice her worries about Lucy to anyone but Lucy. I also didn't really care about the second storyline which was about Lenny the biker's past.

It's a good book overall and I hope to see more of Lucy and her daughter helping Stella run the farm.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

More thoughtful than most mysteries I've read lately. A bit grim at times, but not overly so. Stella has has a lot to deal with in her life lately and now she finds her self suspecting her newly hired hand as a possible murderess. Also, Lenny, her biker friend and part owner of bike shop, is starting to act out of character.

While Stella starts doing some investigations to help her friend and new employee, she does it more discreetly and smarter than many cozy heroines do. This is not a cozy - at least I don't think so. Its more in what I would consider the classic mystery vein. I just had to keep reading this and finish it as soon as I could. It was so interesting and compelling that I had to continue until it was done.

While a bit sad and depressing at time, it was a very good read.

[jimtown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This second in the Stella Crown series has Stella running ragged as she hires a much needed replacement for Howie. She settles on Lucy Lapp a small but sure Mennonite woman who comes with a little more baggage than just her daughter Tess.

Stella's good biker friend Lenny and Lucy take a liking to one another almost instantly but somethings going on with Lenny, leaving Stella little sleep again this week.

Not quite as good as the first, this second book seems a bit rushed but still very interesting and enjoyable.

[Barbara M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stella Crown and her friends are great characters. They are real people and written with great sympathy. They are flawed and likable. If I came across some of them as a group, I'd probably walk out of my way to avoid them. Yet I love them in these stories. Which goes to show you how often you should not judge a book by its cover. Stella is a tattoo lover and sports some interesting ones of her own from the description; wish I could see the one on her neck! I've read each of the books in the series.

[Leslie Zampetti · Rating 3 out of 5]

While some of the plot and events mimic the first Stella Crown mystery, Clemens makes sure that Stella and other secondary characters develop - and avoids a trite romance in the process.

I'm going to keep reading. Motorcycle mama dairy farmers make strangely appealing detectives. Clemens' mysteries would appeal to Donna Andrews fans, though not quite so screwball.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Three Can Keep a Secret" is the second book in the Stella Crown series by Judy Clemens. I read the review of the first book and then decided to read the book. I'm so glad I gave the book a try. I've ordered all of the Crown series and am looking forward to more in this series. I love the characters and the location of the series. Well done, Ms Clemens!

[Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The second Stella Crown mystery. Really need to be ok with lots of dairy farming info, but a good read generally and relaxing, something I am looking for now as we prepare for our journey cross country once again.

[Brena Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first in the series! I really enjoyed the justice that occurred with the wrapup at the end. Lots of mentions of Nick, but no appearance implying a strong likely reappearance in the third installment.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series so much, this second book was a definite let down. A big effort was made to be politically correct and not enough effort was made to create a rich and captivating mystery like she did before. I'll give her one more try and hope the magic returns.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 2nd Stella Crown mystery. I love these easy to read mysteries!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

great page turner

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this mystery series. I'm learning about Mennonite, motorcycles and dairy farming. I never would have expected that combination.

[Joan 2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love these books! This was even better than the first. Stella Crown is a different kind of heroine, and all the other characters are interesting and likable!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not much to the mystery, but I like the character (motorcycling dairy farmer) and reading about the farm & community.

[Elly Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3*

[Gina Guesby Mays · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic! I love Judy's style of writing and I really get into her characters! But what is next for this hot headed dairy farm owner?