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Green Dory Inn #2
Hidden Secrets
Past secrets. Present threats. And a woman committed to uncover the truth.
Landon Smith is in over her head. After returning to the Green Dory Inn, the twenty-four-year-old trauma survivor is horrified to find her place of refuge threatened by an online vendetta. With motherly innkeeper Anna Young near the breaking point, Landon jumps in to stop the anonymous campaign before it drives the inn out of business.
Fearful for her friend’s mental state, Landon chases clues and digs up rumours of a secret tunnel and a decades-old scandal. But when her sleuthing leads to physical threats, she blames herself for putting Anna’s life in danger. Can Landon unmask the enemy in time to save the inn—and its owner?
Hidden Secrets is the intriguing second book in the Green Dory Inn Christian mystery and suspense series. If you like characters who don't quit, faith-filled fiction, and a killer hidden in plain sight, then you’ll love Janet Sketchley’s satisfying novel. Buy Hidden Secrets and check in to the Green Dory Inn today!
Discussion questions included.
Landon Smith is in over her head. After returning to the Green Dory Inn, the twenty-four-year-old trauma survivor is horrified to find her place of refuge threatened by an online vendetta. With motherly innkeeper Anna Young near the breaking point, Landon jumps in to stop the anonymous campaign before it drives the inn out of business.
Fearful for her friend’s mental state, Landon chases clues and digs up rumours of a secret tunnel and a decades-old scandal. But when her sleuthing leads to physical threats, she blames herself for putting Anna’s life in danger. Can Landon unmask the enemy in time to save the inn—and its owner?
Hidden Secrets is the intriguing second book in the Green Dory Inn Christian mystery and suspense series. If you like characters who don't quit, faith-filled fiction, and a killer hidden in plain sight, then you’ll love Janet Sketchley’s satisfying novel. Buy Hidden Secrets and check in to the Green Dory Inn today!
Discussion questions included.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2019
53 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Janet Sketchley
12 books81 followersJanet Sketchley is an Atlantic Canadian writer who likes her fiction with a splash of mystery or adventure and a dash of Christianity. Why leave faith out of our stories if it’s part of our lives? You can find Janet online at janetsketchley.ca.
Random facts: Janet's super-power is untangling yarn and Slinkies™; there are over 50 varieties of tea in her house; she's Canadian but she worked at the busiest McDonalds in London, England; she's taken basic fencing lessons; and she once rode an elephant.
Follow Janet on BookBub for sale alerts at bit.ly/JanetSketchleyBookBub or sign up for her author newsletter at bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews.
Random facts: Janet's super-power is untangling yarn and Slinkies™; there are over 50 varieties of tea in her house; she's Canadian but she worked at the busiest McDonalds in London, England; she's taken basic fencing lessons; and she once rode an elephant.
Follow Janet on BookBub for sale alerts at bit.ly/JanetSketchleyBookBub or sign up for her author newsletter at bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
September 20, 2019
Over all I liked the book and especially when the action revved up. The main character, Landon Smith, in University at Toronto to become a social worker, comes back to Nova Scotia to help her good friend and mentor, Anna, whose livelihood as innkeeper is being threatened by an unknown someone. But Anna's determined to stick it out. A woman of faith and prayer, she isn't willing to give up her dream of running the Green Dory Inn.
Landon has had a past trauma that we only get slivers of. Reference to her being abducted at age 15 -- though how, or by whom we never hear -- being "trafficked", being rescued at some point by an undercover cop. A few more details wouldn't hurt, I thought, but specifics of her life in captivity and her rescue are left to the reader's imagination. At any rate, we see her as emotionally fragile, suffering from a kind of PTSD; during the story various sensory triggers provoke panic attacks.
Landon's suspicions jump around rather irrationally, which seems to go with her personality. I can't imagine her as a social worker, so maybe it's good she didn't make her grade last semester. Abandoning her summer school plans also gives her time to come and help Anna figure who's doing this harassment. Anna is recovering emotionally from the death of her husband and from acts of vandalism back in spring, and these attacks are robbing her of the stability she badly needs. (Book 1 covers the spring episodes; suspects were supposedly apprehended.)
Now, whoever is trying to force Anna to give up the Inn persists and attacks escalate. I had a suspect in mind after reading Book 1, so that revelation was no shocker, though I was never certain. The tale is well plotted and plays out realisically.
I knocked off a star because of what I consider melodramatic descriptions and/or too many unnecessary adjectives. Phrases like:
Bobby's hand rasped against sandpapery jaw stubble. "Probably not."
Hot pink lips thinned to a brittle smile. "I'm glad the rumors weren't true."
The plump woman's smile showed her teeth and reflected in her eyes.
Body parts tend to act independently of the people they're attached to -- and sometimes it isn't clear just who they are attached to. For example:
Thick white eyebrows drifted above his glasses. "Sure thing. Sorry to bother you."
Sharp grey eyes glanced at her and focused again on the bay.
Shuddering sobs broke the paralysis, and she bolted from her chair.
This kind of awkward phrasing should be used very sparingly, if at all.
That said, I definitely want to read the next book in this series, if/when it's released.
Landon has had a past trauma that we only get slivers of. Reference to her being abducted at age 15 -- though how, or by whom we never hear -- being "trafficked", being rescued at some point by an undercover cop. A few more details wouldn't hurt, I thought, but specifics of her life in captivity and her rescue are left to the reader's imagination. At any rate, we see her as emotionally fragile, suffering from a kind of PTSD; during the story various sensory triggers provoke panic attacks.
Landon's suspicions jump around rather irrationally, which seems to go with her personality. I can't imagine her as a social worker, so maybe it's good she didn't make her grade last semester. Abandoning her summer school plans also gives her time to come and help Anna figure who's doing this harassment. Anna is recovering emotionally from the death of her husband and from acts of vandalism back in spring, and these attacks are robbing her of the stability she badly needs. (Book 1 covers the spring episodes; suspects were supposedly apprehended.)
Now, whoever is trying to force Anna to give up the Inn persists and attacks escalate. I had a suspect in mind after reading Book 1, so that revelation was no shocker, though I was never certain. The tale is well plotted and plays out realisically.
I knocked off a star because of what I consider melodramatic descriptions and/or too many unnecessary adjectives. Phrases like:
Bobby's hand rasped against sandpapery jaw stubble. "Probably not."
Hot pink lips thinned to a brittle smile. "I'm glad the rumors weren't true."
The plump woman's smile showed her teeth and reflected in her eyes.
Body parts tend to act independently of the people they're attached to -- and sometimes it isn't clear just who they are attached to. For example:
Thick white eyebrows drifted above his glasses. "Sure thing. Sorry to bother you."
Sharp grey eyes glanced at her and focused again on the bay.
Shuddering sobs broke the paralysis, and she bolted from her chair.
This kind of awkward phrasing should be used very sparingly, if at all.
That said, I definitely want to read the next book in this series, if/when it's released.
February 20, 2021
This series by author Janet Sketchley just gets better. I read the first book in this series a couple of years ago and enjoyed it very much.
This second book is a page-turner and even better than book one.
This mystery truly kept me guessing right up to the end.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters from the first book on a more in-depth level.
The author manages to end each book in the series by tying up loose ends which I like. But, she still generates a desire for more. I am looking forward to the third book, so I can see where life takes the characters at the Green Dory Inn next.
If you enjoy a good mystery, pick up both books in this series. You won't be disappointed.
This second book is a page-turner and even better than book one.
This mystery truly kept me guessing right up to the end.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters from the first book on a more in-depth level.
The author manages to end each book in the series by tying up loose ends which I like. But, she still generates a desire for more. I am looking forward to the third book, so I can see where life takes the characters at the Green Dory Inn next.
If you enjoy a good mystery, pick up both books in this series. You won't be disappointed.
August 25, 2019
I could debate whether this is a mystery with plenty of suspense or if it's a suspense with an intriguing mystery in it, but what I won't debate is that this is an edge of the seat read that will keep you guessing, and that isn't afraid to go into topics that may make one uncomfortable but still need to be dealt with.
This is the second book of the series, though the first one is almost a prequel - more of a novella in length. This is a full book and full blown story, building on the foundation of the first. Should you read the first book first? Good question. This story is easy enough to follow without the backstory. This volume, though, does spoil some of the mysteries in the first book.
As one would expect with a longer book (and a second in the series), it develops the principle characters. This book does answer more questions than the first one did, enough for me to feel satisfied, but not so much that I'm anxious to read the next installment to learn more. One thing I find interesting is that there's only hints of an upcoming romance and maybe more than one suitor; there is no sense of any romantic interest at the present, though I can see two different ways for that line to develop. (Or not.)
If you've read other books by the author, you'd expect religious themes in this story, and as usual they're organic to the tale without any preachiness.
I enjoyed this book, even more than the first, and as mentioned earlier, I'm eagerly anticipating book three.
I received a free copy of this novel from the author for an unbiased review.
This is the second book of the series, though the first one is almost a prequel - more of a novella in length. This is a full book and full blown story, building on the foundation of the first. Should you read the first book first? Good question. This story is easy enough to follow without the backstory. This volume, though, does spoil some of the mysteries in the first book.
As one would expect with a longer book (and a second in the series), it develops the principle characters. This book does answer more questions than the first one did, enough for me to feel satisfied, but not so much that I'm anxious to read the next installment to learn more. One thing I find interesting is that there's only hints of an upcoming romance and maybe more than one suitor; there is no sense of any romantic interest at the present, though I can see two different ways for that line to develop. (Or not.)
If you've read other books by the author, you'd expect religious themes in this story, and as usual they're organic to the tale without any preachiness.
I enjoyed this book, even more than the first, and as mentioned earlier, I'm eagerly anticipating book three.
I received a free copy of this novel from the author for an unbiased review.
August 1, 2019
Landon returns to the Green Dory Inn to help her friend Anna, who still hasn't recovered her health after her recent troubles. But attacks, both cyber and physical, build until the women's lives are in jeopardy. Landon must find out who has it in for her friend while battling demons from her own past.
Though I had not read book #1 in this series and so was a little confused on characters and backstory at times, I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. In fact, I plan to get book #1 and read it as well!
Though I had not read book #1 in this series and so was a little confused on characters and backstory at times, I very much enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others. In fact, I plan to get book #1 and read it as well!
June 24, 2020
Hard to put down
True to its title it is a mystery. I enjoyed the depth of the character’s emotions and bravery facing pain from her past. I especially liked the part at the end where the main character is able to see that all things work together for good. If the event at the beginning of the story hadn’t happened then the story would have been completely different. That was a good life lesson to help us to remember that God is in control, even when seemingly bad things happen to us.
True to its title it is a mystery. I enjoyed the depth of the character’s emotions and bravery facing pain from her past. I especially liked the part at the end where the main character is able to see that all things work together for good. If the event at the beginning of the story hadn’t happened then the story would have been completely different. That was a good life lesson to help us to remember that God is in control, even when seemingly bad things happen to us.
November 1, 2019
After her professor fails her for lack of participation, Landon Smith heads back to the Green Dory Inn for the summer to lick her wounds and support Anna—the friend who showed Jesus to Landon when she most needed help.
Hidden Secrets is the second book in the Green Dory Inn Mystery series. I do recommend you read the first (Unknown Enemy), as that introduced the overall plot arc and many of the characters in Hidden Secrets. Yes, a mystery fan will probably enjoy Hidden Secrets without reading Unknown Enemy first. But there are plot points that won’t make sense without the background knowledge.
While I have read (and reviewed) Unknown Enemy, it was a while ago so I had forgotten some of the plot points and characters. No matter. Hidden Secrets did a good job of reconnecting me with the story without repeating everything that has gone before. (That’s a must when you read as many books as I do).
(And for those who like lists, there is a list of key characters.)
Anyway, Landon is back, and just in time as Anna is losing business at the Inn because of some malicious false reviews online. If business doesn’t improve, she might be forced to sell the inn—her late husband’s dream. There is also a guest investigating the history of the town and the local characters, including the infamous Captain Jack.
But this raises issues as well, as there are secrets to be uncovered. There were also a few more hints about Landon’s background and recovery, after being trafficked as a teen. While the novel doesn’t go into detail, it’s good to see Christian fiction dealing realistically with some of the more unfortunate sides of modern life.
Overall, Hidden Secrets was a well-written and compelling story, with several layers of secrets. I’ll look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
Hidden Secrets is the second book in the Green Dory Inn Mystery series. I do recommend you read the first (Unknown Enemy), as that introduced the overall plot arc and many of the characters in Hidden Secrets. Yes, a mystery fan will probably enjoy Hidden Secrets without reading Unknown Enemy first. But there are plot points that won’t make sense without the background knowledge.
While I have read (and reviewed) Unknown Enemy, it was a while ago so I had forgotten some of the plot points and characters. No matter. Hidden Secrets did a good job of reconnecting me with the story without repeating everything that has gone before. (That’s a must when you read as many books as I do).
(And for those who like lists, there is a list of key characters.)
Anyway, Landon is back, and just in time as Anna is losing business at the Inn because of some malicious false reviews online. If business doesn’t improve, she might be forced to sell the inn—her late husband’s dream. There is also a guest investigating the history of the town and the local characters, including the infamous Captain Jack.
But this raises issues as well, as there are secrets to be uncovered. There were also a few more hints about Landon’s background and recovery, after being trafficked as a teen. While the novel doesn’t go into detail, it’s good to see Christian fiction dealing realistically with some of the more unfortunate sides of modern life.
Overall, Hidden Secrets was a well-written and compelling story, with several layers of secrets. I’ll look forward to reading the next book in the series.
Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.
August 21, 2019
With batches of fragrant muffins and mugs of herbal tea, served up in an idyllic seaside setting, Janet Sketchley lures us into discovering the deadly secrets of the Green Dory Inn. Hidden Secrets is Book 2 in the Green Dory Inn Mystery series.
Thoroughly modern, with cell phones and drones, there are also elements of old sea tales with rogue ships and rumrunners in this cozy mystery. The Christian faith of the two main characters, Landon and Anna, adds value and heft to this hard-to-put-down read.
The believably imperfect characters (many of whom we met in Unknown Enemy, Book One of the series) remind me of the characters in Jan Karon’s Father Tim books. But the main player here is a 24-year-old college student, Landon, whose secretive personal past adds complications to the fast-moving plot. Sketchley has included a character list at the beginning of the book to help us keep straight the cast of characters and their relationships to each other. Though it works nicely as a standalone, reading Book One of the series would help you feel like you’re reconnecting with these folks.
Sketchley’s descriptive, yet tight writing and savvy plot combined to make me wish the book was longer. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am happy to hear that Sketchley is beginning work on Book 3.
I received Hidden Secrets as a gift from the author for the purpose of writing a review.
Thoroughly modern, with cell phones and drones, there are also elements of old sea tales with rogue ships and rumrunners in this cozy mystery. The Christian faith of the two main characters, Landon and Anna, adds value and heft to this hard-to-put-down read.
The believably imperfect characters (many of whom we met in Unknown Enemy, Book One of the series) remind me of the characters in Jan Karon’s Father Tim books. But the main player here is a 24-year-old college student, Landon, whose secretive personal past adds complications to the fast-moving plot. Sketchley has included a character list at the beginning of the book to help us keep straight the cast of characters and their relationships to each other. Though it works nicely as a standalone, reading Book One of the series would help you feel like you’re reconnecting with these folks.
Sketchley’s descriptive, yet tight writing and savvy plot combined to make me wish the book was longer. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am happy to hear that Sketchley is beginning work on Book 3.
I received Hidden Secrets as a gift from the author for the purpose of writing a review.
August 17, 2019
It was a delight to discover a new (to me) Christian fiction writer whose writing was so absolutely beautiful. Landon Smith, a college student, is on summer break and visiting Anna Young, who is like a second mother to her. Anna owns the Green Dory Inn, but someone has posted bad reviews and several reservations have been cancelled. Anna and Landon enlist the help of Bobby Hawke, the grandson of Anna's neighbor, and a science fiction novelist, to help counterattack the cyber attacks. Then the rumors start that Anna plans to sell the inn. Anna is surrounded by a group of seemingly wonderful friends. Could one of them be behind the cyber attacks? How can she fight against the rumors, when she is not feeling her best? Is there any truth to the rumor that Captain Hiltz, the former owner of the inn and a rumrunner, had a secret tunnel? This was a cozy mystery of the finest kind! It was a delight to untangle the mystery without seeing a huge pile-up of dead bodies. I plan to seek out more books by Janet Sketchley.
July 22, 2019
Trouble at the Green Dory Inn is escalating. Can Landon help her friend Anna find out who is behind this? Every time I thought I knew who the culprit was, a plot twist had me rethinking my answer. The characters in the story became my friends and I was invested in the outcome and their futures. Hidden Secrets was an enjoyable read and one I would recommend.
August 5, 2019
The author does a great job of creating a mystery that truly keeps you guessing until the moment of revelation. The main characters, Landon and Anna, became like old friends. I'm a little sad that I can't actually stay at the B and B with them! The story seemed a tad longer than necessary and I wish I knew more of the back story (I haven't read the first book in the series yet), but otherwise I found this to be a well-written, interesting read.
July 28, 2019
A great read! Clean, but with intriguing mysteries! I, personally, would have followed through a little further with Landon's past life and filled in some blanks but maybe leaving out some things made the story more focused upon Anne's plot line. Wonderful dips and twists!
Trela
Trela
August 3, 2019
This series are cozy mysteries and so might not be exciting enough for thriller/suspense fans. However, they'd be appreciated by teenagers (late teens because of one of the themes).
Good characterisation, good editing and lovely cover. Satisfying story. Particularly recommended for those who enjoy reading about Canada. The Christian parts of the story are natural and sprinkled throughout. A good summer read.
Good characterisation, good editing and lovely cover. Satisfying story. Particularly recommended for those who enjoy reading about Canada. The Christian parts of the story are natural and sprinkled throughout. A good summer read.
July 12, 2019
Why wasn't Landon able to go to summer school? Never mind the instructor, but what a need there is for her to be at the Green Dory Inn with Anna. More stuff going on but harder to detect and discover who and why. Edge of your seat good writing makes this a super mystery. Who is doing it and why? You need to read to find out. Highly recommend. I received an advance reader copy from the author. Opinions are my own.
August 5, 2019
This is a well written book that holds your attention. Hidden Secrets is a good clean mystery that will keep you guessing until the end. This book was a very enjoyable read.
August 6, 2019
This is a very good book. I enjoyed the mystery of it. The characters are well rounded, but very human. I really liked the fact that it was unpredictable. I had no idea who the bad guy was until it was reveiled at the end. Good suspense!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 27, 2019
I enjoyed this story. This one is quite suspenful and will keep you on the edge of your seat. I haven't read the first book yet, but had no problems following this story, so this one works well as a stand alone story.
October 12, 2019
Hidden Secrets is an entertaining and well written suspense. I throughly enjoyed the plot that kept me engaged in the story. I recommend this book to fans of suspense. Thanks to the publisher for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.
October 10, 2019
A gripping and well written book that kept me hooked till the end.
I liked the setting and the well written cast of characters, the plot is engrossing and entertaining.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I liked the setting and the well written cast of characters, the plot is engrossing and entertaining.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
November 14, 2019
Classic mystery.
Set on the Nova Scotia coast, this Christian mystery keeps the reader turning pages. Ms. Sketchley has crafted interesting characters.
This is the second in the Green Dory Inn series and I will not hesitate to pick up another.
Set on the Nova Scotia coast, this Christian mystery keeps the reader turning pages. Ms. Sketchley has crafted interesting characters.
This is the second in the Green Dory Inn series and I will not hesitate to pick up another.
December 29, 2023
In this second book in the Green Dory Inn Mystery series by Janet Sketchley, we pick up with things not too far after the events of book one. Some time has passed, though not much, and circumstances once again see Landon at the inn to lend Anna emotional support, and vice versa. Even though the mystery in Unknown Enemy was solved, it appears that someone still wants Anna out of the picture; whether just off the property or more permanently remains to be seen. Several surprising twists – which you’ll appreciate more if you’ve read book one – kept me on my toes, and the author has once again done a wonderful job of storycrafting. She has a way of engaging you in the plot and the characters so that you want to extend your stay at the inn indefinitely … despite all the sinister things happening around you.
After falling in love with so many of the characters in book one, I thoroughly enjoyed reuniting with them – and getting to know them better – in Hidden Secrets. As this is a full length novel, the author has time to explore the complexities of their backstories a bit more as well as their personalities and quirks. Landon’s trauma is revealed further, as well as the healing process she’s been through and the Grace she has found, and while my heart broke for her and other characters in this story I found myself wanting to stand up and applaud her tenacity to not only survive but also to continue overcoming her fears. And for the record, I maintain my vote for Bobby when/if Landon is ready for a romantic relationship. Dylan is still a great guy, too, but I see him more as a brotherly figure for Landon, even if he feels otherwise.
Bottom Line: Hidden Secrets by Janet Sketchley is a riveting mystery with dashes of suspense perfectly placed to keep you turning the pages, on the edge of your seat for what might happen next. Characters with authentic imperfections and relatable struggles keep you invested in the whole series, not just this particular book, but the tension-filled plot will certainly have you engrossed here in this story for the duration. The author’s writing style is engaging and descriptive, and I’m curious as to how the events in this story will affect the next one.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
After falling in love with so many of the characters in book one, I thoroughly enjoyed reuniting with them – and getting to know them better – in Hidden Secrets. As this is a full length novel, the author has time to explore the complexities of their backstories a bit more as well as their personalities and quirks. Landon’s trauma is revealed further, as well as the healing process she’s been through and the Grace she has found, and while my heart broke for her and other characters in this story I found myself wanting to stand up and applaud her tenacity to not only survive but also to continue overcoming her fears. And for the record, I maintain my vote for Bobby when/if Landon is ready for a romantic relationship. Dylan is still a great guy, too, but I see him more as a brotherly figure for Landon, even if he feels otherwise.
Bottom Line: Hidden Secrets by Janet Sketchley is a riveting mystery with dashes of suspense perfectly placed to keep you turning the pages, on the edge of your seat for what might happen next. Characters with authentic imperfections and relatable struggles keep you invested in the whole series, not just this particular book, but the tension-filled plot will certainly have you engrossed here in this story for the duration. The author’s writing style is engaging and descriptive, and I’m curious as to how the events in this story will affect the next one.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews