Fallam's Secret: A Novel

by Denise Giardina

A master storyteller delivers an historical novel with a twist-what will become of a modern American woman in Cromwell's England? Returning home to West Virginia after her beloved Uncle John's death, Lydde finds that he has left her an odd legacy: a note with instructions that lead her to a remote mountain cave. When she falls into a crevasse, she finds she has followed her uncle farther than she thought-to Norchester, England, in 1657. Times are dark: the ruling Puritans have beheaded the king and prohibited song, dance, and even Christmas. Though she passes as a boy with her short hair and pants, local official Noah Fallam is still suspicious of her strange clothing and outspokenness. Luckily, she soon finds her uncle, and another man: the Raven, a bandit who provides for the poor through smuggling and robbery. The unlikely couple fall in love, and Lydde must decide where-and when-she belongs. This captivating story brings us close to Denise Giardina's signature concerns of faith and the way we treat the earth.

Genres: Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Historical Romance, Romance, Time Travel Romance

332 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2003

About the author

Often labelled an Appalachian writer, or a historical novelist, Denise Giardina describes herself as a theological writer, exploring fundamental issues of faith and belief through literary characters.

Born and raised in the West Virginia coalfields, Giardina is an ordained Episcopal Church deacon, a community activist and a former candidate for the WV state governorship.

Her novels, fictionalizing historical characters and events, have been critically acclaimed and recognised with a number of literary prizes.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had an interesting story, but it was not really well-written (which is strange for Denise Giardina). But it ended with a cliff-hanger and, apparently, there will not be a sequel. I would really like an answer to the cliff-hanger question; I know how he knew who, but I'd like to know why!

[Shari Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great great story! I'm just wondering - what did Unkle John find in Noah's remains in the end after returning into the present, next to the celtic cross necklace as he says "Oh God, Noah" and prays? Was it the knife he received from John in case Noah and Lydde would have been captured to commit suicide? Does it mean Noah killed himself? But why? And why did he return to the wormhole - without Lydde? Did she die? I'm so confused. Damn I so wish there was a sequel...

[David Shelby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have very high expectations for Giardina. Maybe I shouldn't, but if she could write such stellar books as Good King Harry and Storming Heaven, she doesn't have much of an excuse for this.

Truth be told, Fallam's Secret isn't all bad. It has a really strong beginning setting up supernatural intrigue and developing an interesting fantastical premise based on obscure theology. The setting in seventeenth-century England is fairly interesting as well, and the contrast between the modern woman and puritan society makes for good drama.

The problem with this story comes from the contrived romance. Without spoiling anything, I'll just say that the protagonist gets with a mysterious man who definitely has attractive and interesting qualities, even though his affections for the heroine aren't terribly believable. The two basically fall in love instantaneously, which is made especially strange given the fact that our protagonist is disguised as a boy. There was a lot of potential here to develop a unique and compelling romance, but that was thrown out in favor of what feels like trite romance novel garbage.

This book is far from the worst thing even, but for Giardina it's pretty disappointing.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts out wonderfully, with a well-written sense of place and believable set-up for travel through a buried "wormhole" in the mountains of West Virginia to an English village in the 1600s. Then it slowly falls apart. I wanted more of how a modern woman could possibly adapt to these circumstances and a hero who seems more believable. It's an OK yarn to finish but it just seems that an opportunity for a really good book was missed here.

[Alisa Henrich · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of time travel books and the history that is part of the genre. I also enjoyed the WV setting. The story was a slow starter for me and at times confusing with elemental dialogue. The characters grew on me and I was curious about the wormhole and its role in the tale. The storyline definitely improved the more I read. And it had a nice ending- all tied up!

[Timothy G. Huguenin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but it is not in the same league as her other books I’ve read. And the ending seemed set up for a sequel but as far as I know there was none. So that’s a little disappointing not knowing why the end is the way it is

[Terri · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cross between the Scarlet Pimpernel and Outlander. I hope there are meant to be more books in this storyline because I can't figure out what the ending meant!

[Megan]

DNS 7/16/2021

[Karin Bartimole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part time travel, part historic novel, all adventure! From the mountains of West Virginia to puritanical 1650's England, time and reality are bent, but human strengths and flaws remain universal. I couldn't put this book down!

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although interesting in its concept, the book can get preachy at times and is not one of Giardina's best efforts.

[Celestina]

one of my favorite books of all time. Borrowed it from the library several times and loved it each time i read it.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as impressive as Giardina's other works, but I enjoyed reading a different genre. I also liked how she played with some traditional story elements. An interesting read.

[Squire Whitney: Hufflepuff Book Reviwer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Even as a Denise Giardina fan, this is my least favorite book I've ever completed. Giardina is just not cut out for fantasy. Plus, the sex scenes are pretty cringeworthily explicit for me.