Secret Place of Thunder

Cheney Duvall, M.D. #5

by Lynn Morris, Gilbert Morris

Cheney and Shiloh discover a mysterious malady afflicting the servants and sharecroppers at her aunts' plantation. Cheney Duvall book 5.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Historical Fiction, Christian, Fiction, Romance, Historical, Adult Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Lynn Morris (born 1954) was a Christian fiction author. She was the daughter of Gilbert Morris and co-wrote with him on some of her books.

Series:
* Cheney Duvall, M.D. (with Gilbert Morris)
* Cheney and Shiloh: The Inheritance (with Gilbert Morris)
* The Creole (with Gilbert Morris)
* Omega (with Gilbert Morris and Alan Morris)

Reviews

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

As another reviewer said, this series won't win any literary awards but I'm still thoroughly enjoying it. The romance and adventure, even with the sometimes awkwardly inserted Christian conversions, are getting me through 3rd trimester. I swear this baby won't come until I read the 8th book!

[Olivia Lyndaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second time I've read this book, and I love Tante Elise so much. :) She may act like a young girl at times, but she's so sweet and... I just love her.

I still like Shiloh (specifically since I know what happens in the series after this book), but he's not my favourite in this book. I guess it's because I love his relationship with Cheney, so when they're not on good terms, it's not as fun to read.

The voodoo part definitely isn't my favourite, but I do like the rest of the book.

[Cindy Wiedemer · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book was overall very well written, easy to read, descriptive and was very emotional and even built this reader into a deep feeling of being in the setting, overall I found the storyline boring, unrealistic and for proposing to be a book about a female doctor trying to find her place and acceptance, her work as a doctor, or tending to the sick in this book was incredibly minimal and only second hand to the main story and final twists. The theme of a female doctor in a time when they were not accepted is what originally attracted me to the series, that and the Christian Romance piece. However, this entire book could have been written and she didnt need to be a doctor at all. The final Climax scene was amazingly written and made this reader feel the heaviness of the moment. Took me a moment to shake that off when a child interrupted my reading. I have learned there are three more books in the series that tend to shift the main characters focus, however I at this time dont feel any desire to finish the series. very strong attention in this book to leaning on God, asking for forgiveness, and using his strength to overcome anything, including evil. A powerful message mixed into the story.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread this as a stand-alone after reading through the series back when it was published. I found it quite enjoyable: the lighthearted and humorous banter, the elegant clothing descriptions, the setting, the plot. There's a very serious and dark aspect of the plot, which was a little hard to read, but I thought the author's note at the beginning was helpful and that she handled things well.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading inspiration: Thanksgiving 2017 in rural Louisiana

I didn't realize how much I have to thank this book for my knowledge of New Orleans and Louisiana:

- the Avery Island salt mine (now better know for Tabasco sauce)
- Catahoula Curs (I actually saw one on the St. Charles streetcar!)
- garconnieres
- "little one-story white houses along Rampart Street," (47) (Barbara Hambly does a good job at the nuances of gens de couleur libre in her Benjamin January series, but I was impressed at how delicately the Morrises tackled the topic)
- traditional Creole plantation architecture (like the Whitney Plantation)
- The Cabildo, now part of the Louisiana State Museum
- the real Bayou Chene, part of the Atchafalaya Basin
- Winslow Homer's "Prisoners from the Front."

The Morrises did an excellent job of weaving history, culture, and plot together without it feeling overly expository. (Unsurprisingly, I wasn't a fan of the over-the-top "armor of God" mysticism…)

Overall, a solid entry in the Cheney series.

[Paris Kaufman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The main cast of Secret Place of Thunder: Cheney, Shiloh, Colonel Duvall, Irene, Tante Elsye, Tante Marye, Victoria & Gowan make one of the best character casts I have ever read. Any scene with the whole group simply felt like home. This was a book I definitely didn’t want to finish, but loved to read.

[Marris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series seemed to drag on FOREVER!There are eight books and I honestly think two or three could be eliminated, just because they are unneccesary. They are pretty well written, but they all end the same, so the series was kind of monotonous.

[Karol · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like it as much as some of the other books in the series so far, but still did enjoy it.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I used to like this series a lot. It does have some funny moments/characters and interesting plot points, but it is also rather on the feminist and romantic side.

[Mary Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Post Civil War in and near New Orleans finds Cheney Duvall, M.D. visiting relatives on an indigo plantation and coming up with answers to mysteries surrounding the beloved Aunts.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

not my favorite in this series. It had a lot to do with voodoo and also contained alot of Christan beliefs in it. :/ It was okay.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alright now we’re getting somewhere

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great story - clean, with lots of mystery and a bit of romance too.

[Ina Austin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book in this series takes you to a different place in the U.S. and explores the life of the people in that area at that time. This book took us to New Orleans slightly after the Civil War. There to help her aunts with her plantation and a sickness that has come over the workers and the land itself brings her face to face with the dark side of the inhabitants of the area....voodoo. Very interesting and intrigue on many levels. I think this is the best book in the series so far!

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a big fan of American history. This was set near New Orleans soon after the Civil war. I have visited New Orleans and it brought back good memories of Jackson Square and the French Quarter. The story was rather dull, there were too many details and not enough to let the reader become engrossed. It ended fairly well but I would have liked it better if more had happened between Dr Cheney and Shiloh.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is one of my favorites of the series. I love the whole series but this book was almost impossible to put down. I enjoyed the incorporation of spiritual warfare with the voodoo. This book also introduces us to Cheney’s delightful great aunts and the culture of the New Orleans area.

[Pam]

Library does not have this book in the series. Too bad - would love more about these two main characters.

[Brooke796 ☼ · Rating 4 out of 5]

re-read

[Julie Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shiloh and Cheney are in New Orleans visiting Cheney's aunts. Mysterious things have been happening on the aunts indigo plantation. Mysterious illnesses and then the voodoo visitations have the aunts and everyone on the plantation unsettled. Evil forces are at work and have everyone discombobulated. Before too long they realize what is happening and how to combat those evil spirits. I have a love hate relationship with this book in the series. I love that Dev and Victoria have now gotten their relationship settled. I despise the evilness that comes with the satanic rituals going on in order to run the aunts off of their property. I love the victory that Christ brings to the family and friends at the aunts home. Sadly I wish that Shiloh could see his need for a Savior. Unfortunately that doesn't happen for a few more books and he has much heartache before that time. He had every opportunity in this book, but chose not to take it. Sigh...

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite from this series. Set in New Orleans, it is full of good, evil and the knowledge that good will always conquer evil, though not always in timing we wish it did. :)


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Re-Read
5 Stars

Because of all the chaos in my life right now (re: Erik at Sunnybrook), I just felt the need to have familiar books. So, I am re-reading my favorites from the Cheney Duvall, M.D. series. Then I will start something new!

I love this book!! It shows what happens when you choose evil over God. And it also shows how that evil can penetrate your life if you don't focus completely on the Lord. Fabulous book!!!

[Ashley Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy the history and the development of the faith and how to use the faith in different settings and situations. Cheney drives me a little crazy. Her character is selfish and way more insecure than I expect from someone in her situation. It's understandable given her rejection from professional security but when you have men fawning over you all the time because of your looks, do you really need to be so insecure about a mans flirtations--especially if he would stop with just one word from you. For a woman who is supposed to be strong and independent her social flaws drive me batty--but I enjoy the stories mostly because of the support behind the main characters. Though it may be a lite overly descriptive in places, it teaches me a lot and I appreciate that

[Maria Denney · Rating 5 out of 5]

For years I have said that Christy by Catherine Marshall was my favorite book of all time, it always will be! Ever since starting the Cheney Duvall, M.D. series I have gained a 2nd favorite. I read Christy every few years and after checking out the Cheney Duvall series, I purchased them knowing I would be re reading these as well! This particular book was amazing. Having been to New Orleans myself made it more fun. I loved that real history was added into the book to make it seem so real (ex. Marie Laveau). Every time I would try to put this book down for the night- and the others in the series as well-the ending of a chapter would have me reading more and more!

[Gabrielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheney goes to her great aunts plantation after receiving a disturbing letter involving Indians across from her land that are performing rituals. They declare that it is spirit ground and they must leave. After refusing the Indians put a curse on them and there land and some of the servants/maids become ill and the crops do not seem to last. Cheney tries to figure out why the Indians are so interested in the land all of a sudden but every attempt proves to be unsuccessful. The book was okay but its defiantly not my style of writing. I sometimes found it difficult to get through it.

[U.C.]

#mystery #historicalfiction #christianfiction #romance #19thcentury #adventure #cheneyduvallmdseries #postcivilwarera #lynnmorris #forgiveness #faith #1860s #orphans #familysearch #prejudice #racism #bayou #crocodiles #family #indigo #indigoplantations #love #mardigras #mardigrasparade #neworleans #orphanages #parades #poison #reconstructionera #romance #sharecroppers

[Aspen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book series is incredible! And appropriate for Tweens! This book itself was really good. It did have some witchcraft and kissing but nothing to great extent. I would recommend these books for both girls and guys!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series!

[Phair · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great setting.

[Lindsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was the best out of all of them!

[joy *the clean-reader extraordinaire* · Rating 4 out of 5]

laugh out loud funny. much better than #4. a good, clean, sunday read.

[Jennifer Reeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good. Cheney and Shiloh travel to New Orleans to her great aunts house. Her aunts are having problems with getting sick, and their indigo crops being sick. They think it has to do with Voodoo.