This was my favorite book of the year. It was so good. Raybon pulled me into the storyline and didn’t let go. I read it in one sitting if that tells you anything :)

I received a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

A year after the death of her father Professor Annalee Spain receives a clue about his death, implying that it wasn't an accident.

An engaging and fast paced historical mystery, though the beginning was a little choppy and some of the choices didn't quite feel true to the sensibilities of the times, the action packed, twisting plot kept me engaged and delivered an explosive ending. Annalee is on a quest for answers about more than her father's death, though perhaps she doesn't know it at first. I liked her friendship with little Eddie, her determination and heart for others.

Annalee though a theology professor at a Chicago Bible college, has her doubts about God, and I liked how this book has a strong message of genuine faith and a relationship with Jesus.

Overall, an enjoyable adventure, fast paced and easy to read, with colorful characters and a web of deception in Colorado. Building suspense as the plot rises to a crescendo, with a satisfying ending and space for a sequel.


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Due to the many books that I have started and not finished lately due to the unrealistic, cliche or unoriginal, or lacking a faith base in a book from a Christian author or publisher. I've found too many and am just leaving this book as a did not finish due to my not getting into the book.

A wonderful, interesting mystery that kept me on my toes. There is a lot going on with the main character as she seeks to figure out who murdered her father and the mystery surrounding her mother.

I really wanted to like this book. I loved the concept and the setting. It sounded unique, very different from what I have often read in historical novels set in the 1920s. But it turned out to be written so poorly, if felt so rough, that I had a very very hard time connecting with both the story and the characters.
I tried to hold in it, but in the end it was such a chore that I simply gave up.

Annalee Spain is known as the Black Professor, in reference to her role at a small Bible College. That makes her an unusual heroine in any time, but especially in a novel that starts in 1923 in Chicago. She heads to Denver to try and solve the mystery of her father’s murder. Here she meets people of all ages and races, many of whom could have something to do with her father’s disappearance and death.

All that is Secret is a novel that’s full of characters with secrets. It’s a fast-paced mystery that hits all the right notes with plenty of likeable characters, and plenty of characters vying for the role of evildoer and murderer. The writing is strong, although perhaps a little distant, but that fits with the 1930s setting.

Christian fiction tends to focus on white main characters, so it’s great to see a novel (a series?) focusing on a Black main character. I appreciated the insight into a different time, place, and culture, and I especially appreciated the way Annalee and her friends can cross the racial and cultural boundaries to deliver a strong mystery.

It appears this is the first in what is to become the Annalee Spain Mystery series, and I’m looking forward to the next instalment.

Thanks to Tyndale House and NetGalley for providing a free ebook for review.

The book started off strong, but several times throughout the story, there were holes, and I got a little confused while reading sometimes with some of the dialogue. I had to go back to see if i was missing something in the conversation. Although This will not be a favorite book, I will continue to follow the series.

I received a copy of the book via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story great. It's got good bones. But the writing, and honestly the plot too, are a bit disjointed.
Some of the plot transitions and revelations don't link up well. Sometimes I found myself having to guess if I was arriving at the right conclusions. The characters hint at things and move on as if everybody's on the same page and it often left me trying to figure out if I was making the right assumptions.
I thought there were too many loose ends that didn't quite get wrapped up, and that unfortunately there wasn't as much "solving" to the mystery as there was stumbling into information. The main character, Annalee, even talks about just sitting back and letting the information come to her and piecing it together, but she's all about being a detective and solving a crime. It just didn't fit together for me.

The story is interesting, but the plot meanders a bit. The characters are well developed, the writing is good, but I had trouble staying engaged.

All That is Secret is a beautifully written book. It is far more than your usual mystery novel, written with depth and intelligence. The author captures the emotions of the time and environment in a way that is almost disturbing. It is a captivating read.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

All That is Secret is the first book I have read by Patricia Raybon. It is also the first book in the Annalee Spain Mystery series. I requested this book because it sounded amazing.

The prologue was exciting and drew me in. I wanted to hear more about the incident described in the prologue, but it took a long time to get to that point. Joe Spain seemed like a good guy, trying to do the right thing, but it ended up getting him killed.

However, once I got into the story it seemed to drag a bit. I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters, I found several things unrealistic to the time period, and the phraseology of the story was awkward throughout. Also, the overuse of italics distracted me from the story and annoyed me to no end.

I appreciate that Annalee is a smart, educated woman, which is rare for that time, but she didn't always act educated. I also appreciated her taking on Eddie Brown Junior and trying to help him out. I am trying hard to find the right words, but the story just felt disjointed.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to give a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This setting, cover, character list, and atmosphere are well-written and page-turning. This time period is one we can't ever forget, and i appreciate this novel bringing to light the darkness of the time.

I loved this story! I’m always excited to find new mystery authors, and Patricia Raybon is now on my list of Must Read authors.
Annalee is a delightful heroine detective. I just love her! So real and down to earth, and I’m excited that this is just the first in a series about her!
The setting is the 1920s, and it is absolutely charming and fun to read a lot.
Ms. Raybon did such a good job at bringing those days to life throughout these pages.
Annalee is initially living in Chicago, but when she receives a mysterious telegram about her fathers death, she heads to Denver.
Determined to solve the mystery, she encounters so many bad guys, and stumbles into way more than she bargained for.

Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

What a delightful story. The historical topics addressed are heavy but the book doesn’t feel dark or heavy because of the witty, engaging, main characters. All That is Secret is a perfect mix of history, suspense, romance, wit and humor. I was fully captured in the first couple of pages in this story that moves along quickly, with lots of unpredictable plot twists that are surprising but felt natural. When I turned the last page I was truly sorry it was over. I will most definitely read future books in this new series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale for the opportunity to read and review.

History, mystery, romance and Gospel all mixed into a fast paced, mind-bending plot that kept me guessing until the very end. The opening chapters are like getting on an old-fashioned wooden rollercoaster. Suspense builds as it creaks and clanks up that first tall hill. Then, when it lets go at the top the twists, turns and plunges just keep coming.
Patricia Raybon has created a thoroughly likable main character in Annalee Spain, a Bible scholar, who leaves her teaching position in Chicago to solve her father’s murder in Denver during the 1920s when the KKK held sway. Annalee is a black woman. So, the danger is very real. But not all of the villains are white, nor are all of the good guys black.
By the end of the story, Annalee, who has struggled with doubts about her faith throughout, has preached an effective sermon without ever letting it get in the way of the plot.

thoroughly enjoyed reading this mystery, it was a well done mystery. The characters were great and I enjoyed meeting each one.

This story and its well-developed characters grabbed my heart and emotions from the start, here’s a peek…” The little baby was four hours old. Still unwashed. Barely crying. But Joe Spain’s old ears recognized the sound. A human infant. Somebody’s mistake, left in the Colorado cold to die.”

Oh, my I was hooked, and surprised by this gripping, powerful and emotional opening situation where we meet Annalee’s father. I felt a part of the investigation as this brave young lady, makes her way to the scene of the crime. I like the way readers are introduced to this determined, educated, and confident woman who isn’t afraid to do the right thing, even if it looks impossible. As the story builds, Annalee faces incredibly difficult situations as she tries to dig up clues leading to her father’s murderer.

There is a quote under the chapter number from Sherlock Holmes novels. Chapter one says, “Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others overlook.” Sherlock Holmes, A Case of Identity. I liked reading about this young female sleuth from the 1920s. My heart went out to the orphan boy and the pastor, who were unlikely back for Annalee. I liked how historical events were woven into this murder mystery, which gave the reader a different point of view.

I liked what the author says about the main character, “Amid this hostility, my character Annalee Spain found respite in stories of Sherlock Holmes, the iconic fictional detective created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. All of the Holmes epigraphs featured in All That Is Secret are from stories first published in the Strand…Annalee doesn’t solve crimes like Holmes, famous for creative solutions using deductive reasoning. She affirms his belief, however, that a women’s instincts are valuable crime-fighting skills. So, I enjoyed letting Annalee deploy her instincts to unravel the mystery in this novel. How will she grow as a detective? Her next mystery will be coming soon.”

The author includes twelve discussion questions to help create a lively discussion for your book club. This is the authors’ debt novel. I look forward to seeing where the author takes Annalee and what mysteries she will solve. This page-turner that will grab your heart and never let it go.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I have received a complimentary copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog www.bookfun.org

Thank you to Tyndale Publishing and Netgalley for advance access to Patricia Raybon’s debut of her historical mystery ‘All That Is Secret’.

Raybon has achieved success with this novel, first in a new series. It is fast-paced, honest and raw, with characters I long to know more about.

Meet Annalee Spain, a theology professor and amateur sleuth but no amateur at life. Annalee finds herself up to a monumental task of trying to solve the mystery surrounding her father’s death. When this smart protagonist travels by rail from Chicago to Denver during the winter of 1929, she encounters twists and turns that puts her life (and lives of others) in constant danger.

Raybon’s pearls of Christian wisdom and thought are sprinkled throughout the chapters as Annalee relies on her wit, gut and faith.

Patricia Raybon is a talented author with skill and style of turning a phrase. Her use of descriptive and figurative language creates a magnificent story that is authentic and fresh.

The character Annalee is honest and displays raw truth. We seldom can admit when our own faith waivers. But Raybon peels away the layers of Annalee’s angst like an onion. Annalee thinks about the past year and admits to herself that she is “ so blasted confounded with God.” Wow! I can certainly identify with this truly multifaceted character.

Will amateur sleuth, Annalee Spain solve the murder of her cherished but alienated father? Or instead, will Annalee become another victim of yet another unsolved murder?

Looking for a thrilling novel to add to your Must Read List? Allow Patricia Raybon to take you into the past to places where mystery, faith and emotions intersect. The elements in this historical mystery work very well to bring forth a lesson of spiritual awaking.

An excellent debut novel! Annalee Spain is a smart and spunky protagonist and I look forward to reading more of her story.

All That Is Secret is a great accomplishment by Patricia Raybon who shows us fiction is as much her genre as Christian non-fiction has been. This compelling mystery is a page turner from the prologue. The protagonist, a savvy young black woman who as a theologian shares and learns important lessons about faith and surviving, all while attempting to solve the mystery of her father’s murder. Historic Denver is the backdrop as Miss Spain and the other characters face danger and adventure in the KKK’s backyard. Even the local church is affected by the moral decline in the city. The story is rich with adventure, danger, humor, a tasteful love story and beautiful spiritual lessons. Sherlock Holmes quotes set the stage for each chapter while the book has its own original feel. Im happy a series will stem from this first book as these characters are interesting, intelligent and fun. The book offers more than just a mystery- fun but rich spiritual and historical insights make this a book I want to re-read even though I know how the intrigue resolves.