Cover Image: The Secret Order of the Orchid

The Secret Order of the Orchid

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Member Reviews

"The Secret Order of the Orchid" captivates with a gripping opening, establishing an eerie atmosphere. While the pace is slightly slow, the story intrigues with recurring motifs. Du Bios and Isabel impress, but the missing backstories of key characters detract. Overall, a thrilling journey of suspense, murder, and romance.

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Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.
I had recently read Labyrinth when I came across this read and set in the Monastery in 18th Century and included a crime aspect it took my fancy. It was a steady read, with plot twists to leave you guessing. The author does well to create a realistic portrayal of what we would expect within the monastery and the slight humour and romantic under current between the Nun and Cleric help keep the story fresh. Overall, I enjoyed this book and it's a good short mystery to read.

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In eighteenth-century France, the mysterious death of one of the clergies is soon followed by the disappearance of another.

It quickly becomes apparent that something sinister has invaded their monastery, and only a former cleric from Avignon can solve the mystery of the missing monks.

Shortly into his investigation, he discovers that the truth behind the sudden tragic events is much more diabolical than he could have ever imagined.
Enjoy your weekend with this book

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A claustrophobic mystery set in a secluded monastery - dark rooms, isolation, and body count increasing! Interesting interplay with the nun and cleric as they confront an ancient terror. Very atmospheric and good level of creepiness!

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Good story and good characters. Enjoyed the descriptions, almost felt like I was there. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

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My thanks to the Author publisher's and NetGalley for providing me with a Kindle version of this book to read and honestly review.
Set in 18th century France the gruesome death of one monk and disappearance of another leads the Abbot to send a cleric to investigate. Well written atmospheric with a sinister vibe throughout, this is a clever engaging intriguing mystery, with several surprising plot twists and believable characters despite the subject matter.
Engaging little read.

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1720 France, Brother La Croix absent was not the first who vanished in Le Priory d’ Sol clergy.
Brother Conner had been missing for several days until his corpse was found dead. None of the clergies could believe that there was now a killer among them.
The prior requested for Inspector Du Bois for investigations when Brother Conner's body stole from his grave and Brother La Croix vanished. They should know what going on in this dark clergy before the church.
Inspector was going to solve the murders. But, there is something wrong here, people were hiding something. Sister Isabel was the one everyone turned to her with their secrets. She was trying to help Du Bois. She felt a sickness in the air, many of her clergy brothers shared the same dream, a beautiful young woman trying to seduce them into doing her bidding.
This was a short horror and suspenseful story. There are secrets and mysteries in the clergy, a Woman in the Black Cloak, the Mausoleum is like a Labyrinth, and Vampires!!!

Thanks to BooksGoSocial and Netgalley, I have given an honest review of The Secret Order of the Orchid by Randle Crews.

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This could have been a really good book but the execution and back stories of characters were not there. I was intrigued by the title and premise but surprised this turned into a vampire and werewolf story, where in the actual eff did that come from?! I thought there was going to be a lot more suspense and ancient evil or a curse, not this. This book was just a no for me.....

However, I would read from this author again and give another chance. Yes, this book was also in need of some editing and it would have also helped if the author had stuck to one genre instead of many, too much going on. Would I recommend this? Perhaps to people that are obsessed with vampire/wolf novels like Twilight and the Sookie Stackhouse series.

Thanks to Netgalley, Randle Crews and Books Go Social for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Already available: 7/1/21

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Clergy and Vampires – the prospect itself is enticing!

The scared and sleep-deprived La Croix at an empty grave of Connor, Connor’s disappearance, subsequent death and the gruesome desecration of his grave establish the atmosphere just right.

The pace a little slow but the story is intriguing and some things are repeatedly reinforced. The Gothic-style architecture is detailed, dialogues are fine and there is a strange uniformity to the scenes.

Both the protagonists – Du Bios and Isabel are brought out well – Du Bios as an investigator and Isabel as the determined ONLY resident who dares to confronts the Prior. Apart from them, the Prior and the Vampire Nun are also given attention but their backstories are missing. Croix and William have a limited purpose.

This book has suspense, murders, wolf-attacks, vamp-killing, and, not to forget, romance...it was a fine ride!

This is an honest review of a book provided by NetGalley.

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I was super intrigued by the premise of this but, unfortunately, I think it could stand a few more rounds of editing.

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Thankyou netgalley for the free e-arc in exchange for a honest review

I really liked how the book started but towards the end it wasn't slowed down

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