Truth be Told is a well written historical murder mystery. Good plot and character dynamics. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance book. This i my unbiased review

Truth Be Told by Patricia Rayborn is a Christian mystery. Think of Sherlock Holmes in form of a black single female in the US in the early 1900s and you will be able to picture Annalee. The book was an interesting read - quite slow but well-spun with twists and suspense well done. I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, Tyndale House Publishers

Truth Be Told by Patricia Rayborn is a Christian mystery. Think of Sherlock Holmes in form of a black single female in the US in the early 1900s and you will be able to picture Annalee. The book was an interesting read - quite slow but well-spun with twists and suspense well done. I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. Thank you, Tyndale House Publishers

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishing and Net Galley for the chance to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.
This is the third book in the Annalee Spain series. I have read all of them and they just seem to get better and better. Annalee is an amateur detective, living in Denver in 1924. In this book, Annalee is at a party when the body of a pretty young woman is discovered in the hosts shed. It becomes Annalee's mission to work through all the lies, mysteries and adventure to find out what happened to this young woman. Who is she and who murdered her? I really like this series. It focuses on Annalee's life as well as solving mysteries. I also like the strong Christian messages, and the historical information in the books. Highly recommend!

Truth Be Told by Patricia Raybon may take place in Denver, Colorado in 1924, but I believe the story could be ripped from the headlines today. I loved how she does take a murder mystery, which is one of my favorite genres, and wraps it in a timely historical element. I love the chapter openings with Sherlock Holmes’ quotes. Conan Doyle’s character is one of my favorite literary characters. I love the character of Annalee Spain. She is proud, determined, and does not let little things get her down. Especially in this book, Raybon has put her to the test a number of times, and Annalee keeps on trudging toward justice for the dead young black woman. I love how kind she is to everyone no matter their skin color or race. The plot is nicely handled with plenty of moments of watching Annalee as she tries to question others and solve the case. One of my favorite aspects is the budding romance between Annalee and Jake Drake. It has developed nicely over the three books. Overall, Truth Be Told by Patricia Raybon is a delightful mystery that I will own on my bookshelf.

I received a complimentary copy of Truth Be Told by Patricia Raybon from Tyndale Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Patricia grabbed my attention immediately, causing curiosity and interest. Blending the issue pre the Civil Rights Act in America with subtle romance and a case of the unknown young lady's body found in the gardening shed of an influential member in the town. Annalee navigates her way through the increasing web of connections within the town, of present and past, Annalee solves the mystery, although at times putting herself at risk of joining the young lady she is hoping to bring justice.

I tried to like this book, but the action seemed to move far too slowly for a murder mystery. I struggled to connect with the characters and found myself losing interest after a few chapters. I was never quite sure what time period the story was set in. Sorry!

A compelling read, that was complicated but help the readers interest in what would happen right to the end. A sure reminder about friendship in action, speaking louder than words.

TRUTH BE TOLD by PATRICIA RAYBON is the third novel in the Annalee Spain amateur detective series. As is the case in the first two books, the author follows hard after Scriptural truth and bases this one on John chapter 15 and psalm twenty seven. In the same way that some plants are dangerous, hiding their poison under blooms and leaves, the same can be said of some humans. Things are not always as they seem, as Annalee follows clues to uncover a young woman’s murder. Whereas no human being can ever be perfect, we see how fear can silence even those who are trying to live upright lives. “People kill people - or kill other people’s dreams, hopes and spirits, even kill their accomplishments - for fear of losing something themselves.” There is intimidation and blackmail, but Annalee refuses to give up on finding justice for Prissy Mack. She says, “I am warned and I’m scared. But I won’t turn around.”
The characters are unforgettable and very real, for example Annalee herself and her pastor boyfriend Jack Blake, her scruffy little partner in crime, Eddie Brown Jr from the Denver Boys’ home, and her friend Edna Smallworth, to name but a few.
Annalee invites Edna Smallworth to attend a function with her at the Coates’ mansion, where Cooper Coates’ daughter, Melody, finds a dead young Negro girl in her secret hideaway in the garden. Here we come across the snobbish African American upper class at its worst as they joke about the young girl and carry on with their insipid conversations. This is the time when the KKK and racial prejudice are prevalent, but there is also a rich Negro upper class in Denver who cling hard to their status….
I am not telling you any more for fear of spoiling things for you.
I cannot recommend Truth Be Told highly enough for the exciting and thought provoking story with its strong Christian message.
I was given a free copy of the book by NetGalley from Tyndale House Publishers. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

An amateur detective investigates the death of a young woman whose body was discovered during a high-class garden party. The premise is intriguing, with the detective searching out clues on a case the police don't seem to interested in, given the race and status of the victim, while at the same time pondering a mystery in her own life.

This would probably be classified as a cozy mystery, which I generally enjoy, but the first few chapters were so slow-moving, the book simply did not hold my interest.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you, Tyndale and NetGalley, for providing an eARC of this third in Raybon's Annalee Spain series. I was thrilled to read this. "Truth Be Told" is the best in the series so far, with a plot that continues to shine light on Denver's dark racist past. Recommended both for series fans and for readers just meeting Annalee for the first time. I'm already eagerly awaiting the next in the series.