Book Review of 'Written in Secret' by Crystal Caudill

Happy Wednesday Bookworms!

What's better than a cozy mystery? A historical cozy mystery that kicks off a brand new series, of course! Crystal Caudill is back with a delicous new series and I am so excited to share my thoughts with you today! I hope you enjoy my review and don't forget to scroll to the bottom of this post and enter the amazing giveaway from JustRead Tours!

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz for Written in Secret by Crystal Caudill hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: Written in Secret

Series: The Art of Love and Danger #1

Author: Crystal Caudill

Publisher: Kregel Publications

Release Date: March 11, 2025

Genre: Christian Mystery & Suspense Romance

What happens when fiction becomes reality? In the corruption-infested Queen City, danger lurks in every shadow, but Lydia Pelton refuses to stay silent. She writes under a pseudonym, E. A. Dupin, crafting crime novels to exact justice and right the wrongs she sees in society. When a serial killer decides to be the sword to her pen, Lydia is confronted with the consequences of her words. Four men are dead, and the city blames her.

With murders on the rise, Officer Abraham Hall's only lead is Lydia's fiction, and he is thrust into an investigation with the "Killer Queen of Romance." Despite his misgivings about the woman, he realizes that even with his reputation for catching elusive criminals, he needs her help. But his unexpected attraction to Lydia proves as difficult to manage as the woman herself.

As the mystery unfolds, Abraham and Lydia race to rewrite the ending, not only for Cincinnati's citizens, but for their own hearts too.

My Review

With such an alluring cover, I had high hopes for this historical mystery, and Written in Secret did not disappoint.

I must admit, this is a premise that I cannot ever remember reading before, which instantly gives this novel a freshness that is needed in a genre that seems to be getting stale. All of the characters are charming, believable, and engaging as we follow Abraham and Lydia through the complicated investigation to not only find a perpetrator but also clear Lydia’s name.

The writing is positively inspired, and the level of mystery and flirtiness intoxicating! I got a thrill every time I picked up this novel.

This is such an incredibly fun start to a new series that I can’t wait to delve deeper into as it’s clear that The Art of Love and Danger is going to be a refreshing and unique series.

My Rating: ★★★★★

Also Available

About the Author

Crystal Caudill is the Christy Award–winning author of “dangerously good romance,” including the Hidden Hearts of the Gilded Age series. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.

Connect with Crystal by visiting crystalcaudill.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a signed copy of Written in Secrets and a $25 Amazon gift card!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight March 12, 2025 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on March 19, 2025. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!