I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by Bethany House. I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I was not required to write a positive review.
In Places Hidden by Tracie Peterson Series: Golden Gate Secrets #1
Published by Bethany House Publishers on March 6th 2018
Genres: 20th Century, Christian, Mystery, Romance
Pages: 320
Source: Bethany House
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On her way to San Francisco to find her brother, Caleb, who went missing three months ago, Camriann Coulter meets Judith and Kenzie, who both have their own mysteries to solve in the booming West Coast city. The women decide to help each other, including rooming together and working at Kenzie's cousin's chocolate factory.
Camri's search for her brother, an attorney, leads her deep into the political corruption of the city--and into the acquaintance of Patrick Murdock, a handsome Irishman who was saved from a false murder charge by Caleb. Patrick challenges all of Camri's privileged beliefs, but he knows more about what happened to her brother than anyone else. Together, they move closer to the truth behind Caleb's disappearance. But as the stakes rise and threats loom, will Patrick be able to protect Camri from the dangers he knows lie in the hidden places of the city?
I was captured by the description of this book and the idea of a trilogy set in turn of the century San Francisco. I was interested in a town I know little about during a time period that seems to be ignored in fiction as it is before WWI and after the Civil War. Then I started reading. I was captured in the premise and of the three ladies who found friendship on their independent journeys west. It was interesting that through their days on the train they were instantly attached at the hip, so to speak, and Camri was inviting these unknowns to stay with her at her brother’s home. NOT something that would begin to happen in today’s world. But it did, and it worked, and sometimes you just have to step out of faith in your ability to read people and provide those opportunities for friendship and encouragement.
Here’s where the book sorta fell apart for me. First, Camri is not likeable. I mean I get her but I want to smack her like every other page. Even her contrition as she realizes how almost fatally legalistic she is in her beliefs falls flat for me. Second, lets talk about the conflict/drama/action what have you. She is in San Francisco to find her missing brother. I hear all about the church, her job, Patrick, the Wongs, even the attorney her brother worked for but I get very little about actually trying to find her brother. Then when it actually comes down to her brother it’s too neat with several loose ends that never get addressed. While that is wrapped up with a perfect bow and ample glitter there’s another little side-effect situation from her brother that needs to be wrapped up but again a bit too much glitter for me to appreciate it.
The bones are there for a good story. The intrigue, a different setting, some corruption and a missing person (or two), and a murder (or three). The writing is solid, for the most part, but could have used another comb with content editing to clear out some clashes in the way certain characters spoke and to clear up some rather large dangling threads that needed to be woven back in as opposed to just being clipped. I’m still in for the future of Golden Gate Secrets novels though. I’m interested to see where her friends’ stories take us. Perhaps they will be more sympathetic and maybe even tie up some of the loose ends from ‘In Places Hidden’.
About Tracie Peterson
Tracie Peterson is a bestselling author who writes in both historical and contemporary genres. Her novels reveal her love for research as well as her strong desire to develop emotionally meaningful characters and stories for her readers. Tracie and her family live in Montana.
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