Synopsis

The past never sleeps.
The truth never dies.

Only Harlan MacKenzie can sense the troubled history of the Big Purple House. When he’s hired to restore the historical mansion, he doesn’t foresee the secrets—secrets that entangle his family in deceit and murder.

Phaedra is selling the house that has been in her family for decades. As her friends-to-lovers relationship with Harlan escalates, she puts her values on the line and chances losing him.

After a stranger comes to town, weaving her web of deception, hell-bent on correcting an old grievance connected to the house, dark revelations of the past implode the present. Harlan and Phaedra are thrown on a dangerous path, not only risking love but possibly their lives.

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Review

This mystery/romantic suspense novel intrigued me from the get-go. And as the story progressed, I was engrossed in the mystery of what happened in the 1920s to John Hershey and how did this stranger to town, Nora, fit into the picture? What did Harlan’s spiritual gifts bring to the table? I also loved catching up with some of the characters from the first book, but diving deeper into the lives of Harlan and Phaedra, friends since childhood but could there be more?

Harlan is restoring a home affectionately called the Big Purple House, or as it was originally named, Lilac End. However, he has some strange vibes in various parts of the house and that is part of the mystery to be solved. What happened in this house? And who is this Nora character that has shown up out of the blue expressing interest in this particular house? As the story unfolds, we learn bits and pieces of the history tied to the home and several characters. There were some surprises as more information was parsed out to the reader and it kept me up because I had to know if a certain object was found and how other events spurred the actions of characters in the present.

There is also a budding romance between Harlan and Phaedra; however, they both have different thoughts on what they wanted from a relationship and their differences might tear them apart.

I loved the diary entries mixed into the story because they gave us more history on some of the characters and the motives of others. There were some surprising revelations in the journal at the end and it did bring up a few questions for me that may never be answered since it is tied to the past. The various points of view gave the story depth and I could get into the heads of the characters and see the world through their eyes.

While I enjoyed the first book, Secrets of the Ravine, this one spoke to me and perhaps it is because I am trying to research my family and that is the main focus of this book. Either way, delightful book and you don’t have to read this series in order other than to have a better grasp on the main characters that make appearances in other installments.

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Author

Brenda Whiteside is the author of suspenseful, action-adventure stories with a touch of romance. Mostly. After living in six states and two countries—so far—she and her husband have decided they are gypsies at heart, splitting their time between Central Arizona and the RV life. They share their home with a rescue dog named Amigo. While FDW is fishing, Brenda writes.

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She blogs and has guests: https://brendawhiteside.blogspot.com/