PARADE OF SECRETS

A Lane Hayes Mystery

By Kimberly Fish

Historical Mystery / Female Sleuth

Publisher: Fish Tales Publishing

Publication Date: October 31, 2025

Pages: 341

Synopsis

Layers of history, suspense, and emotion.

March, 1948. Lane Mercer Hayes, and her husband, Zeke, have that post-war life that everyone envies. His winning record as a prosecutor and a scratch golfer, teamed with her finesse in a bookshop puts them on the list of up and coming leaders in Longview, Texas. That is, until Lane is exposed by Senate candidate, Lyndon B. Johnson, for the clandestine role she plays in a Black-owned security agency. Forced to face the cracks in her marriage and the boredom in her life, she can no longer be that “teacup of whiskey” that former Big Inch pipeline associates nicknamed her. Though newspaper headlines tout prosperity and development, Lane can’t get past the emptiness in her soul after the adrenaline rush of working for the Office of Strategic Services during the war.

Longview, Texas, is changing—from LeTourneau Incorporated bringing big manufacturing to the construction of Lake Cherokee and even the massively celebrated Gregg County Diamond Jubilee and the return of the popular Founder’s Day parade. So when an unexpected interview with R.G. LeTourneau appears to give Lane the opportunity to dust off her former OSS skills; she grabs it. To end the vandalism turmoil for LeTourneau, Lane steps out as a private investigator and encounters more than one death befalling families with secrets to hide.

With the clock ticking, Lane grows increasingly unconvinced she has the know-how to discover the truth or make peace with the sheriff who questions her every step. Time and pressure work against her in unraveling the mystery and restoring the good name of those who learned too late that they were innocent. Thankfully, in the course of the investigation, she discovers an unlikely ensemble of residents she can rely on, even when the future looks grim.

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Review

This novel provides a rich history of Longview, Texas, with nods to the movers and shakers of the time in this little East Texas town.

If you have read either of this author’s historical novels, The Big Inch or Harmon General, you have met Lane Mercer Hayes. But don’t worry, you don’t have to read those to enjoy this book. The author provides information referencing those two novels. A former OSS agent, she is now married and runs a bookshop. However, that doesn’t mean she is out of the agent business, at least not on a lower level in Longview. But, as was the culture at the time, she wasn’t taken seriously as a potential private investigator. She does not let that stop her, and is blessed with a husband who supports her, at least most of the time!

The author does a beautiful job of weaving in historical figures into the story, from Lyndon B. Johnson to R.G. Letourneau and other local citizens. Having lived in Longview, the names are very familiar, from street names to the local college. I know the author conducted extensive research to ensure the background was as accurate as possible.

There are numerous characters, but they were not hard to keep straight in my head. They added depth to the story, and I got a kick out of Aunt Edith, who is hired as a society columnist. However, that position gives Lane some advantages while sniffing out clues regarding the vandalism at the airport. Other mysteries come to light that tie into this scenario, and the details all fall into place by the end.

Lane and Zeke, while sometimes butt heads, I enjoyed watching their relationship continue to grow in love and respect for one another. I think Lane has a hard time being honest with him about everything, but that could be her OSS training. However, they have been married for five years, so that should give her some comfort in telling him everything, or mostly!

This is another winner of a book, and I can’t wait to find out what Lane will uncover in the next novel, as well as learn more history about this town. I may have lived here, but that doesn’t mean I know all of the historical background. This has been an educational journey, as well as entertainment.

We give this book 5 paws up.

About the Author

Kimberly Fish has been in the writing industry for over 30 years. An amateur historian and fan of cozy mysteries, she weaves history and mystery into her stories of women finding their grit and sweet second chances.

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