"The Case of the Secretive Secretary" By Cathy Ace: Review/Giveaway

Review by Cynthia Chow 

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a signed copy of the book and a link to purchase it.

Henry Devereaux Twyst never expected to assume the duties of being the 18th Duke of Chellingworth, as being the second son he should have been free to pursue the life of an artist without care or responsibilities. His older brother’s death meant that he now must sit on committees over the town his family now owns, including the rather tedious Anwyn-by-Wye Revitalization Committee to promote local new businesses. Even though the Duke would much rather paint watercolors while doing his best to not also cover his adored new son with blue ink, Henry’s first meeting for plans to renovate the old school go surprisingly well. A bit bumpier will be the battle of cooks within his household, but that’s something he will need to address later.  Meanwhile, his mother, the Dowager Althea, is far more enthusiastic about her new adventure, which is going undercover as an ad hoc member of the WISE Enquiries Agency.

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Image Source Four Tails Publishing

The four Welsh, Irish, Scottish, and English women of the detective agency, ranging from being in their 20s to 60s, have proved themselves to be admirably competent and successive investigators. While their latest Case of the Roaming Gnome – a garden gnome that has gone missing – is not exactly taking down a crime syndicate, their titular case has them investigating the strange events happening at The Lavender Hotel in a small town just north of Tenby. Francis Millington, a former coworker of WISE agent Mavis MacDonald, is now the personal secretary of the owner of the hotel and she believes that a series of accidents and incidents are actually acts of sabotage. Unfortunately, Mavis and Althea arrive too late, and now the two women find themselves in the midst of a murder investigation. 

This 10th of the series continues to skillfully follow each of the four WISE women as they conduct their own separate cases while navigating their increasingly complex personal lives. Christine Wilson-Smythe hesitantly reveals her pregnancy, which is not exactly a surprise to any of them considering that they are detectives, after all. But their bonds have them supporting one another as they face these new challenges, battling them with humor as much as with supportive love. While Henry Twyst continues to be the rather overwhelmed and baffled young Duke and father, his occasionally exasperated but always loving wife continues to prove herself to be a brilliant promoter and businesswoman as she oversees the town. It’s so refreshing to see the friendships between these very different women, especially as they delve into fascinating and often very fun mysteries. 

 The new characters they meet as suspects and co-conspirators are a delight, each one fully filled out and feeling as real as the original WISE women. This is another winning entry in a series that always delivers witty dialogue, wonderful characters, and wry and very dry humor.

To enter to win a signed copy of The Case of the Secretive Secretary, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "secretary,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen September 28, 2024. US & Canadian residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! 

You can click here to purchase this book.

Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

 Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.