The Keys to Gramercy Park (Doors to the Past Book 12) 

256 pages Barbour publisher May 01, 2023 publish date grab a copy here

ABOUT THE BOOK

Secrets Sealed Within a Wall Come to Light in Lower Manhattan
 
Walk through Doors to the Past via a new series of historical stories of romance and adventure.

Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.
 
Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy’s passion, despite his family’s real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for New York governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family’s reputation.
 
Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson lost everything—his house, his wife, his standing in society. In his darkest moment, he’s awarded a position with the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems. Secrets are meant to be kept, and Franklin will take his to his grave.

MY THOUGHTS

The author’s writing style is original for Christian fiction. It is realistic, gritty and raw. It is not the same story we see recycled over and over with just different names for the characters. Life is not all happiness and light, even for Christians and this story reflects that.

This is a dual timeline, and I could not make the connection at first. There’s always that ah moment when the connection between the two storylines is made evident and I like that.

There is a mystery to solve in the modern story. Now truth be told I did not really make a connection with the modern times in this story or particularly like the characters.
The historical aspect is what grabbed my attention and kept me reading. There are two villains in the story, one is out of the picture quite early on. I think the thing that fascinates us while reading about villains is we wonder how people can actually be so evil and uncaring. Some can be reformed; some it is too late for. I do believe this is a perfect example of dark and light and the author shares the modern storyline, so we do have light in the story as well.

Taking place is Manhattan, I enjoyed the setting and learning about Gramercy Park, a locked park needing a key for entrance, which I had never heard of until my reading of this book.

My favorite character is Cora, the connection between the two time periods. So well written, I was up past midnight finishing this one.

Published May 1, 2023.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

THE AUTHOR

Candice Sue Patterson studied at The Institute of Children’s Literature and is an elementary librarian. She lives in Indiana with her husband and three sons in a restored farmhouse overtaken by books. When she’s not tending to her chickens, snuggling with her Great Pyrenees, or helping children discover books they love, she’s working on a new story. Candice writes Modern Vintage Romance–where the past and present collide with faith. For more on Candice and her books, visit http://www.candicesuepatterson.com.

Have you read any of the books in the Doors to the Past series, of which this is a part of? I still have a few left to read.