Welcome to the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour for The Study of Secrets by Cynthia Kuhn. Stop by each blog on the tour for interviews, spotlights, reviews and more!
The Study of Secrets (A Lila Maclean Academic Mystery)
by Cynthia Kuhn
I received this book free to review; however, all opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive compensation at no cost to you.
The Study of Secrets (A Lila Maclean Academic Mystery)
Cozy Mystery/Amateur Sleuths
5th in Series
Publisher: Henery Press (May 26, 2020)
Hardcover: 242 pages
There could be nowhere more fitting for English professor Lila Maclean to spend her sabbatical than in a proper Victorian mansion. The whimsical Callahan House seems to have materialized from the pages of the mystery novels she is researching, with its enchanting towers, cozy nooks, and charming library. Unfortunately, it also features a body in the study.
Residents of Larkston have long believed that the Callahan family is cursed—the murder on the estate sets the town buzzing. Wild rumors are fueled by a gossipy blogger who delights in speculation, and further crimes only intensify the whispers and suspicions. A newly discovered manuscript, however, appears to expose startling facts beneath the fictions. When Lila steps in to sort the truth from the lies, it may cost her everything, as someone wants to make dead certain that their secrets stay hidden.
My review of The Study of Secrets
When I start reading a series several books in, it often takes me a while to get into the book since I don’t know the characters. However, thanks to the author’s brilliant storytelling, that wasn’t the case here.
Right away, we discover that Professor Lila Maclean is on sabbatical. Furthermore, she is working on an academic paper on the works of mystery writer Isabella Dare who wrote her last novel decades ago. The author is relatively unknown by most, but Lila hopes to change that. Thanks to a very reliable source, she just may. In fact, Lila is staying with Isabella Dare herself! However, Lila is one of the few who know the real Isabella is in truth a woman named Bibi Callahan. Bibi’s close friends don’t even know! They find out when Lila unearths a secret in the study and accidentally let’s it slip that Isabella Dare wrote four books. Only three are known to exist. This slip awakens old secrets and leads to murder, treachery and lies.
The Study of Secrets is well-written, and the mystery(ies) kept me engrossed the entire book. Cynthia Kuhn writes in the style I most love to read. She doesn’t overuse dialogue, and when she uses it, it flows naturally. The entertaining characters and suspenseful plot make for a real page-turner. I love how Kuhn gives us just enough description of the setting and the characters. While some sections are beautifully detailed, like the Christmas decorating scene, others leave room for our imaginations to take over.
The Study of Secrets will leave you smiling and ready for the next book. I know I am!
Get the other books in the series
About Cynthia Kuhn
Cynthia Kuhn writes the Lila Maclean Academic Mysteries: The Semester of Our Discontent, The Art of Vanishing, The Spirit in Question, The Subject of Malice, and The Study of Secrets. Honors for the series include an Agatha Award for best first novel and Lefty Award nominations for best humorous mystery. For more information, please visit cynthiakuhn.net.
Author Links
Website: cynthiakuhn.net
Twitter: @cynthiakuhn
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cynthiakuhnwriter
Bookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/cynthia-kuhn
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/cynthiakuhn
Blog: chicksonthecase.com
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/2MPiEMh
Purchase Links – Amazon – Nook – B&N Paperback
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TOUR PARTICIPANTS
May 25
eBook Addicts – SPOTLIGHT
May 26
Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW
May 27
Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
May 28
Ascroft, eh? – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
May 29
Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
May 30
I’m Into Books – SPOTLIGHT
May 31
Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW
June 1
Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW
Baroness’ Book Trove – REVIEW
June 2
Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT
June 3
Here’s How It Happened – REVIEW
June 4
Jane Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST
MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
June 5
fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT
June 6
Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
June 7
Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT
Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW
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Looks like an interesting book.
Thanks for the contest.
Thank you for your review on “The Study of Secrets” by Cynthia Kuhn and for being part of the book tour.
I’d love the opportunity to read this book. Great cover!
It looks like a good read.
Thanks for the chance to win!
Hi Christy: Thank you so much for reading and for writing this lovely review–I’m thrilled that you enjoyed the book!
Thank you for stopping by!
I’ve never read a mystery that had a college theme.. This sounds unique, but awesome!!
I love a good mystery! And you make this sound like a good one to read.
This looks like a great book!
I would love to read this book!
I would like to read the whole series. Sounds great!
Love the book cover
This sounds really good.
Looks like an awesome book! I’ll enjoy reading it.
This book looks very interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Looks like a neat book, good review!
Thanks!