Mapleton, Colorado’s police chief, Gordon Hepler, would rather be on the streets than behind a desk dealing with budgets and the town council, but he promised his late mentor he’d accept the position. And to Gordon, a promise is a promise, even if the person you made it to isn’t around anymore. However, doubts creep in, and he wonders if he was shoved into the job because his mentor thought he … couldn’t cut it on the streets.
Everything changes when a fatal traffic accident well outside Mapleton seems connected to elderly Rose and Sam Kretzer, two of Mapleton’s most beloved citizens. The arrival of Megan, the Kretzer’s grown ward, and Justin, their grandson add to his troubles when Megan is mugged. In addition, Justin is renovating his grandparents’ house despite their objections, and then someone breaks in and the house is ransacked. When Gordon ties the car accident to a grisly murder in Mapleton—the first anyone in town can remember—he’s afraid he’s into more than he bargained for.
His fears are realized when his investigation seems to link the Kretzers to a Nazi war criminal. Can he work with the big-city detective brought in to assist? Will he be able to solve the crime without revealing the secrets of his citizens?
DEADLY SECRETS revolves around a secret journal kept by a Nazi during WWII, and the lengths people will go to protect those they love. Set in a small Colorado community, Deadly Secrets deals with people trying to do what they think is right while protecting those they love.
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Good story. It got a little confusing at times, but lots of good twists. The characters were a bit lacking in depth. It was hard to sympathize. I couldn’t llose myself in this book.
Awesome book
I have found I really like the characters of Mapleton. I have read several of these books and like the plots and the setting that is created. Easy to read at one sitting.
Excellent story.
Good cop story, l liked it.
loved it.
An original mystery.
Interesting read
Judgement is easy for many people nearly a century after the Shoah.
I spent time in Germany near the end of the 20th century, and the ripples were still felt in small villages and towns. Few men of a certain age, women in their forties and fifties with limited formal education because certain schools had never been re-built in rural areas and resources not wasted to send them further away for more schooling when survival was paramount. Keeping food growing, farms running, making enough to pay or trade to eat.
I saw the pain and confusion of grandparents who were children at the time of the second world war – and felt their pain when grandchildren called them collaborators and cut off ties or communication.
I remember one heartbroken grandpapa saying that they were children, many with no fathers at home, dead or gone to war. they had meetings, they gave us food, so we went to meetings. He was speaking of the HJ, the Hitler Youth. A disturbing and clever practice – feed the hungry, offer direction to those with limited guidance, you feed the heart, the loyalty, and the mind.
Terry Odell captures the mixed later responses of families to the awful fragments left behind after this terrible war. Families seeking vengeance. Others seeking fame. Some hiding shame. Some other secrets.
Greed and shame are a lethal cocktail. Perhaps straightforward inquiries would have yielded less deadly and more useful results for the information and items sought in this tense adventure.
One character affirms the awfulness, but the facts remain the facts, and for him do not change who he is. He will mourn, and then he will celebrate the Passover feast, as it is now time for that.
Mourn for the dead, praise for the lives of those that were spared, and life moves on for those who are left living.
A powerful testimonial to strong emotions and peoples.
Characters were of proper depth making for a grasping edge to the story. I like the unpredictability of locations and people. Enjoyed going back and rereading the last few chapters. Great writing.
Deadly Secrets was a fun book to read. I always find it enjoyable to read books from my own state. The plot was interesting making this book a real page turner.
Unexpected twists and turns to the plot! Hard to put down. Couldn’t wait to see the final twist!
One of the best I’ve read in a while.
This was a very enjoyable book for me. The plot twists kept it exciting.
A good read. Realistic characters, good story.
I thought this book read like a P.D. James.
It must be hard for a female writer to write from a male point of view but it is well done in this book.
I like crime mysteries and will read her other books.
Couldn’t put this book down. Will follow this author.
A great book to start a series
Very real characters, coming from a small town, I know most of these people!
You can find out so much in the “local coffee shop – diner”.
Enjoyed it very much