Written in Secret

The Art of Love and Danger, Book 1

"What a cracking start to a new series! I always enjoy sneaking a peek behind the curtain of a writer's life, and this tale of authorly misadventure between the Killer Queen of Romance and an upright police detective has something for everyone. Definitely worth diving into!"—Carolyn Miller, best-selling author of the Regency Brides and Regency Wallflowers series

What happens when fiction becomes reality?

In the corruption-infested Queen City, danger lurks in every shadow, but Lydia Pelton refuses to stay silent. She writes under a pseudonym, E. A. Dupin, crafting crime novels to exact justice and right the wrongs she sees in society. When a serial killer decides to be the sword to her pen, Lydia is confronted with the consequences of her words. Four men are dead, and the city blames her.

With murders on the rise, Officer Abraham Hall's only lead is Lydia's fiction, and he is thrust into an investigation with the "Killer Queen of Romance." Despite his misgivings about the woman, he realizes that even with his reputation for catching elusive criminals, he needs her help. But his unexpected attraction to Lydia proves as difficult to manage as the woman herself.

As the mystery unfolds, Abraham and Lydia race to rewrite the ending, not only for Cincinnati's citizens, but for their own hearts too.

"Danger, mystery, hidden identities, villains, heroes, and gallantry! Everything you would expect in a dime novel, but better!"—Erica Vetsch, author of the Of Cloaks & Daggers series

©2025 Crystal Caudill (P)2025 Recorded Books

Clean, Funny Romance w/ Mystery, Adventure & Faith

I listened to the audiobook and what a delightful story! I enjoyed the humor & wit, alongside the the evidence of faith woven through the story in the main characters' conviction, repentance, and growth in their relationships with God and each other. Libby McKnight was an excellent choice for the narrator of this book with great pacing and distinct voices that really immerse the reader into the adventure and emotions of the friends & families, heroes & villains. I hope she'll return to narrate the next books in this series too.