IN THE COMPANY OF SECRETS

Author: Judith Miller ISBN: 0764202766 4/2007 HISTORICAL/INSPIRATIONAL Publisher: BETHANY HOUSE
Time Period: 1892, London and Pullman, Illinois

The truth could cost her everything.... Olivia Mott didn't intend to lie. Somehow, it just happened. And wasn't it all Lady Charlotte's fault anyway? Now Olivia's position as assistant chef at Pullman's elegant Hotel Florence is dependant upon her keeping her secrets. And sometimes lies have a way of leading to other lies. Should Olivia admit her real past and accept the consequences or keep quiet in order to preserve her comfortable new circumstances? Deception seems to be part of everyday life in the company town of Pullman, Illinois, where the grand Pullman Palace Car is manufactured. Samuel Howard, Olivia's friend and the town manager, seems to think everything is fine, but Olivia observes something quite different. Could it be that Olivia is not the only one harboring secrets?

RRAH's THOUGHTS AND PONDERINGS:

This book kept me enthralled from the first words. I loved the way this author told her story, placing layer upon layer of detail and character development on the pages. Before too long, she had woven a delightful tale.

IN THE COMPANY OF SECRETS begins with one small lie, one that wasn't deliberate or plotted. Like so many things in life, it just happened. And once the lie was told, Olivia was committed to keeping it. When she accompanies Lady Charlotte from England to America, a new world opens up for Olivia—one that necessitates her keeping the original secret, and then, all that follow.

Despite her initial misdeed, Olivia is a good-hearted, caring character, who is selfless and open to placing the needs of others above her own. Ms. Miller has a talent for writing strong characters, each one unique and with their own voice. I think that is one of the strongest parts of this book, the way the characters are so well written.

I very much enjoyed reading this book, especially when a romance begins for Olivia. I wondered how she would deal with her original lie when it really counted most. She didn't disappoint me. IN THE COMPANY OF SECRETS is well written and highly entertaining.

Kay James