This third novel by Patricia Raybon proved a powerful conclusion to the Annalee Spain mystery series! Raybon never fails to grip me with her stellar wordcraft and full-of-life characters, as her first lines stun me every time with their pure art. But this one both hit harder than the first books in many ways, and feels very suited for our times.

Young black female detective and Bible scholar Annalee Spain continues to develop her detective business in 1920s, Klan run Denver, along with her romance with Pastor Jack Blake. But when a pretty stranger shows up dead at a garden party, Annalee must not only dig for the truth to find justice for the unknown girl, but be willing to face other truths in her own life.

Truth Be Told tells the truth itself in many ways, ugly but real truths of history, confronting the horror of lynchings in Alabama and a brutal, corrupt police force in Denver. It is not a story for the faint of heart, but neither is much of American history. Yet, as we are seeing even today, we must be willing to face and reckon with the truth of it, if we are ever to truly move forward together.

At the same time, Patricia graciously relieves the heavy parts of this novel with light: flower gardens bloom throughout the pages, a carnival sparkles, childrens soft hearts put adults to shame, and a solid core of faithful church ladies support Annalee through the toughest times. How I love Mrs. Stallworth and Mrs. Cunningham! And Eddie Brown, the white orphan boy who stubbornly sticks with Annalee and Jack. Like any good series, it is the lovable cast of characters that keeps me coming back. The cameo appearance by George Washington Carver came as such a gentle breath of fresh air too!

I greatly look forward to more novels from Patricia Raybon. She is one of the authors I recommend most often!

This is another fascinating mystery featuring Annalee Spain. A young, unknown black woman is found dead in the garden shed during a party at the home of a wealthy man in Five Points. Annalee vows to find the killer. There are strange things going on at the local seminary, the dead woman had a secret admirer who sent her loads of beautiful flowers, a black carnival is in town run by an old army buddy of Jack's, and how in the world are all these things connected? Jack helps her when he can but he's busy with the building of the church and his house after they were burned. Eddie wants to help more than is safe. I so enjoy these characters and her "church lady" friends who also support Annalee and help keep her safe. Though the mystery is entertaining, there are also the sad realities of racial injustice. I appreciate the author's dedication to historical accuracy. I also enjoy her writing style: "The woman's high-heeled pumps clicked with defiance against a black-and-white marble floor." I don't know if there will be more Annalee Spain novels but I hope so. This is an excellent mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

This is the third in the Annalee Spain Mystery series, and I have read the other other two. You could easily start with this one. But you'll also want to go back and read the first two because they're all great, as "Raybon writes at the daring intersection of faith and race."

The murder mysteries feature Annalee Spain, a young Black woman in the racially hostile environment of 1920s Denver, CO. She tries to fight crime and solve murdres "because victims deserve it." She feels responsible to expose "misadventures so wronged people wouldn't be simply dead and gone, and then forgotten."

In addition to a variety of expressive characters that help to create the circumstances with realistic emotions, award-winning author Raybon delivers a well-researched historical setting that made me feel I was right in the middle of 1920s Denver. The racial tension reminded me of "The Invention of Wings" and "The Help," even though all three novels take place in different time periods.

In this novel each chpater begins with a quote from Sherlock Holmes, Annalee's role model. And the themes of flowers and missing mothers are woven into the story along with secrets, romance, and lies. One aspect that takes this mystery a notch above is the theme of faith. Many of the characters have an authentic spiritual belief that brings a satisfying depth to the story.

This was a real page-turner for me, and I was sorry when the story came to an end. I'm looking forward to Annalee's next adventure.

It is no secret that I love historical books and suspense stories, too. This is the perfect blend that satisfies my mystery loving heart.

In this well-crafted book, Annalee Spain is savvy and smart but humble and full of faith. This story set, in 1924 Denver, Colorado, is full of the cultural mix of black and white and the clashes and harmony that occurred.

I love the quotes by Shelock Holmes at the beginning of each chapter. I love that Annalee is a Professor of Theology and is well read in literature, too. And I love that she sees her calling as a detective in order to help the ones who have no voice. Annalee seeks the will of God and knows He has the answers. Hard things may come her way but she has loyal friends from all walks of life. She treats all people with respect. She has the support of a pretty nice pastor boyfriend, too!

This is a fantastic story that takes a look at what life was like in 1924 Denver. Hope there are more stories in this series.

* I received a complimentary copy of this book from Tyndale via NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.* .

Truth Be Told" by Patricia Raybon is a gripping murder mystery set in 1920s Colorado, featuring Annalee Spain, an African American amateur detective. When a young woman is discovered murdered in an unlikely location, Annalee becomes entangled in the investigation, driven by her insatiable curiosity and sense of justice. Raybon skillfully blends elements of mystery, romance, inspiration, and historical commentary, weaving a compelling narrative that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. With rich descriptions that evoke the sights and sounds of the era, Raybon transports readers to the setting of 1920s Colorado, immersing them in a world filled with secrets, complexities, and unexpected twists.

Throughout the novel, Raybon's storytelling prowess shines, delivering a satisfying conclusion while leaving readers eager for more. "Truth Be Told" is a testament to Raybon's ability to craft compelling characters and intricate plots that captivate and entertain. Whether you're a fan of murder mysteries or simply enjoy a well-crafted tale filled with intrigue and heart, this novel is sure to leave a lasting impression. And if you haven't yet experienced the first two books in the series, prepare to be hooked from the very first page.