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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Kerry Carr

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an engaging Suspense mystery that keeps you gripped and guessing throughout the story. The twists and turns means you can’t figure out what is going to happen which kept me reading more as I wanted to find out the answers.
Karina Walker has had her life turned upside down when her grandmother passes away leaving her to run the cafe her grandmother has made a success but that’s not all. Her grandmother tells her she needs to read her journal. Karina struggles to carry on her grandmother’s work but when the journal is found by customers and then suddenly goes missing Karina goes on the hunt to find who has taken it and why.
The list of suspects keeps growing and as she searches hidden secrets and rumours start to come to life.
Can she work through her families past to succeed in her future? What secrets does the journal hold that someone obviously wants? And will the secrets when revealed turn Karina life upside down anymore than it already is?
This story is an engaging mystery and a page turning read. I felt in parts sorry for Karina as she gives up everything she knows to fulfill her grandmothers final wish and now she has to struggle with the secrets that come to light as well as coming to terms with all that she has lost.

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Beverly Finnie

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love this author! I also love that all the books in this series are intertwined in a way it works magically. Also all the books work extremely well as standalone novels, which is a nice change of pace vs other books that don’t. Secrets at the Cafe are no different.
It’s another drama that sucks you in and keeps you wanting more. Tell that to the main character Karina, she hightailed it home when her grandma was fighting for her life. Now with her gran gone she’s running herself ragged. Causing her to confuse people, needing to help all others around her gets her in trouble.
So when gran’s notes and knick nak’s started to disappear, Katrina was determined to find them at all costs. But as things start to unravel, is it now time for her to stop or push forward for the answers she seeks?
I know I’ve said this before but I’ll say it again. This is probably my favorite book to date. Each book seems to get better and better! An author worth digging into! A story definitely worth the read! Enjoy!

@placexba
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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Kimberly Filer

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A promise to keep the cafe running, a missing journal, a secret sibling that she never knew existed. Lies that she grew up believe as truth. Karina, has just had her world turned upside down with the death of her Grandmother, the one who raised her after her parents died in a car accident when she was young. Only that’s not cut and dry as Karina has believed her whole life. With the death of her grandmother, she promises to keep the cafe running her grandmothers dying wish. Karina leaves behind her job, her dreams and her life to move back to where she grew up and take over the cafe. Her grandmother on her death bed told Karina to read her journal and everything will make sense, only the journal has gone missing. In this mystery Karina must find out who took the journal to unlock all the secrets of Karina’s past. A can’t put down mystery that’s so relatable you can picture yourself sitting in the cafe drinking coffee and eating scones with the characters.

Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Michelle Troyer

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Secrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense about Family and FriendshipSecrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Karina’s grandmother’s diary disappears. Now she is on a hunt to find it and fulfill her grandmother’s wish for her to read it and solve the mystery. Easy read and good book.

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Angela Hayes

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

4 Stars

 

Secrets At the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram proved to be a tense and engrossing mystery. It is also my favourite of all Ms. Specht Oram’s books so far. This story weaves a complex tale with plenty to keep you avidly reading.
It’s a mystery, with a bit of a domestic suspense element, twists, drama, puzzling developments, a missing journal, an unexpected stash, discovery, rumours, buried secrets, colourful + quirky characters, surprises, family, tension, quirky characters, promises, and a small-town setting. I really enjoyed this book- I just wish the ending didn’t feel so rushed, as that did detract slightly from the rest of the story.
Karina’s never expected her promise to her grandmother would lead her on a tense investigation- untangling long-buried secrets, and putting together a puzzle in order to get to the bottom of things turns into quite a journey of discovery. Things aren’t exactly as they seem. With a missing journal, a promise to fulfil, and secrets at every turn won’t make this an easy quest for Karina- but she’s determined to do right by her grandmother. And so the intrigue begins….
A well-woven, creative, and tense read by Ms. Specht Oram. Looking forward to seeing whatever she does next.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Susan Specht Oram!

 

Reviewed by @angelahayes

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Julie Johnson

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4.5 stars

Another great read by Susan Specht Oram! This one kept me very intrigued as the journal in question was discovered missing right from the start. It was up to Karina to figure out where the journal was and to save her inheritance.

A very riveting read that will have you guessing until the end! I love this author’s writing style and how she portrays the story. I highly recommend this read, as well as all of the author’s other works!

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Lorralei Hoerner

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Fast paced story that is full of suspense, deep secrets and there is a suspect in every corner. I really love this authors book and this story is no exception.

Karina is back in Millersville, Oregon after making a promise to her dying grandmother to take over her beloved cafe. Not only did Gigi leave a cafe for Karina to take over but she also left a diary with secrets to reveal…but when the diary goes missing before Karina is able to read the diary…there is suspects at every turn. Who would take the diary..and is it for their own personal use?

I do not want to give any spoilers but this was a great read. I loved trying to figure out who the culprit would be in taking the diary…..and just when you think you have it figured out…… and the secrets!! Great read and highly recommended.

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Paula R Sayers

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Karina promises her grandmother that she will take over running her cafe when she dies. Karina discovers her grandmothers journal only for it to disappear. She must solve the mystery of who took it and why. Karina wants the journal so that she will know Gigi better and to learn some answers to secrets that seem to be popping up.

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Jennifer Crain

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“Secrets at the Cafe” by Susan Specht Oram is a captivating mystery with an intriguing plot centered around a missing journal. The story follows the main character, Karina, as she sets out on a thrilling adventure to uncover the truth behind the journal’s disappearance.

From the very beginning, Oram grabs the reader’s attention with her vivid descriptions and well-developed characters. Karina is a relatable and determined protagonist who will stop at nothing to solve the mystery. Her journey takes her to different places and introduces her to a variety of fascinating individuals who may hold the key to solving the puzzle.

One of the standout aspects of this novel is Oram’s ability to create a rich and immersive atmosphere. The cafe itself is described in such detail that readers will feel as if they are sitting at one of the tables, sipping a hot cup of coffee. The author’s attention to detail enhances the mystery, making it even more engrossing.

Throughout the book, the pacing remains steady, keeping readers engaged as they try to piece together the clues alongside Karina. The plot twists and turns, keeping you guessing until the very end. Oram skillfully manages to maintain suspense and build tension, creating a sense of urgency that propels the story forward.

Additionally, Oram’s writing style is clear and concise, allowing the story to flow smoothly. The dialogue is realistic and adds depth to the characters, making them feel like real people. The author also does an excellent job of intertwining the present-day narrative with flashbacks and snippets from the missing journal, providing insight into the story’s secrets and adding layers of intrigue.

However, one slight drawback of the novel is the resolution felt somewhat rushed. After an intense buildup, the conclusion comes together quite swiftly, leaving readers craving more closure. While this doesn’t detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the book, it could have been more satisfying with a slower-paced resolution.

In conclusion, “Secrets at the Cafe” is a captivating mystery with a well-crafted plot, unforgettable characters, and a beautifully depicted setting. Susan Specht Oram weaves a tale filled with secrets, twists, and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Despite a slightly rushed conclusion, this novel is a gripping read that mystery enthusiasts will thoroughly enjoy.

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@bookworm1909

Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Ashley Sugar

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Full of twists and mysteries and I loved the entire thing. From the first till the last page, I was sucked right in. The characters were great! I absolutely loved Karina! She’s amazing and very determined! The title and cover is what drew me in from the start and the story didn’t disappoint me at all! Enjoyable read.

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Jennifer Gordon

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A gripping novel about family and friendship which kept me hooked throughout. Having rushed to her dying grandmother’s bedside, Karina Walker agrees to move home and take over the old café. The grieving Karina also promises to read a journal but is shocked when the red book disappears. She teams up with her cousin to make a list of suspects, fearing that someone overheard her mention a hidden stash of money. Karina is determined to track down her inheritance but the town is full of rumours, and when she discovers a buried secret it could change things forever. Karina wants to build a new future for herself but must confront her family’s past first. This was a real page turner and I literally could not put the book down. The intriguing storyline and unpredictable plot twists kept me guessing until the last page, whilst the suspense definitely built chapter by chapter. I loved the main character Karina as she was a very independent and determined heroine. This was an entertaining and engaging read and one which I definitely recommend.

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Kerry Baker

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This author has produced another well written and interesting cozy mystery story that I have enjoyed from start to finish. I loved the character in this book. she was strong, determined and a pleasure to read. It was lovely to see her develop as the book progressed.
The story was entertaining. I wanted to figure out the mystery of the missing notebook and loved watching how it all unfolded. The author has a wonderful writing style that pulls readers in with ease. I would highly recommend this book and her work overall.

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Shelly Kittell

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh my, I loved this story. The author set it up so well. The journal disappeared right at the beginning. A cast of characters are suspect. Her cousin’s boyfriend is her ex=boyfriend. I literally couldn’t put this one down. I had to know what was coming next. I loved how this story kept you in suspense and had several mysteries going at once. This author is one of my favorites for her style of writing. She has an excellent way of setting up suspense novels.

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Jenni Bishop

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Secrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense about Family and FriendshipSecrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Secrets at the Cafe is another interesting and engaging Women’s fiction suspense tale from Susan. What I like about her writing is the intriguing premises she comes up with each story.
The eclectic cast of characters are engaging, well developed and fully realised and it’s hard not to like them and become invested in them. Some of them did make me laugh. We meet up with characters from previous books.
With tensions running high Karina will stop at nothing to fulfill the deathbed promise she made to her grandmother. Now she just has to solve the mystery of who wants and why they took Gigi’s missing diary. What are they hiding? What will they do to hide these secrets?
I read it in one day the pages flying by as I was completely immersed in the story that is so easy to get lost in and having to know how it ended.
Once again Susans vivid narrative helps the story along as she cleverly weaves together a web of secrets in this mystery.
With secrets, family, rumours, upheaval, death, grief, suspects, drama, suspense and so much more there is something for everyone wo enjoys a good mystery.
Follow along in this heartfelt tale as Karina and troops unravels a world of secrets and mysteries that have been long buried in this tumultuous twisty journey.

 

Reviewed by @jennadb

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Bobbi Wagner

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites. This is a suspenseful story about family, friendship, a deathbed promise and a missing diary. A story full of drama and twists and turns that will leave you sitting on the edge of your seat. A fast paced and well written story that is hard to put down. I enjoyed how the characters pulled me into their world. They kept the story engaging and turning pages fast. They are connectable and add so much to the story. This is an easy story to read as well as entertaining. There is great growth to the story which just added to the plot suspense. I really enjoyed this story and I highly recommend it.

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Review by @bjwagner

Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram

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📖 ~ 🔪 ~ 📙 ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE 📖 ~ 🔪 ~ 📙 ~

Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram

Amazon – https://amzn.to/3M8BmuV

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Hosted by Itsy Bitsy Book Bits

Genre – Suspense, Women’s Fiction

Page Count – 234

Goodreads – Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship

Bookbub – Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship


A deathbed promise. A missing diary. Can she find her loved one’s message and fulfill a last wish?

Karina Walker is juggling with unexpected upheaval. Rushing to her dying grandmother’s side, the grieving twenty-four-year-old agrees to move home, take over the old café, and read a journal left behind. But she’s shocked to her core when the little red book disappears from view the moment she turns her back.

Building a list of suspects who may have overheard mention of a hidden stash of money, Karina teams up with her cousin and a former teacher to track down her inheritance. And while rumors run rampant around town, she discovers a buried secret that could change her forever…

Can Karina confront her family’s past and build herself a new future?

Secrets at the Cafe is an unforgettable, page-turning domestic suspense. If you like determined heroines, dizzying plot twists, and breathtaking dramas, then you’ll adore Susan Specht Oram’s riveting read.

Buy Secrets at the Cafe today to untangle a puzzle that will pull you through the pages!

~ AMAZON ~




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Author Interview with Susan Specht Oram

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