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

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

Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram is a great women’s fiction novel

Karina Walker is managing unforeseen disruptions. The sad twenty-four-year-old decides to return back home, take over the former café, and read a notebook that was left behind after racing to her dying grandmother’s bedside. But as soon as she turns around, the little red book vanishes from her line of sight, leaving her completely stunned.Karina works with her cousin and a former teacher to compile a list of potential suspects who might have heard rumors of a secret money cache in order to locate her inheritance. She also unearths a long-kept secret that has the power to permanently alter her, despite the town being overrun with tales.

Every page had you hanging on every sentence and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. It is a very unique story with even compelling people. The story transports you into this world. I couldn’t put the book down

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

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

Engaging suspense
Secrets at the Cafe is an intriguing mystery read with interesting characters and suspenseful writing. Karina has been thrust into a life not of her choosing. Her grandmother’s dying wish was for her to take over her cafe. This one decision leads to an unpredictable adventure with a missing journal and a possible treasure hunt. This author always knows how to deliver a multilayered story with a captivating narrative and vivid imagery. Recommend.

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

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

Although they are not a series, this is another story that takes place in Millersville and I’m staring to wonder if this town is cursed. This time around Karina is back home running her grandmother’s (Gigi) Cafe after her death. Karina soon finds that she has a mystery when Gigi’s diary goes missing. The book provides strong character development as the list of subjects is created and the reader gers to learn about each character that may have taken the diary. The resolution was quick and finalized in a single short chapter; so it felt a little rushed. Ultimately, this is a fast read that will keep you wanting more.

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Secrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Carla Clemmons

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

I have just recently started to really enjoy this type of genre! This author did not disappoint with this thriller. I really enjoy the writing style as this is the second book of hers I have read. They have a way of keeping you interested without being overly descriptive. Karina is not completely sure of who she can trust and keeps running into dead ends as she searches for her grandmother’s diary. Along with the cafe it was left to her when her grandmother passed and Karina was told to read it and take care of the cafe as her grandmother’s dying wish. So when the diary goes missing it becomes a frantic search to find out who took it and why. Is there more in the diary than just her grandmother’s thoughts? With lots of twists in the story and secrets being revealed this book will definitely keep you interested!

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

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

Karina is struggling with her life at the moment. She’s attempting to run her grandmother’s cafe to honor her memory. Keeping up with the day to day responsibilities at the cafe s a lot and she is trying to make her grandmother proud after her unexpected deathbed request. When her unreliable and flaky cousin is more focused on her love life than covering her entire shift, life gets a bit exhausting.

When a mysterious diary is uncovered by a nosey guest and then mysteriously disappears, the mysterious plot thickens.

I really enjoyed how well the author wrote and created the characters in this book. While the characters differ on most fronts, all come across the page as authentic and quite unique.

The dynamic plot has a bit of everything to keep the reader engaged throughout the entire story.

You do not need to be a fan of this genre or author to pick up this book, fall in love with the story and become an instant fan of both.

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

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

I have read many books by this author, and I believe that this is my favorite so far! I sat down to read this book on a whim and finished it all at once – sorry for all the responsibilities I otherwise neglected! We get to experience life with 24-year-old Karina who loses her grandmother that raised her. It’s heart wrenching and emotional on every level as Karina herself starts to think she’s going crazy. Once someone steals her grandmother’s diary, she knows something bigger is going on. Spinning an incredibly suspenseful tale, this author will throw twists and turns your way on this rollercoaster. I highly recommend picking it up if you’re looking for a quick book to get lost in!

Reviewed by @shannlynn

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

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

Secrets at the Café is a suspenseful mystery with drama, suspense, secrets, lies, rumors, death, loss, grief, and family relationships. The story centers around the character of Karina who has promised her grandmother that she will look after her café after she passes away. This involves Karina moving back to her small hometown and completely upheaving her life, but she loved her grandmother dearly and will do anything to ensure she follows through on the promise she made. Part of the promise Karina made to her grandmother involves reading a journal her grandmother left behind. However, before she has a chance to read it the journal completely disappears. Rumors are circulating around town about a hidden stash of money so everyone is a suspect. With the list of suspects increasing by the moment, Karina has her work cut out for her trying to determine who stole the journal. A tense, action-filled ride, with twists and turns to keep you reading until the final page. The storyline is intriguing, the characters are admirable, and the secrets the missing journal may contain makes for a compelling read. A great read!

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

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

Another amazing read by Susan Specht Oram, she never disappoints! Secrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship is full of secrets (as the title implies) with an interesting plot. This one is a cozy mystery, so nothing too brutal or over the top, but plenty of twists and turns along the way. When Karina’s grandmother passes away, she is left in charge of the family cafe and her journal. When the journal is stolen, Karina has to make sure she gets it back, afterall, it was her grandmother’s dying wish. Now with the unread journal missing, the questions begin to circle in. What is in this journal that is so important, is it a treasure map of sorts? Was it taken for greed or to keep something hidden? Who would want her grandmother’s secrets, or who would want to keep them hidden? So many questions and the only way to answer them is to get the journal back. There was definitely some questionable decisions made. Some distrust and some trust given in places that did not make sense to me, but overall I really liked this story and how it played out.

Reviewed BY @zoltrixes

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship, Susan Specht Oram, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Suspense, Women’s Fiction

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

This was brilliant!!
It follows Karina as she promises her Grandmother on her deathbed that she will move back home and carry on her business for her. Her Grandmother Gigi asks her to read her journal and Karina promises she will but then the journal goes missing. Frantic Karina makes a list of suspects, all who frequently go into the cafe. Karina goes on a journey of self discovery, uncovering secrets Gigi kept from her including a secret lover, a stash of money and a secret sibling! I couldn’t wait to get to the end to see how it all turned out and find out of she finds answers to all her questions and if she actually finds the journal. I couldn’t put it down once I’d started it! Loved it! I’ve read a few of this author’s books and this did not disappoint! Loved it!!

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

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

Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram. This author has quickly become one of my favorites. This is my favorite genre and I loved this story. Its the story of Karina who has promised her grandmother, Gigi that she will run her cafe when she passes. So Karina picks up and moves back home to take over Gigi’s Cafe. When she moves into her Gigi’s home she finds all kinds of secrets about her Gigi. She finds a diary that says there is a substantial amount of money to be found so when she misplaces the diary the whole town is looking for it. While Karina searches the house she finds all kinds of mysterious things. She finds secrets about everyone in town along the way. While trying to find the diary she questions everyone about it. Will she find the diary before the wrong person does? Read this fun mystery to find out!

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

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

This us one of my new favorite authors, and every new book she writes I’m first in line to read it! I enjoy reading her suspenseful novels, and every new story is so much more refreshing than the last. I read this book and my heart broke as Karina faced the death of her grandmother, and the task of taking over her restaurant. The suspenseful events start right away and in a search to find out where this prized journal is located, so many other secrets arise. I would be surprised if one of this authors books doesn’t end up in a movie, the writing is SO VIVID! Thank you again for another masterpiece!

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

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

Susan has so quickly become one of my favorite authors. Honestly I know I’m going to sit down and lose all sense of time and place because she sucks you in so deeply. My heart was racing, palms sweaty more than once reading this one. I cannot get enough of the mystery/look over your shoulder thrillers. The characters she creates captivate your attention and you just feel as if you have been friends for a long time. Read any book by Susan and you won’t be disappointed.

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Secrets at the Cafe: A novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship By Susan Specht Oram – Review by Tabitha montero

Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Karina makes her grandmother a promise on her deathbed to take over the cafe back in her hometown and to read her journal. Coming back home from the city and running the small cafe proves to be harder than Karina thought and she’s struggling to keep up, forget trying to find the journal. One day, a customer snooping around the house finds the journal and it quickly goes missing. Rumors begin to swirl the small town about a hidden treasure and secrets. Karina must find out who took her grandmothers journal, find out family secrets and whether there really is a hidden treasure.
My first book by this author. The writing style was not my favorite but the story line was good.

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

Excellent Read!
Great storyline and characters. This is a fast paced read, that will draw you in to the very end. This story will keep you on your toes and guessing to the end. A very heartwarming story from the beginning to the end. I recommend this to all readers.Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent Read!
Great storyline and characters. This is a fast paced read, that will draw you in to the very end. This story will keep you on your toes and guessing to the end. A very heartwarming story from the beginning to the end. I recommend this to all readers.

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

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

I have loved every book from this author and this one was just as good as the others. I will say you don’t have to read A Mother’s Threat first but it ties into this one so much I would recommend reading it first.

Karina makes a promise to her grandmother as her last wish that she will run the Café. What Karina doesn’t know is that her grandmother has held a secret all these years, several in fact, and will send Karina on a puzzle solving mystery. But will Karina find the answers once the main item comes up missing?

This book is a quick and easy read that will suck you right in and keep you guessing until the end. You will find yourself trying to figure out who the thief is and if Karina will figure out the secret. I love the happy ending this book gives because both Karina and Violet deserve a happy ending.

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

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2VFCLN7BOI039/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6019813783
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/3156614471

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

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 an interesting mystery with an enthralling plot centered around a loved one’s missing journal. Karina, the main character, goes on an adventure to uncover the truth behind her grandmother’s missing journal. The reader can feel the heartache of grief as Karina struggles to come to terms with juggling the cafe her grandma owned and finding the journal. I have read several of this author’s novels and enjoy her writing!

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

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

Karina promised to run her grandmother’s business, Gigi’s Café after she passed away. Unfortunately, one busy day at the café causes Karina to lose Gigi’s diary. The whole town of Millersville is actively looking for the diary due to the potential for a large sum of hidden money. Join Karina to unravel the truth of the missing journal and discover family secrets. I highly recommend reading Secrets at the Café! All the characters are relatable. The book has perfect suspense and great plot twists.

Secrets at the Café by Susan Specht Oram was a wonderful addition to the other stories that take place in Millersville. I loved that she included characters from Shore Lodge and The Thieves. Bets and Zerk make an appearance in the first few pages, they are married and have left their life of crime behind. I absolutely loved the tie ins from the other books she has written. I look forward to reading more tales from Millersville!

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

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

Secrets are everywhere, especially in small towns. This is not the first book I have read by the talented Susan Specht Oram and once again I couldn’t put this book down from start to finish. All Karina wanted to do was fulfill her grandmother’s (Gigi) dying wish, repayment in her eyes for her Gigi taking care of her after her parents passed away.
Karina is a twenty-four-year-old woman that was making her place in the world in Seattle as an artist, selling her pottery and paintings happy and living her dream. Her Aunt Jean calls her to let her know that Gigi’s health is taking a downward turn, and she needs to come back home and be with her. Without hesitation Karina packs her belongings and returns to her small town of Millersville. The final moments of Gigi’s life she tells Karina to take care of her café and to read her journal. She tells her “There is more hidden in this house than you realize. After I’m gone, look for clues.” Surprised to learn she had a journal a month passes, and Karina is still unable to make herself go through Gigi’s things, her papers, her drawers, she’s not ready to fully accept that she is gone. One busy day in the café a customer, Boots Brinker, finds the journal, a red leather book, the first page she sees states that the stock market has crashed, and she pulled all her money out of her bank account and hid it somewhere safe. Instantly she regrets not going through everything, taking inventory of what was in the house because just as quickly as the journal was found it instantly taken. Lost to her hunger and attachment to the journal, Karina does some legally questioning things, sneaking around houses when invited in and pretending to trust some who offer to help her find it. To add to the growing list of “customers” she meets her young cousin’s boyfriend finally, and it’s none other than Shane, her high school boyfriend that stole her heart and moved away and never called her again.
Will Karina find the journal or is it lost forever? Why is everyone so interested in the journal? Do they think it can be used as a treasure map for hidden money? What is Shane doing back in town and dating her younger cousin? While the world is completely realistic, having lived in very small towns for over ten years now I completely understand the fact that secrets are everywhere. Karina starts with one goal that goes deeper than just a journal, what secrets will she uncover, and will anything be the same again after the truth is known?

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

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

I wasn’t sure at first if I was going to like this one. Susan has a writing style that is similar to Nancy Drew. However I kept reading. AND LET ME TELL YOU WHAT! Susan did not let me down. I found myself jumping to read more throughout my busy day just so I could know what happened next. Thank you Susan for another great read.

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Secrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Jessie Hopkins

Karina has taken over her grandmother’s cafe and is trying her best to make her proud. On her deathbed Gigi had 2 things she asked Karina to do, run the cafe and read her diary. Both of which turn out to be a struggle. The cafe is a lot of work, especially for only one person who was planning to be an artist, and the diary has gone missing. Everyone looks like a suspect, as Gigi was well loved and many people have shown interest in her diary. Karina is busy asking anyone who was at the cafe the day it went missing, and also finding out more about her grandmother than she previously did, even without getting to read the diary.
A great book that keeps you interested the whole way through.

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

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

Secrets at the Cafe
By: Susan Specht Oram

Susan Specht Oram is one author that I am always excited to read. This is because it seems with each book she just gets better, just when I think that there is no way the next book could get any better it does.
Secrets at the Cafe is a book that sucks you in from the first sentence and leaves you wanting even more when you reach the last page. Karina is the main character and she is incredibly well written. She has just lost her grandmother and the death is taking a toll on her. She begins to think she is losing her mind, she is confusing people and as if that wasn’t bad enough things of her grandmothers begin to disappear. Karina becomes determined to find them, no matter what else may happen.
This book is absolutely filled with twists and turns. I definitely cannot wait to see what the next book Susan Specht Oram writes and how she makes it even better than this one. Definitely pick this one up!

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

This is book 2, it would be in your best interest to read the first book otherwise you will be a little confused. You see, Gigi is the owner of a local café. Karina is her granddaughter who is now the sole owner of the café after Gigi passes away. There is a journal that tells Karina something’s about her grandmother and her family. However the journal goes missing. The whole town is investigating the theft because it is rumored that Gigi hide a lot of money somewhere and they all want to find the money. There is a sense of desperation in Karina as she just wants the journal back and doesn’t really care who took it as long as it is returned. I literally couldn’t put this book as I read it in one day. There are a few things about Karina and her family secrets but the townsfolk have secrets as well. Does Karina recover the journal? Read it to find out, I promise you won’t be able to put it down until you know all the answers.

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

This is book 2, it would be in your best interest to read the first book otherwise you will be a little confused. You see, Gigi is the owner of a local café. Karina is her granddaughter who is now the sole owner of the café after Gigi passes away. There is a journal that tells Karina something’s about her grandmother and her family. However the journal goes missing. The whole town is investigating the theft because it is rumored that Gigi hide a lot of money somewhere and they all want to find the money. There is a sense of desperation in Karina as she just wants the journal back and doesn’t really care who took it as long as it is returned. I literally couldn’t put this book as I read it in one day. There are a few things about Karina and her family secrets but the townsfolk have secrets as well. Does Karina recover the journal? Read it to find out, I promise you won’t be able to put it down until you know all the answers.

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by La Toya Lewis

Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Secrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense About Family and Friendships by Susan Spect Oram is a cozy mystery about a young woman who takes over her grandmother’s cafe after a deathbed promise. Gigi raised Karina after her parents’ death. When Gigi dies she makes Karina promise to run her cafe and read her journal. When Gigi’s journal is stolen, Karina has to pull out all the stops to find it. This book showed a lot of promise. There were quite a few twists and turns. I wish Karina had made better decisions and had better boundaries. I feel like there was a lot of unnecessary blame that she placed on herself. I liked the way some of the town tried to help Karina. The relationship between Karina and Bernard was sweet. If you like cozy mysteries you may like this one.

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

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: 3 of 5 stars

Secrets at the Cafe was a different take on a mystery read. The characters were cute and the story was good. I think the author did a nice job of keeping readers attention throughout and not making it too predictable so that I wanted to keep reading!

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Secrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram- Review by Heather Knalls

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

Karina has returned home because her grandmother is in her last days. Gigi asks her to come home and take over her café and to read the diary that she has left behind. Karina takes the promise to heart and returns home from Seattle and takes over the café. Unfortunately a customer finds her grandmother’s diary and it comes up missing. She is determined to find the diary and learn more about her grandmother in the process. However the whole town seems to think there is a hidden treasure map in the diary and everyone is set to find it. Will Karina find the diary and learn her families secrets?

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

Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is a little mystery that revolves around a little red journal. It is a nice “who dunnit” story. I had suspicions but the author does a good job of throwing the reader off track. There is a slew of characters that grace the pages. All of them involved or suspect in this case. The story started off good but then seemed to drag a bit for me. The characters had a hard time holding my interest as the book moved along. I could easily flip several pages and still be in the same conversation between characters so I really didn’t miss anything. I have read books by this author before. One I loved and another was okay. So I figured I would give her another try. This one just did not work for me.

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

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

I really enjoyed this story by Susan Specht Oram. She’ll captivate you in just the first few chapters. This mysterious story will have you holding on till the last moments. Karina is trying to help her grandma in her last moments back home only to be pulled into the journal. Fantastic read.

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Tanya Wall, November 2023

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

A rainy Saturday read for me – it was fun. I enjoyed the characters in this story -Karina taking care of her Gigi’s cafe, searching for her lost journal, keeping her cousin in check… it is a mystery waiting to be solved. I loved the small town feel of this novel and the many people that we meet along the way.

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Secrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram Review by Heidi Woodring

Secrets at the Café by Susan Specht Oram, is a wonderfully written mystery intertwined with a missing journal, Karine rushes home to her grandmother who is dying, the one who cared and raised Karinas parents died, and she promised to keep the café going and to read the journal left behind. When the journal goes missing, she sets out to find it, knowing that many secrets to her life is in this. With the help of her cousin and an old teacher, they begin the hunt for the leather book that holds so much.
This is the first book I have read by this author and it will NOT be the last. Oram grabbed me right away, just by the storyline, but as I read more the flow of the book, the details, just add more. I did not want to put this book down, I wanted to know who took the journal, and I wanted to know the secrets, I wanted to know it all!! I highly recommend this book!!!