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/ Past Monthly Featured Review

The Secret at Sunset Hill: A Katie Porter Mystery ~1~

Rating:
☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5
Buy on Amazon

Title: The Secret at Sunset Hill: A Katie Porter Mystery ~1~

Author: K.T. McGivens

Publication Date: September 9, 2019

Genre: Mystery Romance; Women Sleuths

Cover:

The cover art is eye-catching with its clear nod to the 1940s, and I instantly thought back to the original Nancy Drew books that often featured a young woman’s side profile.

Premise

Katie Porter is a wealthy twenty-one-year-old American woman determined to break into the male-dominated newspaper business of post-World War II. After taking a job as a local reporter, she is given an assignment that seems easy enough but soon turns into a mystery that involves those from her present and her past.

Why I chose this book:

I saw a Twitter post from K.T. McGivens, which featured The Secret at Sunset Hill book cover, and I was instantly drawn in by the artwork. After a quick exchange with McGivens and learning more about the book, I decided to place it on my 2022 reading list; however, I ended up reading it in December because I simply couldn’t wait until 2022!

First Impression:

The Secret at Sunset Hill is a fast, fun read that instantly grasps the reader’s attention. Katie Porter presents as a smart, fearless, and witty character who intends to make a name for herself through her own hard work rather than relying on her family name and privileged lifestyle. A small cast of likable characters supports her as she unravels the mystery. My favorite is E.M. Butler, a fellow reporter who befriends Katie and becomes an endearing sidekick.

What I loved:

I love a strong female lead, and Katie Porter embodies all the characteristics that make her appropriate for this role. She is intelligent, confident, and not easily dissuaded from what she needs to do. The setting of 1947 offers an exciting backdrop for her character as well. During the war, women joined the workforce out of necessity, but many women decided they weren’t ready to hand over this newfound freedom and independence once the war was over. Women found themselves competing in a workforce that favored men, which is why Katie’s success is even sweeter. She excels because of her brains and not her pretty face.

The dialogue was engaging, and it sounded appropriate for the time. For example, there was a certain formality in how men and women spoke to each other, which was used throughout the book. Certain catchy words and phrases from the 40s also made an appearance. These aspects worked together to immerse the reader in this period of history.

Additional Thoughts:

K.T. McGivens has a deceptively complex writing style, and, initially, I struggled with fully appreciating it. Upon first glance, one might believe the descriptions and dialogue to be too simplistic; however, to write in this particular style, the author must carefully balance the sharp, witty dialogue with sufficient yet not overly descriptive details. It is this combination that moves the book along quickly. The more I read, the more this style grew on me, and I feel it is appropriate for this series.

Quotable Quotes:

• “These days it’s hard to know your friends from your enemies.” (Page 77)
• All I can say is that I hope they use it for good and not evil, because after going through a world war to save much of humanity, it would be nice if humanity lasted for a while. (Page 131)

Who might enjoy this book:

The Secret at Sunset Hill is ideal for mystery lovers of all ages who enjoy fast-paced stories with clever dialogue.

Overall Impression:

Five stars. The Secret at Sunset Hill is a well-written, fast-paced “whodunit” mystery that maintains the reader’s attention throughout the book. There is never a lag, and McGivens is skilled at knowing just where to end a chapter so that the reader wants to continue to the next one. The only reason I didn’t read the book all at once was that I had to go to work the next day and could not manage to stay up that late. Katie Porter, along with many other characters, is likable, and by the end of the book, I wanted to be in her circle of friends wearing fancy clothing, drinking martinis, and solving crimes! Fortunately for me, there are more books in the series, and I am ready to read them all!

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