Parade of Secrets by Kimberly Fish

 

PARADE OF SECRETS

A Lane Hayes Mystery

By Kimberly Fish

Historical Mystery / Female Sleuth

Publisher: Fish Tales Publishing

Publication Date: October 31, 2025

Pages: 341

SYNOPSIS

Layers of history, suspense, and emotion.

March, 1948. Lane Mercer Hayes, and her husband, Zeke, have that post-war life that everyone envies. His winning record as a prosecutor and a scratch golfer, teamed with her finesse in a bookshop puts them on the list of up and coming leaders in Longview, Texas. That is, until Lane is exposed by Senate candidate, Lyndon B. Johnson, for the clandestine role she plays in a Black-owned security agency. Forced to face the cracks in her marriage and the boredom in her life, she can no longer be that “teacup of whiskey” that former Big Inch pipeline associates nicknamed her. Though newspaper headlines tout prosperity and development, Lane can’t get past the emptiness in her soul after the adrenaline rush of working for the Office of Strategic Services during the war.

Longview, Texas, is changing—from LeTourneau Incorporated bringing big manufacturing to the construction of Lake Cherokee and even the massively celebrated Gregg County Diamond Jubilee and the return of the popular Founder’s Day parade. So when an unexpected interview with R.G. LeTourneau appears to give Lane the opportunity to dust off her former OSS skills; she grabs it. To end the vandalism turmoil for LeTourneau, Lane steps out as a private investigator and encounters more than one death befalling families with secrets to hide.

With the clock ticking, Lane grows increasingly unconvinced she has the know-how to discover the truth or make peace with the sheriff who questions her every step. Time and pressure work against her in unraveling the mystery and restoring the good name of those who learned too late that they were innocent. Thankfully, in the course of the investigation, she discovers an unlikely ensemble of residents she can rely on, even when the future looks grim.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kimberly Fish has been in the writing industry for over 30 years. An amateur historian and fan of cozy mysteries, she weaves history and mystery into her stories of women finding their grit and sweet second chances.

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REVIEW

First, I have to say that I’ve read multiple books by author Kimberly Fish, her HOME TO COMFORT series and loved, loved, loved them! So, I was really looking forward to reading this first book in a new series featuring Lane Hayes and it did not disappoint. It’s 1948 and Lane lives with her husband Zeke in Longview, Texas. She runs a bookshop, and he is a prosecuting attorney. We find out that during the war, Lane was a daring OSS officer in France, and she can’t quite leave that on-the-edge lifestyle behind, much to her husband’s chagrin. Oh, and she also has an escaped murderer looking for her. 

The story is pretty complex with lots of moving parts, a long cast of characters, and an intricate murder investigation woven into historical events. Many of the characters, from Lyndon B. Johnston, to the local businessmen and their wives are real which, as a history buff, I found very interesting. The author also explores the societal expectations of women in the postwar years, women who worked while their husbands were off fighting were now expected to revert to being happy homemakers, something Lane chafes at. I enjoyed Lane’s complex character and her relationship with her husband, as they work to define their roles and their marriage. 

The murder is intricately plotted, and I certainly did not guess where the investigation would lead.  The local sheriff is just as you’d expect him to be, unimpressed with the ‘little woman’ trying to do a man’s job. Lane has a few very loyal friends who give her a hand, and one is a nod to Fish’s Comfort books, which was fun. 

All in all, a very enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I recommend this book to readers who love a good mystery with a dose of history. I give this book ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐five stars. 

To learn more about the book, look for #LSLLParadeofSecrets on your preferred social media platform.

 

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