I actually enjoyed this book, even though at times, there were parts that I felt dragged a little bit, but due to the fact that it’s not a standalone book, I appreciated it, at times…. The book started to pick up after 50% and I understand why some wouldn’t have the patience. What I liked the most about book was the main character being a woman in those times where women were not deemed as strong, Inez was no joke and a woman bent on trying to solve this mystery! and Antonia is just an amazing asset to this book, and she’s adorable too!!

After attempting to read this book several times, I think I need to just dnf it. I don’t think it’s fair for the book or for my review to try and push myself to finish a book I’m not connecting with! Maybe in the future I can return to it but for now the writing style isn’t working. I can also realize this was my mistake picking a book that’s 8 in a series. 🙈 along with picking a book so far into the series I also realize I’m not a historical fiction girl. When this book was granted to me by the publisher I had not figured that out yet but today I have a better understanding of my reading preferences.

A fast paced mystery set in the late 19th century. A store shares a wall with a house and two friends own them.
Inez has a business and her friend Moira runs the boarding house.
Inez's 12 year old ward and Moira's young daughter become best friends with much to explore
When they tear down the shared wall they find a skeleton with a bag of gold coins.
With people beginning to die including the locksmith who was working on impenetrable locks,
Off they all go to find the identity of the skeleton and the murderer

That completely blew my mind. I’m fully attached to the characters right until the end. I loved it. Can’t even sum up all the good things about this book in one simple review.

Cheers indeed, Netgalley.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A good mystery drama novel. Recommend

Inez is excited about the purchase of the adjoining house to Moira Kraus, both because it will help Moira and it will be better for her and Antonio. Besides Antonio and Charlotte get along and Inez wants to create as normal a life as she can for her ward. All set for the celebration, there's the discovery of the corpse in the wall complete with gold coins.

While Moira worries about a decent burial for the man and the curse on the house, the police are more concerned with the gold. Inez begins sleuthing and engages de Brujin, an acquaintance of sorts. At the same time, Antonio and Charlotte have made discoveries unbeknownst and to the adults. As Inez and de Brujin unravel pieces of the puzzle and there's a new murder, the tension builds.

The pace is steady and the plot is fascinating with increasing tension as political alliances related to the Civil War may play a role. Inez is an interesting character as are the others. The historical setting in San Francisco, lingering animosity between the those who sided with the Union versus the Confederacy, the emphasis on respectability, together with Inez's take action personality make her a strong and protective female protagonist.

For those who enjoy historical mysteries set in the west, this will be an enjoyable read. This is my first book in the series, but that didn't affect the story - Parker's descriptions and character development are strong. The visit to Alcatraz was unexpected. I always suggest starting a series in the beginning, though I'm tempted to read the next one to see how the relationship between Inez and de Brujin progress.

FTC Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in the hopes that I would post an honest review. This has not affected the content of my review in any way.

The only regret readers will have picking up The Secret in the Wall, Book 8 in the Silver Rush Mystery Series, is not reading the seven previous novels. The Secret in the Wall can be read as a stand-alone novel, however, it is such a good story, it begs for readers to go back and starting at the beginning. Strong, interesting, clever female characters abound and a great setting, 1880s San Francisco. Highly recommended--especially for those who remember The Calico Palace by Gwen Bristow.

The Secret in the Wall is the story about a woman who finds a body within a wall -- she tries to figure out who killed the victim and why.

I initially did not realize that this book was part of a series, but I am glad that I picked it up. It was a creepy, thriller that did not disappoint!

Sadly this one was not for me. I couldn't concentrate on it and I was fighting with myself to finish it. I saw the ending coming from a mile away.

This is a solid. mystery! I was hooked from the blurb and think this book delivers exactly what it promises.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

I tried really hard to finish this book - I pushed through several times, but in the end this was a DNR for me. I understand that the stilted dialogue and the poor treatment of the female characters in the book was accurate for the time period, but it left a bad taste in my mouth and in the end I couldn't finish the book.

I did not realize this was part of a series! It’s the 8th one in the Silver Rush series. A corpse is found in the walls of a home holding a bag full of gold coins. A locksmith is murdered and the houses keys vanish along with his murderer. Inez Stannert and a private detective must uncover who the killer is and why.

I felt like this was a slow burn that I just couldn't connect with it. It is a mystery with a young kind of read creepy element to it. This just wasn't for me.

The Secret in the Wall tells the tale of a woman who finds a body within the wall. She investigates to find out who killed the man and why. This was a very compelling mystery. It was filled with twists and turns. I liked finding out about the victim’s past. Therefore, this is a must read for mystery fans!

This book was so good! I want to see more from this author in the future!! I couldn't put this book down. What a page turner!!!

San Francisco music store owner Inez Stannert agrees to provide financial assistance to boardinghouse proprietor Moira Krause. When the common wall of the abandoned house adjoining Moira's is breached to expand her business, the corpse of a murdered man tumbles out, along with a worn canvas bag holding a fortune in gold coins. Then the locksmith who made the house's unbreakable locks is brutally slain, and the keys vanish. Inez and private detective Wolter Roeland de Bruijn set out to uncover the truth behind the killings..

It's a thriller murder mystery + historical fiction!!
The blurbs are really really interesting. It's a story of our main character, Inez Stannert, who found a corpse of a murdered man when she tried to expand and improve her business place. I enjoy it just fine. I really like Inez, Inez's ward Antonia, and her friend Charlotte's friendship throughout the book! Their adventure is truly enjoyable.
Thank you Netgalley for the e-ARC!

Thank you so much netgalley and Ann Parker for the ARC of this book.

"Sometimes the past just won't stay buried"

I loved the style of this book and the mystery element. I did find i needed something more to grab me however it was an overall enjoyable book.

I loved the multiple POVs as it kept me interested throughout.

Draws you in from the very first page and keeps you guessing. Definitely recommend ! I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy.

I didn’t realize this was part of.a series but it was fine as a stand alone. I don’t normally read things from that era but I liked the mystery and the female centric storylines. A body in a wall is a classic for a reason. I thought there was enough back story to introduce the characters but not so much you felt stuck in it. The pace was solid. I don’t know if I would seek out the rest of the series but it was interesting enough.

In tearing down a wall between 2 houses, a skeleton with a bag of gold coins is discovered! Intrigue and mystery ensues as Inez, the protagonist and businesswoman who financed the money for the purchase the house, tries to find out who the man is and where the money came from. Inez's ward Antonia and her friend Charlotte, through their mischief, help to move the story along. This was a fun historical fiction set in San Francisco in the 1880s & I enjoyed the premise of this book a lot! I will definitely look for more books by Ann Parker! Thank you to NetGalley and Poison Pen Press for this courtesy copy in exchange for my honest opinion.