The Secret Keeper of Main Street by Trisha R. Thomas is a beautifully crafted and suspenseful novel set in 1954 Oklahoma, where Bailey Dowery, a talented Black dressmaker, navigates a world of secrets, intuition, and societal pressure. Bailey is renowned for her exquisite craftsmanship in creating gowns for the town’s elite, but her real gift lies in her ability to see into the lives of others with just a touch—an ability inherited from her mother. To protect herself, she wears gloves to prevent her gift from revealing too much.

When Elsa Grimes, the bride of a wealthy oil baron, comes to Bailey for a fitting, Bailey’s touch uncovers a chilling truth about Elsa’s life. As Elsa’s upcoming wedding quickly unravels, Bailey finds herself thrust into the middle of a scandal that includes a murder and a whirlwind of lies. As Bailey struggles to protect herself and those she loves, the tension between her moral compass and the dangerous world of the wealthy threatens to pull her under.

Thomas masterfully blends a rich historical backdrop with suspense, romance, and drama, offering readers a vivid exploration of race, class, and the hidden secrets that shape our lives. Bailey’s journey is one of courage and self-discovery, as she fights to protect those she cares about while uncovering the truths that threaten to destroy them all. The Secret Keeper of Main Street is a gripping and poignant story of love, intuition, and the power of keeping—and revealing—secrets.

This was a good story set in a different era from what I typically read. It's 1950's Oklahoma (which I still have trouble thinking of as "historical") where there's a clear divide between rich and poor, black and white, the town elite and those who serve them. And then there's Bailey Dowery, a Black dressmaker who finds herself somewhere in between. An employee of a white business owner, Bailey is in demand for her fashion skills as well as her psychic skills while clearly not someone who would be welcomed into any of the white women's homes. And yet she finds herself in an alliance, a friendship of sorts, with the white daughter of one of the most powerful families in town, a relationship that won't go down easy for either side. Add in a murder, secret relationships, betrayals, complex family dynamics, and Bailey's "second sight" and this story turns into a compelling drama that kept me flipping pages right up until the end.

Thomas explores multiple themes in this book that weave in and out of the storylines, connecting unexpected characters as events unfold and secrets are revealed. She isn't hesitant to shine a spotlight on the racial divides that existed, impacting the lives of more than a few of the characters. She touches on the complications and heartache of social restrictions placed on certain characters, particularly women, and of the inability to live an authentic life. She also explores the many layers of relationships - family, romantic, friendship - which bring another level of emotion and understanding to the lives of these characters and enough unexpected twists to keep readers wondering how it will all turn out in the end. I enjoyed it and will be seeking out more of Ms. Thomas's books.

Content Warning: murder, sexual assault

ARC received from publisher via NetGalley
Fair and unbiased review

Loved this! If there was a book two I would read that in a heart beat as well. I had no idea what the book was about when I started and was pleasantly surprised and liked it more and more. I loved Bailey's ability and wish there would have been more of it further along in the book. Would read again and definitely would recommend.

I am not usually a historical fiction; however, I am glad i gave this one a try. it is a very unique way to tell a story and i would suggest it to others however, i don't know if i can give it more than 3 stars.

Bailey works as a seamstress in a dress shop in Mendol, Oklahoma & she also sees things when she touches people. Bailey is the talk of the town for brides since she is a seer. One bride in particular, Elsa, really needs her help. Taking place in the 50’s, there is a lot of society & racial issues, along with interracial relationships. I looked forwarded to reading what would happen next & finding out how things would play out.

I wanted more from this because it just felt like it never really fully grabbed my attention. I did enjoy the magical realism elements but I wasn't a fan of the pacing and I sadly wasn't fully invested in this story.

Thank you for granting me access to this ARC of The Secret Keeper of Main Street. I requested this ARC because I was highly intrigued by the synopsis. I love a good historical fiction with strong female protagonists. I struggled to follow some storylines and the ending felt rushed. Overall, a decent read.

This was my first time reading Trisha R. Thomas, and I received The Secret Keeper of Main Street as an ARC from NetGalley. The novel presents a captivating blend of historical fiction and magical realism, with a plot that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The Secret Keeper of Main by Trisha R. Thomas is set in 1950s oil-rich Oklahoma and follows Bailey Dowery, a Black dressmaker with the gift of "second sight." Bailey uses her talent to reveal the true loves and intentions of her socialite clients, making her a silent witness to their secrets. When Elsa Grimes, the daughter of a wealthy oil baron, comes to Bailey for a wedding dress fitting, Bailey's intuition uncovers a horrifying truth. As Elsa's wedding approaches, a prominent family member is found dead, and Elsa is arrested for the murder. Bailey finds herself at the center of a dangerous mystery that threatens to engulf her and everyone she loves. The character development is one of the book's strongest aspects. Bailey is a well-crafted protagonist whose gift of second sight adds depth to her character. Her internal struggles and the moral dilemmas she faces are portrayed with sensitivity and nuance. The supporting characters, particularly Elsa, are also well-developed, adding layers to the story and making the reader invested in their fates. The plot is filled with twists and turns, keeping the suspense high throughout. The mystery surrounding the murder and Bailey's involvement is compelling, and the historical setting adds richness to the narrative. The themes of race, class, and power dynamics are explored thoughtfully, making the story both engaging and thought-provoking. Overall, The Secret Keeper of Main Street is a beautifully written and immersive novel. Despite a few pacing issues, it is a strong work that showcases Trisha R. Thomas's talent for creating complex characters and intricate plots. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. #netgalley #thesecretkeeperofmainstreet

Talk about secrets! Wow.. so many kept secrets too. But also so much healing after the secrets no longer were hidden. I love the different social issues addressed in this book and how they were handled. I also won this book in Goodreads giveaway. I look forward to meeting the author one day!

The Secret Keeper of Main Street by Trisha R. Thomas – This is a page-turning work of historical fiction with mystery and just a touch of magic mixed in. I finished it in one day.

“In 1950s oil-rich Oklahoma, Bailey Dowery, a dressmaker with the gift of “second sight,” reluctantly reveals the true loves and intentions of her socialite clients, making her a silent witness to a shocking crime.”

I was immediately transported when I started reading as the writing is vivid. At first everything seems fine on the outside, but as you read you’ll learn secrets that could bring great scandal to this small town. There are certainly hard parts to read, but let me assure you that the ending is absolutely worth it. So well done.

I thought it was a fun read. Many twists, some very unrealistic, I was disappointed in all the characters.

3.75 stars rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to read this as an ARC. There were a lot of interesting qualities about this historical fiction novel. I liked the idea of a seamstress being able to tell certain things about a client by touch. That alone would be fraught enough- do you tell the client what you see? But then add in the fact that it is the South in the 1950’s, the clients are white and seamstress is Black. It adds an extra layer of danger to telling someone something they may or may not want to know.
There was a lot of characters and perhaps too many- it might have been a little too many along with the subplots. But it was a good read with an interesting concept.

Slow burn family drama that had a little too much drama for me. Oil tycoon, infidelity, LGBT attraction, rape, magical realism with visions.

Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley.

To be honest, I couldn't quite keep up with the list of characters in this one, but it did not stop me from enjoying the book. It's complicated with drama and a touch of magic.

Very well written and a great story. So many twists and turns in a small town in Oklahoma. The author does a great job setting the stage for the reader and characters. I would definitely recommend. Additionally, I think this book would be perfect for a book club!

In this complicated historical fiction novel, Thomas brings 1954 and the small segregated oil town of Mendol, Oklahoma, to life. Primarily following Black dressmaker Bailey Thomas and bride-to-be Elsa Grimes, the daughter of one of the oil barons, this novel explores two women’s quests for love and answers to long-time family secrets. Bailey, besides being a skilled dressmaker, also has a gift for intuition that the locals have interpreted as meaning she can find out someone’s true love and the fate of their marriage with just a touch. Elsa’s future, however, scares Bailey, particularly when a dead body turns up the day before Elsa’s wedding and she is the prime suspect. Bailey and Elsa are very different women, but their separate narratives are woven together by these secrets that threaten to destroy Mendol’s status quo. The novel itself is complex and well-written, blending several genres together to create this fascinating setting and background; the small-town vibes ensure that the pool of suspects is small and that everyone is interested in Elsa’s secrets and the dead body. Bailey’s gift is particularly interesting and Thomas explores it in plot-relevant ways. A complicated historical fiction mystery, Thomas’s latest novel is an immersive and interesting exploration of Midwestern segregation and the challenges of rebelling from their family and the status quo.

In 1954 Mendol, Oklahoma, everyone knows Bailey Dowery is a genius with needle and thread: styling, fitting, and sewing spectacular wedding gowns for the population who can afford them in the oil-rich state. However, few know of Bailey’s other talent, whereby a touch of another’s hand opens to her the true beliefs of their heart. She calls it reading heartstrings. One vision is so vivid that she blurts out during a fitting that her client is marrying the wrong man. As word of her gift circulates, Elsa Grimes, a rich, privileged white girl who is being pushed into marriage, begs Bailey for help. Elsa believes Bailey is the only person who can confirm her true destiny as she struggles to come to terms with herself.

The disparity between Black and white in mid ´50s America takes form in scenarios reminiscent of The Help, in this case spotlighting the wealthy Ingrid and Matthias Grimes. They allow Elsa to be raised from babyhood by their Black housemaid, while Ingrid concentrates her efforts on upstaging other women in her social scene and then wonders why Elsa’s emotional connection to her is tainted. As a result, I felt Ingrid to be stereotypically irritating, which leads to a melodramatic conclusion that doesn’t seem quite credible.

The premise of the novel is interesting with some well-drawn initial scenes. It wasn’t always clear to me what Bailey saw, or why she sometimes saw nothing, and this held me apart from the narrative. As can be gleaned from the title, the novel is about secrets – ones which remain hidden, and ones which are exposed, accidentally or otherwise. The novel has a contemporary feel, which didn’t immerse me in any particular time period, but readers who enjoy a happily-ever-after ending, where the bad guys get their comeuppance, will be well satisfied.

Set in a 1950's Oklahoma boomtown, it's an interesting time period and setting. Bailey is a seamstress that has visions. She tries to keep it hidden, but soon the town knows and women are coming to her for more than dresses. The small town has a lot of big secrets!

I enjoyed the characters and setting. The story has a lot going on, it's a little complicated and I don't think the book title really reflects everything going on.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and publisher for a temporary, digital ARC in return for my review.

I received an advanced copy of this book and am having a difficult time reviewing it. 1954 in Oklahoma, and a black seamstress, Bailey, works in an exclusive boutique. Bailey can see emotions and visions when she touches people. She does not publicize this, but people know and ask her for help.
There are many characters and coincidences that make this difficult to review without spoilers.
There is an interracial love story in 1926 that comes back in 1954 and I wonder how it will continue in the South of 1954, as it was illegal. That couple is intertwined in Bailey's story. There is a toxic mother daughter plot, as well as a secret gay plot point, and 2 unwed mother's whose stories end very differently. There is also a rape and a murder
The small town segregated divide is very well portrayed and seeing everything that happens through Bailey's eyes brings the story to life.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the EARC. This is my honest review of a story line I have not encountered before.

The Secret Keeper of Main Street by Trisha R. Thomas was extremely well written and very entertaining.
I am a sucker for a good historical fiction & The Secret Keeper of Main Street was an incredible one!
Trisha combined all things necessary to make this historical fiction intriguing.

Thank You NetGalley and William Morrow for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!