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Carter Island #1
Secrets Hidden in the Glass
The secrets of the past are always closer than we think…
Stained glass artist Callie Davis is in desperate need of a vacation. Burnt out and on the edge of a nervous breakdown, she’s fleeing the pressures of her career and is taking refuge on Massachusetts’ tiny Carter Island. Callie yearns for long, lazy days and pretty walks on the beach—blessed solitude and an escape from the complications of her life. Then she bumps into gorgeous Nate Carter and everything changes.
Sheriff Nathan Carter couldn’t be happier now that the height of the summer season has finally come and gone. After four endless months, tourists have packed their bags and headed for the mainland. The quiet days of autumn are about to befall the town—the way Nate and his fellow Sandersonians like it best.
But nothing ends up quite the way Nate expects when he meets the beautiful blonde with the big blue eyes. Callie’s pretty smiles hide secrets—deep, dark mysteries that could cost them both their lives if they continue digging into the past and cross a killer’s path.
*A contemporary romance with twists of mystery and suspense.
Stained glass artist Callie Davis is in desperate need of a vacation. Burnt out and on the edge of a nervous breakdown, she’s fleeing the pressures of her career and is taking refuge on Massachusetts’ tiny Carter Island. Callie yearns for long, lazy days and pretty walks on the beach—blessed solitude and an escape from the complications of her life. Then she bumps into gorgeous Nate Carter and everything changes.
Sheriff Nathan Carter couldn’t be happier now that the height of the summer season has finally come and gone. After four endless months, tourists have packed their bags and headed for the mainland. The quiet days of autumn are about to befall the town—the way Nate and his fellow Sandersonians like it best.
But nothing ends up quite the way Nate expects when he meets the beautiful blonde with the big blue eyes. Callie’s pretty smiles hide secrets—deep, dark mysteries that could cost them both their lives if they continue digging into the past and cross a killer’s path.
*A contemporary romance with twists of mystery and suspense.
535 pages, ebook
First published October 12, 2017
About the author
Cate Beauman
21 books511 followersCate Beauman is the multi-award-winning, international bestselling author of The Bodyguards of L.A. County series and the Carter Island Novels. She is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense and contemporary stories.
Cate's novels have been named Readers' Favorite Five Star books and have won the Booksellers' Best Award, Maggie Award for Excellence, the Holt Medallion Award, two-time Aspen Gold Medal, two-time Readers' Favorite International Gold Medal, three-time Readers' Favorite International Silver Medal, and the Readers' Crown Award.
Cate makes her home in New Hampshire with her family and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack.
Subscribe to Cate's monthly newsletter and receive Morgan's Hunter for FREE! Subscribe here: http://www.catebeauman.com/getmyfreeb...
Cate can be reached at www.catebeauman.com and www.facebook.com/CateBeaumanAuthor.
You can follow Cate on Instagram at www.instagram.com/realcatebeauman
Cate's novels have been named Readers' Favorite Five Star books and have won the Booksellers' Best Award, Maggie Award for Excellence, the Holt Medallion Award, two-time Aspen Gold Medal, two-time Readers' Favorite International Gold Medal, three-time Readers' Favorite International Silver Medal, and the Readers' Crown Award.
Cate makes her home in New Hampshire with her family and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack.
Subscribe to Cate's monthly newsletter and receive Morgan's Hunter for FREE! Subscribe here: http://www.catebeauman.com/getmyfreeb...
Cate can be reached at www.catebeauman.com and www.facebook.com/CateBeaumanAuthor.
You can follow Cate on Instagram at www.instagram.com/realcatebeauman
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 209 reviews
March 23, 2022
Renowned stained glass artist Callie Davis is suffering from exhaustion and is experiencing a creative drought. Faced with a coming deadline for a new exhibit, she leaves New York and finds respite in the small town of Sanderson, Massachusetts on Carter Island. She’s immediately charmed and positively effected by the town, making plans to have an extended stay. One of the first persons she meets is her rental landlord, Nate Carter who is also the sheriff. Both are immediately taken with each other but she’s cautious and he’s once bitten. When Callie begins to explore the island, she also begins to have troubling and inexplicable dreams that appear to have ties to her past and the island.
This is a really long story that takes its time to give you an extremely strong sense of place and small town community. I absolutely loved that aspect of the book, which made the length more acceptable as I enjoyed being in Carter Island and was reluctant to leave. Much attention was also given in defining the primary characters, specifically the two founding families, the Carters and the Sandersons. Callie’s backstory is fascinating and takes some time to unfold, revealing an astonishing set of circumstances. There are mysteries struggling to surface, which created an interesting angle to the story I hadn’t anticipated.
Could this have been somewhat shortened? I think so but as I say that, I also have to admit I had a tough time letting go. There are historical, cultural and creative elements that enhanced my reading experience along with everything else I was enjoying. Callie and Nate’s relationship took its time to develop, which was a good thing and I liked their romance. The mystery was the thing that really engaged me and I was stunned by the climax. This story was much more than I’d expected and I’m so happy I have the next book in the queue.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
FYI, it’s currently $.99 on Amazon!
(Thanks to the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
This is a really long story that takes its time to give you an extremely strong sense of place and small town community. I absolutely loved that aspect of the book, which made the length more acceptable as I enjoyed being in Carter Island and was reluctant to leave. Much attention was also given in defining the primary characters, specifically the two founding families, the Carters and the Sandersons. Callie’s backstory is fascinating and takes some time to unfold, revealing an astonishing set of circumstances. There are mysteries struggling to surface, which created an interesting angle to the story I hadn’t anticipated.
Could this have been somewhat shortened? I think so but as I say that, I also have to admit I had a tough time letting go. There are historical, cultural and creative elements that enhanced my reading experience along with everything else I was enjoying. Callie and Nate’s relationship took its time to develop, which was a good thing and I liked their romance. The mystery was the thing that really engaged me and I was stunned by the climax. This story was much more than I’d expected and I’m so happy I have the next book in the queue.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
FYI, it’s currently $.99 on Amazon!
(Thanks to the author for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
November 1, 2017
I consider Ms. Beauman to be talented author and here it was no different. I have enjoyed many books by this author. Her writing is captivating and she knows how to tell a good story that is entertaining. Here it is no different.
In saying all of the above this book did work for me. It started off strong and I was engrossed in the story. The characters were interesting and a pleasure to get to know. But along the way my sympathy for the heroine declined and my lack of understanding that the Hero liked the heroine was non- existent.
The mystery of the book is enticing but the story is just too long it could have easily been a couple of hundred pages shorter. IMO. The intervals between getting further in the plot and the present of the book just didn’t work.
Read the book for yourselves, I am the first of very few who might not entirely enjoyed this book.
May 10, 2022
An animal was killed violently and suffered in this book. I disliked that. Otherwise, I liked the heroine and hero and his sisters. Callie’s biological mother’s story was sad as it unfolded, but it was interesting as she gradually remembered childhood events through her dreams and sketches. There’s a lot of foul language, too.
June 18, 2020
When the pressure of her career pushed her close to a nervous breakdown, Callie Davis decides to take a break. She decides to go to a small town off the coast and rent a cottage where she can relax and rejuvenate. Her plans include taking it easy, long walks on the beach and avoid all complications of her normal life at any cost. She hadn’t counted on meeting her landlord and the local Sheriff Nathan Carter, nor had she expected a sizzling chemistry with the man. To top it off, her past comes chasing back and will not be ignored. Will Callie be able to handle what life throws at her or will she give in to it? Will Nathan, who normally wishes for less tourists and calm lifestyle on the island, be able to help Callie after all?
I have previously enjoyed the author’s ‘The Bodyguards of L.A. County’ series. I do prefer romantic suspense genre that has mystery, suspense and action to offer along with sizzling chemistry. To top that the premise of Carter Island series attracted me as I do love a small-town setting. I was bound to pick up this series at some point.
As I expected, Author Cate Beauman provided the readers with a small-town setting that is easy to fall in love with. A community where people have known each other for years and are friendly and helpful. Carter Island is on all accounts a perfect place for people who like to sit back and enjoy the slower pace of life and place more importance on family and community life. At the same time, it also has that eerie air of a place where you get the feeling that there are secrets that have probably outlasted generations.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
I have previously enjoyed the author’s ‘The Bodyguards of L.A. County’ series. I do prefer romantic suspense genre that has mystery, suspense and action to offer along with sizzling chemistry. To top that the premise of Carter Island series attracted me as I do love a small-town setting. I was bound to pick up this series at some point.
As I expected, Author Cate Beauman provided the readers with a small-town setting that is easy to fall in love with. A community where people have known each other for years and are friendly and helpful. Carter Island is on all accounts a perfect place for people who like to sit back and enjoy the slower pace of life and place more importance on family and community life. At the same time, it also has that eerie air of a place where you get the feeling that there are secrets that have probably outlasted generations.
Read the full review on Bookish Indulgences with b00k r3vi3ws
June 25, 2020
Secrets Hidden in the Glass is a looooong book and I have a lot to say. Once I started, I only put it down to eat, use the facilities, and sleep. The characters quickly became my friends and I went on one hell of a ride, filled with danger and suspense. It has so many elements I love in a book, my page and a half of notes is going to have to be severely edited.
Callie desperately needed a vacation and felt the magical affects of the island her first day there. She was in desperate need of sleep and it found her as soon as she sat down. She awoke more refreshed than she had felt for months.
She had already met the sheriff and, like the island, she felt an immediate attraction when he poked his head out from under the sink he was fixing in the home she was renting. He felt the attraction too and, seeing he was her landlord and neighbor, felt he would have many opportunities to get to know her better.
Callie is an artist, working in stained glass, and fame has not been kind to her. She prefers spending her time working on her art to hobnobbing with those who want a piece of her. She built a very high wall to protect herself.
Nate slowly dries the mortar that holds the wall,allowing it to fall and the light, along with her emotions were coming out in a slow way, relaxing in the small moments of getting to know someone. She steps outside herself not knowing why, just that it felt right. Their romance is a slow build with many uncertainties and danger.
The island life was what she needed. The people are real, easy going and not overbearing, even though they know she is famous, though she has no idea they know and is surprised by it when she finds out. All this reminds me soooo much of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
Callie is relaxed, happy, but knowing Cate Beauman this is foreplay for the danger lurking in the background. I keep waiting and waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. The slow, subtle buildup is spent getting to know everyone, including the dark memories that put a bullseye on Callie. It does get hot and heavy, but not in the ‘I like you, let’s do it” manner.
I am soooo curious how she came to be abandoned at four years old. She has all the issues that go along with it. That explains why she holds people at a distance.
...love and attachment meant fear and pain for Callie.
When Callie’s adopted mom told Nate that as a child she would get up in the night and sleep in front of the door so she would know if they tried to leave her, it broke my heart. It’s the little details that Cate Beauman adds to the story that allows me to SEE what is happening.
“It crossed my mind to knock him out a couple of times, but then I would have needed to arrest myself…” says Nate.
Be prepared for tears, laughter, passion, danger, and hours of nonstop reading, because Secrets Hidden in the Glass by Cate Beauman is the complete package. I am BLOWN AWAY.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Secrets Hidden in the Glass by Cate Beauman.
See more at fundinmental
Callie desperately needed a vacation and felt the magical affects of the island her first day there. She was in desperate need of sleep and it found her as soon as she sat down. She awoke more refreshed than she had felt for months.
She had already met the sheriff and, like the island, she felt an immediate attraction when he poked his head out from under the sink he was fixing in the home she was renting. He felt the attraction too and, seeing he was her landlord and neighbor, felt he would have many opportunities to get to know her better.
Callie is an artist, working in stained glass, and fame has not been kind to her. She prefers spending her time working on her art to hobnobbing with those who want a piece of her. She built a very high wall to protect herself.
Nate slowly dries the mortar that holds the wall,allowing it to fall and the light, along with her emotions were coming out in a slow way, relaxing in the small moments of getting to know someone. She steps outside herself not knowing why, just that it felt right. Their romance is a slow build with many uncertainties and danger.
The island life was what she needed. The people are real, easy going and not overbearing, even though they know she is famous, though she has no idea they know and is surprised by it when she finds out. All this reminds me soooo much of Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket.
Callie is relaxed, happy, but knowing Cate Beauman this is foreplay for the danger lurking in the background. I keep waiting and waiting for the proverbial other shoe to drop. The slow, subtle buildup is spent getting to know everyone, including the dark memories that put a bullseye on Callie. It does get hot and heavy, but not in the ‘I like you, let’s do it” manner.
I am soooo curious how she came to be abandoned at four years old. She has all the issues that go along with it. That explains why she holds people at a distance.
...love and attachment meant fear and pain for Callie.
When Callie’s adopted mom told Nate that as a child she would get up in the night and sleep in front of the door so she would know if they tried to leave her, it broke my heart. It’s the little details that Cate Beauman adds to the story that allows me to SEE what is happening.
“It crossed my mind to knock him out a couple of times, but then I would have needed to arrest myself…” says Nate.
Be prepared for tears, laughter, passion, danger, and hours of nonstop reading, because Secrets Hidden in the Glass by Cate Beauman is the complete package. I am BLOWN AWAY.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Secrets Hidden in the Glass by Cate Beauman.
See more at fundinmental
December 9, 2017
3.5 Stars
It takes one simple occurrence to uncover a deeply buried secret from the past.
I enjoyed the author’s Bodyguards of LA County series. When I discovered she would be releasing a new book with a different series, I was excited to get my hands on a copy.
What the story is about.
Secrets Hidden in the Glass is the story of Callie Davis and Nate Carter. Callie is a renowned Stained-Glass artist who is facing a slump in her artistic talents. To combat the pressures and the stress, which contributed to her slump she escaped to Carter Island where she hopes to get peace, rest and her creative juices flowing again. However, her plans never included meeting the hot and sexy sheriff of Carter Island, a meeting that would change her life in ways she never expected.
Sheriff Nate Carter was looking forward to the quiet and peaceful days, which usually accompany the autumn season. Now that summer was over and the tourists have left the island, life could not get any better. However, the arrival of the mysterious and beautiful Callie Davis would put a kink in his plan. Shrouded by mystery, her presence unknown to them would wake up deadly and deeply buried secrets, which would place them in the cross-hairs of a killer.
What I Liked
The beginning of the story, which set the tone for the rest of the book, was intriguing. It peaked my curiosity, making me eager to discover the identity of the child abandonned twenty-two years ago and her connection to Callie Davis. However, after sometime the story slowed down as the story focused on the life Callie is establishing with Nate. For a moment I found my interest waning and I was tempted to give up on the story, but I am glad I stuck it out. The story heated up, when Callie made a discovery, which would set her on a path to discovering her true identity. However, the fallout from this new development would turn her life upside down. Hounded by the media and the emergence of crackpots would prove more stressful than the very thing she came to the island to escape.
There were a few tense moments as Nate tries to uncover the secrets from Callie’s past. Some parts of the story was predictable, but there were areas where the author had me guessing the identity of the persons responsible for the tragedy in Callie’s past.
Nate proved to be a caring, funny, protective, determined and a loyal hero. The way he stood by Callie was endearing and inspiring. His determination to help her discover the buried secrets of her life was a testament to how much he cared about her.
Kind, warm and brave are the words I would use to describe the heroine. However, sometimes I was turned off by her indecisiveness as it relates to the investigation. I recognised her propensity to cry when events from her past and present appeared overwhelming has a sign of anxiety, which was a product of the events from her past.
Together they made the perfect couple. Their relationship, which I found inspiring was built on two important ingredients love and trust. It was these ingredients, which helped them survive the chaos, which surfaced because of Callie’s discovery. Callie found her home in Nate's loving arms and Nate discovered what it meant to love and be loved unconditionally.
I enjoyed reading about the secondary characters, both the good and bad ones. I was especially intrigued by Brad and Molly. I would love to know their story.
What I did not like.
The problem I had with this book had more to do with its length and not the story. It was quite a lengthy story at 599 pages. Now I rarely have problems with stories that long, but when there a lot of details that does not add value and takes away from the important aspects of the story then that is when I have an issue. This was the main thing that contributed to the slow pace of Secrets Hidden in the Glass. I skipped pages just so I could get to the important details.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, Secrets Hidden the Glass was an intriguing and interesting read and one I would recommend to readers who love romance and mystery and do not mind stories filled will many details.
It takes one simple occurrence to uncover a deeply buried secret from the past.
I enjoyed the author’s Bodyguards of LA County series. When I discovered she would be releasing a new book with a different series, I was excited to get my hands on a copy.
What the story is about.
Secrets Hidden in the Glass is the story of Callie Davis and Nate Carter. Callie is a renowned Stained-Glass artist who is facing a slump in her artistic talents. To combat the pressures and the stress, which contributed to her slump she escaped to Carter Island where she hopes to get peace, rest and her creative juices flowing again. However, her plans never included meeting the hot and sexy sheriff of Carter Island, a meeting that would change her life in ways she never expected.
Sheriff Nate Carter was looking forward to the quiet and peaceful days, which usually accompany the autumn season. Now that summer was over and the tourists have left the island, life could not get any better. However, the arrival of the mysterious and beautiful Callie Davis would put a kink in his plan. Shrouded by mystery, her presence unknown to them would wake up deadly and deeply buried secrets, which would place them in the cross-hairs of a killer.
What I Liked
The beginning of the story, which set the tone for the rest of the book, was intriguing. It peaked my curiosity, making me eager to discover the identity of the child abandonned twenty-two years ago and her connection to Callie Davis. However, after sometime the story slowed down as the story focused on the life Callie is establishing with Nate. For a moment I found my interest waning and I was tempted to give up on the story, but I am glad I stuck it out. The story heated up, when Callie made a discovery, which would set her on a path to discovering her true identity. However, the fallout from this new development would turn her life upside down. Hounded by the media and the emergence of crackpots would prove more stressful than the very thing she came to the island to escape.
There were a few tense moments as Nate tries to uncover the secrets from Callie’s past. Some parts of the story was predictable, but there were areas where the author had me guessing the identity of the persons responsible for the tragedy in Callie’s past.
Nate proved to be a caring, funny, protective, determined and a loyal hero. The way he stood by Callie was endearing and inspiring. His determination to help her discover the buried secrets of her life was a testament to how much he cared about her.
Kind, warm and brave are the words I would use to describe the heroine. However, sometimes I was turned off by her indecisiveness as it relates to the investigation. I recognised her propensity to cry when events from her past and present appeared overwhelming has a sign of anxiety, which was a product of the events from her past.
Together they made the perfect couple. Their relationship, which I found inspiring was built on two important ingredients love and trust. It was these ingredients, which helped them survive the chaos, which surfaced because of Callie’s discovery. Callie found her home in Nate's loving arms and Nate discovered what it meant to love and be loved unconditionally.
I enjoyed reading about the secondary characters, both the good and bad ones. I was especially intrigued by Brad and Molly. I would love to know their story.
What I did not like.
The problem I had with this book had more to do with its length and not the story. It was quite a lengthy story at 599 pages. Now I rarely have problems with stories that long, but when there a lot of details that does not add value and takes away from the important aspects of the story then that is when I have an issue. This was the main thing that contributed to the slow pace of Secrets Hidden in the Glass. I skipped pages just so I could get to the important details.
Conclusion/Recommendation
Overall, Secrets Hidden the Glass was an intriguing and interesting read and one I would recommend to readers who love romance and mystery and do not mind stories filled will many details.
April 24, 2022
Too long, drawn out and has many technical errors...
This is the first book I'm reading by this author. I found the length dubious even before starting it. Now I know that it's full of unnecessary repetition of many kinds. I had the story figured out as soon as the 'mystery' part of the story was revealed, so it really dragged on from there and I started skim reading. There were a few technical errors in the first 70% of the story, but they really began to pile up in last 30%. These kinds of errors should have been caught by a good editor, along with the proofreading errors. I liked the base outline of the story, but too many characters and unidentified speakers made the read like tripping over the roots in the woods (even if they are covered in 3 inches of snow). As a Massachusetts native for 61 years I can confirm that the islands never get a foot of snow. The snowiest month of February gets only 4.3 inches. There are no cliffs on Massachusetts islands, only flat sand. A shotgun and revolver are not the same, however both were identified as being the 'suicide' weapon. The only mammal who could shoot themselves with a shotgun is an orangutan. Humans arms are too short to turn the gun on themselves and still reach the trigger.
The sex was no where near 'explicit' as some have noted, but it was a contributor to the repetition. The F-word was dropped a lot, and all books can only benefit by leaving it out, along with other vulgarities. A strong story does not need to rely on foul language to carry it.
I have 4 other books by this author in my Kindle library, but these have earned a place on my Blacklist, as has this author. There are too many other good books waiting to be read.
This is the first book I'm reading by this author. I found the length dubious even before starting it. Now I know that it's full of unnecessary repetition of many kinds. I had the story figured out as soon as the 'mystery' part of the story was revealed, so it really dragged on from there and I started skim reading. There were a few technical errors in the first 70% of the story, but they really began to pile up in last 30%. These kinds of errors should have been caught by a good editor, along with the proofreading errors. I liked the base outline of the story, but too many characters and unidentified speakers made the read like tripping over the roots in the woods (even if they are covered in 3 inches of snow). As a Massachusetts native for 61 years I can confirm that the islands never get a foot of snow. The snowiest month of February gets only 4.3 inches. There are no cliffs on Massachusetts islands, only flat sand. A shotgun and revolver are not the same, however both were identified as being the 'suicide' weapon. The only mammal who could shoot themselves with a shotgun is an orangutan. Humans arms are too short to turn the gun on themselves and still reach the trigger.
The sex was no where near 'explicit' as some have noted, but it was a contributor to the repetition. The F-word was dropped a lot, and all books can only benefit by leaving it out, along with other vulgarities. A strong story does not need to rely on foul language to carry it.
I have 4 other books by this author in my Kindle library, but these have earned a place on my Blacklist, as has this author. There are too many other good books waiting to be read.
April 1, 2022
There were some decent parts but my gosh was this book unnecessarily long. It could have easily been half the length.
November 6, 2017
I have been a fan of this author's Bodyguard series, since it started, so I was super excited to see that she had written something outside the series. The writing reminds me a lot of Karen Rose's writing with a little more romance, but for sure lots of mystery and I think KR is a genius so, that tells you how I felt about this one. It was well written, and really long, it is well thought out and the characters are well defined and lovable. Every time I thought I had it figured out, there was a new twist that made me rethink. I loved Nate and Callie together and I really loved the townspeople that we got to meet. I honestly can't say enough about this book, if you don't have it...get it. If you have it....read it. I can not wait to return to Carter Island.
June 6, 2022
Great Read
I enjoyed this book. Believable characters, loved being on the island. I could live there, but too many folks invested in each other's business. It was sad that Callie never got to see her mom, but she did find her happiness.
I enjoyed this book. Believable characters, loved being on the island. I could live there, but too many folks invested in each other's business. It was sad that Callie never got to see her mom, but she did find her happiness.
August 21, 2022
Trigger alert: Animal abuse
This book was rocking along at 3.5 stars, losing at least a half star due to the author's misuse of commas, most especially her habit of inserting a comma after the word "No" in the phrase "No kidding." It pulls the reader out of the story when poor punctuation causes the brain to try to figure out what the writer meant. Professional editors are essential.
The conflict in the H and h's relationship was based on her habit of building walls between herself and the world. The mystery played out in a believable way as the H, in his capacity as Sheriff, tracked down decades-old leads. The story was good, though good editing would have tightened the pacing without detracting from the plot.
The author lost me with one plot decision, though, At that point, I was finished with the story and with her as an author. I read the book to the end, which was otherwise well done and wrapped up all the loose ends.
Because this was a 2017 novel, I expect the editing problems would have been resolved in subsequent novels. However, I definitely won't be reading the rest of the books in this series, due to the shadow cast by That incident is what makes me wary of reading any of her other work at all unless they come with a disclaimer
This book was rocking along at 3.5 stars, losing at least a half star due to the author's misuse of commas, most especially her habit of inserting a comma after the word "No" in the phrase "No kidding." It pulls the reader out of the story when poor punctuation causes the brain to try to figure out what the writer meant. Professional editors are essential.
The conflict in the H and h's relationship was based on her habit of building walls between herself and the world. The mystery played out in a believable way as the H, in his capacity as Sheriff, tracked down decades-old leads. The story was good, though good editing would have tightened the pacing without detracting from the plot.
The author lost me with one plot decision, though, At that point, I was finished with the story and with her as an author. I read the book to the end, which was otherwise well done and wrapped up all the loose ends.
Because this was a 2017 novel, I expect the editing problems would have been resolved in subsequent novels. However, I definitely won't be reading the rest of the books in this series, due to the shadow cast by That incident is what makes me wary of reading any of her other work at all unless they come with a disclaimer
February 21, 2024
This book took me FOREVER to finish. I read it on my kindle as an easy read before going to sleep. I had no clue that it was over 500 pages and no idea it was going to be a murder mystery so that was super surprising 🥲 it was okay!!
August 4, 2022
To much repeating.
It was a very good story but the author kept repeating things we already knew. Makes for a long book but boring. I really enjoyed the characters and their humor.
It was a very good story but the author kept repeating things we already knew. Makes for a long book but boring. I really enjoyed the characters and their humor.
April 27, 2023
Interesting read and the end had a surprise twist however the novel was too long winded
October 14, 2017
Rating: 3.5 stars
About twenty years ago, Callie Davis, a famous stained glass artist, was left alone in a diner in Manhattan under unexplainable circumstances. She has no recollection of that day or days before that. Years after the event, Callie faces an artist block and decides to take a much-needed vacation. She is drawn towards Carter Island when she finds a brochure about a 'Mary's Buff' located in the heart of the Island.
Callie lands in Carter Island and as the days pass, she finds herself falling in love with the Sheriff- Nate Carter. Soon Callie starts to have dreams about mysterious objects such as a locket and a rug. She doesn't worry much about it until she finds an old photo of her and her biological mother visiting the island years ago.
She seeks help from Nate and they embark a journey towards finding the reason Callie was abandoned by her biological mother. But is it as simple as it looks? Are there secrets-dark and horrifying, hidden in the woods? Are there experiences Callie remembers nothing about?
A fast-paced thriller, Secrets Hidden in the Glass deals with the scars Callie faced as a kid and remembers nothing about. She is terrified about her past but is determined to know the reason for being abandoned. The plot deals with all aspects of life that Callie faces. Her relationship with her adoptive parents is strong and they are her life support. They have given Callie a life she deserves, a life of comfort and love.
Callie and Nate share an intense bond. Their relationship is more about trusting each other through everything. Nate is extremely protective toward Callie and wants a more permanent, stable life with her. The love they have for each other is so deep and promising, it is a happy sight in midst of all the chaos. Callie feels home among the other islanders such as Molly, Gwen- Nate's sisters, Bob-the captain of the ferry etc. They build a small, contented life along with Callie. They organize events, go for lunch, have bonfires etc. So Callie is pretty much settled on the small island.
The plot doesn't give out much until the very end. Just bits and pieces to keep the investigation going, which makes it very enjoyable. Carter Island is a small island with a handful of people, which gives the reader an opportunity to hunt for the villain with the information the plot gives out from time to time. This makes it a very enjoyable read because the reader feels a part of the investigation and each event is now under the microscope.
There's something about the plot that kept me drawing towards it. It was so difficult to put this one down. The pace of development of events is what's gonna keep the readers hooked. The book is a tad bit long, and a little too detailed, which sometimes get's frustrating because finding Callie's past should be the aim, and not the present, especially when she's baking muffins with Nate's sisters.
Overall, this is an extremely interesting read. With an amazing storyline and really great writing style, this comes under my list of 'Good Thrillers I have read.'
Intriguing, fascinating, brainteasing and twisted, Secrets Hidden in the Glass, is a thriller for the readers who love getting lost in a good book.
About twenty years ago, Callie Davis, a famous stained glass artist, was left alone in a diner in Manhattan under unexplainable circumstances. She has no recollection of that day or days before that. Years after the event, Callie faces an artist block and decides to take a much-needed vacation. She is drawn towards Carter Island when she finds a brochure about a 'Mary's Buff' located in the heart of the Island.
Callie lands in Carter Island and as the days pass, she finds herself falling in love with the Sheriff- Nate Carter. Soon Callie starts to have dreams about mysterious objects such as a locket and a rug. She doesn't worry much about it until she finds an old photo of her and her biological mother visiting the island years ago.
She seeks help from Nate and they embark a journey towards finding the reason Callie was abandoned by her biological mother. But is it as simple as it looks? Are there secrets-dark and horrifying, hidden in the woods? Are there experiences Callie remembers nothing about?
A fast-paced thriller, Secrets Hidden in the Glass deals with the scars Callie faced as a kid and remembers nothing about. She is terrified about her past but is determined to know the reason for being abandoned. The plot deals with all aspects of life that Callie faces. Her relationship with her adoptive parents is strong and they are her life support. They have given Callie a life she deserves, a life of comfort and love.
Callie and Nate share an intense bond. Their relationship is more about trusting each other through everything. Nate is extremely protective toward Callie and wants a more permanent, stable life with her. The love they have for each other is so deep and promising, it is a happy sight in midst of all the chaos. Callie feels home among the other islanders such as Molly, Gwen- Nate's sisters, Bob-the captain of the ferry etc. They build a small, contented life along with Callie. They organize events, go for lunch, have bonfires etc. So Callie is pretty much settled on the small island.
The plot doesn't give out much until the very end. Just bits and pieces to keep the investigation going, which makes it very enjoyable. Carter Island is a small island with a handful of people, which gives the reader an opportunity to hunt for the villain with the information the plot gives out from time to time. This makes it a very enjoyable read because the reader feels a part of the investigation and each event is now under the microscope.
There's something about the plot that kept me drawing towards it. It was so difficult to put this one down. The pace of development of events is what's gonna keep the readers hooked. The book is a tad bit long, and a little too detailed, which sometimes get's frustrating because finding Callie's past should be the aim, and not the present, especially when she's baking muffins with Nate's sisters.
Overall, this is an extremely interesting read. With an amazing storyline and really great writing style, this comes under my list of 'Good Thrillers I have read.'
Intriguing, fascinating, brainteasing and twisted, Secrets Hidden in the Glass, is a thriller for the readers who love getting lost in a good book.
April 13, 2023
It was an incredible story!!! So many sub stories in it … I was sooooo hooked that I read half of it in the last 3 days….
If you struggle a bit keep reading it is worth it!
The author got you till the last chapter!!!
Amazing!!!
If you struggle a bit keep reading it is worth it!
The author got you till the last chapter!!!
Amazing!!!
April 14, 2022
Broken into three sections: 1st third was good and interesting. The middle third of the story was LONG and boring and brought so many people into the situation that I tended to forget who was who and who was related to whom and who did what when. Then the middle third... long - it drug on and on and on and on and even popped something new in to further complicate the situation and then of course the sex scenes... so many of them and so descriptive on both sides. Story would have been better if it hadn't been so often and less descriptive - leave it to the readers imagination! The final third of the book picked up... no new characters, not as much sex and since they were trying to "find someone" a murder was investigated and of course, the person you never thought would do it, did it. It ended pretty good.
August 13, 2022
Meh. Writing was fine and there was plenty of chemistry between the main characters, but I just wasn't in love with the story.
April 27, 2022
The story was well developed in my opinion. I would like to be in a community like what was described in the book.
September 3, 2022
I always love when a author can be so descriptive that I can create such a clear picture in my head. This has romance, suspense and mystery. I loved every second of reading it.
October 13, 2017
This book is long, like really long. And it felt long as I was reading it. I did enjoy the time I spend reading it, but it wasn’t one of those books I got so lost in I didn’t notice the time passing. I’m torn as to how to rate this book, the plot was good, the characters were interesting, but it didn’t keep my interest well.
Cate Beauman wrote some very compelling characters in this book. Callie’s life was incredibly heartbreaking, even the best parts of it – before her time on the island – were rife with pain and dissatisfaction. She was such an amazing person in spite of a past that could have led her to be very damaged. Nate was the epitome of perfection; seriously I don’t think the guy had a fault – he was one of those guys who, when asked in a job interview about their worst traits, says he just is too hard a worker, too kind, too compassionate. I want to hate him for it, but I can’t, he was EXACTLY what Callie needed and deserved.
Secrets Hidden in the Glass was fairly predictable. I had more or less figured out what had happened, and who was at fault before I was halfway through the book. I still wanted to know the whys and hows of how everything happened, so that part kept me flipping through the pages to find that out and make sure Callie got her answers and found true love and happiness, but there was no great mystery. Even with the lack of intrigue, it was a fun and interesting book; learning about the island, its residents and secrets was one of the best parts of the book.
The writing in Secrets Hidden in the Glass was much like the title, excessively wordy. Often, I was so lost in what I was being told; I didn’t see what was actually going on. There was so much information it often took away from the things that were most important. There were some passages I tried to skim, but it was so difficult to glean the vital information there was no way to focus on just that.
The world Cate Beauman built in Secrets was the highlight of this book. There were so many layers to the history and the families living there; it felt rich and real. The interesting dynamics of a small town made the book feel comfortable. There were some characters I’m desperately interested in finding out more about, so I hope Ms. Beauman will continue writing within this world.
Cate Beauman wrote some very compelling characters in this book. Callie’s life was incredibly heartbreaking, even the best parts of it – before her time on the island – were rife with pain and dissatisfaction. She was such an amazing person in spite of a past that could have led her to be very damaged. Nate was the epitome of perfection; seriously I don’t think the guy had a fault – he was one of those guys who, when asked in a job interview about their worst traits, says he just is too hard a worker, too kind, too compassionate. I want to hate him for it, but I can’t, he was EXACTLY what Callie needed and deserved.
Secrets Hidden in the Glass was fairly predictable. I had more or less figured out what had happened, and who was at fault before I was halfway through the book. I still wanted to know the whys and hows of how everything happened, so that part kept me flipping through the pages to find that out and make sure Callie got her answers and found true love and happiness, but there was no great mystery. Even with the lack of intrigue, it was a fun and interesting book; learning about the island, its residents and secrets was one of the best parts of the book.
The writing in Secrets Hidden in the Glass was much like the title, excessively wordy. Often, I was so lost in what I was being told; I didn’t see what was actually going on. There was so much information it often took away from the things that were most important. There were some passages I tried to skim, but it was so difficult to glean the vital information there was no way to focus on just that.
The world Cate Beauman built in Secrets was the highlight of this book. There were so many layers to the history and the families living there; it felt rich and real. The interesting dynamics of a small town made the book feel comfortable. There were some characters I’m desperately interested in finding out more about, so I hope Ms. Beauman will continue writing within this world.
March 11, 2023
A really good book! Honestly I get the critic about erotic scenes that were not necessary since the romantic and criminal plots were very well developed but it was an element that would probably not put in a serie, though made the whole story more genuine and real. In the end, it is an important part of romantic relationships and it is easy just to skip it if you do not like it. Other reviews argue the book was too long; it was but again, the first 1/3 was mostly about developing the romantic story, whereas the 2/3 were all about the mystery with some romantic elements that made the book feel like two; if you read for satisfactiom and not for counting how many books you managed to read, this argument does not work well for me. Overall, good romance, good mystery, beautiful setting!
October 28, 2022
Good Book
March 5, 2023
I wanted to give this three and a half stars really.
I did enjoy this as it was a book I felt I could get my teeth in to with a good storyline overall that kept me wanting to read the next bit throughout. I enjoyed the bits in the plot that were pulled together at the end and that the ending wasn’t predictable early on. My only criticism is that elements of it were a bit repetitive and unnecessary which spoilt the story and, by leaving them out, it would have been slicker. I liked the setting, close family ties and the solving of quite a mystery. I would read another book by this author to see if it was a faster paced plot.
I did enjoy this as it was a book I felt I could get my teeth in to with a good storyline overall that kept me wanting to read the next bit throughout. I enjoyed the bits in the plot that were pulled together at the end and that the ending wasn’t predictable early on. My only criticism is that elements of it were a bit repetitive and unnecessary which spoilt the story and, by leaving them out, it would have been slicker. I liked the setting, close family ties and the solving of quite a mystery. I would read another book by this author to see if it was a faster paced plot.
November 15, 2022
It Kept Me Guessing
Callie is an artist specialising in stained glass but she is exhausted and desperately needs a break. She flees to Carter Island where she hopes she will not be recognised and can have some much needed rest. The landlord of the cottage she has rented is Sherriff Nathan Carter and there is instant attraction, but her past life is reawakened and it seems she has been to Carter Island before with her mother who disappeared years ago and has never been found. Nate is determined to help her but Callie cannot remember anything of her life before she was four. I loved this book although there were a lot of characters which always throws me a bit but I felt it was well worth reading. A nice long read too.
Callie is an artist specialising in stained glass but she is exhausted and desperately needs a break. She flees to Carter Island where she hopes she will not be recognised and can have some much needed rest. The landlord of the cottage she has rented is Sherriff Nathan Carter and there is instant attraction, but her past life is reawakened and it seems she has been to Carter Island before with her mother who disappeared years ago and has never been found. Nate is determined to help her but Callie cannot remember anything of her life before she was four. I loved this book although there were a lot of characters which always throws me a bit but I felt it was well worth reading. A nice long read too.
November 22, 2022
Callie is seeking a long deserved vacation on Carter Island. She develops a romantic relationship with the Sheriff, Nate Carter. No one on the island recognizes her as the famous artist she is as she is seeking solitude and relaxation. Unexpected events lead to the mystery of her past. The story turns to solving Callie's secret past and is a very suspenseful and well written novel with family and friends of the sheriff helping Callie to be herself and find the answers to her suppressed memories of the events of her childhood. This book started as a great love story turned to an exciting mystery to be solved based on very few clues. I couldn't put this down as the clues revealed themselves in a slow methodical way. Recommend to romance mystery lovers.
January 30, 2023
Riveting story of a stained-glass artist who is facing burn out. Decides she needs to take a vacation to re-evaluate whether or not she wants to continue as she has been going. Sees a brochure about a small island in Massachusetts that looks like the perfect place to relax and get her life back on track. However, there are dark secrets in her past that she has not really dealt with.
This story is well written, and the characters are well developed. The story draws the reader in and keeps them involved in the story. The descriptions of the island and its inhabitants helps the reader to easily visualize it.
This story is well written, and the characters are well developed. The story draws the reader in and keeps them involved in the story. The descriptions of the island and its inhabitants helps the reader to easily visualize it.
April 5, 2022
Disappointing, explicit sex scene filled story.
This story was a disappointment because of the frequent ambush of three or four pages of explicit sex to be skipped over. The dialogue also contains the frequent use of the Fxxx word and other mild profanity. I almost quit reading long before the end because the story dragged on. It was much too long. I do not recommend this book unless you're into explicit sex scenes. It's too bad because the concept is interesting and could have been good a good story.
This story was a disappointment because of the frequent ambush of three or four pages of explicit sex to be skipped over. The dialogue also contains the frequent use of the Fxxx word and other mild profanity. I almost quit reading long before the end because the story dragged on. It was much too long. I do not recommend this book unless you're into explicit sex scenes. It's too bad because the concept is interesting and could have been good a good story.
April 30, 2022
Secrets Hidden in the Glass by Cate Beauman
This was an awesome story that kept me reading for hours on end. I very much dislike when a book comes to an end, but I also very much like when it continues on and furthers the storyline with some of the same characters. It’s sad how money and power taints people into thinking they can get away with hurting others including murder. The good will always prevail… always come to light. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and am going on to book 2.
This was an awesome story that kept me reading for hours on end. I very much dislike when a book comes to an end, but I also very much like when it continues on and furthers the storyline with some of the same characters. It’s sad how money and power taints people into thinking they can get away with hurting others including murder. The good will always prevail… always come to light. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and am going on to book 2.
June 15, 2020
Secrets Hidden in the Glass is an enjoyable read. I actually did enjoy this book, but there were times when the story felt like it was slowing down too much. If it was a little shorter with a more consistent pace I would have rated it higher. That said, I absolutely fell in love with Callie and Nate and became totally engrossed in the mystery surrounding Callie's past. A fun, if long, read.
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