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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Beginning to a Promising New Series, May 13, 2007
This review is from: In the Company of Secrets (Postcards from Pullman Series #1) (Paperback)
Opening in 1880 London, young attractive Olivia Mott works in the kitchen of the Earl of Lanshire's estate. Rebuffing sexual advances and threats from his chef she knows that in order to save her virginity she must flee the household. Unfortunately, without a recommendation Olivia would not find work anyplace in England. Fortunately, Lady Charlotte, daughter of the Earl is pregnant and is bound and determined to travel to America to find and marry the father of her unborn child. Since Charlotte will pay for her ticket if she travels as her companion, Olivia is certainly willing to go.
Arriving in Pullman, Illinois Charlotte uses her mother's stationary to forge a glowing recommendation so Olivia can procure a job in Pullman's elegant Hotel Florence. Another lie - Olivia is in over head as Charlotte exaggerated Olivia's culinary expertise. Ultimately they discover the father of Charlotte's unborn child is already married with children and the two women find they must concoct lie upon lie to hide their pasts. Olivia is guilt ridden over the lies and secrets she must keep especially when she falls in love with Fred DeVault a worker for the Pullman conglomerate. Adding to her dilemma are the unwanted attentions of the town manager, Samuel Howard who holds both her career and that of Fred in his hands should he discover her duplicity and where her affections truly lay.
This was an interesting and lovely historical tale which is the beginning of what promises to be an enjoyable series. It features a fully developed cast of secondary characters whom the reader is sure to embrace especially where the author fully develops their individual personalities in orchestrating their importance of supporting Olivia as she attempts to dig her way out of the mountain of lies. Olivia initially felt all the blame belonged mostly to Charlotte starting with hiding the fact of her unborn child's illegitimacy and from preventing anyone from discovering that Charlotte was from nobility; a class distinction that had little importance in America. From the warm and loving Mrs. DeVault Olivia finds a friend and a guide in discovering Jesus and seeking forgiveness of those she's deceived. Ultimately, Olivia would be extremely disappointed in Charlotte by her betrayal when she's left in a dire predicament by Charlottes's immaturity and selfishness.
In the beginning Olivia was at first enchanted with the town of Pullman until with keen observations from Fred she soon begins to see that what she thought as the perfect little town has its flaws and secrets. This first book about the citizens of Pullman is a richly detailed piece of Americana that author Judith Miller has skillfully brought to my attention and has certainly whetted my appetite for more. I am so looking forward to discovering how Olivia fares with the newest changes in her life and only hope Ms. Miller writes real fast. This promises to be a wonderful series that is brilliantly written, researched and highly entertaining.
Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization
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4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
interesting historical tale, April 5, 2007
This review is from: In the Company of Secrets (Postcards from Pullman Series #1) (Paperback)
In the 1880s in London, Olivia Mott works in the exclusive Spencer home, but when she rejects the sexual assaults of highly regarded Chef Mallard, she finds herself in jeopardy of losing her position. However, she gets lucky when pregnant single Lady Charlotte Spencer decides to go to America to find the father of her unborn child; she wants Olivia along as her companion.
They reach factory town Pullman, Illinois where the prime factory is and those who work for the company of the same name live. Under Charlotte's direction, Olivia hides her past and obtains work as an assistant chef at the Florence. One lie leads to another and soon Olivia feels engulfed in the well meaning Charlotte's web of deceit as she falls in love with sincere town manager Samuel Howard.
This is an interesting historical tale that brings to life a company town through the deep support cast and the reactions of the two female English newcomers to Pullman. Olivia is a delightful protagonist who detests the mendacious background that necessity being the mother of invention has forced her and Charlotte to create. Readers will appreciate this Postcards from Pullman tale as Judith Miller vividly brings to life late nineteenth century Americana.
Harriet Klausner
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Just okay, August 15, 2007
This review is from: In the Company of Secrets (Postcards from Pullman Series #1) (Paperback)
For 75% of In the Company of Secrets, I really liked the story, the characters, and the historical charm of the era and Pullman, Illinois. Olivia is a strong heroine, with likeable and relatable qualities. She is a Christian but is struggling with what she truly believes. She always has quite a problem with honesty. In the beginning, Olivia and Lady Charlotte/Mrs. Hornsby concoct a story of lies to cover their backgrounds and the true identity of Mrs. Hornsby. They travelled together from Lanshire Hall in London. Olivia is hoping to get a position as assistant chef in a local hotel. "Mrs. Hornsby" is in search of a jilted lover.
My big complaint is the ending. Nothing is resolved, at all. It just ends. I should have had an inkling that this would be the case, since all throughout the book any impediment or plot twist was wrapped up too easily and abruptly.
I'm curious to read the second in the series, at least to find out how things were wrapped up but I don't think I'll be running out to buy it. Overall a bland and predictable story, and a disappointment.
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