Customer Reviews

In the Company of Secrets (Postcards from Pullman Series #1)

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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

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

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.

First of all, if you are interested in reading this 3 book series, you absolutely must start with the first one and read them in order. Knowing nothing about Pullman, Illinois. I found this first one to be quite interesting and enjoyed the London point of view about it. It was very easy to "become friends" with Olivia.

I haven't started these yet. I loved the Freedom's Path series and look forward to these. She is a great writer!

Olivia Mott and her employer's daughter, Lady Charlotte, escape to America harboring all sorts of secrets. Olivia has relied on Lady Charlotte to provide her with a recommendation so that she can get a job at the prestigious Hotel Florence when they arrive in Pullman. Unfortunately for Olivia, Lady Charlotte's recommendation is so exaggerated that Olivia wonders how she will live up to her new boss's expectations! Lady Charlotte, meanwhile, must lie and claim to be a widow when she discovers she is pregnant from an affair. Nightly, Olivia and Charlotte literally have to compare notes so that each other knows what lies have been told to cover up previous lies.

Olivia also manages to capture the attention of two different men in town. Samuel Howard serves as a town manager of sorts for Mr. Pullman, the founder of the town, and Fred DeVault is a local employee. Mr. Howard would like to have Olivia all to himself at all times, while Olivia is developing a great affection toward Fred.

All the while, Olivia feels so guilty for all the lies that she must continue to tell. How can she ever pray to God, much less sit in church, when she knows her life is full of so much deceit?

This was my first experience with Judith Miller's writing, and I loved every minute of it. From the very beginning, In the Company of Secrets is filled with beautiful descriptions and a wonderful history of the town of Pullman, Illinois. Just a warning--be prepared to be left hanging because you will have no choice but to read book 2 to know the rest of the story!

Inspirational historical fiction author Judith Miller begins her Postcards from Pullman series with IN THE COMPANY OF SECRETS, a good introduction to a famous Illinois town from the past. An entertaining storyline, replete with interesting characters, intrigue, romance, deception and even recipes, will help hold readers' attention.

The novel opens in London in 1892, where scullery maid Olivia Mott dreams of becoming a renowned chef. She is being chased around the kitchen by the Countess's randy head chef, humorously named Chef Mallard. He wants Olivia to do more than stir the sauces, so she escapes with Lady Charlotte Spencer (who has her own set of troubles) to Pullman, Illinois, where her cousin Albert lives, and Olivia and Charlotte hope to begin new lives. There, using falsified references, Olivia signs on with Chef René, a kindly, rotund and fatherly Frenchman.

In America, Olivia discovers the truth to the old adage, "Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." One lie leads to another...and another...and another, and soon she and Lady Charlotte are writing out pages of their fake biographies so they can memorize their false history and keep it straight. Of course, it's only a matter of time before things go awry, and Miller keeps the pages turning as she narrates their foibles.

As you'd expect in the first book of a series, Miller spends much of the narrative building up future storylines and fleshing out her characters. Samuel Howard is delightfully dubious --- readers won't know whether he's a gallant widower or a devious tool of the Pullman corporation. Lady Charlotte's story contains enough surprises that will invite readers to explore the sequel, and Olivia's romantic interests that wobble between Samuel and her cousin Albert's roommate, Fred DeVault, provide some needed tension and entertaining moments.

Readers will find the complete plan of salvation outlined in the novel as Olivia wrestles with questions of faith and integrity. Her Christian mentor, Fred's mother (known as Mrs. DeVault), is always ready with a delicious hot meal, ideas about God and some motherly advice, which will endear her to readers (even as they wonder if she is a little too good to be true).

There are a few glitches. Mechanical detail bogs down the flow of the story in some places ("Olivia's starched white cap wobbled precariously above her left eyebrow..."), and the narrative can become wordy ("Before embarking on this journey, never before had she been privy to such luxury and elegance.") Characters pout, grin and giggle far too much, and things routinely "sparkle."

But these problems don't detract much from the engrossing historical context in which Miller sets her story. Pullman was the first planned industrial town, wrapped around the famous Pullman railroad car business in the late 19th century. Today, Pullman has been annexed by the city of Chicago and is a National, State and City Landmark historical site. Miller's visit to Pullman to research her novel pays off in the many rich details she weaves into the plot. Her interesting setting --- and the pros and cons of a planned community such as this one --- are some of the strong points of the novel. A few recipes, based on events in the story, look yummy, including "Olivia's Chicken Salad Puffs" and "Mrs. Mott's Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie."

Those who appreciate history but enjoy it drenched in inspirational content and romance should find IN THE COMPANY OF SECRETS exactly to their taste. The end of the novel leaves several loose ends dangling, which will whet the appetites of readers for the promised sequel.

--- Reviewed by Cindy Crosby

I love historical novels and was interested in this fresh setting and situation. But early on I had reservations. For one thing I couldn't envision how it would be possible for Charlotte, A high class English Lady to be able to have a dalliance with a man who visits her parents home. With servants and her parents about, how on earth did she find an opportunity for physical intimacy in the drawing room? The characters are well drawn and the research is wonderful with all the information about Pullman. But as one other reviewer alluded, the ending was a shock-- not because of a dramatic shift but because this isn't a complete novel but more like an ongoing soap opera where there is no ending. As long as you don't mind reading an episode or else waiting for the entire series to be published so you can find out what happens, this is a great story. On the cover it says Postcards from PUllman 1. But nothing hints that it isn't a stand alone story.

Reviewed by Kathleen Dowdell for Reader Views (6/07)


Author Judith Miller's attempt to provide substantive insight about historical Pullman, Illinois, falls short in this first of three series on Postcards from Pullman. Volumes two and three are due out in the future. As a long-time researcher and writer about historical areas in Chicago, I had hoped by reading this book that I could gain more information about Pullman, but I was disappointed that most of her reference to the area is common knowledge. I don't want to discourage other readers interested in historical fiction from buying this book. Its content is clever in the sense that the genre is about a heroine (Olivia Mott) living in the late 1890's who becomes innocently involved in a twisted chain of events that ultimately finds her working for George M. Pullman.

Lies and deceit are the underlying theme represented in this book. The author weaves an occasional reference to religion hoping to connect the lies and deceit to forgiveness coupled with the fear of God. As an assistant chef to the chief chef of the Hotel Florence in Pullman, Olivia becomes acquainted with a number of unique characters that add excitement to her already demanding job. To make matters more complicated, Olivia must look after a friend's baby after her friend's unexpected exit from Pullman. In addition, two suitors vie for her affection making her free time away from her job very stressful. Ultimately, the lies and deception cause the suitor whom she most admires to become alienated and withdrawn while the other suitor becomes bolder in his attempt to gain her affection. Olivia wrestles with her desire to tell the truth and the repercussions if she does disclose the reason behind her lies.

I was not familiar with Miller's writing therefore I was surprised how the book ended. Not wanting to disclose that information, I would urge readers to curb their expectations of how they think the book should end.

"In the Company of Secrets" is an easy, light reading novel that can be enjoyed in an afternoon.

Received book free of charge.

Less than I expected. would have liked some historical aspects of the period in which she wrote. Quality of writing good, but the characters were quite negative.