The Keys to Gramercy Park

Author: Candice Sue Patterson
Genre: Dual-Time Romance
Series: Doors to the Past #12
Pages: 256
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Publisher: Barbour Publishing

Secrets Sealed Within a Wall Come to Light in Lower Manhattan
 
Investigative historical journalist Andrea Andrews is tired of waiting tables to make ends meet. If she could find and write the next breakout story, she could secure a promotion with Smithsonian Magazine as their writer-at-large. But not much happens in lower Manhattan out of the ordinary until she discovers post-Civil War counterfeit bills hidden in the wall of her historic district apartment.
 
Politics have always been Beau Davidson-Quincy’s passion, despite his family’s real estate empire. His clean image and single status make him a target in the media as he prepares to build his campaign for New York governor. He has nothing to hide until a cute waitress unravels a mystery that could destroy his family’s reputation.
 
Two centuries earlier, wounded Civil War veteran Franklin Davidson lost everything—his house, his wife, his standing in society. In his darkest moment, he’s awarded a position with the newly formed Secret Service to combat the spread of counterfeit U.S. currency. His life and new home in Gramercy Park are the envy of his peers, but nothing is as it seems. Secrets are meant to be kept, and Franklin will take his to his grave.

---

Reviewer: Paula Shreckhise

I have really enjoyed the Doors to the Past dual-time stories. The Keys to Gramercy Park was no exception.

Andi is an investigative journalist looking for the next big story to further her career. She finds counterfeit money hidden in the wall of her apartment. After a chance meeting with Beau, who is running for Governor, they start researching. But Andi has uncovered some history that could put her growing relationship with Beau in jeopardy.

The story has an intriguing setting in Gramercy Park in Manhattan, as the author weaves historical details about the Pinkerton Agency and a fresh fictional puzzle together. A fascinating mix of what might happen when a historical discovery might affect lives in the present. The two timelines were equally absorbing, causing me to rapidly turn the pages. I am always eager to learn about the Pinkertons since the headquarters originated close to where I grew up in Illinois.

This was a skillfully written book that showed how some people followed the leading of God and some did not accept what He had to offer.

Recommended for those who enjoy dual-time books.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Review Crew. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Carolyn Bryant

The Keys to Gramercy Park is an intriguing addition to Barbour’s wonderful multi-author Doors to the Past series. 

The dual timeline is masterfully executed with smooth transitions from the past to the present and a satisfying merging together in the end. Real-life characters are expertly woven in with the fictional ones. The historical element is educational as well as entertaining. The well-crafted, diverse characters bring the story to life. 

I thoroughly enjoyed this book with two absorbing, emotional stories and highly recommend it for fans of dual timelines and historical romance. Note: All the books in the Doors to the Past series are standalone reads.

I received a copy of this book from Barbour Publishing via NetGalley and was under no obligation to post a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

---

---

Reviewer: Laura J. Davis

Candice Sue Patterson has delivered an absorbing tale in The Keys to Gramercy Park. This new-to-me author will be someone whose books I will read again!

This dual-time romance takes you from 1862 to our present time. With an intriguing cast of characters in both timelines, I was immediately caught up in this story that takes one of the main characters, Andrea Andrews (or Andi), on a search as to why post-Civil War counterfeit bills were hiding in the wall of her apartment. The story switches to each timeline as Andrea finds more clues. 

I loved this book! The characters (both good and bad) and their stories make this a fast read and one hard to put down. While there is a budding romance between Beau and Andi, I wasn't as interested in that as I was in the mystery going on in the past. While there is some mention of faith in God, it is not central to the story. The mystery of this story and how Andi unravelled it kept me turning the pages until the wee hours of the morning.

While this is the twelfth book in the series, it can be read as a standalone. If you like historical dual-time "whodunnits," you will love The Keys to Gramercy Park.

I received a complimentary copy from Barbour Publishing through NetGalley for my honest review.

---