Undercurrent of Secrets Review

Updated: Nov 24, 2021

I adore the Split-Time genre, but so often I find that one era gets less development than the other, or there’s one character whose story I simply couldn’t care less about. This was absolutely not the case with Undercurrent of Secrets! Rachel Scott McDaniel has managed to seamlessly weave her contemporary and historical timelines into an unputdownable masterpiece.

I loved all of the POV characters—each was special and endearing in their own way—and both plotlines were fully developed and intriguing; never once did the story lull. Each love story was perfect—both full of beautiful and adorable moments and each paced perfectly.

The mystery was expertly written, each new aspect revealed bringing with it a hint of what was to come. It unfolded slowly, but not too slowly. It was a pleasure to sit back and watch it open up as it reached its satisfying conclusion.

I’d recommend it to fans of Rachel Hauck, Melissa Tagg, Pepper Basham, and Julie Lessman, as well as to anyone who enjoys a good split-time romance threaded with mystery.

5 Stars

Note: I received a copy of this book through Celebrate Lit Tours. All opinions expressed are my own.

More from Rachel Scott McDaniel

A Century on the River

In 1914, America hadn’t joined WWI yet. Airplanes, or flying machines as they were called, were still a phenomenon. Radios weren’t a thing. Hawaii and Alaska weren’t part of the United States. The world as a whole looked different than the one we walk today. But one thing remains true as it had 100 years ago—The Belle of Louisville graced the waters. In fact, the century-old steamboat is like a floating time capsule.

First named the Idlewild, this boat was built in Pittsburgh, PA and was launched in October 1914. It began its days as a packet boat, hauling freight and ferrying passengers. During the ‘Roaring 20s’ there wasn’t much documentation for her travels. But it’s believed the Idlewild spent the decade tramping—a steamboat term for going up and down the river, stopping at various towns and taking passengers for excursions. Which worked perfectly for Undercurrent of Secrets.

The boat was then sold to New Orleans where it continued to ferry passengers. In 1931, The Idlewild spent a season in Louisville running trips to Rose Island and Fontaine Ferry amusement parks. It then spent the next several years coursing the waterways from Canada to New Orleans, living upon the Mississippi and Ohio river systems until WWII. The second world war brought a lot of action to the Idlewild which was then outfitted with special equipment to push oil barges along the river. She also served as a floating USO nightclub for troops stationed at military bases along the Mississippi River.

In 1947, she was sold and renamed the Avalon. For the next two decades the legendary lady spent her days along the rivers, hosting excursions, bringing adventure to the hearts of many Americans. But all those years and miles eventually caught up to her and she fell in disrepair. In 1962, she was put up for auction in Cincinnati where she was purchased by Jefferson County Judge Executive Marlow Cook for $34,000. She then received her third name, The Belle of Louisville.

The restoration of the boat was supervised by marine architect Alan L. Bates (later Captain Bates). Capt. Bates’ books, Str. Belle of Louisville, and Moonlight at 8:30, were a huge help to me while researching the history of the boat and the crews who worked on her. The reno crew worked tirelessly rebuilding the Belle and on April 30th, she tested the waters again by racing against the Delta Queen in the first Great Steamboat Race. The Belle has been wharfed in Louisville ever since. This century-old steamboat has stood the test of time, surviving decades, sinkings, storms, weathering all the trials with grit and grace. If you ever find yourself in Louisville, you could book a cruise on the Belle and experience history.