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Patricia Raybon

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Jennifer
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Patricia Raybon

Goodreads Author


Born
in The United States
Website

Twitter

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Influences
Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, Howard Thurman, G.K. Chesterton, Rhys ...more

Member Since
October 2011

URL


A newspaper journalist right out of the gate, Patricia turned to writing historical mystery novels during the pandemic and hasn't looked back. Her first fiction is the award-winning Annalee Spain Mystery series whose debut, “All That Is Secret,” won a Christy Award for First Novel. The series' second installment, “Double the Lies,” won the Christianity Today Book Award for Fiction. The third in the series, “Truth Be Told,” was a New York Times' pick among "4 Great Fictional Detectives."

“...[M]ystery novels that incorporate religion in a significant way aren’t all that common. Thankfully, the inspiring Patricia Raybon, a veteran nonfiction writer and novelist, has been threading the needle in just the right way with her Annalee Spain series,
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Patricia Raybon First, I stop writing. Move away from the keyboard! I physically leave my desk, go downstairs, go outside, take a walk. Moving away physically to anot…moreFirst, I stop writing. Move away from the keyboard! I physically leave my desk, go downstairs, go outside, take a walk. Moving away physically to another place always gives me a fresh perspective. Spiritually, in that same way, I pray and ask the Lord to give me new insight. "Show me, Lord!" What am I missing? Help me see the "wrong" way I'm trying to write on "wrong" things. So show me, indeed.

That's a good prayer. In fact, prayer is a great way to break through a writing block--but also to start every writing day. To ask God: "What are YOU doing in your world today, Lord? Show me the way. Go before me." Then following Him, get back on track. Then my favorite word: Onward!(less)
Patricia Raybon Reflection. That's what I love most about writing--having the time, purpose and privilege to step back from the swirls and challenges of life and thin…moreReflection. That's what I love most about writing--having the time, purpose and privilege to step back from the swirls and challenges of life and think about what they mean--and what God is asking me to do, or not do, about them.

Writing is how I figure out the world and discern what the Lord is doing in it and through it. I journal almost every night before bed, in fact. Not every entry is always long and drawn out. But taking time to pause, reflect, seek God and listen--then write down what I hear--is a glorious pursuit.

To do this writing professionally is a wondrous privilege. Except for deadlines, writing never feels like work to me. It allows discovery, pursuit, exploration, surprise, hard work and sheer delight--all wrapped up in one endeavor. For all the ups and downs of starting and finishing a book, then getting it published--then connecting with readers so they'll read it--book writing is still an extraordinary vocation. To call myself a writer is a true blessing. Even more so, is meeting and connecting with the readers.(less)
Average rating: 4.16 · 6,061 ratings · 927 reviews · 33 distinct worksSimilar authors
All That Is Secret (An Anna...

3.59 avg rating — 1,932 ratings — published 2021 — 10 editions
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Double the Lies (An Annalee...

4.03 avg rating — 503 ratings — published 2023 — 5 editions
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My First White Friend: Conf...

3.92 avg rating — 389 ratings — published 1996 — 11 editions
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Truth Be Told (An Annalee S...

4.31 avg rating — 255 ratings8 editions
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Undivided: A Muslim Daughte...

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3.52 avg rating — 279 ratings — published 2015 — 12 editions
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I Told the Mountain to Move...

4.25 avg rating — 116 ratings — published 2006 — 9 editions
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The One Year God's Great Bl...

4.58 avg rating — 24 ratings — published 2011 — 2 editions
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The Sedalia Code

4.41 avg rating — 17 ratings — expected publication 2026 — 3 editions
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God Is Our Help: Our Daily ...

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4.50 avg rating — 8 ratings2 editions
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Beautiful Blessings from God

4.67 avg rating — 6 ratings — published 2016 — 2 editions
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More books by Patricia Raybon…

When Secrets Meet the Cross

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It was a Sunday night. So, I was primed for watching mystery dramas all evening. My favorite go-to destination? The robust lineup on Masterpiece PBS.��

Many mystery series during PBS' summer schedule are "clergy" whodunits with clever vicars, priests or other church folks solving crimes in quaint British villages.


I adore these stories. Compared to my childhood favorite Sherlock Hol

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Published on August 21, 2026 12:17
All That Is Secret Double the Lies Truth Be Told
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3.74 avg rating — 2,689 ratings

The Last Noel: A ...
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It’s Not About th...
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Patricia’s Recent Updates

Patricia Raybon is now following Libby, Deb Kiley, and Susan Feaster
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The Ladies Hall by Vanessa Miller
The Ladies Hall
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If you gobble up women's historical fiction, don't take another step without reading The Ladies Hall, author Vanessa Miller's impeccably researched celebration of three African American women -- the first Black female bachelor's degree graduates of O ...more
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Nelson's New Illustrated Bible Commentary by Earl D. Radmacher
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The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde
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What a rich, sparkling Regency romance tale! Author Jenelle Hovde burnishes the genre to a sparkling glow with this well-plotted enemies-to-lovers tale featuring a heroine born in India, her British merchant suitor, their threatened arrangeed marriag ...more
The Sedalia Code by Patricia Raybon
"Special thanks to Edelweiss for the advanced reader copy of this book. I absolutely couldn't put this book down; I finished it in one day. It reminded me a bit of Hidden Figures, but with more of a storyline and a lot more suspense. The unfortunate c" Read more of this review »
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Quotes by Patricia Raybon  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“Get close enough to someone and his or her halo slips--not because they're bad, but because they're mortal.”
Patricia Raybon, My First White Friend: Confessions on Race, Love and Forgiveness

“Faith doesn't have to be much. Not any bigger than a mustard seed... That small. Only that much faith you'll need in me, God says, because I am so big. I am the Great I Am. So have faith in me.”
Patricia Raybon, I Told the Mountain to Move: Learning to Pray So Things Change
tags: faith

“Jesus' tomb wasn't His grave, but our door.”
Patricia Raybon, The One Year God's Great Blessings Devotional

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Patricia Raybon Matthew wrote: "There's something to be said about encouragement...
It doesn't take much to ignite a spark of inspiration.

I remember the day you ignited that spark in me, encouraging me to follow my hopes of w..."


You inspire, Matthew! Just trying to pay it forward. So many others have poured into me with their encouragement. My warmest thanks for letting me know it matters, indeed. Blessings today and very sincere thanks. Meanwhile, keep writing! Gratefully, Patricia


Matthew II There's something to be said about encouragement...
It doesn't take much to ignite a spark of inspiration.

I remember the day you ignited that spark in me, encouraging me to follow my hopes of writing... I listened, and my book is proof of just how right you were.

Thanks Forever


Patricia Raybon Hi Lynn,
Blessings today. Great to connect. Better late than never! Like you, I like to share books with friends, too. Thanks for reaching out today. Books bring great people together. Happy reading!

Peace today, Patricia


message 3: by Lynn

Lynn Jarrett Hello:

I hope this message finds all well with you.

I accepted your friend request just a few moments ago. I discovered it while going through my inbox deleting e-mail messages. I am not sure I had ever seen this message. I apologize if I did not accept it back in September 2014 when you originally sent it to me. I do not know how I overlooked it. It certainly was not intentional.

So, if you still want to be my friend, let us do it!! I always like to share books and be friends. I look forward to hearing back from you soon.

Lynn


Patricia Raybon Hi Beth,
Great to connect! Love mysteries. Excited to read your books--both series. Thanks, fellow Colorado author, for responding to my friend request. Blessings and happy writing!


message 1: by Beth

Beth Hi Patricia,
Thanks for sending a friend request to this fellow Colorado author!


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