Most mystery writers research police procedure from the outside. L.E. Ryan lived it. Her debut novel “Secrets,” released in late October, draws on her years at the Atlanta Police Department to tell the story of a homicide stenographer hiding an impossible gift: the ability to foresee events before they happen.
The book has already gained momentum in indie publishing circles. In November, it became the top-selling title for Midnight Publishing and earned Ryan recognition as a Spotlight Author at the Southern Christian Writers Conference. Local media, including WBHF radio in Cartersville, Georgia, and The Franklin Press in Franklin, North Carolina featured interviews about the novel, while the Hidden Voices Project selected Ryan as a featured author in its celebration of independent writers.
Where Police Work Meets Second Sight
At the heart of “Secrets” is Brianna Morgan, a young woman navigating the world of Atlanta homicide investigations while concealing her precognitive abilities. Ryan explores what happens when someone can see danger coming but can’t explain how they know without risking their career and credibility.
“A gripping blend of mystery and the supernatural, Secrets will keep readers hooked as Brianna Morgan walks a razor-thin line between duty and danger,” noted an editorial review from NewInBooks.com. The tension between Brianna’s professional obligations and her unexplainable knowledge forms the book’s central conflict, with her interventions creating chaos for the detectives who don’t understand her seemingly reckless behavior.
Reviewers have responded to the authenticity of Ryan’s mystery novels exploring supernatural themes. Yvonne Mason, an author and publisher with over two decades of experience, called it “one of the most engaging books I have had the honor to read,” noting she nearly forgot her editing duties while formatting the manuscript because the story pulled her in so completely.
Building on Indie Success
Ryan’s background gives her writing an insider’s perspective that sets her work apart in the crowded mystery genre. After her time with the Atlanta Police Department, she maintained connections to law enforcement throughout her career in human resources and academia, gathering the kinds of details that make police procedure feel lived-in rather than researched.
The supernatural crime fiction also taps into something readers keep responding to: the emotional cost of being different. Several reviewers mentioned the book’s exploration of how Brianna grapples with an ability she never asked for, one she was taught to hide.
Reader reviews have praised not just the premise but the execution, with multiple mentions of a surprise ending that reframes the entire story. One Georgia reader suggested the book had screenplay potential, while another from North Carolina appreciated the subtle hints Ryan planted throughout that pointed toward the conclusion.
For Ryan, this is just the beginning. She has more stories planned, aiming to build recognition in a market hungry for authentic mystery fiction with supernatural elements. Between coffee, travel, gardening, and needlework, she’s focused on what drew her to writing in the first place: exploring the human and emotional cost of the unexplained.
