Helping inspire Paulette Bullinger to write her book, Nothing Hidden, a lonely gravestone harbors mystery. (Dustin White photo)

Dustin White
Editor

I’m not one to read many works of fiction. Generally, I prefer to spend my time diving into historical works. However, having met Paulette Bullinger, author of “Nothing Hidden,” and seeing her passion for history, I knew her book was one I would have to sit down with.

Picking up the book, it appeared it would be a nice easy read. Hardly did I know I would finish it off in just one sitting. Bullinger’s writing was engaging, and the story she created built up at a nice pace. While it wasn’t a frantic page turner, it didn’t need to rely on cheap thrills to keep one interested.



The Story
Interweaving history and fiction, “Nothing Hidden” tells a great story, but it is also rooted deeply in the community. Spanning largely between the years of 1910 through 1912, Bullinger’s work paints a picture of an important time period in North Dakota.

Set during the early years of statehood, great changes were occurring. Automobiles were beginning to rise in importance. Prohibition, which was being fought, was in full swing, Catholics and protestants didn’t mix company in general, and to cross the river, it was necessary to either wait for the Missouri to freeze over, or take a ferry or train.

Yet, even with the story being set in a distant past, the themes that Bullinger works into it are still quite relevant. By doing so, one is able to better connect with the character’s that Bullinger has created. They appear to leap out of the pages.

Key to the success of Bullinger’s work though is the manner in which she laid out the story. Beginning with a marriage, the reader is instantly introduced to a mystery. While there is celebration all around the young couple, the reader is given a better glimpse into the situation.

On the outside, the couple appears to be happy, yet, there is something clearly brewing just underneath the surface. The marriage is a bit out of place, and there is a suggestion that not all is as it seems.



To capitalize on the intrigue, Bullinger jumps forward in time, and the mystery begins to unravel. A larger story is created, one in which a deep secret needs to be revealed, but at the same time, there is a need to protect those who are innocent. A great revelation is promised, but as with any story worth telling, the context must be set.

The secret, which is hinted at throughout the work, itself is entrusted to the bride’s, who is now an elderly widow, grandniece. While the widow is hesitant to reveal her secret, she knows that it must be done, and eventually, keeping her promise, the grandniece unlocks the truth, showing that nothing really remains hidden.

Exploring the mystery, the story then focuses on the stories of two women, and those connected to them. Even though numerous different paths are followed, all the roads eventually converge, giving the reader a much broader view of not only the story, but the history surrounding it.

The final product is an enthralling story, that encourages the reader to continue reading, as they put together the various hints and clues, and eventually solve the mystery.

Weaknesses and Recommendation
Whenever I read a book, I do so with a pen in hand, making notes as I work my way through. Marking points of interest, or areas that can be improved, my books usually come out with notes scrawled across all the margins.

It was no different with Bullinger’s book. However, as I continued reading, the notes became fewer. That’s not to say that the work was without problem, but that the few problems were overshadowed by the successes.

At times, the flow of the work suffered slightly, and the tense in which the story was told became jumbled, but often, such issues were easily glossed over.

Often harder to gloss over were a few passages that suffered from over explanation, where a subtle point hit much harder than that later explanation, but such instances were few.

As with any story though, weaknesses should be expected. The question is whether or not the strengths can overcome them, and for Bullinger, the answer is a resounding yes.

For those fascinated with the history of the area, or those who just enjoy a good mystery, this is definitely a book for them. It is a great work that I highly recommend.