Lynn Wood's Secrets of a Prodigy is the second book in the Protect and Honor Series. Throughout her childhood, Maddie Nichols frequently moved with her parents and had to change her name. Maddie remained unaware of her true identity and that of her parents. Maddie's parents left her at sixteen with money, IDs, a new name, and a one-way trip to New York. This was the last time Maddie saw her parents before she started life as a college student at the School of Art and Performance Arts. Just as her future seemed promising, Maddie received an urgent message from her mother, urging her to flee from New York. Exhausted from constantly running, Maddie sought to establish a meaningful life. Maddie enlisted the help of Maxwell Cole, the head of Cole International, to discover her true identity and locate her parents.

Secrets of a Prodigy by Lynn Wood is filled with mystery, danger, action, and murder. This page-turner was fast-paced and packed with action from start to finish. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put the book down. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, turning the pages as fast as possible. The characters were well-developed and strong. Maddie was used to being quiet and fading into the background but she learned to stand up for herself and to be heard. I wondered if Maddie's parents would ever be found after being out of sight for many years. The story was engaging, and the chapters flowed into each other. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the next one.

Secrets of a Prodigy is Lynn Wood's second book in the Protect and Honor Series. It deftly explores themes of secrecy, identity, betrayal, and one girl’s pursuit of her dreams against the backdrop of simmering conflicts. Maddie Nichols is a talented musician on the threshold of her professional career, struggling with her artistic ambitions and the unsettling secrets of her past. As the narrative unfolds, readers are drawn into the bustling backdrop of New York City, which symbolizes Maddie's life's frenetic energy and unpredictability. The plot starts with a frantic escape instigated by a mysterious message from her estranged mother, propelling Maddie on a journey filled with suspense and self-discovery. Her charm and optimism contrast sharply with the dark hints of her chaotic upbringing. Maddie’s encounter with a stranger who delivers a cryptic warning—a recurrent theme throughout the book—represents the constant threat looming over her life. This sets the stage for a deeper exploration of her family's mysterious past. Can she find out the truth about her family and the threat to her life? Can she finally stop running and find a safe place to settle?

Lynn Wood's novel is character-driven, and Maddie is portrayed as a complex, relatable character—a prodigy burdened with secrets. Her journey is mirrored by her interactions with key figures like Maxwell Cole, a security expert with ties to the dark side of Maddie’s lineage. The conflict between her aspirations to become a renowned artist and the shadows of her family's history creates emotional tension that drives the story forward. The supporting characters, including her mentor, Mr. Mauler, each exemplify different facets of the artistic world, offering insight into the industry’s harsh realities. Wood skillfully balances the darker elements of this narrative with moments of hope and connection, ultimately crafting an inspiring journey of self-acceptance and courage. Secrets of a Prodigy is suspenseful with a multidimensional heroine and well-developed themes. The writing is exquisite, and the author cleverly balances descriptive prose with dramatic scenes that are enhanced by the dialogues.

Secrets of a Prodigy by Lynn Wood is the second book in the Protect and Honor series. Maddie Nicholls has spent her life on the run, trying to escape threats from a past she knows nothing about. When a stranger thrusts a backpack at her and tells her to run, Maddie runs – again. But how much further can she run? She needs to start a new life for herself. She needs to find out who she is and where she came from, and if she can’t, she’ll find someone who can. Maxwell Cole is a private security agent, and he’ll help her dig into her past and learn the truth about who she is. Will Maddie finally learn what she needs to know? Can she really get to a place where she can start a new life, or is she destined to run forever?

Secrets of a Prodigy by Lynn Woods is a gripping tale of suspense. It’s an action-packed story that shares characters with the first book in the series. I didn’t read the first book, but I found it easy to read this one as a standalone. Part of the Protect and Honor series, this is about a search for the truth, about learning who you really are and where you come from. The action is non-stop, and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked from start to finish. The characters are excellent, people you get to know well, and you’ll be on Maddie’s side right from the word go. This would make an excellent movie and is highly recommended for anyone who loves a good thriller that keeps them on the edge of their seat all the way through.

Secrets of a Prodigy by Lynn Wood is an exciting thriller that plunges readers into the chaotic and dangerous life of Maddie Nichols, a young musician who has spent her life on the run. The story begins with Maddie leaving her boyfriend’s upscale Manhattan apartment, only to be approached by a mysterious man who gives her a backpack containing a million dollars and a note from her estranged mother instructing her to “RUN.” From that moment on, Maddie is thrust into a high-stakes chase that takes her across the country, unraveling a web of secrets that stretch back to her childhood.

Lynn Wood wonderfully crafts Maddie as a character of depth and nuance. Her passion for music is the anchor that keeps her grounded in a life filled with constant upheaval, and readers will find a deep connection with her resilience through her relationship with music. Maddie’s journey is a quest for identity, truth, and belonging. Her struggles with trust, secrecy, and loss make her a relatable protagonist even as she faces extraordinary circumstances. The novel excels in its pacing, world-building, and atmosphere, especially in capturing the tension of being on the run and the varied landscapes Maddie traverses—from the bustling streets of New York to the promise of California's sunshine. Wood’s descriptive writing brings these settings to life, creating a vivid backdrop for Maddie’s quest. Secrets of a Prodigy delivers a gripping story about self-discovery under pressure. It’s an engaging read for anyone who enjoys suspenseful coming-of-age tales with an underlying mystery that unfolds layer by layer. I highly recommend it.