Spring - wildflowers and rain - and some good reading...

I guess it's time to do a reading report and also share that the wildflowers are blooming profusely in our area, plus we've gotten some rain - yay!  In fact, it's raining outside right now and I can hear the birds singing.  Think they are very happy.  It's a bit cool - this will likely be our last cool spell until the fall.  However, you never know.  Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying spring and some good reading.

I can't believe the first quarter of 2025 is completed, but I will report that I hit my mark in the reading numbers.  My goal for this year is 100+ books and I have read 25 books through March 31st.  Hopefully, that amount will continue or even edge up a bit.  We shall see.  So, what have I read since I last shared?  Some good ones.

I have caught up on two mystery series.  I told you guys that I was reading A Ruse of Shadows by Sherry Thomas and I completed that one and enjoyed it very much.  It's the 8th in the Lady Sherlock series.  As a reminder, this is a set of books where Sherlock Holmes is Charlotte Holmes and Watson is Mrs. Watson.  The author has told readers that she is working on the 9th book and I'll look forward to that one.  I had also shared that Sherry will have a standalone book entitled The Librarians that will be published in late September.

The next book I picked up was the 4th book in Sujata Massey's Perveen Mistry series.  It's entitled The Mistress Of Bhatia House and it was really good.  This is a historical mystery series, set in 1920's India.  Perveen Mistry is Bombay's only female solicitor.  She's Oxford educated and is based on a real person.  I've enjoyed all the books and recommend them for the historical content and also the crime solving.  The first book is The Widows Of Malabar Hill.

I then moved on to The Women by Kristin Hannah.  It will be the discussion book for April in the 'afternoon book group' that I try to attend most months.  I became very absorbed in the first part of this one.  Honestly, I had heard lots of things from other bloggers and friends about this story and the way it was told.  Mixed reviews, though it's won a bunch of awards from various sites and has extremely high ratings.  I had several friends tell me that they will be curious about what I would think when I finished it.  Well, I liked parts and I became frustrated with other parts.  The historical element was very good, but it was also very sad.  I kept trying to think where I was during the years mentioned and to recall any specific memories.  The second part of the book was tougher for me.  Not that there weren't some good things, but again, frustration with the main character and other elements.  I will say that I have visited the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. more than once and found it very heartbreaking and poignant.  As to the discussion of this one, I think it will be very interesting.  We'll see what others felt.  Sometimes the books that invoke strong feelings (good and bad) will have the best discussions.

The last book I read for March was A Stranger In The Family by Jane Casey.  This is also a crime novel series book, number 11.  I've enjoyed this whole series featuring DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent.  I had shared here that the 12th book, The Secret Room, will be published later this month.  Naturally, that meant I needed to get #11 read and so I did.  It had been a bit since I read one of these and I had to remember how we left our protagonists.  The story was interesting and involved a crime from the past and then a murder/suicide in the present.  I suspect that though this book has high reviews there are a few readers who are a bit frustrated with the interaction of our two leads.  I had said in talking about #12 to come that they had a very complicated relationship.  They do indeed.  I'm hoping that the next book will see some moving forward in that regard.  The crime solving gets good marks from me.  The first book in the series is The Burning.  Another series that I can recommend.

I have finished one book for April, but I think I'll wait until my next update to tell about that one.  This post has gotten a bit long.  Take care everyone and enjoy spring!  Oh, and also tell me if you've read any of these books and what you thought - I always love to get those comments.           

Waiting on Wednesday - A Dead Draw

 

'Waiting on Wednesday' is an event where I feature an upcoming book that I am extra excited about.  I love doing this, letting the 'word' spread about authors and series that I enjoy.   Hope you'll stop by often and see what I'm 'waiting' on!

The book I'm sharing this week is the 11th book in Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series.  I love this series.  Really a good one in my opinion.  And I am caught up with it, so May can't come soon enough for me in order to read A Dead Draw.  I have mentioned this author more than once here on the blog.  I read the first 7 books back to back in July of 2019.  Loved them.  Part of my enjoyment is the setting - the Pacific Northwest.  Part is Tracy herself and how her life has changed since the first book (which is My Sister's Grave).  Tracy is an extremely talented detective.  Seriously.  If you haven't 'met' Tracy and you need a new crime novel series, try this one.  Best to start with the first book.  Thoughts if you've tried any of Robert Dugoni's books?  He writes a number of series and also standalone books.      

A Dead Draw

by Robert Dugoni

Publication Date:  May 27th

A killer fueled by revenge. A detective haunted by the past. They are headed for a high-stakes showdown in this bone-chilling new Tracy Crosswhite novel by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

Detective Tracy Crosswhite isn’t one to lose her cool. Until her interrogation of the taunting and malicious Erik Schmidt, a suspect in two cold case killings. Schmidt also has unnerving ties to the monster who murdered Tracy’s sister, stirring memories of the crime that shaped Tracy’s life. After a critical mistake during a shooting exercise, Tracy breaks.

Haunted by nightmares and flashbacks, Tracy heads to her hometown of Cedar Grove to refocus. Just a peaceful getaway with her husband, her daughter, and their nanny at their weekend house. But Tracy’s sleepless nights are only beginning. A legal glitch has allowed Schmidt to go free. And Tracy has every reason to fear that he’s followed her.

Forced into a twisted game of cat and mouse, Tracy must draw on all her training, wits, and strength to defeat a master criminal before he takes away everyone Tracy loves.

Waiting on Wednesday - Death At A Highland Wedding

 

'Waiting on Wednesday' is an event where I feature an upcoming book that I am extra excited about.  I love doing this, letting the 'word' spread about authors and series that I enjoy.   Hope you'll stop by often and see what I'm 'waiting' on!

I'm sharing a book this week that will be the 4th in the 'Rip Through Time' series that's written by prolific author Kelley Armstrong.  I have loved many books by Kelley, especially her Rockton and Haven's Rock series.  I have not, as yet, read any of her 'Rip Through Time' books.  I do own them all though and plan to try them this year.  I have heard so many good things about the series from other book friends.  Definitely looking forward to trying these books that take a homicide detective from the present day back in time where she at first is a housemaid and then is able to share her knowledge of crime solving as the series progresses.  Have you read any of these books?  What did you think?

Death At A Highland Wedding

by Kelley Armstrong

Publication Date: May 20th

Death at a Highland Wedding is the fourth installment in New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong's gripping Rip Through Time Novels.

After slipping 150 years into the past, modern-day homicide detective Mallory Atkinson has embraced her new life in Victorian Scotland as housemaid Catriona Mitchel. Although it isn’t what she expected, she's developed real, meaningful relationships with the people around her and has come to love her role as assistant to undertaker Dr. Duncan Gray and Detective Hugh McCreadie.

Mallory, Gray, and McCreadie are on their way to the Scottish Highlands for McCreadie's younger sister's wedding. The McCreadies and the groom’s family, the Cranstons, have a complicated history which has made the weekend quite uncomfortable. But the Cranston estate is beautiful so Gray and Mallory decide to escape the stifling company and set off to explore the castle and surrounding wilderness. They discover that the groom, Archie Cranston, a slightly pompous and prickly man, has set up deadly traps in the woods for the endangered Scottish wildcats, and they soon come across a cat who's been caught and severely injured. Oddly, Mallory notices the cat's injuries don't match up with the intricacies of the trap. These strange irregularities, combined with the secretive and erratic behavior of the groom, put Mallory and Duncan on edge. And then when one of the guests is murdered, they must work fast to uncover the murderer before another life is lost.

New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong’s unique time travel mystery series continues to entertain as Mallory adjusts to life in the 1870s.

Waiting on Wednesday - The Secret Room

 

'Waiting on Wednesday' is an event where I feature an upcoming book that I am extra excited about.  I love doing this, letting the 'word' spread about authors and series that I enjoy.   Hope you'll stop by often and see what I'm 'waiting' on!

This week's book is the 12th in a crime novel series written by Jane Casey.  It features DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent.  I have loved this series for years.  The first book is The Burning and I read it maybe 10 or 11 years ago or so.  I've tried to keep up with this series as it is published and have even ordered copies from the UK if it wasn't coming out in my area soon enough.  Ha!  I've got a copy of the 11th book, A Stranger in the Family, that I haven't picked up as yet.  Soon, I hope.  Maeve and Josh have had a complicated relationship since the beginning and I suspect that's still the case.  Fast paced, absorbing, usually a whirlwind.  Have you read any books by Jane Casey?  Let me know if you have.  

The Secret Room

by Jane Casey

Publication Date:  April 24th

The latest gripping new thriller featuring DS Maeve Kerrigan and DI Josh Derwent from the Top Ten Sunday Times bestselling author.

A closed door.

An impossible murder.

2:32 p.m. Wealthy, privileged Ilaria Cavendish checks into a luxury London hotel and orders a bottle of champagne. Within the hour, her lover discovers her submerged in a bath of scalding water, dead.

At first glance it looks like an accident. No one went in with her. No one came out. But all the signs point to murder.

For DS Maeve Kerrigan, the case is a welcome distraction. But when shock news hits close to home, affecting her partner, DI Josh Derwent, she faces the toughest challenge of her career. And if she fails her world will never be the same again…

March is here...in like a lion...hopefully, out like a lamb...or something like that

 

Hello book people!  Thought I would stop by and say 'hello' and do a bit of an update.  Did you know that March is here?  Of course you did.  It is the 16th after all.  Yes, those are bluebonnets above, but they are not from this year.  Think I took that picture maybe 3 or 4 years ago.  We are told that this spring will have less wildflowers and they will arrive later.  We have been quite short of rain.  Last year was much better.  We have had dust blowing in from West Texas at times.  Sigh.  Not the same at all.  Hoping that we will get a bit more moisture and maybe less blowing.  We shall see.

My reading has been going well and I'll share some about that.  When we last 'spoke' I was on the 10th book of Elly Griffiths' series featuring Ruth Galloway.  That series has 15 books and I did finish #10-15 and enjoyed my reread immensely. I have since turned to a few unread books and had a good time.

I read the latest in J.D. Robb's lengthy Eve Dallas/Roarke series - Bonded In Death.  It is #60, if you can believe it, and I think it will rank among my most favorite of the whole series.  Of course the characters have grown and changed throughout these books.  Roarke and Eve's 'family', which includes their friends, co-workers, Eve's Murder Squad and more have increased a lot.  Both of them are shocked that they have so many friends.  Bonded In Death focuses on Summerset, Roarke's major-domo and surrogate father, and his time during the 'Urban Wars' (which took place during the 2020's).  Several bits of Summerset's life were revealed that even Roarke hadn't known about and the fact that he was part of a secret organization known as 'The Twelve'.  When danger appears, Eve and Roarke can count on a lot more 'family' than they had ever dreamed.  

Next, I caught up on the latest and 3rd book in Kelley Armstrong's Haven's Rock series.  The title is Cold As Hell and it was indeed a cold, cold book.  I enjoyed reading about Haven's Rock, a sanctuary town off the grid in the Yukon, again and seeing what has changed for Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton.  Hint...big changes - Casey is pregnant and not far from having the baby.  Is she still working and involved in investigating?  Of course she is!  I froze my way through this book and marveled how Casey handled all the stress, physical things, and a hovering Dalton.  Casey's tough though.  I enjoyed the book and will definitely look forward to the next one.

After these two books, I decided to reread the book that we will discuss at our April Mystery Book Group meeting.  It's Holmes, Marple, & Poe by James Patterson and Brian Sitts.  I read this book last year and wrote about it here.  I had been a bit surprised with how the 'namesake' characters were portrayed, especially Marple.  Wasn't sure if I would read on if it became a series.  After my reread, I decided I liked it more than I thought and chose to go ahead reading #2, Holmes Is Missing.  Both books are fast paced, short chapters, and the second definitely has lots of surprises.  Will I read on if there is a 3rd?  Yes, I think I will.  

Right now, I am in the middle of Sherry Thomas' latest Lady Sherlock book, A Ruse of Shadows.  I wrote about an author event featuring Sherry Thomas that I attended last month here.  I got a signed copy of the book and I am happily making my way through it.  Enjoying it very much!  What will come next?  Not sure, but I do need to read The Women by Kristin Hannah for another book group next month.  And I also want to try Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon and about a jillion more.  

Hope all have a good week!  I know many have been stressed, upset, etc.  Deep breaths.  We are 'book' friends and we will remain 'book' friends.  Take care.                 

Waiting on Wednesday - The World's Fair Quilt

 

'Waiting on Wednesday' is an event where I feature an upcoming book that I am extra excited about.  I love doing this, letting the 'word' spread about authors and series that I enjoy.   Hope you'll stop by often and see what I'm 'waiting' on!

The book I'm excited about this week is set in Pennsylvania and features The Elm Creek Quilters.  It's the 23rd book in this series and is written by Jennifer Chiaverini, a very talented historical fiction writer.  The first Elm Creek Quilter book was The Quilter's Apprentice, which I first read in 2004.  I've read it more than once since that time.  And I've picked up and enjoyed another 16 books in the series.  I have liked the way that this author made some of these books 'present day' stories and some are set in past decades.  There is now a '25th' anniversary edition of The Quilter's Apprentice.  Jennifer Chiaverini has also written standalone fiction books, all historical, and also non-fiction quilt books with patterns.  As I said, this author is very talented.  Have you read any of these books?  Do you like quilts or quilting?  I'm not gifted in creating quilts, but both my grandmothers were.      

The World's Fair Quilt

by Jennifer Chiaverini

Publication Date:  April 1st

A timely celebration of quilting, family, community, and history in this latest novel in the perennially popular Elm Creek Quilts series from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini.

As fall paints the Pennsylvania countryside in flaming colors, Sylvia Bergstrom Compson is contemplating the future of her beloved Elm Creek Quilts. The Elm Creek Quilt Camp remains the most popular quilter’s retreat in the country, but unexpected financial difficulties have beset them and the Bergstrom family’s stately nineteenth-century manor. Now in her eighth decade, Sylvia is determined to maintain her family’s legacy, but she needs new resources—financial and emotional.

Summer Sullivan—a founding Elm Creek Quilter—arrives to discuss an antique quilt that she wants to display at the Waterford Historical Society’s quilt exhibit. When Sylvia and her sister Claudia were teenagers, they had entered a quilt in the Sears National Quilt Contest for the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition, also known as the Chicago World’s Fair. The Bergstrom sisters’ quilt would be perfect for the Historical Society’s exhibit, Summer explains.

Sylvia is reluctant to lend out the quilt, which has been stored in the attic for decades, nearly forgotten. In keeping with the contest’s “Century of Progress” theme, the girls illustrated progress of values—scenes of the Emancipation Proclamation, woman’s suffrage, and labor unions. But although it won ribbons, the quilt also drove a wedge between the sisters.

As Sylvia reluctantly retraces her quilt’s story for Summer, she makes an unexpected discovery—one that restores some of her faith in this unique work of art, and helps shine some light on a way forward for the Elm Creek Quilts community.

Waiting on Wednesday - Shadow Of The Solstice

 

'Waiting on Wednesday' is an event where I feature an upcoming book that I am extra excited about.  I love doing this, letting the 'word' spread about authors and series that I enjoy.   Hope you'll stop by often and see what I'm 'waiting' on!

This week's book is by an author that I have enjoyed for many years.  I also loved the books written by her father, Tony Hillerman, that contained many of the same characters.  I think a lot of readers are aware of Tony Hillerman and his mystery series, set in the Four Corners region of the US, featuring Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee.  After Tony's death, his daughter, Anne, continued writing the series and also brought to a more prominent role Officer Bernadette Manuelito.  I'm fairly certain this is the 10th book with these characters written by Anne.  Also, as you can see from the cover of the book, the TV series Dark Winds is also based on the Leaphorn/Chee/Manuelito characters.  I think that Season 3 will be coming very soon.  Have you read any of Tony or Anne Hillerman's books or seen Dark Winds?  We've watched Dark Winds and will be looking forward to trying season 3.  This week's book:  

Shadow Of The Solstice

by Anne Hillerman

Publication Date:  April 22nd

In this gripping chapter in New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman’s Leaphorn, Chee & Manuelito series, the detectives must sort out a save-the-planet meditation group connected to a mysterious death and a nefarious scheme targeting vulnerable indigenous people living with addiction.

The Navajo Nation police are on high alert when a U.S. Cabinet Secretary schedules an unprecedented trip to the little Navajo town of Shiprock, New Mexico. The visit coincides with a plan to resume uranium mining along the Navajo Nation border. Tensions around the official’s arrival escalate when the body of a stranger is found in an area restricted for the disposal of radioactive uranium waste. Is it coincidence that a cult with a propensity for violence arrives at a private camp group outside Shiprock the same week to celebrate the summer solstice? When the outsiders’ erratic behavior makes their Navajo hosts uneasy, Officer Bernadette Manuelito is assigned to monitor the situation. She finds a young boy at grave risk, abused women, and other shocking discoveries that plunge her and Lt. Jim Chee into a volatile and deadly situation.

Meanwhile, Darleen Manuelito, Bernie’s high spirited younger sister, learns one of her home health clients is gone–and the woman’s daughter doesn’t seem to care. Darleen’s curiosity and sense of duty combine to lead her to discover that the client’s grandson is also missing and that the two have become ensnared in a wickedly complex scheme exploiting indigenous people. Darleen’s information meshes with a case Chee has begun to solve that deals with the evil underside of human nature.

Waiting on Wednesday - Austen At Sea

 

'Waiting on Wednesday' is an event where I feature an upcoming book that I am extra excited about.  I love doing this, letting the 'word' spread about authors and series that I enjoy.   Hope you'll stop by often and see what I'm 'waiting' on!

I'm back to share a book that I am excited about that's coming in May.  It's a historical fiction tale and I have enjoyed another book by Natalie Jenner - The Jane Austen Society.  I had a good time discussing that one with a historical fiction book group that I was part of in 2022.  Talked about it here.  I do love Jane Austen's work and I almost always like books that are inspired by her books.  I find that these historical fiction authors usually educate me with their story and also the research that they have done regarding their topic.  This book also has some other familiar names included in the characters.  Have you read any of Natalie Jenner's stories?  If so, what did you think?  Does this one sound like something you would like?

Austen At Sea

by Natalie Jenner

Publication Date:  May 6th

Two pairs of siblings, devotees of Jane Austen, find their lives transformed by a visit to England and Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother and keeper of a long-suppressed, secret legacy.

In Boston, 1865, Charlotte and Henrietta Stevenson, daughters of a Massachusetts Supreme Court Justice, have accomplished as much as women are allowed in those days. Chafing against those restrictions and inspired by the works of Jane Austen, they start a secret correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother, now in his nineties. He sends them an original letter from his sister and invites them to come visit him in England.

In Philadelphia, Nicholas & Haslett Nelson—bachelor brothers, veterans of the recent Civil War, and rare book dealers—are also in correspondence with Sir Francis Austen, who lures them, too, to England, with the promise of a never-before-seen, rare Austen artifact to be evaluated.

The Stevenson sisters sneak away without a chaperone to sail to England. On their ship are the Nelson brothers, writer Louisa May Alcott, Sara-Beth Gleason—wealthy daughter of a Pennsylvania state senator with her eye on the Nelsons—and, a would-be last-minute chaperone to the Stevenson sisters, Justice Thomas Nash.

It's a voyage and trip that will dramatically change each of their lives in ways that are unforeseen, with the transformative spirit of the love of literature and that of Jane Austen herself.

I attended a great author event - meet Sherry Thomas

 

I mentioned last week that I had purchased a ticket to an author event that would be held at a library in my area.  The Friends of the Georgetown Public Library do a great job of raising money.  One of their really fun ways is called The Hill Country Authors Series.  Local authors are invited to come and talk about their works.  Tickets are sold, but all the proceeds go to the library.  There's snacks served and the author will sign books as well.  Sherry Thomas was part of that and in May of this year Lynda Rutledge will be speaking.  Jeff Abbott will be the fall speaker.  I've linked to all their websites so you can see what these authors write.  I'm going to try to attend both these next two events as well.

Sherry Thomas is the author of the Lady Sherlock mystery series that now has 8 books.  I've read and enjoyed 7 of them and got a signed copy of the 8th book, A Ruse of Shadows.  I also picked up a signed copy of the first book in the series, A Study In Scarlet Women.  I've really enjoyed this author's 'tweaking' of the Sherlock Holmes story.  Thomas started out writing historical romance novels and she's also done a few YA books as well.  

Sherry was quite interesting to listen to as she shared her life story and how she became a writer.  She was born in China and came to the US when she was 13.  She told us of learning English partly through reading historical romances.  She's won two awards from the Romance Writers of America.  After writing several romances, she said she decided to try a mystery.  She was partly inspired to change up the Sherlock story a bit by reading books by Laurie R. King who writes the Russell and Holmes series.  She said that she also had watched 'Elementary', the TV series where 'Watson' became 'Joan Watson'.  Why couldn't Sherlock be a woman as well?  And Charlotte Holmes and Mrs. Watson were 'born'.

Sherry got lots of questions at the end of her most interesting talk and I was able to ask whether there would be a 9th book in the Lady Sherlock series - 'YES' was the answer.  She's working on it now.  However prior to that, she's got a book entitled 'The Librarians' coming out at the end of September.  No cover to show as yet.  However, there is something a little fun about this one (and I'll post the description below for you guys to read).  Sherry said she was asked by her publisher to write the book.  It is set in Austin, TX, at a small branch library and murder happens.  There are four 'quirky' librarians who try to solve the mystery.  Guess what branch Sherry has used as inspiration for her story - well, it's the branch that I used to work at and also volunteered for many years.  It's the branch where our mystery book group meets.  Is that 'cool' or what??  Definitely will be checking this one out.  

I had a great time and please do see what you think about 'The Librarians' description below.  Have you read any of Sherry Thomas's books?  Check them out!!

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Librarians by Sherry Thomas - Publication Date at this time - September 30, 2025

Murder disrupts the peaceful, predictable daily routine of life for four quirky librarians who must protect their life-altering secrets in the first contemporary mystery from USA Today bestselling author Sherry Thomas.

Sometimes a workplace isn’t just a workplace but a place of safety, understanding, and acceptance. And sometimes murder threatens the sanctity of that beloved refuge....

In the leafy suburbs of Austin, Texas, a small branch library welcomes the public every day of the week. But the patrons who love the helpful, unobtrusive staff and leave rave reviews on Yelp don’t always realize that their librarians are human, too.

Hazel flees halfway across the world for what she hopes will be a new beginning. Jonathan, a six-foot-four former college football player, has never fit in anywhere else. Astrid tries to forget her heartbreak by immersing herself in work, but the man who ghosted her six months ago is back, promising trouble. And Sophie, who has the most to lose, maintains a careful and respectful distance from her coworkers, but soon that won't be enough anymore.

When two patrons turn up dead after the library’s inaugural murder mystery–themed game night, the librarians’ quiet routines come crashing down. Something sinister has stirred, something that threatens every single one of them. And the only way the librarians can save the library—and themselves—is to let go of their secrets, trust one another, and band together....

All in a day’s work.     

Waiting on Wednesday - How To Seal Your Own Fate

 

'Waiting on Wednesday' is an event where I feature an upcoming book that I am extra excited about.  I love doing this, letting the 'word' spread about authors and series that I enjoy.   Hope you'll stop by often and see what I'm 'waiting' on!

I am indeed excited about this week's book.  It's the second in a series and our mystery book group read and discussed the first book last month.  It was a popular book with the group and we had a great discussion.  Gayle, our group leader, shared her thoughts on the book here.  There were a lot of characters plus two timelines and some found it a bit hard to keep everyone straight - one member made a list and brought it to the meeting.  It was very helpful as we talked about the story, the characters, and did anyone guess the killer (some came close).  Kristen Perrin, the author, has written several YA books.  How To Solve Your Own Murder is her first adult book.  I liked the story quite a bit.  Was a lovely puzzle.  And I'll definitely be reading book #2.  See what you think with the blurb below.  Interested??

How To Seal Your Own Fate

by Kristen Perrin

Publication Date:  April 29th

Kristen Perrin is back with the second novel in her Castle Knoll series. Annie Adams is caught in a new web of murder that spans decades, returning us to the idyllic English village that holds layers of secrets.

Present day: Annie Adams is just settling into life in Castle Knoll when local fortune teller Peony Lane crosses her path and shares a cryptic message. When Peony Lane is found dead only hours later inside the locked Gravesdown Estate, Annie quickly realizes that someone is out to make her look guilty while silencing Peony at the same time. Annie has no choice but to delve into the dark secrets of Castle Knoll in order to find out just what Peony Lane was trying to warn her about, before the new life she’s just begun to build comes crashing down around her.

1967: A year has passed since her friend Emily disappeared, and teenage Frances Adams finds herself caught between two men. Ford Gravesdown is one of the only remaining members of a family known for its wealth and dubious uses of power. Archie Foyle is a local who can’t hold down a job and lives above the village pub. But when Frances teams up with Archie to investigate the car crash that claimed the lives of Ford's family, it quickly becomes clear that this was no accident—hints of cover-ups, lies, and betrayals abound. The question is, just how far does the blackness creep through the heart of Castle Knoll? When Frances uncovers secrets kept by both Ford and Archie, she starts to wonder: What exactly has she gotten herself into?