Book Review: Calypso Blue (Len Buonfiglio Mystery, #2) by Brian Silverman

Calypso Blue by Brian Silverman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Return to the island where murder and mystery await.

In this mesmerizing follow-up to the series debut, a beloved local man, a 95-year-old international celebrity in the world of calypso music, dies from a fall at his home, and rumors quickly fly through the community that his much younger wife killed him and made it look like an accident. Police Superintendent McWilliams, whose superiors have already closed the case, approaches Len to ask the questions he himself cannot and look into the circumstances of Lord Ram’s death. Queen Sassy, the new widow and a calypso star in her own right, also asks Len to get involved to dispel the rumors that could jeopardize her career. Reluctantly, Len agrees and immediately senses things really aren’t as straightforward as the official police report would have one believe. Meanwhile, Maurizio Loffredo, the absentee husband of Betta Baptiste, Len’s long-time friend and sounding board, and the father of her small son, suddenly returns. He shows up literally on Len’s doorstep, with trouble on his trail: dangerous men who are ready to do whatever it takes to get what they want from Maurizio, placing Betta and Paulo smack in the middle.

Calypso Blue is the second book in author Brian Silverman’s sleek and atmospheric Len Buonfiglio Mystery series; the title a reference to the startling color of the Caribbean at the end of summer on St. Pierre, and what an excellent new set of puzzles for bar owner, Mr. Len, to untangle! His business, The Sporting Place, which he co-owns with a friend, Tubby Levett, has gained a reputation that attracts not only local patrons but also crowds of tourists from visiting cruise ships, so Len is able to step away and let his partner handle things while he reluctantly attends to these new problems. His interactions and banter with Tubby, Maurizio, McWilliams, and other recurring characters are fun to watch. Maurizio, the errant husband, is still a charmer, and Len, while viewing Maurizio’s choices as unbelievable mistakes, refrains from judging him due to his own situation with his ex-wife and children.

Life on the island moves to a slower rhythm, and so does Len’s investigation into Lord Ram’s death. The story moves at a deliberate, thoughtful pace, especially as everyone on the island mourns their local hero’s sudden demise. As he probes into both Maurizio’s problem and the presumed accident, hints of Caribbean culture, combined with descriptions of St. Pierre, create a vividly atmospheric setting. However, Len’s progress is steady and effectively leads him to the answers he’s looking for while uncovering some shocking secrets that everyone seems to know but him.

I recommend CALYPSO BLUE for mystery readers, especially those who enjoy a slower pace and an island setting.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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Book Review: Day of Reckoning Seisan no hi 清算の日 by Don S. Hunter

Day of Reckoning Seisan no hi 清算の日 by Don S. Hunter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Riveting reading, saturated with raw emotion.

Day of Reckoning Seisan no hi by Don S. Hunter is the riveting story of a grief support group specifically for those who have lost a loved one to violence. Led by therapist Michael O’Donnell, whose beloved younger sister was murdered one night while walking to his home, the diverse group of six members reveal their stories, pain, and anger over their losses and the lack of closure from the apprehension and conviction of those responsible. Five of the victims’ murderers were never identified, while the sixth, actually a pair of killers, were released due to a technicality.

The story unfolds from Michael’s point of view during the group sessions, as each member shares their story, discusses how they have been impacted by what has happened and participates in guided exercises. The emotional outpouring throughout the book is both hard to read and hard to look away from; the feelings are authentic and conveyed perfectly. I was completely drawn into these characters’ lives, pain, and struggles, especially when the group shifts toward considering personal actions or revenge to achieve their own closure. The lack of compassion, diligence, and follow-up with those left behind after a murder on the part of the police (who, frankly, lack the staffing and the mission to do all this) was particularly disturbing and disappointing for the grieving family members, leaving them feeling abandoned and forgotten. So, it was easy to imagine them wanting to exact their own day of reckoning.

With its unique and riveting plot, relatable characters, and emotional impact, I recommend DAY OF RECKONING SEISAN NO HI to readers of psychological dramas.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions Book Tours.

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Book Blitz: Worse Than Any Bullet (Fidelia Mysteries, #2) by Felicia Watson

Worse Than Any Bullet
Felicia Watson
(Fidelia Mysteries, #2)
Publication date: August 25, 2026
Genres: Adult, Mystery, Thriller

Everyone thinks their mother is murder but for mafia-family renegade Lucia Scafetti, that’s the literal truth.

When she laid her hitman father to rest, PI Lucia Scafetti thought she’d finally escaped her family’s criminal clutches. Ten years later, her estranged mom blows into Philly for a short visit and within days a friend’s dad is brutally murdered and Lucia is being menaced by her cousin and his fellow mafiosi. After her mother disappears, everyone: foes, friends, and free agents, descends upon Lucia in search of the thumb-drive her mom stole from a Caribbean drug lord. Lucia learns the hard way that the criminals besieging her will gladly kill to get their hands on that thumb-drive.

With the help of an intriguing ex-soldier, Lucia employs her skills, both detective and deadly, to solve the murder and unlock the secret of that enigmatic thumb-drive before it claims another life, be it her own – or that of her recently re-discovered son.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“Someone’s in there.”

Lucia snapped into action, ordering Robbie to stay in the car with the dogs and retrieving her Glock from the secret compartment in the back seat of the Chevelle SS 454. She shook her head, indicating to Robbie he wasn’t getting an immediate explanation about the compartment and then stealthily approached the house.

Lucia decided to go around back and enter from the kitchen. The deadbolt had been defeated and there was no sound from the alarm system. This was no ordinary burglar.

Weapon ready, she crept into the living room where she could discern the muffled footsteps of someone descending the stairs. Lucia pointed her gun at the source of the noise and at the opportune moment, flipped on the lights. A hefty, masked and armed man froze on the fourth step as he realized he was facing a cocked gun.

Lucia warned, “If you’re thinking of trying anything, you better be a better shot than I am. Which is…unlikely.”

The man held his right hand out to his side, his gun loose. In a weirdly thick voice, he rumbled, “Hey, I’m not looking for trouble.”

“Breaking into my house armed with a military-grade semi is a really strange way to prove that.”

He chuckled and moved the gun slightly in a non-threatening manner. “Military grade? Nah, this is just a—”

“A Beretta Cx4 Storm. Which means you are definitely prepared for trouble.”

Rather than refuting her point, he urged, “I just want the thumb-drive, the real one. The one your mother stole from me.”

Not recognizing the term ‘thumb-drive’, Lucia silently contemplated whether this guy could possibly be looking for a body-part from someone her mother had killed. “You worked with my mom? Who are you?”

“I’m not wearing this mask ’cause I’m ugly. Who I am is none of your business. Just hand over the drive and no one gets hurt.”

“Seeing as I have the drop on you, that’s a toothless threat,” Lucia declared. “And I don’t know what it is you’re looking for, but you’re not gonna find it here.”

“For your sake, lady, I hope you’re lying.”

“And why is that?”

“Because I’m not the last person who’s gonna come looking for that thumb-drive. And I’m sure as hell not the most dangerous.”

Nodding at his gun, she countered, “Hard to believe. And I don’t even know what a thumb-drive is let alone—”

“It’s a computer thing,” Robbie announced from somewhere behind her back, his presence until that moment completely undetected. “You use it to—”

“Robbie?!” Her eyes remained trained on the masked man as Lucia barked, “What the hell! What are you doing here?”

“I was worried about you so I came to check. Don’t worry, I left the dogs in the car. You know, so they won’t get hurt.”

“But it’s okay if you get hurt?!”

Taking advantage of the momentary distraction this argument provided, the man on the stairs suddenly leapt over the banister and dashed towards the kitchen.

Lucia followed but he was too quick for her. Standing on the back deck, listening to his footsteps retreating into the darkness, Lucia briefly considered giving chase. She quickly discarded the idea. Not only was there Robbie to think of, but Lucia was loathe to incite a gunfight that might frighten Mrs. Schwartz, the elderly widow who occupied the twin house attached to her own.

When she got back in the house Robbie held up his backpack. “I got it.” He took a deep breath and then said, “Wow, that was….”

“Terrifyingly dangerous?” she offered, while surveying the wreckage around her. The intruder had obviously conducted a very thorough search.

“Nah, exciting! I knew it was safe when I heard you handling that guy like a pro. Otherwise, I would’ve stayed in the kitchen. I swear.”

Lucia sighed heavily and impulsively put her free arm around his shoulder. “Rule number one, Rob? When guns are drawn? The situation is never, ever, safe.” She pulled him to face her and stared intently into his eyes. “Capish?”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Felicia Watson started writing stories as soon as they handed her a pencil in first grade. She’s especially drawn to character driven tales, where we see people we recognize, people who struggle with their mistakes and shortcomings, acknowledge them, and use that knowledge to grow into wiser human beings.

When not writing, Felicia spends her time chasing after her not-so-brilliant, but darling and beloved dogs, is chased by her truly brilliant, darling and beloved husband, is known to friends and family as an amateur pastry chef, and still finds time for swimming and her day job as a scientist.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

 

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Book Review: Edited Out (Seffi Wardwell Mysteries, #3) by Rebecca M. Douglass

Edited Out by Rebecca M. Douglass
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Feel the cold as Seffi pursues a killer!

Edited Out is the third book in author Rebecca M. Douglass’s warm and winning Seffi Wardwell Mystery series set in the wintry small coastal town of Smelt Point, Maine, where everyone knows everyone else, all their business, and outsiders stand out like lighted buoys. Though not known as a tourist destination, Smelt Point is the annual host of an off-season artists’ residency, and this year, there are five artists and writers participating and staying in Chloe and Arden Patterson’s struggling inn, where Seffi Wardwell helps part-time. When an obnoxious writer who has singlehandedly developed a strong local following of ill-wishers is found dead in the inn’s solarium, Seffi steps up to track down the murderer and save the inn’s reputation.

I so enjoy Seffi, her friends, and their vividly described town; just don’t call it charming or a village! These tough Mainers know their town is pretty much low on charm, relishing their fishing heritage and the jobs the local cannery provides, the magnificent coastal views, and their almost fanatical obsession with gardening of all kinds. The five artists-in-residence offer a temporary distraction to the locals as winter descends, blanketing the town in ice and snow. The weather also creates a pseudo “locked room” situation when the much-disliked Zaria Carver is murdered.

Seffi, a recent transplant from the West Coast, is still settling in as a resident and is well aware that she is still viewed by many as an outsider herself. However, her wide-ranging participation in local activities has garnered her many good friends, as evidenced by their enthusiastic show of regard after her exciting ‘life or death’ confrontation with the killer. Seffi has personal sadness in her backstory, but, as an aside to the resolution of the murder case, there are hints of change in her future.

I recommend EDITED OUT to cozy mystery fans, especially those who enjoy LGBT representation and Maine or coastal settings in their stories.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours.

View all my reviews

Book Review: The Midas Touch by Gary Grossman, Charles Segars, ana Oren Aviv

The Midas Touch by Gary Grossman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twists upon twists!

The Midas Touch, a new thriller by the writing team of Gary Grossman, Charles Segars, and Oren Aviv, features the breakneck hunt for Jean Lafitte’s rumored lost treasure, which may include the missing portions of the famed Rosetta Stone and the key to the creation of gold, the Alchemist Gold Theory that he retrieved for the defeated Napoleon whom he planned to rescue from his island prison. When his mentor, Dr. Hastings Kaufman, is murdered, CIA cryptologist Brady Donovan is determined to track down his killer by following the clues only Brady could decipher that Kaufman left behind. Desk jockey Brady, a somewhat socially awkward genius, talks his immediate superior into letting him go into the field to solve Kaufman’s murder, beginning with a trip to London and the British Museum, where the Rosetta Stone may hide his first piece of inspiration. He teams up with Teppy Flynn, a young Egyptology student working on her Rosetta Stone-focused dissertation, and together they uncover that the killer’s true goal was to use Brady’s skills to unravel the secret of the Alchemist Gold Theory. Their research takes them from London back to the U.S., by car to Texas, and eventually to Lafitte’s home port of New Orleans, all while dodging mysterious, dangerous-looking men in black SUVs. But the closer they get to solving the mystery, the more dangerous the stakes become, and Brady soon suspects someone back at Langley is playing for the other team.

Brady Donovan is a sweet, innocent protagonist and a genius at what he does. Watching him work through the mental puzzles presented and expand on the cryptic clues Kaufman left him was such a clever part of the story, tucked between moments of sheer adrenaline as the bad guys tried to get their hands on him. Teppy Flynn is stalled on her dissertation and is immediately drawn into what he’s pursuing. She finds a gentle, loyal, kindred spirit in Brady. She tackles every obstacle with her gusto and determination. I was all in on their growing relationship as the story progressed. The third member of their team, conspiracy theorist Avery Prophet, is not so game but sticks with the adventure even when the going gets tough.

The storyline features several twists and action sequences with a bit of an Indiana Jones vibe thanks to the Egyptology angle. However, the pacing slowed down in between as characters were set up for the next big reveal, and I felt the story got a little overlong. The settings are vividly described with several well-known locations incorporated into the action, especially in New Orleans. Overheard phone calls between the major antagonists and unnamed parties heightened suspense, as readers don’t know whom Brady can trust. I was completely engaged by their final push to discover what Lafitte had squirreled away just as the Category 5 Hurricane Nadine barreled their way.

With its engaging characters and exciting, action-packed plot, I recommend THE MIDAS TOUCH to mystery, thriller, and suspense readers, especially those with an interest in Jean Lafitte, the Rosetta Stone, and the history of New Orleans.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

View all my reviews

Book Blitz: The Wind City Child by Ngounou Pesseu

 

The Wind City Child

by

Ngounou Pesseu

Young Adult / Teen Fiction

Publisher: MotherLandGroup

Publication Date: July 18, 2026

Page count: 340 pages

SYNOPSIS:

The Wind City Child is an inspirational young adult fiction and coming-of-age story. Follow Amina, a determined and motivated girl navigating life between the bustling city and her grandmother’s traditional countryside. Along the way, she learns the power of discipline, hard work, leadership, cultural values, and self-belief. From excelling in high school to pursuing her dream of becoming a lawyer, Amina’s story is filled with perseverance, personal growth, and empowerment. This motivational fiction inspires teens and young readers to believe in themselves, embrace their roots, and overcome obstacles to achieve success.

The Wind City Child is a must-read inspirational story for anyone looking for empowerment, life lessons, and personal development in teen fiction.

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ngounou Pesseu grew up in Cameroon. He is an author, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineer, and a graduate of West Virginia University. He also holds a Ph.D. in Metaphysics & Sciences and is passionate about leadership, personal development, and empowering minds.

With over 15 years of experience in the utilities industry, Pesseu has inspired and educated individuals across the globe. As an author, he focuses on creating motivational and young adult fiction that teaches resilience, cultural values, and self-belief, guiding readers to embrace discipline, leadership, and purpose in their personal growth journey.

| Website | Amazon | Facebook | Goodreads |

 

Book Review: The Vanishers by R.G. Belsky

The Vanishers by R.G. Belsky
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cancel your plans, grab this book!

The Vanishers is a new thriller by R.G. Belsky, and you’re going to want to cancel any other plans you have once you crack this book open; it’s an absolutely gripping page-turner! With its engaging and sympathetic main character and riveting plot, you’re not going to want any distractions until you get to the bottom of this mystery.

Megan and Patrick Foley are looking for a summer rental on the shore: a place to get away from the stress of their jobs and the city, and to devote time to each other and focus on their marriage that has become full of daily conflict. They find the perfect place on Pleasant Street in Stone Beach, Connecticut: a beautiful old home with plenty of spacious bedrooms for several summer tenants, right on the beach, and at an unbelievably low price. The older woman who owns the place, Mrs. Monahan, is pleasant, too, and eager to share her home with others for the season. Her husband, who is an invalid, stays secluded in his room on the top floor of the house, and the other guests, including the family with the two young boys, all seem nice. Sure, the boys argue, like brothers tend to do, especially when the younger boy’s Nintendo Switch goes missing, but the next day, when the younger brother doesn’t appear, everyone in the house claims there was ever only one child! Even Patrick is adamant he never saw another boy. Now Megan is on a mission to find out what happened to him and why everyone denies he ever existed, or find a psychiatrist to treat her delusion quick, fast, and in a hurry.

What a page-turner! Megan Foley is the epitome of the typical young career woman balancing life with a spouse who is also working to succeed in his field. Patrick is a bit overbearing, ready to proclaim how Megan should do everything his way, often getting his way as she gives in to his demands. The goal of closing the gap between them as a couple is quickly disrupted when she is the only one who remembers the younger Beecham son, and all evidence of his ever having existed amazingly evaporates as well. The tension builds as Megan confronts Mrs. Monahan and seeks help from an investigator of the unexplainable. The rising suspense of the puzzling events kept me glued to the story from start to finish.

I recommend THE VANISHERS to readers of mysteries, thrillers, and suspense.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.

View all my reviews

Book Tour – Dungeons & Dimwits: Volume 1 by James Mascia

Dungeons & Dimwits:

Volume 1: First Fails

by

James Mascia

Illustrated by Xoana Kodaris

Middle Grade / Graphic Novel

Publisher: Dren Productions

Publishing Date: September 15, 2026

Page count: 108 pages

SYNOPSIS:

Dungeons & Dragons meets Jumanji in a hilarious fantasy adventure where the players are trapped inside the chaotic world they created. Now every bad roll, terrible plan, and overpowered enemy is dangerously real.

When a group of tabletop role-playing gamers suddenly find themselves pulled into their own fantasy campaign, the adventure stops being imaginary and starts being a matter of survival. Thrown into a world filled with monsters, magic, absurd dangers, and enemies far beyond their level, these unlikely adventurers must figure out how to stay alive long enough to find a way home.

But this is not the polished fantasy epic they imagined. This is their game world—complete with ridiculous choices, bizarre characters, unpredictable rules, and all the chaos that comes from years of questionable decisions around the gaming table. As the party stumbles from one disaster to the next, they must rely on teamwork, quick thinking, and a little bit of luck to survive the fantasy world they helped create.

Funny, fast-paced, and packed with tabletop gaming humor, Dungeons & Dimwits is a wild fantasy comedy for longtime RPG players, fantasy fans, comic readers, and anyone who has ever wondered what would happen if the game suddenly became real.

CLICK TO PRE-ORDER OR PURCHASE!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

James Mascia is the founder and co-publisher of Dren Productions, where he creates sci-fi, horror, and fantasy comics and novels packed with imagination, humor, and thrills. He is the author of titles including Flesh-Eating Cheerleaders, Dungeons & Dimwits, The Poe Murders, and High School Heroes. When he’s not writing strange and exciting stories, James works as a high school English teacher in Maryland. A lifelong fan of Comic Cons, cheesy sci-fi and horror movies, and Dungeons & Dragons, he brings his love of genre storytelling into everything he writes.

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August 17th
BookCrushin – Review

August 18th
Betwixt The Sheets – Promotional Post

August 19th
The violet west – Creative Post

August 20th
dinipandareads – Review

August 21st
Boys’ Mom Reads! – Promotional Post

August 22nd
The Book Dutchesses – Promotional Post

August 23rd
the nutty bookworm reads alot – Review

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WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR for Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic

WOW! WOMEN ON WRITING TOUR

of

Under Cover of Chaos

by

Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic

Political Thriller / Political Suspense

Publisher: Black Rose Writing

Publication Date: June 18, 2026

Page count: 262 pages

SYNOPSIS:

A serial killer hides behind an untouchable global institution. A broken system fails the victims. One woman vows to uncover the truth.

When young women are found dead in the capital of the Central African Republic, United Nations official Stella Fairmont is reminded of the unsolved disappearance of a friend. As she investigates, she uncovers what may be a chilling pattern: similar deaths in another UN location.

The deeper she digs, the more twisted the view becomes and Stella finds herself up against a system built on compromise, in which accountability is often an illusion. When the truth gets blurred and personal histories can be hidden, the only way to survive is to trust her instincts. But as friendships run thin and time runs out, she must navigate a minefield of lies, moral complexity, and buried secrets — all while trying to stay ahead of someone who would kill to keep the truth hidden.

PRAISE:

“… a fast-paced thriller that plunges the reader into the morally complex world of a UN humanitarian mission in Bangui…a must-read for fans of thrillers with high-stakes political undertones.”

~Kim McCollum, author of What Happens in Montana and Harriet Hates Lemonade

CLICK TO PURCHASE!

| Amazon | BAM! | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Walmart |

ABOUT THE SISTERS BEHIND UNDER COVER OF CHAOS:

Liz Wanic worked for the United Nations for almost a decade in New York and in multiple field missions, including Syria, Mali, and the Central African Republic before moving into cybersecurity. Her experiences have given her a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of the inner workings of power in complex situations.

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Rebekah Wanic, Liz’s twin sister, is a social psychologist, university professor and mindset coach. She focuses on the intricacies of the human condition and the complications of balancing competing demands.

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Blog Tour Calendar

July 27th @ The Muffin – Join us as we celebrate the launch of Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic. Read an interview with the author.

July 28th @ A Wonderful World of Words – The writing life can be complicated. Liz Wanic shares what it’s like when your writing partner is also your twin.

July 29th @ Chapter Break – Novelist Liz Wanic shares the books every thriller lover should read.

August 3rd @ Silver’s Reviews – Want a new author for a new month? Check out Under Cover of Chaos, a debut thriller by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.

August 3rd @ What Is That Book About – Today’s spotlight is on Under Cover of Chaos, an international thriller by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.

August 4th @ Words by Webb – Jodi reviews a summer read packed with action: Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.

August 6th @ The Faerie Review – Ready to discover a new author? Learn more about Liz Wanic and her thriller Under Cover of Chaos.

August 8th @ Boots, Shoes and Fashion – Don’t miss today’s interview with Liz Wanic, author of the exotic thriller Under Cover of Chaos.

August 11th @ Words by Webb – Celebrate the thriller Under Cover of Chaos with a post about living off the beaten path.

August 13th @ Knotty Needle – Read a review of the global thriller Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.

August 14th @ A Storybook World – Ready to navigate lies and secrets to uncover a serial killer? Read more about Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.

August 16th @ Book Reviews From an Avid Reader – Avid Reader shares her opinion of a new novel: Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.

August 17th @ StoreyBook Reviews – In today’s guest post, novelist Liz Wanic answers the question: When Did My Life Become Fiction?

August 20th @ Knotty Needle – Novelist Liz Wanic is sharing stories of her Life as a Ex-Pat, an experience that helped when writing her debut thriller Under Cover of Chaos.

August 21st @ Boys’ Mom Reads! – We’ve got another “must read” for your TBR list. Check out Under Cover of Chaos by Liz Wanic with Rebekah Wanic.

Virtual Book Tour & Giveaway: The Secret in the Sampler (Plain Truth Mystery, #1) by Abigail B. Hartwell

The Secret in the Sampler: A Plain Truth Mystery
by Abigail B. Hartwell

About The Secret in the Sampler

The Secret in the Sampler: A Plain Truth Mystery
Amish Adjacent Cozy Mystery with Slow-Burn Romance
1st in Series
Setting – Ohio
Publisher: Plain Truth Press
Publication date: May 31, 2026
Print length: 358 pages
Digital ASIN: B0GX372D82
Paperback Coming Soon!

What would you do if the family heirloom hidden in your aunt’s estate could expose a stolen inheritance—and make you the next person someone needs silenced?

Two years after losing her husband, Nora Bell returns to the quiet Ohio Amish-country town of Briar Creek to settle her late aunt’s estate. She expects dusty type drawers, unpaid bills, and enough sympathy casseroles to survive a minor siege. Reopening The Bell & Quill, Aunt Lenora’s old letterpress and stationery shop, is supposed to be a temporary project—not the beginning of an entirely new life.

Then Nora discovers an antique hand-stitched sampler concealed inside a cedar trunk.

Its mismatched initials, reversed border, and nearly invisible name suggest that the sampler is more than a family keepsake. It may be the only surviving record of a child erased from Briar Creek’s history—and an inheritance quietly stolen decades ago.

Before Nora can uncover what her aunt knew, a local estate appraiser is found dead. He had been asking questions about the sampler, searching for a missing auction ledger, and meeting privately with someone determined to keep an old land transfer from being examined too closely.

Now Nora is following a trail of altered records, old letters, disputed property, and carefully guarded family secrets. Her unexpected ally is Eli Yoder, a reserved Amish widower and auction clerk who knows Briar Creek’s family histories almost as well as he knows when people are refusing to tell the truth.

Eli’s dry humor and steady presence make him useful. The grief he recognizes in Nora makes him dangerous in an entirely different way.

As suspicion spreads through the Amish farms, antique shops, auction houses, and polished tourist businesses surrounding Briar Creek, Nora realizes the sampler does not simply reveal what happened in the past. It threatens someone’s money, reputation, and future.

And the person who killed to keep its secret hidden may already know Nora has begun to unravel the pattern.

Readers will discover:

• A clever, emotionally grounded amateur sleuthwhose knowledge of printing, paper, handwriting, and design helps her notice what others overlook.
• An atmospheric Amish-country settingfilled with rural roads, estate auctions, quilt work, family businesses, and small-town secrets.
• A layered, low-gore cozy mystery involving an antique sampler, a hidden heir, altered records, and a disputed inheritance.
• A clean, chaste slow-burn romance between two widowed people rebuilding their lives through trust rather than instant attraction.
• Warm community characters and lightly witty dialogue without turning the mystery into slapstick.
• A satisfying standalone investigation that opens the door to more secrets from The Bell & Quill.

The Secret in the Sampler is the first novel in The Plain Truth Mysteries, a gentle Amish-adjacent cozy mystery series about old objects, hidden histories, rural grudges, and the truths people leave behind on paper and cloth.

Perfect for fans of Amanda Flower’s Assaulted Caramel, Laura Bradford’s Hearse and Buggy, and Vannetta Chapman’s Falling to Pieces.

Click to Purchase!

| Amazon | Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Amazon UK |

About Abigail B. Hartwell

Abigail B. Hartwell writes gentle Amish-adjacent cozy mysteries rooted in the small towns and wooded backroads of east-central Ohio. Though she is not Amish, she lives near Amish communities and draws inspiration from the region’s quiet rhythms, close-knit families, old stories, and rural traditions. She shares a modest home on five wooded acres with her long-haul truck driver husband. They have two grown daughters and three grandchildren. When she is not writing, Abigail enjoys church activities, family time, and the peaceful beauty of the Ohio countryside.

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Tour Participants

August 18 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 18 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

August 19 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 19 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 20 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

August 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

August 21 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

August 22 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT

August 22 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

August 23 – Sarcastically Yours, Jen – SPOTLIGHT

August 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 24 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

August 25 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 26 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 27 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 28 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

August 28 – Book HookUp – REVIEW

August 29 – Romance Novel Giveaways – SPOTLIGHT

GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!

Click HERE to enter for a chance to win

one of five digital copies of The Secret in the Sampler: A Plain Truth Mystery by Abigail B. Hartwell

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