Tucked next to a pristine lake, the part-Medieval Europe, part-Renaissance Faire hamlet of Whispering Pines, Wisconsin is a utopia . . . except for the recent murders.One month after arriving in the Northwoods, former detective Jayne O’Shea has settled comfortably into small-town life and is making good progress with her task of getting her grandparents’ house ready for sale. Then the shocking … shocking death of one of the carnies rocks the community, and the villagers look to Jayne for help, placing her in an impossible middle ground of not wanting to get involved and needing to ensure justice is served.
When a second carney turns up dead, and the newly hired sheriff—more concerned with ticketing tourists than catching the killer—dismisses the death as an accident, Jayne has no choice but to step in. Can she uncover the truth before the murderer strikes again?
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I have listened to most of the series and every book progresses with the characters, adds a another mystery, teaches me something and keeps me wanting more.
This review is for the audio book.
I enjoyed this book.Then again I started with book 6 and loved it so had to go back to the start of the series, so I knew it was my type of story- quirky, fun characters and a good mystery and this book doesn’t disappoint in anyway. You don’t need to listen to the books in order but it doesn’t mean I know some of out comes of the sub plots, so I think I would probably recommend listening to them in order. As I said the characters are fun but it is the interaction between them that I like, the way on minute Jayne is questioning a suspect and then is accepting magical gifts the next this makes the story interesting because the characters are all so colourful and don’t follow the norm. Off to start the next book.
Jayne is still trying to talk her parent’s into letting her turn her grandmothers house into a bed and breakfast and while she waits for the answer she is keeping busy buy getting it ready to sell, just in case. On a rare night out she and Trip (her hopeful business partner) visit the carnival and watch some death defying acts and stunts In the big top. So Jayne is surprised to return in the morning for a forgotten jumper to find one of the carnies tangled up in her own silks. After having seen her show the previous night she is reluctant to believe the tragic death was an accident. With no body in change until the village appoints a new sheriff Jayne lets her cop instincts take over and she starts asking questions and looking for clues. She is less than impressed when the town council appoints someone. Especially when the green rookie jumps to conclusions and seems more happy with locking up tourist than looking into the death. Then another carnie is killed and Jayne is left wondering how the sheriff can rule it another accident. This time she has to take action and get to the bottom of these murders befire anyone else is killed.
I like the narrator and wouldn’t change anything about the way she reads these stories.
This author is great at capturing your attention with her wonderful mystery and suspense. The tales continue on in this with Jayne still waiting to here about the bed and breakfast and becoming more into Whispering Pines. The characters somehow have also wrapped around me the reader also. More deaths with you wanting the answers like everyone else. How they come about is the fun part with also new paths coming along for Jayne. Tripp has alot of work ahead with also though him having me scratch my head with where his head is at. The carnies are so interesting but yet a vital part of the place. Secrets though are what come out and when they do it will be quite surprising and en lighting but with more that has to be unburdened.
I love this series! Look forward to each installment!
Family Secrets, Whispering Pines #1 – An intriguing story. After finishing Stick and Stones, I dove into Family Secrets, my second book by this new-to-me author. These two books are nothing alike on storylines, except fantasy. I was drawn into this well written novel with an interesting plot and realistic characters, including the lovable dog. I couldn’t put Family Secrets down until it was finished. There’s an overview letting the reader know what the book is about, which I appreciate. This author is definitely someone whose work I want to keep reading. Two books, two winners!
Kept Secrets, Whispering Pines #2 – Another intriguing story by a very good author. Now we’re being to know our main characters as they grow in this book, while remaining believable and realistic. The well written, fast paced plot keeps the reader interested, making it hard to put the book down. The author’s descriptions leave the reader with clear pictures about the town, townspeople and property. I contacted the author to review her books since she writes such substantial stories that leaves a reader satisfied.
Original Secrets, Whispering Pines #3 – This is the best of the series. So intriguing that the reader can’t put the book down. A well written, suspense filled book with two deaths forty years apart that may be connected. The characters are steadily growing, even the hated ones are interesting. Their dialog is realistic and non of The Stupid Formula for these characters. Her descriptions are clear and you’re there in Whispering Pines. I’m looking forward to the next book. I contacted the author to review her books; her stories are substantial and the reader is satisfied when finished reading one of her books.
Hidden Secrets, Whispering Pines #4 – Another hard to put down story. Well written, suspense filled and full of intrigue, still with an interesting group of characters with new ones added to boot. This substantial story has several stories going at once, including the past and the future and the worries that stem from them. I’ve never been disappointed by any book written by Ms. McGuire and I look forward to more of her work. I contacted the author to review her books.
Missing & Gone – An interesting novella. This well written story introduces the main and some of the secondary characters of the book Family Secrets. It’s a quickly read suspense story, which I read after Family Secrets; I didn’t miss not having read M&G before FS. A conflict: Jayne knows her grandmother is a Wiccan, but she forgot it in FS? Minor detail, both are must reads, actually any of the author’s books are must reads.
Sticks and Stones – A surprising, intense novel. Not knowing what to expect from this new-to-me author, I started reading a book that turned out to be mesmerizing. I couldn’t stop reading this well written, thought out book with its interesting characters and storyline full of twists, even thought the age group doesn’t interest me. I’ve had this book a while and am glad I finally got around to reading it. My next read is Family Secrets.
Had me in the first pages. by 4% I was glued to this book. The writing, the storyline, interesting characters, and interaction of the characters. Whispering Pines is a town that would be interesting with normal daily flow. Add a circus, questionable law enforcement, deaths and more questions than answers and the plot carries the story on. Writing is smooth and fitting, Makes me relax and smile. Wiccan “woo-woo”, a somewhat of a friend romance, finally a Detective that detects, a 50 year old crime in the making, all leading to a now Happy Ending for soon to be “Pine Time” B&B and ongoing investigating. ENJOYED ENJOYED ENJOYED THIS BOOK
I received a copy of this book for an honest review. This second story of Whispering Pines continues Jayne’s life in a small town, which was really started by her grandmother, Lucy O’Shea, whose original intent for the village was a place for practitioners of the Wiccan religion and has included certain other ‘misfits’. The summer brings a heavy tourist population to town to experience the unique shops, palm readings, and a semi-permanent circus. Seems like there is jealousy, even among close members of the circus and a murder (or was it just an accident?) takes place. Jayne has now been thrust into the task of figuring out what really happened, when yet another murder (?) happens. The story is replete with wonderful descriptions of the town, the country-side, the people, as well as a deeper look into Wiccan. Fascinating!