What would you do to save yourself?In the village where “all are welcome and those in need may stay” long-buried secrets keep rising to the surface. With renovations on the house finally complete, Jayne and Tripp are ready to open their B&B. Villagers and tourists gather for their grand opening barbecue. Close friends check in as their first guests. Aside from a minor glitch or two, … glitch or two, everything is going to plan … and then someone turns up dead on the side of the road.
Unsure if she’s looking for a murderer or a hit-and-run driver, Jayne jumps headlong into figuring out what happened. Her confidence is shaken, though, when some of the locals point out that the rash of murders started when she arrived in the village, insinuating that she brought the darkness hovering over Whispering Pines.
Now, in the middle of a possible murder investigation, Jayne must clear her own name as well.
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This review is for the audio book.
This series shouldn’t stay a secret because I have enjoyed every single one and would highly recommend them, in fact I did to my mum. The stories are all stand alone books so you can listen to them in any order but as it is a small town many of the people are regulars. If you start with book one you get to know them as the series unfolds, also you don’t know a few of the secrets ahead of time. I like the characters especially Jayne and her little dog but it is the fact that you don’t know what is going to happen next that keeps me listening. The mystery is good and although I had guessed the reason I wasn’t sure which one was the murder, there was plenty to choose from. I also like the magic side to the series it isn’t in your face spell casting and is more what I think of Wicca with the use of herbs and positive thinking. All in all a great book and a very good series.
Jayne and Tripp’s B&B is finally ready for guests and to celebrate they have a party and everybody is invited. The first set of guests to stay happen to be old college friends of Jayne’s that she hasn’t seen in years but want to help support her new adventure and get away from the kids. The party goes well, with the exception of one guest that seems he has to infect his fowl mood onto everybody he meets. Jayne gets a number of complaints about him during the evening and being sheriff the complaints keep coming in the next day also. With patience wearing thin Jayne decides she will have to talk to him and maybe ask him to leave but before she can he is killed. Was it murder? An accident? Or natural causes? Jayne can’t wait for the autopsies results to come in, the weekend is nearly over and if it was murder than the most likely suspects his friends would be leaving and it would be to late. Jayne once again plunges head long into a murder investigation but this man annoyed so many people tourist and villagers a like so it won’t be easy and to top it all off she starts to suspect one of her college friends. How much can a person change? In fact did she really know them as well as she thought?
Sandra Murphy is such a talented narrator that I cam glad she is reading this series because she adds her own magic to what is a good book.
Even though this was the first book I have read in this series, I found it was easy to read along. There is a lot going on in the town in this book, and I think reading the other books in the series would make it easier to understand the history.
Where this book begins, Jayne is taking over the land that her grandmother once owned of a small village filled with all kinds of Wiccan history. It’s an exclusive village, and the villagers are concerned about her opening up her bed and breakfast due to the new faces that will be coming and going from the village.
Jayne waves off their concerns until one of the visitors turns up dead. In this riveting mystery, everyone has secrets, and as Jayne searches for the murderer, all the dirty laundry of Whispering Pines comes to the surface.
I really did adore this book and all the well-defined characters. My only issue with it is the number of times the character said “woo woo” in reference to the Wiccans and their beliefs. Other than that, this is a great read!
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
The writter has a great imagination and is very good at pulling you in.
I love this series and have to force myself to put them down. I’ve read far too long into the night with these. I enjoy the setting, characters, and the writing. It isn’t too “hokey” if you know what I mean.
This series is so intriguing and alluring that once you step into Whispering Pines you can not seem to get away. Each one has its own pieces plus adds to what is already there.
Finally opening of B&B the characters that come add lots of interest to your reading. Of course you know what happens if you have read any of the others. Jayne will have her hands full again. She also gets some insights that have her questioning that others seem to have to impart to her. I like that her romance is going a the pace it does.
Some more aspects about her come into this one having us learn and know even more about her. So love her dog. Some questions do come to mind with me searching for the answers in the ones to come.
Love the Whispering Pines series! The main characters are well developed. Can’t
wait for the next book!
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.
Ms. McGuire sure knows how to keep a secret till the end of the book. More than “who did it?” With her cast of quirky and unusual characters, the story rolls along easy. A B&B, new characters added, taking relationships for granted and not viewing people in the now can make it hard for the sheriff. As the murder mystery progresses so we learn more and so does Jayne the heroine. Very enjoyable read. Old secrets playing out over 50 years add to the suspense and angst. Will Jayne ever stay in the present long enough to move forward in her relationship with Tripp? Will Jayne’s murderous brother show up? What secrets will come out of hiding next? Shivers.
I have not read any of this series, so I was a little lost. I see that all the reviews I read are from readers who have read the whole series and the reviews are 4 or 5 stars. I was asked to leave an honest review so 3 is the most I can give. I thought Sandra Murphy did a wonderful job of narrating this book. She deserves a 5 star in my opinion.
I was gifted this book with the understanding that I would leave an honest review.