A dangerous storm, a wounded stranger, and a ghost from the past. Just another Thursday in Whispering Pines.A monster of a blizzard is on the way, but the hardy folks of Whispering Pines aren’t bothered by the weather. Not when there are supplies to gather and neighbors to catch up with.As everyone finally settles in to ride out the storm, Sheriff Jayne O’Shea gets a phone call. A stranger has … phone call. A stranger has stumbled into the village. She’s covered in bruises and mumbling about a car crash. Determined to figure out what happened to her, and to rescue any other potential victims still out there, Jayne braves the howling winds and arctic temperatures. Then another call comes in. An elderly villager is missing in the storm.
Jayne can handle this. She can handle pretty much anything. But when a ghost from her past shows up at the bed-and-breakfast and tries to uncover Jayne’s long-buried secrets, she may have reached her breaking point.
What Readers Are Saying
“I can clearly see the thatched roof houses, their wood and stucco exteriors. It reminds me of Shakespeare’s house in London.”
“I’ve read them all and just want to go back.”
“I wish Whispering Pines was a real place”
“If you enjoy honest, rather raw characters seeking direction, and the consequences of past mistakes, you’ll enjoy this series as much as I have.”
“My mind is still in Whispering Pines. I can clearly see the thatched roof houses, their wood and stucco exteriors. It reminds me of Shakespeare’s house in London.”
“I really enjoy how the characters continue to evolve in this series and the new eccentrics fit right in!”
“I totally fell in love with both the village and the story.”
“I would gladly plan my next trip to Whispering Pines.”
The Whispering Pines Mystery Series
Family Secrets
Kept Secrets, Book 2
Original Secrets, Book 3
Hidden Secrets, Book 4
Rival Secrets, Book 5
Veiled Secrets, Book 6
Silent Secrets, Book 7
Merciful Secrets, Book 8
Justified Secrets, Book 9
more
Justified Secrets is book 9 in Shawn McGuire’s Whispering Pines mystery series, it is a cozy mystery with a mystical wiccan flair.
I have read every book in this series, and they are always amazing, this one was no exception!
I was drawn into the story immediately, who is this woman from the accident? What happened ? Will she ever wake up and be able to tell Jayne? I couldn’t put the book down, every time I tried, there was a new development.
I am always happy to spend time with these wonderful characters, I always expect the unexpected because you never know what might happen in Whispering Pines.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book
Weathering the storm…
I’ve loved this entire series. Shawn McGuire has a knack for developing interesting characters and intriguing plots that combine two or more mysteries and an insight into relationships. As always, it is well written and can be read as a stand-alone… but for devoted readers, like me, this story serves to tie up a rather big loose end in the Jayne O’Shea saga – that of her ex-boyfriend and, less surprising, her relationship with her father.
The story begins to unfold with a major snowstorm soon to arrive in Whispering Pines that later results in several unexpected incidents taking place and if that isn’t enough to engage the reader, you then have all the major characters gathering in the storm to be safe under one roof at Jayne and Tripp’s Pine Time Bed & Breakfast. As the town sheriff, Jayne has her hands full almost to the point of overload coupled with her personal concerns. Fortunately, her dear friends with their cleansing and protective spells and brews are there to lend a helping hand.
I really got into this book. It was my favorite of the series. You could feel the angst and stress as well as the love from the different characters – the story flowed as the plot thickened. Each book in this series always comes with its own satisfying conclusions and something to ponder leaving you wanting more. I look forward to another enjoyable read with mysteries solved and a HEA in the lives of Jayne, Tripp, family and friends.
Shawn McGuire, Justified Secrets #9 – Gee, the tourists are gone but things still go bad and that’s not counting the January blizzard. Another well written, well thought out addition to this series that keeps the reader immersed in the pages. The past slaps Jayne cross-eyed but she has the support and the strength of family and friends to help her.
This is my top favorite series, which contains all the elements of good reading: suspense; intrigue; emotions; and a touch of romance and magic set in a fast pace, substantial tapestry of descriptive storytelling by a talented author. I contacted the author to review her books. 4*
Whispering Pines series:
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 its interesting plot and realistic characters, including the lovable dog. I couldn’t put FS 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, WP#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.
Original Secrets, WP #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 none 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, WP #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.
Rival Secrets #5 – Rival picks up a month after Hidden Secrets ends. The well thought out storylines keep the reader immersed until the last page. Every book in this series has been great and this one is no different. The regular characters keep showing more of their secrets and growth, and the reader pulls for them. Their dialog is interesting without any stupidity, just realistic and clean. There’s touches of sexual tension and hints of mysteries to come. The murder was well handled and while there were plenty of suspects, the path to solving the crime was interesting. As usual, there were kinks along the path, but that’s what keeps the reader involved with the story. 5*
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 FS; I didn’t miss not having read M&G before FS.
Veiled Secrets #6 – I’m absolutely addicted to this series. Ms. McGuire is on my top ten list of favorite authors. This is another great addition. The story begins a month after Rival Secrets ended. There are a lot of surprises, good and bad, for everyone in WP. Law enforcement will definitely feel the brunt of the happenings. There are two good endings or beginnings at the end of the book. The storylines were very intriguing, suspense filled and mesmerizing making it hard to put the book down until the end. The author’s vivid descriptions of the Samhain event was pretty well done. The characters keep evolving with each book and Flavia is going to go nuclear soon by the way she’s acting, but that’s another story. 5*
Silent Secrets #7 – This has to be my all-time favorite series by one of my favorite authors. While these can be read as standalones, this is one series to invest in from the beginning. Ms. McGuire has an easy to read writing style that belies the intricacies of the continuous and new storylines. Her vivid descriptions place you there with a clearness of location, character and developments. Her imagination, active and nonrepetitive throughout her series, bring a depth to the tapestries she has woven in her storylines. It is wonderful to read about realistic characters that do not follow today’s stupidity formula common in so many books of various genres. They are realistic, people you know and understand. There are plenty of emotions running the gamut, and a good balance between good and bad events, and good and bad characters. 5*
Merciful Secrets #8 – Just when I think I read the best book by this author, she releases the best book ever. It will be difficult to write a review instead of a book report since this book and this series are exceptional. The new and old storylines mesh together bringing a substantial depth to MS. This book starts about two months after Silent Secrets ends. There is a possible new murder and the effects of a 40-year-old tragedy returns for more murders. Some of the new characters introduced are surprising lending suspense to the possible future. There is plenty of intrigue and mystery along with surprises from unsuspected sources. Again, I did not put another McGuire novel down until I finished the last page.5*
Whispering Pines end.
Jayne O’Shea is the Sheriff of Whispering Pines in northern Wisconsin, as well as the co-proprietor of a local Bed and Breakfast that she runs with her personal and professional partner, Tripp.
This book was very enjoyable and filled with twists and turns in the storyline. The B&B is filled with people riding out a winter storm which makes for exciting moments, especially when dealing with Jayne’s past. This is one of those “can’t put it down” books.
The author brings the story together well and, as always, I am eager for the next book in the series. I have read and enjoyed every book Ms. McGuire has written about Whispering Pines. Even though the Whispering Pines stories are a series, each book can be a stand-alone because the author does a wonderful job explaining who the people of Whispering Pines are. I received an ARC from the author.
I really enjoyed book 9, it is a great addition to the series. Many things can happen during a blizzard. This storm has swept in to the Village of Whispering Pines and danger is lurking. The characters in this series are like old friends that you can easily catch up with by reading what is happening in the Village. The characters and interpersonal character relationship development is excellent. Once again Jayne has a couple mysteries on her hands. Can Jayne, with the help of her friends and family, figure out what has happened, correct wrongs and set things right? This book, like the others in the series, can be read as a stand alone book. The books are easy to read and are hard to put down. I am already looking forward to book 10!
The beginning of the book really pulls you in, and keeps you reading. I really love all the characters, and with each book we get to know and understand them better. The main character is not perfect, and we are along for the ride as she grows as a person and finds the life she wants plus we get a great mystery too. Looking forward to the next book. If you are looking for a cozy mystery with a touch of witchcraft this a book for you.
Book 9, Justified Secrets has mystery, suspense and action that keep the pages turning, especially when Jayne’s ex shows up to stay at the B&B. She realizes something is off with him, she has to don her sheriff’s badge and gun to unravel his mystery and author Shawn McGuire creates the best reading. Great series!
Funny how bad weather can bring out the good insome people and the bad in others. In this visit to Whispering Pines, a really nasty winter storm is blowing through, closing all roads and bringing problems for sheriff Jayne. A practical joke played on a friend turns (almost) deadly. A young woman is found wandering deliriously in the village, injured and unable to tell anyone what has happened to her. A surprise visit from someone Jayne would rather have stayed in the past. A warm up of 2 villager’s dislike for each other. And no deputy! Several people step up in very helpful ways to help untangle this mess. The local snowplow driver, the healer from the clinic, Tripp, and 2 very special guests at Pine Time. There’s a hint of what might be the next problem in SO – but not until the weather clears up and visitors return, please! This one really kept me going; I’m exhausted. I need a trip to Maui to recover!
I was excited to get into this one as I have fallen for this series in a big way. It has many elements that flow keeping a reader interested from beginning to end. They each get you deeper into this town and more involved with the characters whom some become your friends. Having myself been in a storm or two with lots of snow this one caught my attention right away. Oh she was right on also to be on alert when ex comes to the inn. As each thing unravels in this and secrets are uncovered you will be spell bound. I adore the interaction with all the characters you come to be familiar with. I liked reading more with the sister and father also involved in this story. It will keep you guessing as you try to figure it all out. Now to be patient for the next one.
Another great novel in this series. Each one seems to be better than the last one. Jayne’s dad comes to visit for her birthday. A blizzard is in full storm mode. A female with bruises comes into town from a car crash and is unconscious. Jayne gets an unexpected visit from her former boyfriend, Jonah. What is Jonah doing at the bed and breakfast? His story does not add up. With the blizzard in full force, no one can go very far. Another story line with great characters. A page turning mystery to keep your interest.