Deception at Dark Hall

The Briony Martin Mysteries #2

by Stacey Coverstone

Book Two of the Briony Martin Mystery Series. February 1956…Three months after returning from Maine, Briony Martin is headed to Chicago for the christening of her best friend’s baby. Upon arriving, she discovers Paige’s brother-in-law Daniel has been attending séances at Dark Hall, an opulent Gothic mansion rife with rumors of witchcraft and drug use. Paige is worried for Daniel, who has become enamored with the beautiful Sharlyn Dark, a medium who claims to communicate with the dead. Having had some recent encounters with the paranormal, Briony is talked into attending a séance with Daniel to find out if he’s being financially swindled or emotionally taken advantage of. What she finds at Dark Hall is strange history, secrets, and some unusual inhabitants who may or may not be what they appear. When Daniel stumbles upon a murder and almost becomes a victim himself, Briony uses her newly acquired detective skills to help solve this and older crimes that have a connection to Dark Hall. In the meantime, after three weeks of no correspondence, she’s finally heard from John Fletcher, the man she met in Maine and her new love interest. He’s planning to visit soon, and with his promise comes a surprise that could alter her life in ways she never dreamed.

Genres: Mystery

136 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 8, 2013

About the author

Stacey Coverstone wrote her first novel in 2006 after an inspiring week at Cowgirl Camp in New Mexico, a gift from her husband for earning her master’s degree. When that western romance was quickly accepted for publication, there was no looking back. She now writes in a variety of genres, including Gothic suspense, ghost stories, historical and contemporary western romance, humorous fiction, lighthouse stories, and more. She is also a freelance fiction editor.

Please visit Stacey’s website to view all her books and blurbs. Visit the Editing Services page for information on editing and testimonials.

Stacey and her husband call the charming lakeside town of Mount Dora, Florida home, where she is HR Manager and Special Events Manager at the historic (and some say haunted) 1883 Lakeside Inn. She enjoys the beach, bicycle riding, camping, traveling, reading, photography, and spending time with her family.

Please visit her website at: http://www.staceycoverstone.com

Reviews

[Cheryl Landmark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another enjoyable installment in the Briony Martin Gothic series. Once more, Briony's amateur detective skills were put to the test as she tried to unravel the spooky happenings at Dark Hall and to keep her best friend's brother-in-law from succumbing to a dangerous woman, who was rumoured to be a witch.

Once Daniel met Sharlyn Dark's twin sister, Shelby, I began to have a pretty good inkling about what was behind the secrets and goings-on in the strange, mysterious Gothic mansion. But, Ms. Coverstone's writing was such that she held my interest right to the end.

I look forward to reading the third book in this series. It seems there will be romance and an exciting new partnership in the works for Briony!

[Karen Bonilla · Rating 1 out of 5]

I paid $1.99 for this book and I came away feeling gypped. This was a terrible book, with a ridiculous hackneyed plot, a loose lipped detective who was ready tell all the details of his investigation to Briony and to anyone else who asked, listened to her advice about possible past crimes and even let them sit in on interrogations. The plot itself was pointless and had one of the most implausible ending that I've seen in a long, long time. This is the 2nd book in this series and the first was slightly better but not great. I now realized that this same author wrote a third book that I have and I'm happy that I was able to get that one for free because so far, it seems dreadful.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy a little romance, mystery and some paranormal then this book is for you.
Stacey Coverstone's second book in The Briony Martin Mystery series is another journey into the paranormal. Every turn of the page leaves one wanting to know what will happen next but also feeling a bit spooked. With a bit of romance around the corner, there is sure to be an exciting new partnership evolving. I look forward to the next book in this fiction series!

[Sue Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exciting and mysterious book this one was!!!! Witches? Voo Doo? Or just bad juju. That's for you to decide. I couldn't put this one down, even when I wanted to watch something on tv. I hope the next book in the series comes out soon. I'll be first in line to read it.

[Sherry Bledsoe · Rating 1 out of 5]

Silly story

This was a silly story. Very contrived plotting. Seemed more appropriate for juvenile readers. I basically scanned it after I figured out the plot.

[Linda Cole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and short

This book was easy to read and the mystery was intriguing enough but easily solved. Interesting time period the fifties for the setting