St. Simons Island: A Stella Bankwell Mystery

Stella Bankwell #1

by Ronda Rich

Stella Bankwell has suddenly found herself in a 'heap of trouble' in the words of her mountain people. Ten years ago, the pretty, charming redhead was a sports marketing executive when she married unforeseen trouble-dashing Asher Bankwell who is descended from 150 years of old Atlanta money and prestige. Now, she is banished from Atlanta society, after her high falutin' lifestyle humiliatingly crashed publicly in front of Atlanta's snootiest at a blacktie gala. After a brief runaway to her childhood mountain home to her Mama's consoling, she escapes for her beloved St. Simons Island where the sea and her best friend, Marlo, offer peace and calm. But there on the enchanting island, she also finds herself embroiled in a mystery that includes murder and money laundering. With the help of her best friend, Chatty (Chatham Balsam Colquitt IV, the only good that came from her marriage to Asher), who follows her to his second home on adjoining Sea Island; former Governor McCager Burnett (Chatty's Sea Island neighbor); and handsome U.S. Marshal Jackson (Pepper) Culpepper, they set out to solve a mystery that, most surely, will send a deep rattling through the columned, brick mansions of Atlanta's exclusive Buckhead. She was simply trying to escape her scandalous embarrassment and an unhappy marriage. Now, she's facing real Possible federal indictments that lead to a murder that leads to serious danger for Stella. It turns out to be the beginning of Stella Bankwell, former Atlanta socialite, becoming Stella Bankwell, amateur sleuth.

Genres: Mystery Thriller

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 10, 2023

About the author

Ronda Rich, an eleventh-generation Southerner, is the bestselling author of What Southern Women Know (That Every Woman Should) and a popular national columnist. She speaks with Southern charm and humor at over a hundred events each year. She has appeared on dozens of television and radio shows. Ronda and her dachshund, Dixie Dew, make their home among the red clay hills of her native homeland.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Gabby Embry]

Was good because I love St.Simons. Story dragged a little bit. Was interesting plot line.

[Jamie]

An absolute Southern dollop of delight!! Ronda Rich, through her rich descriptions, brings alive a cast of characters which, I hope, will reappear in future Stella Bankwell novels. Set on St Simon's Island, Ronda Rich introduces her readers to Stella, of coursel; Chatty, the former Governor, Miss Caroline, Marlo, Annabelle Honeycutt, Asher Bankwell, and the U S Marshal, Jackson Culpepper. What starts as an act of public humiliation on Stella's part ends up as a federal crime. Looking forward to more adventures from this fun-loving cast of characters.

[Kim Waters]

Loved every page

As a lover of Northeast Georgia and St. Simon’s Island, this book spoke to my heart. I loved how Ronda’s beautiful way with words so richly described every scene. How she described the sand thirsting for the waves on the beach at the King & Prince. And the cast of characters…what girl doesn’t dream of a best friend like Chatty? I savored every page and can’t wait to read more…I am betting Sapelo Island might be next!

[Debra Evans]

Southern page Turner

I'm a big fan of Ronda's weekly newsletter and weekly newspaper column. I just knew I would love this book too and I did! Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. So many wonderful characters! I can't wait for the next in a series. Thank you Ronda!

[JUDITH Turner]

Southern storytelling at its best

This is a delightful book punctuated with memorable characters, many gifted with typical southern names. The language is rich and the scenery is lush. This is a well researched book with a satisfying ending...or "to be continued." Can't wait.

[Sandy B]

Ronda Rich wove a great story in one of Georgia’s most scenic areas, and filled it with an interesting cast of characters. I loved Stella and Chatty, and can’t wait to find out what the next adventure is on another Georgia barrier island.

[Reader]

Easy beach read with enough plot to keep you engaged. Some of the connections feel a bit stretched. you can tell they’re there to create that warm, fuzzy “good guys band together to beat the bad guys” feeling , but it still works for what it is. A good vacation book.

[Brooke]

It’s a good beach read. Stella and Chatty’s friendship is the best part of the story!

[Tammy Kittle]

Borrowed from mom. Nice easy read and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters. Looking forward to more books in this series from this “almost local” author.

[Melanie Satterfield]

It was an ok fiction read.

[Charlie]

The characters were well crafted and memorable. A good description of Atlanta elites and St. Simons/Sea Island society. The mystery, however, was pretty ordinary and predictable.

[Brenna]

Fun reading about st Simon’s b/c I live there. Story not very interesting & overly wordy

[Jbtroha]

Lots of typos which was annoying. And sometimes the leaps in the plot just didn’t make sense. Plus one character was really irritating but “everyone loves him”- didn’t work.

[Linda Hoover]

St. Simons Island: A Stella Bankwell Mystery by Ronda Rich is filled with engaging characters from the South, humor, people to cheer for and others to BOO. This is book one of the series