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Deadly Secrets from Pond Island: A Vanessa Hutchins Mystery
Deadly Secrets from Pond Island doesn’t disappoint. An intricate web of plot lines bringing to life the author’s characters in an extraordinary way. Don’t think as you read you have the story figured out. Clever plot twists!
Janet Davies, ABC7 News Chicago
AN EPIPHANY…
On her way to becoming a senior partner at a prestigious law firm, Vanessa Hutchins has a strange vision that changes her life forever. On deep impulse, she ditches her career, purchases a house sight unseen, and flees the big city in search of a more fulfilling life.
…LEADS TO A DISCOVERY…
When she opens the door to her new small-town home, she’s greeted by a massive hoard three decades in the making. Left with no choice, she begins the great purge and soon reveals a horrific truth.
…EXPOSING A FATAL INJUSTICE…
Did someone go to great pains to protect these truths from ruin, or from fear they may confirm dark suspicions? As rumors surrounding the new girl in town grow, Vanessa’s idyllic life becomes endangered.
… AND UPENDS A SMALL TOWN.
Does she ignore what she found? Or does she expose an even uglier truth destined to topple the town's revered heroes, jeopardize her new friends’ lives, and possibly silence her own?
Deadly Secrets From Pond Island is the standalone first book in the page-turning Vanessa Hutchins Mystery series. If you like robust characters, dark twists, and a dash of witty banter, then you’ll love Olivia Raymond’s page-turning debut mystery.
Get your copy today and be among the first to learn the Deadly Secrets from Pond Island!
Janet Davies, ABC7 News Chicago
AN EPIPHANY…
On her way to becoming a senior partner at a prestigious law firm, Vanessa Hutchins has a strange vision that changes her life forever. On deep impulse, she ditches her career, purchases a house sight unseen, and flees the big city in search of a more fulfilling life.
…LEADS TO A DISCOVERY…
When she opens the door to her new small-town home, she’s greeted by a massive hoard three decades in the making. Left with no choice, she begins the great purge and soon reveals a horrific truth.
…EXPOSING A FATAL INJUSTICE…
Did someone go to great pains to protect these truths from ruin, or from fear they may confirm dark suspicions? As rumors surrounding the new girl in town grow, Vanessa’s idyllic life becomes endangered.
… AND UPENDS A SMALL TOWN.
Does she ignore what she found? Or does she expose an even uglier truth destined to topple the town's revered heroes, jeopardize her new friends’ lives, and possibly silence her own?
Deadly Secrets From Pond Island is the standalone first book in the page-turning Vanessa Hutchins Mystery series. If you like robust characters, dark twists, and a dash of witty banter, then you’ll love Olivia Raymond’s page-turning debut mystery.
Get your copy today and be among the first to learn the Deadly Secrets from Pond Island!
- GenresMystery
332 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2023
10 people are currently reading
1880 people want to read
About the author
Olivia Raymond
1 book14 followersOlivia Raymond was born in the small town of Greensburg, Indiana, best known for the mulberry tree growing out of its courthouse tower. Her family moved to a large metropolitan area when she was just seven years old, but by then, the small-town life had taken root and made its lasting impression.
Olivia enjoyed several careers in various big cities across the US. Her careers provided her with many wonderful experiences and more than a few strange encounters. These adventures help shape her stories.
Back to living in a small town with her family and sweet furry companion, Mr. Ralf, Olivia enjoys her time as a writer and volunteer for the arts in her community.
Olivia enjoyed several careers in various big cities across the US. Her careers provided her with many wonderful experiences and more than a few strange encounters. These adventures help shape her stories.
Back to living in a small town with her family and sweet furry companion, Mr. Ralf, Olivia enjoys her time as a writer and volunteer for the arts in her community.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
December 10, 2023
Deadly Secrets from Pond Island follows Vanessa Hutchins as she resigns her well paid job in the city and buys, sight unseen, a house in Pond Island. A rural, small town filled with the kind of quirky characters you'd expect to find in the backwoods.
When Vanessa finds a collection of boxes, containing police, court and newspaper documents relating to a murder from years ago, she decides to put her lawyer talents to work figuring out why the previous occupant of the house kept them and hid them under a huge pile of junk.
Calling in a favour from a friend in the FBI, Vanessa teams up with a local Agent to get to the bottom of the case.
The early part of the book introduces us to Vanessa and several of the locals, gradually setting the scene for the investigation to come whilst also allowing the wannabe sleuth to start making valuable contacts in the town.
We soon find out that not everything in Pond Island is what it seems and then it's a race against time to track down the evidence before Vanessa finds herself in a fight to survive.
Vanessa has to pit her wits against some great characters, that encompass the various small town traits without becoming hillbilly stereotypes, as she gradually uncovers the truth.
The plot is nicely interwoven to allow the reader to get to know Vanessa and her FBI helper Dudley whilst the investigation continues alongside. It rolls along in a very easy to follow narrative, but still has time to introduce the required plot twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
The book eventually introduces some dark undertones before ending with an emotional finale that reduced this grizzled old cynic to tears.
An excellent stand alone novel that hopefully is the first of a series following Vanessa's investigations.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a good investigative thriller or who appreciates strong characters and an engaging plot
When Vanessa finds a collection of boxes, containing police, court and newspaper documents relating to a murder from years ago, she decides to put her lawyer talents to work figuring out why the previous occupant of the house kept them and hid them under a huge pile of junk.
Calling in a favour from a friend in the FBI, Vanessa teams up with a local Agent to get to the bottom of the case.
The early part of the book introduces us to Vanessa and several of the locals, gradually setting the scene for the investigation to come whilst also allowing the wannabe sleuth to start making valuable contacts in the town.
We soon find out that not everything in Pond Island is what it seems and then it's a race against time to track down the evidence before Vanessa finds herself in a fight to survive.
Vanessa has to pit her wits against some great characters, that encompass the various small town traits without becoming hillbilly stereotypes, as she gradually uncovers the truth.
The plot is nicely interwoven to allow the reader to get to know Vanessa and her FBI helper Dudley whilst the investigation continues alongside. It rolls along in a very easy to follow narrative, but still has time to introduce the required plot twists and turns to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.
The book eventually introduces some dark undertones before ending with an emotional finale that reduced this grizzled old cynic to tears.
An excellent stand alone novel that hopefully is the first of a series following Vanessa's investigations.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys a good investigative thriller or who appreciates strong characters and an engaging plot
April 10, 2024
This was a good book. I feel like the characters are the heart of the story. Vanessa is instantly a likable character as are several of the other people we meet along the way. My one complaint concerning characters is that it was a bit hard to keep some of the characters straight. While there aren't a lot of major characters, three of them have names that start with "V" (Vanessa, Virgil, and Vernon). There were a few times when I got Virgil and Vernon confused. Maybe, other readers don't have an issue with this.
While this is a mystery, I felt like a lot of the mystery was a bit too obvious. I would have preferred if there had been more of a mystery. The only real plot twist happens at the end of the book, and that's kind of discovered and resolved fairly quickly.
This book does have some swearing. There are probably about ten swear words total. When it comes to violence, most of the violence is behind the scenes. The one big exception is that characters smack each other upside the head a few times throughout the story.
This is a bit of a spoiler, but it's also a warning to readers, so read on at your own risk. This book does talk about child abuse, including sexual abuse and child trafficking. It doesn't go into a lot of detail, but it could be a difficult subject for some readers.
While this is a mystery, I felt like a lot of the mystery was a bit too obvious. I would have preferred if there had been more of a mystery. The only real plot twist happens at the end of the book, and that's kind of discovered and resolved fairly quickly.
This book does have some swearing. There are probably about ten swear words total. When it comes to violence, most of the violence is behind the scenes. The one big exception is that characters smack each other upside the head a few times throughout the story.
This is a bit of a spoiler, but it's also a warning to readers, so read on at your own risk. This book does talk about child abuse, including sexual abuse and child trafficking. It doesn't go into a lot of detail, but it could be a difficult subject for some readers.
July 29, 2025
4.5 stars- "OH BOY!"
I can honestly say that never have I ever cried at the end of a mystery novel. There's a first time for everything though. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that everyone will be affected by this one certain part at the end like I was but if you've ever had a loved one that suffered from verbal aphasia you'll know what I'm talking about.
Olivia Raymond completely blindsided me with her debut novel. The characters, the story line, the small town vibe just hooked me in and wouldn't let me go. She's one of my new favorite authors and I hope she keeps these books coming. As long as she is willing to write, I'll keep reading.
I can honestly say that never have I ever cried at the end of a mystery novel. There's a first time for everything though. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that everyone will be affected by this one certain part at the end like I was but if you've ever had a loved one that suffered from verbal aphasia you'll know what I'm talking about.
Olivia Raymond completely blindsided me with her debut novel. The characters, the story line, the small town vibe just hooked me in and wouldn't let me go. She's one of my new favorite authors and I hope she keeps these books coming. As long as she is willing to write, I'll keep reading.
October 9, 2024
I have to admit, I’m behind on my reading. So sorry to be late to the party!
Anyhoo, I loved this book. It was cleverly written, great character development, not too many characters, and the perfect length. I smelled all the smells, I distrusted all of the town’s people until the reveal, and I loved the main characters that solved it all.(Even the dog). Thanks for the opportunity to read this one. I can’t wait to download the next Vanessa Hutchins, and I’ll recommend it to all my friends.
Anyhoo, I loved this book. It was cleverly written, great character development, not too many characters, and the perfect length. I smelled all the smells, I distrusted all of the town’s people until the reveal, and I loved the main characters that solved it all.(Even the dog). Thanks for the opportunity to read this one. I can’t wait to download the next Vanessa Hutchins, and I’ll recommend it to all my friends.
November 19, 2023
Pittsburgh with an 'h'
Enjoyed the book. Easy to follow and not difficult to figure out what happened. I blame it on editting but Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania is spelled with an H at the end
Enjoyed the book. Easy to follow and not difficult to figure out what happened. I blame it on editting but Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania is spelled with an H at the end
November 24, 2023
Almost stopped reading
The story line turned out to be very compelling. The local, casual use of the English language at the beginning was somewhat unusual and that almost caused me to put the book down. Glad I did not.
The story line turned out to be very compelling. The local, casual use of the English language at the beginning was somewhat unusual and that almost caused me to put the book down. Glad I did not.
January 31, 2024
There were multiple lines in this book that made me laugh and that automatically pulls me into the story.
The characters were diverse, fun, and felt real.
The mystery was interesting and everything tied together neatly at the end.
The only con to the book was that the MC came off as being a bit immature at times, especially when it came to the nicknames she gave others.
Overall, it was a quick, enjoyable read.
The characters were diverse, fun, and felt real.
The mystery was interesting and everything tied together neatly at the end.
The only con to the book was that the MC came off as being a bit immature at times, especially when it came to the nicknames she gave others.
Overall, it was a quick, enjoyable read.
April 8, 2024
Good story but first half is very slow
Once you get to the second half the story is much better. Would be better without attempts to mimic country dialect and references to cleaning up after the dog in as much detail.
Once you get to the second half the story is much better. Would be better without attempts to mimic country dialect and references to cleaning up after the dog in as much detail.
September 21, 2023
Super five star stand-alone call me book.
This is one of those books where the main protagonist is depicted as having nothing but a big heart, but still gets the job done
This is one of those books where the main protagonist is depicted as having nothing but a big heart, but still gets the job done
October 10, 2023
Enjoyable Read
Great characters, great plot, and great story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and am anxious to read the next in the series.
Great characters, great plot, and great story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and am anxious to read the next in the series.
February 4, 2024
I was so enjoying the story and then it became the most convoluted mess ever. And of course sexual abuse had to become the topic.
February 18, 2024
This was amazing!
September 3, 2024
Likable characters, interesting and enjoyable enough not to dread or quit. Definitely not “deep”, but if you’re just looking for entertainment and a light read, not a bad choice.
February 20, 2024
This was not what I was expecting.
The synopsis states that Vanessa 'had a strange vision' and, me being me, I assumed this would add some kind of supernatural element to the story.. but this isn't so. Had that been the only reason I didn't particularly enjoy the read, it might still have won me over.. but there are entire portions of this book that felt unnecessary. This slowed the pace to a crawl and made it difficult to get lost in the story.
I think many mystery readers will find this book interesting but it just wasn't for me.
The synopsis states that Vanessa 'had a strange vision' and, me being me, I assumed this would add some kind of supernatural element to the story.. but this isn't so. Had that been the only reason I didn't particularly enjoy the read, it might still have won me over.. but there are entire portions of this book that felt unnecessary. This slowed the pace to a crawl and made it difficult to get lost in the story.
I think many mystery readers will find this book interesting but it just wasn't for me.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews