Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
A road trip to a formerly haunted mansion could lead to a new mystery...and a chilling surprise.

When Carly embarks on a mysterious road trip with her grandmother, she gets to experience the location from her grandmother's first story and to unravel the secrets of a centuries-old English manor and the ghostly whispers of the Blackthorn Bride in a new haunting tale.

As Carly delves deeper into the tales of psychic witch, Emma, and the enigmatic disappearances tied to Blackthorn Manor, she finds herself caught in a web of ancient mysteries and family secrets. With each clue they uncover, the boundary between the past and present blurs, leading Carly on a journey to discover the truth behind the haunted estate and her own family's connection to it.

Join Carly and Emma in "Cryptic Clues," where family legacies, hidden truths, and ghostly encounters intertwine in a cozy mystery that promises to keep you guessing until the last page.

Buy now, turn out the lights, and prepare for the next ghostly mystery!

144 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 21, 2024

157 people are currently reading
40 people want to read

About the author

Nellie H. Steele

127 books523 followers
Nellie H. Steele lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with her family and her many fur-babies. When she isn't writing, she enjoys teaching Statistics at a local university or watching her dogs and cats play in the yard.

Nellie is the author of the Cate Kensie Mystery Series, a cozy mystery series following the adventures of Dr. Catherine Kensie, a history professor turned Scottish Countess, and her beloved dog, Riley, as they navigate their new lives in their quirky Scottish highlands castle, solving mysteries along the way! She is the creator of the Shadow Slayers series, a suspenseful series with a supernatural twist! Follow the Shadow Slayers through time as they fight to banish darkness from the world. Nellie also writes an adventure series, Maggie Edwards Adventures. Follow Maggie Edwards as she travels the world solving mysteries and finding unique treasures!

Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news about book releases or like us on facebook (facebook.com/anovelideapublishing) to keep up with us!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
221 (73%)
4 stars
58 (19%)
3 stars
18 (6%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
427 reviews22 followers
May 26, 2024
Carley and her Grandmother are on a road trip
to explore a haunted mansion and Her Grandmother is telling the story of the Blackthorn Bride Nellie writes these stories it is like getting two books in one I am look forward to book 4 inthe series.
Profile Image for Audrey.
537 reviews10 followers
March 18, 2024
Read this in two sittings, easy read that will make you wonder !
280 reviews7 followers
March 28, 2024
📚 Book Review 📚
Cryptic Clues
By
Nellie H. Steele
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The third book in the Whispers of Witchcraft Cozy Mysteries Series is Cryptic Clues by Nellie H. Steele. The story picks up as Carly and her grandmother set on a mission to Blackthorn Manor, an English Manor haunted until a psychic witch, Emma, and her aunt Rose intervene and help the ghost move on. Carly’s grandmother plans to unfold the story as they embark on their adventure and describe the harrowing story of the Blackthorn Bride, Isabella Blackthorn, and her disappearance on her wedding night. Carly learns that Isabella’s marriage was prearranged by her father, and the bride did NOT want to marry her betrothed, Charles Mintone. The more Emma learns she becomes engulfed in an intriguing, twisted, and dangerous course of events.
I enjoyed reading this engrossing and haunting story. The characters were well-written and the intercharacter relationships were engaging. Each pair of women is unique and keeping them differentiated may be initially a little difficult, but Carly with her grandmother are telling the story about Emma and her aunt Rose, who are trying to help the ghost move on. The author helps in this effort by using different font styles to separate the pairs. The plot was intriguing and the suspense riveting. I thought the mood of the story was heartbreaking as the bride felt trapped and the tragedy that ensued from her dilemma. The story progresses mercifully for the ghost as Emma and Rose find surprising answers to the question of why or what is keeping Isabella tied to the manor. I would recommend this story as an engrossing, fun, and compelling ghost story. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Readers Copy
9 reviews13 followers
March 21, 2024
I loved this book. Book three of the “ Whispers of Witchcraft” cozy mystery series by author Nellie H. Steele. Book one was good, book two was better, and book three was outstanding. It continues the story of the developing relationship between Carly, recently orphaned, and her Grandmother Althea. Carly goes to live with her grandmother after the tragic death of her parents. They barely know each other because Carly’s parents thought Althea was strange, and never let a relationship develop between them. So, they are strangers when Carly comes to live with her grandmother.
They both try hard though, to make it work. They really hit it off because Althea accepts Carly as she is—pink hair, cat hoodies, and all. And Carly really appreciates that—she feels accepted and at home, even though she misses her parents tremendously.
In this book, the two embark on a road trip to visit Maple Mansion, and get to know each other better. Maple Mansion was chosen because Althea told Carly an interesting (and spooky), story about the place. The story fascinated Carly, so Althea asked her if she would like to go on a road trip to visit the mansion.
The story-within-a-story style is what grips the reader, drawing them in, and keeping the book exciting. Althea entertains Carly with these stories. They fluctuate between the present, and the past as a woman named Emma and her Aunt Rose investigate haunted houses. Althea is a good storyteller who ropes the reader in—and so atmospheric!
Highly recommend this series. You won’t be sorry. Reading time well spent.
I received an ARC copy of this book, and my review is my own.
Profile Image for Mike Lewis.
1,761 reviews8 followers
August 3, 2024
entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series

This is an entertaining paranormal cozy mystery series. If find cast of characters in an entertaining storyline. A young girl who loses her mother and father in a car crash was raised in a high society area and was living the highlife. When her parents died in the car crash She went to live with her grandmother who she only seen once when she was five years old and hadn’t seen in many years. She didn’t know her very well and she lived out in the middle of nowhere. With a bit of a golf witchy vibe kind of girl And had plenty of friends but she could never act yourself around them. When she meets her grandmother she finds out that her grandmothers a lot like her as she settles in and gets to know her grandmother she starts realize she’s going to enjoy her new life living with her grandmother. Her grandmother starts telling her these stories about a girl in her aunt who went out she plays with haunted spirits that caused problems and she would release the spirits or banished them if needed. As the stories went along she learned more more and became more and more interested in these kind of things. The process her and her grandmother are getting to know each other and each other quite a bit. Occasionally to travel and a few adventures and time goes by will start to pick up some clues. And realize there’s a lot more to the stories. Read and enjoy
6,238 reviews40 followers
June 12, 2025
Carly and Emma are on a road trip and Emma finds out more about Blackthorn manor and how a bride vanished on her wedding night.

Again you have two stories going on here and both of them linked together. One story is about the past and the other is the present day and they interweave quite well. There's shopping, a fascinating music box and a not-so-happy turn to the story about the past.

On the other hand, Carly's grandma is up to something as she overhears her
grandmother on the phone talking about her. I'm wondering if all of this is some kind of test for Carly and preparing her for some kind of psychic job?
Profile Image for Jeanne.
1,913 reviews9 followers
February 3, 2025
Cryptic Clues: A Haunted House Witchy Paranormal Cozy Mystery is book #3 in the Whispers of Witchcraft Cozy Mysteries series by Nellie H. Steele.

Carly and her grandmother go on a road trip to visit the location of her grandmother’s first story. Carly suspects Althea has secrets while keeping some of her own. I’m as anxious as Carly to hear more of Althea’s stories. I can’t wait to hear the music box story!

I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Profile Image for Natasha's Reviews.
1,191 reviews61 followers
June 4, 2024
Book three in the series follows Carly and her grandmother Althea as they travel to a couple of haunted places while Althea continues her ghostly stories. This story involved a bridal ghost that will lead up to the story surrounding the music box that Althea gave to Carly. I really enjoy their ghostly tales and the bond they've formed through them.
Profile Image for Dawn Steenken korzekwa.
115 reviews1 follower
August 2, 2024
Hooked...

3rd book and I'm completely hooked!! I wasn't sure how I'd feel about all the different time periods at first, but they flow very nicely and make a great read!! Carly & Emma are learning so much and their stories have so much more to be told. Grandmother seems like a wonderful person, very accepting and loving. I can't wait to see what book 4 brings.
450 reviews3 followers
May 3, 2024
Great Mystery

This is the third book in the "Whispers of Witchcraft Cozy Mystery" series. The adventure continues as Carly's grandmother continues sharing the story of Rose and Emma. You will not be disappointed!! Looking forward to book four!!
39 reviews
June 18, 2024
Can't wait for the next book

There's only one book left and will it finish or would it be more books in the series I hope so cuz I'm getting very interested in the series surely they can't leave me hanging can they
428 reviews2 followers
June 23, 2024
Century Old Mystery Resolved

I love the way the stories and mysteries are told to Carly. I love the spooky mysteries that are being told. I love that there is an unresolved mystery continuing when the story is over.
16 reviews
January 7, 2025
Awesome

I never imagined when I started this series that it would be so engrossing. It's like a book within a book. Both are too good to put down. I read all three within a day and a half.
I can't wait for the next two books to arrive!
Profile Image for Sanderella.
526 reviews
March 30, 2024
I love this series!! I can't wait for the next one!! 💜👸🐈
45 reviews
May 14, 2025
Spellbinding story

Since the first one in the series, I have found it difficult to put them down once I start reading in earnest.
Excellent plot within a bigger story.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.