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Goodwill's Secrets
Raven, a restless teenager, vanishes from the small Adirondack village of Goodwill. Local newspaper reporter Alex Provetto is tasked to cover the story of her disappearance.
Convinced that Raven is simply a runaway, he initially dismisses the assignment of her missing-person story as a waste of time.
But as he digs deeper, the idyllic facade of Goodwill begins to crack.
Each lead he chases pulls him deeper into a web of danger and deceit, forcing him to question everything he thought he knew about the community.
Alex’s pursuit for the truth becomes a fight for his own survival. Will he unravel the secrets of Goodwill before it's too late, or will he become another victim of the village’s dark undercurrent?
If you like propulsive small-town mysteries, pick up this thrilling novel today!
Convinced that Raven is simply a runaway, he initially dismisses the assignment of her missing-person story as a waste of time.
But as he digs deeper, the idyllic facade of Goodwill begins to crack.
Each lead he chases pulls him deeper into a web of danger and deceit, forcing him to question everything he thought he knew about the community.
Alex’s pursuit for the truth becomes a fight for his own survival. Will he unravel the secrets of Goodwill before it's too late, or will he become another victim of the village’s dark undercurrent?
If you like propulsive small-town mysteries, pick up this thrilling novel today!
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2024
12 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Christopher Mele
1 book19 followersChristopher Mele is an award-winning journalist who has been a newsman for nearly 40 years as a reporter and editor. He’s worked in newsrooms in the Adirondacks of New York (The Adirondack Daily Enterprise of Saranac Lake and The Press-Republican of Plattsburgh), in the Hudson Valley in New York
(The Times Herald-Record of Middletown and The Journal-News of Rockland County), and as an executive editor in Pennsylvania (The Pocono Record of Stroudsburg).
He joined the Metro copy desk of The New York Times in 2014 and is now weekend deputy editor on its breaking news desk, the Express Team. He was part of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist team for breaking news coverage of a fire in the Bronx that claimed 17 lives.
Mele lives in the Poconos of Pennsylvania, where he enjoys collecting kindling for the fireplace and watching birds of prey.
For 35-plus-years, he’s been on an unsuccessful mission to see a moose in the wild. “Goodwill’s Secrets” is his first novel.
(The Times Herald-Record of Middletown and The Journal-News of Rockland County), and as an executive editor in Pennsylvania (The Pocono Record of Stroudsburg).
He joined the Metro copy desk of The New York Times in 2014 and is now weekend deputy editor on its breaking news desk, the Express Team. He was part of the 2023 Pulitzer Prize finalist team for breaking news coverage of a fire in the Bronx that claimed 17 lives.
Mele lives in the Poconos of Pennsylvania, where he enjoys collecting kindling for the fireplace and watching birds of prey.
For 35-plus-years, he’s been on an unsuccessful mission to see a moose in the wild. “Goodwill’s Secrets” is his first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 18, 2024
After a lengthy career in journalism that included time at The Adirondack Daily Enterprise and The Press Republican, Christopher Mele has self-published his debut novel, “Goodwill’s Secrets,” a mystery story that beautifully encapsulates what it’s like to be a small-town journalist… with a few creative liberties.
“Goodwill’s Secrets” dives into the thrills headfirst as a high-school girl goes missing on Halloween night, and veteran journalist Alex Provetto is assigned to do the write up.
What makes this story stand out, even among other mystery novels will similar character-types leading the charge, Mele takes a very honest and grounded approach to Alex’s journey. Our protagonist isn’t a sleuthing detective trying to outwit a slow police force, he’s a man getting the story.
This can feel jarring at times to fans of fast-paced Agatha Christie-type stories, but here it’s something to be appreciated. Mele is able to get all of the Hollywood thrills and characteristics of the genre while maintaining one of the most believable mystery novels I’ve ever read.
Through both the story’s development and the was Mele discusses modern-day journalism, there is a very clear love of the profession, but also a disgruntled outlook on the effect social media and corporations have had on small-town press.
And that really is where the heart of the story lies.
“Goodwill’s Secrets” is a surface level thriller, but at its core, it’s a sincere look back on a long career of journalism, encapsulating all the highs and lows that come with it.
“Goodwill’s Secrets” dives into the thrills headfirst as a high-school girl goes missing on Halloween night, and veteran journalist Alex Provetto is assigned to do the write up.
What makes this story stand out, even among other mystery novels will similar character-types leading the charge, Mele takes a very honest and grounded approach to Alex’s journey. Our protagonist isn’t a sleuthing detective trying to outwit a slow police force, he’s a man getting the story.
This can feel jarring at times to fans of fast-paced Agatha Christie-type stories, but here it’s something to be appreciated. Mele is able to get all of the Hollywood thrills and characteristics of the genre while maintaining one of the most believable mystery novels I’ve ever read.
Through both the story’s development and the was Mele discusses modern-day journalism, there is a very clear love of the profession, but also a disgruntled outlook on the effect social media and corporations have had on small-town press.
And that really is where the heart of the story lies.
“Goodwill’s Secrets” is a surface level thriller, but at its core, it’s a sincere look back on a long career of journalism, encapsulating all the highs and lows that come with it.
June 7, 2024
Full disclosure, I am related to Chris Mele, but as the librarian in the family, of course I was going to be asked to read and review his first book.
I didn't have any early access to this, so I can safely say my thoughts on the final product are my own. For anyone who knows my father, it is very funny to see how strongly his mannerisms come through in Alex Provetto.
A missing high school girl in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, a dogged newspaper reporter trying to break the story, what's not to love? Recommended for people who enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
I didn't have any early access to this, so I can safely say my thoughts on the final product are my own. For anyone who knows my father, it is very funny to see how strongly his mannerisms come through in Alex Provetto.
A missing high school girl in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, a dogged newspaper reporter trying to break the story, what's not to love? Recommended for people who enjoyed The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.
December 26, 2024
This is an entertaining first novel by my friend and former colleague, Christopher Mele, a veteran editor and reporter. The book grabs you in the first chapter and doesn’t let go. Starting with a young girl’s disappearance on Halloween night, multiple mysteries unfold in an Adirondack town, engulfing the life of a down-on-his-luck newspaper reporter (and his incorrigible cat). It features a relentless plot, spare prose and an acerbic sense of humor. The core of the story is a highly realistic (and accurate) depiction of the nuts and bolts of small-town newspaper reporting, with subtle characterization and a strong sense of place. That is wedded to a thriller with plenty of menace and suspense. It takes off at a gallop, with many red herrings that keep the reader guessing. No details are wasted, and the multiple mysteries are solved with a satisfactory showdown. While I found myself wishing for an ending that rolled out more slowly, with less exposition, this is a minor quibble. This is a page-turner.
It is probably the most accurate depiction of small-town newspaper reporting I have ever read. It offers strong characters and a great sense of place about the Adirondacks. The prose is spare, and the plot moves at a gallop. The many red herrings keep the reader guessing, but no detail is wasted, and the mystery is resolved in a satisfactory fashion. I do wish the ending had been given a little more room to breathe, with less exposition, but this is a minor complaint. The book is highly entertaining, grabs you with the first chapter, and doesn’t let go.
It is probably the most accurate depiction of small-town newspaper reporting I have ever read. It offers strong characters and a great sense of place about the Adirondacks. The prose is spare, and the plot moves at a gallop. The many red herrings keep the reader guessing, but no detail is wasted, and the mystery is resolved in a satisfactory fashion. I do wish the ending had been given a little more room to breathe, with less exposition, but this is a minor complaint. The book is highly entertaining, grabs you with the first chapter, and doesn’t let go.
August 7, 2025
Goodwill's Secrets by Christopher Mele
Absolutely riveting from start to finish. Goodwill’s Secrets delivers a pitch-perfect blend of mystery, atmosphere, and emotional depth. Christopher Mele masterfully builds tension as journalist Alex Provetto dives into what seems like a simple missing-person case only to uncover chilling secrets lurking beneath a quiet town’s surface.
The pacing is tight, the characters feel real, and the twists genuinely surprised me. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. If you love small-town thrillers that are both smart and suspenseful, this is a must-read. Easily five stars.
Absolutely riveting from start to finish. Goodwill’s Secrets delivers a pitch-perfect blend of mystery, atmosphere, and emotional depth. Christopher Mele masterfully builds tension as journalist Alex Provetto dives into what seems like a simple missing-person case only to uncover chilling secrets lurking beneath a quiet town’s surface.
The pacing is tight, the characters feel real, and the twists genuinely surprised me. I couldn’t stop turning the pages. If you love small-town thrillers that are both smart and suspenseful, this is a must-read. Easily five stars.
August 7, 2025
Goodwill's Secrets by Christopher Mele
A suspenseful, tightly woven mystery that completely pulled me in. Mele does an incredible job capturing the eerie undercurrents of a seemingly quiet town, and the deeper the story goes, the darker and more gripping it becomes.
Alex Provetto is a relatable, flawed protagonist whose growing obsession with the truth feels both personal and urgent. The writing is crisp, the pacing is spot-on, and the twists are genuinely satisfying.
This isn’t just a whodunit, it’s a story about trust, appearances, and how truth can sometimes be the most dangerous thing to uncover. A haunting, beautifully crafted thriller. Five stars.
A suspenseful, tightly woven mystery that completely pulled me in. Mele does an incredible job capturing the eerie undercurrents of a seemingly quiet town, and the deeper the story goes, the darker and more gripping it becomes.
Alex Provetto is a relatable, flawed protagonist whose growing obsession with the truth feels both personal and urgent. The writing is crisp, the pacing is spot-on, and the twists are genuinely satisfying.
This isn’t just a whodunit, it’s a story about trust, appearances, and how truth can sometimes be the most dangerous thing to uncover. A haunting, beautifully crafted thriller. Five stars.
July 6, 2024
Full disclosure: I know Chris Mele. He was one of my occasional editors back in my upstate New York newspaper days. That said, I do think his story is good. I am fan of John D. Macdonald and some pulp writers, like Gil Brewer and Orrie Hitt and parts of his mystery remind me of them (though this story is more rooted in reality). Mele is a really good reporter and now works for The New York Times. And so, not surprisingly, this novel presents a realistic portrait of what it is like to be a small-town reporter covering a crime story upstate, a place he knows well.
January 5, 2025
Mele wrote a compelling thriller about the disappearance of a talented teenager, nicknamed Raven, from a small town in the Adirondacks in Upstate New York. The crime reporter at the local community daily, Alex Provetto, initially objects to doing any coverage, thinking the girl likely would turn up shortly after she was reported missing. He doggedly pursues the story after a TV journalist reports the Mafia ties of Raven's father. He chases down leads and sources, eventually putting his life in danger. The novel portrays the spartan lifestyle of the widowed reporter, who joined the Goodwill Register following a layoff at the New York Daily News. It also portrays how the downturn in the industry is affecting his own newspaper. I'd recommend Goodwill's Hunting to anyone who is a crime reporter at a small newspaper who does more than make cop calls and rewrite news releases.
August 7, 2025
This book had me hooked from the first chapter. Goodwill’s Secrets is a chilling, atmospheric mystery that unravels at just the right pace. Christopher Mele captures the unsettling charm of small-town life where everyone has something to hide.
Alex Provetto’s evolution from a disinterested reporter to a man caught in something far bigger is compelling and believable. The twists were smart, the suspense was constant, and the emotional depth made the story linger long after I finished.
A dark, addictive read that fans of intelligent thrillers will love. Five stars, without question.
Alex Provetto’s evolution from a disinterested reporter to a man caught in something far bigger is compelling and believable. The twists were smart, the suspense was constant, and the emotional depth made the story linger long after I finished.
A dark, addictive read that fans of intelligent thrillers will love. Five stars, without question.
August 7, 2025
Goodwill’s Secrets is the kind of mystery that grabs you quietly, then refuses to let go. Christopher Mele weaves an unsettling tale full of buried truths, eerie tension, and emotional weight.
Alex Provetto is the perfect lens for this story skeptical, imperfect, and slowly drawn into a darkness he never expected. The town of Goodwill feels hauntingly real, and each new revelation adds depth and urgency.
It’s sharp, suspenseful, and surprisingly moving. A fantastic read that earns every one of its five stars.
Alex Provetto is the perfect lens for this story skeptical, imperfect, and slowly drawn into a darkness he never expected. The town of Goodwill feels hauntingly real, and each new revelation adds depth and urgency.
It’s sharp, suspenseful, and surprisingly moving. A fantastic read that earns every one of its five stars.
August 7, 2025
An outstanding small-town mystery that delivers on every level. Goodwill’s Secrets blends suspense, emotion, and sharp storytelling into a truly compelling read.
Christopher Mele creates a vivid, unsettling atmosphere where every detail matters. As Alex Provetto digs deeper into Raven’s disappearance, the tension builds with each page, revealing a town full of buried secrets and unexpected danger.
The characters are authentic, the pacing is perfect, and the twists hit hard. I couldn’t stop reading. A gripping, well-crafted thriller, absolutely five stars.
Christopher Mele creates a vivid, unsettling atmosphere where every detail matters. As Alex Provetto digs deeper into Raven’s disappearance, the tension builds with each page, revealing a town full of buried secrets and unexpected danger.
The characters are authentic, the pacing is perfect, and the twists hit hard. I couldn’t stop reading. A gripping, well-crafted thriller, absolutely five stars.
August 7, 2025
A brilliant and haunting read. Goodwill’s Secrets is packed with suspense, emotion, and unexpected depth. Christopher Mele paints a vivid picture of a small town full of shadows, where nothing is quite what it seems.
Alex Provetto’s journey from cynicism to obsession is gripping and relatable. Each clue he uncovers adds another layer to the mystery and to the danger. I was completely invested and couldn’t put it down.
This is the kind of story that lingers in your mind. Thoughtful, tense, and beautifully written.
Alex Provetto’s journey from cynicism to obsession is gripping and relatable. Each clue he uncovers adds another layer to the mystery and to the danger. I was completely invested and couldn’t put it down.
This is the kind of story that lingers in your mind. Thoughtful, tense, and beautifully written.
August 7, 2025
Goodwill’s Secrets is a gripping and emotionally rich mystery that completely pulled me in. Christopher Mele’s writing is sharp and immersive, capturing the eerie stillness of a town where something is deeply wrong.
Alex Provetto’s journey from disinterest to obsession is perfectly paced, and his voice as a narrator feels authentic and grounded. Every chapter deepens the intrigue, peeling back secrets I never saw coming.
This is the kind of thriller that doesn’t just entertain, it makes you think. Suspenseful, well-crafted, and unforgettable.
Alex Provetto’s journey from disinterest to obsession is perfectly paced, and his voice as a narrator feels authentic and grounded. Every chapter deepens the intrigue, peeling back secrets I never saw coming.
This is the kind of thriller that doesn’t just entertain, it makes you think. Suspenseful, well-crafted, and unforgettable.
August 7, 2025
A haunting and addictive mystery that had me hooked from the very first page. Goodwill’s Secrets is more than just a story about a missing girl. it’s a gripping exploration of the secrets people bury and the lies a town will protect.
Christopher Mele creates a vivid, unsettling atmosphere that lingers throughout the book. Alex Provetto is a compelling, flawed protagonist whose search for answers feels urgent and real.
With strong writing, steady suspense, and twists that truly land, this is a five-star read I’ll be recommending to fellow mystery lovers.
Christopher Mele creates a vivid, unsettling atmosphere that lingers throughout the book. Alex Provetto is a compelling, flawed protagonist whose search for answers feels urgent and real.
With strong writing, steady suspense, and twists that truly land, this is a five-star read I’ll be recommending to fellow mystery lovers.
October 14, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Goodwill's Secrets. This novel is a mix of Twin Peaks and the movie Spotlight. It's an intriguing mystery/thriller about a missing girl, a jaded journalist and a small town. This book, written by a New York Times journalist, is also accurate in its portrayals of reporters, police and small towns. You've heard of police procedurals? This is a 'journalist procedure' and a very enjoyable one.
August 6, 2025
Christopher Mele’s Goodwill’s Secrets had me glued to the page from chapter one. The mystery of Raven’s disappearance draws you in, but it’s the dark secrets of the town and Alex Provetto’s relentless search for the truth that keep you reading late into the night. Mele captures the claustrophobia of a small town hiding something sinister with eerie authenticity. This is the kind of thriller that lingers long after you finish.
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June 3, 2024This was enjoyable and amusing, starting slow but getting more propulsive as it went along. It has a journalistic feeling, not surprising since the author is a journalist: clear, unadorned prose, a sometimes expository feeling, no excess words, flashes of dark humor. I look forward to reading more novels by Christopher Mele.
April 13, 2025
This was terrific! Anyone curious about the digging it takes to get to the bottom of a news story will enjoy it, along with those just looking for a good mystery you can't put down. It had some humor, some sadness, lots of suspense and a completely surprising answer to whodunit. Looking forward to Chris' next book!
August 6, 2025
Goodwill’s Secrets is a fast-paced, twist-filled fiction that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. Christopher Mele delivers suspense, atmosphere, and a compelling lead in reporter Alex Provetto. As secrets unravel and danger mounts, you’ll find yourself racing to the end. Perfect for fans of small-town suspense with dark secrets lurking beneath the surface!
August 13, 2024
It’s a methodically researched mystery that keeps you guessing until the end, and features fully fleshed out characters that you absolutely want to spend more time with. I sincerely hope we get to read more stories featuring Alex Provetto and the residents of Goodwill.
August 9, 2025
I couldn’t put this one down! Goodwill’s Secrets blends small-town charm with dark undercurrents, and the result is a gripping mystery full of surprises. The pacing is perfect, and the ending is so satisfying.
December 19, 2025
This novel drew me in immediately with its eerie small-town atmosphere and steadily tightening tension. What begins as a seemingly routine missing-person assignment transforms into a deeply unsettling investigation that exposes just how fragile the illusion of safety in Goodwill really is.
June 24, 2024
Solid small town mystery in the Adirondacks!
January 12, 2025
A great read! Simplicity & wit in writing style, compelling mystery. Page-turner!
August 6, 2025
Christopher Mele really knows how to weave a compelling plot. The clues unfold slowly, keeping you guessing the whole time. It’s sharp, well-written, and full of surprises.
August 6, 2025
There’s something haunting about this story. Not just the mystery, but the atmosphere and characters. It stuck with me even after I finished it. I’ll be watching for Mele’s next book.
August 6, 2025
I devoured this in two sittings. It’s one of those books that makes you want to know what’s going on even when you think you have it figured out. Twisty, tense, and really well written.
August 9, 2025
A suspenseful, well-crafted mystery that pulls you into the heart of a small town hiding big secrets. Alex’s investigation is tense, smart, and full of twists.
August 9, 2025
Fast-paced and addictive, Goodwill’s Secrets had me turning pages late into the night. The setting is vivid, the plot is sharp, and the mystery kept me guessing.
August 9, 2025
Christopher Mele delivers a gripping, atmospheric thriller with just the right mix of danger and intrigue. A perfect read for mystery lovers.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews