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Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm #8
On the Right Track
On The Right Track
is the eighth book in the Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm Series.
Harriet Bailey gets a wonderful surprise when Ashley Fiske, her friend from the States, brings her young son, Trevor, to White Church Bay for a visit. Harriet cannot wait to share the village’s charms with her friend, but she never predicted they would end up solving a mystery together! An unpublished manuscript by a famous British children’s author named Adelaide Evergreen has turned up in Harriet’s aunt Jinny’s cottage. The book claims to tell the truth behind an infamous and mysterious railway crash that happened in White Church Bay in 1917, on the fringes of the Great War.
As Harriet delves deeper into the mystery, it’s difficult to tell where literary license ends, and reality begins. And when it is revealed that Harriet’s relative may have had a hand in causing the train tragedy, the stakes become personal. Will she find the truth at the end of the line?
Harriet Bailey gets a wonderful surprise when Ashley Fiske, her friend from the States, brings her young son, Trevor, to White Church Bay for a visit. Harriet cannot wait to share the village’s charms with her friend, but she never predicted they would end up solving a mystery together! An unpublished manuscript by a famous British children’s author named Adelaide Evergreen has turned up in Harriet’s aunt Jinny’s cottage. The book claims to tell the truth behind an infamous and mysterious railway crash that happened in White Church Bay in 1917, on the fringes of the Great War.
As Harriet delves deeper into the mystery, it’s difficult to tell where literary license ends, and reality begins. And when it is revealed that Harriet’s relative may have had a hand in causing the train tragedy, the stakes become personal. Will she find the truth at the end of the line?
- GenresMystery
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2024
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36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 4, 2025
3 stars, personally ⭐️ Christian Fiction - Cozy Mystery
About this book:
“Harriet Bailey gets a wonderful surprise when Ashley Fiske, her friend from the States, brings her young son, Trevor, to White Church Bay for a visit. Harriet cannot wait to share the village’s charms with her friend, but she never predicted they would end up solving a mystery together! An unpublished manuscript by a famous British children’s author named Adelaide Evergreen has turned up in Harriet’s aunt Jinny’s cottage. The book claims to tell the truth behind an infamous and mysterious railway crash that happened in White Church Bay in 1917, on the fringes of the Great War.
As Harriet delves deeper into the mystery, it’s difficult to tell where literary license ends, and reality begins. And when it is revealed that Harriet’s relative may have had a hand in causing the train tragedy, the stakes become personal. Will she find the truth at the end of the line?”
Series: Book #8 in the “Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm” series. Review of Book #1 Here, Book #2 Here, Book #3 Here, Book #4 Here, Book #5 Here, Book #6 Here, and Book #7 Here!
Spiritual Content- Luke 8:17 at the beginning; A couple Scriptures are quoted; A few Prayers; Most 'H's are capital when referring to God; Church going (once, which Harriet struggles to pay attention to the service and when asked her thoughts, says it was encouraging even though she didn’t fully absorb the message); Mentions of God & His paths for us; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of church, church going, a hymn, services, & a sermon; A couple mentions of miracles; A mention of providential interference; A mention of the song “God Save the King”;
*Note: It’s noted that a deceased person had “flown to the arms of heaven”; A man thinks he is looking at an angel when he sees a beautiful woman.
Negative Content- Some eye rolling; Being threatened, Being chased, Being hit and knocked unconscious, Being trapped in a fire, Pain, & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Seeing someone become unconscious after falling and hitting their head (barely-above-not-detailed); Seeing a train crash (up to semi-detailed); All about & many mentions of World War I, a train crash and accident, spies and sabotage, & someone profiting by selling goods on the black market; Mentions of deaths (including from a car accident and a respiratory illness) & grief (including from a wife for her husband and young son for his father); Mentions of a recent near-death experience (Book #7); Mentions of Canary Girls during World War I, chemical exposure, & illnesses (including a fatal liver illness); Mentions of explosives, working in a TNT factory and the dangers, & near deaths in the factory; Mentions of a fire & someone being left to die in one; Mentions of stealing, stolen items, thefts, thieves, & break-ins; Mentions of forgeries, bribery, threats, & manipulation; Mentions of trespassing; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; A few mentions of criminals; A few mentions of two dogs fighting & being aggressive; A couple mentions of dead bodies and a mortuary; A couple mentions of jail & arrests; A couple mentions of stalking & stalkers; A mention of a cat burglar; A couple mentions of gossip; A mention of jealousy;
*Note: Mentions of actors/actresses & a movie (Rex Harrison, Audrey Hepburn, & My Faith Lady); Mentions of car brands; A few mentions of Jane Austen; A couple mentions of Florence Nightingale; A couple mentions of Houdini; A mention of someone suggesting that another should be committed to an asylum.
Sexual Content- A few touches, embraces, flutters, warmth, & blushes; Some noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Harriet and Will recently admitted to feeling more than friendship for each other; Mentions of dates, dating, & boyfriends/girlfriends; A few mentions of two young men eyeing a young woman with interest and her not being interested in being a trophy for them to compete over; A couple mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of a “hunk/hunky” man; A mention of making eyes at someone; A mention of flirting; A mention of jealousy; Very light attraction & the emotions of possibly being more than just friends with someone;
*Note: Harriet thinks that a young boy will change his attitude about romance in a few years (as he currently says “yuck” about it); A mention of a married couple having a “notoriously independent relationship”.
-Harriet Bailey, age 34
P.O.V. of Harriet
245 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
While this book was overall clean, my personal rating was affected by my enjoyment level of the book and plot and also the writing style not being my favorite.
This one was very jumpy in terms of the writing style and because we just launch into the mystery and new characters introduced, it felt off to me. So that was a bummer. I wasn’t quite sure why I was supposed to care about the train crash? It’s suddenly introduced and Harriet gets wrapped up in the document about it, but I don’t feel like there was enough prior explanation about it and the importance.
There were notes from 1917 but I’m not clear if it was supposed to be the document/report that was found in the present day or if it was a nod to almost a dual-time novel. If it was supposed to be the document/report that was found, it was written half like a fiction book and half like a newspaper article, so it was a little strange.
Harriet didn’t act like herself in this book—which always happens once a Guideposts series in my opinion because of all the different writers. She got so distracted with the mystery that she forgot about her clinic for one, which she’s always put the clinic and her clients at the top of her priorities no matter what is going on in the prior books. She also did some things that felt out of character. I would say it was 80/20 on the mystery to the animal/vet parts when it’s usually 60/40 or vice versa. There’s only one mention of Maxwell and Charlie even!
This eighth book does reference events in the prior book but does not name or give anything away, really. This is most likely because of the different authors and overlapping deadlines/writing.
It was a clean mystery and I think others will probably enjoy it more than me, but it definitely wasn’t my favorite of the series.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
About this book:
“Harriet Bailey gets a wonderful surprise when Ashley Fiske, her friend from the States, brings her young son, Trevor, to White Church Bay for a visit. Harriet cannot wait to share the village’s charms with her friend, but she never predicted they would end up solving a mystery together! An unpublished manuscript by a famous British children’s author named Adelaide Evergreen has turned up in Harriet’s aunt Jinny’s cottage. The book claims to tell the truth behind an infamous and mysterious railway crash that happened in White Church Bay in 1917, on the fringes of the Great War.
As Harriet delves deeper into the mystery, it’s difficult to tell where literary license ends, and reality begins. And when it is revealed that Harriet’s relative may have had a hand in causing the train tragedy, the stakes become personal. Will she find the truth at the end of the line?”
Series: Book #8 in the “Mysteries of Cobble Hill Farm” series. Review of Book #1 Here, Book #2 Here, Book #3 Here, Book #4 Here, Book #5 Here, Book #6 Here, and Book #7 Here!
Spiritual Content- Luke 8:17 at the beginning; A couple Scriptures are quoted; A few Prayers; Most 'H's are capital when referring to God; Church going (once, which Harriet struggles to pay attention to the service and when asked her thoughts, says it was encouraging even though she didn’t fully absorb the message); Mentions of God & His paths for us; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of church, church going, a hymn, services, & a sermon; A couple mentions of miracles; A mention of providential interference; A mention of the song “God Save the King”;
*Note: It’s noted that a deceased person had “flown to the arms of heaven”; A man thinks he is looking at an angel when he sees a beautiful woman.
Negative Content- Some eye rolling; Being threatened, Being chased, Being hit and knocked unconscious, Being trapped in a fire, Pain, & Injuries (up to semi-detailed); Seeing someone become unconscious after falling and hitting their head (barely-above-not-detailed); Seeing a train crash (up to semi-detailed); All about & many mentions of World War I, a train crash and accident, spies and sabotage, & someone profiting by selling goods on the black market; Mentions of deaths (including from a car accident and a respiratory illness) & grief (including from a wife for her husband and young son for his father); Mentions of a recent near-death experience (Book #7); Mentions of Canary Girls during World War I, chemical exposure, & illnesses (including a fatal liver illness); Mentions of explosives, working in a TNT factory and the dangers, & near deaths in the factory; Mentions of a fire & someone being left to die in one; Mentions of stealing, stolen items, thefts, thieves, & break-ins; Mentions of forgeries, bribery, threats, & manipulation; Mentions of trespassing; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; A few mentions of criminals; A few mentions of two dogs fighting & being aggressive; A couple mentions of dead bodies and a mortuary; A couple mentions of jail & arrests; A couple mentions of stalking & stalkers; A mention of a cat burglar; A couple mentions of gossip; A mention of jealousy;
*Note: Mentions of actors/actresses & a movie (Rex Harrison, Audrey Hepburn, & My Faith Lady); Mentions of car brands; A few mentions of Jane Austen; A couple mentions of Florence Nightingale; A couple mentions of Houdini; A mention of someone suggesting that another should be committed to an asylum.
Sexual Content- A few touches, embraces, flutters, warmth, & blushes; Some noticing (barely-above-not-detailed); Harriet and Will recently admitted to feeling more than friendship for each other; Mentions of dates, dating, & boyfriends/girlfriends; A few mentions of two young men eyeing a young woman with interest and her not being interested in being a trophy for them to compete over; A couple mentions of blushes; A couple mentions of a “hunk/hunky” man; A mention of making eyes at someone; A mention of flirting; A mention of jealousy; Very light attraction & the emotions of possibly being more than just friends with someone;
*Note: Harriet thinks that a young boy will change his attitude about romance in a few years (as he currently says “yuck” about it); A mention of a married couple having a “notoriously independent relationship”.
-Harriet Bailey, age 34
P.O.V. of Harriet
245 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- Two Stars
New Teens- Two Stars
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars
While this book was overall clean, my personal rating was affected by my enjoyment level of the book and plot and also the writing style not being my favorite.
This one was very jumpy in terms of the writing style and because we just launch into the mystery and new characters introduced, it felt off to me. So that was a bummer. I wasn’t quite sure why I was supposed to care about the train crash? It’s suddenly introduced and Harriet gets wrapped up in the document about it, but I don’t feel like there was enough prior explanation about it and the importance.
There were notes from 1917 but I’m not clear if it was supposed to be the document/report that was found in the present day or if it was a nod to almost a dual-time novel. If it was supposed to be the document/report that was found, it was written half like a fiction book and half like a newspaper article, so it was a little strange.
Harriet didn’t act like herself in this book—which always happens once a Guideposts series in my opinion because of all the different writers. She got so distracted with the mystery that she forgot about her clinic for one, which she’s always put the clinic and her clients at the top of her priorities no matter what is going on in the prior books. She also did some things that felt out of character. I would say it was 80/20 on the mystery to the animal/vet parts when it’s usually 60/40 or vice versa. There’s only one mention of Maxwell and Charlie even!
This eighth book does reference events in the prior book but does not name or give anything away, really. This is most likely because of the different authors and overlapping deadlines/writing.
It was a clean mystery and I think others will probably enjoy it more than me, but it definitely wasn’t my favorite of the series.
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
January 5, 2025
This is part of the Mysteries of Cold Hill Farms series but can be read as a stand-alone. It has a dual timeline plot.
In England, Harriet has inherited a veterinary practice from her grandfather and her Aunt Jinny, a medical doctor lives close by. Friend Ashley and her son Trevor come to visit from the States.
This was a good mystery about a manuscript discovered in a piece of furniture. Not an ordinary manuscript but one penned by a famous author. It recounts the story of sabotage during WWI. The plot thickens through letters found from an ancestor of Harriet and Jinny, sent to a Canary Girl who worked in a munitions factory. There was a lot of interesting history as well as clandestine activity that was uncovered in those letters.
Present day sees quite a few people after the manuscript and we are unsure of their motives, which adds to the suspense. And Harriet, Ashley and Trevor are playing sleuth.
The story and characters were believable and the writing flowed easily. The author showed faith in action through the characters. It makes me want to read the rest of the series.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
In England, Harriet has inherited a veterinary practice from her grandfather and her Aunt Jinny, a medical doctor lives close by. Friend Ashley and her son Trevor come to visit from the States.
This was a good mystery about a manuscript discovered in a piece of furniture. Not an ordinary manuscript but one penned by a famous author. It recounts the story of sabotage during WWI. The plot thickens through letters found from an ancestor of Harriet and Jinny, sent to a Canary Girl who worked in a munitions factory. There was a lot of interesting history as well as clandestine activity that was uncovered in those letters.
Present day sees quite a few people after the manuscript and we are unsure of their motives, which adds to the suspense. And Harriet, Ashley and Trevor are playing sleuth.
The story and characters were believable and the writing flowed easily. The author showed faith in action through the characters. It makes me want to read the rest of the series.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the author. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*
January 26, 2025
This was my least favorite book in this series. The mystery was difficult to follow and there were too many inconsistencies.
May 24, 2025
On the Right Track by Shaen Layle whisks us to a small village in the UK where suspicions leap off the page.
I've lived in a small town. And, since I wasn't an "original," it was clear the folks had welcomed me but never truly accepted me. Had I lived there and had three generations after me, we still would not be accepted because that is just the way small towns are. So is the case in this story. But this isn't the core of the story.
During WWII, there was a train crash in the town. The catastrophic event was blamed on a relative of Harriet, our beloved main character, who moved to this town. She moves into her grandmother's home and finds a document. Her decision to take it to the local museum for authenticity kindles the fire of the story.
Pieces are stolen, people are blamed, and Harriet's relative is headed for a figurative lynching. A great story idea that will keep you turning pages.
This is a cozy read in a delightful setting.
I've lived in a small town. And, since I wasn't an "original," it was clear the folks had welcomed me but never truly accepted me. Had I lived there and had three generations after me, we still would not be accepted because that is just the way small towns are. So is the case in this story. But this isn't the core of the story.
During WWII, there was a train crash in the town. The catastrophic event was blamed on a relative of Harriet, our beloved main character, who moved to this town. She moves into her grandmother's home and finds a document. Her decision to take it to the local museum for authenticity kindles the fire of the story.
Pieces are stolen, people are blamed, and Harriet's relative is headed for a figurative lynching. A great story idea that will keep you turning pages.
This is a cozy read in a delightful setting.
January 8, 2025
This is part of the Mysteries of Cold Hill Farms series but can be read as a stand a lone. Harriet Bailey has moved to England after inheriting a veterinary practice from her Uncle. When her aunt finds a hidden manuscript from a famous author, things begin to get a little complicated. The manuscript is believed to tell the true story of the infamous train wreck. With her friend Ashley and Ashley's son Trevor staying with Harriet for a visit, the trio end up trying to unravel the truth and why those in present day are so set to keep it all a secret. Will they find out the answers or will the manuscript and its answers be lost?
I love how the author created characters that the reader can relate. The story is told in a dual timeline format but the reader is able to follow quite easily. I received an advanced copy. A review was not required.
I love how the author created characters that the reader can relate. The story is told in a dual timeline format but the reader is able to follow quite easily. I received an advanced copy. A review was not required.
April 13, 2025
Harriet's friend Ashley comes to visit with her son Trevor. Harriet is delighted. An unpublished manuscript is found in her aunt's house. It is about a train crash in White Church Bay in 1917. Harriet brings the manuscript to the Fisherman's Lane Museum. The museum doesn't want to return it, saying it belongs with them. Trevor a great lover of trains discovers chapter 18 is missing. On The Tight Track is a mystery Harriet and Ashley solve together. It appears one of Harriet's family is guilty of causing the train wreck. Who is the bad guy in all of this deception. It is a mystery. Shaen Layle has written a twisty tale with a great ending. She also gives you the backstory of the relative and the girl he was in love with.
December 8, 2024
This was very good. Just like the last book, I like the way writing from the past is sectioned off. Harriet sure gets into a lot of fixes and more unusual animals? Last book had a camel, and, this one has emus and special breed of rabbit. I love how all her customers and their animals have so much character. This episode has a manuscript found back from her great, great....Uncles past. Around 4-5 people are all trying to get their hands on it for various reasons...none of them good for Harriet.
December 17, 2024
I am loving this series. I really enjoyed the side story in this one with Harriet’s friend and her friends son visiting from America and the mystery of this was all kinds of intriguing. The emu farm was a fun added bonus and I loved the names of the emus-that cracked me up! I’m looking forward to more of Harriet’s adventures!
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
I received a copy of this book from the author and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
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January 8, 2025I really enjoyed this cozy mystery! The characters were great! I really enjoyed the bit of a time slip part telling the story from the past. I also liked the letters. The story felt like it moved at a nice pace. I didn’t expect the twist at the end. I would definitely recommend this one!
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
February 3, 2025
On the Right Track by Shaen Layle has all the mystery, intrigue, trains, and history that you could ask for without bogging down the story. It's nicely woven together to keep you interested and hooked and you'll feel your working on solving the mystery right along with Harriet, Aunt Jinny and her American friends Ashley and her son, Trevor. What a great read! Nice twists and turns! Highly recommend!
December 26, 2024
On the Right Track was definitely not a straight track from start to finish. The twists and turns kept me guessing and the dual plot line was intriguing and seamless. The characters were well written and I definitely experienced the joys, fears and everything in between with them. The Bible reference at the beginning of the story was well chosen and a great precursor of what is to come.
December 13, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! It’s surprising some of the situations that Harriet gets into.
July 3, 2025
The mystery was gripping. I read it on 1 day. I couldn't put it down for long.
December 8, 2025
finally!!!! Harriet and the pastor start dating. it's been a long 6 books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews