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The Witch of Frognot County #1
The Secret Keeper
In a town where whispers are currency, Carrie Moonshadow is the last secret anyone wants to admit. And yet, almost everyone has appeared at her back door.
Carrie Moonshadow is the witch of Frognot County, hidden away in her ivy-covered house, tending her garden, mixing her potions, and keeping her distance. The townsfolk may glance at her sideways in public, but when misfortune strikes, they come knocking at her door, desperate for the magic they refuse to acknowledge.
When a young woman falls prey to a mysterious illness no doctor can explain, Carrie is reluctantly drawn into a dark puzzle—one laced with curses, old betrayals, and the kind of magic that leaves scars. Meanwhile, Sheriff Caleb Thorne has problems of his livestock missing, fields withering overnight, and fires that have no natural cause. All signs point to something unnatural, and all roads lead to Carrie.
With suspicion closing in and old grudges stirring to life, Carrie must stay in the shadows, or risk everything to uncover the truth. But secrets have a way of unraveling, and in Frognot County, nothing stays buried forever.
Perfect for fans of Practical Magic and The Discovery of Witches, The Secret Keeper blends mystery, romance, and slow-burning magic in an unforgettable tale of power, trust, and small-town secrets.
Dare to step into Frognot County? Get your copy of The Secret Keeper today and uncover the magic lurking in the shadows!
Carrie Moonshadow is the witch of Frognot County, hidden away in her ivy-covered house, tending her garden, mixing her potions, and keeping her distance. The townsfolk may glance at her sideways in public, but when misfortune strikes, they come knocking at her door, desperate for the magic they refuse to acknowledge.
When a young woman falls prey to a mysterious illness no doctor can explain, Carrie is reluctantly drawn into a dark puzzle—one laced with curses, old betrayals, and the kind of magic that leaves scars. Meanwhile, Sheriff Caleb Thorne has problems of his livestock missing, fields withering overnight, and fires that have no natural cause. All signs point to something unnatural, and all roads lead to Carrie.
With suspicion closing in and old grudges stirring to life, Carrie must stay in the shadows, or risk everything to uncover the truth. But secrets have a way of unraveling, and in Frognot County, nothing stays buried forever.
Perfect for fans of Practical Magic and The Discovery of Witches, The Secret Keeper blends mystery, romance, and slow-burning magic in an unforgettable tale of power, trust, and small-town secrets.
Dare to step into Frognot County? Get your copy of The Secret Keeper today and uncover the magic lurking in the shadows!
320 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2024
About the author
Martha Carr
573 books774 followersOkay, I'm a late bloomer who's a big DC comics fan and spent my childhood summers on the Jersey shore but I was born under a wandering star and have lived in different parts of America ever since. That's enough about me. Need to feel inspired today? Looking for something to make you root for an ordinary hero? I'm all about that in everything I write.
I love a good tale that makes me wonder about things and I love a story even more that leaves me feeling inspired or like I'm capable of doing more than I realized. That's my goal with everything I've ever written. Some of the stories I tell involve twisting, turning thrillers and others have a lot of magic.
There's something to be said for getting lost in another world and coming out the other side feeling a little better about yourself or the possibilities in front of you. That's basically the best part of life in a nutshell, no matter what kind of story I'm setting out to tell.
Thank you for checking out my stories!
I love a good tale that makes me wonder about things and I love a story even more that leaves me feeling inspired or like I'm capable of doing more than I realized. That's my goal with everything I've ever written. Some of the stories I tell involve twisting, turning thrillers and others have a lot of magic.
There's something to be said for getting lost in another world and coming out the other side feeling a little better about yourself or the possibilities in front of you. That's basically the best part of life in a nutshell, no matter what kind of story I'm setting out to tell.
Thank you for checking out my stories!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
January 18, 2025
I’ll need to scoop my jaw off the floor…
I’ll need to scoop my jaw off the floor before I can write an adequate review of this book.
In a recent review of another collaboration between these authors I explained what I meant when I often refer to their collaborations as “The Mike and Martha Show.” I said it’s because they always DELIVER. And boy howdy, did they EVER deliver with this one! I actually finished that other book early this afternoon, and this one has been sitting in my TBR pile for a bit, now. I picked it up on a lark, and some 7 hours later I’m still awake and have just finished it. Somehow I managed to make dinner for everyone and clean up the kitchen in that time as well. But I don’t know if I’ll be getting any sleep any time soon. This was a dark read, quite unlike anything they have done before, and it is powerful, too. Not to draw from the story, I would nonetheless still call it mesmerizing (and no that’s not a spoiler).
Geez, I think if my jaw WERE attached and not still laying on the floor in front of me, I would probably be speechless. This is an astounding book and I heartily encourage anyone to pick it up and dive in. Just start early in the morning and try to finish it while the sun’s still up. Until next time…. I usually end these with my admonition to enjoy! And while I think I you’ll love this book, I’m not sure that I can use the word “enjoy,” here. Regardless, you’ll love it and really need to read this one.
I’ll need to scoop my jaw off the floor before I can write an adequate review of this book.
In a recent review of another collaboration between these authors I explained what I meant when I often refer to their collaborations as “The Mike and Martha Show.” I said it’s because they always DELIVER. And boy howdy, did they EVER deliver with this one! I actually finished that other book early this afternoon, and this one has been sitting in my TBR pile for a bit, now. I picked it up on a lark, and some 7 hours later I’m still awake and have just finished it. Somehow I managed to make dinner for everyone and clean up the kitchen in that time as well. But I don’t know if I’ll be getting any sleep any time soon. This was a dark read, quite unlike anything they have done before, and it is powerful, too. Not to draw from the story, I would nonetheless still call it mesmerizing (and no that’s not a spoiler).
Geez, I think if my jaw WERE attached and not still laying on the floor in front of me, I would probably be speechless. This is an astounding book and I heartily encourage anyone to pick it up and dive in. Just start early in the morning and try to finish it while the sun’s still up. Until next time…. I usually end these with my admonition to enjoy! And while I think I you’ll love this book, I’m not sure that I can use the word “enjoy,” here. Regardless, you’ll love it and really need to read this one.
January 25, 2026
First book in a new series by a proven duo of authors. There is plenty of witchcraft in this one - not so much "magic". Carrie (FMC) is a witch and her family has been in Frognot a long time. She is still ostracized by almost everyone in the town - until they need her. Curses and black magic abound as she ends up investigating mysterious illnesses and other occurrences. She's willing to take her punishments as determined by law if she can just get that last bit of witchcraft under control. Then the Shadowy evil one is still lurking in the woods. There are some secondary characters that figure prominently in the story. Some potential love interests but nothing established. I will be reading book 2.
March 19, 2026
This is not usual story I expected from Martha Carr, but I am not at all disappointed. This story took a different slant on things, but I liked it just the same. Magic at a price is an old concept and truer than some might believe. The characters are interesting, the plot is easily followed, and the premise is finding out who was creating unnatural problems and why. A selfish person pays a very heavy price, good people are changed, and a friendship is lost. A whole town is saved from paying the price for the destruction of evil. my feelings are mixed, but I still highly recommend this story. It makes you think and that is what a good story is meant to do.
December 5, 2024
The Secret Keeper - a review by Rosemary Kenny.
A whimsical mystery of rural, magical skulduggery, (with a hint of PD Workman's Reg Rawlins novels), introduces Martha Carr and Michael Anderle's The Witch Of Frognot County series-opener, The Secret Keeper.
Socially inept witch Carrie Moonshadow and her sidekick, Finn the gnome, easily deal with minor issues at home and in the neighbourhood...but things soon take a turn for the worse.
A sensationally spooky delight that's just right for dark nights by a roaring fire, be sure to get your copy of The Secret Keeper soon!
A whimsical mystery of rural, magical skulduggery, (with a hint of PD Workman's Reg Rawlins novels), introduces Martha Carr and Michael Anderle's The Witch Of Frognot County series-opener, The Secret Keeper.
Socially inept witch Carrie Moonshadow and her sidekick, Finn the gnome, easily deal with minor issues at home and in the neighbourhood...but things soon take a turn for the worse.
A sensationally spooky delight that's just right for dark nights by a roaring fire, be sure to get your copy of The Secret Keeper soon!
December 18, 2024
Voodoo dolls
Carrie is a witch in a small town, just trying to live her life and make enough money to keep herself going. When a girl from town asks for her help she doesn't know the can of worms that will be opened, and the trouble that it will cause her and her friends. This is a good first book, I enjoyed all the characters and the storyline is very good. There is plenty of action and some mystery and I am looking forward to more books in the series to learn more about the characters and how their relationships change.
Carrie is a witch in a small town, just trying to live her life and make enough money to keep herself going. When a girl from town asks for her help she doesn't know the can of worms that will be opened, and the trouble that it will cause her and her friends. This is a good first book, I enjoyed all the characters and the storyline is very good. There is plenty of action and some mystery and I am looking forward to more books in the series to learn more about the characters and how their relationships change.
December 6, 2024
Interesting Storyline
A cute story. As usual, grammar, spelling and proofreading were done well. The character development was thoughtful and personalities made them feel like real people. I found the plot to be simple enough to follow making reading easy. The book appears to be written with a young audience as the target readers. It is good to see some new work coming out without needing warning that characters are over 18 and any acts described are concentual.
A cute story. As usual, grammar, spelling and proofreading were done well. The character development was thoughtful and personalities made them feel like real people. I found the plot to be simple enough to follow making reading easy. The book appears to be written with a young audience as the target readers. It is good to see some new work coming out without needing warning that characters are over 18 and any acts described are concentual.
August 8, 2025
Another winner!
I will read anything Martha Carr writes, and most of what Michael Anderle writes, so I am thrilled with this beginning of a new series. I especially love the main character, Carrie, a witch who sometimes doesn't think through the things she does, just like a lot of us. There is a gnome with atrocious fashion sense living in her basement, who is her friend and helps her out with some of her messes. I can't wait to find out what comes next!
I will read anything Martha Carr writes, and most of what Michael Anderle writes, so I am thrilled with this beginning of a new series. I especially love the main character, Carrie, a witch who sometimes doesn't think through the things she does, just like a lot of us. There is a gnome with atrocious fashion sense living in her basement, who is her friend and helps her out with some of her messes. I can't wait to find out what comes next!
December 12, 2024
ok
I thought this book started out a little bit slow, and then it started reminding me of the movie Chucky with the creepy dolls in it. I did like Carrie and her gnome roommate. I felt bad for her with the towns people treating her like she had the plague. I’m not sure if I’m going to read the next book in the series or not.
I thought this book started out a little bit slow, and then it started reminding me of the movie Chucky with the creepy dolls in it. I did like Carrie and her gnome roommate. I felt bad for her with the towns people treating her like she had the plague. I’m not sure if I’m going to read the next book in the series or not.
November 6, 2025
a witch with challenges
Keeping the face that you’re a witch a secret can be a problem. Especially when real witchcraft floods their small town with problems. Getting to the bottom of it almost destroys many people. Resolution brings both good and bad results. Looking forward to the next book.
Keeping the face that you’re a witch a secret can be a problem. Especially when real witchcraft floods their small town with problems. Getting to the bottom of it almost destroys many people. Resolution brings both good and bad results. Looking forward to the next book.
December 25, 2024
A Witch and a Gnome
Carrie is a witch but just makes potions and small spells. People and cows are getting very sick. What is causing it? Doctors and.vets don't seem to know. It's dark powerful magic. What's next?
Carrie is a witch but just makes potions and small spells. People and cows are getting very sick. What is causing it? Doctors and.vets don't seem to know. It's dark powerful magic. What's next?
January 15, 2025
How cute and intriguing and genuinely a good book. Very witch and gives me the same nostalgic cozy but also mysterious feelings that practical magic gave me.
January 21, 2025
Fun read
This a fun inte interpretation of what the life of a witch might be in real life. The characters were also compelling . Enjoy your time
This a fun inte interpretation of what the life of a witch might be in real life. The characters were also compelling . Enjoy your time
February 10, 2025
Terrible
I cannot believe you made this storyline sooo complicated. You created an accident waiting to happen. Not much of a fantasy story.
I cannot believe you made this storyline sooo complicated. You created an accident waiting to happen. Not much of a fantasy story.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews