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The Lost Girls Of Johnson's Bayou
The Lost Girls Of Johnson's Bayou has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.
Audible Audio
First published January 1, 2012
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About the author
Jana Deleon
102 books4,228 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jana DeLeon was raised in southwest Louisiana among the bayous and gators. Her hometown is Carlyss, but you probably won't find it on a map. Her family owned a camp located on a bayou just off the Gulf of Mexico that you could only get there by boat. The most important feature was the rope hammock hanging in the shade on a huge deck that stretched out over the water where Jana spent many hours reading books.
Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.
Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.
She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.
Jana and her brother spent thousands of hours combing the bayous in a flat-bottom aluminum boat, studying the natural habitat of many birds, nutria and alligators. She would like you to know that no animals were injured during these "studies," but they kept makers of peroxide in business.
Jana has never stumbled across a mystery or a ghost like her heroines, but she's still hopeful.
She now resides in Dallas, Texas, with the most spoiled Sheltie in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
January 29, 2025
I love a Romantic-Suspense story where the H/h work together to solve the mystery. I would much rather that they don't keep secrets and tackle the problem on their own. That is often how these books are written. Here, Ginny and Paul are partners in finding the truth almost from the beginning and they share just about everything. Good story, but not without some major plot holes. The ending was also rushed and the "why" was given little explanation.
For sixteen years Ginny Bergeron has wondered who she is and where she came from. She hasn't let that control her life, but everyone in the small town hasn't let her forget it. She was six the night that the LaBlanc School for Girls caught fire killing several girls, and the townspeople have always wondered about Ginny, but Ginny has no memory of that or anything before she came to Johnson's Bayou.
Paul Stanton and his sister were separated by the foster care system as kids, and he lost her. As a former police officer and now a Private Investigator he has looked for her for over twenty years. The trail has led him to Johnson's Bayou and the LaBlanc School for Girls. He has great hope that his sister was one of the two girls who survived the fire.
Ginny and Paul meet when Ginny finally decides to try and remember what happened that night and smacks into Paul who is searching the abandoned school for clues and a gunman trying to discourage them both. Since they both want answers, they decide to work together, but someone is watching and has a lot to lose if Ginny regains her memory and the truth is reveled.
For sixteen years Ginny Bergeron has wondered who she is and where she came from. She hasn't let that control her life, but everyone in the small town hasn't let her forget it. She was six the night that the LaBlanc School for Girls caught fire killing several girls, and the townspeople have always wondered about Ginny, but Ginny has no memory of that or anything before she came to Johnson's Bayou.
Paul Stanton and his sister were separated by the foster care system as kids, and he lost her. As a former police officer and now a Private Investigator he has looked for her for over twenty years. The trail has led him to Johnson's Bayou and the LaBlanc School for Girls. He has great hope that his sister was one of the two girls who survived the fire.
Ginny and Paul meet when Ginny finally decides to try and remember what happened that night and smacks into Paul who is searching the abandoned school for clues and a gunman trying to discourage them both. Since they both want answers, they decide to work together, but someone is watching and has a lot to lose if Ginny regains her memory and the truth is reveled.
September 3, 2015
This was a quick read. It was an intriguing mystery story, but it felt like an episode of Scooby Doo or something. It wasn't anything that I'd suggest my friends read, it was just an okay read. The romantic side of it was just a little too quick and 'happily ever after' for me. I had no emotional connection with the characters at all. I wasn't sad when I was finished with it. If you're really bored and this is all you have to read it will keep your interest. It's fast paced.
February 5, 2012
Good book, pretty creepy. Ginny's memory loss has never improved - until recently. She decided to do something about it, by going back to the school to see if she could remember anything. When she runs into Paul, he saves her from discovery. When he hears her story, and tells her his own, they realize that there is definitely something wrong. And when someone starts attacking Ginny, Paul vows to keep her safe until they get to the bottom of the mystery. I really liked the way they worked out the parts of the mystery. The romance was good, and felt real to me.
June 11, 2019
This book was missing something. Well, okay, a lot. Like depth, well-rounded characters, any sort of romantic connection between Paul and Ginny, an antagonist the reader didn't figure out in the very first scene we meet him -- basically, a story.
There is a plot and a little action, but there's no substance. It took me over a week to read this short book because I would get bored after a few pages and set it aside. I started and finished 6 other books while reading this one.
Other books by this author have been better, so if this your first try of her, don't give up just yet. This isn't one of her better ones.
There is a plot and a little action, but there's no substance. It took me over a week to read this short book because I would get bored after a few pages and set it aside. I started and finished 6 other books while reading this one.
Other books by this author have been better, so if this your first try of her, don't give up just yet. This isn't one of her better ones.
August 14, 2025
Ginny Bergeron was just six years old when she wandered out of the Louisiana swamp, her memories erased by the trauma of a fire that consumed the LeBlanc School for Girls. Sixteen years later, a child’s scream draws her back into those haunting woods and straight into the arms of Paul Stanton, a former cop turned private investigator. Paul has never stopped searching for his missing sister and believes Ginny may hold the key to the truth.
But someone in Johnson’s Bayou is determined to keep the past buried, no matter the cost. As Ginny and Paul piece together the dark history that binds them, danger and desire collide, forcing them to confront their own ghosts and each other.
My Thoughts:
While The Lost Girls of Johnson’s Bayou delivers Jana DeLeon’s signature bayou atmosphere moody, misty, and dripping with Southern suspense it wasn’t my favorite from her catalog.
The premise had promise, and the eerie setting is vividly drawn. Ginny and Paul are intriguing leads with solid chemistry, and the mystery surrounding Ginny’s past and Paul’s sister kept me interested. But I found the pacing uneven, especially in the beginning. Some chapters dragged, and I had to go back and reread a few sections just to stay on track.
There are some solid twists, and the tension builds nicely toward the end, but parts of the plot felt predictable and the secondary characters didn’t leave much of an impression.
Verdict:
Not a bad read overall just not a standout for me. Fans of DeLeon’s bayou thrillers will appreciate the atmosphere, but this one didn’t quite hit the high mark I was hoping for.
But someone in Johnson’s Bayou is determined to keep the past buried, no matter the cost. As Ginny and Paul piece together the dark history that binds them, danger and desire collide, forcing them to confront their own ghosts and each other.
My Thoughts:
While The Lost Girls of Johnson’s Bayou delivers Jana DeLeon’s signature bayou atmosphere moody, misty, and dripping with Southern suspense it wasn’t my favorite from her catalog.
The premise had promise, and the eerie setting is vividly drawn. Ginny and Paul are intriguing leads with solid chemistry, and the mystery surrounding Ginny’s past and Paul’s sister kept me interested. But I found the pacing uneven, especially in the beginning. Some chapters dragged, and I had to go back and reread a few sections just to stay on track.
There are some solid twists, and the tension builds nicely toward the end, but parts of the plot felt predictable and the secondary characters didn’t leave much of an impression.
Verdict:
Not a bad read overall just not a standout for me. Fans of DeLeon’s bayou thrillers will appreciate the atmosphere, but this one didn’t quite hit the high mark I was hoping for.
November 15, 2025
This was just okay. Compared to her Miss Fortune series, this story was lacking.
September 21, 2020
I was intrigued by the description of this book. However it did leave me a little disappointed. The mystery was pretty good. Several possible criminals. I enjoyed the characters. It was suspenseful but there were some letdowns. 1st the romance side was a bit blah, and I dont mean the sex scene (which was short with no details but honestly that never bothers me). It was more that they kissed like twice and the chemistry just didnt feel like it was there. Then the ending felt rushed. All of a sudden he finds his sister and everything came crashing together. Almost too quickly. All this buildup for this one quick scene of conclusion.
May 28, 2012
Great on the romance and excellent on the intrigue.
When trying to figure out the mystery of the locks on the door, I half expected a tunnel to the cafe to be the solution because that's what happened last time in the bayou, did you?
Paul and Ginny, although attracted to each other, really didn't have time to develop a good, steamy romance but it was still nice.
I hope we find out more about Ginny's background in a future title. I didn't like that loose end.. someone must be missing her by now.
When trying to figure out the mystery of the locks on the door, I half expected a tunnel to the cafe to be the solution because that's what happened last time in the bayou, did you?
Paul and Ginny, although attracted to each other, really didn't have time to develop a good, steamy romance but it was still nice.
I hope we find out more about Ginny's background in a future title. I didn't like that loose end.. someone must be missing her by now.
October 10, 2024
The author did a good job of setting up her story and creating a creepy, somewhat gothic atmosphere for the mystery. However, the pace of the story dragged a bit and the ending tremendously did not work for me.
We learn early on that hidden back in the bayou is the burned out remnant of the LeBlanc School for Girls, which was destroyed in a fire some years ago. The exact purpose of this school and who went there remains something of a mystery throughout the story. It's the first of several loose ends that never got tied up satisfactorily for me.
At first readers don't know much about the fire except that one girl apparently survived. She went off to the hospital in New Orleans and no one really knows what happened to her after that. The only other survivor was Ginny, the heroine. At the age of 6, Ginny simply walked out of the bayou after the fire. She has no memory of what happened at the school nor can she tell anyone about her past. She was taken in by the owner of the local cafe, and had what has apparently a happy childhood from then on. Ginny still lives in Johnson's Bayou and runs the cafe with her mother, while making and selling jewelry on the side.
Ginny's routines get upended when PI Paul Stanton rolls into town. Paul is looking for clues about the fate of his lost sister, whose track through foster care ended at the LeBlanc School. He thinks Ginny may hold some answers locked in her memories. Meanwhile, Ginny is finding herself increasingly drawn to the ruins of the school out in the bayou. As the two start to investigate what happened at the school that night, creepy things start happening.
As I mentioned, the author does a good job of setting the stage in this tale. When I started reading, I thought I was in for a deliciously creepy gothic. However, for a while, the story just doesn't seem to go anywhere. Ginny and Paul wonder what is going on, they feel attracted to each other, and the cycle just continues without much progress.
When the two finally go into the burned out school, my interest picked back up. However, the ending just didn't come together well. We finally find out what happened at the school, but it comes in the form of an infodump at the end of the story. Also, given how the mystery ended up, I had a lot of trouble believing in Ginny and Paul just riding off into the sunset for their HEA. The children in that school were treated horribly, and as we learn, not only were they traumatized but most of them died in the fire. Having learned all that, I found it difficult to buy into a sweet, happy romance on the back end without an awful lot of work and therapy for the leads. This one started off promising, but just didn't work for me in the end.
Since the solution to the mystery may be triggering for some, here's the spoiler:
We learn early on that hidden back in the bayou is the burned out remnant of the LeBlanc School for Girls, which was destroyed in a fire some years ago. The exact purpose of this school and who went there remains something of a mystery throughout the story. It's the first of several loose ends that never got tied up satisfactorily for me.
At first readers don't know much about the fire except that one girl apparently survived. She went off to the hospital in New Orleans and no one really knows what happened to her after that. The only other survivor was Ginny, the heroine. At the age of 6, Ginny simply walked out of the bayou after the fire. She has no memory of what happened at the school nor can she tell anyone about her past. She was taken in by the owner of the local cafe, and had what has apparently a happy childhood from then on. Ginny still lives in Johnson's Bayou and runs the cafe with her mother, while making and selling jewelry on the side.
Ginny's routines get upended when PI Paul Stanton rolls into town. Paul is looking for clues about the fate of his lost sister, whose track through foster care ended at the LeBlanc School. He thinks Ginny may hold some answers locked in her memories. Meanwhile, Ginny is finding herself increasingly drawn to the ruins of the school out in the bayou. As the two start to investigate what happened at the school that night, creepy things start happening.
As I mentioned, the author does a good job of setting the stage in this tale. When I started reading, I thought I was in for a deliciously creepy gothic. However, for a while, the story just doesn't seem to go anywhere. Ginny and Paul wonder what is going on, they feel attracted to each other, and the cycle just continues without much progress.
When the two finally go into the burned out school, my interest picked back up. However, the ending just didn't come together well. We finally find out what happened at the school, but it comes in the form of an infodump at the end of the story. Also, given how the mystery ended up, I had a lot of trouble believing in Ginny and Paul just riding off into the sunset for their HEA. The children in that school were treated horribly, and as we learn, not only were they traumatized but most of them died in the fire. Having learned all that, I found it difficult to buy into a sweet, happy romance on the back end without an awful lot of work and therapy for the leads. This one started off promising, but just didn't work for me in the end.
Since the solution to the mystery may be triggering for some, here's the spoiler:
March 1, 2025
This is a rerelease of Deleon's 2012 novel, but my first time checking out this story. Her Miss Fortune series is one of my all-time favorite cozies, so of course I couldn't pass this up. I listened to the audiobook and felt at home combing through clues. Regardless of genre intricacies Deleon crafts smart mysteries with enough suspense to have me avoiding the pause button.
Ginny walked out of the bayou at the age of six when The LeBlanc School for Girls was burning. She was one of only two girls to survive the blaze. The trauma caused her memories to go dormant and because there were no leads as to her identity a kind local woman adopted her. Ginny's leads a relatively quiet existence until she starts to question her past. Her curiosity leads her to poke around the abandoned school where she meets Paul.
Paul is a P.I. who has been searching for the sister he was separated from twenty years ago. He has reason to believe she may have been a resident at the old school. The more the pair digs into the past the more danger comes to call. Someone doesn't want the truth uncovered and they are willing to kill to keep the silence.
The mystery is the main focus with the elements of romance and suspense being secondary. It seemed like all three had to be included and felt like ticking boxes instead of a natural progression. The romance is mild but felt like it moved from zero to sixty without much cause. Less would've been more believable and a better fit for such a short novel. The blend of suspense and mystery was well balanced. There were some minor plot holes, but nothing glaring. I had lot of appreciation for the communication between characters. There is an abundance of miscommunication happening in books right now. I felt like applauding that these two were open and spoke like adults. My favorite aspect was the author's use of red herrings and subtle clues.
3.5 rounded up to 4
*Be aware there are mentions of dark subject matter, most of which is off page. *
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an Advance Listening Copy for review. These are my unbiased opinions.
Ginny walked out of the bayou at the age of six when The LeBlanc School for Girls was burning. She was one of only two girls to survive the blaze. The trauma caused her memories to go dormant and because there were no leads as to her identity a kind local woman adopted her. Ginny's leads a relatively quiet existence until she starts to question her past. Her curiosity leads her to poke around the abandoned school where she meets Paul.
Paul is a P.I. who has been searching for the sister he was separated from twenty years ago. He has reason to believe she may have been a resident at the old school. The more the pair digs into the past the more danger comes to call. Someone doesn't want the truth uncovered and they are willing to kill to keep the silence.
The mystery is the main focus with the elements of romance and suspense being secondary. It seemed like all three had to be included and felt like ticking boxes instead of a natural progression. The romance is mild but felt like it moved from zero to sixty without much cause. Less would've been more believable and a better fit for such a short novel. The blend of suspense and mystery was well balanced. There were some minor plot holes, but nothing glaring. I had lot of appreciation for the communication between characters. There is an abundance of miscommunication happening in books right now. I felt like applauding that these two were open and spoke like adults. My favorite aspect was the author's use of red herrings and subtle clues.
3.5 rounded up to 4
*Be aware there are mentions of dark subject matter, most of which is off page. *
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for an Advance Listening Copy for review. These are my unbiased opinions.
February 20, 2025
Title: The Lost Girls of Johnson’s Bayou
Author: Jana DeLeon
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Blythe Renay
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Genre: Mystery/Romance
Audiobook Pub Date: February 25, 2025
My Rating: 3.6 rounded up
Pages: 218
Awww the cover definitely got my attention!
Ginny Bergeron is a young woman who for sixteen years has wondered who she is and where she came from.
She was six the night of the firs at the LaBlanc School for Girls were several if the girls died. Ginny was found wondering the streets but had had no memory what happened. In fact she still doesn’t remember if she even lived at the school.
She was taken in by a wonderful woman who lived in Johnson’s Bayou and is mother to her.
Private Investigator and former police officer Paul Stanton has been looking for his sister for over twenty years. They were separated by the foster care system at that time. His investigation has brought him to Johnson's Bayou and the LaBlanc School for Girls. He knows two girls survived the fire has great hope that his sister is one of them.
This was better than expected. I did enjoy it.
This was my first Jana DeLeon however she has written many stories – many of which were cozy mysteries. In fact, this story was close to being classified as a cozy. ~ Aww I would have loved this story more if it had been a cozy!
Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this enjoyable audiobook.
Audiobook Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 25, 2025
Author: Jana DeLeon
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Blythe Renay
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Genre: Mystery/Romance
Audiobook Pub Date: February 25, 2025
My Rating: 3.6 rounded up
Pages: 218
Awww the cover definitely got my attention!
Ginny Bergeron is a young woman who for sixteen years has wondered who she is and where she came from.
She was six the night of the firs at the LaBlanc School for Girls were several if the girls died. Ginny was found wondering the streets but had had no memory what happened. In fact she still doesn’t remember if she even lived at the school.
She was taken in by a wonderful woman who lived in Johnson’s Bayou and is mother to her.
Private Investigator and former police officer Paul Stanton has been looking for his sister for over twenty years. They were separated by the foster care system at that time. His investigation has brought him to Johnson's Bayou and the LaBlanc School for Girls. He knows two girls survived the fire has great hope that his sister is one of them.
This was better than expected. I did enjoy it.
This was my first Jana DeLeon however she has written many stories – many of which were cozy mysteries. In fact, this story was close to being classified as a cozy. ~ Aww I would have loved this story more if it had been a cozy!
Want to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for this enjoyable audiobook.
Audiobook Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 25, 2025
September 24, 2020
Ginny, Kathy, and Paul Came Full Circle! 4.75***** Spoiler Alert!
Ginny B, one of two survivors of the LeBlancSchool fire sixteen years ago, finally decide to act upon her ominous, attractive forces emanating from the abandon, burnt out of a husk dilapidated former school, and investigate the place. Only to be accosted in the dark woods by Paul, a PI who has been looking for his sister since their parents died. She told him about hearing a child’s scream and followed his orders to head back to her apartment located above her adoptive mother’s cafe. Together they come up with a plan to date each other, while delving into the suspicious fire from years gone by. Following clues and old hospital workers he tracks down his sister, the other survivor, and the shenanigans begun, with attempts on Ginny’s life and Kathy’s abduction. The mastermind was none other than the nosy, creepy Mayor and his child pornography ring, backed by a desperate sheriff looking for funds to pay for his cancer ridden wife’s chemotherapy. Both end up dead, and Ginny and Paul pursued their lust to become a couple and expand their family/ friends circle.
Great characters with a gravity defying plot and a climatic ending. The theme of power and money as the root of all evil flows freely through this novel. Saul’s role was a red-herring and only diverted the reader from the obvious facts, as he was only a sensible lottery winner in the end. A Must-Read!
09/20/20- 09/21/20 COVID-19 CAShInPl.
Ginny B, one of two survivors of the LeBlancSchool fire sixteen years ago, finally decide to act upon her ominous, attractive forces emanating from the abandon, burnt out of a husk dilapidated former school, and investigate the place. Only to be accosted in the dark woods by Paul, a PI who has been looking for his sister since their parents died. She told him about hearing a child’s scream and followed his orders to head back to her apartment located above her adoptive mother’s cafe. Together they come up with a plan to date each other, while delving into the suspicious fire from years gone by. Following clues and old hospital workers he tracks down his sister, the other survivor, and the shenanigans begun, with attempts on Ginny’s life and Kathy’s abduction. The mastermind was none other than the nosy, creepy Mayor and his child pornography ring, backed by a desperate sheriff looking for funds to pay for his cancer ridden wife’s chemotherapy. Both end up dead, and Ginny and Paul pursued their lust to become a couple and expand their family/ friends circle.
Great characters with a gravity defying plot and a climatic ending. The theme of power and money as the root of all evil flows freely through this novel. Saul’s role was a red-herring and only diverted the reader from the obvious facts, as he was only a sensible lottery winner in the end. A Must-Read!
09/20/20- 09/21/20 COVID-19 CAShInPl.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 21, 2024
“The Lost Girls of Johnson's Creek” is professionally written and has a halfway decent plot.
What it lacks is any kind of tension.
Sixteen years ago the isolated LeBlanc School for Girls caught fire.
Sixteen children died, one survivor was airlifted to hospital, and one, Ginny, aged 6, walked out of the woods, physically uninjured but with total amnesia. She was adopted locally.
Now she's drawn back to the school, for the first time, to see if it brings back any memories.
It doesn't, but she meets P.I. Paul Stanton who is halfway convinced that the other survivor was his missing sister, Kathy.
But as soon as Ginny shows an interest in the past her life is put in escalating danger – someone wants to keep those memories in their box.
The way in which the mystery is finally solved relies heavily on coincidence and the killer finally decides to deal with those pesky kids himself (thus, of course, revealing his identity!)
The entire finale is badly rushed and, at least in my humble opinion, doesn't make a whole lot of sense (why wait all those years, what is the importance of two years, surely the money would come to him one way or another …?)
Like I said, professionally written, just too much so – it entirely lacks any true heart.
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
What it lacks is any kind of tension.
Sixteen years ago the isolated LeBlanc School for Girls caught fire.
Sixteen children died, one survivor was airlifted to hospital, and one, Ginny, aged 6, walked out of the woods, physically uninjured but with total amnesia. She was adopted locally.
Now she's drawn back to the school, for the first time, to see if it brings back any memories.
It doesn't, but she meets P.I. Paul Stanton who is halfway convinced that the other survivor was his missing sister, Kathy.
But as soon as Ginny shows an interest in the past her life is put in escalating danger – someone wants to keep those memories in their box.
The way in which the mystery is finally solved relies heavily on coincidence and the killer finally decides to deal with those pesky kids himself (thus, of course, revealing his identity!)
The entire finale is badly rushed and, at least in my humble opinion, doesn't make a whole lot of sense (why wait all those years, what is the importance of two years, surely the money would come to him one way or another …?)
Like I said, professionally written, just too much so – it entirely lacks any true heart.
2.5 Stars, raised to 3 Stars.
July 19, 2020
I have read all of Jana Deleon's Swamp Team books as well as the Shaye Archer series and a few others, and I loved every single one of them. This is why I felt fairly confused by 'Lost Girls' as it doesn't show any of the attributes of her other books.
The characters felt two-dimensional, the tension just wouldn't build for me, I could not relate to their developing feelings and the jokes didn't make me smile. It felt so much like this book has been written by a different author that I actually looked up if there are two of the same name.
The story itself was an interesting concept and kept me going, however there were a couple of events that didn't make sense. For example it is clear that Ginny is in danger, and still Paul chooses to return late from his out-of-town drive, knowing she would be alone. Of course she is being attacked that night. Also no explanation why the two women had the same dream at exactly the same time, or why his police friend can suddenly track his lost sister within a couple of hours when all those years no-one managed.
Maybe I just had too high expectations, but I will stick to her other series for now.
The characters felt two-dimensional, the tension just wouldn't build for me, I could not relate to their developing feelings and the jokes didn't make me smile. It felt so much like this book has been written by a different author that I actually looked up if there are two of the same name.
The story itself was an interesting concept and kept me going, however there were a couple of events that didn't make sense. For example it is clear that Ginny is in danger, and still Paul chooses to return late from his out-of-town drive, knowing she would be alone. Of course she is being attacked that night. Also no explanation why the two women had the same dream at exactly the same time, or why his police friend can suddenly track his lost sister within a couple of hours when all those years no-one managed.
Maybe I just had too high expectations, but I will stick to her other series for now.
March 17, 2025
Ginny does not remember life prior to being found wandering down the street at six years old. A local girls' school caught on fire, and everyone assumed she must have been a resident. A local adopted her. Now, as an adult, she is starting to get flashes. As she goes out to investigate the property, she runs into a man. Paul's sister vanished after the fire and he is trying to find her. His presence in town has stirred people up and now both Ginny and Paul are in danger. They start working together to figure out who is behind everything.
As I was reading this, I kept thinking that it felt very amateurish. I did not recognize the author's name and figured it may be a debut. After reading, I realized that this is an old Harlequin book being rereleased as an audiobook. Things made a bit more sense- it is the early work of the author.
I enjoyed the book overall, but it could have used some polish.
Blythe Renay narrates. While I like her tone, I wonder if her narration played a part in my feelings about the book seeming amateurish.
I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
As I was reading this, I kept thinking that it felt very amateurish. I did not recognize the author's name and figured it may be a debut. After reading, I realized that this is an old Harlequin book being rereleased as an audiobook. Things made a bit more sense- it is the early work of the author.
I enjoyed the book overall, but it could have used some polish.
Blythe Renay narrates. While I like her tone, I wonder if her narration played a part in my feelings about the book seeming amateurish.
I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2025
Jenny has no memory of her time at LeBlanc School for Girls, which mysteriously burned down sixteen years ago. One night, she finds herself near the old school and runs into Paul, a newcomer to town. From the start, this one had me hooked. I didn’t know who to trust, and the creepy atmosphere kept me on edge. The twists and turns had me hooked! I liked that Jenny wasn’t alone, she has Paul and her mother to rely on. There’s a bit of romance, but it develops naturally as the story unfolds. Blythe Renay does a fantastic job narrating, bringing Jenny and Paul to life with distinct tones and inflections. Her voice kept me engaged until the very end.
This one is great for lovers of eerie mysteries, slow burn romance, and atmospheric thrillers.
A very special thanks to Harlequin Audio for the gifted ALC.
This one is great for lovers of eerie mysteries, slow burn romance, and atmospheric thrillers.
A very special thanks to Harlequin Audio for the gifted ALC.
May 28, 2018
Score: 3.5/5
This whodunnit was a decent enough psychological thriller, but I figured out the connection to the crimes in question fairly early on in the book. That always disappoints me.
Having said that, the story of Ginny Bergeron, who lives in the small Louisiana town of Johnson's Bayou, and her connection to the burned-out hulk of the LeBlanc school is not even clear to her -- because she's suffered for years with traumatic amnesia. Handsome stranger Paul, a detective, also has a connection to the school ... and now that he's showed up to investigate things on his own, Ginny is in a murderer's sights.
Decent story but just not up to Jana Deleon's usual standards.
This whodunnit was a decent enough psychological thriller, but I figured out the connection to the crimes in question fairly early on in the book. That always disappoints me.
Having said that, the story of Ginny Bergeron, who lives in the small Louisiana town of Johnson's Bayou, and her connection to the burned-out hulk of the LeBlanc school is not even clear to her -- because she's suffered for years with traumatic amnesia. Handsome stranger Paul, a detective, also has a connection to the school ... and now that he's showed up to investigate things on his own, Ginny is in a murderer's sights.
Decent story but just not up to Jana Deleon's usual standards.
April 7, 2022
This thriller had my attention until the very end! I had a difficult time putting it down. There was a home for orphaned girls in Johnson’s Bayou. Something was very mysterious about how it burned down. Only two girls survived and years later neither of them have any memories of what happened. The entire town seems eager to forget this entire tragedy. But the brother of one of the girls is determined to get to the bottom of this and figure out who is responsible. Jana DeLeon has a way of keeping the reader on the hook until the very end. Enjoy!
March 7, 2025
This was a very quick and easy listen. I felt the story could have had a lot more added to it . I hate when you finally make it to the why and how part and it's told in less than two paragraphs . I also didn't realize that this was a reprint and not a book from this year. I was excited when I seen the setting was in the bayou and didn't pay attention to much more . The narrator was ok but I would have rather had someone with a southern and or cajun voice . It says Kindle Edition but it was an audio version from NetGalley.
September 26, 2018
This book had a lot of promise at the beginning, but I feel that it didn't live up to my expectations. What was a good read could have been an great read if:
The "villain" and his reasons for being villainous, weren't so disappointing.
There was more to the Kathy storyline, after she was found by Paul.
Paul wasn't so... so... well, dull!
And most of all, it would have been great if Ginny gave a shit about her past!
October 9, 2020
After devouring the author's cozy mystery series about Fortune Redding, I already knew she was a solid writer. In that respect, this book certainly didn't disappoint. The story had me intrigued and creeped out until about 75% into it, but there was something missing after that. I wouldn't call this a romance novel, it's more like suspense with some romance on the side, which is fine by me. I was going to give it five stars up until the last quarter of the book.
November 8, 2022
Every cliché possible
Positives first. I read it all the way through. The writing, from a grammatical perspective, wasn't bad.
But. All the clichés. Not one, but TWO women with plot convenient amnesia. Both women having the same dream memories at the same time. Love at first sight. The final villain wrap up scene, complete with a dying confession. And our main character continues to have amnesia. Ugh.
Positives first. I read it all the way through. The writing, from a grammatical perspective, wasn't bad.
But. All the clichés. Not one, but TWO women with plot convenient amnesia. Both women having the same dream memories at the same time. Love at first sight. The final villain wrap up scene, complete with a dying confession. And our main character continues to have amnesia. Ugh.
March 4, 2025
Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fast cozyish mystery. It had an interesting premise, but I feel like it need just more: more character building, more details/history about the the school, just more. It had a satisfying ending and was easy to read. I didn't dislike it., If you are looking for something easy, fast and not too stressful give it a try.
This was a fast cozyish mystery. It had an interesting premise, but I feel like it need just more: more character building, more details/history about the the school, just more. It had a satisfying ending and was easy to read. I didn't dislike it., If you are looking for something easy, fast and not too stressful give it a try.
March 22, 2025
I really liked this mystery.
GInny came out of the swamp at 6 years old with no memory of who she was. Many years later, as she was starting getting some memories back, Paul comes into town looking for his sister who dissappear from a girl's school long ago.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a review of the audiobook.
GInny came out of the swamp at 6 years old with no memory of who she was. Many years later, as she was starting getting some memories back, Paul comes into town looking for his sister who dissappear from a girl's school long ago.
Many thanks to Net Galley and Harlequin Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This is a review of the audiobook.
May 19, 2025
Johnson's Bayou
A school for girls without any family any more , Jenny grew up with Marilyn.
They owened a bakery when a stranger entered the bakery to get coffee and met Jenny who was selling jewelry she made. The festival is starting and Jenny sold alot of jewlry. Paul the stranger is a policeman and a private eye. he is watching Jenny to see if she remembers his sister. What happened to her? Read Johnson's bayou!
A school for girls without any family any more , Jenny grew up with Marilyn.
They owened a bakery when a stranger entered the bakery to get coffee and met Jenny who was selling jewelry she made. The festival is starting and Jenny sold alot of jewlry. Paul the stranger is a policeman and a private eye. he is watching Jenny to see if she remembers his sister. What happened to her? Read Johnson's bayou!
January 28, 2022
Good story. It was entertaining, but not one of her better ones. It seems like this book was rushed, it did not have a lot of detail. The characters were likable but I think they could have been developed more. I am a big fan of her Shaye Archer series so I am comparing this book to those, maybe not a fair comparison. This won’t deter me from continuing to look for and read more of her books.
November 11, 2022
ehh so so
I LOVE Jana DeLeon books but this one wasn’t as well developed to me as her usuals. I also found a lot of the plot either a little unbelievable or it seemed a little convenient for the writer so the plot could move on. I am going to check the next one out in the series to see if it gets better though.
I LOVE Jana DeLeon books but this one wasn’t as well developed to me as her usuals. I also found a lot of the plot either a little unbelievable or it seemed a little convenient for the writer so the plot could move on. I am going to check the next one out in the series to see if it gets better though.
January 8, 2024
This book was just an okay read for me. Jana Deleon writes a lot of great books, but unfortunately this isn’t one of her best. The concept for the storyline was intriguing and had so much potential, but ultimately just didn’t get there. This is by no means a bad story and many people are sure to enjoy this quick read, but it just didn’t quite work for me.
March 9, 2025
I enjoyed the mystery and chemistry between the MCs in the book. It was interesting to discover what really happened in the school. Ginny and Paul are a couple I wouldn't mind seeing again.
I enjoyed Blythe Renay as the narrator. She did a great job giving voice to this story.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed Blythe Renay as the narrator. She did a great job giving voice to this story.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 11, 2018
Good Mystery
A P.I. comes to town looking for clues about a young girl who went missing 16 years ago. A young woman in town may be a help to his investigation. Together they work to unravel the secrets hiding in Johnson's Bayou. This was a really good mystery with some suspense thrown in.
A P.I. comes to town looking for clues about a young girl who went missing 16 years ago. A young woman in town may be a help to his investigation. Together they work to unravel the secrets hiding in Johnson's Bayou. This was a really good mystery with some suspense thrown in.
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