Changing Fortunes: A gripping Southern mystery series of family secrets, danger, and redemption

by Veronica Mixon

She thought she knew him. Then he vanished—with their son—and the lies he left behind turned deadly.

Kate Landers' life shatters when her husband, Adam, vanishes with their five-year-old son—without a word, without a clue. Desperate for answers, Kate turns to her best friend, DEA agent Erica Sanchez. But the more they uncover Adam’s past, the more chilling the truth he lived an alternate life. And he’s not the only one hiding secrets.

When Tess moves in next door, Kate is grateful for a shoulder to lean on—someone warm, helpful, and easy to talk to. But soon, unease creeps in. Tess is always around, always watching. She asks about things Kate never shared. And somehow, she knows far too much for someone Kate just met.

As Kate unravels the truth behind Adam’s disappearance—uncovering betrayals, buried secrets, and a web of violence—one fact becomes chillingly clear. Adam didn’t leave for money. He left because he was in danger. And now, because of Tess, Kate is too.

Changing Fortunes is a heart-pounding domestic thriller with a Southern edge, perfect for fans of Lisa Gardner, Stephanie Plum, and anyone who enjoys Southern mysteries.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2025

About the author

Veronica, an Amazon Chart-Topping author, and Florida native has spent the past two decades embracing the beauty of Georgia’s scenic coast, where she realized her lifelong dream of writing mystery and suspense.

Known for her gripping tales that navigate the shadowy depths of Savannah’s haunting allure, Veronica pulls readers into a labyrinth of mystery and suspense, making it impossible to put down her books until the last twist is revealed.

In her downtime, Veronica enjoys a fulfilling life with her husband, her steadfast partner in love and adventure, and their lively Australian Labradoodle, Fiddler.

She can be found at veronicamixon.com

Reviews

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

To this book in one word, it would be WOW! This is an edge of your seat and strange mystery you are grabbed from the beginning! It is written in Point of View for the main characters. We are taken through, kidnapping, betrayal and murder. Kate's husband, Adam walks out after a fight with Kate, who wants a divorce. Thinking he'll cool down, she doesn't realize right away that he picks up their son Owen from a sleep over and disappears with him. Why is he running away? What did he get himself into and why is the police looking for him? Is he connected to the murder of Lena, a girl he may have worked with. What a puzzle that seems to be so overwhelming for Kate, but as any mother would, with the help of Tess, although she is suspect in Kate's eyes and her friend, Ben, she becomes a mother bear and will do anything to get her son back, even step on the wrong toes that puts her in absolute danger. Tess has her hands full. And who is Tess, anyway and what does she have to do with Kate's husband, Adam. There are so many seemingly convoluted puzzle pieces, can Kate solve the puzzle and get her son back and set things right? This book has you turning page after page. You just can't put it down, once you start from the very first page! I highly recommend this exciting book and can't wait to see what could possibly happen next. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Dave Wheeler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate's husband absconded with her son after 2 women are killed this is an explosive start to what looks like it's going to be an excellent series, "Veronicas track record and this book is a sure sign it will be in hooked already. And the great news is There are 2 series coming from this one........

There are 2 heroines to this tale Tess is an extremely interesting character only unlike Kate she's dead shoot by well can't spoil it so you have to read it but this is a great mystery and absolutely addictive as in I was genuinely hooked from the start. Adam Kate's husband and alround train wreck has taken Owen their son and is being sort by a range of others but nothing is totally obvious or predictable, well it's a mystery so it would be boring if it was. But Lena the other dead women who we only hear about her living activity unlike Tess but she has started a string of events that you have to read about. She uncomfortable when she discovered the truth behind Adams activities or rather the organisation the work for.There is plenty of surprises as in twists and as is Verinicas style told in her own gripping and captivating style

This is such a great read I can't recommend it highly enough I really did enjoy every page no skip reading I devoured every word.. And I can't wait but know I have to for the next books to come.

[Tcozybookcorner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ {Arc}
(ARC review) — Thank you to author Veronica Mixon, her publisher Sapelo. I received an Advanced Reader Copy for the May 2025 release of CHANGING FORTUNES in exchange for my honest review.

🌊 Southern charm
⚓️ Kidnapping
🌊 Betrayal
⚓️ Buried Secrets
🌊 Murder
⚓️ Mystery

FMC Kate Lander’s everyday life suddenly turns upside down without a word or clue—Her husband is missing and he has their son!! Unlock the chest of secrets and lies!

This is an easy detective domestic mystery read for the beach and is set up to have future books with some of the main characters so standalone reads with familiar faces.

It did get a little repetitive but kept you interested. I also liked that it had that cozy mystery feeling throughout with a little paranormal activity mixed in. It had some thrills and chills and would be perfect for that summer beach, pool or vacation read.

[Kristen Derr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Changing Fortunes is a twisty mix of domestic suspense and supernatural mystery set in the haunting charm of Savannah, Georgia.
The story follows Kate Landers, whose life shatters when her husband disappears with their son—only for her to discover he’s not who she thought he was. Meanwhile, Tess Morgan, a woman who’s already dead, becomes an unlikely investigator from the afterlife, trying to piece together the truth and bring justice to the living.

The pacing drags in places, and some sections repeat details or shift abruptly between characters and timelines. A few mysteries are left dangling by the end, which makes sense since it’s the first in a series—but readers wanting tidy closure might feel unsatisfied. Still, it’s an engaging, atmospheric debut that blends genres in a way that feels unique.

[London Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Veronica Mixon is a wonderful writer. She knows just how to pull you into a story and keep you there, with vivid descriptions, a fast-paced plot, and strong, determined female main characters. Changing Fortunes is no different. A slight departure from her previous novels in terms of the supernatural element, this prequel to her Savannah Mystery series offers insight into Kate Landers' life before the start of the series, and we are introduced to Tess, an interesting character indeed, and one who will carry on in a future series. Thrilling, chilling, and sure to make you want more, Changing Fortunes is another triumph for Mixon, who has an innate ability to seamlessly reach across genres and create magic.

[Julianne Dombrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What a ride this book was!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time!
Where is her husband? He took their son!! Amidst it all a woman’s name pops up and she was murdered.
Kate on a race against time. How is this woman connected to her husband.
Tess is dead but she wants to know why? Both women are on a mission to find out. 1 from the dead, 1 living.
On a search for justice. To find out why Tess was murdered. Why he disappeared.
You are going to have to read to find out!
What a fantastic read! I can’t wait to start the 2nd book in this series.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

About the time when he kidnaps their son, Kate discovers that the man was a chimera living a double life--or more. From then on there are more dead bodies, blindsiding plot twists, and a dead woman who is a kind of FMC. Very unusual and riveting.
#ChangingFortunes by Veronica Mixon #SavannahMysterySeriesBk1 @booksgosocialgroup #NetGalley
#amateursleuth #southernCrime #crimefiction #Georgiaghosts #kidnappingchild #missingperson #psychologicalthriller #thriller #womansleuth #gripping #artcrimes #organizedcrime #tense

[Hannelore Cheney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and BooksGoSocial for the eARC.
This was a good story overall but I did find it a bit repetitive. The 2 protagonists (one dead, one alive) were likeable and I really felt for Kate whose husband walked out and took their son. Naturally, she is frantic to find him.
There is a paranormal perspective to the story, which I enjoyed, and it's a pleasant read overall. Hopefully the next in the series will ramp up the excitement

[Becky Frazier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall this book was ok. It kept my attention but took some work. It’s an interesting storyline with pretty good characters but it’s just too jumpy. It jumps back and forth in time and also from character to character.
The whole storyline with Tess is strange.
There also isn’t a real ending. The whole book there is all this talk of the collectors but we don’t find out who they are or anything about them.

Thank you NetGalley for the copy

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 1 in the Savannah Mystery series. I can't wait to start book 2. Kate can't believe how her life changed in the blink of an eye. Her husband has taken their son, Owen and disappeared leaving her in the path of his destructive and illegal behavior. She moves into an apartment and her new neighbor Tess seems to be very interested in Kate's life. Is she part of the squad sent to eliminate her or a savior trying to help. Great story and looking forward to book two in this series.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two worlds collide; Life and Afterlife, on a parallel journey wrought with perilous urgency and a nebulous sense of danger lurking in the shadows. The story flows effortlessly and believably between the living Kate and the no longer living Tess, all whilst the tension inexorably builds around and between both women. The result is a thoroughly riveting and addictive read!

[Madison Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 🌟
I was just not a fan of the writing of this one at all. I get the whole wanting to build suspense with Tess and Kate, but it was just annoying the way their relationship was to me. Beyond dragged out and a little repetitive. I mean, im glad the ending wrapped it all up, but I was just glad to finish it.

[Liz Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads for the free copy of this book!
I've never read this author before so I had no expectations, and I wound up really enjoying it. Some interactions between Tess and Kate felt very repetitive, but the story drew me in immediately and it was compelling enough to keep my attention.

[Danielle Reinker · Rating 2 out of 5]

something a little different

It was an interesting mix of murder mystery and ghost stories but it felt repetitive. The same thing over and over but nothing was really surprising. Nothing really happened if that makes sense. Also the typos drove me nuts.

[Nicole Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

his was a cozy book I enjoyed it if your like me who loves a psychological read but just wanted something not so crazy this is a good book to read to keep the mystery but not make you wonder how humans can be so cruel

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This got a little repetitive as chapters go by characters so you can see the same scene from different perspectives. Having said that the premise is catching enough that it really made me want to keep going to see the end!

[Kelly Couture · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Just wow! Best book I’ve read in a long time.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one got better as I read it. it took a few chapters to get into the story and sort out what was happening. It's a weird story. I can definitely see how it sets up future stories for the two main characters. Easy to read.

[Jody Weems · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good start

A new nove!its with her debut novel, A wife does not know about her faithless husband's affair and business affairs.

[Mahnoor Lasania · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great read, I can't recommend it highly enough. I really did enjoy every page, no skipping. I devoured every word, and I can't wait to start the next book!