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Secrets In The Soil: A Maggie Nelson Cozy Mystery
When Maggie Nelson’s terrier, Watson, unearths bones in the garden of a derelict mansion, her amateur sleuth instincts kick into high gear.
What was supposed to be a peaceful evening stroll turns into something far more sinister.
When Maggie’s furry friend Watson slips his leash and bolts into the abandoned Mortimer estate.
The eerie Victorian house has been untouched for 15 years—not since the Mortimer family mysteriously vanished.
In the overgrown backyard, Watson digs up what looks like a human bone, reviving Wheatfield’s oldest mystery.
Despite Sheriff O’Leary's warnings to stay out of it, Maggie can’t resist investigating, with help from her best friend Lucy, the town’s top baker and notorious gossiper.
As Maggie uncovers dark secrets about the Mortimer family, she senses someone in the shadows watching her every move.
Racing against time, she knows she must get to the truth before she finds herself in too deep— because in this small town, some secrets were meant to stay buried.
What readers are saying about this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Maggie’s dog Watson digs up a human bone in the old Mortimer yard, launching a fast-paced mystery full of twists, small-town secrets, and suspense. Loved every page!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ When Watson finds a human bone, Maggie and the home’s new owner Grant uncover shocking secrets about the Mortimer family. An engaging and enjoyable cozy mystery!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A short, cozy mystery that pulls you in from page one. Maggie and her dog stumble on a chilling discovery that leads to a fun, twisty investigation.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Solving a fifteen-year-old crime isn’t easy, but Maggie’s determination and teamwork with her friends make this mystery both clever and charming.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Maggie’s unwavering resolve drives this story of buried secrets and old crimes. Each twist kept me turning the pages—an excellent cozy read!
What was supposed to be a peaceful evening stroll turns into something far more sinister.
When Maggie’s furry friend Watson slips his leash and bolts into the abandoned Mortimer estate.
The eerie Victorian house has been untouched for 15 years—not since the Mortimer family mysteriously vanished.
In the overgrown backyard, Watson digs up what looks like a human bone, reviving Wheatfield’s oldest mystery.
Despite Sheriff O’Leary's warnings to stay out of it, Maggie can’t resist investigating, with help from her best friend Lucy, the town’s top baker and notorious gossiper.
As Maggie uncovers dark secrets about the Mortimer family, she senses someone in the shadows watching her every move.
Racing against time, she knows she must get to the truth before she finds herself in too deep— because in this small town, some secrets were meant to stay buried.
What readers are saying about this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Maggie’s dog Watson digs up a human bone in the old Mortimer yard, launching a fast-paced mystery full of twists, small-town secrets, and suspense. Loved every page!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ When Watson finds a human bone, Maggie and the home’s new owner Grant uncover shocking secrets about the Mortimer family. An engaging and enjoyable cozy mystery!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A short, cozy mystery that pulls you in from page one. Maggie and her dog stumble on a chilling discovery that leads to a fun, twisty investigation.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Solving a fifteen-year-old crime isn’t easy, but Maggie’s determination and teamwork with her friends make this mystery both clever and charming.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Maggie’s unwavering resolve drives this story of buried secrets and old crimes. Each twist kept me turning the pages—an excellent cozy read!
- GenresMystery
166 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 20, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
June 23, 2025
I loved this book even more than I enjoyed reading the first short mystery I found from Bonnie Reed! With a strong opening and a gripping first chapter, I was hooked right away, and this thoughtful novel just got better from there.
It’s hard to talk about a mystery without mentioning spoilers, but I can say that the realism of this unfolding story, the characters’ interactions, their observations of each other and inner reflections, all wove quite a rich tapestry. This is an easy read that nevertheless offers plenty of details to follow, and several beautiful turns of phrase that show off this author’s craft not just with engaging storylines, but with the words she uses to deliver them, too.
The emotional depths that Maggie has to traverse in revisiting someplace she used to frequent, and the powerful way that the author describes how Maggie’s memories and her present interactions war for her attention, make for a more dimensional character than we got to meet in the novella “Running Into Murder”. I liked the shorter story, but in this book, Maggie is becoming a deeper character whom I really enjoyed getting to know.
If the novella “Running Into Murder” was like a good ‘after-school special’, the full-length book “Secrets in the Soil” is an excellent ‘feature film’. I loved how Bonnie Reed took her time and told an even better story here than she did before.
Whether you’re returning to Wheatfield or just meeting Maggie and her adorable dog Watson for the first time, you’re in for a treat. Pick up your own copy of “Secrets in the Soil” today, dive into a town ripe with mystery, and join the residents of Wheatfield as they discover more than they bargained for at every turn.
It’s hard to talk about a mystery without mentioning spoilers, but I can say that the realism of this unfolding story, the characters’ interactions, their observations of each other and inner reflections, all wove quite a rich tapestry. This is an easy read that nevertheless offers plenty of details to follow, and several beautiful turns of phrase that show off this author’s craft not just with engaging storylines, but with the words she uses to deliver them, too.
The emotional depths that Maggie has to traverse in revisiting someplace she used to frequent, and the powerful way that the author describes how Maggie’s memories and her present interactions war for her attention, make for a more dimensional character than we got to meet in the novella “Running Into Murder”. I liked the shorter story, but in this book, Maggie is becoming a deeper character whom I really enjoyed getting to know.
If the novella “Running Into Murder” was like a good ‘after-school special’, the full-length book “Secrets in the Soil” is an excellent ‘feature film’. I loved how Bonnie Reed took her time and told an even better story here than she did before.
Whether you’re returning to Wheatfield or just meeting Maggie and her adorable dog Watson for the first time, you’re in for a treat. Pick up your own copy of “Secrets in the Soil” today, dive into a town ripe with mystery, and join the residents of Wheatfield as they discover more than they bargained for at every turn.
June 20, 2025
As Watson flees with Maggie pursuing him, Secrets in the Soil gets off to a spectacular start. Watson is a wonderful dog who typically complies, but sometimes he has an opinion and expresses it.
In Secrets in the Soil's first chapter, Watson runs away from Maggie and ends up in the overgrown backyard of the former Mortimer home. The Mortimers disappeared inexplicably fifteen years ago. Watson excavates human remains in the backyard's overgrown garden. He swiftly resumes his role as the most well-behaved dog after voicing his opinion.
Maggie looks for hints about who the person Watson discovered in the garden is, with the assistance of her best friend Lucy. Numerous hints and historical secrets are uncovered by their investigation. What happened to the bones that Watson found, and whose were they?
You will be captivated by Secrets in the Soil's narrative, just as I was on the first page. There is no more adorable dog than Watson. From the first page, I was drawn into the world of Secrets in the Soil and was eager to find out who owned the bones and what had happened to them. I needed to know how the person who was discovered in the garden got there in the first place. The mystery kept me glued to the pages, wondering what lay ahead, or rather, what lay behind in the past.
The next book in the Maggie Nelson Cozy Mystery series has me eager to solve more mysteries. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Maggie and Watson’s Secrets in the Soil.
In Secrets in the Soil's first chapter, Watson runs away from Maggie and ends up in the overgrown backyard of the former Mortimer home. The Mortimers disappeared inexplicably fifteen years ago. Watson excavates human remains in the backyard's overgrown garden. He swiftly resumes his role as the most well-behaved dog after voicing his opinion.
Maggie looks for hints about who the person Watson discovered in the garden is, with the assistance of her best friend Lucy. Numerous hints and historical secrets are uncovered by their investigation. What happened to the bones that Watson found, and whose were they?
You will be captivated by Secrets in the Soil's narrative, just as I was on the first page. There is no more adorable dog than Watson. From the first page, I was drawn into the world of Secrets in the Soil and was eager to find out who owned the bones and what had happened to them. I needed to know how the person who was discovered in the garden got there in the first place. The mystery kept me glued to the pages, wondering what lay ahead, or rather, what lay behind in the past.
The next book in the Maggie Nelson Cozy Mystery series has me eager to solve more mysteries. I highly recommend grabbing a copy of Maggie and Watson’s Secrets in the Soil.
June 23, 2025
I give this 4 1/2 Stars!
I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a cozy mystery and book one in the series A Maggie Nelson Cozy Mystery. The main character of course is Maggie. Her and her dog Watson end up finding human bones on a property owned by Grant. Grant we heard about shortly in the prequel is in real estate and grumpy but handsome. Maggie, Grant, Brett, and Lucy set out to find who the remains belonged to. When they find out who it is will they be able to find who did it? I don’t know about others who read this book but the side characters have been my favorite so far. I like Maggie but I just love Grant, Brett, and Lucy. I wasn’t so sure about Grant at first but knowing his story… My heart broke for him and he is truly an amazing guy. This book did hint at possible romance in the future which I’m excited about. I recommend reading the prequel to this book which you can get free from signing up for the authors newsletter but I don’t think you would be lost if you don’t read it. Overall, I enjoyed this book.
I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a cozy mystery and book one in the series A Maggie Nelson Cozy Mystery. The main character of course is Maggie. Her and her dog Watson end up finding human bones on a property owned by Grant. Grant we heard about shortly in the prequel is in real estate and grumpy but handsome. Maggie, Grant, Brett, and Lucy set out to find who the remains belonged to. When they find out who it is will they be able to find who did it? I don’t know about others who read this book but the side characters have been my favorite so far. I like Maggie but I just love Grant, Brett, and Lucy. I wasn’t so sure about Grant at first but knowing his story… My heart broke for him and he is truly an amazing guy. This book did hint at possible romance in the future which I’m excited about. I recommend reading the prequel to this book which you can get free from signing up for the authors newsletter but I don’t think you would be lost if you don’t read it. Overall, I enjoyed this book.
June 24, 2026
This was my first book in the Maggie Nelson Mystery series and my first by author Bonnie Reed, but I don’t anticipate it being my last.
I enjoy a cozy mystery when it’s done well, and this one was done very well. The story centers on Maggie, a librarian and the daughter of a former police detective. It seems investigative instincts run in the family, as Maggie finds herself drawn into a murder mystery after her terrier, Watson, uncovers human bones while out on a walk.
The police are called in to investigate, but the owner of the property where the bones are discovered would prefer a much faster resolution to the case. As Maggie begins looking into the mystery herself, long-buried secrets start to surface.
What pulled me in first were the characters. They were more developed than I typically expect in a cozy mystery, making it easy to become invested in their lives. The mystery itself was well thought out, believable, and kept me engaged throughout the story.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and quick read, and I look forward to reading more books in this series.
I enjoy a cozy mystery when it’s done well, and this one was done very well. The story centers on Maggie, a librarian and the daughter of a former police detective. It seems investigative instincts run in the family, as Maggie finds herself drawn into a murder mystery after her terrier, Watson, uncovers human bones while out on a walk.
The police are called in to investigate, but the owner of the property where the bones are discovered would prefer a much faster resolution to the case. As Maggie begins looking into the mystery herself, long-buried secrets start to surface.
What pulled me in first were the characters. They were more developed than I typically expect in a cozy mystery, making it easy to become invested in their lives. The mystery itself was well thought out, believable, and kept me engaged throughout the story.
Overall, this was an enjoyable and quick read, and I look forward to reading more books in this series.
July 1, 2025
A fast paced, page turning read with great characters! You are grabbed from the first page and never let go until the end. Our protagonist, Maggie is out walking with her smart little dog, Watson when he slips his leash and runs into the abandoned yard of the Mortimer house. When she finds him in the back yard, she finds he has dug up a human bone. Whose could it be? The Mortimer family mysteriously disappeared and the house was abandoned. With a warning from Sheriff O’Leary to stay out of it, Maggie just can't let it go. With best friend Lucy, Maggie and her clue finding dog, Watson delve into the investigation of the Mortimer family and the bone's origin. But will this put them in danger because they may be unearthing a murderer? You will be kept guessing throughout until the very end! I highly recommend this book and can't wait to see more of Maggie, Watson and Lucy! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
June 24, 2025
Librarian Maggie Nelson just wanted to take her dog, Watson for a walk. But instead, he ends up digging up a human bone at the old Mortimer Place which puts Maggie right in the middle a mystery. She and her friends delve into the lives of the Mortimers to see if they can uncover the who was buried by the house and what happened 15 years ago.
This was a quick read (112 pages) but moved along at a good pace. I liked the development of the main character, Maggie. We learn that her deceased father was a police officer and it’s clear she’s inherited his desire for justice. Although this is the second book of this series, it stands well on its own. I was able to enjoy the mystery without having to read the first book. This is a good choice for cozy fans looking for a shorter read.
*I received an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This was a quick read (112 pages) but moved along at a good pace. I liked the development of the main character, Maggie. We learn that her deceased father was a police officer and it’s clear she’s inherited his desire for justice. Although this is the second book of this series, it stands well on its own. I was able to enjoy the mystery without having to read the first book. This is a good choice for cozy fans looking for a shorter read.
*I received an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 24, 2025
This was a well written story with alot act right from the start. Maggie Nelson and her dog Watson are going for a morning walk before she goes to work at the library but her dog has other plans. Watson find some human bones on the old Mortimer Place and of course Maggie can not leave it the police to solve the mystery. There are lots of twist and turn but it keeps you interest in finding who is buried in the soil. It also helpd Maggie come to term with some of her feels about different place in her home town. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoy a good mystery.
June 25, 2025
Maggie Nelson chases her dog, who escaped and took off.
She finds him in the back of a home that has been empty for many years,
frantically digging up a spot in the backyard.
The dog digs up a bone, which Maggie recognizes as a human bone.
Secrets in the Soil is the first book in this series.
This is the first book I've read by this author.
While it was not a fast paced book, there are developed characters, and a bit of humor.
The book held my interest throughout.
I was privileged to read this story as an ARC copy.
She finds him in the back of a home that has been empty for many years,
frantically digging up a spot in the backyard.
The dog digs up a bone, which Maggie recognizes as a human bone.
Secrets in the Soil is the first book in this series.
This is the first book I've read by this author.
While it was not a fast paced book, there are developed characters, and a bit of humor.
The book held my interest throughout.
I was privileged to read this story as an ARC copy.
June 29, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book and was able to do it easily in an evening. Maggie is set to take her dog, Watson, for a walk, but, as soon as the door was opened he shot off. Maggie eventually found him crazily digging in the back yard of a derelict house. He unearthed a human bone! The Sheriff tells her not to get involved but she cannot resist. The owner of the house is Grant, a real estate man, and they get together to solve the mystery because he has a few bits and pieces he’s found whilst trying to clear out the old house.
June 30, 2025
A very enjoyable and entertaining Cozy Mystery. You get hooked from the very beginning. The story was very well written and well developed. You could follow along easily with all of the characters, your observations, and clues. It all started with Maggie’s dog Watson going for a finding a human bone when he was digging at the old Mortimer Place. Maggie and her friend, Lucy, looked into the history of the Mortimers to see what they could uncover what happened 15 years ago and who was buried there. A very quick and fun read. Great for the summer adventures.
July 9, 2025
A quick, entertaning read!
This is a nice, short cozy mystery. It kept my interest from beginning to end and really, there isn’t much more I can ask of a story than to give me a temporary escape from reality. We have Maggie who came back home again who has a dog. Said dog managed to dig up a human bone from the backyard of an abandoned house and Maggie decides she has to figure out the mystery. Naturally, she has the help of her friends.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a nice, short cozy mystery. It kept my interest from beginning to end and really, there isn’t much more I can ask of a story than to give me a temporary escape from reality. We have Maggie who came back home again who has a dog. Said dog managed to dig up a human bone from the backyard of an abandoned house and Maggie decides she has to figure out the mystery. Naturally, she has the help of her friends.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 22, 2025
Maggie's dog Watson runs away from her as they were leaving the house for a walk. By the time Maggie is able to catch up to him, Watson is already in the yard of the old Mortimer place. Next thing Maggie knows Watson has found a bone, a human bone. The reader is now on the journey following Maggie, her friends, and the current owner of the place trying to discover what happened. Why was the house abandoned? And most importantly who does the bone belong to? Excellent fast paced adventure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 30, 2025
Maggie's dog Watson found a bone in a backyard and the bone turns out to be human. She calls the Sheriff, but doesn't stop there and is soon in the middle of a mystery with Grant, who is the owner of the house. They follow twists and turns before discovering the secret of the house related to the previous owners, the Mortimers. I enjoyed reading the book. I received an ARC copy of the book and this is my honest review.
July 2, 2025
Who would have thought that when Watson takes off he ends up finding a human bone? This is a great cozy mystery full of twists and turns that keep you engaged and guessing what could have happened. A solid group of friends that is working together with a new addition make you feel like you are part of the investigation.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 11, 2025
When Maggie’s dog Watson unearths a human bone when digging in the abandoned Mortimer estate grounds it revives the mysterious disappearance of the Mortimer family. Despite warnings from the Sheriff to stay out and of it Maggie can’t resist investigating. Together with a group of friends and her clever dog Watson they embark on a journey with lots of twists and turns that are sure to keep you entertained. This is a great book and one that won’t disappoint!
Cherie
Cherie
June 23, 2025
A fun cosy crime with engaging characters. It feels like it's setting the groundwork for a romance in future books, but holds off while the players are getting established. I think it could have done with a few more potential suspects and a little more intrigue in places, but it's a solid murder mystery overall.
June 24, 2025
Maggie Nelson and her dog Watson find a human bone at the old Mortimer Place and this leads to chaos. An intriguing mystery which captivating you from the start. I received this ARC copy via Booksprouts and recommend this book to other readers .
June 24, 2025
What an enjoyable read!
Engaging characters, a furry sidekick, and old secrets combine to create a fast-paced read. The empathy shown in the denouement is what clinched this as a five-star story, for me.
Engaging characters, a furry sidekick, and old secrets combine to create a fast-paced read. The empathy shown in the denouement is what clinched this as a five-star story, for me.
June 25, 2025
A small town mystery. A dog finds a bone and a mystery starts (who is it ). Rumors resurface about the family who used to own the property and just disappeared. Follow the clues it leads to the truth. Cruelty and bullying can lead to a sad ending. Enjoy
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews