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Shafted: Serenity Acres: Where Secrets Barely Stay Hidden
Fraud. A catfish. And murder on the menu. Welcome to the neighborhood.
Serenity Acres looks picture-perfect, but the secrets and the bodies are stacking up. A slick real estate investor rolls into town with a too-good-to-be-true deal that has the neighbors seeing dollar signs. But one couple isn’t buying in. They’re seeing red…for revenge. In this race to screw each other over, someone’s about to get shafted.
Shafted is book 2 in the Serenity Acres suburban mystery series. Each book can be read as a standalone, so you can dive in anywhere. No prior reading required.
Serenity Acres looks picture-perfect, but the secrets and the bodies are stacking up. A slick real estate investor rolls into town with a too-good-to-be-true deal that has the neighbors seeing dollar signs. But one couple isn’t buying in. They’re seeing red…for revenge. In this race to screw each other over, someone’s about to get shafted.
Shafted is book 2 in the Serenity Acres suburban mystery series. Each book can be read as a standalone, so you can dive in anywhere. No prior reading required.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 21, 2025
Really enjoyed this one. The characters felt real and the pacing made it hard to put down. It was a solid, entertaining read that made me glad I picked it up. Definitely worth checking out if you're in the mood for something engaging and well written.
August 28, 2025
Crystal Quast delivers a sharp, witty suburban mystery where secrets and scandals simmer beneath the polished surface of Serenity Acres. What begins as neighborhood gossip and risky investments spirals into a tangled web of deceit, ambition, and betrayal.
The real draw here is the characters—flawed, layered, and often darkly funny. Evan’s reckless optimism and Clara’s simmering resentment make for a volatile central duo, while friends, rivals, and neighbors each bring their own secrets to the table. Quast captures how quickly alliances shift, how easily facades crack, and how ordinary people can be driven to extraordinary choices.
Fast-paced, satirical, and full of sharp twists, this is both a biting commentary on suburban life and a compelling page-turner. Perfect for readers who enjoy domestic dramas with a dangerous edge.
I received an advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
The real draw here is the characters—flawed, layered, and often darkly funny. Evan’s reckless optimism and Clara’s simmering resentment make for a volatile central duo, while friends, rivals, and neighbors each bring their own secrets to the table. Quast captures how quickly alliances shift, how easily facades crack, and how ordinary people can be driven to extraordinary choices.
Fast-paced, satirical, and full of sharp twists, this is both a biting commentary on suburban life and a compelling page-turner. Perfect for readers who enjoy domestic dramas with a dangerous edge.
I received an advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 3, 2025
What a great follow up book to Dinked: Serenity Acres. Crystal Quast weaves a great read with developed characters and intrigue. Once you start reading Shafted you will not want to put it down. Love the character development and their multiple layers!! Crystal hits the mark on Shafted:Serenity Acres!! Recommend adding this to your mystery books to read
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September 2, 2025If you liked "Dinked" then consider continuing your reading journey with "Shafted." Crystal Quast's second book is equally as nuanced and humorous. Again, the characters prompt you to reflect on the age old adage: "everyone really does have a story."
October 15, 2025
Shafted is a great follow-up to Dunked, a witty and engrossing suburban mystery that heightens the stakes and delves more into the flawed but outwardly seemingly perfect community of Serenity Acres. The novel begins with a scam and a scheme for murder, and doesn't let up from there.
Quast's writing is crisp and engaging, with a biting sense of humor that perfectly captures the absurdity of suburban life. From the manicured lawns to the seedy underbelly of the community, Shafted is a funny and deeply insightful portrait of suburbia.
Quast's writing is crisp and engaging, with a biting sense of humor that perfectly captures the absurdity of suburban life. From the manicured lawns to the seedy underbelly of the community, Shafted is a funny and deeply insightful portrait of suburbia.
October 9, 2025
I would not want to live in Serenity Acres. It seems everyone there is lying, cheating and in some cases, murdering. Several of the residents have made a bad investment and the guy is going to get away with their money. One woman is trying to rule over everyone. Even the woman who has been her best friend for years is tired of her. Another woman is trying to sow seeds of discord between a husband and wife. The husband isn't cheating on the wife, but he has secrets. Is there anyone in this community that isn't in some kind of trouble?
October 14, 2025
SHAFTED: SERENITY ACRES WHERE SECRETS BARELY STAY HIDDEN
By Crystal Quast
The Second Serenity Acres Suburban Mystery
Serenity Acres looks like the perfect community. But there's a seething underbelly underneath and it's ready to erupt when a real estate company offers residents an investment opportunity of a lifetime. This too good to be true opportunity is just that and one wife is determined to outscam the scammer.
From the outside Serenity Acres is a pristine community where neighbors are friends. Inside it's a hellhole filled with vipers and dupes. This is not a cozy mystery and the author states that it is not a true cozy. However, I wouldn't even call it cozy adjacent. I hesitate to call it a traditional mystery and I'm not even sure I'd call it a mystery. There is a murder, more than one, but not only do we know who did it, no one is really investigating. It would best be classified as a caper, although it's not really amusing. The characters are horrible people. Most of the them are vulgar and the author indulges them with coarse language and and coarser actions. There's lying, cheating, a good dose of drugs and alcohol, rampant sex, and murder. Betty is the only really likable character...and she's a dog. A dog who's smarter than the majority of the characters. I mean who is going to invest in a company called Shafte Con? Hello? Actually there is some humor in the gullibility and downright stupidity of some of the characters, a self published book called Pickleball and Inner Peace? No wonder he fell for Shift-Namaste.
Short chapters make for a fast paced read and I enjoyed the return of one character. It was fascinating to witness the mental gymnastics of the characters. Some had intriguing motivations, one is just a psychopath.
SHAFTED is a multilayered con with a cast of scheming characters.
By Crystal Quast
The Second Serenity Acres Suburban Mystery
Serenity Acres looks like the perfect community. But there's a seething underbelly underneath and it's ready to erupt when a real estate company offers residents an investment opportunity of a lifetime. This too good to be true opportunity is just that and one wife is determined to outscam the scammer.
From the outside Serenity Acres is a pristine community where neighbors are friends. Inside it's a hellhole filled with vipers and dupes. This is not a cozy mystery and the author states that it is not a true cozy. However, I wouldn't even call it cozy adjacent. I hesitate to call it a traditional mystery and I'm not even sure I'd call it a mystery. There is a murder, more than one, but not only do we know who did it, no one is really investigating. It would best be classified as a caper, although it's not really amusing. The characters are horrible people. Most of the them are vulgar and the author indulges them with coarse language and and coarser actions. There's lying, cheating, a good dose of drugs and alcohol, rampant sex, and murder. Betty is the only really likable character...and she's a dog. A dog who's smarter than the majority of the characters. I mean who is going to invest in a company called Shafte Con? Hello? Actually there is some humor in the gullibility and downright stupidity of some of the characters, a self published book called Pickleball and Inner Peace? No wonder he fell for Shift-Namaste.
Short chapters make for a fast paced read and I enjoyed the return of one character. It was fascinating to witness the mental gymnastics of the characters. Some had intriguing motivations, one is just a psychopath.
SHAFTED is a multilayered con with a cast of scheming characters.
September 7, 2025
The Review
The author does an incredible job of building on the suspense and drama of the first book while creating a wholly unique story that can be read as a standalone narrative and still pays off plot points from the first novel. The tension and atmospheric nature of each chapter add depth to the secrets and lies that lie beneath the surface of this close-knit community, and the exploration of sex, power, and money as motivations for deadly plots feels both relevant and cinematic in its delivery.
The heart of the novel was what has made this entire series so palpable, which is the character development. While the book featured a significant number of subplots with supporting characters that kept readers invested in the events unfolding in this community, the central focus on Clara and her husband, Evan, made the story all the more compelling to read. The twisted lengths they were willing to go through, especially Clara, made the novel feel visceral and delightfully wicked to get lost in.
The Verdict
Twisted, enthralling, and memorable, author Crystal Quast’s “Shafted” is a must-read suburban crime thriller and a great continuation of this series. The cinematic quality of this narrative felt like a mashup of great shows like Desperate Housewives, Revenge, and Tell Me Lies, while the twists and turns in the story’s final chapters add a bit of suspense that no one will see coming.
The author does an incredible job of building on the suspense and drama of the first book while creating a wholly unique story that can be read as a standalone narrative and still pays off plot points from the first novel. The tension and atmospheric nature of each chapter add depth to the secrets and lies that lie beneath the surface of this close-knit community, and the exploration of sex, power, and money as motivations for deadly plots feels both relevant and cinematic in its delivery.
The heart of the novel was what has made this entire series so palpable, which is the character development. While the book featured a significant number of subplots with supporting characters that kept readers invested in the events unfolding in this community, the central focus on Clara and her husband, Evan, made the story all the more compelling to read. The twisted lengths they were willing to go through, especially Clara, made the novel feel visceral and delightfully wicked to get lost in.
The Verdict
Twisted, enthralling, and memorable, author Crystal Quast’s “Shafted” is a must-read suburban crime thriller and a great continuation of this series. The cinematic quality of this narrative felt like a mashup of great shows like Desperate Housewives, Revenge, and Tell Me Lies, while the twists and turns in the story’s final chapters add a bit of suspense that no one will see coming.
October 13, 2025
Such a great follow-up to the first book in this series! While I enjoyed the continuity from Book 1, I think this one would work fine as a standalone.
This is the story of a suburban neighborhood filled with secrets and intrigue. This time around, a shady real estate developer is causing trouble, and main characters Clara and Evan need to figure out what's really going on.
The characters are great! Married couple Evan and Clara are both interesting and compelling as individuals, and dynamic as a couple. I enjoyed getting to know then as they pried into the various secrets and issues in the neighborhood.
The mystery itself was good as well. There was plenty for the couple to investigate, and once all was revealed, everything made sense.
Definitely 5-stars for this second book in a new cozy series about a fascinating neighborhood (in which you'd never want to actually live) with "Desperate Housewives" vibes!
This is the story of a suburban neighborhood filled with secrets and intrigue. This time around, a shady real estate developer is causing trouble, and main characters Clara and Evan need to figure out what's really going on.
The characters are great! Married couple Evan and Clara are both interesting and compelling as individuals, and dynamic as a couple. I enjoyed getting to know then as they pried into the various secrets and issues in the neighborhood.
The mystery itself was good as well. There was plenty for the couple to investigate, and once all was revealed, everything made sense.
Definitely 5-stars for this second book in a new cozy series about a fascinating neighborhood (in which you'd never want to actually live) with "Desperate Housewives" vibes!
October 15, 2025
This is the second book in a really good series even though you can read it as a stand-alone. Is Serenity Acres a misnomer? The town is anything but Serene when we have murder, lying, secrets, very gullible townies and scooped up in a con. With some humor, we have two town's people, Even and Clara not going to take it! So what will they do? And we have Betty the dog, who is great. Once you start this book, you can't put it down. Not only do I recommend this book, but I recommend the first book as well! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
December 23, 2025
*** SLIGHT SPOILER ***
A very interesting story of "who done it", even though the reader knows exactly who did it, but you'll still get a kick out of watching the characters try and figure it out. It's a good story, however it's fast moving and can get a bit confusing as to who's who and who's related to whom (or who's sleeping with who!). I read this as an ARC, so some sentences just ended abruptly, leaving me to speculate what was supposed to happen based on the rest of the text. But I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick and a bit spicy murder mystery.
A very interesting story of "who done it", even though the reader knows exactly who did it, but you'll still get a kick out of watching the characters try and figure it out. It's a good story, however it's fast moving and can get a bit confusing as to who's who and who's related to whom (or who's sleeping with who!). I read this as an ARC, so some sentences just ended abruptly, leaving me to speculate what was supposed to happen based on the rest of the text. But I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a quick and a bit spicy murder mystery.
September 5, 2025
I enjoyed reading Shafted: Serenity Acres. It was filled with all the residents of the town and how inter-twined they were with each other. I didn't expect there to be a ghost in the story, but it added an interesting twist.
There were a lot of characters to keep track of and that made me have to focus 100% attention on it which isn't such a bad thing.
I look forward to reading other books by the author.
There were a lot of characters to keep track of and that made me have to focus 100% attention on it which isn't such a bad thing.
I look forward to reading other books by the author.
September 15, 2025
If you're looking for a book that is reminiscent of Desperate Housewives, then look no further. Crystal has brought us into Serenity Acres--where gossip, real estate, and investments can turn into murder. The characters are wonderfully drawn, and the mystery keeps you guessing. The twists and turns are sharp. I haven't read the first book in this series, but now, plan on going back to do so. A great, quick read.
September 22, 2025
The triple play-on-words of the title is a little hint of how clever this book is. Shafted is a book that can stand alone, but is also a deeper dive into some of the characters from Quast's first book, Dinked. Self-preservation and money are motivators for all of the secrets, the conniving, and the manipulating that give this story juiciness. You will enjoy the unfolding of this mystery where even the manipulators get manipulated!
September 28, 2025
Crystal Quast’s second novel in the Serenity Acre series “Shafted” cements her as a new and exciting author to watch. Showcasing the histories and motivations of the characters Quast tweaks a little memory in all of us of knowing someone who turns out not to be what they seem. Guile and intrigue dominate. Can hardly wait to see if some of the chickens come home to roost in the next edition of the series
October 16, 2025
They come to make an offer which seems to good to be true but there are secrets there, even though it seems prefect. Bodies are going to start building up and the killer needs to be found before more bodies pile up. A great murder mystery
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great thriller
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and a great thriller
January 16, 2026
Very Disappointing
This was one of the worst books I've won from Goodreads. The storyline I found distasteful. It was written poorly. There many publishing errors. I cannot recommend this book.
This was one of the worst books I've won from Goodreads. The storyline I found distasteful. It was written poorly. There many publishing errors. I cannot recommend this book.
October 9, 2025
If you like short chapters, lots of bouncing around, many characters you need to keep track of, and weird ways of dying, this book is for you. It kind of felt like a soap opera on the page! Secrets, bad investments, lies, and cheating were front and center.
I might have had more interest in this book if I'd read the previous book set in Serenity Acres. I felt like I was behind the curve in even knowing what Serenity Acres was and what the issue was. I kept reading about courts, but I wasn't sure if it was like a judicial court in the community or recreational courts.
The book was well written and the characters were very quirky! After allowing myself to just read without trying to figure out what was going on, I enjoyed the book.
I might have had more interest in this book if I'd read the previous book set in Serenity Acres. I felt like I was behind the curve in even knowing what Serenity Acres was and what the issue was. I kept reading about courts, but I wasn't sure if it was like a judicial court in the community or recreational courts.
The book was well written and the characters were very quirky! After allowing myself to just read without trying to figure out what was going on, I enjoyed the book.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews