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A Wishwill Mystery #1
The Well-Kept Secret
A Spring Festival. A Magical Murder. A Secret Buried Beneath the Well.
Wishville, Vermont looks like a storybook postcard—complete with forest festivals, quirky locals, and a centuries-old wishing well that allegedly grants one wish each season. But for Lyra Wells, the magic isn’t just folklore—it’s her full-time job. As the half-human, half-Dweller Guardian of the Well, Lyra must keep the peace between the mortal world and the magical realm of Elarion. That means overseeing every seasonal WishFest, keeping tourists entertained, and pretending her glowing cat sidekick isn’t judging everyone.
But when an all-too-nosy antique dealer is found mysteriously dead by the well—and a rare memory crystal is discovered at the scene—the fragile treaty between worlds begins to unravel, and the ethereal Dweller chief enforcer isn't happy. As the townsfolk whisper about curses and coincidences, something ancient stirs beneath the surface—and it’s not ready to stay hidden.
Now Lyra must solve a murder, hide her magical identity, outwit the gossip-fueled "Wellies" (a trio of eccentric women with suspiciously accurate intuition), and work alongside a grumpy new police chief who doesn't believe in wishes...or in her. Caught between two worlds and two men, everything is on the line and the clock is ticking.
Because in Wishville, even one secret can change everything.
Wishville, Vermont looks like a storybook postcard—complete with forest festivals, quirky locals, and a centuries-old wishing well that allegedly grants one wish each season. But for Lyra Wells, the magic isn’t just folklore—it’s her full-time job. As the half-human, half-Dweller Guardian of the Well, Lyra must keep the peace between the mortal world and the magical realm of Elarion. That means overseeing every seasonal WishFest, keeping tourists entertained, and pretending her glowing cat sidekick isn’t judging everyone.
But when an all-too-nosy antique dealer is found mysteriously dead by the well—and a rare memory crystal is discovered at the scene—the fragile treaty between worlds begins to unravel, and the ethereal Dweller chief enforcer isn't happy. As the townsfolk whisper about curses and coincidences, something ancient stirs beneath the surface—and it’s not ready to stay hidden.
Now Lyra must solve a murder, hide her magical identity, outwit the gossip-fueled "Wellies" (a trio of eccentric women with suspiciously accurate intuition), and work alongside a grumpy new police chief who doesn't believe in wishes...or in her. Caught between two worlds and two men, everything is on the line and the clock is ticking.
Because in Wishville, even one secret can change everything.
- GenresMystery
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
11 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Kari Lee Townsend
55 books460 followersNational Bestselling Author, Agatha, RT Reviewer's Choice & Golden Duck Award Nominee. Kari lives in Central New York with her husband & Samoyeds. She's a lover of wine & travel, obsessed with reality TV, and loves a good book with mystery, romance & humor. Inspired by TV shows like SMK, Moonlighting, Bones & Castle, she writes paranormal and fantasy cozy mysteries, historical mysteries & upper Middle Grade as Kari Lee Townsend, romantic suspense, romantic comedy & women's fiction as Kari Lee Harmon.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
November 1, 2025
I really enjoyed this series starter. Mystery and magic combine in this unique and charming world with a terrific cast of characters. Looking forward to the next in series.
November 10, 2025
Lyra Wells has her hands full, to say the least. She’s half human and half Dweller. It’s her job to keep the peace between the mortal and magical worlds. Part of her job is to make sure WishFest goes off without a hitch. She’s already facing opposition from the new police chief. He doesn’t believe in the magical world and wants to end WishFest, their annual festival. Lyra can’t allow that to happen.
When a human antique dealer is found dead, it looks like murder. This could signal a difficult time for the peace between both worlds. As Guardian of the Well, it’s up to Lyra to solve this mystery. Along with her cat Vex, they seek the truth. This leads to some difficult confrontations with the police chief, who prefers she stay out of it.
This is the first book in the series and it’s a great introduction to the cast and the setting. It’s a nice blend between fantasy and the human world. The characters are a wide range of different personalities and idiosyncrasies.
Besides the mystery, there is also a touch of romance. There’s even a possibility of a romantic triangle looming over Lyra. It will be interesting to see where it all leads in future books.
I could easily see this made into a TV series. It has a little of everything from mystery to romance to quirky characters. I’ll be looking forward to reading the next book in this new, exciting series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
When a human antique dealer is found dead, it looks like murder. This could signal a difficult time for the peace between both worlds. As Guardian of the Well, it’s up to Lyra to solve this mystery. Along with her cat Vex, they seek the truth. This leads to some difficult confrontations with the police chief, who prefers she stay out of it.
This is the first book in the series and it’s a great introduction to the cast and the setting. It’s a nice blend between fantasy and the human world. The characters are a wide range of different personalities and idiosyncrasies.
Besides the mystery, there is also a touch of romance. There’s even a possibility of a romantic triangle looming over Lyra. It will be interesting to see where it all leads in future books.
I could easily see this made into a TV series. It has a little of everything from mystery to romance to quirky characters. I’ll be looking forward to reading the next book in this new, exciting series.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 1, 2025
Great start!
I really liked the blurb when I read it and I am happy to say that the book was just as good as I anticipated. It’s a lovely blend of fantasy and cozy mystery. There’s a small town in Vermont that holds a secret or rather one person knows the secret and her job is to keep the peace between the humans and the dwellers. During one festival there is plenty of trouble a new sheriff who doesn’t respect the festival and wants to cut them back, an overly curious antiques dealer who may have stumbled into something too close to the truth and he winds up murdered and the well the center of it all is off. Now Lyra the keeper must do all she can to ensure the treaty is upheld and find justice as well.
Lots of world building in this first book but it’s very fairytale like so it works really well combined with the cozy atmosphere. I liked Lyra very much and I want to know more about her, her past and the secrets that are hinted at throughout the book. The sheriff is a bit of a grumpy Gus but I think he’s gonna be a good ally. Very good start to a new series and I am excited to read more!
I really liked the blurb when I read it and I am happy to say that the book was just as good as I anticipated. It’s a lovely blend of fantasy and cozy mystery. There’s a small town in Vermont that holds a secret or rather one person knows the secret and her job is to keep the peace between the humans and the dwellers. During one festival there is plenty of trouble a new sheriff who doesn’t respect the festival and wants to cut them back, an overly curious antiques dealer who may have stumbled into something too close to the truth and he winds up murdered and the well the center of it all is off. Now Lyra the keeper must do all she can to ensure the treaty is upheld and find justice as well.
Lots of world building in this first book but it’s very fairytale like so it works really well combined with the cozy atmosphere. I liked Lyra very much and I want to know more about her, her past and the secrets that are hinted at throughout the book. The sheriff is a bit of a grumpy Gus but I think he’s gonna be a good ally. Very good start to a new series and I am excited to read more!
October 14, 2025
Immortals from the land of Elarion called Dwellers have enjoyed leaving Elarion to Earth as we know it now. The porthole they used was made of stone and looked like a well. As humans settled around the well and realized it literally granted wishes. The wishes got out of control when humans started wishing to become immortal and the Dwellers came and fought to protect their world. A bloody battle ensued and to end it the elders from each side made a pact. No one would drink from the well and at each solstice they would be gifted special wish tokens, drop them in the well making a wish. The well would grant one wish and would do this 4 times a year. If either side breaks the pact, the treaty would break and war would begin again. Lyra is the guardian of the well and in charge of the solstice fairs. She is half human and half Dweller. A new sheriff comes to town and wants to cut how many fairs a year they have. Lyra knows the dangers, but cannot tell any one. An antique dealer seems to have uncovered the secret of the well. He makes an unofficial wish and the well kills him. There now is a crack in the gateway and Lyra discovers a dweller in her town. Are there more? Will the sheriff become friend or foe? A gripping journey into a magical place and cannot wait for the next book in this new series.
October 17, 2025
I loved this book 1 of a new cozy fantasy mystery (cozy mystery fantasy?) series. Lyra is half-human half-Dweller... the only one of her kind. She was chosen by the wishing well to be its guardian. The well is the portal between the two worlds (the human world, and Elarion - the Dweller world). Everyone in Wishville thinks the stories of the well and Elarion are myth and folklore... and it's Lyra's job to keep it that way. "No, magic isn't real". "Yes, I love the old stories, too".
When a human dies (is it murder?) next to the well, right at the start of the wishing festival, the tradition of granting wishes is threatened. Lyra and her cat, Vex, try to solve the murder, and they investigate both on this side of the well and in Elarion.
Since this is fantasy, and a world the readers aren't familiar with, it means there's a lot of explanation needed for us to understand what's going on. This makes it a bit slow at times, but this information is very important and doesn't diminish from the overall story. Good characters, believable dialogue, and I love the cat.
Disclosure: We received a free digital ARC of this book. No guarantee of a review or other compensation was made.
When a human dies (is it murder?) next to the well, right at the start of the wishing festival, the tradition of granting wishes is threatened. Lyra and her cat, Vex, try to solve the murder, and they investigate both on this side of the well and in Elarion.
Since this is fantasy, and a world the readers aren't familiar with, it means there's a lot of explanation needed for us to understand what's going on. This makes it a bit slow at times, but this information is very important and doesn't diminish from the overall story. Good characters, believable dialogue, and I love the cat.
Disclosure: We received a free digital ARC of this book. No guarantee of a review or other compensation was made.
October 20, 2025
This book was an engaging and well-written story that kept me hooked from the start. The characters felt real and the plot had a great balance of emotion and tension. I especially enjoyed the author’s writing style — vivid without being overdone. While there were a few slower moments and a couple of scenes that didn’t land quite as strongly. I can't wait for book 2 so I can see what happens with Lyra, Holden and or Caldaris. I also need more Vex in my life.
October 29, 2025
The Well-Kept Secret (A Wishville Mystery Book 1) is a different genre than I have read written by Kari Lee Townsend. I like this fantasy cozy mystery book. There is humor like her contemporary romances along with intrigue. The main characters are interesting with no instant love. In fact some time is needed to learn to appreciate each other. For Lyra Wells that is difficult since she has secrets that must not be revealed to all. She must solve the murder while also walking the line between worlds. Great start so I am interested in reading more in this series.
October 30, 2025
This book was a cute relaxing read. This is a mix between a portal fantasy, who done it, and nice cozy mystery. Can the well be saved? Will the secrets be discovered? There is a nice HEA in the end but also sets up the next book nicely with a teaser.
October 31, 2025
The Well-kept Secret is the start of an interesting suspenseful fantasy series by Kari Lee Townsend.
Wishville is a small town that must have four seasonal festivals each year to keep a treaty with Elarion, a community of otherworldly beings who live on the other side of the portal in the wishing well. Unfortunately, the quirky Wishville residents are not sure that Elarion exists.
The story is engaging and the scenes of both Wishville and Elarion are descriptive. There were many red herrings, keeping me guessing whodunit.
I look forward to further adventures with Lyra, Holden, Calderis, and especially Vex.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wishville is a small town that must have four seasonal festivals each year to keep a treaty with Elarion, a community of otherworldly beings who live on the other side of the portal in the wishing well. Unfortunately, the quirky Wishville residents are not sure that Elarion exists.
The story is engaging and the scenes of both Wishville and Elarion are descriptive. There were many red herrings, keeping me guessing whodunit.
I look forward to further adventures with Lyra, Holden, Calderis, and especially Vex.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 5, 2025
The Well-Kept Secret is the first book in a new series by Kari Lee Townsend. Lyra, our heroine, is half-human and half-Dweller. Her heritage has her walking between two different worlds. She resides primarily in her human father's house in Vermont. She has access to Elarion. While she can traverse between worlds, she doesn't truly belong in either one. As the Guardian of the Well, the portal between the mortal world and the magical world, Lyra is tasked with maintaining the truce between the worlds. If anything upsets the balance during one of the four WishFests that take place in Wishville, there will be dire consequences.
Consequences the new Chief of Police doesn't understand. He comes into Wishville with guns a blazin', seeking to upset the apple cart. Except, Holden doesn't know about dual-worlds, magical lands, or the treaty that, if unraveled, will create chaos beyond anyone's imagination. When a local business owner is found dead near the well, Lyra suspects a magical intervention and does her best to work with the new Chief, while trying to keep her secrets.
I am in love with this series already. The author created a spectacular world, vivid and descriptive without overdoing anything. Her characters are likable, conversational, and have the best personalities. I loved getting to know Lyra, Vex, Holden, Carldaris, the trio of friends, Tilly, Bell, and Dot, and everyone else we meet along the way.
The story is engaging. The mystery complex and full of twists and turns. I enjoyed how the story popped in and out of both worlds. This provides the reader the background and visuals to really understand who Lyra is, what she's responsible for, and how any changes, big or small, can impact the fragility of the thread between both worlds. I love how the mystery unfolded and the layers created to be unraveled by the characters.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
Consequences the new Chief of Police doesn't understand. He comes into Wishville with guns a blazin', seeking to upset the apple cart. Except, Holden doesn't know about dual-worlds, magical lands, or the treaty that, if unraveled, will create chaos beyond anyone's imagination. When a local business owner is found dead near the well, Lyra suspects a magical intervention and does her best to work with the new Chief, while trying to keep her secrets.
I am in love with this series already. The author created a spectacular world, vivid and descriptive without overdoing anything. Her characters are likable, conversational, and have the best personalities. I loved getting to know Lyra, Vex, Holden, Carldaris, the trio of friends, Tilly, Bell, and Dot, and everyone else we meet along the way.
The story is engaging. The mystery complex and full of twists and turns. I enjoyed how the story popped in and out of both worlds. This provides the reader the background and visuals to really understand who Lyra is, what she's responsible for, and how any changes, big or small, can impact the fragility of the thread between both worlds. I love how the mystery unfolded and the layers created to be unraveled by the characters.
I'm definitely looking forward to the next book.
November 10, 2025
Magic and Murder at the Wishing Well
You thought the Wishing Well was just a legend, didn’t you?
In Wishville, Vermont, it’s very real — and it’s the gateway to a magical realm called Elarion, home of the Dwellers. After an ancient war between humans and Dwellers, peace was forged through a delicate treaty. Part of the deal? A seasonal festival — the WishFest — held four times a year, where the Well grants one wish to keep the balance between worlds intact.
Lyra Wells is the Guardian of that balance. Half human, half Dweller, she protects the Well and keeps the truth buried beneath folklore. But when the new police chief, Holden, proposes cutting back the festivals, Lyra knows the consequences could be catastrophic.
Then an antique dealer named Sam is found dead by the Well — and the treaty itself begins to fracture.
Was Sam murdered because he knew too much? And how long can Lyra keep magic hidden when threats are rising on both sides of the veil?
I loved the tension between Lyra and Holden — equal parts clash and chemistry — two very different people forced to work together to preserve a peace neither side can afford to lose. (And could there be more than friction sparking between them? Maybe. Just maybe.)
With folklore that feels alive, a cozy-town mystery at its core, and just the right blend of magic, humor, and light romance, this book enchanted me from start to finish. Kari Lee Townsend delivers a clever, magical mystery full of charm and secrets, and I’m officially invested in what comes next in Wishville.
If you like:
✨ small-town mysteries
✨ portals to hidden worlds
✨ simmering enemies-to-maybe-something-more
✨ and magic served with a wink of humor
…this one deserves a spot on your list.
You thought the Wishing Well was just a legend, didn’t you?
In Wishville, Vermont, it’s very real — and it’s the gateway to a magical realm called Elarion, home of the Dwellers. After an ancient war between humans and Dwellers, peace was forged through a delicate treaty. Part of the deal? A seasonal festival — the WishFest — held four times a year, where the Well grants one wish to keep the balance between worlds intact.
Lyra Wells is the Guardian of that balance. Half human, half Dweller, she protects the Well and keeps the truth buried beneath folklore. But when the new police chief, Holden, proposes cutting back the festivals, Lyra knows the consequences could be catastrophic.
Then an antique dealer named Sam is found dead by the Well — and the treaty itself begins to fracture.
Was Sam murdered because he knew too much? And how long can Lyra keep magic hidden when threats are rising on both sides of the veil?
I loved the tension between Lyra and Holden — equal parts clash and chemistry — two very different people forced to work together to preserve a peace neither side can afford to lose. (And could there be more than friction sparking between them? Maybe. Just maybe.)
With folklore that feels alive, a cozy-town mystery at its core, and just the right blend of magic, humor, and light romance, this book enchanted me from start to finish. Kari Lee Townsend delivers a clever, magical mystery full of charm and secrets, and I’m officially invested in what comes next in Wishville.
If you like:
✨ small-town mysteries
✨ portals to hidden worlds
✨ simmering enemies-to-maybe-something-more
✨ and magic served with a wink of humor
…this one deserves a spot on your list.
December 18, 2025
The Well Kept Secret is a captivating cozy fantasy that seamlessly transports you to Wishville, Vermont, a charming town filled with enchanting festivals, magical folklore, and an air of mystery surrounding the local well. Beneath its idyllic façade, a fragile harmony exists between humans and Dwellers, a balance safeguarded by Lyra Wells, a half human, half magical Guardian who yearns for a peaceful Spring Festival devoid of supernatural mishaps.
The discovery of a local antique dealer's lifeless body near the well shatters the town's delicate balance, sparking an intriguing mystery that extends beyond identifying the perpetrator to uncovering the possibility of ancient forces being unleashed. Lyra's investigation navigates a complex web of gossip networks, magical politics, and unexpected alliances, including a grumpy new police chief who, despite his skepticism towards the town's legends, cannot ignore the escalating strangeness surrounding him. The dynamic between Lyra and the police chief injects a lively, push and pull energy into the story, keeping it grounded even as the magical elements intensify.
A key strength of the book is its seamless transition between warm, cozy moments and high-stakes fantasy, blending whimsical magical elements with an undercurrent of tension from the realm of Elarion, where a centuries old treaty teeters on the brink of collapse, and the mystery unfolds with unexpected twists that challenge perceptions of who truly holds power.
This charming series opener promises even more enchantment and danger to come, making it perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, magical towns, and heroines caught between worlds, with its blend of humor, suspense, and heart leaving readers eager to return to Wishville and uncover its secrets.
The discovery of a local antique dealer's lifeless body near the well shatters the town's delicate balance, sparking an intriguing mystery that extends beyond identifying the perpetrator to uncovering the possibility of ancient forces being unleashed. Lyra's investigation navigates a complex web of gossip networks, magical politics, and unexpected alliances, including a grumpy new police chief who, despite his skepticism towards the town's legends, cannot ignore the escalating strangeness surrounding him. The dynamic between Lyra and the police chief injects a lively, push and pull energy into the story, keeping it grounded even as the magical elements intensify.
A key strength of the book is its seamless transition between warm, cozy moments and high-stakes fantasy, blending whimsical magical elements with an undercurrent of tension from the realm of Elarion, where a centuries old treaty teeters on the brink of collapse, and the mystery unfolds with unexpected twists that challenge perceptions of who truly holds power.
This charming series opener promises even more enchantment and danger to come, making it perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, magical towns, and heroines caught between worlds, with its blend of humor, suspense, and heart leaving readers eager to return to Wishville and uncover its secrets.
November 13, 2025
Meet Lyra Wells, she is the half-human, half-Dweller and Guardian of the Well in the wonderfully magical town of Wishville, Vermont. The well is a centuries-old wishing well that apparently grants one wish per season and it’s Lyra’s job to keep the peace between the humans and the magical world. A peace that is threatened when a body is found at the well that looks like murder and then the fun really begins as Lyra and her cat Vex have to solve the crime and save the day as well as the town despite opposition from the new Sherrif who doesn’t believe in magic and wants to stop the festivities! It’s. Wonderful introduction into a new world, it’s mystical, it’s magical and it’s suspenseful and has an intriguing cast of characters that I can’t wait to get to know better. Fantastic world building visualises everything for us and a captivating tale holds you glued to the pages. I am excited to read more!
January 20, 2026
The book started off strong and I really liked the premise. But then things started going downhill.
For a short book, there are too many characters and they are not introduced to us rather we are supposed to know who they are? (Did I miss a prequel?)
The overall plot was explained but the world building is lacking, about the council, what magic Lyra has, etc. I am not aiming for a high fantasy world building but it felt like we were just supposed to know everything and that was super confusing.
The writing also was not upto the mark and the scenes just jump from night to next morning, from one place to another.
The budding romance/love triangle is also something I cannot understand. The inspector just met her and should not feel anything so strongly and the Council member knew her for centuries, but is now starting to feel jealous?
I am going to try reading book 2 and see if things improve.
For a short book, there are too many characters and they are not introduced to us rather we are supposed to know who they are? (Did I miss a prequel?)
The overall plot was explained but the world building is lacking, about the council, what magic Lyra has, etc. I am not aiming for a high fantasy world building but it felt like we were just supposed to know everything and that was super confusing.
The writing also was not upto the mark and the scenes just jump from night to next morning, from one place to another.
The budding romance/love triangle is also something I cannot understand. The inspector just met her and should not feel anything so strongly and the Council member knew her for centuries, but is now starting to feel jealous?
I am going to try reading book 2 and see if things improve.
October 22, 2025
This book was so different from her usual cozies and I loved it! She created such a magical world along with the charming small town where most of the book takes place. There are quirky characters, the mystery of the well, and the beings who try to keep the two worlds apart.
There is subterfuge on both levels, strange happenings, and one woman straddles both worlds alone to keep things in check.
I loved the book, the characters, the magical world, and the twists along the way.
Can't wait for the next installment!
There is subterfuge on both levels, strange happenings, and one woman straddles both worlds alone to keep things in check.
I loved the book, the characters, the magical world, and the twists along the way.
Can't wait for the next installment!
November 2, 2025
This book is suited well for someone looking for a mystery in folklore/ fantasy. It was well written, very descriptive, and draws you in at parts, however, some parts were slightly drawn out. The descriptors allow for imaginative interpretation of the characters and settings. Overall, the storyline was entertaining and the ending was unexpected. I would recommend this read.
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 31, 2025
I will surely keep track of the next book in this series as I thoroughly enjoyed this one: well developed world building, solid mystery, likeable characters.
The cozy part features the classic tropes but the fantasy part makes the story more intriguing.
4.5 upped to 5
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
The cozy part features the classic tropes but the fantasy part makes the story more intriguing.
4.5 upped to 5
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this digital copy, all opinions are mine
January 12, 2026
Interesting world, I kind of like it!
It took a minute to get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked. I enjoyed meeting Lyra, Holden, and those crazy Wellies. Humor and intrigue made it an enjoyable book.
I will be reading more from Ms Townsend.
It took a minute to get into the story, but once I did, I was hooked. I enjoyed meeting Lyra, Holden, and those crazy Wellies. Humor and intrigue made it an enjoyable book.
I will be reading more from Ms Townsend.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews