What do you think?
Rate this book
A Secret in Harmony Creek: A Printed Page Mystery
In a town as quiet as Harmony Creek, some secrets don't stay buried.
Bookstore owner Lydia Baxter’s peaceful new life is shattered when her children find a cryptic ransom note—not for money, but for a secret that could destroy the town.
When a series of bizarre thefts points to the daughter of handsome, widowed paramedic Ben Callahan, the mystery becomes dangerously personal.
Joined by Lydia’s nosy, effervescent best friend and Ben’s stoic, resourceful firefighter buddy, the unlikely team of amateur sleuths must untangle a web of clues that leads them to a fifty-year-old scandal and a secret someone is willing to do anything to keep buried. But the closer they get to the truth, the more the threats escalate.
With a killer determined to keep the past hidden and their own budding romance on the line, can this unlikely team of sleuths solve the puzzle before they become the final, tragic chapter?
Readers will love this fast-paced, page-turning cozy mystery full of quirky characters, long-buried secrets, and a puzzle that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Bookstore owner Lydia Baxter’s peaceful new life is shattered when her children find a cryptic ransom note—not for money, but for a secret that could destroy the town.
When a series of bizarre thefts points to the daughter of handsome, widowed paramedic Ben Callahan, the mystery becomes dangerously personal.
Joined by Lydia’s nosy, effervescent best friend and Ben’s stoic, resourceful firefighter buddy, the unlikely team of amateur sleuths must untangle a web of clues that leads them to a fifty-year-old scandal and a secret someone is willing to do anything to keep buried. But the closer they get to the truth, the more the threats escalate.
With a killer determined to keep the past hidden and their own budding romance on the line, can this unlikely team of sleuths solve the puzzle before they become the final, tragic chapter?
Readers will love this fast-paced, page-turning cozy mystery full of quirky characters, long-buried secrets, and a puzzle that will keep you guessing until the very end.
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 11, 2025
2 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Skyler Avalon
8 books8 followersSkyler Avalon has been crafting stories since middle school, where short fiction and scribbled mysteries first filled her notebooks. Today, she writes what she loves most—psychological thrillers that twist and turn, alongside the occasional cozy mystery for when she’s in the mood for something a little lighter.
She lives in central Virginia with her spouse of 26 years and their two twelve-year-old cats, who are convinced they run the household. When she isn’t plotting her next suspenseful tale, Skyler enjoys curling up with a good mystery, exploring small-town bookstores, and sipping strong coffee while daydreaming about her characters’ next secrets.
With every story, Skyler hopes to deliver heart-pounding suspense, unforgettable characters, and just enough mystery to keep readers guessing late into the night.
She lives in central Virginia with her spouse of 26 years and their two twelve-year-old cats, who are convinced they run the household. When she isn’t plotting her next suspenseful tale, Skyler enjoys curling up with a good mystery, exploring small-town bookstores, and sipping strong coffee while daydreaming about her characters’ next secrets.
With every story, Skyler hopes to deliver heart-pounding suspense, unforgettable characters, and just enough mystery to keep readers guessing late into the night.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 3, 2025
I swear, every time I think Harmony Creek is finally going to calm down, Skyler Avalon proves me wrong—in the best possible way. A Secret in Harmony Creek had me hooked from the very first page, and once again, Lydia Baxter finds herself smack in the middle of small-town chaos with a mystery that’s as personal as it is dangerous.
From my point of view, this one hit a little deeper. When Lydia’s kids stumble across a ransom note that demands a secret instead of money (how chilling is that?), I knew we were in for something juicy. Add in the twist that Ben Callahan’s daughter becomes the prime suspect, and suddenly this cozy little mystery got a whole lot more emotional. The tension between protecting the people you love and digging up the truth? Whew. Lydia handled it like the strong, smart, and slightly stubborn heroine I’ve come to adore.
What I love most about this series is how Skyler Avalon balances the cozy charm with genuine suspense. You get the quirky humor, the warm friendships, the coffee-scented bookstore vibes—but underneath it all, there’s real danger and depth. Lydia’s friendship with her bubbly bestie brings the laughs, while Ben’s steady, protective presence adds a slow-burn tenderness that makes me smile every time they’re on the page together.
The mystery itself? Pure gold. A fifty-year-old scandal, creepy notes, and clues that had me guessing right up to the end—I couldn’t put it down. Every time I thought I’d figured it out, Avalon tossed in another twist that had me muttering, “Oh, come on!” and flipping the next page faster.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Heartfelt, clever, and full of secrets that won’t stay buried. Harmony Creek might look like the perfect small town, but it’s hiding enough drama to fill Lydia’s whole bookstore. And honestly? I can’t get enough.
From my point of view, this one hit a little deeper. When Lydia’s kids stumble across a ransom note that demands a secret instead of money (how chilling is that?), I knew we were in for something juicy. Add in the twist that Ben Callahan’s daughter becomes the prime suspect, and suddenly this cozy little mystery got a whole lot more emotional. The tension between protecting the people you love and digging up the truth? Whew. Lydia handled it like the strong, smart, and slightly stubborn heroine I’ve come to adore.
What I love most about this series is how Skyler Avalon balances the cozy charm with genuine suspense. You get the quirky humor, the warm friendships, the coffee-scented bookstore vibes—but underneath it all, there’s real danger and depth. Lydia’s friendship with her bubbly bestie brings the laughs, while Ben’s steady, protective presence adds a slow-burn tenderness that makes me smile every time they’re on the page together.
The mystery itself? Pure gold. A fifty-year-old scandal, creepy notes, and clues that had me guessing right up to the end—I couldn’t put it down. Every time I thought I’d figured it out, Avalon tossed in another twist that had me muttering, “Oh, come on!” and flipping the next page faster.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Heartfelt, clever, and full of secrets that won’t stay buried. Harmony Creek might look like the perfect small town, but it’s hiding enough drama to fill Lydia’s whole bookstore. And honestly? I can’t get enough.
October 12, 2025
Lydia Baxter, a bookstore owner seeking a fresh start, finds her peaceful new life in Harmony Creek disrupted when her children discover a cryptic ransom note in their historic home's attic. The note demands not money, but a secret—one that could expose the town's darkest truths.
The mystery deepens with a series of escalating thefts, all pointing to the rebellious teenage daughter of Ben Callahan. Ben, a handsome, recently widowed paramedic, is struggling with single fatherhood and grief. As threats against his daughter intensify, Lydia and Ben, initially suspicious of each other, form a reluctant alliance.
They are joined by an unlikely group of amateur sleuths: Sasha, Lydia’s effervescent best friend with a knack for gossip, and Jake, Ben’s stoic, resourceful firefighter buddy whose local knowledge is invaluable. This mismatched quartet must unravel a bewildering web of clues, from dusty ledgers in town archives to whispers of a 50-year-old scandal someone in Harmony Creek is willing to kill to keep buried.
As they draw closer to the truth, the threats escalate from petty sabotage to life-threatening situations. A killer, desperate to hide the past, is always a step ahead, and the stakes grow with each discovery. Amidst the danger, an unexpected and undeniable attraction blossoms between Lydia and Ben, adding another precious element to the line.
Can this unlikely team, with their personal lives intertwined with the perilous puzzle, solve the mystery before they become the final, tragic chapter in Harmony Creek's long-buried history?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The mystery deepens with a series of escalating thefts, all pointing to the rebellious teenage daughter of Ben Callahan. Ben, a handsome, recently widowed paramedic, is struggling with single fatherhood and grief. As threats against his daughter intensify, Lydia and Ben, initially suspicious of each other, form a reluctant alliance.
They are joined by an unlikely group of amateur sleuths: Sasha, Lydia’s effervescent best friend with a knack for gossip, and Jake, Ben’s stoic, resourceful firefighter buddy whose local knowledge is invaluable. This mismatched quartet must unravel a bewildering web of clues, from dusty ledgers in town archives to whispers of a 50-year-old scandal someone in Harmony Creek is willing to kill to keep buried.
As they draw closer to the truth, the threats escalate from petty sabotage to life-threatening situations. A killer, desperate to hide the past, is always a step ahead, and the stakes grow with each discovery. Amidst the danger, an unexpected and undeniable attraction blossoms between Lydia and Ben, adding another precious element to the line.
Can this unlikely team, with their personal lives intertwined with the perilous puzzle, solve the mystery before they become the final, tragic chapter in Harmony Creek's long-buried history?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 18, 2025
Lydia, the owner of a bookstore in the small town of Harmony Creek, loves being in a small town but not when her kids find a cryptic ransom note. Not for the usual money but a secret. Then a series of thefts seem to point to the daughter of a paramedic. Lydia along with her friends try to figure out what these two things have in common. Soon they are attempting to solve a 50 year old mystery that someone is willing to do anything to keep buried. Can the truth be found before someone is killed? Another book that I couldn't put down. So many twist and turns and never quite sure who can be trusted. Fantastic mystery!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Also purchased on Amazon.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Also purchased on Amazon.
January 21, 2026
Decent storyline
I liked the story/concept. I read this or listen to it audio and the narrator totally ruined the book. Sounded like a robot.
I liked the story/concept. I read this or listen to it audio and the narrator totally ruined the book. Sounded like a robot.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews