The Death of a Maven

The Haunted Farmhouse Mysteries #1

by Kathryn Johnson

On the anniversary of her husband's death, all Verity Cade wants is a quiet night in with her besties. The next morning, she’s shocked when the body of one of their group is discovered at the bottom of an abandoned quarry. Although the sheriff rules it a suicide, Verity is sure her friend couldn’t have killed herself.

Determined to uncover the truth and give the grieving family closure, she scours the victim's journals and discovers a web of lies and secrets. Meanwhile, her struggling Vermont farm has a new complication: two ghosts—former owners from two centuries ago—who can't pass on.

With help from her living and not-so-living friends, Verity must solve a murder no one else believes happened ... before the killer strikes again.

Genres: Mystery

372 pages, Paperback

First published November 18, 2025

About the author

Kathryn Johnson is the author of over 40 published novels under a variety of pen names. Most of her contemporary novels now being written under her own name, while she writes historical fiction as Mary Hart Perry, on Goodreads as well.
When Kathryn isn't working on her own novels, she loves teaching at The Writer's Center in the Washington, DC area and mentoring other writers at http://www.WriteByYou.com. She has spoken nationally at writers' conferences and at the Library of Congress and for the Smithsonian Associates in Washington.
Her new series, The Haunted Farmhouse Mysteries will have 6 titles, the first being, The Death of a Maven.

Reviews

[A. Eveline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars for the Death of a Maven! In this can’t-put-it-down murder mystery, the Evansville Private Investigators, eight female entrepreneurial friends, band together over tea and pastries to try to solve the shocking death of one of their own. Through the help of her nineteenth century spectral housemates, Verity Cade charges ahead to find the murderer and incurs the wrath of the sheriff, the victim’s husband, and an unknown saboteur. A surprising convergence of characters in a thunderstorm at the murder site is the perfect resolution. Kudos to Kathryn Johnson!

[Ruth Glick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Death of a Maven is an engaging start to a promising cozy mystery series. It’s a fun read filled with quirky characters—including a recalcitrant sheriff and a pair of Civil War ghosts. I also enjoyed the insights into small-town life and loved learning what it’s like to run a local dairy farm. All of that made for a rich, atmospheric setting and a well-crafted mystery. The author kept me guessing about the killer’s identity right up to the final reveal. I have a feeling there will be plenty more murders to investigate in this little Vermont town.

[Scott Letteer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death of a Maven is an engaging read that kept me turning pages. Kathryn Johnson crafts a compelling story with well-developed characters and a mystery that unfolds at just the right pace. The plot is layered and thoughtful, offering plenty of intrigue while still leaving room for strong character moments that make the story feel grounded and believable.

The tension builds naturally, making this a very satisfying read from start to finish.

This copy was an advanced reader copy, and I’m grateful to both the author and publisher. The author signed my copy and included a handwritten note, which was such a thoughtful and personal touch.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very enjoyable cozy mystery. There is a bit of the supernatural with two ghosts who help out, but nothing is overly frightening.

The clues about the killer are subtle so though you may have an idea of the killer you cannot be sure.

Excited about this new series!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

The characters are getting together in their new roles and seeing how they fit. They are from diverse backgrounds and have made a friendship worth having in good times and bad. A nice start to this series.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a fan of cozy mysteries, I loved how this story balanced humor with suspense. The characters felt warm and relatable, and the twists kept me guessing without losing that comforting, small-town charm.
Recommended. Many thanks for this digital copy, all opinions are mine.