Recipes, Riddles, and Restless Spirits

by CL McClellon

Librarian Dawn Keen is finally settling into life at Red Oaks Library, and November in Bannon Mills brings a new challenge when the library launches its first annual cookbook contest. Soon, recipes and family stories are pouring in, and Dawn is surrounded by exactly the kind of small-town chaos she is learning to love. There is only one problem. A strange heartbeat is thudding through the library, and whatever is causing it has no intention of staying quiet. 



Dawn's life goes sideways again as she teeters between a romance she swore she didn't want and another she can never have. And to make matters worse, the haunting escalates into a bizarre series of supernatural riddles and eerie clues that may reveal a terrible secret with the power to upend the community and expose one of their own. 



Armed with her librarian instincts, Mae's questionable wisdom, Ethan's steady support, Charles's ghostly protection, and a growing suspicion that the dead are every bit as stubborn as the living, Dawn searches for answers. But the closer she gets to the truth, the more complicated the story becomes. With Thanksgiving closing in and a determined spirit demanding justice, Dawn must unravel the mystery before a killer walks free.

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 15, 2026

Reviews

[Tommy Moreau · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Recipes, Riddles, and Restless Spirits, you would think that after saving Moira, Dawn would want to take a break. But it seems that the ghosts of Bannon Mills have decided otherwise. Even Charles, the library ghost resident wasn't even aware of that new ghost. Is it perhaps because there's a new event organized by Judith? Or maybe Dawn did such a good job in solving Moira's murder that other ghosts are now attracted to the library and they want their voice to be heard. Why not? After all, Dawn is there to listen to them. Plus, the more Dawn feels comfortable in Bannon Mills, maybe more ghosts will show up. Who knows, but a little warning this story will make you hungry. Why am I saying that? It's because the story occurred just before Thanksgiving, and what do we do at Thanksgiving, for most of us, we eat. And this time, the friends of the library have decided to organize a cook off contest where judges will decide whether those great recipes accompanied with a little story explaining why this recipe is so special. Then the winning recipe will be selected for the first book of recipes, and I think that's a good recipe for disaster. Who knows, if you want to know more, and want to know who the killer and the victim is or is Dawn falling in love more, you must read this book. I couldn't put it down and at some point, I spent my whole thing reading because I needed to know the conclusion. Enjoy!