What do you think?
Rate this book
The Russell House
When Roxanne Russell’s mother dies, her father is away on a business trip. The young military widow leaves dozens of messages for her father but receives no response. Looking for a copy of her mother’s obituary, Roxie reads an article in the newspaper and discovers her entire life is a web of lies, secrets, and deceit.
The story sends her off in search of the truth about the man she idolized. She drives to her father’s birthplace—Manhattan, Kansas—and moves into her grandmother’s huge, three-story, hundred-and-fifty-year-old house. It’s been vacant for decades, but Roxie begins to believe she’s not the only occupant. She doesn’t know if there’s an intruder or if the spirit of her grandmother is watching over her.
In only a matter of days, someone has made several attempts on her life. She calls in her best friend, Janice Tallchief—retired on a disability from the Kansas City Police Department—to act as her bodyguard. Can Jan and Roxie unravel the mystery before the killer succeeds?
The story sends her off in search of the truth about the man she idolized. She drives to her father’s birthplace—Manhattan, Kansas—and moves into her grandmother’s huge, three-story, hundred-and-fifty-year-old house. It’s been vacant for decades, but Roxie begins to believe she’s not the only occupant. She doesn’t know if there’s an intruder or if the spirit of her grandmother is watching over her.
In only a matter of days, someone has made several attempts on her life. She calls in her best friend, Janice Tallchief—retired on a disability from the Kansas City Police Department—to act as her bodyguard. Can Jan and Roxie unravel the mystery before the killer succeeds?
299 pages, Paperback
Published August 8, 2016
292 people are currently reading
82 people want to read
About the author
Donna Foley Mabry
45 books211 followersA Michigan native who studied writing in school, Donna first came to Vegas to make costumes and soon was weaving the stories she heard in the back of the girls' dressing room into her first novel. Now she is the author of The Alexandra Merritt Mysteries, which include 'The Last Two Aces in Las Vegas', 'The Las Vegas Desert Flower', 'The Las Vegas Special', 'Rough Ride in Vegas', 'M.I.A. Las Vegas' and 'The Las Vegas Sophisticate'. Her latest novel, 'The Vegas Tycoon' is also set in Las Vegas
Donna has written several other stand-alone novels, recent releases 'Kaleigh McKenna' and 'The Russell House', as well as 'Desperate Ambition', 'The Right Society', 'The Other Hand', 'Conversations with Skip', and an anthology, 'Killer Coffee and a Batch of Cookies'.
In addition to those stand-alones and others, Donna has a popular series of historical romances, 'The Manhattan Stories', and a series of female detective stories 'The Case Files of Molly Evers".
Her most popular novel, 'Maude', the story of her Grandmother, is a #1 best-seller on Amazon and spent 16 weeks on the Wall Street Journal's Top-10 list. 'Maude' is available as an audiobook, and is published in Italian, Russian and German. Donna is actively working on the screenplay for 'Maude'.
She has also written three screenplays, a stage play, poetry, short stories, and a children's story.
Donna lives in Henderson, Nevada, sharing her home with two cats and her dog, Abigale, all three shelter rescues. She has two children, a daughter in Las Vegas and a son in New York and a grandson who is the light of her life!
Donna still takes occasional classes at UNLV and at writer's conferences and is an active member of the Anthem Author's in Henderson, NV.
donnafoleymabry.com
facebook.com/donnafoleymabry
twitter.com/donnama12
Donna has written several other stand-alone novels, recent releases 'Kaleigh McKenna' and 'The Russell House', as well as 'Desperate Ambition', 'The Right Society', 'The Other Hand', 'Conversations with Skip', and an anthology, 'Killer Coffee and a Batch of Cookies'.
In addition to those stand-alones and others, Donna has a popular series of historical romances, 'The Manhattan Stories', and a series of female detective stories 'The Case Files of Molly Evers".
Her most popular novel, 'Maude', the story of her Grandmother, is a #1 best-seller on Amazon and spent 16 weeks on the Wall Street Journal's Top-10 list. 'Maude' is available as an audiobook, and is published in Italian, Russian and German. Donna is actively working on the screenplay for 'Maude'.
She has also written three screenplays, a stage play, poetry, short stories, and a children's story.
Donna lives in Henderson, Nevada, sharing her home with two cats and her dog, Abigale, all three shelter rescues. She has two children, a daughter in Las Vegas and a son in New York and a grandson who is the light of her life!
Donna still takes occasional classes at UNLV and at writer's conferences and is an active member of the Anthem Author's in Henderson, NV.
donnafoleymabry.com
facebook.com/donnafoleymabry
twitter.com/donnama12
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 13, 2017
Good story
It's not the best book I have ever read but it is very good. Kept me interested until the end.
It's not the best book I have ever read but it is very good. Kept me interested until the end.
March 13, 2017
One father, one husband, 2 wives and assorted children
The Russell house turned out to be another wonderful story form my favorite author. Loved how the story is a continuation of the Manhattan. Kansas family ! Gave it a 5 star rating
The Russell house turned out to be another wonderful story form my favorite author. Loved how the story is a continuation of the Manhattan. Kansas family ! Gave it a 5 star rating
May 24, 2017
The same author as Maude?
I so enjoyed Maude and Kimmemela that I bought three more of her books. This one was so disappointing that I wonder if I did the right thing. I guess I'll find out.
I so enjoyed Maude and Kimmemela that I bought three more of her books. This one was so disappointing that I wonder if I did the right thing. I guess I'll find out.
November 12, 2016
A book of mystery
This book, full mysterious events, was so eventful. I could hardly put this book down. I haven't read anything like this for along time.
This book, full mysterious events, was so eventful. I could hardly put this book down. I haven't read anything like this for along time.
February 12, 2017
Very predictable
This must be a book for teens? Not well-written and very predictable. Feels as though it was written in an afternoon.
This must be a book for teens? Not well-written and very predictable. Feels as though it was written in an afternoon.
July 26, 2017
Enjoyed immemsely
A very enjoyable read. Couldn't put it down. Entertaining and easy to follow. I would definitely recommend to my friends
A very enjoyable read. Couldn't put it down. Entertaining and easy to follow. I would definitely recommend to my friends
October 29, 2017
Very Exciting Mystery
Another great book from Donna Foley Mabry! I didn't know what to expect next in this mystery about a rich family centered around Manhattan, Kansas. I truly enjoyed this book!
Another great book from Donna Foley Mabry! I didn't know what to expect next in this mystery about a rich family centered around Manhattan, Kansas. I truly enjoyed this book!
September 23, 2025
GOOD STORY
Some of the characters were really stupid, and I can’t endure really stupid actions, when the characters are supposed to be intelligent.
Would have liked to have known for sure if the second Mrs. Russell was in on the deception.
Some of the characters were really stupid, and I can’t endure really stupid actions, when the characters are supposed to be intelligent.
Would have liked to have known for sure if the second Mrs. Russell was in on the deception.
June 2, 2017
An enjoyable read.
An enjoyable mystery read with romance too. I guessed all the wrong suspects until the very end. A fun mystery to try and solve.
An enjoyable mystery read with romance too. I guessed all the wrong suspects until the very end. A fun mystery to try and solve.
August 3, 2017
A young widow buries her mother alone, not knowing where her father may be in his travels. Surprises follow quickly. Set in Kansas City and Manhattan, Kansas, it's a quick, enjoyable read!
April 5, 2018
Excellent
Very good book easy read, entertaining. A little mystery a little drama and a little love story. I would tell everyone to read this book.
Very good book easy read, entertaining. A little mystery a little drama and a little love story. I would tell everyone to read this book.
January 19, 2020
Good writer
Good writer and intertwined the characters in her series which I have read.Simple stories character all have some eccentricity that keep you involved.
Good writer and intertwined the characters in her series which I have read.Simple stories character all have some eccentricity that keep you involved.
June 10, 2020
Great story!!
I love most all Donnas books. Great reads. My favorite was the series that started with Maude! I start them and they are hard to put down.
I love most all Donnas books. Great reads. My favorite was the series that started with Maude! I start them and they are hard to put down.
October 20, 2021
I chose this book because I enjoyed her book, “Maude” very much. This one was not quite as good.
They sure made a lot of coffee in this family:)
They sure made a lot of coffee in this family:)
October 9, 2025
Read 10/6/2025.
January 12, 2017
Russell House
Good story. Suspense and a good who done it. A challenge to figure out all the characters. Enjoyable at any rate
Good story. Suspense and a good who done it. A challenge to figure out all the characters. Enjoyable at any rate
September 21, 2016
A nice easy read.
February 16, 2017
Great book
The story was good and kept me on my toes. The plot was on going and well written. It kept me up a couple of nights so I could finish the chapter. Also it was not so scary that I was able to read at night and go to sleep after reading.
The story was good and kept me on my toes. The plot was on going and well written. It kept me up a couple of nights so I could finish the chapter. Also it was not so scary that I was able to read at night and go to sleep after reading.
September 9, 2016
Another great read.
The Russell House was yet another great book that was hard to put down. I love her Manhattan Kansas connections. Another great read.
The Russell House was yet another great book that was hard to put down. I love her Manhattan Kansas connections. Another great read.
January 30, 2017
Great Book
This is the first book I have read by Donna Foley Mabry, and it was a fantastic read. It was full of mystery and surprises at the same moment. To think one day you find out you have an unknown family. Your father has been living a double life and your mother knew about the whole ok let time!
This is the first book I have read by Donna Foley Mabry, and it was a fantastic read. It was full of mystery and surprises at the same moment. To think one day you find out you have an unknown family. Your father has been living a double life and your mother knew about the whole ok let time!
December 8, 2016
Suspense and intrigue
From the very beginning of this book I was drawn in. The story line was fascinating and so realistic it made you feel you were !living in the story. I'm so glad Roxie got her man. He was definitely a good catch.
From the very beginning of this book I was drawn in. The story line was fascinating and so realistic it made you feel you were !living in the story. I'm so glad Roxie got her man. He was definitely a good catch.
September 5, 2016
Love it!
Couldn't put it down! Funny, mysterious, suspenseful, romantic with a little fantasy thrown in. What more could a reader want?
Couldn't put it down! Funny, mysterious, suspenseful, romantic with a little fantasy thrown in. What more could a reader want?
September 7, 2016
Again
She writes so well.the plot is great.I,once again,couldn't put it down.I have read everything she has written and can't wait for her next one.
She writes so well.the plot is great.I,once again,couldn't put it down.I have read everything she has written and can't wait for her next one.
October 19, 2016
It was a good read.
October 26, 2016
2 wives, 2 separate families....so who is trying to kill the legitimate daughter?
December 22, 2016
Engaging short read.
The book kept my attention from beginning to end. The story was interesting but, a little juvenile. It was the perfect light read I was searching for.
The book kept my attention from beginning to end. The story was interesting but, a little juvenile. It was the perfect light read I was searching for.
December 31, 2016
Okay in parts good in others
This book would keep you reading but then something new was added in and threw you off wondering what was happening in the end it was quickly summed up
This book would keep you reading but then something new was added in and threw you off wondering what was happening in the end it was quickly summed up
February 1, 2017
Interesting plot. Character development was a little light and almost cliche but the story line was intriguing and definitely worth the read.
April 6, 2017
The end was meh.....
I was really into the book but when Jan came to be her bodyguard my interest died down cause that seemed unrealistic. Anyways Roxie's little romance was cute & in the end everyone was happy :)
I was really into the book but when Jan came to be her bodyguard my interest died down cause that seemed unrealistic. Anyways Roxie's little romance was cute & in the end everyone was happy :)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews