What do you think?
Glen Falls #1
Keeping Secrets
Running from her past lands Kat in a whole lot of trouble in the present!
After Kat’s life falls apart she seeks a fresh start in the picturesque tourist town of Glen Falls. Needing a job – any job – she becomes an assistant in a shop selling magical candles, charms and crystals. When she learns the truth behind the town’s paranormal vibe and discovers the locals have supernatural abilities, she starts to wonder whether running from her past has landed her in even more trouble in the present!
A controversial development of executive homes on what used to be a pretty area of riverside meadows is stirring up bad feelings in Glen Falls. So, when the development is hit by vandalism, there’s a rather long list of suspects – including Kat’s new employer. Desperate to keep her boss and good friend out of serious trouble with the police, Kat wades into sleuthing mode, attempting to catch the vandals herself before things can spiral dangerously out of control.
With a broken heart and more than enough crazy stuff already on her plate, risking a new romantic involvement is the last thing she needs, but then she meets the gorgeous and mysterious Alex. As the architect in charge of the housing development everybody hates, Alex is Public Enemy Number One in Glen Falls – another reason why Kat should stay as far away from him as possible. Unfortunately that’s proving rather difficult to do...
Soon, she’s way out of her depth and battling magical forces, mysteries and major mayhem – as well as trying to fight her growing attraction towards the intriguing Alex, a man who seems to be keeping even more secrets about his current life than Kat is about her past.
Can she track down the culprit before their vandalism escalates to murder and they end up in a prison cell? Why is charming Alex being quite so secretive? Is Kat’s disastrous past about to catch up with her?
After Kat’s life falls apart she seeks a fresh start in the picturesque tourist town of Glen Falls. Needing a job – any job – she becomes an assistant in a shop selling magical candles, charms and crystals. When she learns the truth behind the town’s paranormal vibe and discovers the locals have supernatural abilities, she starts to wonder whether running from her past has landed her in even more trouble in the present!
A controversial development of executive homes on what used to be a pretty area of riverside meadows is stirring up bad feelings in Glen Falls. So, when the development is hit by vandalism, there’s a rather long list of suspects – including Kat’s new employer. Desperate to keep her boss and good friend out of serious trouble with the police, Kat wades into sleuthing mode, attempting to catch the vandals herself before things can spiral dangerously out of control.
With a broken heart and more than enough crazy stuff already on her plate, risking a new romantic involvement is the last thing she needs, but then she meets the gorgeous and mysterious Alex. As the architect in charge of the housing development everybody hates, Alex is Public Enemy Number One in Glen Falls – another reason why Kat should stay as far away from him as possible. Unfortunately that’s proving rather difficult to do...
Soon, she’s way out of her depth and battling magical forces, mysteries and major mayhem – as well as trying to fight her growing attraction towards the intriguing Alex, a man who seems to be keeping even more secrets about his current life than Kat is about her past.
Can she track down the culprit before their vandalism escalates to murder and they end up in a prison cell? Why is charming Alex being quite so secretive? Is Kat’s disastrous past about to catch up with her?
218 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2017
About the author
Zanna Mackenzie
40 books154 followersZanna Mackenzie lives in the UK with her husband, 3 dogs, a vegetable patch that’s home to far too many weeds and an ever expanding library of books waiting to be read.
Being a freelance writer and editor of business publications is her ‘day job’ but, at every opportunity, she can be found scribbling down notes on scenes for whatever novel she’s working on. She loves it when the characters in her novels take on minds of their own and start deviating from the original plot!
Formerly a travel agent and therapist (she has qualifications in clinical aromatherapy, crystal healing, naturopathic nutrition and herbalism) she loves walking the dogs and gardening – that’s when she’s not writing or reading!
Being a freelance writer and editor of business publications is her ‘day job’ but, at every opportunity, she can be found scribbling down notes on scenes for whatever novel she’s working on. She loves it when the characters in her novels take on minds of their own and start deviating from the original plot!
Formerly a travel agent and therapist (she has qualifications in clinical aromatherapy, crystal healing, naturopathic nutrition and herbalism) she loves walking the dogs and gardening – that’s when she’s not writing or reading!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 12, 2022
Kat was working part time with Summer in the Elemental shop, selling magical items – charms, crystals, candles. Plus she worked in a deli, delivering lunches to businesses around the area of Glen Falls. Kat had had a bad break up with her previous boyfriend, Nathan, and was sworn off men. Summer was head of the Save the Environment group and with a new company having come in, developing an area for executive homes where there were riverside meadows and vegetable gardens, Summer was on the warpath. But one of the new businesses that Kat was delivering lunches to, was the development company, led by a man named Alex…
Keeping Secrets is the 1st in the Glen Falls series by Zanna Mackenzie, and it’s not what I expected. I expected a cosy mystery, with magic and paranormal elements thrown in, which I normally enjoy. This one has an insipid MC and far too much romance plus constant thinking (dreaming) and not enough dialogue. The magic and mystery is miniscule… I own #2 is the series, so will give it a go down the track.
Keeping Secrets is the 1st in the Glen Falls series by Zanna Mackenzie, and it’s not what I expected. I expected a cosy mystery, with magic and paranormal elements thrown in, which I normally enjoy. This one has an insipid MC and far too much romance plus constant thinking (dreaming) and not enough dialogue. The magic and mystery is miniscule… I own #2 is the series, so will give it a go down the track.
December 7, 2019
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Kat finds herself in Glen Falls trying to start over. She has two jobs, one selling crystal and charms for a real witch, and the other, delivering sandwiches for a local deli. Summer, the witch she works for is part of a Save the World group protesting against companies wanting to develop more land in the area. Kat’s two jobs seem to collide when the deli gets a new customer, a developer building houses at the edge of town. The development has been vandalized and Kat is afraid Summer’s group is responsible. Kay is further twisted into the mystery as she starts to have feelings for Alex, the manager at the construction site. Another twist is added when the ex she left behind arrives in Glen Falls to win her back. Secrets and spells are making it hard for Kat to make a fresh start but she hopes to put all the clues together so she can have the life she deserves.
___
I really enjoyed meeting the residents of Glen Falls, which has its fair share of witches. Zanna Mackenzie is an author from the U.K. so some terms may take a little getting used to, but the writing is so rich I could almost hear the Scottish accents. Kat had quite a journey through this story. She interacts with so many people and seems to become quick friends with almost everyone she meets. The characters were very well developed for the first book in a series.
I felt the story had a nice flow. The romance was the main part of the story with magic and mystery entwined. I did enjoy that the author brought in concern for the world and the environment. I wish that would have had more depth. The mystery was interesting and wrapped up nicely. The author added the perfect amount of humor too.
This series is off to a nice start. Keeping Secrets is a lighthearted paranormal romantic mystery with characters I would like to get to know better. I am looking forward to another visit to Glen Falls.
Kat finds herself in Glen Falls trying to start over. She has two jobs, one selling crystal and charms for a real witch, and the other, delivering sandwiches for a local deli. Summer, the witch she works for is part of a Save the World group protesting against companies wanting to develop more land in the area. Kat’s two jobs seem to collide when the deli gets a new customer, a developer building houses at the edge of town. The development has been vandalized and Kat is afraid Summer’s group is responsible. Kay is further twisted into the mystery as she starts to have feelings for Alex, the manager at the construction site. Another twist is added when the ex she left behind arrives in Glen Falls to win her back. Secrets and spells are making it hard for Kat to make a fresh start but she hopes to put all the clues together so she can have the life she deserves.
___
I really enjoyed meeting the residents of Glen Falls, which has its fair share of witches. Zanna Mackenzie is an author from the U.K. so some terms may take a little getting used to, but the writing is so rich I could almost hear the Scottish accents. Kat had quite a journey through this story. She interacts with so many people and seems to become quick friends with almost everyone she meets. The characters were very well developed for the first book in a series.
I felt the story had a nice flow. The romance was the main part of the story with magic and mystery entwined. I did enjoy that the author brought in concern for the world and the environment. I wish that would have had more depth. The mystery was interesting and wrapped up nicely. The author added the perfect amount of humor too.
This series is off to a nice start. Keeping Secrets is a lighthearted paranormal romantic mystery with characters I would like to get to know better. I am looking forward to another visit to Glen Falls.
April 3, 2017
Wonderful contemporary romance with a touch of magic! "This town and its inhabitants are seriously crazy." But, "I've taken the town to my heart." And I truly hope to visit it again, someday soon!
I really loved this story!
I received a copy and chose to review it.
I really loved this story!
I received a copy and chose to review it.
October 3, 2023
This could have been the book for me, but it just wasn’t. The characters are ok, the setting is interesting and the story wasn’t bad either. It just wasn’t really for me. I don’t think that I will read on in the series, even if the first chapter for the next book sounded interesting.
March 13, 2019
Kat who has had her heart broken and her bank account emptied, moves to the town of Glen Falls. This is known as a town of the para=normal. She gets work with a shopkeeper who practices seances and other para normal activities. She also works part time at a deli delivering food to people during the noon hour. Her boss gains a new order for her to deliver. This is at the site of the hated developers. The town is angry at their building homes in the meadow, that the town wanted left alone.
So when Kat goes to deliver food to the development site, she finds out there has been damage done to the site by someone who didn't want the new homes there. There are a bunch of suspects, people in town who didn't want the builders there, plus the DD (a Para Normal Defence Dept.)
Read the story as Kat gets involved with the Manager of the building site. She decides to try and find the party damaging the site by herself. She and Alex, the manager try to catch the culprit together, she finally gets her dream job, and leaves the town, See all the para-normal things that happen, The stsory has a surprise ending It's a great story.!
So when Kat goes to deliver food to the development site, she finds out there has been damage done to the site by someone who didn't want the new homes there. There are a bunch of suspects, people in town who didn't want the builders there, plus the DD (a Para Normal Defence Dept.)
Read the story as Kat gets involved with the Manager of the building site. She decides to try and find the party damaging the site by herself. She and Alex, the manager try to catch the culprit together, she finally gets her dream job, and leaves the town, See all the para-normal things that happen, The stsory has a surprise ending It's a great story.!
May 14, 2017
This was a really fun read. It kept me guessing until the end. Kat's past is eluded to a lot throughout the story but we don't really find out about it until the end. I'm bad to cheat because I can't stand it but this was really a suspenseful part of the story. The town is full of supernatural, namely witches. Kat has met a wonderful guy, Alex, who is over a construction site. It is being vandalized. Kat is so worried it is her friend, who is also her boss. So eventually, she does some sleuthing. Other reviews have stated the timing is off. I didn't catch that. If it is, it's not enough to detract from the story. This story is really worth reading. The author is from the U.K. And I could really see the accent or wording, I don't know how to say it. It was wonderful. I love it. All the sandwiches Kat was selling, I had to google some of them. It's so interesting to hear what others eat. And how cookies are referred to as biscuits. This book really makes me want to go over there. It's a story that leaves you feeling good.
September 28, 2026
Kat moves to Glen Falls after a hard breakup. She is working two jobs to earn enough money. One of her jobs is with Summer which is real witch that sells crystal and charms. Summer has an issue with the land developers that want to put up buildings and her group Save the World are protesting against it. The site is vandalized and Summer's group is accused of causing the damage. Kat is investigating who is the real culprit while also falling for the construction manager who is also a customer at the deli she also works for, so she is in a real dilemma. Good story and characters.
March 14, 2018
Loving this cozy mystery
I love Zanna MacKenzie's take on story telling with her UK language. I can almost hear the English accents as I zip through her tale of mystery and magic in a a small village called Glen Falls where many of the residents are supernatural. Find quirky characters here who each have their own agendas regarding saving the local environment and how to save their own love lives. A quick and action filled trip to the UK wilds that will wanting more
I love Zanna MacKenzie's take on story telling with her UK language. I can almost hear the English accents as I zip through her tale of mystery and magic in a a small village called Glen Falls where many of the residents are supernatural. Find quirky characters here who each have their own agendas regarding saving the local environment and how to save their own love lives. A quick and action filled trip to the UK wilds that will wanting more
June 29, 2019
A. Very good intro
What a great way to kick off a series that promises to be as charming as this first book. While waiting for sparks to fly and a mystery to be solved, the author slyly develops the characters into people you want to know more about. So it's time to read on and thank the goddess for KU!
What a great way to kick off a series that promises to be as charming as this first book. While waiting for sparks to fly and a mystery to be solved, the author slyly develops the characters into people you want to know more about. So it's time to read on and thank the goddess for KU!
February 26, 2018
Keeping Secrets
Book number one in the Glen Falls Mystery series. A romantic cozy mystery with more than a little magic involved. The heroine is "non-magical," which makes for some interesting adventures.
Book number one in the Glen Falls Mystery series. A romantic cozy mystery with more than a little magic involved. The heroine is "non-magical," which makes for some interesting adventures.
March 24, 2019
No. Just, no.
While I do love a paranormal cosy, this just wasn’t the book for me. I found the characters to be insipid and boring, while the plot didn’t hold my attention.
Not the series for me.
While I do love a paranormal cosy, this just wasn’t the book for me. I found the characters to be insipid and boring, while the plot didn’t hold my attention.
Not the series for me.
April 16, 2020
Keeping Secrets: Glen Falls Mystery Book 1
I enjoy reading books by Zanna Mackenzie. But I was not sure if I would like a book about “magic”. I am glad that I read “Keeping Secrets” though. It is a really good story with just a bit of magic added. It was nothing dark or demonic at all.
I enjoy reading books by Zanna Mackenzie. But I was not sure if I would like a book about “magic”. I am glad that I read “Keeping Secrets” though. It is a really good story with just a bit of magic added. It was nothing dark or demonic at all.
March 6, 2022
A Fun Read
This story was fun to read, incorporating a little bit of magic, a bit a mystery, and some romance. Getting to know Kat and the characters of Glen Falls in this first book of a series, I look forward to deaths next book.
This story was fun to read, incorporating a little bit of magic, a bit a mystery, and some romance. Getting to know Kat and the characters of Glen Falls in this first book of a series, I look forward to deaths next book.
October 26, 2022
Cute highland magic and mystery
A sweet romantic mystery set in the beautiful Scottish highlands. Very clean with no spice. Magic meets conservation efforts with sweet characters you can relate to. Easy enjoyable read.
A sweet romantic mystery set in the beautiful Scottish highlands. Very clean with no spice. Magic meets conservation efforts with sweet characters you can relate to. Easy enjoyable read.
February 8, 2017
It was a light hearted story. Kept you guessing who dun it right up to the end. Glad to see some "magic" was written into the story line.
March 19, 2017
This was a very enjoyable start to a new series, I liked the main characters Kat,Summer and Alex and the interaction between them, which made this a very readable book. The magic is almost incidental for most of the story, which means that the main focus is on the burgeoning romance between Kat and Alex and the adventures of the various other residents of the fictitious town of Glen Falls.
The plot contains enough mystery to keep the readers interest and is kept clean in the best traditions of a cozy mystery. I am very much looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and have voluntarily reviewed it.
The plot contains enough mystery to keep the readers interest and is kept clean in the best traditions of a cozy mystery. I am very much looking forward to the rest of the books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and have voluntarily reviewed it.
October 18, 2017
very good
October 21, 2017
Cute lite cozy crime mystery in a town full of Witches with a little romance thrown in
January 17, 2021
Lovely
This is a really cute quirky cozy. The town of Glen Falls is amazing and so are the characters. This story also has some romance in it also.
This is a really cute quirky cozy. The town of Glen Falls is amazing and so are the characters. This story also has some romance in it also.
July 25, 2021
A bit of romance
Zanna created an interesting tale with a bit of romance to go with her great cast of characters making this hard to put down
Zanna created an interesting tale with a bit of romance to go with her great cast of characters making this hard to put down
November 6, 2022
Fun start to a new series
July 15, 2023
Who is doing all this vandalism and why??? More magic than you can imagine!!! I enjoyed this story and recommended the book.
February 8, 2025
I enjoyed this first in the series. The characters are likable and I like the growing friendships. The mystery was good and kept me guessing. I will continue on with this series.
August 14, 2025
Not too bad, it'd read another in the series if I didn't have anything else to read.
November 15, 2025
This virtual voice is a lot better than the other virtual voices and the paranormal story beginning the Glen Falls series was enjoyable.
October 30, 2018
Nature friendly
An cute story with a hint of romance a little bit of magic and a little sleuthing. Things seen or hinted at are not necessarily what is expected.
An cute story with a hint of romance a little bit of magic and a little sleuthing. Things seen or hinted at are not necessarily what is expected.
February 27, 2017
After breaking up with her boyfriend, Nathan, Kat tries to make a new start to her life in Glen Falls. With money being tight, Kat works two jobs. One job is as an assistant at Elemental, a shop that sells magical candles, crystals, and charms. Her boss, Summer, is part of the Save The World (STW) group in the Glen Falls area. Her second job is delivering lunches to workers around town, including the construction crew at the Netherton Meadows.
The construction of new homes at Netherton Meadows has created some issues among the people of Glen Falls. Many people feel that the project is destroying the ecology of the riverside meadows area. Unfortunately, Kat is becoming attracted to Alex, the head of the construction crew.
When vandals start causing problems, Kat is worried that her boss, Summer, may be somehow involved, since many of the people of Glen Falls are know to have magical abilities. Kat wants to protect Summer and still help to find out who is responsible for the vandalism. Things get even more complicated when Nathan tries to contact Kat.
What caused the breakup between Kat and Nathan? Who is responsible for the vandalism? How can Kat let Summer know she is delivering lunches to the construction crew? Will there be romance in Kat's future? If so, who will it be?
While this is more romance than mystery, it is well written and the characters are very personable. As usual with a first in series, the start is somewhat slow due to laying the groundwork.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and chose to provide this review.
The construction of new homes at Netherton Meadows has created some issues among the people of Glen Falls. Many people feel that the project is destroying the ecology of the riverside meadows area. Unfortunately, Kat is becoming attracted to Alex, the head of the construction crew.
When vandals start causing problems, Kat is worried that her boss, Summer, may be somehow involved, since many of the people of Glen Falls are know to have magical abilities. Kat wants to protect Summer and still help to find out who is responsible for the vandalism. Things get even more complicated when Nathan tries to contact Kat.
What caused the breakup between Kat and Nathan? Who is responsible for the vandalism? How can Kat let Summer know she is delivering lunches to the construction crew? Will there be romance in Kat's future? If so, who will it be?
While this is more romance than mystery, it is well written and the characters are very personable. As usual with a first in series, the start is somewhat slow due to laying the groundwork.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and chose to provide this review.
March 7, 2017
Fun Read
Kat is a sympathetic character. She is trying to put her life back after her ex boyfriend leaves, sticking her to pay his gambling debts and deal with debt collector muscle. She is attracted to Alex but attempts to resist since she has trust issues because of her previous bad relationship. She gets endangered in a magical revenge play that brings her closer to Alex. I like the characters, the story and humor.
Kat is a sympathetic character. She is trying to put her life back after her ex boyfriend leaves, sticking her to pay his gambling debts and deal with debt collector muscle. She is attracted to Alex but attempts to resist since she has trust issues because of her previous bad relationship. She gets endangered in a magical revenge play that brings her closer to Alex. I like the characters, the story and humor.
February 28, 2017
I'm a big fan of Zanna Mackenzie's other series, and I was excited to see this one add a little magic to the mystery!
Kat and her boss/roommate Summer are interesting leading ladies that you want to root for, especially because their lives are so complicated--both in business and in romance. I enjoyed the banter between Kat and Alex, who is way too lovable to hate (even though the other characters do).
A great start to a magical new series!
Kat and her boss/roommate Summer are interesting leading ladies that you want to root for, especially because their lives are so complicated--both in business and in romance. I enjoyed the banter between Kat and Alex, who is way too lovable to hate (even though the other characters do).
A great start to a magical new series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews