A Light in the Darkness

Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard #1

by Ruth Logan Herne

Priscilla Latham Grant has inherited a lighthouse. She loads up her SUV, says goodbye to her lifelong home in Kansas, and heads as far east as one can possibly go without swimming!
On the quaint and historic island of Martha's Vineyard just off the coast of Massachusetts, Priscilla comes face-to-face with adventure--one that includes rediscovered family, new friends, old homes, and head-scratching mysteries that crop up with surprising regularity.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christian Fiction, Christian, Cozy

278 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Multi-published, award-winning, bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne is living her dream of being a published author and having the time of her life doing it. Born to a poor family in Rochester, NY, Ruthy draws on her early years and her many years of dealing with today's young families and businesses to create beautiful, heartfelt small-town stories of faith, hope and love... while adopting her favorite non-Scripture quotes "Plenty of time for rest in the grave" (Ben Franklin) and "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." (Eleanor Roosevelt) and one can always depend on Yoda "There is no try. There is do or do not." Succinct... and true. :) She loves chatting with readers on facebook at Ruth Logan Herne or follow Ruthy on Twitter, visit her website or stop by Seekerville (www.seekerville.blogspot.com) or pop by the Yankee Belle Cafe where Ruthy and several lovely authors share recipes, facts, photos and just plain old life! (www.yankeebellecafe.blogspot.com

Reviews

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Priscilla Latham Grant, the next Jessica Fletcher (Murder She Wrote) -- only without the body count! Ruth Logan Herne has set the stage beautifully in this first book of the multi-authored Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard series. It's like Nancy Drew for grownups!

Love the setting and admit to crushing on the lighthouse! Squeealll!!! Priscilla gets to own a lighthouse! And not just any lighthouse -- one with a hidden treasure attached to it! She's definitely not in Kansas any more! And she might be a reluctant sleuth, but she proves to have a knack for mystery solving.

There's lots to love about Priscilla. She has the courage to leave everything she knows and journey halfway across the country to claim her inheritance. And reconnect with long-lost relatives who may or may not be friendly. Plus she has the kind of sweet tooth I can relate to...a boon to the local bakery! Then there's her soft spot for critters...especially a certain stray dog. That cemented us as besties right there. But it's Priscilla's matter-of-fact faith and open heart that truly won me over.

With her new-found cousins as sidekicks, an intriguing coastguard neighbour and a town full of potential suspects, Priscilla sets out to solve her first mystery...and takes us along for the ride. A light-hearted cozy with spunk.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

About this book:

“Priscilla arrives at her new lighthouse, a little overwhelmed by what she’s taken on. She meets Gerald O’Bannon, local Coast Guard captain, who tells her that thanks to a newspaper article, everyone has a revived passion for finding a British treasure stolen during the Revolution and hidden somewhere on the island. She discovers an old chest full of logbooks written by the lighthouse keepers over the years. As she’s trying to read the entries in one of the oldest books, a gold coin falls out. It’s British and dated 1775. Did she just find a piece of the missing treasure? The search for answers is on and could have far-reaching consequences.”


Series: Book #1 in the “Mysteries of Martha’s Vineyard” series.


Spiritual Content- Scriptures are mentioned & quoted; Church going; A few Talks about God; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of churches, church going, services, sermons, hymns, & ministers/pastors, & church events; A few mentions of blessings & being blessed; A couple mentions of thanking the Lord; A couple mentions of Christians; A couple mentions of faiths; A mention of a Bible study; A mention of Sunday School; A mention of a miracle;
*Note: Mentions of a woman pastor; A couple mentions of Mother Nature.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘oh my word’, two ‘blasted’, and four ‘stupid’s; A bit of eye rolling; Mentions of a war, thieves, stealing, & stolen items; Mentions of a thief taken to jail & hung for his crime; Mentions of an unconscious person, being harmed, injuries, & blood/bleeding (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of gold diggers & trespassers; Mentions of a dog being hit by a car & its injuries (barely-above-not-detailed, but it’s okay); Mentions of break-ins & crimes (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of family feuds; Mentions of gossip; A few mentions of slaves & slavery; A few mentions of jails & arrests; A few mentions of assault & battery; A few mentions of screams; A few mentions of drug dealers & runners; A few mentions of alcohol & drinking; A few mentions of divorces; A few mentions of a little boy’s bad attitude; A couple mentions of threats; A couple mentions of the possibility of a dog being put down; A couple mentions of lies & lying; A mention of a pub; A mention of a hunting dog;
*Note: Mention of fictional characters; A few mentions of actresses & TV shows; A couple mentions of car brands.


Sexual Content- A tiny bit of noticing, smelling, & blushes; Mentions of flirting; Mentions of interest in someone & blushes; A few mentions of a husband who walked out on his family; A few mentions of crushes; A couple mentions of romantic gold diggers; A mention of a blown kiss; A mention of a date.

-Priscilla Latham Grant
P.O.V. of Priscilla
269 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Two Stars (and a half)
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars
I’d like to say how pretty the colors on the cover are, first, y’all! It’s such a great cover! Inside the covers, though, was a fun mystery! I found it to be really light-hearted, but it did have a bit of a problem keeping my interest. While I like Priscilla’s name, I’m still not quite sure how I feel about her, but I think she’ll grow on me. Now, on to read the second book by Janice Thompson! :)


Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Imagine leaving your home in Kansas to inherit a lighthouse on Martha’s Vineyard? Priscilla Lantham Grant arrival was meet with more than she had expected. Ruth Logan Herne descriptive words and realistic characters had me in the middle of all the adventure, family reunion, history of community members, and summer visitors’ curiosity of the loss treasure. Oh, for some delicious muffins with coffee sounded delightful. Herne’s first mystery was not a disappointment. I look forward to more in the future.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. Every page is filled with examples of Ruth Logan Herne's writing style. As a fan of Logan Herne's books, this newest is a gem to be treasured again and again. There are so many sentences that I found myself stopping to say 'that is so Ruth Logan Herne'. My list of what I loved about this book is endless. As a woman in her fifties, I could relate to Priscilla, a heroine in her fifties finding her bearings again and reinventing her self for her second act. The close knit cousins, quaint town, unique shops, delicious food and Priscilla's grace and faith are just the beginning. And the mystery was thoroughly enjoyable and had me guessing until the end. A recommended read for lovers of mysteries and inspiring Christian fiction. I await the next book in this Guideposts series.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Perhaps all of us here and all who've gone before aren't bound just by circumstance, but by the accidents of timing, which might not be accidents at all."

Relocating from her Kansas farm, after the death of her husband, to an inherited historic lighthouse property on the scenic Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard, Priscilla Latham Grant is reunited with cousins and conundrums. It seems that a recent magazine article has sent scores of treasure hunters to the island, making her new home the target of seemingly random vandalism or is there an islander with a more serious agenda when it comes to finding lost gold?

Enjoy this pleasurable tale of new beginnings, while you try to help Priscilla solve a decades old mystery.

[Janet Donath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great light mystery for summer reading. Love the cousins and the idea of family reuniting. My kind of women. Can't wait for the next in this series.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful setting, interesting plots and characters - great cozy mystery, summer beach read!

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for Goodreads. I am a longtime fan of the Guideposts cozy series as well as a longtime fan of Ruth’s stories. These dovetailed nicely in this mystery! I have been meaning to read this series for quite awhile, and I am excited to finally be starting it. I like the characters introduced in the story and the set up for the series and the characters. The mystery was fun and I love the setting. This series will be a joy to read!

[Read-n-Bloom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a little cozy book that I should have read quickly ☺️ but life kinda got in the way and slowed me down, but I loved this one. All my Christian friends is going to love it, too, because it’s nice and clean. No bad language and no vulgarity. I liked that. This is the first book in the series “Mysteries of Martha’s Vineyard.” Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Virginia Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been on my currently reading list for two months short of a year. The surprising thing is that after finally picking it back up after a number of months, I had little to no trouble picking up where I left of. Needless to say it was an easy read.

I enjoyed the historical side of the mystery and I thought the plot was nicely done. The book had an overall easy going, small town, reuniting with long lost family feel that was enjoyable. Looking forward to checking out the next in the series.

[Barbara M. Britton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my first Guideposts books and I really enjoyed the characters and setting. Ruth Logan Herne does a great job of making me feel like I'm a townie in Martha's vineyard. Priscilla Grant swept me into her life and introduced me to her engaging cousins. The mystery was fun and adventurous. I'm set for more trips to the Vineyard.

[Jackie Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Light in the Darkness was such a good story. Ruth Logan Herne wove the past with the present to make an enjoyable mystery. The characters were believable AND enjoyable. I wanted to go visit these marvelous ladies.

What a great way to start this series and I look forward to more.

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover is beautiful. The setting, Martha's Vineyard, is wonderful. The food, mostly baked goods, sounded delicious. The mystery was intriguing. The characters were okay. I hope they grow on me in the next book.

[Rebecca (booksandbreggs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded to 4 stars. Clean, super cute, cozy set in Martha's Vineyard. It's probably more of a summer read, but I enjoyed the story quite a bit.
Oh...if only I could eat muffins and cookies like Priscilla and the cousins...lol. I will continue the series.

[Jennifer Windels · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such a nice, quick read. Good light story to read on vacation or just on a rainy weekend. Would definitely recommend all readers.

[Jo Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #1--Kansas farm wife Priscilla Grant, recently widowed, is flabbergasted when her aunt leaves her the family cottage and lighthouse on Martha's Vineyard. Priscilla quickly connects with long forgotten cousins, and gets herself involved in the doings of the small village. In this case, a reporter has dug up an old mystery--during the American Revolution, a young Islander steals British gold, hides it but is caught by soldiers and hanged. (Pictures are HUNG, people are HANGED.)
Unfortunately people have caught gold fever and Priscilla is annoyed to find her new home is Ground Zero for the treasure. She comes home to find people all over her property; one is even trying to get into her house. Handsome Coast Guard Captain Gerald O'Bannon arrives to chase off the trespassers and we readers hope a romance is started!
The only character I didn't like was Priscilla's worry-wart adult daughter, Rachel, who kept calling to nag her to come home.
These Guidepost series are fun, easy reads. They are Christian based but not preachy. I'm looking forward to exploring Martha's Vineyard with Priscilla.

[DiAnne · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like lighthouses, dogs, mysteries, and Christian novels you will definitely like this book! It is a very enjoyable and relaxing read. No gore, no excessive violence, no sex, and no profanity but still a very keep-you-wanting-more storyline with some very interesting characters. It would be a real joy to meet these Latham ladies and see what Martha's Vineyard has to offer! It kind of reminds me of a mature version of a Nancy Drew mystery. An old fashioned mystery that is fun and fast to read!

Priscilla Latham Grant has inherited a lighthouse. She loads up her SUV, says goodbye to her lifelong home in Kansas, and heads as far east as one can possibly go without swimming!
On the quaint and historic island of Martha's Vineyard just off the coast of Massachusetts, Priscilla comes face-to-face with adventure--one that includes rediscovered family, new friends, old homes, and head-scratching mysteries that crop up with surprising regularity.

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
This was my first time reading a book/series by Guideposts and by Ruth Logan Herne so i wasnt sure what to expect but when i saw what this series is about i just had to give it a try and im so glad i did since i really divulged and enjoyed this one so much.

The Characters were so interesting and intriguing to read about. Pricilla was definately my favorite especially since she was so devoted to finding out the mystery behind The Lighthouse on her Aunt's Property.

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Martha's Vineyard while reading especially when the scenery was described.

Overall a Good Book 1 in this Christian Cozy Mystery Series about Martha's Vineyard!! Can't wait to read Book 2 soon!!

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book series from Guideposts. I really enjoyed this book and its characters. Priscilla inherited a cottage and lighthouse from her Aunt on Martha's Vineyard. Her husband has passed away and her daughter has moved away so she is alone on a farm in Kansas. She goes to the Vineyard to check out her inheritance and decides to stay. She meets her three cousins who live there and gets involved in a treasure hunt for gold that was suppose to have been buried on her property 200+ years ago.

It is easy reading and quite enjoyable.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this first introduction to Martha's Vineyard. The descriptions of the island were quite interesting. The mystery was light but still fast paced and the historical background mentioned here and there was a plus. Rachel is not needed to round out Priscilla because she has plenty of folks around and lots of things going on. I'm hoping Priscilla learns to be a tad bit friendlier and less suspicious of everyone as the series goes on!!

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the death of her husband, Priscilla Latham Grant learns that she is has inherited a lighthouse and cottage on Martha’s Vineyard. She decides to take the risk, leave her farm in Kansas, and begin a new life in an entirely different place, among different people. The reunion of cousins, the discovery of a gold coin in her home, the intrusion of gold-seeking trespassers, a break-in, a hint of romance all combine to make this a delightful and easy read.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice and easy mystery read that leaves you wanting more. That's how I'd describe the book overall. Priscilla Latham Grant moves from the farmland prairies of Kansas to the coast on Martha's Vineyard after her aunt leaves her a lighthouse. She finds that she seems to belong to the area. With her newfound cousins, she feels she really fits in. However, a mystery concerning some Revolutionary War gold and the lighthouse cause there to be some unrest amongst the populace.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my usual cup of tea bookwise but it was a nice book to read before bed. It definitely has religious undertones (I mean it's printed by Guideposts, so obviously). But I didn't feel like I was being bashed over the head with it.

At times the pacing felt a wee bit sluggish but it wasn't overly gory, violent, or rude.

[Sydney Dornseif · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an incredible read. Charming, Quaint, Mysterious all packed into one book. This book is great for tweens to even teenagers it is fun charming and adventures and it doesn't encourage disrespect, being mean, or any of the other things. If you like this book there are many others and Guidepost has many other books that are great and held to this same standard.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Priscilla loses her husband suddenly. He was a KS farmer. When she receives notice that she has inherited a lighthouse in Martha’s Vinyard, she regards it as heaven sent. She has 3 cousins there & they welcome her with open arms. Thus starts her new life & adventure.

[MARY · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book series on my face book page and thought that I would check one out and read it to see what it was like, this first one was very good/interesting so I will be checking out the rest of them. I really did enjoy reading it.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this mystery involving a light house. I was basically obsessed with light houses when I was in third grade 😂 so I definitely found this as a fun read, and by the end of the story I really got into the plot.

[Rosemary Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book, a little lighter then the mysteries I usually read, and that is what made it so good. A good kind of old fashioned read, little violence and a sense of family and needing to know that everything turns out well.

[Cindy McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it. I have just been introduced to a new-to-me Christina author who has great character development and dialog. I wish she had written the entire series. I will now have to read more of her other books. I will still try the series that has each book written by a different author.

[Debbie Beeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book overall. Not sure how I feel about the MC and the daughter just got on my nerves. I love the cousins, Gerald, Mildred and Jake. The setting was beautiful. Of course, all the baked good sounded delicious. I am reading the next book in the series.