Unknown Enemy

Green Dory Inn #1

by Janet Sketchley

Landon Smith vowed never to return to Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. Despite her faith, the memories might undo her.

But a shadowy figure has been skulking around the Green Dory Inn—seen only by her friend Anna.

Loyalty demands she stand by this woman who’s been a second mother to her. No matter the cost.

With the police unable to find solid clues, and the incidents escalating, Landon must help Anna discover the truth about the prowler and stop him. Before he turns violent.

Genres: Canada

150 pages, Paperback

Published August 2, 2018

About the author

Janet Sketchley is an Atlantic Canadian writer who likes her fiction with a splash of mystery or adventure and a dash of Christianity. Why leave faith out of our stories if it’s part of our lives? You can find Janet online at janetsketchley.ca.

Random facts: Janet's super-power is untangling yarn and Slinkies™; there are over 50 varieties of tea in her house; she's Canadian but she worked at the busiest McDonalds in London, England; she's taken basic fencing lessons; and she once rode an elephant.

Follow Janet on BookBub for sale alerts at bit.ly/JanetSketchleyBookBub or sign up for her author newsletter at bit.ly/JanetSketchleyNews. 

Reviews

[Violet · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Landon Smith gets a call to help Anna, the woman who was an anchor to her in her troubled past, she leaves her college dorm in Toronto for a weekend in Nova Scotia with hardly a second thought. Once there she is immediately caught up in the mystery of who is terrorizing Anna’s business, the Green Dory Inn. Or is Anna, whose husband died recently, falling apart mentally and seeing things?

Unknown Enemy is full of tension as we try to puzzle out with Landon and Anna who, in Sketchley’s cast of colourful (and complex) characters, could be behind this. When the weekend has passed and the mystery is still not solved we wonder, will Landon be able to get to the bottom of this before her exacting prof drops her from her course.

I love the local colour of the Lunenberg setting—an actual town in Nova Scotia—and all the homey touches of the inn (beautiful décor, lots of tea and homemade baking). I wish the Green Dory Inn wasn’t fictional as I’d love to stay there!

Faith plays a big part in all of Sketchley’s stories and this one is no exception. Landon has made a practice of handling flashbacks of past trauma with prayer. That’s something she learned from the almost saintly Anna, who is a paradigm of loving the outcasts and marginalized.

I enjoyed this quick read, which kept me turning pages way past when I planned to stop.

With this novella, Sketchley introduces a new series: The Green Dory Inn mysteries. Fans of contemporary Christian mystery won’t want to miss one installment. Unknown Enemy releases August 2nd, 2018.

I received a copy of Unknown Enemy as a gift for the purpose of writing a review.

[Janet Sketchley]

Can't star or review it, because it's my own book, but I like it :)

[Jeffrey Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'll be honest - this story was too short to be satisfying. But it still left me wanting more. This story would technically be called a novella length wise, and it almost reads as part of the novel, with me wanting to read the next.

The plot is good, keeping you on edge. I mentioned that this is a cozy mystery, though there's no murder in this one... or will it be in the next installment? It has a lot of red herrings that leave you guessing. The characters are interesting, with some backstory that I still don't know yet - again, I expect to learn more in the next installment. There is a faith element which doesn't get in the way of this story.

I am looking forward to reading more, and seeing what happens next.

I received a free copy of this book for my unbiased review.

[Susan Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

My interest in Green Dory Inn was piqued when author Janet Sketchley posted some photos of an inn set by the seaside, her research for this suspense novel. The scene was inviting, and my own girlhood days living on an island connected me to this series. Early in the book there is a couple visiting from Saskatchewan, another surprise that endeared me to the book.

I’ve admired Janet Sketchley’s word economy for a long time through reading her posts on social media. Several times she has nailed a word when said adjective evaded me. Anyone who can say much in a few words is well worth reading. That’s not to say Unknown Enemy lacks details. Far from it. Robins abound on the prairies where I live, so “Staring like a robin listening for a worm” was an effective word picture. The water in the twin deer hooves was another moment to nod (there are too many to list). How about a cute kitty named Timkin? Sketchley has studied her environment well, and this acumen carries over into the plot and character development. It was interesting to see the list up of suspects grow, and the ultimate resolution which was as satisfying as it was unexpected.

I really appreciated that the “Christian” in the name of the series is indeed Christian. Very early in the book Sketchley introduced the elements of prayer and faith. Coming back to a troubled past is never easy. “Unknown Enemy” shows that the prayer and support of simply one individual can change a life – Anna who prayed for Landon. This concept transcends a novel: it is reality.

Ultimately Landon not only settles a mystery but find her peace as well. Well done, Janet.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Green Dory Inn review

The Unkown Enemy -The Green Dory Inn by Janet Sketchly.
This is a Christian mystery book but not
a “ murder” mystery. A young woman when she was young had something bad happen to her and because of her other classmates and the towns people reaction she left that town to put it all behind her. But know she has to go back to help a lady who literally prayed through until this young girl started to allow God heal her from all of her wounds. The mystery is that someone is making the Innkeeper seem like she is losing her mind. Her husband had died a while ago and left her this Inn to run by herself. But her neighbors who love her dearly, think she is having grievers hallucinations when she says that someone is on her property and doing things to rattle her.
Prayer is the key ingredient that solves not only the mystery but also totally heals the you g woman’s heart. This is the first book in the series.

[Sara Goff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of Sketchley's clear, descriptive writing, starting with her novel Heaven's Prey. Her style is poetic at times, drawing me further into her scenes and characters' feelings. She maintains the same quality writing in Unknown Enemy. I enjoyed the building suspense, but the best part was seeing how prayer and loyalty change the outcome of the story and her characters' lives. We often take prayer and loyalty for granted, so it was fascinating to see how Sketchley developed an edge-of-your-seat plot around their potential power. Yet again, she has created an entertaining read that inspires reflection.

[Mary Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was good mystery.

I truly liked the characters but there are some things we do not know about them. I think the next stories fill in some of the details. It was complicated mystery that was not easy to solve. Thanks for the challenging journey.

[Yvonne Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A few years ago Sketchley's debut novel, Heaven's Prey, bowled me over, and she flexes the same writing skills in this short piece. I can't figure out how she does it, but she manages to ratchet up the suspense without being obvious about it; you simply find yourself growing more and more tense. I love the setting in this story--I'd book a room at the Green Dory Inn if I could!--and the characters' untold backstory makes me want to know more. In addition to being good with suspense, the author excels at incorporating spiritual truths in an organic way. I've enjoyed everything I've read of this author's, and I look forward to reading more in this new series.

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, what a very well done thriller. Well written with lots of descriptions so I can picture exactly what is happening and where it is taking place. Highly recommend.

[Linda Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspense Filled Thriller

Suspense grabbed me and pulled me through this book.
I loved the storyline but the ending left me wanting more
I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series.
This book is recommended for those who love psychological thrillers.

[Iola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Landon Smith has returned to her hometown of Lunenburg for the first time in years, and she doesn’t want to be here now. But Anna, family friend, surrogate mother, mentor, and confidante, needs her. Strange things are afoot at the Green Dory Inn, and the neighbours aren’t sure if Anna’s reports are real or signs of a grief-induced breakdown.

But an intruder might not be Anna’s only problem. There is the challenge of keeping the inn running single-handed, and the rumours … It’s an excellent story, and the start of what promises to be an even better series. I especially liked the author’s note at the end which promised answers to some of the loose ends. Don’t worry—it wasn’t a cliffhanger ending (which I loathe), in that the main plot question was answered. But there were other unanswered questions, not least being thiswhat happened to Landon to drive her away from Lunenburg?

Unknown Enemy is a quick and easy read, and I finished it in under two hours. But it packs a lot of punch—strong characters with plenty of secrets, and enough humour to lighten the writing without destroying the building tension. Landon is an intriguing character—understated, yet with plenty of secrets hinting at hidden depths. The Green Dory Inn also has secrets, and I look forward to finding out more in future books in the series.

Thanks to the author for providing a free ebook for review.

[Christine Goodnough · Rating 3 out of 5]

This isn't a full story, but a prequel to the series, so it was fairly short. Most of the characters aren't very fleshed out in this first book.

Landon Smith, studying social work in Toronto, comes back to her home village in Nova Scotia to help Anna, a good Christian friend who's seeing an intruder in her yard at night. I thought there was over-much repetition of the question, "Is the intruder a real person or is Anna losing it mentally?"
The mystery is introduced well, but feels like it was solved too simply, and not by Anna & Landon, which makes the ending seem rather flat. The story could have been made more suspenseful in places.
There are various hints and comments about Landon's past, an abduction, that makes her so fearful and unwilling to return to this area or face people, but we don't get that story in this book.
It's hard to judge a series from a prequel. I trust the following books in the series will have more depth, plot twists, and satisfying conclusions.

[Christine Dillon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a cozy mystery novella. I found it too short (but I'm not really a novella fan). It does however set up the series.
A range of interesting characters and an ease of writing that keeps you reading. I found the ending too abrupt but will keep reading the series.
Love the covers.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unknown Enemy is a quick-read novella that basically gives readers an introduction to the Green Dory Inn, its recurring characters, and the setting of Lunenburg (a real town in Nova Scotia and a Unesco World Heritage Site). That’s not to say, however, that there isn’t a mystery to solve – there is, indeed, and the stakes are very personal.

Landon Smith has traumatic reasons for not wanting to return to Lunenburg and, despite her love for her dear friend/mentor/substitute mother Anna, she has stayed away. But when a concerned neighbor contacts her about what’s been going on at Anna’s B&B, Landon musters up her courage and agrees to come for the weekend. Is Anna having a mental breakdown as a result of grief over the recent loss of her beloved husband? After all, she’s the only one who’s seen the supposed prowler. Or is there really someone out there with sinister intentions who wants Anna off the property – or worse? The mystery is a ‘light’ one, as far as crimes go but it’s definitely not light on tension. The author does a great job of gradually ramping up the tension until the readers are on pins and needles, outraged on Anna’s behalf and just as determined as Landon to find the culprit(s).

I loved meeting Anna and Landon as well as the motley crew of neighbors that factor into the story and, it turns out, the rest of the series. Roy is a hoot, and I immediately set my sights on his grandson Bobby as romance potential for Landon. Even without that possibility, though, I adore Bobby as a character and as a sidekick/friend for Landon. He’s bookish (a writer) and a little geeky but he’s got a heart of gold and loves Jesus. Law enforcement officer Dylan – a kind and protective friend – also had my romantic radar up, but there’s just something about Bobby that has me in his corner instead. Nigel endeared himself to me immediately, and I even somehow found a soft spot for Elva in spite of her attitude. There are others who come in and out of the story – including a pet cat and a feral one – but the above are my faves.

Bottom Line: Layered characters, a beautiful setting, and complex secrets await you when you check into the Green Dory Inn with this first mystery, Unknown Enemy. Janet Sketchley packs a lot of story into a novella length, enough that you become deeply invested in the outcome and the characters, while still being a relatively quick read. There is enough of a hint (emphasis on hint) of romance potential to keep my KissingBooks heart content with what may come but it stays true to Landon’s past trauma, which I appreciate. And while the main plot is resolved to my satisfaction, there are still several loose ends that I’m eager to follow as the series continues.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Pamela Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was preparing to give this at least four stars right up until the end – which wasn’t an ending. Even though I knew this was the first in a series, I thought one mystery at least would be cleared up, and I guess it was, but I still had doubts that the police caught the right suspect. This is why I don’t normally read series.