Where There's a Will

Short Creek Mysteries #2

by Amy K. Rognlie

A mysterious postcard, a decades-old mystery, and a cranky realtor have suddenly thrown Callie Erickson’s plans into a tailspin. Callie, Todd and friends have their hearts set on building Hope House, a home for sex-trafficking victims. But before they can make much headway, Callie is confronted with the mysterious death of someone much closer to her than she’d like.

Was it murder? Callie isn’t so sure, but with Todd’s help, she’s doing her best to find out, even as she is drawn deeper into their relationship. Can she trust herself to love him? In the meantime, Aunt Dot and Harry are dealing with intrigue of their own. Will Harry’s missing relatives ever be found? As Callie delves deeper, she learns startling answers to these questions and to the questions of her own heart.

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2018

Reviews

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Where There's a Will is the second book in Amy K. Rognlie's 'Short Creek Mystery Series.' Who wouldn't enjoy a book about a missing will and a town called Short Creek? I stumbled upon this author and her series via a cozy mystery group I belong to. Although I won the second book, the author was kind of enough to also send the first book, so I could catch up. I wrote that review last week, which means today I'm ready for the second one. Kudos to Rognlie for creating a Christian cozy mystery series with diversity and a focus on living a better life through faith.

In this book, Callie gets a call in the wee hours of the morning from her aunt noting that a friend is in trouble. When Callie checks on the friend, she's okay. But she's not the next day! As the story progresses, we learn about a missing family, a ruthless real estate agent, a couple of cases of hidden identities, and a much sought after will. Who inherits? Who really knows what happened years ago when the family disappeared? Who is in cahoots with whom to find the proverbial gold at the end of this rainbow? The mystery is strong, almost too strong! It took a lot to keep track of of few merging story-lines, but I like the complexity.

Rognlie has created a wonderful setting with a very strong religious theme. If you enjoy mysteries but also reading bible verses, learning how to be a better / kinder person, relying on Jesus to help protect and support you, and share prayers, this is the book for you. The author weaves together a collection of Short Creek inhabitants who rely on their religious beliefs to get them through each day, even when it includes murder. Just like other cozies with themes, you need to have an interest in Christianity and prayer to fully understand and absorb this book. It goes to show how faith can help people get through a tough situation.

I haven't read many books in this sub-genre / theme, but it seems to be a good example of it. The characters are well-drawn and the writing is good. It should find a great audience. Thanks for sharing it!

[Christi Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, the second in the Short Creek Mystery series. The small town setting is cozy, the characters are relatable and likeable, and the mystery was engaging. Callie is a wonderful main character, very strong in her faith and love for her family and friends. I really enjoyed how the Christian message was woven throughout the story, without being overwhelming. This story has it all! Mystery (without being gruesome), friendship, a sweet romance, characters you wish were your neighbors, and pugs! It was a fun read that drew me in from the first paragraph. I haven't read the first book in the series yet (I will definitely be reading it!), but I wasn't at all lost. The back story was briefly summed up without interfering with the story or spoiling the previous book. I'm looking forward to more stories about Callie, her faith, and her sweet Texas small town of Short Creek!

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my oh my!!! This author will certainly keep you guessing until the bomb comes out from under your feet!!
I tried to savor this book but it kept begging me to finish it lol!!
So I did!!
This book is perfect for a snow day or a rainy day which ever you prefer.
I will add her to my ever growing long list of favorites.
This book y'all!! Wow!! Now I call this a cozy mystery book and one of the best I've ever read!! Whew!!!
She knows how to make the ends of your hair stand up on the back of your neck that's for sure!!
I enjoyed all of my new Christian friends and I will be looking forward to more of this author's works!!
Hope is what is offered in this story. I like that and I had an experience like Callie's once. So, yes I believe that there are angels among us that help us through our daily struggles.
I also know that the are bad spirits in this world like the night in my mom's house after she passed and another during a very bad thunderstorm we had one night.
I'm learning how to pray to my Jesus and even started a journal to praise and pray for others.
I especially liked Auntie Dot in this story and I hope to read more about her. I feel she's very much like my own Aunt whom I can talk to just about anything!! So I knew how Callie felt about that!!
I love the name Calendula. It's so unique and different!!! Even in real life I've never heard that name.
It's funny how Karma catches up to people. Especially when they think they're so smart. They forget one thing. God is always watching!! You can run but you can't hide cause He always sees!! God is mighty!! God is love! All we need to do is ask!!
I strongly recommend this book!! It has such powerful messages in it and the I think the most powerful one is Hope!!
I received a copy of this book with no compensations received. All opinions are my own!!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*
Where There’s a Will is a very sweet and easy cozy mystery. Sometimes mystery books can be overwhelming with loads of goriness and while I do enjoy reading those, it’s nice to take a break and read something more light hearted.

Callie is a character that is very relatable; she is always very open about her faith and her relationship with God, but I loved that it was mentioned that at one point in her life, she had hit a rough spot with God. It wasn’t doubt, but she wasn’t understanding why something had happened in her life. This made her character more believable- I hit a patch in my life where I wasn’t as close to God as I was before.

One thing I did struggle with at times were the endings of some chapters- at times, they felt a bit abrupt and it didn’t always flow seamlessly together.

Overall, I did enjoy this book and I was able to finish it in one day. I enjoyed the writing as well, Amy did a wonderful job making me care for the characters.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Edward Arrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the way Callie immersed herself in studying her Bible and spending time in prayer. What a powerful example to readers everywhere. We can talk about trusting God and serving God, but without reading His word and communicating with Him, are we truly doing His will? We find it rather easy to do good deeds in our own strength but are we doing what God wants us to do? Callie tends to be on the impulsive side and can get herself into some real predicaments very quickly but she is also prone to hear the voice of God when He speaks to her. Some may think that is just fiction. I believe we can experience that in real life if we read and study the Bible, spend time in prayer, and worship and fellowship with other believers. The book is by no means a preachy one but the message is still clear. I found it interesting that more emphasis was put on private devotional times, prayer times with others, and praying as they went about daily activities. I do not recall even one scene involving church attendance but it was obvious that was also a vital part of the lives of the key characters. The story was much more than a treatise on being a good Christian. The title provides a bit of a clue that someone may have died and the question of a will arises. So you can anticipate suspense, action, romance, and mystery along with the faith element. I believe you will find this to be an interesting read. I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! What a book! This is a well written book that will keep guessing till the very end. It is full of mystery, suspense and a little romance. If you are looking for a good, clean christian fiction book, here it is. Just be warned, once you start reading you won't be able to put it down. I received an ARC copy of this book from the author but was not required to write a review. This is my honest opinion of the book.

[Phyllis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to the author and The Cozy Mystery Review Crew for a comp copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is the first Christian mystery I've read, and the story stood up to any good cozy. A likable heroine living in a small town, a mysterious death with a murderer on the loose, a cast of quirky characters, and lots of clues to draw in the reader. What made this novel stand out were the solid Christian characters who spoke and believed authentically (although with a definite Southern flavor). The author's tagline says it all: "Real Characters. Real Issues. Real Faith." This would make a great book to read and discuss at a women's study or Christian book group, especially since there are good, thought-provoking discussion questions included.

You can read this as a stand-alone, even thought it's the second book in the "Short Creek Mystery" series. I will be reading book #1 soon as the author generously included it when sending me #2.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading this author. I have the first book that the author was kind enough to send me but I'm reading this one first. I'm glad she sent the first one though as I am looking forward to reading more about these characters. They are absolutely delightful! Great Christian cozy mystery.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.

[Debbie Chatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful modern day Nancy Drew Christian version. I loved how the main character, Callie, truly lives out the Christian life in her small town life which you would think would be uneventful. However, that is not the case. As a series of strange happenings occur, Callie works to put together the pieces. And with God’s help the truth is brought to life. I also enjoyed the very realistic story playing out in the background of the house of hope that is meant to help free girls, meets with opposition. Recommend. Was a great read and I’m happy to say that by end of the book all the loose ends are accounted for, for all those readers like me that need closure.

[Vicky Sluiter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery, murder, and light romance. What more do you need in a cozy mystery? Author Amy Rognlie once again gives us a fun book to read. You won’t be able to put it down as you try to figure out “who dun it”.

Where There’s a Will has many twists and turns and a great plot. Confronting a difficult subject with grace and mercy, this is more than simply a fun tale. Rognlie always interlaces her faith throughout her stories, but never in a preachy, in your face kind of way. It’s just a normal part of life and I love that.

The characters in this story are marvelous. You will laugh out loud and fall in love with them. I’m making trip to Short Creek in the future, where I’m sure I’ll be able to find them. I highly recommend this book!

I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series that I have read and in my opinion it was the best so far. I like the way the author built upon the first two books so you would be up to speed if you had not read them. I loved the involvement of an Angel and God's answer to prayer for healing in the story. I did find the ending a little bit confusing at first because there were so many characters involved. I went back and read it again and understood it then. I would recommend this series to anyone who is interested in a good mystery.

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was an incredible second installment in this series. I love how everything is so connected to the first book and yet separate. These mysteries are so well done that I never have any clue! It’s exhilarating. I’m super stoked to go grab the third book!

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked it but unlike another reviewer I didn’t think it was a funny book. I would consider it a christian mystery book which means it had a very serious tone to it.

[Linda Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Beautiful Story

Thid was a besutiful story about God"s love and protection
I loved the storyline,the characters and the powerful messagr about God's love and protection.

[Julie Holdsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting

I enjoyed it, but sometimes had a hard time following all the intricacies of the plot. I am still not sure I got whodunit at the end.