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Don't Fear, My Darling
It’s been five months since twenty-two-year-old Louisa Berry’s cherished grandfather died, and although she’s determined to live a life that honors his memory, she’s dropped out of college twice, and her refusal to play the corporate game has cost her three jobs. She thinks her new position—a live-in secretary to an elderly author, Marguerite Roberts—is perfect.
But the moment she arrives at the Roberts’ house, Louisa senses an undercurrent of menace. The wheelchair-bound Marguerite is confined to her room, and the family members can barely disguise their hostility toward one another. A series of threatening events soon makes Louisa question whether her growing affection for Marguerite is enough to keep her in a house in which she can trust no one—not even Marguerite’s grandson, with whom she is falling in love. As the danger escalates, Louisa is trapped. She can’t leave Marguerite alone and unprotected. But she may be risking her own life if she stays.
But the moment she arrives at the Roberts’ house, Louisa senses an undercurrent of menace. The wheelchair-bound Marguerite is confined to her room, and the family members can barely disguise their hostility toward one another. A series of threatening events soon makes Louisa question whether her growing affection for Marguerite is enough to keep her in a house in which she can trust no one—not even Marguerite’s grandson, with whom she is falling in love. As the danger escalates, Louisa is trapped. She can’t leave Marguerite alone and unprotected. But she may be risking her own life if she stays.
344 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2019
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
About the author
Laura Stewart Schmidt
4 books305 followersLaura Stewart Schmidt is a lifelong avid reader and writer who was inspired by “Good Books for Bad Children” such as Harriet the Spy and Emily of New Moon. She has an MFA in Fiction Writing from Lindenwood University and studied Political Science and Criminal Justice at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Laura spent several years working as a community education coordinator, encouraging parents to read to their preschoolers and starting reading clubs for middle-school students.
She worked for several years at a non-profit agency offering one-on-one support for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.
Her ghost story "The Longest Chase" will appear in Archer Publishing's "Dark and Stormy" anthology in 2023. Her short mystery “Step Daughter” won third prize at the 2016 All Write Now! Flash Fiction contest. Her short suspense story, “With Friends Like These,” appeared in Heater magazine’s September 15, 2016 issue.
Laura is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives near St. Louis, Missouri with her husband and two dogs.
SWEETER THAN LIFE is Laura's debut novel.
UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT, a YA mystery, was published by Black Rose Writing and is available from Amazon.
DON'T FEAR, MY DARLING, a domestic suspense novel, is available from Black Opal Books.
She worked for several years at a non-profit agency offering one-on-one support for children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families.
Her ghost story "The Longest Chase" will appear in Archer Publishing's "Dark and Stormy" anthology in 2023. Her short mystery “Step Daughter” won third prize at the 2016 All Write Now! Flash Fiction contest. Her short suspense story, “With Friends Like These,” appeared in Heater magazine’s September 15, 2016 issue.
Laura is a member of Sisters in Crime and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. She lives near St. Louis, Missouri with her husband and two dogs.
SWEETER THAN LIFE is Laura's debut novel.
UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT, a YA mystery, was published by Black Rose Writing and is available from Amazon.
DON'T FEAR, MY DARLING, a domestic suspense novel, is available from Black Opal Books.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
May 19, 2019
A wonderfully claustrophobic murder mystery with a razor-sharp amateur sleuth.
As long as there have been artists, there have been long-suffering personal assistants. But author Laura Stewart Schmidt, author of the deftly-written Until Proven Innocent, manages to deliver plenty of surprises in Don’t Fear, My Darling. In 1987, twenty-two-year-old Louisa Berry is desperate for a job, leading her to apply for a position as a live-in secretary to elderly novelist Marguerite Roberts. As she begins her first day, she convinces herself that it can’t be worse than the three jobs she has been fired from.
As she settles into the creepy home in a community outside Seattle, it doesn’t take long for Louisa to discover that the needs of her employer will be the least of her worries. Marguerite’s family is downright hostile, and one of them is a potential murderer. In Schmidt’s capable hands, relatively minor but telling events – like when Marguerite’s wheelchair goes missing – seem genuinely threatening. Once Louisa realizes that mortal danger lurks within those walls, the novel becomes impossible to put down.
Meanwhile, the novel’s underlying storyline is Louisa’s personal struggle to find her way in in the world. Born of Yakima heritage, and heavily influenced by her late grandfather, Louisa is a college dropout, and may or may not have attention deficit disorder. Nevertheless, her instincts are razor sharp. Set in a time before the Internet or affordable mobile phones delivered an easy pipeline for information or help, her plight in the Roberts home feels especially claustrophobic. This rich characterization sets Schmidt’s novel apart from the pack.
As long as there have been artists, there have been long-suffering personal assistants. But author Laura Stewart Schmidt, author of the deftly-written Until Proven Innocent, manages to deliver plenty of surprises in Don’t Fear, My Darling. In 1987, twenty-two-year-old Louisa Berry is desperate for a job, leading her to apply for a position as a live-in secretary to elderly novelist Marguerite Roberts. As she begins her first day, she convinces herself that it can’t be worse than the three jobs she has been fired from.
As she settles into the creepy home in a community outside Seattle, it doesn’t take long for Louisa to discover that the needs of her employer will be the least of her worries. Marguerite’s family is downright hostile, and one of them is a potential murderer. In Schmidt’s capable hands, relatively minor but telling events – like when Marguerite’s wheelchair goes missing – seem genuinely threatening. Once Louisa realizes that mortal danger lurks within those walls, the novel becomes impossible to put down.
Meanwhile, the novel’s underlying storyline is Louisa’s personal struggle to find her way in in the world. Born of Yakima heritage, and heavily influenced by her late grandfather, Louisa is a college dropout, and may or may not have attention deficit disorder. Nevertheless, her instincts are razor sharp. Set in a time before the Internet or affordable mobile phones delivered an easy pipeline for information or help, her plight in the Roberts home feels especially claustrophobic. This rich characterization sets Schmidt’s novel apart from the pack.
April 25, 2021
Brought up to respect her elders, Native America Louisa Berry is unprepared for what waits her, when she takes a job as a personal assistant for a renowned author, Marguerite Roberts.
As soon as Louisa arrives, it seems clear that wheelchair bound Margarite is a victim in this dysfunctional family, in her rambling house. Louisa is shocked to learn that she is treated as a burden, rather than a respected matriarch. Suspicions are heightened after discovering a trip wire in the author’s bedroom, and Louisa believes that someone trying to stage an accident. Even worse, Louisa starts to think they are trying to get rid of her as well. Louisa cannot trust anyone, even Joel, Marguerite’s grandson, who she comes to love. The family conceals chilling secrets, and when Marguerite shows a different side to her personality, the mystery of the family starts to unravel. Then, the story picks up pace and keeps you guessing until the end.
A story full of twists, turns and the unexpected.
As soon as Louisa arrives, it seems clear that wheelchair bound Margarite is a victim in this dysfunctional family, in her rambling house. Louisa is shocked to learn that she is treated as a burden, rather than a respected matriarch. Suspicions are heightened after discovering a trip wire in the author’s bedroom, and Louisa believes that someone trying to stage an accident. Even worse, Louisa starts to think they are trying to get rid of her as well. Louisa cannot trust anyone, even Joel, Marguerite’s grandson, who she comes to love. The family conceals chilling secrets, and when Marguerite shows a different side to her personality, the mystery of the family starts to unravel. Then, the story picks up pace and keeps you guessing until the end.
A story full of twists, turns and the unexpected.
March 17, 2021
Set in the 80’s, it was fun to see references to popular music of the day, as noted by the story’s protagonist, Louisa Berry. But that’s where the fun ends.
Upon Louisa’s arrival at the Roberts’ family home, she senses an air of danger. She has been hired as a live-in secretary to the home’s invalid matriarch, Marguerite Roberts. Marguerite is an author and requires assistance with the preparation of her next best-seller. Louise thought it would be the perfect job, after several job failures.
An undercurrent of distrust and menace fills the home, and Louisa quickly becomes protective of the wheelchair bound Marguerite.
With limited characters, the author manages to shine suspicion on each of the home’s inhabitants, as Louisa struggles to uncover what makes the family tick. Falling in love with Marguerite’s grandson further complicates her quest to reconcile family history to present day tensions.
Upon Louisa’s arrival at the Roberts’ family home, she senses an air of danger. She has been hired as a live-in secretary to the home’s invalid matriarch, Marguerite Roberts. Marguerite is an author and requires assistance with the preparation of her next best-seller. Louise thought it would be the perfect job, after several job failures.
An undercurrent of distrust and menace fills the home, and Louisa quickly becomes protective of the wheelchair bound Marguerite.
With limited characters, the author manages to shine suspicion on each of the home’s inhabitants, as Louisa struggles to uncover what makes the family tick. Falling in love with Marguerite’s grandson further complicates her quest to reconcile family history to present day tensions.
April 2, 2021
Laura Stewart Schmidt's book is a master in twists. When Louisa Berry takes on a job as a typist for a renowned children's author, she had no idea about the dangers in store for her. With a disabled grandmother, a distant mother, a wild child, and the man who tries to keep things together, Louisa is plunged into a world of dark family secrets.
I have never been more paranoid reading a book than I was with this story. I found myself constantly guessing what will happen next and changing my mind at every turn. For any reader that likes a little mystery in their plot, you will love the surprise of what's to come and will have trouble guessing it until the very end.
I have never been more paranoid reading a book than I was with this story. I found myself constantly guessing what will happen next and changing my mind at every turn. For any reader that likes a little mystery in their plot, you will love the surprise of what's to come and will have trouble guessing it until the very end.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews