Celebrate the season in Whispering Pines with snow, mistletoe, and murder.
Preparations for the Yuletide festival are in full swing, and so is the gossip about a blackmailing villager. Sheriff Jayne O’Shea doesn’t have time or patience for small-town rumors. After two long years overseas, her father is coming for a visit and everything has to be perfect. Then, just as things start falling into place, the blackmailer is found dead.
As if that wasn't enough, strange packages start showing up on doorsteps around the village, each containing a clue as to how the receiver will die. Now, Jayne has to decide what’s more important. Focusing on a murder that’s already happened or trying to prevent six more.
What Readers Are Saying
“I can clearly see the thatched roof houses, their wood and stucco exteriors. It reminds me of Shakespeare's house in London."
“I've read them all and just want to go back.”
“I wish Whispering Pines was a real place”
“If you enjoy honest, rather raw characters seeking direction, and the consequences of past mistakes, you'll enjoy this series as much as I have.”
“My mind is still in Whispering Pines. I can clearly see the thatched roof houses, their wood and stucco exteriors. It reminds me of Shakespeare's house in London."
“I really enjoy how the characters continue to evolve in this series and the new eccentrics fit right in!”
“I totally fell in love with both the village and the story.”
“I would gladly plan my next trip to Whispering Pines.”
The Whispering Pines Mystery Series Family Secrets, book 1 Kept Secrets, book 2 Original Secrets, book 3 Hidden Secrets, book 4 Rival Secrets, book 5 Veiled Secrets, book 6 Silent Secrets, book 7 Merciful Secrets, book 8
Mystery and fantasy author Shawn McGuire loves creating characters and places her fans want to return to again and again. She started writing after seeing the first Star Wars movie (that's episode IV) as a kid. She couldn't wait for the next installment to come out so wrote her own. Sadly, those notebooks are long lost, but her desire to tell a tale is as strong now as it was then. She lives in Wisconsin near the beautiful Mississippi River and when not writing or reading, she might be baking, crafting, going for a long walk, or nibbling really dark chocolate. You can learn more about her work on her website www.Shawn-McGuire.com
I love this series! Each book is better than the last book. The characters grow through their experiences in these stories. Relationships develop and change. Magic and secrets flow through the stories almost like characters. Shawn has a special skill for engaging my emotions with the situations that arise. The descriptions put me right there in Whispering Pines. Each book provides a satisfactory ending and yet my anticipation for the next book is always there. I highly recommend this series!
Past crimes and the murder of a blackmailer clash in this story while the town celebrates the Winter Solstice. Jayne's father is making his first visit since his youth, reconnecting with old friends and facing his past. An excellent mystery and an emotional family story.
Shawn McGuire knows how to mix suspense, hurt, hidden emotions, murder and a lovely touch of magick into a perfect potion.
I went home again, to the place where pine trees grow and streams flow - and in the below zero temperatures, a very sick woman dies outside. Murder? Suicide? Assisted suicide?
Sheriff Jayne O'Shea and Deputy Reed thought they had problems figuring that out, until they realise the whole village is in danger. Graphic danger.
One would think Yule is the time for peace and reflection, of family and letting go of the past... One person clearly disagrees.
A thoroughly emotional romp through snow, potions, people's secrets, with a good dose of forgiveness. Brilliant, as always.
I received an ARC of this book from the author and try to review every book I read.
I’ve loved this entire series. Shawn McGuire has a knack for developing interesting characters and intriguing plots that combine two or more mysteries and an insight into relationships. As always, it is well written and can be read as a stand-alone… but for devoted readers, like me, this story serves to tie up a rather big loose end in the Jayne O’Shea saga – that of her ex-boyfriend and, less surprising, her relationship with her father.
The story begins to unfold with a major snowstorm soon to arrive in Whispering Pines that later results in several unexpected incidents taking place and if that isn’t enough to engage the reader, you then have all the major characters gathering in the storm to be safe under one roof at Jayne and Tripp’s Pine Time Bed & Breakfast. As the town sheriff, Jayne has her hands full almost to the point of overload coupled with her personal concerns. Fortunately, her dear friends with their cleansing and protective spells and brews are there to lend a helping hand.
I really got into this book. It was my favorite of the series. You could feel the angst and stress as well as the love from the different characters – the story flowed as the plot thickened. Each book in this series always comes with its own satisfying conclusions and something to ponder leaving you wanting more. I look forward to another enjoyable read with mysteries solved and a HEA in the lives of Jayne, Tripp, family and friends.
Merciful Secrets #8 - Just when I think I read the best book by this author, she releases the best book ever. It will be difficult to write a review instead of a book report since this book and this series are exceptional. I have been around a few decades and it is getting harder to find decent writers, so good and great authors are scarce in the Indie World.
The new and old storylines mesh together bringing a substantial depth to MS. This book starts about two months after Silent Secrets ends. There is a possible new murder and the effects of a 40-year-old tragedy returns for more murders. Some of the new characters introduced are surprising lending suspense to the possible future. There is plenty of intrigue and mystery along with surprises from unsuspected sources. Again, I did not put another McGuire novel down until I finished the last page.
This is one of the few authors that I can continuously recommend. Lucky for the new discoverers of this series, there are eight stories ready to be devoured. It is hard waiting for the next visit to Whispering Pines. I contacted the author to review her books and have never been disappointed with her work. 5*
Whispering Pines series: Family Secrets, Whispering Pines #1 - An intriguing story. After finishing Stick and Stones, I dove into Family Secrets, my second book by this new-to-me author. These two books are nothing alike on storylines, except fantasy. I was drawn into this well written novel with its interesting plot and realistic characters, including the lovable dog. I couldn't put FS down until it was finished. There's an overview letting the reader know what the book is about, which I appreciate. This author is definitely someone whose work I want to keep reading. Two books, two winners!
Kept Secrets, WP#2 - Another intriguing story by a very good author. Now we're being to know our main characters as they grow in this book, while remaining believable and realistic. The well written, fast paced plot keeps the reader interested, making it hard to put the book down. The author’s descriptions leave the reader with clear pictures about the town, townspeople and property. I contacted the author to review her books since she writes such substantial stories that leaves a reader satisfied.
Original Secrets, WP #3 – This is the best of the series. So intriguing that the reader can’t put the book down. A well written, suspense filled book with two deaths forty years apart that may be connected. The characters are steadily growing, even the hated ones are interesting. Their dialog is realistic and none of The Stupid Formula for these characters. Her descriptions are clear and you’re there in Whispering Pines. I’m looking forward to the next book. I contacted the author to review her books; her stories are substantial and the reader is satisfied when finished reading one of her books.
Hidden Secrets, WP #4 - Another hard to put down story. Well written, suspense filled and full of intrigue, still with an interesting group of characters with new ones added to boot. This substantial story has several stories going at once, including the past and the future and the worries that stem from them. I've never been disappointed by any book written by Ms. McGuire and I look forward to more of her work.
Rival Secrets #5 - Another substantial and interesting read. Rival picks up a month after Hidden Secrets ends. The well thought out storylines keep the reader immersed until the last page. Every book in this series has been great and this one is no different. The regular characters keep showing more of their secrets and growth, and the reader pulls for them. Their dialog is interesting without any stupidity, just realistic and clean. There's touches of sexual tension and hints of mysteries to come. The murder was well handled and while there were plenty of suspects, the path to solving the crime was interesting. As usual, there were kinks along the path, but that's what keeps the reader involved with the story. 5*
Missing & Gone - An interesting novella. This well written story introduces the main and some of the secondary characters of the book Family Secrets. It's a quickly read suspense story, which I read after FS; I didn't miss not having read M&G before FS.
Veiled Secrets #6 - I'm absolutely addicted to this series. Ms. McGuire is on my top ten list of favorite authors. This is another great addition. The story begins a month after Rival Secrets ended. There are a lot of surprises, good and bad, for everyone in WP. Law enforcement will definitely feel the brunt of the happenings. There are two good endings or beginnings at the end of the book. The storylines were very intriguing, suspense filled and mesmerizing making it hard to put the book down until the end. The author's vivid descriptions of the Samhain event was pretty well done; I almost wanted to be there, but it's too far North for me. The characters keep evolving with each book and Flavia is going to go nuclear soon by the way she's acting, but that's another story. 5*
Silent Secrets #7 – This has to be my all-time favorite series by one of my favorite authors. While these can be read as standalones, this is one series to invest in from the beginning. Ms. McGuire has an easy to read writing style that belies the intricacies of the continuous and new storylines. Her vivid descriptions place you there with a clearness of location, character and developments. Her imagination, active and nonrepetitive throughout her series, bring a depth to the tapestries she has woven in her storylines. It is wonderful to read about realistic characters that do not follow today’s stupidity formula common in so many books of various genres. They are realistic, people you know and understand. Yes, there are witches but do not expect travel by broom or the usual witch themes. The flow of the story(ies) keeps at a good pace and it is hard to put the book(s) down. There are plenty of emotions running the gamut, and a good balance between good and bad events, and good and bad characters. 5* Whispering Pines end.
Merciful Secrets is the eighth book in the Whispering Pines Mystery Series by Shawn McGuire. This is a perfect blend of cozy mystery, small-town charm, and just the right sprinkle of supernatural elements. following Jane O’Shea who has a knack for solving mysteries that seem to find her no matter how much she tries to avoid them. The town itself is a character in its own right – a little quirky, idyllic, and full of secrets. The locals are a fun mix of personalities, from the nosy neighbours to more endearing eccentrics - and their interactions gives the series an extra element of interest along with some ‘warm-fuzzies’. Ms. McGuire manages to balance lighthearted coziness with genuinely intriguing mysteries. Each book has its own unique twist, and while the stakes aren’t overly high/intense, they’re enough to keep you flipping pages late into the night. Plus, the touch of the paranormal adds an extra layer of fun without overwhelming the story. Recommend for a binge-worthy read. Happy Reading…
Yule, the time when the world will go into sleep and rest. This is a huge celebration for the Wiccan community of Whispering Pines. Too bad there's a mean woman who wants to ruin it all. She has cancer, is dying, and in her last days she's spending her time attempting blackmail, and making lives miserable.
Then there's Jayne half brother, Donovan Page; still on the loose, but now she knows he's definitely in the village. People are receiving his ceramic Harlequin dolls, and the manners of death portrayed by them is disturbing. Jayne's father is also in town, after being on a dig for two years. Will he come to terms with the break between his mother, and himself; and will he allow Jayne to keep Gran's property and continue running Pine Time???
Lots of questions, lots of answers, and a few maybes thrown in for good measure.
Often a long running series has what I call a bridge book. This book is one such bridge. A major story line seems to be resolved, though there are hints of further mysteries among the villagers that still need to be investigated and brought to light.
Another murder is solved along the way and we also are introduced to the sheriff’s father which is a dynamic that had been missing, though referenced in past books.
Sheriff Jayne’s partner, Meeka, is one amazing dog! And there is a lot more for us to discover about the creepy and shifting “un nun.”
This is the eighth book in the series which is going strong! I ADORE Whispering Pines! The characters are true to themselves. This book there things that happen and with reason. Many things happen, come into play, other things end I can not go into them with out spoilers. So, here is where my review ends with the exception of saying I can't wait for book nine!
It's time for Jayne's dad come for the first time in over 20 yrs so when he arrived he is hit with all the clan and for the most it was good, but one was still a sore spot. Of course that didnt stop a murder and donavin to show up and disturb. I the end jayne was able to get closure with her dad
BEAUTY & BLISS After MISCHIEF & MYSTERY In Whispering Pines!!:-)
This one whisked me off to Whispering Pines with many dangerous mysteries pulling me right in….held me soooo close until the very end to land with all things, “Blessed Be”!!!! You do NOT want to miss this journey to MAGICAL Whispering Pines!!!:-)
Another riveting story of the lives at this most unusual village. Jayne has her hands fully with what should have been a natural death of a person with terminal cancer. Then more Harliquin dolls started appearing as Christmas presents. All is not well at this village on the lake.
4 and a half stars. I really enjoyed this volume of the Whispering Pines mysteries, but I'm taking off half a star because it's been such a long time since I read the earlier ones, I was baffled about the Pack and Priscilla's death. Maybe McGuire needs to do a recap of early WP books, so help those readers like me who can't remember - or indeed, readers who start in the middle of the series.
I love this town, with its magic, the circus, the love to love and love to hate characters. Written so descriptively it’s easy to see the snow, the flowers, the homes, the trees and lake. This book adds so much more to the characters lives and loves, particularly family. It’s a wonderful read.
Jaynes father finally returns to Whispering Pines! Book 8 leaves you with questions answered and new ones you hadn’t thought of yet. Each book in the series is better than the one before. I don’t want to ruin any details, but this is a must read if you love Whispering Pines!
Always enjoy reading about females kicking butt in a job that is considered more for a male role. She's witty and funny along with the villagers.. Hoping that you write more to this series!
I’m so sad I’m coming close to the end of the series. The characters are strong in their own ways, but also human. I recommend this series to anyone who enjoys books that follow a plot line that has your attention from the first line of the first book. Try book one at least, an amazing read.
This story is of the young sheriff of Whispering Pines and the many things she does in the village to keep all the people safe and happy. This time she solves a mysterious death and finds a wanted man. This is my review and mine alone. Norma Gorrill
The Whispering Pines books are just getting better and better. Juggling all the obstacles, crimes and personal drama in her life, including murders makes these books fun and unable to put down. Can't wait for book 9. Why don't I already have book 9?
Come on people, you don't know what you are missing. This series is the real deal. I rarely read series' and there are only 3 or now 4 that I haven't grown bored with. READ THIS AUTHOR. This series is amazing!!!!!
I absolutely loved this! The story was great and I continue to love the characters. I only two spelling errors in the book. I would love to see more books in the series.