Where Time Stood Still

Savannah Secrets #5

by Beth Adams

This is book 5 of the Savannah Secrets Series by Guideposts.

The ladies of Magnolia Investigations are hired to investigate their most haunting mystery yet! Ebenezer Creek is notorious because, during the Civil War, hundreds of enslaved people drowned in its waters when they were abandoned by the Union Army. For several decades, many of the houses in the area have been empty and rundown, thanks to the rumors claiming that the area is haunted. Of course, Meredith and Julia don't believe in ghosts, but when they are asked to prove that one of the houses is ghost-free, they find a puzzling mystery. Inside the house, it looks like the family disappeared overnight -dishes still in the sink, a newspaper open on the table. What happened to the family that lived there? Why did they suddenly vanish?

Meanwhile, Meredith is trying to sort through her late husband's belongings and is finding it hard to let go. Is she really ready to say goodbye to the things that remind her of the love of her life?

Genres: Christian Fiction

225 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Mandi with Red Quill Editorial · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from some family friends who pass on many of their books to my family. Apparently, this is the fifth book in a series, but it stood on its own just fine. Where Time Stood Still was a quick, easy read with an intriguing cozy mystery to figure out. The main protagonists consist of two female PIs in their mid-60s. There is an undertone of Christian beliefs in the book, but not so much that it feels cheesy, forced, or in your face. The premise of the mystery was incredibly intriguing—it appeared that a family had vanished in a hurry in the middle of breakfast one morning in the '80s, their decades old meal still on the table and all the family's personal effects and valuables left behind, including the dad's wallet. However, the resolution was a bit anticlimactic for all the wonderful buildup the author created. I also struggled with several moments where the author repeated information as if to really drill home her clues rather than trusting the reader to be smart enough to pick up on them. Still, it was a fun read that I am now passing along to my mom to enjoy.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series, Savannah Secrets, is one of the Guidepost series. I don't like many of these series but I love this one. Each story has to do with an historical happening in Savannah that bears upon today. There's always history and some mystery along with local color. The books, although written by different authors, capture the essence of the characters so that I feel like I know them well.

Private Investigators Meredith and Julia are hired by the daughter of an old friend of Meredith's to investigate the rumors of ghostly sightings on a piece of land that she just bought in the outback of Georgia. There's a stately old home on the land that has fallen into ruin. It's been boarded up for over 30 years. This is the where the reports of ghosts originated. Upon entering the house Meredith, Julia, and the buyer find everything still inside as if the family just got up and left in the middle of breakfast. Intrigued, the two women investigators set out to discover about the family who lived there and what happened to them, but some things are better left unfound. Although there's no real danger in this story, who can resist a haunted house?

[Kristi Winter · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading the Savannah Secrets series. The perfect blend of history and mystery.

Where Time Stood Still was such an interesting story. I have learned something about Georgia's history with each one of the books in this series. I had never even heard of the massacre at Ebenezer Creek! I was completely blown away by that tragedy. Absolutely in shock...Humanity can be so cruel.

"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." ~Maya Angelou

~He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. -Micah 6:8

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending of this book was somewhat of a disappointment but on the whole it was a good, fast weekend read. I like this series because the mysteries are interesting and not gory plus there's Savannah history in each one.

[Angel Perhne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good book. The story didn’t end with a dramatic turn, but it kind of unfolded. I loved the history notes and especially enjoyed the lack of bad language. I highly recommend this.

[Sharon Teagarden-king · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and gave historic notes one can learn more of Savannah history

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series! I know some about Savanna. I have been to a lot of the places in the stories. I cannot wait for the next one.