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Westwind Secrets
Devastated by her husband's infidelity, romance writer, Mysti Wade, loads her personal possessions into a rented trailer and sets off to claim her unseen inheritance with her rescued hound, Zak. Left by her estranged grandmother, the Second Empire Victorian mansion on Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay is thirty years past prime condition. The estate has no money for maintenance and repairs. Stuck, with meager means and no place to go, Mysti stays, despite rumored ghosts. When a drifter, Harry Pearson, shows up during a severe thunderstorm, she agrees to let him live in the carriage house in exchange for work. Soon, the tumbledown, brick fortress, springs back to life with mowed lawns, tended gardens, rebuilt porches and painted trim, but invisible evil shrouds the property. Broke, and heartbroken by her failed marriage, Mysti abandons a romance novel to write a mystery, using reality for inspiration. Oblivious to danger and driven by an unexplainable force, she delves into her grandmother’s accidental death and squandered assets with skeptical eyes. Bodies drop to protect guilty secrets, some buried for generations. Walking a tightrope to stay alive and protect her dog, Mysti Wade exposes deceit, greed and murder. Justice is served!
405 pages, Paperback
Published February 21, 2021
3 people are currently reading
10083 people want to read
About the author
Marilyn Dalla Valle
10 books354 followersA Connecticut native, Marilyn Dalla Valle lives in Williamsburg, Virginia with her rambunctious Sheltie, Randy. Together they play ball, go for long walks and frequent the shore.
Dance Instructor for 5 years and professional photographer for 30, when her two sons left the nest, Ms. Dalla Valle decided it was time to write. A fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Clive Cussler and Sue Grafton, the genre she chose had to be mystery with a twist of adventure.
In March 2000, Murder in Mystic, the first in a mystery series, was e-published at Zeus Publications. Within two months it rose to #2 on the bestseller list, was editor’s choice for October and was nominated for the Frankfurt E-book Awards.
Murder in Newport, second in the series, was e-published in August 2000 and hit #7 on the bestseller list within two weeks. By January 2001, it switched places with Murder in Mystic.
These books are now available on Amazon Kindle, Amazon books and for order at your local bookstore. Murder in Mystic and Murder in Newport Audiobooks are offered at Audible.com, Amazon.com and iTunes.
Two Headed Snake of Key West was published January 28, 2014, followed by Murder in Galveston, published November 2017. Both are available in paperback, Kindle and audio formats.
In February 2021, Westwind Secrets was published in paperback and Kindle formats.
Dance Instructor for 5 years and professional photographer for 30, when her two sons left the nest, Ms. Dalla Valle decided it was time to write. A fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Agatha Christie, Clive Cussler and Sue Grafton, the genre she chose had to be mystery with a twist of adventure.
In March 2000, Murder in Mystic, the first in a mystery series, was e-published at Zeus Publications. Within two months it rose to #2 on the bestseller list, was editor’s choice for October and was nominated for the Frankfurt E-book Awards.
Murder in Newport, second in the series, was e-published in August 2000 and hit #7 on the bestseller list within two weeks. By January 2001, it switched places with Murder in Mystic.
These books are now available on Amazon Kindle, Amazon books and for order at your local bookstore. Murder in Mystic and Murder in Newport Audiobooks are offered at Audible.com, Amazon.com and iTunes.
Two Headed Snake of Key West was published January 28, 2014, followed by Murder in Galveston, published November 2017. Both are available in paperback, Kindle and audio formats.
In February 2021, Westwind Secrets was published in paperback and Kindle formats.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 18, 2024
Westwind Secrets by Marilyn Dalla Valle
I received a copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mysti Wade, an author, inherits property from her estranged grandmother, Constance. A delapidated 3-story mansion and a separate Carriage House set on 5 acres in Narragansett Bay. It comes at exactly the right time, needing escape from her husband Will who betrayed her by having an affair, she seeks to overcome her pain and self pity.
“Hearts are healed by the sea.”
Along with her faithful hound, Zak, she begins her new life, quickly making a friend in Penelope, her new neighbour and a force to be reckoned with. Mysti wonders how she will make ends meet due to the necessary repairs when the dilemma is solved on the arrival of Harry Pearson. Turning up out of the blue, exactly when she needs him offering handyman work in exchange of a place to stay. Before she knows it, her guard is down and he is hired...would it be a gesture to regret?
“Evil humans were afoot.”
From the beginning of the novel I sensed a tangible undercurrent that sent tingles through me for what was to come. Westwind Secrets is one of those books that stays with you when you have to put the book down to do “life things”, its presence is constant, niggling at the back of your mind. Just when I thought I had a grasp of the situation, another event occurred and turned my conclusions on their head. Halfway through the read and all that mattered was that I had to carry on!
Even though Mysti is the female protagonist, I have to say Penelope is my favourite character. I imagined her perfectly...outwardly - an old pixielike lady with a larger-than-life personality. A typical little lady next door who knows everyone and everything, always has the latest gossip and comes with the fixtures and fittings.
Marilyn Dalla Valle has a keen sense for a plot, characterization and creating suspense. With a story that actively engages the reader in solving the mystery and trying to piece together the narrative threads, it builds up to a satisfying answer to primary questions such as ‘Who? Why? What?’
A satisfying mystery novel with just the right amount of romance, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
I received a copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mysti Wade, an author, inherits property from her estranged grandmother, Constance. A delapidated 3-story mansion and a separate Carriage House set on 5 acres in Narragansett Bay. It comes at exactly the right time, needing escape from her husband Will who betrayed her by having an affair, she seeks to overcome her pain and self pity.
“Hearts are healed by the sea.”
Along with her faithful hound, Zak, she begins her new life, quickly making a friend in Penelope, her new neighbour and a force to be reckoned with. Mysti wonders how she will make ends meet due to the necessary repairs when the dilemma is solved on the arrival of Harry Pearson. Turning up out of the blue, exactly when she needs him offering handyman work in exchange of a place to stay. Before she knows it, her guard is down and he is hired...would it be a gesture to regret?
“Evil humans were afoot.”
From the beginning of the novel I sensed a tangible undercurrent that sent tingles through me for what was to come. Westwind Secrets is one of those books that stays with you when you have to put the book down to do “life things”, its presence is constant, niggling at the back of your mind. Just when I thought I had a grasp of the situation, another event occurred and turned my conclusions on their head. Halfway through the read and all that mattered was that I had to carry on!
Even though Mysti is the female protagonist, I have to say Penelope is my favourite character. I imagined her perfectly...outwardly - an old pixielike lady with a larger-than-life personality. A typical little lady next door who knows everyone and everything, always has the latest gossip and comes with the fixtures and fittings.
Marilyn Dalla Valle has a keen sense for a plot, characterization and creating suspense. With a story that actively engages the reader in solving the mystery and trying to piece together the narrative threads, it builds up to a satisfying answer to primary questions such as ‘Who? Why? What?’
A satisfying mystery novel with just the right amount of romance, I rate it 5 out of 5 stars.
April 19, 2021
Marilyn Della Valle is a mystery novelist who has written several books including: Murder in Newport and Murder in Mystic, both novels rose to number 2 in the bestseller list in 200 and 2001 and deservedly so, Marilyn Della Valle is a great writer and knows how to hold my interest by keeping me guessing right to the very last page!
Westwind Secrets is another really enjoyable book, I found the characters well-developed and relatable, I was hooked quickly and found the pacing to be steady, It had underlying suspense and a few unexpected twists that had me holding my breath at times. Overall I found it to be well-written and I highly recommend it.
Westwind Secrets is another really enjoyable book, I found the characters well-developed and relatable, I was hooked quickly and found the pacing to be steady, It had underlying suspense and a few unexpected twists that had me holding my breath at times. Overall I found it to be well-written and I highly recommend it.
May 18, 2021
Author Marilyn Dalla Valle has enjoyed a long career as a photographer and as a dance instructor, however she decided to to take up writing after her sons flew the nest, and mystery was her chosen genre. Murder in Mystic was the first of series to be released in 2000 and this is where the authors career began.
Westwind Secrets is a stand-alone novel about a romance writer who deviates to writing a mystery novel after dealing with the devastation of her husbands betrayal, Mysti decides to leave and move into a dilapidated mansion bequeathed to her by her late grandmother and here’s where Westwind Secrets began to pull me in and refused to let me go. I found this to be a brilliant faced-paced and well written-novel. In my opinion a must-read for fans of intrigue and mystery. Highly recommended.
Westwind Secrets is a stand-alone novel about a romance writer who deviates to writing a mystery novel after dealing with the devastation of her husbands betrayal, Mysti decides to leave and move into a dilapidated mansion bequeathed to her by her late grandmother and here’s where Westwind Secrets began to pull me in and refused to let me go. I found this to be a brilliant faced-paced and well written-novel. In my opinion a must-read for fans of intrigue and mystery. Highly recommended.
June 4, 2021
Westwind Secrets by Marilyn Dalla Valle
She's getting adjusted to her grandmother's house that she inherited.
She had reasons to just walk out of her marriage and just head there with not much of her past life with her.
She learns many things about her grandmother and the people in town who want to run her property and finances.
Love the parts where she visits Newport as I am just a few miles away and familiar with the area.
Upon reaching home she finds her dog Zak, unconscious.
Mysti finds out about the letter from her grandmother and found out from Penelope that a ghost had pushed her down and she ended up dying.
Mysti is a writer of mystery and Misty thinks the robbers were after her stories.
Love hearing of the rum runners because I know in the town I live in near Newport that there were runners in my town and my relatives knew of others who were involved.
Story also follows others who are involved in getting rid of her and all the details about the stolen antiques. There are many characters.
She follows the clues to find out the details of her grandmothers death.
Love how her notebook is on her nightstand and she jots down notes, I do the same thing but I'm not a writer.
She is writing the book that goes along with the mysteries in the house. She dreams of them and writes the story as she finds more clues.
Never saw this book ending as it did, whoa!
About the author ends this book and glad to find out she writes a whole series of mystery books. Can't wait to read more from this first time to me author.
Received this review copy from the publicist and this is my honest opinion.
She's getting adjusted to her grandmother's house that she inherited.
She had reasons to just walk out of her marriage and just head there with not much of her past life with her.
She learns many things about her grandmother and the people in town who want to run her property and finances.
Love the parts where she visits Newport as I am just a few miles away and familiar with the area.
Upon reaching home she finds her dog Zak, unconscious.
Mysti finds out about the letter from her grandmother and found out from Penelope that a ghost had pushed her down and she ended up dying.
Mysti is a writer of mystery and Misty thinks the robbers were after her stories.
Love hearing of the rum runners because I know in the town I live in near Newport that there were runners in my town and my relatives knew of others who were involved.
Story also follows others who are involved in getting rid of her and all the details about the stolen antiques. There are many characters.
She follows the clues to find out the details of her grandmothers death.
Love how her notebook is on her nightstand and she jots down notes, I do the same thing but I'm not a writer.
She is writing the book that goes along with the mysteries in the house. She dreams of them and writes the story as she finds more clues.
Never saw this book ending as it did, whoa!
About the author ends this book and glad to find out she writes a whole series of mystery books. Can't wait to read more from this first time to me author.
Received this review copy from the publicist and this is my honest opinion.
March 17, 2021
‘Hearts are healed by the sea’ – a fine new mystery novel!
Virginia author Marilyn Dalla Valle, with experience as a dance instructor and a professional photographer, continues writing superb her mysteries novels with WESTWIND SECRETS – a standalone novel centering on a romance writer who turns to mystery writing after a startling discovery. As with her other series – the successful LIZ ADAMS MYSTERIES – she demonstrates a keen focus on suspense with a fine element of romantic overlay.
A Connecticut native now living in Williamsburg, VA Marilyn know the East Coast well, and placing her story on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island feels atmospherically accurate – as the opening lines of the story reveal – ‘There were no more tears to shed when the tires his the gravel drive. Exhausted from hours of bumper to bumper traffic along the I-95. Mysti was numb. All she wanted was to get on with her life. For the moment, Will’s betrayal was safely tucked away, in a box that she refused to open. Dusk had settled over the stonewalled fields as Mysti negotiated her nine-year-old Honda Civic, with rented, single-axle box trailer in tow, under the maple canopy. She rounded the curve and slammed on the brake. Before her loomed a dilapidated, three-story mansion. Fear lumped in her throat. It resembled the one in ‘Psycho’…’
The intriguing story is well-distilled in the author’s synopsis – ‘Devastated by her husband's infidelity, romance writer, Mysti Wade, loads her personal possessions into a rented trailer and sets off to claim her unseen inheritance with her rescued hound, Zak. Left by her estranged grandmother, the Second Empire Victorian mansion on Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay is thirty years past prime condition. The estate has no money for maintenance and repairs. Stuck, with meager means and no place to go, Mysti stays, despite rumored ghosts. When a drifter, Harry Pearson, shows up during a severe thunderstorm, she agrees to let him live in the carriage house in exchange for work. Soon, the tumbledown, brick fortress, springs back to life with mowed lawns, tended gardens, rebuilt porches and painted trim, but invisible evil shrouds the property. Broke, and heartbroken by her failed marriage, Mysti abandons a romance novel to write a mystery, using reality for inspiration. Oblivious to danger and driven by an unexplainable force, she delves into her grandmother’s accidental death and squandered assets with skeptical eyes. Bodies drop to protect guilty secrets, some buried for generations. Walking a tightrope to stay alive and protect her dog, Mysti Wade exposes deceit, greed and murder. Justice is served!’
Conversational prose makes this a fast reading little book and despite its length, likely most readers will stay with it until the mystery is resolved. Another fine novel form Marilyn Dalla Valle. Recommended.
Virginia author Marilyn Dalla Valle, with experience as a dance instructor and a professional photographer, continues writing superb her mysteries novels with WESTWIND SECRETS – a standalone novel centering on a romance writer who turns to mystery writing after a startling discovery. As with her other series – the successful LIZ ADAMS MYSTERIES – she demonstrates a keen focus on suspense with a fine element of romantic overlay.
A Connecticut native now living in Williamsburg, VA Marilyn know the East Coast well, and placing her story on Narragansett Bay in Rhode Island feels atmospherically accurate – as the opening lines of the story reveal – ‘There were no more tears to shed when the tires his the gravel drive. Exhausted from hours of bumper to bumper traffic along the I-95. Mysti was numb. All she wanted was to get on with her life. For the moment, Will’s betrayal was safely tucked away, in a box that she refused to open. Dusk had settled over the stonewalled fields as Mysti negotiated her nine-year-old Honda Civic, with rented, single-axle box trailer in tow, under the maple canopy. She rounded the curve and slammed on the brake. Before her loomed a dilapidated, three-story mansion. Fear lumped in her throat. It resembled the one in ‘Psycho’…’
The intriguing story is well-distilled in the author’s synopsis – ‘Devastated by her husband's infidelity, romance writer, Mysti Wade, loads her personal possessions into a rented trailer and sets off to claim her unseen inheritance with her rescued hound, Zak. Left by her estranged grandmother, the Second Empire Victorian mansion on Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay is thirty years past prime condition. The estate has no money for maintenance and repairs. Stuck, with meager means and no place to go, Mysti stays, despite rumored ghosts. When a drifter, Harry Pearson, shows up during a severe thunderstorm, she agrees to let him live in the carriage house in exchange for work. Soon, the tumbledown, brick fortress, springs back to life with mowed lawns, tended gardens, rebuilt porches and painted trim, but invisible evil shrouds the property. Broke, and heartbroken by her failed marriage, Mysti abandons a romance novel to write a mystery, using reality for inspiration. Oblivious to danger and driven by an unexplainable force, she delves into her grandmother’s accidental death and squandered assets with skeptical eyes. Bodies drop to protect guilty secrets, some buried for generations. Walking a tightrope to stay alive and protect her dog, Mysti Wade exposes deceit, greed and murder. Justice is served!’
Conversational prose makes this a fast reading little book and despite its length, likely most readers will stay with it until the mystery is resolved. Another fine novel form Marilyn Dalla Valle. Recommended.
April 16, 2021
Biggest pet peeve - when an author doesn't write dialogue well. When the reader is confused about the sequence of events, because the author hops around like a squirrel on crack. This plot had potential, but I bowed out at 20%.
September 15, 2021
The Westwind Secrets started out quick paced as Mysti inherited her grandmothers dilapidated victorian style house. Mysti is going through a divorce so the timing of this is perfect. While Mysti and her trusted companion Zak, her dog move in she is overwhelmed by all the work that needs to be done. Suddenly out of the blue Harry arrives to be her handyman in exchange for a place to stay.
The book starts to slow down as strange events start to happen. Will, Mysti's soon to be ex keeps showing up, her nosy neighbor Penelope a no nonsense old lady, and was Mysti's grandma murdered? And what secrets did the house bear?
There are some good twists and turns that I did not see coming. About 3/4 into Westwind Secrets the pace picks up again. The ending I found a little cheesy but overall was a great read and I'd recommend it.
The book starts to slow down as strange events start to happen. Will, Mysti's soon to be ex keeps showing up, her nosy neighbor Penelope a no nonsense old lady, and was Mysti's grandma murdered? And what secrets did the house bear?
There are some good twists and turns that I did not see coming. About 3/4 into Westwind Secrets the pace picks up again. The ending I found a little cheesy but overall was a great read and I'd recommend it.
June 26, 2021
This was a great book. A lot of drama, and a little mystery. My favorite character was definitely Penelope, although I liked Mysti as well. The characters were interesting, and it was easy to immerse myself in the story. I wouldn't call this a thriller, although there was plenty of tension. Marilyn had wonderful descriptions and was able to deftly convey the vibe of both places and people in such a way that I felt like I was experiencing everything first hand. There were a few places where things moved a little slow, and it felt like unnecessary information was added in (ex Mysti's weight loss and desire to lose more was just tossed in at an awkward moment). Overall a really enjoyable read.
October 17, 2023
Another goodreads won books. This book had me going, I enjoy every minute of reading this book. A great little mystery and you really can't trust anyone, or maybe you can. Love that the main character wasn't some beauty queen, that she didn't have all the right answers, (not even close). One thing is true. Always trust your dog.
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June 21, 2023the book is slightly difficult to understand.
May 16, 2021
Is it ghosts or the worst kind of evil humans
When mystical “Misty” Wade inherits the house from a grandmother she never met it is out of desperation. She found her husband cheating on her with a blonde bimbo and quickly left down to the only residence she had and that was the house. After a while she builds a circle of friends harry the handyman, Penelope her grandmothers old friend and a sleazy guy Steve who rents the dock from her and a few others. What she decides to write outside of her regular genre she chooses mystery and as the story goes on she learns more and more and she’s going to need all the information she can get as her new friends start dying off one by one. There’s rumors it’s ghost, but Misty finds out different. This was an awesome book I totally enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down I loved it! It’s never who you think it is and that’s the case in this book what a great book.
When mystical “Misty” Wade inherits the house from a grandmother she never met it is out of desperation. She found her husband cheating on her with a blonde bimbo and quickly left down to the only residence she had and that was the house. After a while she builds a circle of friends harry the handyman, Penelope her grandmothers old friend and a sleazy guy Steve who rents the dock from her and a few others. What she decides to write outside of her regular genre she chooses mystery and as the story goes on she learns more and more and she’s going to need all the information she can get as her new friends start dying off one by one. There’s rumors it’s ghost, but Misty finds out different. This was an awesome book I totally enjoyed it and couldn’t put it down I loved it! It’s never who you think it is and that’s the case in this book what a great book.
April 3, 2021
Westwind Secrets by Marilyn Dalla Valle takes mystery novels to a new level as Mysti Wade tries to find out the truth to her grandmother’s death and what became of her money. Meanwhile, Harry Pearson becomes her handyman, she has an attractive tenant who is renting her dock, her soon-to-be ex-husband shows up, and she has to contend with her grandmother’s shifty lawyer. Did I mention her house is haunted? The only friends she can trust are her dog, Zak, and the ancient neighbor, Penelope.
I found Westwind Secrets mesmerizing as Mysti faces one dilemma after another. Marilyn Dalla Valle has created a complex web of suspense that leads down avenues of murder, theft, and betrayal. Mysti quickly learns there is no one for her to trust, as the only ones she could disappear. The characters and storyline are spellbinding. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I found Westwind Secrets mesmerizing as Mysti faces one dilemma after another. Marilyn Dalla Valle has created a complex web of suspense that leads down avenues of murder, theft, and betrayal. Mysti quickly learns there is no one for her to trust, as the only ones she could disappear. The characters and storyline are spellbinding. I look forward to reading more from this author.
June 26, 2021
This was a great book. A lot of drama, and a little mystery. My favorite character was definitely Penelope, although I liked Mysti as well. The characters were interesting, and it was easy to immerse myself in the story. I wouldn't call this a thriller, although there was plenty of tension. Marilyn had wonderful descriptions and was able to deftly convey the vibe of both places and people in such a way that I felt like I was experiencing everything first hand. There were a few places where things moved a little slow, and it felt like unnecessary information was added in (ex Mysti's weight loss and desire to lose more was just tossed in at an awkward moment). Overall a really enjoyable read.
March 28, 2021
Well written story will provide readers with an involving and enjoyable mystery that includes a cast of characters who will keep readers on their toes til the very end. 5 star recommendable book.
My thanks to goodreads and the book’s giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.
My thanks to goodreads and the book’s giveaway sponsors for the opportunity to obtain and read a copy of this book.
April 6, 2021
I just started reading and I don't want to stop. It is a book that will grab you attention right away. Thank you
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews