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Westport: Lizzie #0.5
A Sinister Sign
Who knew buying a house could be so dangerous?
I recently had the great idea that moving back home to Westport and being close to my family again would be good for my soul. But now that I am close to them, I’ve quickly realized that I need to find a home all of my own. I love them. I really do, but the idea of living with them is kind of low on my to do list. Especially now that grandma has moved into my childhood bedroom. Thankfully it hasn’t taken me long to find the house of my dreams – or nightmares. It’s really a question of perspective.
The lonely run-down old Victorian in need of major renovations has tugged on my heartstrings, and before I can stop myself, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with it. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one who wants it, and the other bidders aren’t playing nice.
Deadly accidents, missing real estate agents and a chilling stranger, are all sinister signs that this is not the house for me. Only I’m determined to rescue this fixer upper or die trying. Now all I need to do is to win the auction and stay alive.
If only it was that easy…
A Sinister Sign is the prequel to the light-hearted, romantic mystery trilogy. If you like crazy families, cozy reads, and a sweet romance, all tied together with a ribbon of danger, then you’ll love The Westport Mysteries.
I recently had the great idea that moving back home to Westport and being close to my family again would be good for my soul. But now that I am close to them, I’ve quickly realized that I need to find a home all of my own. I love them. I really do, but the idea of living with them is kind of low on my to do list. Especially now that grandma has moved into my childhood bedroom. Thankfully it hasn’t taken me long to find the house of my dreams – or nightmares. It’s really a question of perspective.
The lonely run-down old Victorian in need of major renovations has tugged on my heartstrings, and before I can stop myself, I’ve fallen head over heels in love with it. Unfortunately, I’m not the only one who wants it, and the other bidders aren’t playing nice.
Deadly accidents, missing real estate agents and a chilling stranger, are all sinister signs that this is not the house for me. Only I’m determined to rescue this fixer upper or die trying. Now all I need to do is to win the auction and stay alive.
If only it was that easy…
A Sinister Sign is the prequel to the light-hearted, romantic mystery trilogy. If you like crazy families, cozy reads, and a sweet romance, all tied together with a ribbon of danger, then you’ll love The Westport Mysteries.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
80 pages, ebook
Published March 16, 2021
29 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Beth Prentice
53 books173 followersBeth Prentice is the award winning, USA Today Bestselling Author of the several series and standalone novels.
She was born in Manchester, England, but after moving backwards and forwards across the world 13 times in 14 years she decided that at the age of 18 that Australia was to be her home. She now lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia where every day is a good one. She is the lucky mother of two grown up children, and, along with her ever-patient husband, she is the proud but sometimes flustered owner of four dogs, a cat, and a canary. She has always had a love of reading, and even though her background is in accounting, she has now discovered her love of writing. Her main wish is to write books you can sit back, relax with, and escape from your everyday life...and ones that you walk away from with a smile! When she's not writing you will usually find her at the beach with a coffee in hand, pursuing her favorite pastime --people watching!
She was born in Manchester, England, but after moving backwards and forwards across the world 13 times in 14 years she decided that at the age of 18 that Australia was to be her home. She now lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia where every day is a good one. She is the lucky mother of two grown up children, and, along with her ever-patient husband, she is the proud but sometimes flustered owner of four dogs, a cat, and a canary. She has always had a love of reading, and even though her background is in accounting, she has now discovered her love of writing. Her main wish is to write books you can sit back, relax with, and escape from your everyday life...and ones that you walk away from with a smile! When she's not writing you will usually find her at the beach with a coffee in hand, pursuing her favorite pastime --people watching!
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
April 18, 2021
This is a prelude to a fabulous series and if you haven’t read this fun cozy mystery series then this is the place to start, meet Lizzy and get to know her and her family, they will have you laughing out loud they get themselves in some strange situations, they are of course a loving family who are always there for each other, I do hope that you pick this short story up and join in the love for Lizzy that I have.
Lizzy is aiming to move back home to Westpoint and that entails purchasing her own home with the rest of her family wanting her to buy something already to move into, Lizzy has her heart set on a rundown house that she feels a part of. It is going to auction but strange things are happening, people are going missing and now they are saying the house is cursed, but nothing will stop Lizzy from seeing her dream come true.
I can’t highly recommend enough this short story and the series Beth Prentices writes wonderful characters that will have you laughing as you get to know them and doing your best to solve the mysteries, I did love this one and am always looking forward to more trips to Westpoint.
My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review
Lizzy is aiming to move back home to Westpoint and that entails purchasing her own home with the rest of her family wanting her to buy something already to move into, Lizzy has her heart set on a rundown house that she feels a part of. It is going to auction but strange things are happening, people are going missing and now they are saying the house is cursed, but nothing will stop Lizzy from seeing her dream come true.
I can’t highly recommend enough this short story and the series Beth Prentices writes wonderful characters that will have you laughing as you get to know them and doing your best to solve the mysteries, I did love this one and am always looking forward to more trips to Westpoint.
My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review
March 26, 2021
Lizzie Fuller fell in love with an old Victorian home that is in need of some major TLC. There are other buyers that are also interested but then some major issues come to light. The Westport Mysteries is a trilogy and this gives the reader an insight as to what is yet to come. If you love a good mystery pick this series up.
May 12, 2024
Sometimes prequel novellas are interesting and engaging stories that provide a satisfying story which sets up the main series and other times they are like this... A story that didn't need to be written. Yes, it introduces the setting of the main series, it introduces the characters and - I'm assuming - that it sets up the drama/mystery for the initial book of the series but that's all it does. When you consider that the events of this novella will no doubt be summarised in some way within the main series, and that all the characters will be introduced once more, there really isn't any point.
(And in case you're wondering; no, I doubt I'll bother picking up book one and continuing with the series as nothing about Lizzie, the house or the "mystery" of who was pulling the evil strings in this one gripped me enough to want to.)
(And in case you're wondering; no, I doubt I'll bother picking up book one and continuing with the series as nothing about Lizzie, the house or the "mystery" of who was pulling the evil strings in this one gripped me enough to want to.)
June 17, 2022
This is a prequel to the Westport Mysteries.
It is a short story and a quick read.
While I don't normally like short stories,
this one ticked all the right boxes.
Solid story with the mystery solved.
Developed and likable characters.
Gave enough information to want to
continue the series.
Lizzie Fuller has returned to the hometown she
grew up in, and is putting in a bid for an auction
house.
There is a series of mishaps that causes some to
believe the house is either cursed or haunted.
But someone wants the building bad enough
to commit murder for it.
It is a short story and a quick read.
While I don't normally like short stories,
this one ticked all the right boxes.
Solid story with the mystery solved.
Developed and likable characters.
Gave enough information to want to
continue the series.
Lizzie Fuller has returned to the hometown she
grew up in, and is putting in a bid for an auction
house.
There is a series of mishaps that causes some to
believe the house is either cursed or haunted.
But someone wants the building bad enough
to commit murder for it.
June 11, 2021
Lizzie Fuller is ready to move back home. She wants to buy a Victorian home that’s coming up for auction. She really loves it and can’t wait to repair it back to its glory. People are saying it’s haunted. People have gone missing . Will Lizzie win the bid? Will they find out what happened to the missing people? This is the prequel and It’s going to be an awesome mystery series. I can’t wait for the next one.
June 4, 2024
4 stars for Lizzy's dangerous hunt for her dream house.
This prequel features an auction for an old villa. There is definitely something going on with potential buyers disappearing left and right. The cozy mystery vibe made me grab the next book immediately and I look forward to read, where the journey takes us. So far I gave not much clue if Lizzy is only human or if there are supernatural sprinkles on the story. Fun read for a cozy night.
This prequel features an auction for an old villa. There is definitely something going on with potential buyers disappearing left and right. The cozy mystery vibe made me grab the next book immediately and I look forward to read, where the journey takes us. So far I gave not much clue if Lizzy is only human or if there are supernatural sprinkles on the story. Fun read for a cozy night.
April 19, 2021
A Sinister Sign by Beth Prentice. We are introduced to Lizzie and her family. Lizzie falls in love with an old home and the family tries to talk her out of it but she has her heart set on buying it. There are also others who are very interested in the property and will go to any lengths to get it. A great introduction to The Westport Mysteries.
November 24, 2024
a great introduction to a new series
This is such a good way to find new authors. Reading the prequel has whet my appetite for the first book in the series of this new to me writer. It was interesting and quirky and has left me wanting more and to find out what happens next, cannot wait to dive into book one!
This is such a good way to find new authors. Reading the prequel has whet my appetite for the first book in the series of this new to me writer. It was interesting and quirky and has left me wanting more and to find out what happens next, cannot wait to dive into book one!
November 30, 2022
What a great prequel! I love her persistent attitude. Her family sounds like they would be a hoot to hang out with. All she wants to do is buy the house at the auction but everyone and everything seems to be against her. I can't wait to read the rest of this series.
March 19, 2022
Delightful ❣️
November 12, 2025
What an entertaining and twisty read! Lizzie Fuller’s return to her hometown should’ve been simple—buy a charming old house, start fresh—but nothing about this story stays simple for long. Between shady bidders, missing people, and strange goings-on, it’s a mystery that keeps you turning pages.
It’s got that cozy-meets-chaotic energy I love—dangerous enough to keep the tension alive but still fun and full of personality. A great mix of mystery, mayhem, and cheeky family moments that make it such a satisfying read.
It’s got that cozy-meets-chaotic energy I love—dangerous enough to keep the tension alive but still fun and full of personality. A great mix of mystery, mayhem, and cheeky family moments that make it such a satisfying read.
April 13, 2025
This is the start to Westport, and it actually brings sense for book one. Like for me, for book one, I could have just read it on its own and would have been fine without the prequel. But the prequel actually makes sense of how the start of the "evil" happened. And Riley got introduced by a phone call so there had to be some tension between him and her in book one for her getting the house and not him.
April 18, 2023
Enjoyed it enough to get whole set.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews