Sometimes what’s need most is hiding in plain sight.
It’s been almost a year since Sheriff Jayne O’Shea arrived in Whispering Pines. Deciding to stay was the best decision she ever made, but the closer the anniversary gets, the gloomier she feels.
It doesn’t help that she and Tripp have been arguing. Neither does the dense fog blanketing the village. Or the group of cranky wedding planners staying at the B&B. Trying to organize an outdoor event when the weather won’t cooperate is understandably stressful, but their constant bickering is pushing everyone to the edge.
Then, as the fog grows impossibly thicker, things take a turn for the worse when a villager becomes gravely ill. The cause is a mystery, but the rumor going around is that she was hexed or cursed. Considering half the residents are witches, that isn’t surprising. While Jayne doesn't believe magic is involved, she’s positive about her suspect. Now, all she needs is proof.
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
Book 12 and Shawn keeps delivering sensational books in this series. In this one, it is Jayne’s first year anniversary of her arrival in Whispering Pines. Pine Time is hosting a Wedding Planning company. This company is having a difficult time trying to set up an outdoor wedding to take place in the Village while the area has been covered in a dense fog for days. As Sheriff, Jayne needs to make sure everyone is safe. But her jobs seem to be increasing to include tour guide, Pine Time owner and trainer of new staff. Plus, she needs to complete the set of tasks she set for herself at Samhain. Since this book takes place a year after Jayne’s arrival, I decided to reread the series. I am so envious of anyone who hasn’t read this series and will be able to read from book to book with no waiting in between them. This is a series that should be read from the beginning. The growth of the characters and village, the secrets revealed and kept and the challenges from the past make up much of the character of these stories and of the Village of Whispering Pines. I love this series. I’m excited at the arrival of each new book and cannot put it down until it is done. I highly recommend this book and this series. I received an ARC from the author but the honest opinions in this review are my own.
Will Flavia's jealousy of Reeva never abate? How long before the villagers take matters into their own hands where she is concerned?
After tragedy, success, when a wedding finally comes together as envisioned.
Morgan's due date arrives and the one little thing she, River, Briar and Jola have kept secret from the rest of the village, comes to light.
Will Jayne finally come to the realisation that, although she does need to be the one to excise Flavia from Whispering Pines so as to restore the village to the vision her grandmother had for it, that she must allow Tripp and the villagers to help her achieve this goal? Happy reading. Annemarie
I received an ARC of Blind Secrets from the author and have chosen to leave a review.
*I received a free ARC of this book with thanks to the author. The decision to review and my opinions are my own.*
This is the twelfth book in the Whispering Pines series, and I strongly advise that you read the others before this one, as we are definitely past the point of being able to easily summarise eleven whole books full of backstory and character development!
So much has happened since Jayne first arrived in the quirky village community and doggedly carved out a role (or two) for herself there.
There is a slight change of atmosphere in this book, as a fog has descended on Whispering Pines, cutting them off from the rest of the world and, to some extent, each other. Jayne too seems to have entered something of an emotional fog, mirroring her environment, as she tries to work out what her role should be since River’s huge announcement (see previous books for details!) The ever-patient Tripp also seems a little more on edge than usual… could there be more to the claustrophobic conditions than merely weather?
Fans of the series will be aware that our favourite green witch, Morgan, is nearing a pretty big life change of her own, and as well as the impending new arrival and the usual familiar faces (Sugar, Honey, Roz, Jola, etc) we see cameos from some old favourites and some brand new visitors, here to plan and celebrate a wedding. Of course, no event in Whispering Pines passes without some form of hazard to life and limb, and the wedding planners may have more than just impeded views to contend with, as the oppressive weather brings old grudges and hurt feelings bubbling to the surface.
With all this to contend with, as well as her secret pledge to ‘save the world’ by eliminating old evils from the village and restoring her grandmother’s peaceful vision, Jayne has a whole lot on her plate and it’s unsurprising that she is feeling the strain.
You’ll have to read the book yourself to find out whether she can successfully juggle her commitments and find her path through the fog before disaster strikes…!
The greatest strength of this series is the world-and-character building; I really feel like I know these people and I long to pop into Treat Me Sweetly or Hearth and Cauldron, before retreating back to Pine Time to listen to the trees across the lake.
Perfect for fans of a well-written cosy mystery with depth and longevity, or anyone who just wants to curl up with a good story, with a warm beverage and a cuddly blanket. But DO, please, read the series in order!
'Sounds like you’re getting exactly what you wanted. Why, then, are you being so contrary? That wasn’t what I wanted. I’d never thought about becoming “queen”. The trees made that shushing sound again, even though the wind wasn’t blowing. A heartbeat later, their whispers filled my head. What do you want, O’Shea?'
Under a cloak of fog, something strange is brewing...AGAIN.
Each time a new book is released, I tell myself that I will take my time reading, to soak up every ounce of mystery. The only problem is the author spins such wonderful tales, I have to plough straight through. Just as I think I know what is about to happen, she adds doubt to my theory. I must proceed…..everything waits until I get to the bottom of this dilemma.
Covid has given me extra time, and Shawn has given me a way to spend it. I admit, I am NOT a reader. I have been teased that the only thing I read either has instructions, or pictures. However, since finding Shawn McGuire’s novels, I am hooked. Such a wonderful storyteller. I am obsessed with her writings.
A village of paranormals. Mysterious pine trees whisper to Jayne, the sheriff. Jayne has to figure out who is causing all the problems and stop it before the whole village is destroyed.
Book 12 in the series winds up the first year of Jayne’s time in Whispering Pines. Almost everything she wanted to resolve is resolved except doing something about the darkness hovering over the village.
The story seems a bit disjointed to me. The theme is obvious, mostly because we keep getting slapped in the face with it. But the fog, the wedding, the sickness of a character, the impending birth are all jammed in here and unlike previous books do not seem to meld into a cohesive whole. I really don’t get the point of the whole wedding storyline, especially since it only talks about the lead up…we never get any scenes of the actual wedding and reception. No closure to the storyline or people. There was probably a metaphor in there but it didn’t work for me. If the fog is supposed to be a metaphor it isn’t used effectively in conjunction with the story arc. The sickness storyline doesn’t seem to have a point either (can’t say more without spoilers.) And I thought Jayne came to a realization before the end but then she said something that nullified it. So I’m pretty lost as to how this book moves the series.
Or perhaps I’m just an idiot and missed things I should have recognized in the storyline. And since I ended the story annoyed with Jayne (never a good thing when you are annoyed with the MC) maybe I wasn’t seeing things clearly. Plus there wasn’t enough Morgan for me…she’s actually my favorite character.
I received Blind Secrets ARC, I have read all the Whispering Pines books and enjoy them all. Blind Secrets is just as good as the first one for me. Shawn McGuire knows how to mix witchcraft with normalcy and makes it feel like true life with the coven in Whispering Pines. In Blind Secret we have all the same characters, Jayne, Tripp, Morgan, Reeva, River and many more. Plus, we have a baby on the way, a wedding going on both are causing the atmosphere in the small village to crazy. Tourist season starting in two weeks, all the towns’ people getting ready for the many tourists to show up and dealing with an accident in the middle all of this. In the mist of all that is going on in Whispering Pines the village must contend with Flavia being her own mean self. With River owning Whispering Pines, after buying from Jayne’s parents, there are those in the small village not happy with this situation, so we are faced with curses, hexes and jinxes and Jayne if facing all that with her deputy. You will have to read Blind Secrets to see how all turns out for the small village. It is best to read the series from the first book, so you can learn all the characters, plus the secret of Whispering Pines.
Jayne has been in Whispering Pines for almost a year. A lot has happened in that year. But now she and Tripp have been arguing. Can Jayne remain sheriff and help Tripp run the B & B? He's sure he can't run it by himself once tourist season starts. Jayne's parents have sold Whispering Pines. Not everyone is happy about the new owner. A thick fog has settled over the area and it seems to get thicker every day. What is causing this? Then a resident gets sick. It's thought that she has been cursed or hexed. How are they going to figure this out? A wedding is going to take place in a matter of days and the wedding planners are staying at Pine Time. The bride is giving them a hard time about everything. There will soon be a new resident. Shawn puts the hook in you in the beginning and doesn't let go until the last page. You will be turning pages quickly to find out what happens next. Very well constructed plot and very well written. You must read this! I voluntarily received a copy of this book from the author and I'm voluntarily posting a review. My opinion is entirely my own.
Never a dull moment! It was weird. The fog that rolled in covered only the Whispering Pines property. They had scouts go out and check it. It was so thick, Jayne put up roadblocks to turn people around. And there was a big wedding planned; the son of a long-time WP resident was marrying the daughter of a very over-bearing father. Their wedding planners had everything set for an outdoor wedding but the whole event was in danger of being a disaster! Their somewhat famous photographer was being difficult; the head planner was being difficult; the father of the bride was being VERY difficult. Jayne was nearly out of patience with the whole lot of them, when Reeva came down with a serious and mysterious illness. Is it something Flavia had a hand in? Not to mention “Sounds like a civil war is breaking out at Sugar and Honey’s.” having to do with the wedding cake! Then there’s the pending birth of Morgan and River’s baby! Add tension between Jayne and Tripp… well, you’ll have to read it yourself and help sort it all out! And you wonder why/how Shawn McGuire has kept my interest up through #12 in a series?
Blind Secrets is the twelfth 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…
It's the middle of May. Jayne has been in Whispering Pines almost a year, there is a big wedding in a week and it's almost the start of tourist season. She is busier than ever trying to do everything herself and this is causing friction with Tripp. On top of that there is an unseasonable heavy dense fog settled over Whispering Pines like a "scratchy wool blanket". With Shawn's description I could see and feel this heavy blanket of fog settling on me and adding eeriness and a sense of doom to Whispering Pines. After the fires in the last book, what more can happen? You'll have to read the book to find out. We learn more about Whispering Pines, Jayne and Tripp and the villagers. We are introduced to new characters, some immediately likeable and some not. As usual the ending provides a twist. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thank the author for allowing me to read it. I have grown quite fond of Whispering Pines.
The story just keeps getting more and more gripping with each book in the series.
Her gift of telling captivating, satisfying stories has made Shawn my favorite author.
Like other books in the series, this book too was brilliant on so many levels- an enchanting story, relatable yet flawless characters, easy writing style and, oh so many surprises, make it a gratifying read. I felt helplessly torn between reading the book all in one go and wanting to take it slow to savor the story.
I am already impatient for the next one because, I need answers!!
Highly recommend this book and the series, that is, if you haven’t already read it (which I highly doubt).
And, like me if you have, guess it’s time to re-read all the books, with this amazing new one added to the collection!!
1000 stars to the book and this series.. Whispering Pines rock!!!
Excellent next book in this series! In each book we learn more about the characters and the village. There is a unexplainable fog surrounding Whispering Pines that will not let up. It seems to reflect the mood of the village. Jayne has more on her hands than she can handle. A new owner of the village that many of villagers are not happy about, a wedding complete with a Bridezilla that is upsetting many folks, trying to find out why a villager is sick to the point of being hospitalized, training her sister to help at the inn, and maintaining a relationship with Tripp. All of this gives Jayne some doubts about herself. Good mystery, lots of interesting tension and a really good ending leaving us ready for the next book. I received an ARC and voluntarily provided this review.
It’s no surprise that this book gets another five star review from me! It’s been a year since Jayne came to Whispering Pines. She is still loving the many hats she wears, from being the Sheriff to being a proprietress of Pine Time. Now things have changed slightly, and she’s feeling a bit unsettled. Dividing time is hard to do, and working on a relationship is hard as well. With a new mystery to solve, plus a group of wedding party workers, will Jayne figure out how to be both the Sheriff and run the business? Shawn McGuire knocked this one out of the park, yet again. If Whispering Pines was real, I’d visit in a heartbeat!
Absolutely as intriguing and exciting as the rest of the series! If you haven't read the other books in the series, you really need to do so in order to fully appreciate the depth of these characters. I love Whispering Pines so much and wish it was a real place! I see it so clearly in my mind, and it feels real from all the detail given in the series. Somehow you are not inundated with it, and it never bogs the story down; it's simply woven in so craftily that the place becomes real to the reader as each strand of the story is carefully painted in your mind. I just finished this book recently and wanna go back for more!!
Has it been a year already since Jayne O’Shea arrived in Whispering Pines to take care of her grandmother’s house and ended up staying? So much has happened during that time — deciding to stay in Whispering Pines to get her life organized and help the villagers solve a murder of one of their own; acquiring a boyfriend; opening a B & B together; mending fences with her mom, dad and sister; and so much more, including more murders. Now, one of the important coven members is seriously ill. Morgan’s baby is due. Another death. And something is seriously bothering Sheriff Jayne.
Jayne and Tripp are having a loose connection with each other. Morgan is about to give birth. Flavia is causing more mischief and hardship. There's a wedding about to take place; the whole wedding planner team is at Pine Time, and the head photographer is not a very nice person. Then there's the fog that would make John Carpenter jealous!
Can't go into too much detail of the main focus of this novel without spoiling it. True fans though will find themselves, like myself, going through a gambit of emotions.
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2021 This was another great book in the series. The day to day real issues are explored with a twist and surprises along the way. I love the many different characters and there interactions. The Village is such a peaceful and pleasant community it is a very pleasant read even with the mysteries and problems that come up. I highly recommend this series and this Author
It’s hard to believe BURIED SECRETS is book 12 in the Whispering Pines Mystery Series. Shawn McGuire still pulls me into this magical village of quirky witches with her endless imaginative developments for Sheriff Jayne. This story has the B&B in all sorts of chaos with wedding planners, including the death of one. Jayne also has mysterious hexes or curses that need solving among the villagers. On top of all that, there’s trouble in paradise with love interest, Tripp. Escape with another outstanding story in Whispering Pines.
This was another fun installment in this book series. There is never a dull moment, nor a dull character, in Whispering Pines.
There are a lot of interesting characters, therefore it may be more enjoyable to read this series in order as it seems each book builds upon the previous book. That being said, the entire series is an exciting adventure that you do not want to miss!
If you are looking for a fun get away to somewhere "exotic", I highly recommend Whispering Pines!
I love this series but this one seemed to short especially for the price. Trip seemed like he was unhappy a d a bit of a baby which was surprising as I've liked his character and how he supports Jayne. Why does she have to decide between Trip, the B&B and being sheriff? She's a young modern woman and can do it all with help and support. I was a bit disappointed in the characters this time around but will continue to read every installment.
This series has been, by far, THE best escape and conduit to a place we would all like to be a part of! The characters and their lives are written with so much care and easy to relate to....people we would want to know. And now we habe BABIES!!! I can't wait to see how the village lives continue to unfold. Shawn, we love you!
Blind Secrets is full of surprises and questions and decisions!
MS. McGuire has done it again ! Her writing is smart and full of heart and surprises. This story continues the wonderful tale of Whispering Pines . The characters are well developed and likeable and believable. This might be my favorite one ! But the entire series is great.
Jayne and Tripp is comming up on their 1st anniversary of the Inn but first full tourist season and things are rough, moods are not great and a wedding has been most of the tough times with a photographer being rude. Jayne is worried on how to accomplice her last thing on the list.
Wedding blues in a fog only a solid fog that could be in Whispering Pines. A wedding to make or break Simple plush a wedding planner and a crew of professionals including an award winning photographer. When he winds up dead and Morgan about to give birth what could go wrong in a fog covered village? Is Favre at it again?
Jayne is caught in the fog in the pines and in the fog of conflict in her own mind this time. It was refreshing how Shawn had Jayne dealing with some angst. Love the addition to the Village.
I love the fog aspect of the story as it felt like another character but as always I love the villagers. Shawn's stories while full of conflict and intrigue always leave the reader feeling satisfied and hopeful for Jayne.
Love this series and Whispering Pines and all the great characters! Lots of excitement, the one year anniversary of Jayne's arrival, a wedding , and Morgan's baby due date! Extremely cohesive, involved plot with only one major issue unresolved --------- Flavia!