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Lily & Cassie by the Sea Mysteries #1
Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore
A new town.
A haunting legend.
New beginnings or the beginning of the end?
After Cassie MacGuire’s husband dies in a plane crash along with her father, both her and her mother, Lily Bennett, are left as widows. Looking to make a new start, they move together to the quiet seaside town of Hideaway Bay. But their new home, Whispering Manor, has a reputation stretching back centuries. Legends of ghosts, paranormal disturbances and pirate treasure are all associated with the former sea captain’s mansion, starting with the death of its first mistress, Henrietta Blanchard.
When Cassie stumbles upon Henrietta’s journal and Lily uncovers a more recent tragedy in the home, they begin to wonder if the stories may be fact instead of fiction. When the strange occurrences turn dangerous, Lily and Cassie will have to investigate to save their home and possibly even their very lives!
Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore is the charming first installment in this small, seaside town mother-daughter cozy mystery series by Nellie H. Steele
A haunting legend.
New beginnings or the beginning of the end?
After Cassie MacGuire’s husband dies in a plane crash along with her father, both her and her mother, Lily Bennett, are left as widows. Looking to make a new start, they move together to the quiet seaside town of Hideaway Bay. But their new home, Whispering Manor, has a reputation stretching back centuries. Legends of ghosts, paranormal disturbances and pirate treasure are all associated with the former sea captain’s mansion, starting with the death of its first mistress, Henrietta Blanchard.
When Cassie stumbles upon Henrietta’s journal and Lily uncovers a more recent tragedy in the home, they begin to wonder if the stories may be fact instead of fiction. When the strange occurrences turn dangerous, Lily and Cassie will have to investigate to save their home and possibly even their very lives!
Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore is the charming first installment in this small, seaside town mother-daughter cozy mystery series by Nellie H. Steele
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 5, 2022
1270 people are currently reading
887 people want to read
About the author
Nellie H. Steele
110 books495 followersNellie H. Steele lives in the South Hills of Pittsburgh with her family and her many fur-babies. When she isn't writing, she enjoys teaching Statistics at a local university or watching her dogs and cats play in the yard.
Nellie is the author of the Cate Kensie Mystery Series, a cozy mystery series following the adventures of Dr. Catherine Kensie, a history professor turned Scottish Countess, and her beloved dog, Riley, as they navigate their new lives in their quirky Scottish highlands castle, solving mysteries along the way! She is the creator of the Shadow Slayers series, a suspenseful series with a supernatural twist! Follow the Shadow Slayers through time as they fight to banish darkness from the world. Nellie also writes an adventure series, Maggie Edwards Adventures. Follow Maggie Edwards as she travels the world solving mysteries and finding unique treasures!
Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news about book releases or like us on facebook (facebook.com/anovelideapublishing) to keep up with us!
Nellie is the author of the Cate Kensie Mystery Series, a cozy mystery series following the adventures of Dr. Catherine Kensie, a history professor turned Scottish Countess, and her beloved dog, Riley, as they navigate their new lives in their quirky Scottish highlands castle, solving mysteries along the way! She is the creator of the Shadow Slayers series, a suspenseful series with a supernatural twist! Follow the Shadow Slayers through time as they fight to banish darkness from the world. Nellie also writes an adventure series, Maggie Edwards Adventures. Follow Maggie Edwards as she travels the world solving mysteries and finding unique treasures!
Check out all Nellie offers at www.anovelideapublishing.com/novels, sign up for our newsletter to get the latest news about book releases or like us on facebook (facebook.com/anovelideapublishing) to keep up with us!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
June 19, 2023
Ghosts, Lore & A House by the Shore
By Nellie H. Steele
This was a pleasant cozy mystery about a mother and daughter that both had recently became widows. They sold their homes and bought a house by the sea and started a business together. The house they bought has a reputation of being haunted.
They didn't try to solve the mystery themselves which was refreshing. They also didn't go crazy over thoughts of a ghost.
By Nellie H. Steele
This was a pleasant cozy mystery about a mother and daughter that both had recently became widows. They sold their homes and bought a house by the sea and started a business together. The house they bought has a reputation of being haunted.
They didn't try to solve the mystery themselves which was refreshing. They also didn't go crazy over thoughts of a ghost.
April 18, 2022
3.4 stars
May 5, 2023
Whimsical, fun and a great summer read as two women, starting life anew after great loss, move to a small coastal town, where their new (but old) home provides a challenge to unravel. Well crafted read, but just a bit too much of falling asleep as clues are about to be revealed. Recommend. Good job by author Nellie H. Steele. I just downloaded the second book in the series.
April 8, 2022
*I received a free copy of this book which I voluntarily chose to write an honest review for.
This is a wonderful start to a new cozy series. We meet Cassie and Lily a daughter mother duo who are looking to start fresh new somewhere else after they lose both of the husbands in a plane crash. Hideaway Bay seems perfect with its small town atmosphere, historic homes, and seaside fun. They even find a gorgeous house for them to live in but what they don't know is that the house has a history that comes along with it. This means they could or could not be haunted. This leads to them attempting to find out making for quite the fun read as it all plays out. A great choice for fans of the genre or even someone just wanting to give a cozy a chance. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
This is a wonderful start to a new cozy series. We meet Cassie and Lily a daughter mother duo who are looking to start fresh new somewhere else after they lose both of the husbands in a plane crash. Hideaway Bay seems perfect with its small town atmosphere, historic homes, and seaside fun. They even find a gorgeous house for them to live in but what they don't know is that the house has a history that comes along with it. This means they could or could not be haunted. This leads to them attempting to find out making for quite the fun read as it all plays out. A great choice for fans of the genre or even someone just wanting to give a cozy a chance. I really liked it so I give it 4/5 stars.
April 5, 2022
Ghosts, Lore and a House by the Shore by Nellie H. Steele is the debut of Lily & Cassie By the Sea Mysteries. I enjoyed reading this engaging cozy mystery. I like the author’s writing style (casual). I was immediately drawn into the story. We meet Lily and Cassie who are mother and daughter. They have just lost their husbands in a plane crash. They decide a fresh start is in order. They buy a beautiful Queen Anne Victorian called Whispering Manor in Hideaway Bay which they soon learn has a reputation for being haunted. It is a good thing that neither lady believes in ghosts. While cleaning the house, they find the diary of the original mistress of the home, Henrietta Blanchard. Lily begins reading the book to learn more about the original owner. Cassie learns that a tragedy occurred in Whispering Manor almost thirty years ago. She wants to know more about the tragedy and begins digging for information. Someone is not happy to learn about their inquiries and attempts to warn them off. There are also some strange events happening at the house. Cassie and Lily are determined to uncover the truth. Are there ghosts in Whispering Manor or is someone trying to run the ladies out of their new home? I liked getting to know Lily and Cassie. They are lovely ladies who suffered a terrible tragedy. They have a close relationship which I liked. They drew strength from each other. I loved the descriptions of Whispering Manor (I want this house). I can understand why Lily and Cassie were drawn to the home and the town. Hideaway Bay is a friendly town (with one or two exceptions). People go out of their way to welcome the ladies to the town. Of course, they are all curious to see inside the house and hear about any unusual activity. The mystery was fun. I enjoyed following it. I could not wait to see how it would all turn out. I gathered clues and waited to see if my hunch was correct. I liked learning about the history of the house and the inclusion of the diary entries. I loved Willy, the one-eyed tuxedo cat that the ladies (mostly Cassie) acquired. He is a cute and clever kitty. I like the cozy moments in the story between mother and daughter. I enjoyed the humor in the story as well. I was sorry to reach the end of Ghosts, Lore and a House by the Shore. I am looking forward to Cassie and Lily’s next adventure. Ghosts, Lore and a House by the Shore is a delightful tale with a haunted house, a clever cat, a seaside souvenir shop, frightening threats, whispering winds, and a startling surprise.
April 22, 2022
I don’t theologically believe in ghosts, but I’m a sucker for good ghost story – particularly if it’s within the Scooby-Doo playbook of ghosts. (If you know, you know.) I also love cozy mysteries, so when you combine the two I’m there for it. Such is the case with Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore by Nellie H. Steele, the first book in a new series featuring the newly widowed mother-daughter team of Lily & Cassie.
The beginning of this book was a bit difficult to follow, at least for me, because the narrative switches back and forth between present day and flashbacks without much transition. As a result, my reading flow was disrupted more than once as I tried to figure out where I was in the story. But once Cassie & Lily take up residence in their new home in the quaint seaside town of Hideaway Bay, I was able to follow the narrative with no further problems and enjoyed the cast of supporting characters we meet as well.
Poor Cassie & Lily – they just want a fresh start after losing their husbands in the same tragedy (which means Cassie lost her father and her husband in one fell swoop). Unfortunately, their new coastal home comes with its own tragedies – not to mention pirates, secret treasure, and ghosts, if local legends can be believed. I loved trying to figure out all the various threads – and how/if they were connected – along with Cassie & Lily. And while there were a couple of moments when I was yelling the answers at them through the pages, they were pretty smart & savvy amateur sleuths.
Bottom Line: Pirates! Ghosts! Hidden treasure? Missing people! Murder? Small Town! Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore has it all, along with a mother-daughter team that readers will love. The author’s writing voice is warm & engaging, and you’ll feel at home with the town & the characters – but it’s Willie the one-eyed cat who steals the show! While it took me a bit to wade through the flashbacks at the beginning, I’m glad I did because the rest of the story kept me turning the pages to figure out how it would all come together. And now, of course, I’m eager for book two – and curious if Whispering Manor has any more secrets to unearth!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
The beginning of this book was a bit difficult to follow, at least for me, because the narrative switches back and forth between present day and flashbacks without much transition. As a result, my reading flow was disrupted more than once as I tried to figure out where I was in the story. But once Cassie & Lily take up residence in their new home in the quaint seaside town of Hideaway Bay, I was able to follow the narrative with no further problems and enjoyed the cast of supporting characters we meet as well.
Poor Cassie & Lily – they just want a fresh start after losing their husbands in the same tragedy (which means Cassie lost her father and her husband in one fell swoop). Unfortunately, their new coastal home comes with its own tragedies – not to mention pirates, secret treasure, and ghosts, if local legends can be believed. I loved trying to figure out all the various threads – and how/if they were connected – along with Cassie & Lily. And while there were a couple of moments when I was yelling the answers at them through the pages, they were pretty smart & savvy amateur sleuths.
Bottom Line: Pirates! Ghosts! Hidden treasure? Missing people! Murder? Small Town! Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore has it all, along with a mother-daughter team that readers will love. The author’s writing voice is warm & engaging, and you’ll feel at home with the town & the characters – but it’s Willie the one-eyed cat who steals the show! While it took me a bit to wade through the flashbacks at the beginning, I’m glad I did because the rest of the story kept me turning the pages to figure out how it would all come together. And now, of course, I’m eager for book two – and curious if Whispering Manor has any more secrets to unearth!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
December 29, 2024
Entertaining haunting listening 🎶🔰
This kindle e-book novel is from Kindle Unlimited account book one of five.
I picked this series because it is set on the coast of Maine where we went to 👍 get the great seafood.
Cassie and Lily move to the Maine coast after their husbands died in a plane crash. They buy a house and open a business. They find a one eyed cat 🐱 in the house.There are strange noises at night 🌙 in the house. The truth comes out leading to an arrest and discovery of pirate treasure.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers romantic family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒🐈🎊
This kindle e-book novel is from Kindle Unlimited account book one of five.
I picked this series because it is set on the coast of Maine where we went to 👍 get the great seafood.
Cassie and Lily move to the Maine coast after their husbands died in a plane crash. They buy a house and open a business. They find a one eyed cat 🐱 in the house.There are strange noises at night 🌙 in the house. The truth comes out leading to an arrest and discovery of pirate treasure.
I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers romantic family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒🐈🎊
April 11, 2022
A tragic plane crash turns Cassie MacGuire and her mother Lily Bennett’s lives upside down. Cassie’s husband and her father are killed. Now she and her mother are widows and desperately trying to start new lives. They decide to move to Hideaway Bay and share a home. They buy Whispering Manor, an old home supposedly haunted with the ghost of Henrietta Blanchard. The first owner of the mansion.
Through Henrietta’s journals, they discover what happened to her years ago as well as what happened to another young woman more recently.
This is the first book in a new mother/daughter cozy mystery series. There were so many gothic overtones in this book complete with ghosts and an old vintage house.
I enjoyed Cassie and Lily’s personal investigation into this mystery. Even with strange happenings and warnings being thrown their way, they still persevere and even manage to open their own gift shop. While they do fit into the small town, they can’t help but be suspicious of everyone around them. Someone is delivering these threats to them and it must be one of the townspeople.
There are several possibilities of what’s going on and reading it through Cassie and Lily’s eyes made for a captivating story. I was completely engrossed until the very end. This is an excellent start to a new series with endearing characters. I look forward to my next visit to Hideaway Bay.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Through Henrietta’s journals, they discover what happened to her years ago as well as what happened to another young woman more recently.
This is the first book in a new mother/daughter cozy mystery series. There were so many gothic overtones in this book complete with ghosts and an old vintage house.
I enjoyed Cassie and Lily’s personal investigation into this mystery. Even with strange happenings and warnings being thrown their way, they still persevere and even manage to open their own gift shop. While they do fit into the small town, they can’t help but be suspicious of everyone around them. Someone is delivering these threats to them and it must be one of the townspeople.
There are several possibilities of what’s going on and reading it through Cassie and Lily’s eyes made for a captivating story. I was completely engrossed until the very end. This is an excellent start to a new series with endearing characters. I look forward to my next visit to Hideaway Bay.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
July 9, 2022
Really a good book I couldn't put it down !!!
February 21, 2023
Treasure Hunt by the Sea
Cassie and Lily buy a Victorian mansion near the sea and inherit a treasure map as well! Will they find the treasure before a killer?
Cassie and Lily buy a Victorian mansion near the sea and inherit a treasure map as well! Will they find the treasure before a killer?
June 30, 2023
Good story
I enjoyed this book very much. The mystery is very interesting and the characters are believable. I am not giving away any spoilers so I will say this book is a good read.
I enjoyed this book very much. The mystery is very interesting and the characters are believable. I am not giving away any spoilers so I will say this book is a good read.
March 18, 2024
great read
Loved this book from cover to cover. Great characters.couldn't put down... This is a fantastic book, it pulls you right I to the book.
Loved this book from cover to cover. Great characters.couldn't put down... This is a fantastic book, it pulls you right I to the book.
April 5, 2022
GHOSTS, LORE & A HOUSE BY THE SHORE by Nellie H. Steele
The First Lily & Callie By the Sea Mystery
A tragic accident left both Lily Bennett and Cassandra Bennett-McGuire widows. Mother and daughter, unable to face homes filled with memories, decide to make a fresh start. Choosing the small town of Hideaway Bay, the pair buy an estate on the edge of town, and rent a storefront in town for their dream gift shop-Buy the Sea. They soon discover that their home has a tragic history and is supposedly haunted by more than one ghost. A ship captain lost at sea, his grieving widow jumped to her death from the widow's walk and centuries later a young girl disappears and her parents die in an apparent murder/suicide. No wonder townsfolk shudder at the mention of the house. Lily and Cassie are captivated when they find the widow's journal and discover the missing girl was researching the captain's alleged treasure. Soon odd sounds and vandalism start plaguing the pair. Someone isn't happy that they're looking into the past. But is it a ghost? Or a more worldly tormentor?
GHOSTS, LORE & A HOUSE BY THE SHORE is a unique mystery in that it has two protagonists, a mother and daughter. Written in the third person the book switches points of view, which the author handles deftly. Instead of being confusing, wondering who was thinking what, it was always clear if it is the slightly more cynical Lily versus her daughter Cassie. Both are competent women who I would like to call friends. I absolutely adore Whispering Manor and detailed descriptions make me want to live there. The multiple mysteries were ingenious, although I did figure out the modern day villain before our intrepid mother/daughter team. I figured out a few key things before they did, but, though I yelled at them, it didn't stop my enjoyment of the story. I was enthralled by Henrietta's tale and can't believe Lily stopped reading the journal at those climactic bits.
A glorious manor with mysteries spread across the ages GHOSTS, LORE & A HOUSE BY THE SHORE is a wonderful start to a new series.
The First Lily & Callie By the Sea Mystery
A tragic accident left both Lily Bennett and Cassandra Bennett-McGuire widows. Mother and daughter, unable to face homes filled with memories, decide to make a fresh start. Choosing the small town of Hideaway Bay, the pair buy an estate on the edge of town, and rent a storefront in town for their dream gift shop-Buy the Sea. They soon discover that their home has a tragic history and is supposedly haunted by more than one ghost. A ship captain lost at sea, his grieving widow jumped to her death from the widow's walk and centuries later a young girl disappears and her parents die in an apparent murder/suicide. No wonder townsfolk shudder at the mention of the house. Lily and Cassie are captivated when they find the widow's journal and discover the missing girl was researching the captain's alleged treasure. Soon odd sounds and vandalism start plaguing the pair. Someone isn't happy that they're looking into the past. But is it a ghost? Or a more worldly tormentor?
GHOSTS, LORE & A HOUSE BY THE SHORE is a unique mystery in that it has two protagonists, a mother and daughter. Written in the third person the book switches points of view, which the author handles deftly. Instead of being confusing, wondering who was thinking what, it was always clear if it is the slightly more cynical Lily versus her daughter Cassie. Both are competent women who I would like to call friends. I absolutely adore Whispering Manor and detailed descriptions make me want to live there. The multiple mysteries were ingenious, although I did figure out the modern day villain before our intrepid mother/daughter team. I figured out a few key things before they did, but, though I yelled at them, it didn't stop my enjoyment of the story. I was enthralled by Henrietta's tale and can't believe Lily stopped reading the journal at those climactic bits.
A glorious manor with mysteries spread across the ages GHOSTS, LORE & A HOUSE BY THE SHORE is a wonderful start to a new series.
May 23, 2022
A wonderful new cozy mystery that makes you want more! The characters are well written and could be your friends. When Cassie and her mother Lily face a horrific tragedy, (both their husbands were killed in a plane crash) they decide to move to Hideaway Bay and start new lives together. They decide to open a small gift shop and buy Whispering Manor a large victorian style home that has the reputation of being haunted by the former owner's wife Henrietta Blanchard, a ghost seemingly attached to the house. Plus a pirate's treasure is said to be buried on the grounds. What a history this house seems to have as told to them by the townspeople. When they were cleaning the house, they find a journal written by the former owner, Henrietta which gives Lily and Cassie some insight into the history and events of the house. But it is Lily and Cassie who decide to get to the bottom of the hauntings since they believe that the strange things happening are not ghost related. What a wonderful read and of course I love the cat, Willy who finds the ladies and attaches himself to them. This is a great first book in the series that makes you want to read more. The protagonists are wonderful and real and you will like them too. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
May 27, 2022
I really enjoyed this story. There were multiple plots, including a cold case and treasure hunt, all reaching a satisfying conclusion (though once the villain entered the scene it was pretty obvious). The two main characters play off each other well and there is an excellent group of supporting characters, including one-eyed Willy. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
Is it only me but does the opening plane crash seem suspicious?
Is it only me but does the opening plane crash seem suspicious?
May 18, 2022
Another excellent read!
This book has it all... emotion, mystery, love, loss, fun, lore, ghosts, excitement and community. Can not wait for the next installment of, hopefully, another Steele series!
This book has it all... emotion, mystery, love, loss, fun, lore, ghosts, excitement and community. Can not wait for the next installment of, hopefully, another Steele series!
May 19, 2022
Awesomd
Good clean read. It was written well and kept me excited to go back to reading. Will read the next book also.
Good clean read. It was written well and kept me excited to go back to reading. Will read the next book also.
July 31, 2023
3.5 stars. I liked the story and wanted to finish it, but found their lack of awareness and not getting some connections sooner a bit aggravating.
July 16, 2024
Reads like an episode of Scooby-Doo
October 27, 2024
This is the first book in a long time that I DNFed. Even the promise of knowing the “mystery” couldn’t compel me to continue on with the generic characters, stilted dialogue and randomly placed descriptor. Cats are always a plus, but the one in this book is inexplicably named One-eyed Willy. Excuse me? I added a star for the interesting historical mystery.
December 23, 2022
This book was so good I liked the whole setting. Mother daughter duos husbands die in a plane crash so the mothers husband had money left over to own a house on the shore in this quaint little town where they inherit after. The house is set with a bunch of mysteries, secret rooms, and there is a legend in the small town the owners prior to who lived there the girl mysteriously disappeared there is a treasure she was trying to find and the daughter who now moved to the house with her mother finds a old diary that was used prior to the first owner she wrote what had happened to her and what she was searching.
There is a tale that everyone in town tells her that there was a woman who use to live there and she committed suicide on a cliff on widows walk while waiting for her husband who was a captain at sea that his ship disappeared.
So this story was fantastic I loved seeing what happened to the girl that disappeared so many years ago, and the local legend about a ghost haunting the girls house.
This author is making a sequel to this book I recently preordered.
There is a tale that everyone in town tells her that there was a woman who use to live there and she committed suicide on a cliff on widows walk while waiting for her husband who was a captain at sea that his ship disappeared.
So this story was fantastic I loved seeing what happened to the girl that disappeared so many years ago, and the local legend about a ghost haunting the girls house.
This author is making a sequel to this book I recently preordered.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2023
I loved this book!! I'm starting the next one. 😊
September 21, 2023
wonderful mystery!
I loved this book! It was a great mystery with a bit of spookiness! I loved the mother/daughter relationship and especially Willy! Can’t wait to read the second book.
I loved this book! It was a great mystery with a bit of spookiness! I loved the mother/daughter relationship and especially Willy! Can’t wait to read the second book.
December 30, 2022
Who killed Susan Davies and her parents and why??? It’s a good thing Willy was there to help, wasn’t it??? I enjoyed this story and recommend the book.
February 27, 2023
Snuggle up with your favorite snacks and drink and enjoy this entertaining read!
Love reading everything by Nellie Steele so far! This book definitely didn’t disappoint! It is about a mother daughter duo who lose their husbands in a devastating plane crash. They decide to start over in a new place and purchase a new home together. After moving in, they find out it’s a very famous house in the new town and appears in numerous paranormal ghost stories by various townspeople.
Filled with a mystery that needs to be solved, treasure and maybe even ghosts… how could you NOT want to read this!! Loved it and will continue to purchase more by the author.
Love reading everything by Nellie Steele so far! This book definitely didn’t disappoint! It is about a mother daughter duo who lose their husbands in a devastating plane crash. They decide to start over in a new place and purchase a new home together. After moving in, they find out it’s a very famous house in the new town and appears in numerous paranormal ghost stories by various townspeople.
Filled with a mystery that needs to be solved, treasure and maybe even ghosts… how could you NOT want to read this!! Loved it and will continue to purchase more by the author.
April 3, 2022
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest, unbiased review. This is the first book in what will hopefully be a long series. The book was well-written with wonderful characters. I loved the relationship between mother and daughter, Lily and Cassie. I truly enjoyed this book which was an engaging read and a relatively lighthearted cozy. I was drawn into this story and kept hooked from beginning to end. I really liked that the history of the house was brought into the story and that a mystery connected the original mistress of the house with more recent residents. The various mysteries will definitely keep you on your toes and guessing throughout. I'm very eager for more from this series and highly recommend this book.
July 12, 2022
So much suspense!
I was totally on the edge of my seat through the whole book! Ghostly rumors about the new house, deaths and disappearances, also related to the house, brake ins, and thefts…just so much! I couldn’t put it down!
I was totally on the edge of my seat through the whole book! Ghostly rumors about the new house, deaths and disappearances, also related to the house, brake ins, and thefts…just so much! I couldn’t put it down!
January 2, 2024
Good story
A treasure hunt and murder mixed in creating a journey Lily snd Cassie hadn't expected after their loss of husbands. I just can't understand why the shoes were in the library when I learned where she died. As an author myself, this is a loose end.
A treasure hunt and murder mixed in creating a journey Lily snd Cassie hadn't expected after their loss of husbands. I just can't understand why the shoes were in the library when I learned where she died. As an author myself, this is a loose end.
April 15, 2022
After a mother and daughter tragically lose their husband in a plane crash, Lily (the mother) and Cassie (the daughter) decide to pull their resources, pack up their belongings and begin a new life as shopowners in the small town of Hideaway Bay. The two women purchase Whispering Manor, a large vintage, old house built centuries ago by a sea captain and his new wife as their new home in Hideaway Bay, only to learn after the sale that the property is haunted. Lily and Cassie also buy a small gift shop, naming it Buy the Sea where they meet the local townspeople and begin to hear all the haunting tales associated with their new house. They are told that the sea captain is lost at sea and his wife could not accept the fact that he was dead. The wife waited, walking the home's Widow's Walk nightly, until finally realizing he was not returning and she threw herself off the roof. Stories of tragedy and death seemed a part of Whispering Manor, as well as a lot of interest in a lost pirate treasure, claimed hidden on the property. Strange and mysterious events soon begin to occur at Whispering Manor and Lily and Cassie are determined to find the truth behind the hauntings.
I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery and following Lily and Cassie on their adventure. Nellie H Steele did a great job of formulating a plot that held my interest and flowed well. The characters were well developed and the world-building was remarkable. I especially enjoyed the relationship between the mother and daughter that was presented and carried throughout the book. The introduction of a pirate subject matter was a diverting issue that added additional suspense and intrigue. I can highly recommend this book to any adventurous, cozy mystery readers
I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery and following Lily and Cassie on their adventure. Nellie H Steele did a great job of formulating a plot that held my interest and flowed well. The characters were well developed and the world-building was remarkable. I especially enjoyed the relationship between the mother and daughter that was presented and carried throughout the book. The introduction of a pirate subject matter was a diverting issue that added additional suspense and intrigue. I can highly recommend this book to any adventurous, cozy mystery readers
April 4, 2022
I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and unbiased opinion. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story. Nellie Steele does a nice job with the world building by branching out into the town and its various shops. There is a strength in the relationship between mother and daughter that continues to grow from the outset, and Steele provides nice depth to the story when she brings in people from the town to add details to the ever growing "ghost" story. I also really enjoyed how much the house is as much a character in the book as any human, as all the history revealed and quirks discovered by Lily and Cassie really bring the house to life. Additionally, Steele provides enough red herrings to keep the reader's interest all the way through to the end, when all is finally revealed.
Overall this first in a series story was an easy, quick paced read for anyone from tween to adult to enjoy.
Overall this first in a series story was an easy, quick paced read for anyone from tween to adult to enjoy.
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