Love’s a Mystery in Sleepy Hollow, NY

Love's A Mystery In

by Gabrielle Meyer, Ruth Logan Herne

Enjoy two sparkling old-fashioned romances in one book – set hundreds of years apart – and woven together with suspenseful mystery in a small-town with a peculiar name.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Christian Fiction, Autumn, Romance

284 pages, Hardcover

About the author

Gabrielle Meyer grew up above a carriage house on a historic estate near the banks of the Mississippi River, imagining real and make-believe stories about the occupants who had lived there. She went on to work for the Minnesota Historical Society and loves writing fiction inspired by real people, places, and events. She currently resides in central Minnesota on the banks of the Mississippi River, not far from where she grew up, with her husband and four children. By day, she’s a busy homeschool mom, and by night she pens fiction and non-fiction filled with hope. Learn more about Gabrielle and her writing by visiting www.gabriellemeyer.com.

Reviews

[Olde American Spirit (Shannon)]

Charming, charming, charming. I especially liked the first of two novellas that was historical - and quite the fun Icabod story! So fun

[Johnnie Alexander]

Absolutely enjoyed this first book in Guideposts latest series. It includes both a contemporary and a historical novella--two stories in one!--written by two talented authors. Plus the covers of all the books in the series I've seen so far are very well done.

Though all I know about the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow is that he belongs to the legendary lore of upstate New York, I've never read Washington Irving's original story. But I knew enough to delight in how these authors used that story as inspiration for their own.

Full disclosure ~ I'm writing the historical novellas for two books in this series which is how I was introduced to this one. (That doesn't affect my review--I've never read books by these two authors before but I will seek them out now.)

[Melmo2610]

Really enjoyed this duo of stories by two of my favorites! Gabrielle's historical mystery was super. The mystery was great and the way it was resolved was perfect! This one was very well done. Ruthy's story was also very enjoyable, as her stories always are for me. I liked the premise of it, and I really wish the Soup Shop was real. It sounds lovely! A great fall collection of mysteries!

[readcleancatmomtanya]

I was pleasantly surprised! This book was so enjoyable. I liked both of the stories. Both were interesting. Sleepy Hollow sounds like an interesting place to visit one day. So much history there. Highly recommend. I'll be reading more of these guideposts stories in the future.

[SquishyMochi]

Super cute. preferred the first novella then the second. great if you're looking for a fall read

[DeniseMarie]

Interesting. This is a different set up with two stories, one in the past, and one the the present. Both were good. Will see how well they keep this up throughout the series.

[Victoria (hotcocoaandbooks)]

I was very glad to read a book set in Sleepy Hollow, NY, a place I love to visit, as I don't live too far from it! There are really great historical things there. I loved hearing the places and things brought up that I have seen or been to.

This book has two stories that have a bit of a mystery attached to them. The first one is historical fiction and the second one is contemporary.

In story one, this is about the family from the Legend of Sleepy Hollow story, but about 25 years or more later. Now the couple has a daughter who is of marrying age, but she is getting a bit "old" for marriage. Her father does want to pass their land down to her if she marries. A schoolteacher is coming to stay with them for a bit. The parents of each of these people had made arrangements that they possibly would become a couple if things went well. When they meet, they do enjoy getting to know one another and are attracted to each other. A man arrives who states he is the brother of Ichabod Crane. He makes a claim to try to get back at the family because the book has ruined the Cranes. The mystery is that this new couple set out to find answers.

content: a book that belonged to Ichabod Crane has "witchcraft" in the title. There are lies and deceit with some manipulation involved.

In story two, a woman comes home to help her grandmother out with her soup shop in Sleepy Hollow. She ends up seeing her longtime crush that she had in her youth, who had dated her sister (awkward). When her Gran had put together money to raise for some charities to help animals, someone scammed her and took most all of the money. The mystery is to find out clues of who took the money and why. Romance blossoms in the process.

content: arson, deceit, stealing, people trying to get back at others

Overall thoughts:
These stories were very sweet. I loved the historical fiction one better. The plot was better and it was put together well. I liked the rainy scene. I felt like it was autumn and it also made me hungry with the food brought up. It was really adorable. I have read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in the past, and while it is not a favorite of mine, I do enjoy the folklore of it. It was fun. I liked the love story a lot.
With the second story, it made me wish there was a soup place in Sleepy Hollow to eat at. There isn't, unfortunately, but I'd eat there if there was! Sometimes this story seemed all over the place with all these people hiding around and being sneaky. It turned out to have a nice ending. The love story was cute too.

[Amber]

There are two stories in this book that are set in two time periods, and both related to the families/characters from The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

The first story was cute. It was written as a sequel to the original Legend of Sleepy Hollow, following the 24 year old daughter of Katrina and Brom, and someone who comes back to accuse Brom of murdering Ichabod years after his disappearance. Cute, and quick, romance added to the story as they solve the mystery.

The second story was set in a current time period and was a mystery surrounding a fake charity taking money from the grandmother of the main character, who is a descendant of with Van Brunt/Van Tassel/Webb families. They share their recipes in a soup shop and solve a mystery of stolen charity funds from a fake online pet charity. This story was rather mediocre and I lost interest pretty quickly. It even turned the lack of parking in Sleepy Hollow into part of the conflict lol! A positive is that it does feel like you’re in the town of Sleepy Hollow while reading it, just not as engaging of a story as the first, IMO.

[Debby Lee]

I really enjoyed this book. Sleepy Hollow New York is a real place and I enjoyed learning the history of it, and all about how it's doing today. The characters were realistic and well written. The historical story was interesting and full of suspense. The contemporary story drew such vivid pictures of the community, it makes me want to visit someday.

[Kim McClusky]

Was drawn to this book by its cover and title! We are taking a road trip in two weeks to upper NY and Sleepy Hollow is on our itinerary! I have heard about the story of Sleepy Hollow, but never actually read the book. Both stories were good, but the first one was especially engaging as it now makes me want to read the original novel. Can’t wait to see this charming town.

[Celeste]

Two cozy mysteries in one book.
Pretty good quick reads

[Carla Wilkins]

Loved this book!! Big fan of the legend of sleepy hollow.

[Teresa]

Two Intriguing Stories

[Lana]

The first story was great. I couldn't even get into the second one. Disappointed.

[Patricia]

Did not realize it was two very different books. I enjoyed the first one more, but both were easy reads.

[Catherine]

With two stories I wanted more of a connection. Still it was a cosy read

[Amy Blalock]

This was a nice, cozy fall book. It was like one of the good Hallmark movies- kinda cheesy but you like it!

[Elizabeth Eckmeyer]

This was a really cute set of mysteries. It was fun, romantic, and engaging. They were also easy reads. Very delightful!

[Rebecca]

The first story written by Gabrielle Meyer was so intriguing and exciting! The modern story written by Ruth Logan Herne was ok. It didn’t keep my attention as much.

[Bernadette]

Absolutely loved the first story written by Gabrielle Meyer!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The second story was just ok.

[D]

I enjoyed these two good short reads. I actually found the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and hope to read it soon. Thanks for inspiring me to read the classics!

[Vickie Hopkins]

I really enjoy reading this book with 2 stories in one book it pretty awesome can’t wait to read the rest of Series

[Michele]

I only read the first story, an imaging of "what happened next" in the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Cute.

[Erica Clark]

KINDLE

[Amber Meyen]

Really liked the book- it’s 2 books in one. My favorite was the first that was a continuation of the headless horseman in Sleepy Hollow 30 years later. There was mystery and suspense with a closed door love story intertwined.

2nd book good but felt a lot like a Hallmark movie which aren’t my favorite. Present day in Sleepy Hollow with a small town mystery with another closed door love story intertwined