Let us Talk of Many Things; of Books and Queens and Pirates, of Mystery and Kings...

Thursday, 19 February 2026

NEWS UPDATE from HELEN HOLLICK

Thank you for visiting!

Review by Keira Morgan

Helen Hollick’s cozy historical mystery is set in 1973 rural North Devon, where shy librarian Jan Christopher and her aunt and uncle visit her police-officer fiancé, Laurie, and his parents for his village’s biggest event—the Chappletawton Flower and Vegetable Show. What should be a cheerful summer gathering soon turns dark as rivalry, pride, and gossip spiral into vandalism and murder. When the local squire and a local TV personality are drawn into the burgeoning scandal, Jan and Laurie must help uncover the truth before the fair’s good name is ruined.

Hollick vividly creates the world of the 1970s—the clothes, politics, social issues, even open access to Stonehenge—while immersing readers in the world of a traditional English village fair. Her characters are charmingly eccentric, her dialogue quick and natural, and the pacing measured yet engaging. The mystery develops organically from village life, with rivalries and twists that feel both surprising and believable. Though the resolution may not satisfy every reader’s wish, it fits with the story’s tone. Warm, witty, and vividly nostalgic, this entry in the Jan Christopher series is an enjoyable, well-crafted read that leaves one eager for the next installment.

Dispatches 2026

my on-line monthly diary

More Of Interest

(on my other blog sites)

Monthly 'Thoughts from a Devonshire Farmhouse'

https://thoughtsfromadevonshirefarmhouse.blogspot.com/

Ghost Blog

(occasionally updated)

Ghost Encounters in Devon (and elswhere)

Exploring the Creation of Fictional Worlds
'DOING THE DISHES'

a quote from Agatha Christie

Monthly Information Series for writers (and readers)

by guest authors

February

Keeping it Historical vs Keeping it Entertaining

by Mercedes Rochelle

January:

A Good Book, A Good Series?

But what do authors think about writing them?

I support & promote various authors

SPOTLIGHT FEATURE of the MONTH

February

Jane Harlond

January

Antoine Vanner

Helen Hollick's Amazon Author Page

https://viewauthor.at/HelenHollick

Wednesday, 18 February 2026

My Coffee Pot Book Tour Guest: Secrets in the Woods by Susan D. Levitte

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Wander through worlds
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meet interesting people,
visit exciting places
and find good books
to enjoy along the way!

About the Book

start

Media Kit

Book Title: Secrets in the Woods

Series: n/a

Author Name: Susan D. Levitte

Publication Date: October 18th, 2025

Publisher: Historium Press

Pages: 269

Genre: Historical Fiction

Any Triggers: Corporal punishment, spousal abuse, deaths by natural disaster, death in childbirth.

On October 8, 1871, fire turned night into a living hell.

While Chicago's blaze claimed the headlines, a fiercer and more devastating inferno swept across Wisconsin's Green Bay peninsula-obliterating farms, forests, and families in its path.

Here, among immigrant settlers carving new lives from the wilderness, survival came down to split-second choices: to run, to hide, to fight the flames. Mothers shielded children with their bodies, fathers vanished into smoke, and neighbors faced the firestorm with nothing but faith and will.

Inspired by forgotten accounts and newspaper fragments, Secrets in the Woods brings to life the untold human drama of one of America's most harrowing nights-a story of resilience, loss, and the fragile hope that rises from the ashes.

Buy Link:

Universal Buy Link: books2read.com/u/4AB0oA

Author Bio:

Susan was born and raised as the fifth generation to live on the family land in Northeast North Dakota (nearly Canada). She moved to Wisconsin in 1997, living in Door and Manitowoc County and now resides in the pastoral Kewaunee County. Married to Quentin, they share their home with Olive and Penny, their silly Labrador retrievers, and Gil, their ever-lazy cat.

As a devoted reader of historical fiction and nonfiction, she brings her passion for history and desire to educate readers into her work. With twenty-five years of experience in global advertising and marketing, she holds a master’s degree in communications and currently contributes her expertise to the Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport.

Author Links:

Website: https://1871fireproject.com/

Author’s Page at Historium Press:

https://www.historiumpress.com/susan-levitte

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577020965043

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ads2art/

Pinterest:

https://www.pinterest.com/ads2art/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/2510908841

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Susan-D-Levitte/author/B0FTZXPBZZ

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2602548-susan

read an excerpt

As we rode out of the town on the wagon, I noticed that the road ahead was made of logs side-by-side, rattling our teeth and making it nearly impossible to speak. The further away from the houses, the closer to the road the monstrous trees came. I had never seen trees so large or green in my life. The invasive smell of pine nearly erased the odor of smoke.

It was dim and the trunks played tricks on my eyes, making me think I was seeing people or animals walking through the woods while we rode past. When I would look again more carefully there was no one there. It felt like someone was pushing with their palm on my chest. I noticed that Magdaline was very quiet, in fact everyone on the wagon was quiet by the time we were fully swallowed into the green cathedral.