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Locked-Room Mysteries
Pioneering Secrets follows a high school teacher, a reporter, and a detective from a small town who are trying to find the person responsible for killing a teen girl. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
When I was a kid, I loved locked-room mysteries. The murder method in this story is based on a reverse version of my favourite locked room story. I can’t give any more details than that, as it would give it away.
There was a lot of time spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
All the characters in the book are based on real people in my life. I’ve tried to give them character and personality traits similar to each of those people.
How did the mystery develop for this story? Did you plan it before writing, or did it develop organically?
It began with a vision of the opening murder scene, then grew from there. I planned out each murder scene ahead of time, as well as the characters and suspects. Other than the opening chapter, I didn’t write any parts of the book until I had the pivotal scenes fleshed out ahead of time.
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
This is the first book in the Rolling Brook Falls series. I have a few new stories already planned, with the next two fleshed out. I hope to have the 2nd book published by the end of December 2025. The next story will delve deeper into Andie’s past, as well as continue to develop the budding romance between her and Detective Sayers. Readers can expect the same sass from Andie and C.J. that was showcased in the first book.
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Rolling Brook Falls is a sleepy little town where summer tourism is high, everyone knows their neighbour, and no one locks their doors. That all changes when a teen is murdered leaving everyone baffled as to why.
When Andie, a local high school teacher, decides to investigate the death of her favourite student, she clashes with the town’s new no-nonsense police detective. Determined to find out how her peaceful community could become stained with murder, she sets out on her own to search for answers. But after the killer strikes again, the mystery deepens, and Andie wonders if she’s in over her head.
Ignoring the detective’s warnings to stay out of the investigation, Andie and her reporter friend C.J. soon discover more is going on in their quiet little town than they ever could have imagined. As the bodies pile up, the two women race to solve the mystery before another of their friends is murdered, and before the killer sets their sights on them.
Pioneering Secrets
Liane Mahugh’s Pioneering Secrets tells the story of a quiet town turned upside down by the sudden death of a bright young girl, Sarah Mills. The book opens with a jarring scene, Sarah is shot while refilling a birdfeeder outside her home. What follows is an emotional and twisting investigation led by Detective Corey Sayers, a transplant from Toronto, who teams up (and sometimes butts heads) with spirited history teacher Andie Dawn and local reporter C.J. Corbin. As the mystery deepens, so do the connections between townsfolk, past secrets, and the quiet menace hiding in their seemingly peaceful community.
What struck me right away was how easy it was to settle into the world of Rolling Brook Falls. Mahugh writes with a natural rhythm that blends small-town charm with creeping dread. The characters feel like people you’d know. They’re messy, stubborn, kind, and sometimes secretive. I loved the chemistry between Corey and Andie. Their banter had bite, but there was warmth too. Andie is refreshingly sharp, never the damsel, and Corey’s dry humor adds a solid counterbalance. But it’s the pacing of the mystery that really kept me flipping pages. Just when I thought I had it figured out, another twist came along to knock me sideways.
The writing style is simple and sometimes veers into telling more than showing, especially in emotional moments. But honestly, I didn’t care much because I was hooked. Mahugh’s strength lies in her sense of place and character. She layers the mystery well, balancing clues and red herrings in a way that keeps you second-guessing. The emotional undercurrent, especially in how Sarah’s death ripples through her friends, family, and the community, is done with real heart.
Pioneering Secrets is more than a whodunit. It’s a look at grief, trust, and the secrets people carry. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries with an edge, especially readers who like character-driven stories with a splash of romance and a whole lot of heart. If you’re in the mood for a mystery that feels both personal and suspenseful, this one’s worth your time.
Pages: 147 | ASIN : B0DVGQGSZ3
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