Beth's Story, 1914

Find out what secrets lurk within the walls of Chatswood Manor in this in this first book of a historical fiction mystery series that explores a family’s secrets throughout generations.

The Chatswood family tree has many branches—and even more secrets. It’s the summer of 1914 in England, and Beth Etheridge, great-granddaughter of the original Elizabeth Chatswood, can’t wait for her twelfth birthday to arrive. That’s when she’ll receive her family’s heirloom “Elizabeth” necklace: one half of a heart encrusted with beautiful sapphires. (The companion necklace, encrusted with rubies, will be given to Beth’s American cousin and pen pal, Kate, later in the series.) But when family from France visits Chatswood Manor for the occasion and another family heirloom goes missing, Beth finds herself on a quest to clear the name of her lady’s maid and friend, Shannon. Her search for answers leads her to a hidden diary with clues to a much larger family mystery that dates back generations. What secrets are hidden away in Chatswood Manor?

Adele Whitby wishes she lived in a grand manor home with hidden rooms and tucked-away nooks and crannies, but instead she lives in the next best thing—a condo in Florida with her husband and their two dogs, Molly and Mack. When she’s not busy writing, you can usually find her reading and relaxing on the beach under a big umbrella. She loves getting lost in a good story, especially one set in a faraway place and time.

ISBN: 9781481406314
Format: Paperback
Pages: 160
Publisher: Simon Spotlight
Published: June 24, 2014

“Whitby generates a goodly amount of page-turning suspense. . . . The book provides solid closure and ends on a gratifying note. (An) entertaining mystery lite set in a Downton Abbey world.”“(A) delightful first entry in the series. Beth is a likable heroine who is plucky and determined and readers will be sure to sympathize with her. Replete with historical facts, fashion details and customs of the times, this novel is destined to be a hit with fans of the ‘American Girl Mysteries’ and ‘Dear America’ series.”