When Melissa Grant rents the Carlisle Cabin as a vacation getaway, she soon finds out that she’s staying at a four-year-old crime scene. As she begins writing a book about the killings, she thinks she’s all alone in the cabin, safe behind closed doors.
But, Melissa isn’t really alone
“You shouldn’t be here, Melissa.” The child’s voice went deeper and quieter. The change was definitely spooky—and Melissa didn’t spook easily.
“What does that mean, Sarah? I don’t understand. Why shouldn’t I be here?”
Sarah let out a sigh of impatience at Melissa’s lack of understanding.
“Because you look like her. The killer will think Brenda came back. Then you’ll have to die, too.”
The words were spoken as if they were truth, not conjecture.
“Why would you think a thing like that, Sarah?”
“Because it’s true. I only tell the truth. My Aunt Rachel says it’s bad to lie.”
“Well, I agree with you about that,” Melissa replied. “But that stuff you said—”
Sarah didn’t let her finish.
“Are you her sister?”
“No, I don’t have a sister. Nor brother, either, for that matter.”
“Well, it sure is weird how much you look like her. I wonder why that is? How could that be if you’re not related? I can’t figure it out.”
“I honestly don’t know, Sarah. I agree. It’s strange.”
Sarah was getting ready to leave.
“You should be afraid of staying here. The killer will come for you, Melissa. You won’t know who to trust. It could be anyone. They’ll be watching you.” She settled on the seat of the bike. “You never should have come here, Melissa. You’re in danger.”
“You know something about the murders, don’t you?” Melissa asked. “What is it that you know, Sarah?”
“It’s too late for you now,” Sarah announced, and pedaled away.
Excerpt
“Everyone says it’s haunted. But maybe it’s not the ghosts you should be afraid of.”
Professional Reviews
Review of Too Many Secrets
Title: Too Many Secrets
Author: Linda Himes Guyan
Publisher: Zumaya Publications
ISBN: 1-894942-02-7
Genre: Mystery
Goosebumps, anyone?? This tale sparks with mystery and light horror, a great mix for a read on one of those stormy nights when you are alone in a creaky house and the lights flicker as thunder sounds close by. If you are like me, you might end up reading this tale, one you can't put down, in a closet with a flashlight--if the conditions are right.
However, if you are easily spooked, this is daylight reading. But either time you choose to read Too Many Secrets, you won't be able to stop until that last page is turned. A tale with touches of Psycho (the original, of course), The Haunting, and others that carry this same dark and daunting atmosphere.
A great house with a lovely view is the scene of a disappearance and several horrendous murders. Blood flows at a Halloween party as easily as does > the> wine, a party that culminates in three gory deaths.
Who could hate these people who were caught in a lover's triangle so much? This is a question you'll be asking as you read. This is edge-of-the-chair reading as other events are also played out in this same setting. How could such evil exist and not be known?
A great read with a cast of characters you'll enjoy meeting. They seem like ordinary, harmless folks, but the little voice in the back of your mind will keep warning you to beware of trusting their innocence. You'll be trying to pin the murders on one, then another.
Highly recommended by a satisfied reader who now sleeps with the lights on. Enjoy. I did. I look forward to this very talented author's next book.
Anne K. Edwards
www.Blether.com
Review of Too Many Secrets
Too Many Secrets
Written by Linda Himes Guyan
Published by Zumaya Publications http://www.zumayapublications.com
ISBN: 1-894942-02-7
Reviewed by Rita Porter
Rating ****
Friends from a young age grown apart after a terrible experience breeds grudges on one side or another. Secrets rarely stay secrets in a small town, no witnesses, lifetime promises of silence are sometimes deadly wishes granted to the unwary.
Hauntingly familiar small town life and rumors fly to life within the pages of this story. With the who is sleeping with whom, who has done what to who, seems as if no stone is left unturned. Hard feelings result when some lovers find new ones, the townsfolk are very aware of the building tensions. When several of the towns more well known are found murdered, the town finds itself hiding a murderer in its mist.
Linda Himes Guyan waste no time is sending the reader down the path to murder in Too Many Secrets. Drawn into the lives of her characters and the small town gossip mill that many people can relate with. With the glimpses into the mix of the actuality of small town life, murder, only chaos reigns.
As with any well written suspense, we the reader are introduced to many who have the means and urge to do the harm that was done to the victims. Leaving one to wonder just which character it is, hoping it is the one the reader has chosen to dislike more than another. Throwing in a wide mix of choices Guyan has given her readers many to choose from.
Rita Porter
http://www.scribequill.com
Review of Too Many Secrets
A Spooky Whodunit with Fear and Intrigue
With atmospheric description in precise and photographic detail—and with passionate characters of the brash, vengeful, and secretive sort—this book will keep you reading and reading . . . and looking around corners (and under your car) whenever you leave your own home. There’s a who-can-you-trust undercurrent in this visceral novel, with a suspect around every corner and in every basement. No one is innocent here. The entire story is tempting material for a chilling thriller movie; the story hits the ground running never quite lets go of you. It’s a murder mystery, without a doubt, but good luck trying to figure out whodunit! It’s a novel within a novel, and applies layers of psychic sensitivity atop layers of gut-level brutality. Beware the small town! Secrets are impossible to hide in towns like this. Little towns like Pinewood have way too many secrets.
Even at the end of the story you sense it’s not quite over with and that there’ll surely be a sequel lurking in the future to continue the thrill of the Pinewood murder mysteries. We can hardly wait.
–K. Scott, Oregon
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