Weekend Mystery Round-up: Blueprints & 6 Must-read Mysteries
Where the Story Began
The response to the Ghosts Don't Use Blueprints cover reveal has been wonderful! If you're just joining us, this is the prequel that sets the stage for everything you know about Jenna McGregor.
Where the adventures began
They say you can’t know where you’re going until you understand where you’ve been. That’s exactly why I had to write "Ghosts Don't Use Blueprints." > This novella has been a labor of love, peeling back the layers of Jenna McGregor’s world to show you the origin of the secrets that started it all. I am so proud of how this cover turned out—it feels like the perfect doorway into this story. Pull up a chair and take a look; I’d love to hear your first impressions in the comments.
Weekly Readers List
Also on the Radar
Meet Willow
Author, School Board member, and gluten-free baker. I write the Jenna McGregor mysteries from my home in Michigan, fueled by coffee and Peloton PRs.
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Join the Willow Thorne Inner Circle! 🗝️ Want to read my upcoming novella for free before it launches? I'm recruiting my permanent ARC team now.
The Blueprint is Ready: A Cover Reveal and a Summer Slay
A new mystery is surfacing in Maple Grove. 🔎 > Today is the day! I’m pulling back the curtain on the official cover for Ghosts Don't Use Blueprints. Join me for a first look at Jenna McGregor’s high school origin story and an introduction to Olivia Page’s ew book.
Happy Friday, everyone!
I’ve been keeping a secret for a while now, and I am absolutely thrilled that I can finally pull back the curtain. Transitioning these weekly updates to my blog has been a wonderful way to keep all our mystery-loving community in one place, and I couldn't think of a better way to kick off this new format than with a Big Reveal.
🕯️ The Big Reveal: Ghosts Don’t Use Blueprints
The wait is finally over! I have been working closely with my designer to capture the exact "vibe" of the Jenna McGregor prequel, and the cover for "Ghosts Don’t Use Blueprints" is officially ready.
Where the adventures began
They say you can’t know where you’re going until you understand where you’ve been. That’s exactly why I had to write "Ghosts Don't Use Blueprints." > This novella has been a labor of love, peeling back the layers of Jenna McGregor’s world to show you the origin of the secrets that started it all. I am so proud of how this cover turned out—it feels like the perfect doorway into this story. Pull up a chair and take a look; I’d love to hear your first impressions in the comments.
I am so in love with how this turned out. It perfectly captures that atmospheric, haunting feeling of a mystery that is just beginning to unfold. Writing this novella has been a journey back to where the secrets began, and seeing the cover makes the launch feel so real.
I’d love to hear what you think—drop a comment on the blog post and let me know your first impressions!
🏕️ What I’m Reading: Deadly Campfire
When I’m not lost in the world of Jenna McGregor, I love diving into other small towns filled with secrets. This week, I’m excited to share a recommendation given to me by one of my author friends.
"Deadly Campfire" by Olivia Page has been added to my TBR list. It’s the second book in Olivia’s Darren Wood Campground & Trails series, and it sounds like—the heat is rising in this one!
The Story:
In the heat of summer, Darren Wood Campground flourishes, but for Harley Wood, the season brings a familiar sense of dread. When a cranky millionaire is poisoned, a cryptic note left in Harley’s cubby proves he knew his life was in danger.
With her father away and the local deputy stretched thin, Harley takes the investigation into her own hands. From secretive lawyers to a charming newcomer with a guitar and a hidden past, everyone is a suspect. As a summer storm cuts the power and the killer closes in, Harley has to untangle a web of old grudges and illicit affairs before the next campfire burns out.
✍️ Behind the Scenes
Between board meetings and Gigi (it’s what my grandkids call me) duties, I’ve been carving out every spare moment to finalize the launch details for the rebranded Jenna McGregor series. There is so much happening behind the scenes, and I can't wait to share more "look over my shoulder" moments with you soon.
Until then, stay cozy and keep sleuthing!
Warmly,
Willow
Meet Willow
Author, School Board member, and gluten-free baker. I write the Jenna McGregor mysteries from my home in Michigan, fueled by coffee and Peloton PRs.
Want to stay in the know? Get the Weekly Notebook
The Willow Thorne Notebook: Character Reveals & Garden Crimes
A massive brand update is here! 🎨 From a finalized cover reveal to a new 'insider' notebook for my ARC team, see how the world of Jenna McGregor is growing. Plus, a garden-fresh mystery recommendation to kick off your March reading.
Confession time: my blog has been a little quiet lately. Between rewriting my first book and drafting Book 5, my "writing cup" has been overflowing. Moving forward, I’m merging my blog updates right here with my weekly newsletters. You’ll get the "behind-the-scenes" stories and my book recommendations all in one cozy place!
If the stars (and my designer) have aligned, I am officially holding the finalized cover for my new prequel novella today!
Getting the characters just right has been a journey, but seeing them "come to life" on the page makes every revision worth it. I’ve spent so much time staring at these character sketches on my MacBook Pro that they feel like family now. I can't wait for the official reveal of the new Willow Thorne look.
In the spirit of fresh starts and garden-fresh mysteries, today’s featured read by Diane Scotland is a perfect pick for a spring afternoon.
Featured Mystery: Murder Among the Marigolds
By Diane Scotland
Headline: 🌻 A Dead Developer. A Ruined Display. A Garden Full of Lies.
Florist Lila Jennings had a public argument with Maplewood’s most-hated developer yesterday. Today, he’s dead—right in the middle of her prize-winning floral display.
With her best friend spinning stories and a bulldog-loving neighbor who can't seem to stay away, Lila finds herself at the center of a wild investigation. even the local pets, Clementine the cat and Tank the bulldog, are unearthing secrets that were meant to stay buried. In a small town where scandals sprout faster than weeds, Lila must find the truth before Officer Daniel Reilly decides she's the one with the green thumb for murder.
Dig into Murder Among the Marigolds
The "Insider" Corner
As I'm merging my blog and newsletter, I want to make sure I'm sharing the "lore" you care about most.
If I were to share a "Deleted Scene" or a "Secret Character File" once a month, which would you prefer to see first? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments (or hit reply if you're reading this in your inbox!)—your feedback is shaping the future of the Willow Thorne "Notebook."
Happy reading,
Willow
New Reads for the Lazy, Hazy Days of Summer
This week’s featured read by Alsie Hunter
This week, I'm thrilled to feature a compelling new mystery that promises sharp sleuths and small-town suspense. Plus, I've got a few other fantastic reads I think you'll adore, including a reminder of my own books if you haven't had a chance to dive in yet!
Featured Read: Unraveling "A Checklist of Sabotage"!
Get ready for a mystery that's more than just a simple accident with A Checklist of Sabotage: Not Every Disaster is an Accident by Alsie Hunter! This book sounds absolutely gripping, blending cozy charm with a sharper edge of suspense.
Imagine this: Antique dealer Magda Lane can spot a fake from a mile away. So when the much-anticipated Maplewood's Centennial celebration starts experiencing one "mishap" after another, she knows it's no coincidence. What she sees isn't bad luck; it's a meticulously planned campaign of sabotage designed to humiliate the town's mayor.
From a snapped banner and cruel, glossy flyers to a literal sour ceremonial toast and a misfiring flare, each public disaster hits harder and cuts deeper. Magda isn't the only one noticing; national reporter Savannah Brooks, originally there for puff pieces, quickly realizes she's stumbled onto something far more sinister.
Now, these two women – one local, one from the press – are chasing the same chilling question: Who's pulling the strings, and why? This isn't chaos; it's calculated humiliation. If they fail, the Centennial won't end with confetti, but with a broken mayor, a fractured town, and a spotlight no one survives.
If you're a fan of small-town suspense, layered female sleuths, and smart mysteries with a real bite, A Checklist of Sabotage is your next must-read!
Grab your copy of A Checklist of Sabotage: Not Every Disaster is an Accident by Alsie Hunter.
More Mysteries to Add to Your List!
Looking for more fantastic reads? Here are three other new mysteries that have caught my eye, perfect for your TBR pile!
Deadly Summer Crush: A Quillhaven Magical Cozy Mystery (Book 6) by Tessa Silver
Buried Truths: A Maggie Wright Cozy Mystery by Tessa Aura
The Treasure Trove Murder: A Delightfully and Exciting Cozy Mystery by Betty Cage
Get "Deadly Summer Crush" here!
Discover "Buried Truths" here!
Find "The Treasure Trove Murder" here!
Don't Forget My Own Mysteries by Willow Thorne!
And of course, if you're looking for more cozy mysteries to dive into, don't forget my own books! Each one offers a unique puzzle, charming characters, and plenty of twists and turns.
Murder on the Menu
Scones, Secrets & Sabotage
Hotter than Coffee and a Killer Brew
Explore "Murder on the Menu" here!
Discover "Scones, Secrets & Sabotage" here!
Grab "Hotter than Coffee and a Killer Brew" here!
Want to discover authors with a free read?
Find free cozies through the latest Bookfunnel promotion: Whiskers and Whodounit .
Happy reading, everyone! I hope your week is full of delightful discoveries.