What do you think?
Rate this book
The Julesburg Mysteries #1
Whirlpool
Stefanie Canfield has had a rough year. Her husband, Hunter, had an extra-marital affair, flaunting his mistress for the whole town to see. Then came the difficult divorce. And the Julesburg gossips have made the most of all the juicy details for months.Worst of all when the mill she and Hunter still own together is destroyed by fire, Stefanie becomes a suspect. But Ryan, the arson investigator from out of town, turns out to be her friend from childhood, and the renewed friendship is a blessing during the dark days that follow. Before long both are caught up in a dark frenzy of murder and intrigue when Hunter's mistress is killed. Stefanie's faith sustains her through accusations of arson and murder and, finally, a frightening confrontation with the killer.
314 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
42 people are currently reading
261 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
September 29, 2011
This is the first of a series of three mysteries by MCourtney. It is a Christian novel and a little more so than the first set of mysteries I read by this author. She does a good job of keeping the reality of the world in the story and I did not find her obvious Christian comments to be about conversion or to be overbearing. It is simply a story about how a Christain lives in the world - take him or leave him. It is interesting how and where God manifests in this story, but not wanting to spoil the story, you will have to read it. It is a very good mystery, not easy to figure out and with a surprising hero!
September 8, 2014
Would you stay in a town where your ex-husband flaunted his lavish lifestyle and new fiancée while he stalls on dividing ownership of your former family business? Well, maybe you would, since there’s evidence he’s been less than honest with the company finances.
Stefanie Canfield chose to stay.
Arson investigator Ryan Harrison spent a miserable portion of his childhood in the town of Julesburg and can’t believe his company’s sending him back there. Surprise number 1 is the discovery that Stephanie’s still in town. After their shared underdog status in school, he figured she’d have distanced herself as much as he had. Surprise number 2: She’s turned into an attractive woman, and they seem to have some chemistry. Number 3? She’s one of the suspects in his case.
Stephanie knows she didn't start the fire. Her ex, Hunter, is calculating enough to have done it, but she has no proof.
What she does have are odd “blurry” episodes, brought on by stress, when she can’t remember what she’s done. Under the circumstances, these happen more frequently. So when there’s a murder, can she really be sure she didn't do it? Even if she didn't, can Hunter successfully frame her?
I really enjoyed this novel, the first in the Julesburg Mysteries series. It has a more serious feel than Lorena McCourtney's Ivy Malone series or her new mystery, Dying to Read, but there are still light-hearted turns of phrase to bring a smile.
Whirlpool is a good mystery, set in coastal Oregon. I like Stefanie, although her impulsive actions often had me wanting to shake her and say “don’t do that!” Not only has she lost her husband to another woman, she lost her mother to cancer the year before. And she may have lost her faith. After all, where was God in all this hurt?
While the specific mysteries of arson and murder are wrapped up for the authorities by the novel’s end, some of my questions aren't resolved (will Stefanie's blurry spells go away, and was the accident that caused them really an accident?). I thought that might happen as the series progressed, but the next two novels, Riptide and Undertow, focus on new characters and new romances. Stefanie and Ryan do appear, and all three books are worth a read.
You can learn more about author Lorena McCourtney at her website, or find her on Facebook. Whirlpool previously appeared in print through Fleming H. Revel, a division of Baker Books, 2002. The Julesburg novels are all available on Kindle, and since they’re re-issues of older novels, the prices are very inviting (under $3 each). See Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.
[Review copy from my personal library. Amazon links are affiliate links for The Word Guild.]
Stefanie Canfield chose to stay.
Arson investigator Ryan Harrison spent a miserable portion of his childhood in the town of Julesburg and can’t believe his company’s sending him back there. Surprise number 1 is the discovery that Stephanie’s still in town. After their shared underdog status in school, he figured she’d have distanced herself as much as he had. Surprise number 2: She’s turned into an attractive woman, and they seem to have some chemistry. Number 3? She’s one of the suspects in his case.
Stephanie knows she didn't start the fire. Her ex, Hunter, is calculating enough to have done it, but she has no proof.
What she does have are odd “blurry” episodes, brought on by stress, when she can’t remember what she’s done. Under the circumstances, these happen more frequently. So when there’s a murder, can she really be sure she didn't do it? Even if she didn't, can Hunter successfully frame her?
I really enjoyed this novel, the first in the Julesburg Mysteries series. It has a more serious feel than Lorena McCourtney's Ivy Malone series or her new mystery, Dying to Read, but there are still light-hearted turns of phrase to bring a smile.
Whirlpool is a good mystery, set in coastal Oregon. I like Stefanie, although her impulsive actions often had me wanting to shake her and say “don’t do that!” Not only has she lost her husband to another woman, she lost her mother to cancer the year before. And she may have lost her faith. After all, where was God in all this hurt?
While the specific mysteries of arson and murder are wrapped up for the authorities by the novel’s end, some of my questions aren't resolved (will Stefanie's blurry spells go away, and was the accident that caused them really an accident?). I thought that might happen as the series progressed, but the next two novels, Riptide and Undertow, focus on new characters and new romances. Stefanie and Ryan do appear, and all three books are worth a read.
You can learn more about author Lorena McCourtney at her website, or find her on Facebook. Whirlpool previously appeared in print through Fleming H. Revel, a division of Baker Books, 2002. The Julesburg novels are all available on Kindle, and since they’re re-issues of older novels, the prices are very inviting (under $3 each). See Amazon.ca and Amazon.com.
[Review copy from my personal library. Amazon links are affiliate links for The Word Guild.]
May 12, 2014
This book should have been good. I have read other books by this author and those books were good. I thought the plot had lots of potential. But the main character was so stupid that I was just annoyed at her.
March 5, 2019
Well thought out plot line.
Whirlpool was a quick, enjoyable read. And although I didn't always agree with the choices Stephanie made, it was fun following to see how she'd get out of things. I liked that there were more than two suspects. In a lot of mysteries, it's just too easy to figure out whodunnit. I was able to figure it out, but it took some thinking. This book was nicely edited--thanks.
Whirlpool was a quick, enjoyable read. And although I didn't always agree with the choices Stephanie made, it was fun following to see how she'd get out of things. I liked that there were more than two suspects. In a lot of mysteries, it's just too easy to figure out whodunnit. I was able to figure it out, but it took some thinking. This book was nicely edited--thanks.
September 9, 2023
Brilliant Series
Whirlpool (The Julesburg Mysteries Book 1) by Lorena McCourtney. Stephanie is accused of a murder she didn’t commit. Her only friend in school Ryan returns to Julesburg for a job and while they try to find evidence to clear Stephanie’s name they fall in love.
Whirlpool (The Julesburg Mysteries Book 1) by Lorena McCourtney. Stephanie is accused of a murder she didn’t commit. Her only friend in school Ryan returns to Julesburg for a job and while they try to find evidence to clear Stephanie’s name they fall in love.
September 6, 2020
The book was a wonderful surprise! Fast paced, good plot, entertaining
September 17, 2020
Lots of interesting twists and turns and a great read.
January 1, 2022
I got annoyed with Stefanie for some choices she made but enjoyed the book.
May 4, 2022
Kept me interested but lots of little things I didn't like especially with the romance angle.
June 30, 2022
A perfect easy read. Not very believable but enjoyable!
July 13, 2023
Very good, suspenseful mystery with great character depth. Loved it!
July 20, 2024
murder mystery + Romance; perfect
Looking for light reading to fall asleep with at night and Lorena delivers with the added joy of faith entwined with this murder/romance.
Looking for light reading to fall asleep with at night and Lorena delivers with the added joy of faith entwined with this murder/romance.
March 17, 2025
shudder! there are some crazy people in the world, but it is adventurous to read of them
December 15, 2025
Great little who donit
December 20, 2025
Taking something that doesn't belong to you causes mayhem in a small town.
September 22, 2012
McCourt's mysteries (I loved her Ivy Malone series) involve me in their fairly realistic plots and likable characters. This book revolves around an appealing young woman in a small town, who, because of a divorce and hostility toward the one who "stole" her husband away, finds herself suspected of both arson and murder. Stefanie finds help from her childhood friend, Ryan, now an arson investigator, who is concerned not only with proving her innocence, but also in strengthening her faith in the Lord. I find it well-written and believable.
January 26, 2015
An extremely well written Christian romance/thriller/mystery. I was surprised with the twist ending. I've read and absolutely loved Ms. McCourtney's Ivy Malone character. This book revolves around another, much younger, strong female character. Julesburg reminds me of the small towns I grew up in, and she captures each character with charm and wit. If you are looking for a great series, this book gets off to a great start.
July 17, 2012
This book took awhile to get going, and I didn't enjoy it as much as some of the other books I've read by her, but,once I got into it, it was pretty good. I had a pretty good guess who the culprit was, but the multiple twists at he end had me doubting my guess. I plan to read the others in the series.
December 23, 2012
this is a really great mystery. not so many suspects that I can't keep track. The ending really surprised me. I won't tell you who did it! ha! the story has a. strong Christian character who helps main character find her way back to God. If hou like light Christian mysteries, more a whodonit than suspense, you will like this book.
May 14, 2010
I was desperate at the library and grabbed a book off the inspirational section. The only thing inspirational in this book was that she occasionally said prayers! It was a neat story but had too much cheese! The ending was over the top cheese!
January 19, 2015
I enjoyed this story and the crazy situations Stefanie got into. I really enjoyed the fact that it was a Christian book so I didn't have to skip the dirty parts, like I often do. And I loved the happy ending.
April 6, 2015
A good read
I really enjoyed this book. About the time I was snarling, "Isn't that woman ever going to get it right." she did. This is a book I will be reading again. Maybe more than once. I recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery with more than a few red herrings.
I really enjoyed this book. About the time I was snarling, "Isn't that woman ever going to get it right." she did. This is a book I will be reading again. Maybe more than once. I recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery with more than a few red herrings.
October 13, 2008
I really enjoyed reading this book. It's just the right amount of mystery, romance, and God. I look forward to reading the next two books in this series.
September 25, 2011
Lorena McCourtney writes mysteries that are mostly kinder and gentler but with a little bit of frission. She is a Christian writer.
February 21, 2012
I love Lorena McCourtney's writing. This story was more overtly inspirational in tone than her Invisible Ivy series but was just as engrossing. A light mystery with a sympathetic heroine.
June 23, 2012
another good Lorena McCourtney book/series
August 26, 2012
Lorena McCourtney is a Christian author. Nicely written, quick read mystery with a nice twist! This is the first book in a set of three - I will defintely be reading the other two books.
October 6, 2012
A sort of predictable, superficial novel that was, all the same, a light, entertaining read.
December 6, 2012
Very exciting Christian suspense novel
May 13, 2013
Don't let the strange cover fool you this is a top notch Contemporary Christian suspense novel. It is the first of a series of three and I'm looking forward to reading the next two.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews