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Sometimes no matter what you do, the past just won't stay dead.
When American expat Maggie Newberry visits a new friend in Metz, France she never expected to get drawn into investigating a decades-old cold case murder. But when her new friend Olivia is found dead Maggie finds shocking evidence that reveals it was connected to a heinous war crime. Navigating the complexities of the French police and winning over the tight-lipped locals grows trickier as Maggie starts receiving ominous warnings.

Could the answers she seeks about Olivia's death lie buried in Metz's shadowy history as an occupied stronghold during WWII? To solve the case and bring justice for her friend Maggie must peel back the city's layers of secrets, no matter the personal costs.

This book is a clean read with no graphic violence, sex or strong language.
women amateur sleuth.

316 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 12, 2025

70 people are currently reading
21 people want to read

About the author

Susan Kiernan-Lewis

145 books516 followers

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5 stars
83 (54%)
4 stars
52 (33%)
3 stars
14 (9%)
2 stars
3 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
6 reviews
May 17, 2025
The story was great, as always. Always a new adventure, murder, mystery for Maggie. Lots of suspense and interesting storytelling about WWII.
Profile Image for Carlin.
1,771 reviews19 followers
May 31, 2025
Oh Maggie, it's been too long, and I've missed you! This is the 26th in this long-running mystery series that I have been enjoying for many years.

A great mystery as always but set in a part of France unfamiliar to me. Metz is located near the German and Belgium borders and was occupied by the Nazis from the beginning of World War II. Consequently, that history is still very much alive in the memories of the town's folk.

Maggie is taking a break from her life in Provence to visit Metz another author she met online. Olivia wrote meticulously researched historical novels. She was working on one that took place during and after the War and had uncovered information about present day inhabitants of Metz that apparently led to her death.

On the home front Laurence and oldest son Luc struggle to exert their opinions on how the grape harvest should be done, and 6 year old Amelie wants to rescue a puppy (Amelie has become one of my favorite characters!).

Now another long wait for the next book in one of my favorite mystery series!
Profile Image for Sara 'capelle' parke.
28 reviews
October 31, 2025
As soon as I read the first page I knew Maggie was visiting somewhere and wouldn’t be able to go home when she was supposed to. From there it was so predictable that she was staying to solve the murder of someone she barely knew. It was just really boring and I skipped over large chunks of the book. I’ve read all 26 books so far and this is the first one I haven’t liked.

I was honestly more interested in what was happening at the vineyard and what was going on with Amelie running away.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
1,102 reviews8 followers
January 19, 2026
Maggie can’t ever find a mystery she doesn’t want to solve. She is in Metz to meet Olivia, an author and online friend. They meet for dinner and enjoy the evening, but when Olivia doesn’t appear the next day as planned, Maggie knows something is wrong. When Olivia is found dead from blunt force trauma in a dog park, Maggie must get to the bottom of it. With potential links back to WWII history with land grants and a mystery mass grave, there are Many suspects to consider. Love this series!
395 reviews
June 15, 2025
excellent!

Susan has done it again! This book snags you right in the beginning and doesn’t let you go until the very end. I loved it!
Profile Image for E.
1,830 reviews7 followers
August 23, 2025
I'm a big fan of the Maggie Newberry series, but this one was not one of my favorites. I like a little more action at the vineyard and with the other family members.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews

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