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Secrets of the River
In Wattle River, everyone knows everyone—or so it seems.
Life in the quiet Australian town runs on morning coffees, familiar faces, and the comforting belief that nothing truly bad ever happens here. But when a local man is found dead after prying into long-buried town history, that illusion shatters.
Librarian Maggie Ellis prefers books to people and order to confrontation—but she knows better than most that stories don’t stay hidden forever. As she follows a trail through dusty archives, whispered loyalties, and relationships tangled by time, Maggie begins to uncover truths the town would rather forget.
Because in Wattle River, secrets run as deep as the water—and someone is willing to kill to keep them buried.
Secrets of the River launches The Wattle River Mysteries, a contemporary cosy mystery series set in a close-knit Australian town where history matters, observation is everything, and danger lurks quietly beneath the surface.
Life in the quiet Australian town runs on morning coffees, familiar faces, and the comforting belief that nothing truly bad ever happens here. But when a local man is found dead after prying into long-buried town history, that illusion shatters.
Librarian Maggie Ellis prefers books to people and order to confrontation—but she knows better than most that stories don’t stay hidden forever. As she follows a trail through dusty archives, whispered loyalties, and relationships tangled by time, Maggie begins to uncover truths the town would rather forget.
Because in Wattle River, secrets run as deep as the water—and someone is willing to kill to keep them buried.
Secrets of the River launches The Wattle River Mysteries, a contemporary cosy mystery series set in a close-knit Australian town where history matters, observation is everything, and danger lurks quietly beneath the surface.
191 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 12, 2026
2 people are currently reading
12 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
March 15, 2026
Maggie Ellis is a librarian in the small town of Wattle River, the river runs by the town and it means a lot to all of the residents it covers things makes things go away or does it, when long term resident Arthur Bell goes missing and his body is found a few days later by the river, it according to local councilors is nothing to worry about, natural causes but Maggie feels that it was something more and she will not give up till she gets to the truth.
Maggie follows a trail of paperwork through archives and computer check-ins she is methodical, patient and takes her time, to check and make sure of her findings, just like Arthur did while he was searching old files, there are whispers throughout the town, warning Maggie to let things go don’t upset the natural flow of the town but Maggie never gives up and she knows that secrets have been held for some time now, will she find the answers and get justice for Arthur?
What a fabulous debut for Janene Morgan, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Maggie and the residents of Wattle River, Maggie is good at what she does, stands her ground and is calm and meticulous when researching and she gets answers, I would highly recommend this one to any reader who enjoys a great cosy mystery. I do hope that there are more stories set in Wattle River and more mysteries for Maggie to solve.
Maggie follows a trail of paperwork through archives and computer check-ins she is methodical, patient and takes her time, to check and make sure of her findings, just like Arthur did while he was searching old files, there are whispers throughout the town, warning Maggie to let things go don’t upset the natural flow of the town but Maggie never gives up and she knows that secrets have been held for some time now, will she find the answers and get justice for Arthur?
What a fabulous debut for Janene Morgan, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Maggie and the residents of Wattle River, Maggie is good at what she does, stands her ground and is calm and meticulous when researching and she gets answers, I would highly recommend this one to any reader who enjoys a great cosy mystery. I do hope that there are more stories set in Wattle River and more mysteries for Maggie to solve.
March 22, 2026
Maggie Ellis, Librarian, prefers books to people but she knows enough about people to know secrets don't stay hidden forever. Living in a small village close to the local river, most people believe that the river will take away anything unpleasant and that will be the end of it. The quiet Australian town runs on morning coffee, familiar faces and the belief that their town knows everyone. This belief is shattered when a local man is found dead after prying into long-buried town history.
As Maggie follows clues through the town's dusty archives, she begins to uncover truths the town would prefer to forget.
This is a delightful debut novel for Janene Morgan and I believe there are more Wattle River Mysteries to come. I very much look forward to more.
As Maggie follows clues through the town's dusty archives, she begins to uncover truths the town would prefer to forget.
This is a delightful debut novel for Janene Morgan and I believe there are more Wattle River Mysteries to come. I very much look forward to more.
March 19, 2026
secrets of the River
For a first book this is awesome, Janine shows excellent story telling skills like she’s been doing it for years. Can’t wait for her next book…highly recommend it!
For a first book this is awesome, Janine shows excellent story telling skills like she’s been doing it for years. Can’t wait for her next book…highly recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews