Stairway of Secrets

The Halfway Point Lodge #1

by Shannon Kaper

After divorcing her cheating husband, Emma, about to turn 50, throws caution to the wind and buys a rundown 1890’s restaurant and hotel 3000 miles away. With a solid plan to remodel and reopen the place, she leaves California to start her next phase of life on the shores of the Indian River in Northern Michigan.
Everything was going fine until a few days before the scheduled opening when a series of events, including a murder made it clear to Emma that someone did not want her to re-open the restaurant. With help from the police chief, her new friend Carol, and the support of the community, Emma stays determined to not only open on time but make the place better than she originally planned.

206 pages, Paperback

Published June 13, 2018

About the author

Shannon Kaper is a writer, artist, and author of the new cozy mystery series The Halfway Point Lodge which features her debut novel Stairway of Secrets. A lifelong creator, Shannon has always dreamed of sharing her stories. She lives on a small homestead in the high desert of Northern Nevada. When she isn’t writing or creating art, she is either taking care of her animals, working on a homestead project or off exploring the many historical sites the area offers.

Reviews

[Monica]

Wow. I get that self-publishing is great that more authors are available, but I can’t overstate the need for a decent editor. Yikes!

[KathiTheBookNerd]

This was a nice book, with lots of things happening and several suspects. What irked me a lot was her constant description of what she was wearing and how her make-up was done. Also a lot of repeating of things that were described just one or two pages before, like the reader would've forgotten that already. Overall a good book, but I wouldn't read the second one.

[Bonnye Reed]

Author gift

[Cheryl]

This is the first in the series and the first time reading this author. I really enjoyed it until the end where she left you hanging. The main character Emma , who buys a resort and moves to Michigan to live there. Just before opening day someone breaks in and destroys a lot of the glasses and mirrors and booze in the resort bar. Shortly after they open, someone is murdered there. Who wants to scare them away so bad. Guess I won't know until the second book. Didn't realize it would end that way but I did enjoy it until then.

[Diane]

I truly loved this book. It Is a cliffhanger but that makes it even more delicious! Start with believable characters, stir in wonderful descriptions, add several surprises and sprinkle the story with some twists...serve it on a platter of imagination and romantic possibilities and you have a perfect Feast For Your Eyes.
I highly recommended this read. It is unpredictable so it was never boring. This was my first read by this author and I will continue to be enthralled by her works.

[Tony Parsons]

Indian River MI. Emma Van Wooten (49, divorced) just bought a rundown 1890’s Hotel/Restaurant.
Alex De Witte (realtor) closed the deal for her.
Ted (Paul’s father-in-law) semi-retired contractor was more than happy tom do the renovation.
The grand opening of the Halfway Point Lodge on Riverfront Dr. was scheduled for Memorial Day W/E.
Josh (chef) & Shelly (GF, head bartender) had taken over the restaurant/bar planning/preparation part.
Faith was helping also.

All the meat, greens, bakery, & dairy products were coming from the local farmers/ranchers.
Emma stopped by 1 of the vendors Carol (florist shop owner) to see how the order was coming.
She had been out of town on a family medical emergency & had no clue.
Later, Carol informed everyone as she suspected it appears some locals don’t want you to open this W/E.
Faith had told a white lie to get hired, she was homeless & living in her car.
Lucy (dog) was barking like crazy & woke Emma. 911.
4 Indian River PD’s had arrived.
Officer Daniels, Officer Suarez, Officer Lang, & Chief Bennet “Ben” Bracken (Dr/Professor, PhD).
The beautiful antique wood bar was spray-painted. The mirrors were all shattered, & most of the bottles of liquor/glassware had been demolished.
Officer Daniels would stay the night
Charlie (handyman) came over to help.

Carol had rounded up a whole bunch of PPL: Lou Lou Charlie’s mom, Dave Sr. (father), Dave Jr. (son/brother), Dani (Dave’s daughter/sister), Lisa (wife), Mark (Lisa’s husband), Tiffany (wife), & Connor Tiffany’ husband) to help also.
Linda Cook (Jerry’s wife, former owner) was found at the bottom of the outside balcony stairs this morning dead.
Michael (Emma’s ex-husband) just happened to show up.
Emma listened to his song/dance story then laid into him.
He was hired for room/board.
Michelle & Blake were the new opening crew.
Someone had put garbage down by the dock.
Josh & Shelley arrived cooked hamburgers/hot dogs etc. for all the wonderful fishermen that were doing the cleanup/repair.
Bryan installed a security camera for free.
Linda’s case was an ongoing homicide.

What did Emma say to JoAnn (Jerry’s GF)?

I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review. Only an honest one.

A very awesome book cover, & proper great font & writing style. A very well written cozy mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. To be continued. There is no doubt in my mind this is a very easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; BookFunnel; Amazon Digital Services LLC.; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Deborah]

I Liked This Book!

This book has been on my TBR lost for way too long and I don't know if I was expecting too much from a maiden effort. Boy was I surprised! Well written, well edited, an all around good story! I'm so pleased to discover a new author!
The book is set in the northern part of lower Michigan, in a small resort community set with lakes and rivers, where Emma has purchased a rundown river lodge. Someone doesn't want her to open and things escalate when she tried to have a Grand Opening.
I enjoyed getting the lodge ready to open right along with Emma and the lodge is so realistically portrayed that I want to make a reservation!
I've already ordered books from two more or her series. Can't wait to open one! A soIid 4 stars.

[Linda]

I really enjoyed reading Stairway of Secrets. Emma decides to do something completely different with her life after she divorces her cheating husband. She buys a lodge from the 1800s in Northern Michigan and moves there with her yellow lab-Lucy. But things don't work out like she planned. Someone keeps sabotaging her improvements and then there is a murder on her property. Emma is a woman with a vision, though, and she isn't going to pack up and leave. I liked the characters in this book and their interactions. The book has a good flow to it and kept me reading to see who the culprit was. I like the hint of a possible romance for Emma with Alex or Ben. When I finished the book, I wanted to spend more time at The Halfway Point Lodge!

[Carol]

Good mystery

I love a good mystery, and this was one! I kept trying to figure out who was behind all the things happening to Em and why. Who killed Linda and why. See if they connected somehow or separate crimes.
I couldn't figure it out until the very end. I look forward to the next book. Good job Shannon Keeper on the story line and the wonderful characters.

[Amary Chapman]

Excellent reno intrigue

Ms. Kaper's tale of starting over after a divorce by renovating an old lodge is rife with humor, intrigue and wonderful characters. She's added romantic possibilities for the win. Don't pass it by. I highly recommend.

[Kathy Bailey]

Great book about woman who starts a new life after a divorce. Buys a lodge that has gone into disrepair. Boy, it does all take long for trouble to find her

[Linda]

I enjoyed it. A cozy mystery with a lot of unexpected twists. Keeps the reader wondering what could happen next. A great read for anyone who enjoys a romantic mystery with lots of suspanse.

[Sherry McWilliams]

Received a free copy for a review. Great story and characters. Grabs your attention and keeps it until you finish the book.

[Linda]

Just a so so story. The characters just did not do it for me. A number of places had awkward sentences that didn't show enough proof reading.

[Sharon]

Good read as far as it went. So disappointed that it ended abruptly and the need to obtain a 2nd book for the ending.

[Ronie Johnson]

Excellent work and lovely💕😍 mystery!!! No cliffhangers which is my favorite!!!

[Ann]

Must read❣️

[Jeremy Reppy]

This was an enjoyable cozy mystery. I liked how most of Indian River rallied around Emma and her remodeled lodge. The mystery itself was decent, with multiple plausible suspects and motives.

[shona mcinto]

Loved this book, the reader joins the star at the beginning of her new adventures and lives every moment with her, feel good, with the right amount of intrigue and danger.what will she do next? Love it!!