Easton Island: Looking Glass Cottage

Easton Island Family Saga Series #1

by Hope Callaghan

Easton Island - Looking Glass Cottage is the beginning of one woman’s journey from incredible loss to finding a past she knew nothing about, including a family who both embraces and fears her and a charming island that draws her in. This inspirational series is for lovers of family sagas, mystery, and a touch of romance.

Morgan Easton Greer is forced to pick up the pieces and start over after her world is shattered by a series of tragic events including a failing marriage and losing her mother.

Shortly after her mother’s death, a mysterious letter arrives, inviting Morgan to a remote island for the reading of her mother’s will… a will she had no idea existed.

Does Morgan have the courage to claim what is rightfully hers and start over by building a life she never dreamed possible?

Find out when you grab your copy of Easton Island - Looking Glass Cottage today!

Genres: Fiction, Summer, Cozy Mystery

231 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 5, 2022

About the author

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★ AMAZON BESTSELLING AUTHOR ★
★ 2017 Mom's Choice Award ★

Hope Callaghan is an American author who loves to write clean fiction books, especially Christian Mystery and Cozy Mystery books.

She has written more than 70 mystery books (and counting) in six series.

Born and raised in a small town in West Michigan, she now lives in Florida with her husband. She is the proud mother of 3 wonderful children.

When she's not doing the thing she loves best - writing books - she enjoys cooking, traveling and reading books.

Reviews

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story. I enjoyed it.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easton Island, Have American and half Canadian!!! What could go wrong??? Someone is robbing the lockers??? And now the reading of the will??? I enjoyed this story – as far as it went and recommend the book.

[Wannee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Start to the New Series!!!

Easton Island Looking Glass Cottage is the first book in Easton Island Family Saga Series by Hope Callaghan and as usual it's a great wonderful read. I love all books by Hope.

This book is a heart warming, a great page turning fun cozy mystery, good story line in beautiful setting of Michigan. It's very entertaining, full of twists and turns, mystery with delightful characters. I can't wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book to any cozy mystery fans.

[Valerie Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning of a new relationship

This first book in Hope Callaghan's new series is an east read as we learn about Morgan the the life, left behind by her mother which she has now inherited. I look forward to learning more about these characters in the next book...

[MaryJane Kibbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy reading, the end left me hanging so I have to read #2 in series

[Doris Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book

[Loretta TheMoodyRedhead · Rating 5 out of 5]

The opening of this first book and entire 13-book series is:

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 NIV

I like that a Bible verse is the beginning of this character’s new life’s story. I like that God is recognized because I typically read cozy mysteries and usually religion and beliefs are not mentioned. Then again, I’m sure there are plenty of Christian cozy mysteries out there! I also like that the Christianity is subtle enough that I know it’s there, but not so extreme that I feel it’s being pushed on me.

Having said that, this was a great start to an already great series. Morgan has just discovered her parents came from wealth after her mother’s passing. (By the way, I was teary-eyed once the sentence “Laura Locke Easton was gone.” came. I swear I had as much hope as Morgan that her mother Laura would recover.) Morgan is given the opportunity to fly for free to Michigan from her home in Florida to have her mother’s will read.

Upon arriving in Michigan, she not only discovers she’s got a half brother (the father she never knew had a son after Morgan’s mother left Morgan’s dad to move to Florida), but she also finds that her father’s family owns half of an island and her mother’s family owns the other half. Morgan is the heiress to her mother’s fortune and Morgan’s brother is the heir of his father’s fortune… sorta. Ya, I can see this will get convoluted especially since residents on the island aren’t all happy with the new heiress possibly taking over.

I’m probably not explaining that right, but I’m still working things out with Morgan. As the series progresses, things will begin making more sense and I’m nearly certain that in book 2 “The Letter” Morgan will decide to leave Florida to move to her newfound island. I do hope her best friend Quinn moves along with her! She said she would, but when it comes down to it I wonder if she’ll leave her home in Florida to live on a sparsely populated island.

I want to mention there is a character named Veronica “Ronni” who was Morgan’s mother’s bff. Morgan just met her, but already loves her. Ronni seems like she is another “Elvira” character of Hope Callaghan’s. Elvira is loud, sometimes obnoxious, and doesn’t have much tact, but her heart is always in the right place. Elvira is from Callaghan’s Savannah series. I’ll also add that Callaghan has a similar character to Elvira in her Divine series - Lorraine. So it seems Callaghan always adds a somewhat obnoxious character her readers will never forget! 😁

I’ll admit I choose many of my books based on their cover first. Then, I read what the book is about and then add that to my reading list or immediately read it. This series was not chosen based on cover alone, because the cover didn’t appeal to me. What did make me finally begin this series - except the fact that I marked the first book as a Want To Read in GoodReads 3 years ago - was that it’s by an author I like very much. Callaghan hasn’t written anything I haven’t liked.

So, next is book 2, “The Letter.”

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Upon the death of her mother, Morgan Easton Greer, has no idea just how much her life is about to change. If the loss of her mother wasn't heartbreaking enough, she now finds herself estranged from her husband. Jason chose to leave her behind to pursue his career in Alabama while she remains in Florida. Confused when contacted by her mother's attorney about the reading of her will, taking her to Easton Island, a place Morgan never knew existed. She decides she must find out about her past, before she can move ahead with her future. But, will returning to Easton Island bring more questions, rather than answers?

This is a new series from author Hope Callaghan, one I'm looking forward to following. Morgan has a story that she isn't even aware of, one of discovery about herself and her family. There are several characters that come into play, and an ere of mystery surrounding the island. The story is well-written, the characters engaging. I'm curious as to what Morgan's next choice will be and how the various characters lives are entwined with hers. I highly recommend Easton Island: Looking Glass Cottage.

[Deanna Green · Rating 2 out of 5]

good if you only like reading half a book

I’m really surprised this got so many good ratings! It’s like reading a book, getting into the story then turning the page and there’s no more! The only thing that had answers was the theft from their lockers which really wasn’t relevant to the story at all! Just a filler. The weird thing was that there should have been signs of a break in on the locker doors but there wasn’t (especially since the person was caught trying to jimmy open Morgan’s locker!), and how did they lock it again after! To get any other answers at all you must buy the next, then the next book! It was called looking glass cottage, and yes she visited the island for less than 48 hours, spent an hour visiting the cottage to find she’d inherited it, then left the island the next day! It’s also quite a short book. But every book should have a decent ending. Very disappointed

[Renate Deutsche Oma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A page turning introduction to a new Michigan setting series with small town dynamics, plus family drama. This Michigander was delighted by the name of the cottage The Looking Glass, its history, the mention of Michigan beach glass, and intrigue of the international element with its close proximity with Canada. This retiree believes many workers (especially in the hospitality industry) feel like Morgan: It had been a long day, a long week, a long year. In Chapter 10 I enjoyed the analogy of unwrapping a present inside a present. “The task of unwrapping each layer held a joy all its own…. Think of this place - Easton Island, as one of these gifts. You unwrap one layer at a time, eagerly looking forward to the gift but knowing each layer holds its own special moment." Looking forward to the reading more about the Easton Island Family Saga.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

a beautiful, sweet story

This was an awesome beautiful story. ❤️
When Morgan’s mother, Laura, dies she’s devastated. When a lawyer contacts her and tells her that she is in her mother’s will. Mind you, a will she never even knew existed, she was a bit taken aback. When she was told that she had to go to this island in Michigan to have the will read, she was very leery. What will Morgan find out if she goes to this island. What will she miss miss if she doesn’t?
I absolutely loved this book. Ms. Callaghan does it again, She comes up with a wonderful beginning to a series. Book one ended way too quickly for me! I am waiting with bells 🔔 on for the next book,

[Beth Temin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about an estranged family

This book began with a separation and the death of Morgan Easton Greer's mother. Morgan's husband moved to Atlanta & a new job & she stayed in Florida. The story took Morgan to Easton Island, split between Michigan & Canada, where her mother's will was read. Morgan learned about a whole new side of her family and her deceased father. She had a half brother and a cottage she hadn't known about. She learned about her mother's estate and made new friends on the island. Her future was completely changed. I loved reading about Morgan's adventure and look forward to the next chapter of her life.

[VICTORIA STEWART · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was so good!! First in the new series and it starts off right away. There were so many emotions for the lead character within the first few chapters that I found myself caught up in those emotions. I was pulled in with her story and feelings that I couldn’t put this book down. With every chapter you are excited to see what unfolds next. This book has great characters, a lovely setting, several twists of surprise and so many more mysteries to unfold. I can’t wait for the next book!!! Yet another series by this wonderful author that I hang on the edge of my seat until the next installment.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful family saga !

Easton Island: Looking Glass Cottage is the debut of a new series by Hope Callaghan. I have read her other cozy mysteries and this really isn't one. It is about Morgan and her mother Laura who dies shortly into the book. Laura never talked about her past or Morgan's father. When Laura passes away, Morgan receives a letter to go to Easton Island in Michigan for the reading of the will. She meets some nice people but she isn't sure who to trust. A side story is about items being stolen where Morgan works and about her marriage problems, both are small parts of the story. This is a wonderful book and it was hard to put down! It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger. This was a very enjoyable book and I already have the next book! #EastonIsland #HopeCallaghan

[EmbGram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inheritance, mystery and secrets

After the death of her mother, Morgan gets a letter from a lawyer in Michigan informing her that her mother left a will and that she is an heir. Initially believing it to be a scam, she ignores it.

After discussing it with her best friend, she decides to fly to Michigan to investigate. What she learns there leaves her with more questions than answers.

This is the first installment in a series and let's one hanging. Hopefully, the next installment won't take too long to be published.

[Joy B]

Not a Stand Alone Book!

I was really enjoying this book. It’s very different from others that Hope has written, (which I also read and enjoyed) and the only reason I didn’t give it five stars is because it seemed to me that it ended before the story was resolved. It’s like the first installment in a serial, rather than a standalone book. Now I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the series but I really wish this one had lasted a little longer and wrapped up more of the story.

[Karolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read for a series. Too short, but left wanting more. A broken family, feud between family lines set on the shores of Lake Huron on Easton Island. Morgan is first introduced to this island when her mother’s will is to be read. Learning her history and that of her family line proves challenging, and yet it’s alluring. Hope Callaghan could have created a mega novel with these shorter novels, but instead segmented her story into shorter novels. Looking forward to Morgan’s journey in each subsequent book.

[Alta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easton Island, A Whole New World

I absolutely love this new book. The birth of a new series is so exciting and this did not fail. Morgan Easton finds that her whole life is changing and she doesn't know how she is going t?o make it. Her mother dies, she and her husband are divorcing and, she finds out she has a family she knew nothing about, and she apparently has money. Does she move to Easton Island or stay in Florida alone.

[Sue Ruhl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fabulous Start To What I Hope Will Be Many Additional Books In This Series

I haven't enjoyed a book such as this one in a very long time! At times during my reading of this, the fir
st installment of the series called the Looking Glass Cottage, I felt transported to a time when things were more formal and people had decent manners! I can barely wait until the next book is read-ready!

[Daphne Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking Glass Cottage

This book could not have been read by me at a better time. Thank You for this story in particular. I just lost my Mom and her Will didn’t stipulate a lot but she did leave me a note. I’ve not read it yet. But I will. Being able to relate to the story is so Surreal to me. It is an excellent book and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a Great Mystery and a Very talented Author. Thank You Hope Callaghan. Now onward to the next book.

[Nancy Wilkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This “book” Is well written and a good start to a wonderful h beach read, except it ended almost as soon as it started. This author needs to learn that she doesn’t need tricks like this to get people to read the next book. Luckily I’m reading on kindle unlimited. Otherwise, I wouldn’t waste my money buying the next ten books in the series. If they are like this one, they are about three chapters long. Show more confidence in your story line and your characters!

[Judy Meierhofer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Island

Morgan stared at the book, her fingers tracing the worn edges. The unexpected inheritance and her late father's mysterious past beckoned her. She knew time was of the essence; the opportunity to unravel her family's secrets could slip away at any moment. Her step brother might hold the key to understanding her father's life, and she was determined to piece together the fragments of her fragmented family history before it was too late.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful beginning to a new series! Just as Morgan loses her mother and her marriage, she receives news of another whole family she never knew existed. Beautifully written, with small mysteries and hints of bigger mysteries to come. Highly recommended! I hope Ms. Callaghan is busy writing book 2, because I’m certainly ready to read it!

[Marianne Lopapa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review:

I absolutely fell in love with this book from the start...Loved the main character and all the character's....There was charm to the story especially with the island setting...Plus, there was intrigue as to what is going to happen next..
Can't wait till book 2 comes out....Thank - you for an enjoyable read....M.L.🙂

[Deborah Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

This new series from Hope Callaghan is by far, captivating. The characters are solid in their developement, interacting well. Their lives woven together in mysterious ways. From the beginning you are catapulted onto the fast track to find answers. This is a definite hit.

[Deb McDaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing new series

This book is very different from the cozy mysteries I've come to love from Hope Callaghan, and I enjoyed it immensely. It grabbed me from the prologue and I had to keep going to find out more. There is still so much to be revealed. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series to see where it goes.

[Julie Holdsworth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different than Hope's other books

While I enjoyed the first book in this new series, I never like it when the ending isn't really an end. It felt incomplete. I have never felt this way after her other books. I will read the next in the series when it comes out, but if the end isn't the end again, I will give the series a pass.

[Norma Heatherly]

I couldn't put this down.

Loved reading a book from my home town, Fort Myers, Fl. From one of my face authors. I have read every book Hope has written. Her stories are totally amazing. Can't wait for book 2. Currently riding out Hurricane Ian and this book has totally kept me at peace with 60 mph winds and even higher gusts.

[Bentonkk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Morgan loses her mother due to death in beginning of book. Her husband wants to move but she will not leave her Mom (who would). After her Mom passes she receives a letter to go to Michigan for the reading of her Moms will. Why she thinks. This starts the adventure. And left me wanting so much more at the end.

[Pat Daab · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new fresh series

I chose this rating because it had likeable characters in settings easy to visualize. The main character is Morgan a soon to be divorced woman in Florida who finds out who has inherited property in Michigan.
Looking forward to book 2 and many more to this series.