Tuesday, September 22, 2026
Monday, September 21, 2026
WHAT'S HOT in Christian Romantic Mystery and Suspense
Marji Laine here.
What a juicy find! I'm definitely hooked!
Deadly Schemes
by Penny Zeller
Kennedy
Olohan loves her new job at the local senior center, where she not only plans
activities but also does her best to advocate and protect the participants she
sees each week. When someone begins targeting Kennedy for her concern over
murmurings of shady real estate dealings aimed at seniors, she finds herself
the victim of carefully planned deceit.
Detective Trace Ridgely is finally healing from a snowmobile accident sustained
while volunteering with the local mountain rescue team. As he settles into his
job, one of his first new cases is the suspicious death of an acquaintance.
Peculiar circumstances follow, including a hit-and-run on an elderly Lake
Radford resident and a missing heirloom ring. Are the latest events connected
to the suspicious death of his acquaintance?
When Kennedy and Trace meet for a blind date arranged by mutual friends, they
form an instant connection. But when Kennedy becomes the common denominator,
seeking to educate seniors and prevent them from falling for nefarious scams,
she becomes a target. When she’s caught in the crosshairs of a madman’s
schemes, can Trace protect her before it’s too late?
An elaborate plan.
A get-rich scheme.
A deadly outcome.
Saying Goodbye to A Sister
A few days ago, we lost one of our sisters. Mary Ellis was part of the Suspense Sisters for a long, long time. When she stopped writing, she stayed with us anyway. And we wouldn't have had it any other way. She was truly one of us, and it was an honor to know her - not just because she was an author - but she was also our friend. Mary was kind, generous, and had such a big heart for people and for God. We loved her very much, and we will miss her more than words can express. And for writers, that says a lot.
Friday, September 18, 2026
Sit Down with Author Ann Swindell about Secrets in the Castle Library
Kristen here. I am absolutely delighted to welcome Ann Swindell to the Suspense Sisters! I am a huge fan of her In the Castle Library Christian romance series that includes just enough delicious suspense to keep me reading well after my bedtime. While this series is not your typical suspense (FBI agents, detectives, etc.), it features a long-lost queen, castle royalty and a brilliant stewardess, British researchers, and American history students. If you're not intrigued yet, just keep reading as Ann shares about the latest book in this series, Secrets in the Castle Library.
There is one experience in particular that has probably shaped my desire to craft Lethersby more than anything else—and that is a memory from the summer when I was nineteen. I spent that summer studying abroad in the United Kingdom, and thanks to one of our professors pulling some strings, our entire group stayed for three nights in Hampton Castle, a lesser-known castle in the countryside of Herefordshire, England. Each morning, I awoke in a four-poster bed, pulled on a robe, and padded past the armor on the walls and down the stone staircase to the Orangery, where chocolate croissants and tea were the order of the morning. The days were spent exploring the magnificent garden maze and grounds before reading Shakespeare under ancient trees, and the evenings were spent singing hymns with friends in the chapel. I met the Lord in that beautiful place in a way that still brings me to tears.
Perhaps all I write about Lethersby is, in some way, touched by a desire to go back to that castle and those carefree days as a young woman. But I know that even more than that, Lethersby exists in my heart because it points me to the heavenly home my heart truly aches for—the Kingdom that has no end.
If you could step into one scene from the book—not the dangerous ones—where would you go and why?
The castle library when the heroine and hero see each other for the first time! The moment is a bookish/academic meet-cute, but it also happens to be in an ancient, beautiful library that carries the whiff of vanilla and worn leather. I crafted that library to bring together multiple elements that I love about libraries in the first place, and then I added in cozy touches of plush carpet and a spiral staircase. I’d love to relax and read in that library for hours!
What’s one part of your daily routine that quietly fuels your creativity or keeps you grounded?
Reading the Bible and praying are central routines in my life. As a church planter’s wife and homeschooling mom, there are many, many days each month where I’m not writing at all and the most creative thing I do is figure out how to get dinner on the table without burning anything (ha!). But when I’m in the Word, connecting with the Lord, my soul is able to rest and refresh in the deepest of ways. Then, when I can return to my creative writing work, I’ve got a deep well that I can draw from.
What’s one theme in this book that reflects something you’ve personally wrestled with or learned in your own life?
God’s ways are not our ways. The main character of Secrets in the Castle Library, Melanie, is trying to figure out why her life isn’t going to plan. What she discovers across the book’s narrative arc is that her plan isn’t the one she really wants—but it takes a while to get there. I think so much of my own journey with the Lord has been learning to surrender my own desires for His...and finding that His are so much better than my own.
What are you working on now?
I’ve had so much fun in the fictional country of Lethersby that I’m not ready to leave it yet—and neither are my readers! I’m starting a new series set in historical Lethersby, writing about the royals from several hundred years ago and how the nation began. As always in Lethersby, there are mysteries waiting to be solved in every generation!
Where can your readers learn more about you?
I’m most active on Instagram (www.instagram.com/annswindell) and on my website (www.AnnSwindell.com), and I love getting to connect with readers! I also teach writing courses for fellow writers over at www.WritingWithGrace.com.
Thank you, Ann, for sharing your time and story with us! Keep reading to learn more about Ann and her story, Secrets in the Castle Library.
Ann Swindell is the author of the award-winning In the Castle Library novel series, as well as the nonfiction devotional The Path to Peace and the spiritual memoir Still Waiting. Her writing has been featured widely by The Gospel Coalition, Risen Motherhood, Well-Watered Women, Proverbs 31 Ministries, and many other publications.
Ann is the owner of Writing with Grace, where she has been teaching Christ-centered writing courses for women around the world since 2015. Prior to that, she was a college instructor at Wheaton College (IL). She holds an MA in Writing from DePaul University and an MFA in Creative Nonfiction Writing from Seattle Pacific University, and lives in West Michigan with her church-planting husband and their children. Connect with her at www.AnnSwindell.com.
Now, here's more about Secrets in the Castle Library, which releases September 22.
The past year of Melanie Tallebois’s life has unraveled, both professionally and personally. Usually unflappable, she can’t understand why life isn’t going to plan. So when she’s offered a professorship at the University of Lethersby, she seizes it as her chance to find the happiness that has eluded her for as long as she can remember. The fact that her best friend is the nation’s princess and has invited her to live in the castle for the summer doesn’t hurt, either.
The only thing eluding Eddie Canon are answers. As director of the National Museum of Lethersby, he’s spent years chasing the truth behind Queen Alma’s disappearance over a century ago. Now, tasked by the royals to tie up the loose ends of the national mystery, he’s studying in the castle library and still coming up empty-handed.
The last person Eddie wants to work with is Melanie, who inserts herself into his research—and his life. She’s brash, annoying, forthright…and altogether brilliant. Eddie thinks it wise to push her away, but as the research continues to stall, he can’t ignore that their friendship has begun to blossom.
When the long-lost queen’s mysteries finally come to light, Melanie is plunged into darkness—and Eddie questions everything he thought he understood about faith and love. Together, they must uncover the secrets in the castle library and decide whether they’re willing to trust God with a story far greater than their own.
That's it for today! I hope you enjoyed meeting Ann and take some time to check out her In the Castle Library series for yourself.
Leave a comment, along with your email address, for your chance to win an eBook copy of this incredible book!
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Congratulations to Sharon J. on winning the eBook copy and for everyone who commented!
Wednesday, September 16, 2026
QUESTIONS, ANSWERS, AND A MURDER WEAPON!
I asked readers what they’d like me to write about today, and you came through with some great questions! I’m answering the first few here and saving the rest for my next column.
Lela White asked: Could you share how you helped solve a murder?
Many years ago, a well-known woman in Wichita was murdered. One of my close friends managed an apartment complex for her. The woman, who was a very kind person, had helped a couple who lived in that same complex.
A few days after the murder, I was talking to my friend on the phone when she happened to mention that the couple was parked outside on the street. They’d rented a U-Haul and were moving away. I believe they were planning to leave town. Something about that bothered me. I told my friend to hang up and call the police. Immediately. She wasn’t sure about ia at first, but after talking to her husband, she decided to follow through and called 911.
The police arrived and searched the U-Haul.
They found the murder weapon! The couple was arrested and confessed to the crime.
Mark A. Buzard asked: Why do you write Christian suspense as opposed to other genres in and out of Christian fiction?
I started out writing traditional mysteries, then moved into cozy mysteries. Later, a publisher asked me to write Old Order Mennonite suspense. They already had an Amish author who had exclusive rights to write that genre for them, so they asked me to write novels that had a similar feel—but weren’t Amish.
After I’d written several books for them, my current publisher came calling. I continued writing Mennonite suspense for them, but eventually I asked if we could move the Mennonite element into the background and bring the suspense forward. They agreed. Then I asked if I could write straight suspense. They agreed to that too!
And that’s how I ended up where I am today. Although I write suspense, every book I write also contains a mystery. I guess Nancy Drew still has a little influence on me after all these years.
Sherry Legan asked about podcasts.
I’m not completely sure what you wanted to know about podcasts, Sherry, but I can tell you that I’ve been interviewed on several, and I’ve enjoyed them. It’s fun to meet new people and actually talk with them rather than simply typing responses to interview questions.
However, the shy part of me still prefers hiding behind my keyboard. Given the choice, I’d usually rather do a written interview.
Terry Fleming said: I agree with Mark A. Buzard!
Thanks, Terry. I answered his question! Hugs, my friend.
Tina Johansen Klag asked: Talk about how leaning on your faith helps you to write your stories.
I dedicate my books to God, and I pray for His guidance as I write. I know He gave me this gift, so I trust Him to help me create stories that will point readers toward Him.
And for me, it goes even deeper than that.
I love writing suspense and mystery, but if I couldn’t include an element of faith, I wouldn’t want to write at all. Someday, we’ll stand before God. I don’t believe He’ll care about how many books we sold or how many awards we won. What will matter is whether we used the gifts He gave us to make a difference for Him. That’s what I pray to do with every story I write.
Vickie Watts asked: How did you get the idea for the Erin Delaney books, and what inspired you to write Christian romantic suspense?
I knew I wanted to write about an author. (Gee, I wonder why?)
I also knew how much readers loved a character from one of my previous series—Kaely Quinn. So, I asked my publisher if I could bring Kaely back in a new series. They said yes. And thus, the Erin Delaney Mysteries were born!
Thanks so much to everyone who submitted questions—and to all of you who took the time to read my column. I’ll answer more reader questions next time.
And now for a giveaway!
They’d started back to the house when they heard a male voice behind them. Then a shot rang out.
“Run!” Kaely said.
When bestselling author Erin Delaney’s novel gets picked up for a movie deal, she eagerly awaits her friend Kaely Quinn-Hunter’s arrival in Tennessee before they head to California to observe the film’s production. However, when Kaely doesn’t arrive at the scheduled time and Erin can’t reach her by phone, her concern grows.
A cryptic phone call from Kaely’s kidnapper confirms Erin’s worst fear—she has exactly six days to save her friend’s life by solving his twisted clues. The message comes with a warning: Contact the police or FBI, and Kaely dies. But Erin works for the Sanctuary Police Department, and Kaely’s husband is with the FBI, putting her in an impossible situation.
As Erin races against time, she must crack the kidnapper’s chilling puzzle before it’s too late.
Nancy Mehl delivers thrills like no one else in the conclusion of her high-stakes Christian romantic suspense series, full of action, investigations, cryptic clues, and dangerous threats. This finale promises to captivate fans of Criminal Minds, Lynette Eason, Colleen Coble, Irene Hannon, Susan May Warren, and Elizabeth Goddard.
Tuesday, September 15, 2026
WHAT'S HOT in Christian Mystery and Suspense
Marji Laine here.
I'm intrigued with a romantic mystery. I just don't see books that are defined like that very often.
Cascade
by Linda K. Rodante
Crista Henson fled to a quiet Tennessee town to rebuild her shattered life, trading her past for a fresh start as a vacation planner and a deeper reliance on God. She wants peace. Instead, she finds herself tangled in a deadly web of secrets with enough suspects to challenge Hercule Poirot himself. She never planned on playing amateur sleuth—and she certainly didn't plan on Sid Martin.
Sid is running from his own devastating past, swearing off the wilderness
forever.
But when a friend lures him back, a desperate cry for help and a brutal
attempted murder force him to confront his guilt and his fears.
As their investigation expands and danger closes in, can Crista and Sid narrow
the suspects in time to prevent their own demise?
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