
Where the Light Shines Through: An Olivia Penn Mystery
by Kathleen Bailey
I am delighted to welcome Kathleen Bailey to Escape to Dollycas today!
Embracing the Seasons
Greetings from a seasonably cool, autumnal day in beautiful Virginia! Where I live, fall is in full swing. The vibrantly colored leaves that once fluttered high now lie low, waiting to be raked, stomped through, and scattered about by spirited kiddos. Fireplaces are being prepped for chilly days ahead, and there’s anticipation of winter’s arrival with warming thoughts of sipping cocoa, wearing cozy fleece, and curling up on the couch with a book in hand. As seasons change, the old gives way to the new. We take what is best from the past, leaving the rest behind.
Where the Light Shines Through is a contemporary, cozy mystery that takes place in late spring in Olivia Penn’s hometown of Apple Station, Virginia. Olivia is a syndicated advice columnist living and working in Washington, D.C. She is moving to New York to accept a promotion and pursue her publishing dreams. Before doing so, though, she makes a trip back home to visit her dad and spend a week of rest and relaxation, catching up with her friends and enjoying the town’s spring festival.
Changes are in the air. Refreshing breezes are about to give way to oppressive humidity. Pleasant bluebird, cloudless skies soon will be replaced by summer haze. Spring showers have given rise to the growing season, and now, Olivia has come home to help plant her dad’s vegetable garden as the conditions are just right for their tomato, cucumber, and sweet potato seedlings to flourish.
Changes are in store for Olivia as well. A new season is about to begin for her, but not in the way she expects. Her visit home will leave her with difficult decisions. She’ll have to look to the past, taking from it what’s needed to bring a murderer to justice. She’ll have to leave behind what she thought she knew about those close to her if she is to save both herself and an unlikely ally.
As the temperature continues to dip here in Virginia, and I eye my fleece casually draped over the sofa’s arm, I think of the many changing seasons in my life. I remember being in first grade, sitting on our classroom’s oval, braided rug during story time, and musing to myself, “I want to be a writer.” Oddly, I didn’t have a publishable manuscript by second or even third grade. In fact, as life goes, the decades that followed were full of seasons with many plot twists and red herrings along the way, some seemingly leading me very far from that intention.
I settled along a path of working with children with special needs as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years, and I thoroughly loved what I did, quite content to remain in that season. But then I was injured, and the season changed, regardless of if I was ready or wanted it to do so. As sure, though, as the cool, wintry days ahead will eventually give way to the warming, spring sun, that first grade season of my life came back around, and I once again said, “I want to be a writer.”
May we all accept the changing seasons in our lives, embracing what is best from the past and leaving the rest behind.
Happy reading!
About Where the Lights Shines Through
Where the Light Shines Through: An Olivia Penn Mystery
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Publisher : Rhino Publishing LLC (November 30, 2021)
Hardcover : 330 pages
ISBN-10 : 1956270027
ISBN-13 : 978-1956270020
Paperback : 330 pages
ISBN-10 : 1956270019
ISBN-13 : 978-1956270013
Digital ASIN : B09H9G1ZWF
Castle meets Clue in this fun, fast-paced, fresh take on the cozy mystery.
Olivia’s syndicated advice column is about solving problems … not murders. But when she returns to her hometown of Apple Station in Virginia to visit her dad, she has five days to expose a killer or fall prey as the next victim.
Olivia had planned for a week of rest and relaxation before her move to New York for a promotion and a chance to pursue her publishing dreams. Within hours of arriving home, her world changes forever with the death of someone dear. A promise to a grieving mother leads her to uncover secrets from the past that put her life in danger, leaving her at a crossroads. Does she risk investigating further or settle for the security of the life that awaits? Will she chase after what she thinks she wants or listen to what her heart needs?
With the support of friends and family, a tenuous alliance with the lead police detective, and the bravery of an intrepid beagle, she races to protect her dad, rescue an unlikely ally, and bring a murderer to justice.
When all seems lost, will Olivia summon the strength and courage she needs to see where the light shines through?
Join the journey in the first novel of The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. If you grew up reading Nancy Drew, you’ll love this cozy mystery that entertains with heart and humor amid a charming cast of characters set in a small Southern town.
Escape to enjoy a captivating, heartwarming story that will inspire you to be the hero of your own life.
About Kathleen Bailey
Kathleen Bailey is the author of Where the Light Shines Through, the first novel in The Olivia Penn Mystery Series. She writes mysteries with heart and humor that keep to the traditional and cozy sides of crime. Kathleen has degrees in English, psychology, and physical therapy. She previously worked as a pediatric physical therapist for over twenty years with children who have special needs. She now spends her days obsessively plotting and sleuthing in Virginia. When she is not incognito, she is a member of Sisters in Crime and the James River Writers.
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Great Escapes Praise for Where the Light Shines Through: An Olivia Penn Mystery
by Kathleen Bailey
Where the Light Shines Through is a cozy mystery with genuine characters and a small-town setting. However, it really shines as a mystery. Despite having clues seen in hindsight, I did not suspect the killer at all. Any other armchair detectives will also enjoy this invigorating challenge. 4 stars!
~Diane Reviews Books
Bottom Line: Where the Light Shines Through by Kathleen Bailey is charming from beginning to end. Make sure this one is on your TBR list!
~Reading Is My Super Power
Though all in all, I didn’t mind it enough to stop reading. This is a series starter and I’m not sure I’d feel compelled to continue along with the characters, but I found this book entertaining and would tell most people to give it a try!
~Nellie’s Book Nook
Where the Light Shines Through is an amazing cozy mystery. The first in a new series, this novel pulled me in with excellently written characters and continued development. The book kept me engaged with a wonderful plot, fitting side stories, and world-building that had me visualizing everything. The small-town setting, petty rivalries, and secrecy bring realism to the story.
~Sapphyria’s Books
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