The Well-Kept Secret (A Wishville Mystery)
by Kari Lee Townsend
I am thrilled to welcome Kari Lee Townsend to
Escape with Dollycas today!
Hi Kari Lee, please tell us a little bit about yourself.
Hi there, Lori. Thanks so much for having me.
I have been married for 36 years to my college sweetheart. We have 4 grown children (3 sons & 1 daughter), but these days our babies are 3 Samoyeds (best breed ever). I love to travel, especially cruising, and my secret addiction is reality TV. I write mysteries, suspense, romances, women’s fiction, and tween novels under both Kari Lee Townsend and Kari Lee Harmon. Storytelling has always been in my blood—I love creating characters who feel real, dropping them into small towns full of secrets, and adding a touch of humor, heart, and sometimes magic. When I’m not writing, you can usually find me chasing after my dogs, planning my next adventure, or cozying up with a good book.
What are three things most people don’t know about you?
I was born on an air force base in Terceira, Azores, Portugal
I’m an adrenaline junkie who will try anything once
I love photography, drawing & painting
What books/authors have most inspired you?
There are so many, but a few who first inspired all the genres I write are Nora Roberts, Sandra Brown, Jude Devereaux, Peggy Webb, Liane Moriarty, Kristin Hannah, and Elin Hilderbrand.
What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book?
It depends on what genre I’m writing in. I come up with the idea for a book from things I read, see, hear or dream about. Then I tend to research as I go along. All my books take place in the northeast with all four seasons. I love writing about festivals and traditions. I’ll research the state and then come up with a fictional town. I research careers, character backgrounds, different ways to kill people, etc. I’m sure I’m on some FBI list 😉
Do you ever suffer from Writer’s Block?
Every author gets stuck at some point, but I have learned not to sit and stare at the screen. I get up and do the dishes or laundry, etc. Anything to distract my mind, and then the answer comes to me. I always have a notebook nearby for when inspiration strikes.
What advice do you have for someone who would like to become a published writer?
The only people who will never succeed are the ones who give up. It took me 16 years to get published, but now I’ve written 5 short stories, 7 novellas, and 31 novels.
When you are not writing what do you like to do?
Play with my Samoyeds, go for walks, take pictures, paint, draw, read books, watch reality TV, and travel. I enjoy wine tours, craft fairs, and festivals as well.
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go and why?
My husband and I have been to a lot of places already, but going to Portugal is on my bucket list. I just want to see where I was born someday, and I hear it’s beautiful.
What is next on the horizon for you?
I’m going to write at least the first 4 books in The Wishville Mysteries (I’m having a blast writing a fantasy cozy), then I’ll probably start the spinoff to my Sunny Meadows Mysteries. It’s called the Stone Investigation Mysteries with Sunny and Mitch’s grown son and daughter. Only this time, the daughter is like Mitch, and the son has psychic powers like Sunny. I may do more with the Greek mamas in the Kalli Ballas Mysteries (no one wants to see that series end). But then I also have a fun paranormal idea for a series set in Maine with my 3 Samoyeds in it. I have so many ideas and not nearly enough time, so stay tuned!
Look for The Well-Laid Trap (A Wishville Mystery #2) 1-20-26
Thank you, Kari Lee, for visiting today!
Please keep reading for more information about Kari and her new book!
About The Well-Kept Secret
The Well-Kept Secret (A Wishville Mystery)
Cozy Fantasy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Wishville, Vermont
Publisher : Oliver Heber Books
Publication date : October 28, 2025
ASIN : B0FL8TQXPB
A Spring Festival. A Magical Murder. A Secret Buried Beneath the Well.
Wishville, Vermont looks like a storybook postcard—complete with forest festivals, quirky locals, and a centuries-old wishing well that allegedly grants one wish each season. But for Lyra Wells, the magic isn’t just folklore—it’s her full-time job. As the half-human, half-Dweller Guardian of the Well, Lyra must keep the peace between the mortal world and the magical realm of Elarion. That means overseeing every seasonal WishFest, keeping tourists entertained, and pretending her glowing cat sidekick isn’t judging everyone.
But when an all-too-nosy antique dealer is found mysteriously dead by the well—and a rare memory crystal is discovered at the scene—the fragile treaty between worlds begins to unravel, and the ethereal Dweller chief enforcer isn’t happy. As the townsfolk whisper about curses and coincidences, something ancient stirs beneath the surface—and it’s not ready to stay hidden.
About Kari Lee Townsend
National Bestselling Author, Agatha, RT Reviewers Choice & Golden Duck Award Nominee. Kari lives in Central New York with her husband & 3 Samoyeds. She’s a lover of wine & travel (especially cruising), obsessed with reality TV, loves to try new things, and thinks there’s nothing better than getting lost in a good book with at least some element of mystery, romance & humor. She writes cozy mysteries & upper middle grade as Kari Lee Townsend, as well as suspense, romance, romantic comedy & women’s fiction as Kari Lee Harmon. She’s most known for her Sunny Meadows Mysteries, Kalli Ballas Mysteries, and a crossover series featuring Sunny, Kalli, their detectives, and their crazy families! The Tasty Trio and Greek Mamas are her favorite characters to write about. Granny Gert is based on her late grandmother and Great Grandma Tootsie is based on her husband’s late grandmother who lived to be nearly 109 years old!
Author Links
- Website
- Kari Lee’s Books & Babies | Facebook
- Facebook Author Page
- Amazon
- Threads
- Bluesky
- TikTok
- GoodReads
- Kari Lee Townsend Books – BookBub
- Kari Lee Townsend – YouTube
- Kari Lee’s Newsletter
Purchase Link
Find More of Kari Lee Townsend’s Books HERE.
TOUR PARTICIPANTS – Please visit all the stops.
October 28 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT
October 28 – Wine Cellar Library – REVIEW
October 29 – Angel’s Book Nook – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
October 30 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW ~ Review coming Soon Spotlight
October 31 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT
November 1 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 2 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT
November 3 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 3 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
November 4 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR GUEST POST
November 4 – Jane Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST
November 5 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW
November 6 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW
November 7 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
November 8 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
November 9 – Socrates Book Review – REVIEW
November 10 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST
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Thanks for having me! It was fun. Good luck everyone 😉