Title: A Splash of SecretsAuthor: Evaine Wells
Series: Mermaid Springs Mysteries #0.5
Publication: April 2, 2025 by Boot in the Door Publications
Genre: Historical, Cozy Mystery
Find it on: Amazon AU | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon US
Rating: 4/5★
Codes, Conspiracies, and Cold War Secrets – where the real mysteries hide between the lines.
When ambitious New York Herald journalist Mildred Lancaster is relegated to covering society events instead of hard-hitting news, she never expects an overheard conversation between two librarians to lead her into a web of international espionage. After discovering strange markings and damaged pages in rare art books at the New York Public Library, Mildred’s reporter instincts tell her there’s more to the story than simple vandalism.
Her investigation leads her to Silas Kendrick, a suspiciously inept “librarian” whose true motives remain unclear. Despite his attempts to block her at every turn, circumstances force them into an uneasy alliance. With her career at stake and danger mounting, Mildred reluctantly teams up with the enigmatic Silas, never quite sure if she can trust him. When her colleague Mason Rigby threatens to steal her story and a blackmailed librarian makes a desperate move, Mildred finds herself in a race against time where trusting the wrong person could have deadly consequences.
Set in 1950s New York against the backdrop of Cold War tensions, Secrets is the thrilling prequel to the Mermaid Springs Mysteries series, revealing how Mildred Lancaster’s final big-city case ultimately led her back to her small Florida hometown. Filled with period details, coded messages, and unexpected twists, this historical mystery captures the perfect blend of noir suspense and cozy charm.
Before Mermaid Springs, there was one final case in the city that changed everything. Don’t miss the prequel to the Mermaid Springs Mysteries!
A Splash of Secrets by Evaine Wells is the prequel to the Mermaid Springs Mysteries where readers are introduced to journalist Mildred Lancaster. Set in 1950’s New York City, it isn’t easy for Mildred as a female journalist for her superior and colleagues to take her seriously. All she gets to do is covering society events and other fluff pieces. Until she overhears a conversation between librarians about books being damaged by strange markings and ripped out pages. Mildred has a feeling it goes deeper than just that and it leads her to uncovering an intricate web of international intelligence gathering and spies.
I loved reading about Mildred! She was feisty, passionate about her work as a journalist and determined to figure out the mystery surrounding the defaced library books. I loved her courage and tenacity.The book’s setting during Cold War tensions and hostilities also really drew me in because I love all things historical and the 1950s are very fascinating to read about in general. I also really liked Silas Kendrick, the new librarian who seems weirdly incompetent at his job but that Mildred has to work together with, reluctantly to solve the mystery. I’m curious to see if he’ll show up in the following books of the series. But I have a feeling he will.
If you like period pieces, cozy mysteries, encrypted secret messages and a heroine with perseverance and drive then you will definitely enjoy this prequel. A Splash of Secrets, at 75 pages, is a very quick read that will entertain, charm and delight its reader. I can’t wait to see where Mildred’s story is going next.
About the author:
Evaine Wells brings a fresh voice to the cozy mystery genre after years of crafting stories for young adults and teaching creative writing in schools. A dedicated daydreamer, she delights in bringing characters to life, weaving intricate mysteries in charming settings where readers can escape and play amateur detective. When not plotting the perfect crime (on paper, of course), Evaine can be found binge-watching British TV dramas (the more tea drinking, the better) or sampling the culinary delights at Disney World. She lives in Florida with a regal Nebelung cat and a clever Maltese who has masterfully trained her to scratch his back leg on cue.
This sounds really fun! And I love books set in the 1950s too. There’s a lot you can do with that time period. And bonus points for being short😁
Stephanie this sounds like a really interesting read. Ha set in the 1950’s. I began my life in the 1950’s!
This sounds fun, I’ve been wanting to try more cozy mysteries and I love that it’s set in the 1950s!