A Wishville Mystery: Book 1
Publication Date: October 28, 2025
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.
Lyra is the peacekeeper to the mortal world and magical realm in this delightful first book in the A Wishville Mystery series, The Well-Kept Secret by Author Kari Lee Townsend.
Well-written, with a great deal of depth, and nuanced, realistic characters, kept me turning the pages to the very end. I really can’t stop saying good things about this book.
Lyra Wells was a great character. She’s neither fully human nor fully Dweller, but takes her job as guardian of the well seriously. She’s a loner by choice due to her slow aging process. She’s already lived several lifetimes. I like how she interacts with the town locals and keeps the well’s secrets. She’s diplomatic, polite, and tries not to get too close to the locals, as they will age and she will not. Eventually, she must erase herself from their memories so that no one suspects anything. It’s just so sad.
Lyra has to work with one of the elders, Calderis. He’s a full Dweller, highly magical, and smokin’ hot. She also has to work with Chief Holden Thorn, the new town cop, who doesn’t believe in magic or wishes, and he’s all human and all Man. You know what I mean? Two hot alpha males from two different worlds, and the chemistry with both of them is off the charts. One of them has to screw up at some point.
I love Lyra’s cat, Vex. He’s the voice of reason and wisdom. I also adore the magic and wishes that the well bestows. The backstory the author provides at the beginning adds to the story, enhancing its magic and mystery.
I’m eager for the second installment of this series, as I’m curious to see what happens next. Ms. Townsend didn’t leave a cliffhanger, but she left the reader wondering what would happen next. It’s maddening and wonderful all at once.
Rich characters, a solid plot, and fun magical beings make The Well-Kept Secret an entertaining read I wished would never end. 
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!
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
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
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m thrilled you liked the book!