The Secret in Magnolia House
(2026)(The ninth book in the Poppy James Cozy Mystery series)
A novel by Gemma Harper
A historic house on the move. A dead man inside. And a secret someone will kill to keep buried.
Café owner Poppy James expects Willowbrook’s much-anticipated relocation of Magnolia House to bring crowds, coffee orders, and plenty of small-town gossip—not murder. But when preservation consultant Julian Cross is found dead in an upstairs bedroom after the Victorian house travels across town with its doors sealed, Poppy can’t resist an impossible puzzle.
With sharp-eyed Nadine, history-loving Theo, and clue-sniffing beagle Midsip at her side, Poppy follows a trail through forgotten fire records, hidden renovations, and a house with more secrets than its walls can hold.
Structural engineer Harlan Quade had everything to lose when Julian questioned his certification, while developer Benton Rusk faced a costly financing disaster if Julian halted the project. Both had motive. Both are hiding something.
As Poppy gets closer to the truth, someone starts protecting Magnolia House’s past at any cost—and the next secret uncovered could make Poppy the next victim.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Café owner Poppy James expects Willowbrook’s much-anticipated relocation of Magnolia House to bring crowds, coffee orders, and plenty of small-town gossip—not murder. But when preservation consultant Julian Cross is found dead in an upstairs bedroom after the Victorian house travels across town with its doors sealed, Poppy can’t resist an impossible puzzle.
With sharp-eyed Nadine, history-loving Theo, and clue-sniffing beagle Midsip at her side, Poppy follows a trail through forgotten fire records, hidden renovations, and a house with more secrets than its walls can hold.
Structural engineer Harlan Quade had everything to lose when Julian questioned his certification, while developer Benton Rusk faced a costly financing disaster if Julian halted the project. Both had motive. Both are hiding something.
As Poppy gets closer to the truth, someone starts protecting Magnolia House’s past at any cost—and the next secret uncovered could make Poppy the next victim.
Genre: Cozy Mystery
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