BOOKS

Rural Michigan, 1934. 

During the throes of the Great Depression Polly marries for money, but when her new husband perishes in a bizarre farm accident, local authorities question its cause. Aspiring milliner Polly soon becomes a prime suspect in her husband’s murder.  

AWARD WINNING FINALIST

National Indie Excellence Awards

Mystery

https://www.indieexcellence.com/17th-annual-finalists

AWARD-WINNING FINALIST 

2022 American Fiction Awards

Historical Fiction and Mysterey/Suspense

http://americanbookfest.com/americanfictionawards/2022afafullresults.html

“A skilled paean to secrets, sibling rivalry, and rural traditions.”

-Laura Munson, New York Times bestselling author and founder of the Haven Writing Programs.

“Complete with terrible violence, heartbreaking despair, a nefarious crime, and abiding hope.” 

-Karen Odden, USA Today bestselling author of Down a Dark River

“Thoroughly researched and brilliantly written.”

-Todd Holmes, PhD, Historian, Oral History Center, University of California, Berkeley

 "An engaging read with lasting impact.”

-Barbara Stark-Nemon, author of Hard Cider and Even in Darkness

“Accident, suicide, or murder?The Unveiling of Polly Forrest will leave you guessing.”

-Janet Skeslien Charles, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Library

“Full of unexpected twists, 

-Rae Meadows, author of Motherland and I Will Send Rain

“I was entirely absorbed in the Midwest depression era which was wonderfully depicted.” 

-Olive Collins, bestselling author of historical fiction

"It kept me guessing from the first to the last!”

-Addison Armstrong, author of The Light of Luna Park and The War Librarian 

“ An atmospheric mystery set in the rural Midwest, Whitney does a masterful job immersing the reader inside the lives of family members. "

 -Nicole Bokat, author of What Matters Most and The Happiness Thief  

 I was swept away by this compulsively readable, suspensefully plotted page-turner.”  

-Pat Roessle Materka, author of Twenty for Breakfast  

“A vivid portrayal of the myriad challenges and dangers of life on a Michigan farm.” 

Ames Sheldon, author of Eleanor’s Wars 

 “A well-constructed novel built upon layers of secrets that keep the reader guessing.” 

-Jerry Maples, author of The Divine Discovery   

“A highly engaging mystery set in Depression era America." 

-Risha Henrique, journalist and author

  " Suspense, historical content, strong relatable characters and a well told story that keeps you guessing.”  

-Connie Wesala, author of The House on 4th Street, We'll Find a Way, and A Far Away Star 

 “This vividly-crafted, pastoral coming-of-age drew me in from the turn of the first page.

 -Suzanne Simonetti, award-winning author of The Sound of Wings 

"Hats off to this compelling historical mystery"

-Kirkus Reviews

A historical novel set in 1934 on a Michigan farm. Narrated by seven-year-old Nellie and her two older sisters, it is a story of hardship, crime, fantasy, and love. Each girl has her own distinctive voice and interpretation of events.This starts when  Nellie discovers the tiny, blue-black hand of a dead baby. The story follows the sisters as they encounter a patchwork of threatening circumstances and take it upon themselves to solve the mystery.

 AWARDS

Quarter-finalist in the Publishers Weekly Booklife Fiction Contest

Honorable Mention in the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards 2020

PRAISE FOR THREADS

"Whitney’s historical drama vividly captures the fears, desperation, and fortitude of a tightly knit Michigan farm family, depicted through the lives of a trio of sisters enduring the Great Depression."

KIRKUS REVIEWS

"The threads of these connections and forces will engage and enthrall readers who enjoy close inspections of childhood experiences and adult concerns, all set against the backdrop of the Depression's overlay of angst and threat."

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEWS

"An Immersive, Irresistible Midwestern Tale"

BOOKTRIB

 "Enough mystery and romance to keep the adult reader interested. . . . this book would appeal to young readers as well."

HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY

"Fast-paced and incredibly well-written, this is a story that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat and wanting more."

READERS' FAVORITE REVIEW 

Dreams play an important role in Holly Hayworth’s life. A broken engagement has left her ready to create a new life for herself, including many romantic interludes. But will the handsome stranger who turns up in unusual places become the man of her dreams? Will Holly’s friend Megan have the answers in her pagan rituals and I Ching readings? And will the deranged psychopath who lurks in the background destroy Holly and all that she has come to love? This book will carry you away with the division between fantasy and reality, dreams and nightmares. 

You can win at Upwords.  A  player can play a competitive game even when holding the Q, X, and Z. . While luck is definitely inherent in the game, a player can employ particular strategies to maximize the point count. This book contains advice for both the board game and electronic app, as well as tips for the beginning, mid, and endgame. In addition, there is a section on the creation and evolution of UPWORDS® and the idiosyncrasies that surround this creative and challenging game. 

Demonstrating that the "win-win" principle can be applied to personal relationships,  this book provides a practical approach to decision-making frequently encountered by couples.  It covers areas such as handling finances, careers, children, vacations, sex, and household chores.  The goal is that both partners figure out what works best for them.