Welcome to Whispering Manor… the grand old house where every hallway holds a secret and every shadow has a story. Inside, you’ll find an exclusive set of character cards featuring the residents of Hideaway Bay — complete with portraits and signatures.

Step inside and meet the cast of your next favorite mystery.

Download your character cards here!

The old pirate ship anchored off Hideaway Bay has a story carved into every board… and it all begins with Clif.

Before he was a legend, before he crossed oceans, before he broke curses — he was just a boy on the brink of becoming a pirate. His sister, Ri, walks beside him still… even in spirit.

Step aboard and discover the adventure that forged them — brother, captain, ghost.

Ready to sail into their world?

Begin the Clif & Ri Pirate Saga

Some stories begin with a whisper… others begin in the shadows beneath Hideaway Bay.

Step inside to read Chapter One of Ghosts, Lore & a House by the Shore, the first book in the Lily & Cassie Mystery Series — where secrets stir, ghosts linger, and a new adventure awaits.

CHAPTER 1

Cassandra Bennett-McGuire stared up at her mid-sized Craftsman. The heels of Cassie’s black pumps sank into the soil as she stood on the manicured front lawn. She wrapped her arms around her midriff and fought the tears stinging her eyes. 

Large, tapered tan pillars held the wide front porch’s roof at bay. White wooden banisters framed in the rest. Cedar-shaked dormers rose to create the second story. 

Noise pounded behind her, echoing off the street’s homes. A warm arm wrapped around Cassie’s shoulders. Fingers squeezed her arms. She caught a whiff of rosewater perfume. 

Cassie closed her hand around her mother’s. She glanced at her and offered a weak smile as she swiped away the tear that escaped onto her cheek. 

“We’ll get through this, honey,” Lily, Cassie’s mother, promised. 

The realtor wobbled across the lawn toward them in her smart skirt suit paired with a red blazer. 

“We’re all set, ladies!” she said in a chipper tone. “It’s got great curb appeal. I don’t imagine it will be on the market very long.”

“Thanks, Gina,” Lily answered. 

“And, Lily, I’ll be by to hang your SOLD sign tomorrow,” Gina said, with a wave. “Less than a day on the market. I can’t believe it!”

“What a whirlwind that was! But it’s a great house,” Lily answered.

“I’ll call you as soon as I have any news on this one. Hopefully, we’ll have the same luck!” Gina waved crossed fingers at them. “Do you need any help with the boxes?”

“No, no, we’ve got it,” Lily answered. 

“Okey-doke! I’ll get out of your hair. We’ll talk soon.” Gina patted Lily’s arm, before toddling across the lawn to her black BMW SUV. 

Lily waited a moment, before she gave Cassie’s shoulders another squeeze. “Ready?”

Cassie froze, unable to answer. 

“I expected we’d raise our kids here,” Cassie answered, after a pause. “And when that didn’t happen, I figured at least we’d grow old together here.” She glanced at the FOR SALE sign swinging from the post in the yard. 

“Why don’t you head to the car. I’ll grab that last box.”

Cassie shook her head and wiped another tear away. “I’ll get it.”

Lily offered her an encouraging smile. “I’ll be in the car.”

Cassie sniffled as she trudged to the porch. A lone cardboard box sat near the steps. A frown formed on Cassie’s face as she grasped the brown cardboard container and forced herself to turn her back on the house. Without glancing back, she tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder and strode down the walk to her mother’s waiting car. 

She stowed the box with the others in the trunk and shuffled to the passenger’s seat. Cassie slid in as her mother started the car. 

Lily glanced at her and grasped her hand. “I know it’s not the life you expected. No one expects their husband to die a month after they turn forty. But we’ll get through it. We’re starting a new chapter. Let’s make it a good one.” She tucked a lock of Cassie’s hair behind her ear, before easing the car out of the driveway and around the corner. 

Cassie nodded as the car lurched forward. 

“It’s not like you expected to be widowed either,” she answered, referencing the tragic turn both their lives had taken on the same day. She took one last glance at her former home. She wouldn’t spend her life there; wouldn’t raise her kids there, or grow old with the man she married there. She had been robbed of that experience by a surprise storm that cropped up over the Rockies. 

On a business trip, her husband and father had decided to fly home early to surprise their wives, forgoing a final round of golf at the resort where they stayed. When the left engine of the corporate jet was struck by lightning, there had been nothing the pilots could do.  They’d lost an engine and their instruments. They’d struggled to land safely over the mountainous area. The odds were a million to one. They were not destined to be the one. 

The plane had not only robbed her of her husband, but also her father. The tragedy had single-handedly devastated both mother and daughter. 

Cassie recalled the moment their lives had changed: a few months ago, at 11:23 p.m., the ear-splitting shriek of a surprise phone call had startled her awake. She remembered how she rose from her bed and tiptoed across the hardwood floor to the phone. A man’s voice on the other end announced himself as Clayton Bennington. 

Cassie’s brow furrowed, recognizing the name as CEO of her husband and father’s company. She’d enjoyed many dinners with him. Her father, as CFO, had spent a good deal of time with the man. Why was he calling her at this time of night?

“Sorry to call at this hour, Cass,” he said, using the nickname he’d called her since she was a child. “I just got off the phone with your mom.”

Cassie shook the sleep from her mind as she tried to focus on what he was saying. Her mother? What was he doing calling her mother on a Saturday near midnight? He sighed a shaky breath. The crease in Cassie’s forehead deepened.

“I have some bad news.”

Clayton informed Cassie her husband, Trevor, and her father had been flying home early when their plane went missing. Emergency responders were searching for the plane and any survivors, but the odds were not good. Cassie’s bottom lip quivered as she heard the news. The phone slipped from her hand as she spun and raced to the night table for her cell phone. With shaky hands, she’d texted her mother.

Cassie recalled only one thought bouncing through her mind during the blur of pulling on clothes: they were okay. They had to be. She couldn’t lose both her husband and her father in one night. 

She drove to her childhood home to wait for news with her mother. They’d cuddled on the couch, squeezed each other’s hands, cried together and held each other tightly. As dawn broke, they received the final word. They had found the plane. They had found the bodies. There were no survivors.

In the months that followed, she’d grieved the losses with her mother. Those months had been a mind-numbing whirlwind. 

“I don’t want to live in this house anymore,” Cassie had choked through tears days after the funeral.

“Then don’t,” Lily encouraged. “We don’t need to make any decisions right now, though, honey.”

Cassie shook her head in disagreement. “I know you’re going to say I’m not thinking straight, but I can’t imagine staying here. Everywhere I look, I see Trevor.”

Her mother frowned. She nodded, pursing her lips. “It’s the same for me. The house felt so empty after you left. Now…” Her voice faltered and a tear slid down her cheek.

Cassie sighed, grasped her mother’s hand and squeezed. She nodded her head in a silent affirmation of the unspoken words.

“Let’s move,” her mother had said. “Let’s sell our houses and move.”

“Where?” Cassie asked.

“Anywhere.” Lily paused. “Let’s both move to a new place. Get out of here. A fresh start. Somewhere new.”

Cassie chewed her lower lip. “What?” Lily questioned. “I need a fresh start, too. That house I have is far too big. What would I keep that big house for? Let’s both make a fresh start somewhere else. Somewhere new!”

Cassie smiled for the first time since that fateful night. “That sounds nice, Mom.”

Lily returned her smile. “There’s no reason to rush into anything. Let’s both take some time to think about it. If you’d like to sell, when you’re sure, I’ll call Gina. She’s great with home sales. She’ll get us a mint for our places!”

“And I’m sure in your neighborhood, you won’t have a problem selling,” Cassie told her mother.

“No,” Lily responded, with a shake of her head. “I’ve already received a few calls from realtors about the house. Generous offers. Between my house and yours, we could pool our sales and get a nice place. We don’t need anything big, but we could go for a new build or something.”

“What about my job?” The reality of a big move hit Cassie. She pondered her own question. Her job as an assistant librarian in the neighboring suburb kept her busy and happy, but it wasn’t exactly a high-powered career that she couldn’t tear herself away from.

Lily shrugged at her. “Find a new job. Hey, maybe we’d have enough left over after the house sales to start a business like we’ve always talked about. That cute little seaside shop we giggled over so many times.”

Cassie offered her mother a half-frown. “I think that’s a pipe dream.”

Her mother shrugged again. “You never know. Let’s see what happens. When you’re ready.” 

She wiped a tear from Cassie’s cheek.

“Call Gina,” Cassie said, as she grasped her mother’s hand. “Let’s do it. Let’s move.”

The memory faded from Cassie’s mind as the house slid from her view. 

* * *

They’d spent a month readying their respective homes for sale and searching for a new home. The women had expected to wait until their houses sold before diving into the real estate market for a new place, but the wait was unnecessary.

Two weeks after the double funeral, Clayton Bennington called Lily. 

“Hey, Lil,” he began in a soft, almost apologetic tone. “How’s everything going?”

Lily folded a pair of slacks and placed them into a box. “Busy,” she admitted.

“Yes, I imagine. With the funeral over, though, hopefully, things will settle now.”

Lily smiled to herself as she folded another pair of pants and tossed them into a box. She and Cassie hadn’t shared their plans with anyone beyond Gina, their realtor. But they’d all have to hear it soon enough. 

“Well,” Lily said, as she settled onto the backless beige bench at the foot of her bed, “it won’t settle yet. Cassie and I have made a decision.”

“A decision?”

Lily fanned herself with her hand, as she formulated the words in her mind before speaking. 

“We’re moving,” she settled on.

“Moving? You moving in with Cassie?” he questioned.

“No, Clay,” Lily answered. “We’re both moving. Somewhere else. We need a fresh start, and neither of us wants to stay in our respective homes.”

Even without seeing him, Lily could tell Clayton was shocked. She could picture the already deep wrinkles on his forehead deepening, and his lips forming the characteristic puckered o-shape indicative of him considering something. 

He murmured a few “ahhhs” and “ehhs” before he said, “Did you call Gina? She’s the best realtor in the area.”

Lily nodded as she responded. “Yes. She’s taking care of the sale of both of our houses.”

“Has she found either of you a new place? Or are you planning to buy one place and live together?”

Lily sighed. This would be the painful part of this process. “Gina’s putting us in contact with a few other realtors in the areas we’re looking in. Clay, we’re not staying in Oakhurst.”

“Not staying in Oakhurst? Your entire lives are here!” Clayton exclaimed.

“Our entire lives WERE here, Clay,” Lily corrected. 

“That’s not true, Lil,” he argued. “Your friends, Cassie’s job–this is your home! Listen, I know it’s hard right now. This was a shock! I’m still reeling; I can’t imagine how you feel. Things are upside down, but don’t make a decision this big right on the tail of the funeral. I understand you’re both numb, but it will get better.”

Lily took a moment before responding. “We don’t need these large homes. Heck, Blake and I didn’t need a house this large after Cassie moved out.”

“Sure, understandable,” Clayton answered. “But moving towns? Starting over? Don’t leave your friends, Lil. We’re all here for you. We want to support you.”

“We appreciate that, Clay, we do,” Lily answered, “but the memories here are…” She paused with her voice trailing off for a moment. “We need a fresh start.”

Clay remained silent for a moment. “I don’t know what to say,” he murmured.

“How about ‘good luck?’” Lily suggested.

Clay offered a quiet chuckle. “I guess I can’t change your mind?” 

“No,” Lily answered. “Sorry to say, you can’t. Cassie and I need this. We need each other’s support somewhere without the memories here.”

“Well, on that note, I may be able to help you with finding that new house.”

“Oh?” Lily inquired, uncertain of his meaning.

“That’s actually the reason I called.”

Lily chuckled. “To offer to buy Cassie and me a new house in a new town?”

“That wasn’t exactly what I had in mind, but we wanted to bring you both in to discuss a settlement.”

“Settlement?” Lily questioned.

“We carried life insurance policies on both Blake and Trevor. Blake was at retirement age. We need to discuss his pension with you. And, well…” he paused, searching for the words. “According to the investigation completed on the plane crash, the second engine shouldn’t have failed when it did. That’s what really doomed them. They’re offering a settlement. We want to make sure you and Cassie are well-represented in any discussions with them.”

Tears formed in Lily’s eyes as she listened to those last few statements. Would there have been a chance if the second engine hadn’t failed?  She shook her head. It didn’t matter. Life happened, and it cost her her husband and her son-in-law. 

“Al…all right,” she responded, as she glanced to the ceiling and blinked away her tears. 

“Would this Friday morning work? Check with Cassie and let me know.”

“I will. Thanks, Clay.” 

Lily clicked off her phone and set it next to her. She stared ahead blankly. The conversation replayed again. Had faulty equipment doomed the flight’s passengers and crew more than the storm? They’ had believed the fateful decision to fly home early cost them their lives. But had it? If not, it may not have mattered when they flew home. Perhaps engine failure would have occurred in any instance.

Lily decided it didn’t matter as she picked up the phone to call Cassie. She’d have to tell her the news. She hoped Cassie didn’t dwell on the new development. They needed to look forward and keep moving.

She swiped at her phone and scrolled through her contact list, finding Cassie’s name. She pressed the phone icon to call her and waited. Perhaps with the settlement, they could open that small shop in the seaside town they’d always talked about moving to. Crazier things have happened, Lily pondered, as the line trilled on the other end. 

* * *

Cassie smoothed her dress as she glanced in the mirror. She checked her makeup again. She’d had a weak moment as she slipped on her black pumps, recalling the last time she’d worn them, when she’d buried her husband and her father. 

Today, she and her mother would be meeting with representatives from the plane’s manufacturer and lawyers from Trevor’s company. Her parents’ friend, Clayton, had invited them to discuss the terms of a potential settlement in the company’s boardroom. He planned to attend for moral support. 

Cassie appreciated it. She hoped she could calmly digest and discuss the information presented and make a level-headed decision. Tears threatened again as she considered the prospect of the meeting. 

Cassie bit her lower lip and shook her head. She fanned her face with her hands as she blinked back her tears. She blew out a long breath and blew her nose before grabbing her purse and stuffing extra tissues inside.

A horn sounded outside. At least she did not have to drive. Neither did her mother, Cassie reflected, as she hurried down the stairs and out her front door. She stared at the black town car Clayton sent for them. She spotted her mother sitting in the backseat. Her porcelain fingers waved from inside. 

Cassie returned the wave and hastened down her walkway to the car as the driver pulled the door open. She slid inside, wrapping her mother in a hug. Tears streamed again. 

“Are you ready for this?” Lily asked.

“No, but it has to be done,” she admitted, wiping away the tears.

Lily swiped at a wayward tear with her thumb. She offered a reassuring smile, even as her own tears threatened. “Let’s get it over with,” she said with a quivering lip. She grasped Cassie’s hand as the car pulled away from the curb.

Cassie took a deep breath as the elevator whisked them upward to the twenty-fourth floor of the skyscraper housing HGT, Inc. She watched number after number light up as they rose. Her mother had relayed earlier that Clayton had mentioned life insurances for both men, and retirement benefits for her father. With any luck, the retirement package would allow her mother to live a comfortable life wherever they settled. She'd already begun her job search in several of the towns they’d researched as a distraction from the grief. 

The elevator doors whisked open. Glass panels cordoning off the HGT offices stared back at her. The company’s associates bustled back and forth inside as she stepped out of the elevator. Clayton met them at the polished, clear glass doors leading into the space. He kissed Lily’s cheek and offered another consoling hug to Cassie, before showing them into the well-appointed conference room.

Cassie glanced around the large wooden table as she eased into the thickly padded leather swivel chair. Three men in black business suits sat across from them. Paperwork was neatly stacked in front of each man. 

Clayton took a seat at the head of the table, a spot he was familiar with as CEO. To her mother’s left, two of HGT’s corporate attorneys sat at the ready.

Clayton’s administrative assistant laid a packet in front of Cassie and her mother. She poured each of them a glass of water and asked if they preferred any other refreshments. She hurried out the door after they requested nothing else, easing it shut behind her with a soft thud. 

Clayton leaned forward and clasped his hands. “Lily, Cassie, these gentlemen represent the plane’s manufacturer. They’ve requested to meet with you regarding a settlement, after an issue was found during the investigation with the plane’s engines.” He turned to the three men on his right. “Gentlemen, if you’d like to proceed.”

The man nearest the head of the table cleared his throat and leaned forward. After offering his condolences, he said, “Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. McGuire, while we realize no amount of money can replace your loss, we have put together what we hope you’ll both find is an acceptable offer for each of you.” 

He offered a brief smile as he slid a proposal across the table. The lead HGT attorney intercepted it. He positioned it between himself and his associates. They shared a glance after reviewing it. He turned toward Clayton and nodded. 

“Could you give us a moment?” Clayton requested of the three attorneys.

They nodded and silently left the room. Clayton offered a tight-lipped smile at Lily and Cassie. He slid the paper toward them. Cassie glanced at the black font printed against the white paper. A yellow mark highlighted the amount proposed as restitution for the malfunctioning engine. 

Cassie swallowed hard and glanced with wide eyes at her mother. With her eyebrows raised high and her jaw agape, she realized they would never want for anything again.

READ THE FULL BOOK!

The sweetest little bakery in Hideaway Bay has a treat for you…

Lily & Cassie practically live on this drink, and now you can make it too! Enjoy a warm mug of their signature Slow Cooker Gourmet Hot Chocolate — rich, creamy, and perfect for cozy sleuthing sessions.

Bring a little Hideaway Bay comfort into your own kitchen.

Lily & Cassie’s Hideaway Bay Gourmet Hot Chocolate

A Cake My Day specialty

Ingredients
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
• 8 cups milk
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups chocolate chips
(dark, milk, white — choose your favorite!)

Directions
1. Add the milk, sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, and vanilla to your slow cooker.
2. Stir to combine.
3. Add the chocolate chips and gently mix so they’re evenly distributed.
4. Heat on LOW for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.
5. Pour into your favorite mug, add a marshmallow mountain (Lily insists), and enjoy while solving mysteries.

Optional Toppings:
• Whipped cream
• Marshmallows
• Caramel drizzle
• Crushed peppermint
• Cinnamon sprinkle
• Sea salt (Cassie’s secret trick)

For a downloadable recipe card, click below!

DOWNLOAD THE RECIPE HERE!

You found hidden treasure on the shores of Hideaway Bay!

Inside this old chest is a special treat just for you…

Enjoy an exclusive discount on all things Lily & Cassie!

Use code HIDEAWAYBAY20 for 20% off all Lily & Cassie books and bundles at shop.nelliehsteele.com

Lily & Cassie were created with love — based on me and my mom.

We don’t solve real crimes (thankfully), but we do share late-night hot chocolate, big laughs, and plenty of story ideas.

Some details are just for the books…
but the friendship is real.

Welcome to Barkaway Bay, the heart of Hideaway Bay’s pet-loving community.

Today’s special surprise?

A charming coloring duo featuring Detective Dog and his trusty tiger-cub sidekick—the most unlikely (but enthusiastic!) sleuths in town.

Grab your markers and bring this adorable mystery-solving pair to life!

Download Detective Dog & Tiger Cub Coloring Pages

Welcome to the Hideaway Bay Inn — where the tea is warm, the chairs are comfy, and the staff never judges you for solving puzzles before breakfast.

Settle in and enjoy a relaxing word search featuring names from the Lily & Cassie mysteries.

Click below to begin your cozy sleuthing break.

CLICK HERE TO PLAY!

Slip inside the old Barn and get comfortable — Lily and Cassie swear the place creaks on its own, but it’s the perfect spot to settle in for a story.

Enjoy a special Fireside Reading from the Lily & Cassie Mysteries… where the warmth of the fire meets the cool intrigue of a coastal whodunnit.

Click below to listen once the fire’s lit…

[Fireside Reading — Coming Soon]

Hidden deep within the ghostly whispers of Hideaway Bay lies a secret…
the personal journal of Henrietta “Ri” Blanchard, written in the winter of 1797–1798.

These pages reveal her heartbreak, fury, loneliness, and the moment her life collided with the truth about her brother — Clif, her pirate brother who would change her fate forever.

This is not a tale meant for the faint of heart.
It’s the beginning of the legend…
and the first hint of how Ri’s spirit became bound to the sea.

Click below to read her surviving journal entries.

Download Ri’s Journal

Welcome to the Hideaway Bay Police Station — where every good sleuth sharpens their eye for detail.

Think you’ve got what it takes to spot a clue at a glance?

Test your observation skills with a Find the Differences puzzle featuring scenes from right here in town.

Step inside the coziest shop in Hideaway Bay and grab a mystery for the road…

All Aboard for Sabotage
A FREE Lily & Cassie mini-mystery — featuring a bonus crossover with Kelly and Jodi (yes, they’re back… even if the town hasn’t warmed up to them yet).

Climb aboard, settle in, and get ready for a charming coastal whodunnit with a dash of sabotage, secrets, and sleuthing chaos.

Click below to download your free mystery novella!

Download All Aboard for Sabotage

Lily & Cassie Reading Order

Turn the key and unlock the complete Lily & Cassie By the Sea Mystery Series.

Explore every book (so far!) in order and follow the sleuths through ghosts, legends, moose chases, and seaside secrets.

Before One-Eyed Willy became Lily & Cassie’s mischievous feline sidekick, he existed in the real world as Percy — a frightened little cat who wandered into our yard one day, desperate for help.

It took months of patience and quiet kindness before he trusted us enough to be touched. When our vet finally examined him, he told us Percy was “one of the worst abuse cases” he had ever seen personally. He needed several surgeries, including the removal of one eye, and carried BB pellets still lodged in his skin.

But once he was out of pain, Percy became one of the most loving, gentle souls we had ever known.

He has since crossed the rainbow bridge…
but he lives on forever as One-Eyed Willy — brave, loyal, and adored.

Grab your coffee and join me for another fireside reading!

COMING SOON!