Nettle Creek

Her mother died in a car crash when Stella was an infant, at least that's the story she's been told. Raised by her wealthy, charismatic father in the financial district of Manhattan, Stella Tarner matures tucked away in the actuarial department of John Tarner's insurance empire. Socially awkward and overshadowed by her father, Stella calculates risk for the company and avoids living her own life.

When her John Tarner suffers a fatal heart attack, Stella is catapulted to the position of CEO of Tarner Enterprises and her predictable existence. A letter from the corporate attorneys advises her that Ryebrook Psychiatric Institution has received an inquiry. Hazel Bestcomb of Nettle Creek, Minnesota, is looking for the daughter of Gelda Essling Tarner.

None of it makes sense, unless... Is her mother alive? That's not possible. Her father wouldn't have lied to her, would he?

Stella goes to Nettle Creek to investigate. Her interactions with the locals in that small midwestern community affect Stella deeply. Hazel, a transplant from rural Oklahoma, becomes Stella's quirky confidant.

While there, she meets Al, the banker, her father's best friend in college. She stays at Judd Swanson's B&B. Through Al and Judd's cousin, Tilly, Stella discovers more than she needs to know about her family's past. As she delves into the intrigue of her mother's life, or death, she's confronted with a web of lies and deception.

Faced with new situations and the friendly openness of the residents of Nettle Creek, Stella slowly awakens to unexplored parts of herself, some uncomfortable, some thrilling. Unexpected feelings emerge and jolt her psyche. She flees back to the familiar anonymity of New York to sort herself out.

The twist and turns of this fast-paced mystery romance create a riveting page turner with an unexpected ending.