Reviews for Secrets:
“I seriously underestimated the book I was about to read…(SCRAPBOOK OF SECRETS) examines a variety of the secrets that people hold. Exploring how the characters and society deals with these secrets provides the reader with an extremely thought provoking book.” The Examiner
“Mollie Bryan’s charming debut is a scrapbook of zany small town life with characters you’ll want to visit again and again in each new novel.” –Emilie Richards, SUNSET BRIDGE, 2011; MINISTRY IS MURDER SERIES, SHENANDOAH ALBUM SERIES; HAPPINESS KEY SERIES.
“Imagine the housewives of Wisteria Lane sipping tea, scrapbooking, and solving murders, and you have this gem of a debut by Mollie Cox Bryan.”– Lois Winston, ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY GLUE GUN.
“… Mollie Cox Bryan’s look at small town life is both sweet and spicy. A fun and charming debut.” –Meredith Cole, POSED FOR MURDER and DEAD IN THE WATER.
“An old fashioned mystery with some very modern twists. The intriguing characters, eerie happenings, and scrapbook of secrets kept me guessing ’til the end. It’s both warm and chilling, soothing and sinister. I can’t wait for the next installment!” -Clare O’Donohue, SOMEDAY QUILTS MYSTERY SERIES.
“If Encyclopedia Brown had been a scrapbooking fanatic, we surely would’ve seen him at the center of a novel like Scrapbook of Secrets. Mollie Cox Bryan has written a seriously fun and engaging mystery, with characters who reveal themselves slowly and surely–one crop at a time.” —Therese Walsh, THE LAST WILL OF MOIRA LEAHY
“This new series look to be spectacular,” Harriet Klausner, The Mystery Gazette.
“Scrapbook of Secrets is a font of ingenuity, providing not only superb entertainment but also a surprisingly successful exploration of marital issues. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in this promising series.” Mystery Scene
Library Journal
If newcomer Annie Chamovitz feels like an outsider in Bible Belt small-town Virginia, where does that leave Maggie Rae? Cumberland Creek is stunned when the young mother is found shot dead in her home. The scrapbooking group suspects her husband, because they think he might have been abusive. But Maggie Rae had a secret life as a successful erotica author and a history of taking lovers. At this point, a veritable kitchen sink of suspects surfaces. Annie becomes the lead amateur detective because she is a freelance newspaper reporter; consequently, she gets to the heart of what made Maggie Rae tick. But the killer doesn’t appreciate Annie’s snooping. Let’s hope Annie is prepared. VERDICT This debut crafty cozy pushes its own envelope with themes of erotica and open marriage. Although Bryan’s story suffers from too many red herrings, she introduces some dandy characters that will spin off well as the series unfolds. Match with fellow craft authors Joanna Campbell Slan and Lois Winston. Scrapbooking tips included.
Advanced Blurbs for Scrapped:
“In time-honored scrapbook fashion, Mollie Cox Bryan collects bits and pieces of small town life (and secrets) and weaves a charming, multi-faceted tale. When the Cumberland Creek Scrapbook Croppers welcome a self-proclaimed witch into their fold, they have no idea something wicked may be brewing in their small town. Thought-provoking and well paced, this novel gives an insight into what scrapbookers –or any group of intelligent, caring, complex women—might get up to when one of their own is threatened. A great story, well told!” —Juliet Blackwell, NYT Bestselling author of the Witchcraft mysteries
“In Scrapped, the second book in her Cumberland Creek Mystery series, Mollie Cox Bryan’s scrapbookers reveal some surprising secrets that bring them closer together. It is enjoyable to watch her diverse characters grow in complexity as thier friendship deepens. A satisfying and sometimes surprising read. —Sheila Connolly, NYT Bestselling author of the Orchard mysteries.
About Death of an Irish Diva (Cumberland Creek #3):
“In the third book of the series, Bryan goes in a very different direction, wading into issues that are hard to imagine while making the book light and full of positive solutions. Within this gang of croppers, the group dynamic is great and each member is growing individually. A great entry in a fun series.” FOUR STARS, RT Reviews
“Mollie Cox Bryan has written two other books in this series but in my opinion this is the most daring and involved mystery to date. The number of possible suspects and the fact that Emily was so well hated make this journey to justice extremely tortuous.” Nora Adrienne’s Reviews.
“Once again Mollie Cox Bryan has returned the delightful residents of Cumberland Creek for our reading pleasure, and they are joined by some extremely thought-provoking outsiders who have some strange ideas. I promise that you will love this book as much as I did.” Terrie Moran, Fresh Meat for Criminal Elements.
“DEATH OF AN IRISH DIVA flows smoothly and is told from a variety of viewpoints adding depth to the story. The pace is steady and the action filled with twists, turns and surprises.” Thoughts in Progress blog.
“The characters are incredibly likeable and well developed. This is a delightfully fun series and I highly recommend it to anybody who loves cozy mysteries.” Booklady’s Booknotes
“Ms. Cox Bryan has created such a great cast of characters with this series and I enjoyed learning more about scrapbooking.”–Books-N-Kisses
“Definitely a fun read.” Celtic Lady Reviews
“Great characters, a fast moving mystery plot..all the components of a great cozy!” Books are Life, Vita Libra
Comments from Readers on previous books:
“I just finished reading A Scrapbook of Secrets and wanted to let you know that I had a splendid time getting lost in the world you created. Telling the story from different perspectives made it a little more thrilling to read, the constant changes in view points and the background of those different ladies that affected their view points made it hard for me to put the book down. I stumbled upon your book at the library when I was waiting in the check out line, the library put it on a shelf featuring Librarian Picks and I am happy to have had the chance to read it. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.” kaleesa thanasouk
“I just finished reading Scrapbook of Secrets and I loved it!”
Evie
Hey!! I read your 1st book and can’t wait for the second. When will it be available? I’m a Kindle reader, but also love traditional books. I am an avid scrapbooker trying to keep up with family scrapbooks and seperate scrapbooks for my 6–soon to be 7–grandchildren! As a high school teacher with 4 years to retirement, books take me on the vacations I don’t have time for! —Laura Payne
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Dear Mollie: I was just at a Barnes & Noble in CA to pick up some YA titles for some high schoolers. While wandering in the mystery section I saw “Scrapbook of Secrets.” I was happy to see that it was the first in a series. I finished it in a day and loved it. Now I am anxious to read the next book. I have been scrapbooking since 1995 so I enjoyed that theme of the book too.
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Well…maybe the story, the characters and the writing go a little beyond “cozy”. It is just a thought. I guess my point is that I found many of them to be strong, intelligent women who have the confidence to do what makes them happy. Some people just don’t like strong women. I would love to be friends with some of these characters. I really like strong women who are loyal to each other, who encourage each other, who really LIKE each other and I love reading about them!
Finding this book was such a gift! I have been sick and I was just beginning to feel a little bit better when I purchased Scrapbook of Secrets for my Kindle. Reading this good book, centered around scrapping was the next best thing to doing what I didn’t have the energy to do. There is nothing wrong with cozy. I did find myself curled up with this book and that is pretty cozy . —Kathy Bennett
I just finished your book and loved it. I’m not a scrapbooker but loved the cultural tones in the book. Good mystery! —Joyce
When will “Scrapbook of Shadows” be published? —Linda Dunn
I really enjoyed your book “Scrapbook of Secrets in Cumberland Creek. When is your next book due to come out-Scrapbook of Shadows?? Looking forward to your reply.
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I thoroughly enjoyed your last book which I heard about on our local public radio station. As I read your book I felt like like you were writing my life. As a lifelong resident of the DC area, I felt like I had moved to a new world, when I relocated to the Shenandoah Valley. Being Jewish is hard here and what’s with this WRE?????? It further separates the Jews from this unsular community. In time I will make friends with like minded hobbies and mindset but until…… I feel so alone.
First, thank you so much for your comments. I can’t tell you what it means to me that you relate to my books and feel strongly enough to write to me here. AS far as I know, the schools are still doing Weekly Religious Education. My daughters are in middle school and so it’s not an issue for us anymore. But as I understand it, more and more people are opting out, which make it easier on your child if there are others with them. Please feel free to email me at molliebryan@comcast.net if you’d like to chat more. It can be very lonely here for new people. I know that. In the mean time, I wish you the best and thanks once again for commenting.
I love scrapbooking and reading mysteries – finally a series which combines both! I loved the scrappin girls – can’t wait for the 3rd book!
Thanks so much, Tina. Book 3, Death of an Irish Diva, is slated for release in February 2014. So good to know you love my croppers! Cheers!
I have finished both books in the Buttermilk Creek Mysteries series, and have LOVED both of them. Are you going to write a third book in this series? I really hope so! Thanks!
I’ve just finished a novella, called “Moo River.” It’s on Kindle Vella now. But within the next year, I hope it will be published alone. Thank you.