Mystery at the Hot Pond

The new girl upsets class smack in the middle of winter. With her comes troubling change. Shoe Makinen discovers evidence that a double drowning at the sawmill may have been murder. MaryAnne's faith is a mystery to Shoe as he suspects the outsider, MaryAnne is intertwined in the investigation. What is she doing here? Was it an accident or murder? Will life ever be the same? A secret kept by Stoney Creek's most powerful. An unlikely friendship forged. Two lives changed forever. A refreshing adventure of hope, courage, and love; this first book in the Greatest Treasure series opens the door of discovery to an eleven-year-old boy, Shoe Makinen. He prefers everything to stay the same as it always was, but MaryAnne DuPree and her family invoke a new perspective of faith in God, and the acceptance of life changes as new experiences unfold. Shoe must overcome his fears to do what's right in spite of the dangers that have found their way into the quiet mill town of Stoney Creek. Book Excerpt: The Hawthornes are sure to show off their shiny red automobile with the same sign hanging from the radiator cap every year 'Hawthorne's Mill at Stony Creek'. Folks that don't know that the Hawthornes own most of town must be from somewhere else. The only thing the Hawthornes don't show for Independence Day is Buffalo Alice. That's 'cause she don't show so well. Alice is the Hawthorne's only kid who we see a lot of now since this is her second try at fifth grade. That means she's bigger than all of us. She's bigger than sixth grade too. I don't know who first called her Buffalo, maybe that kid is dead. Most call her 'Buffy'. I don't call her nothing. Buffalo's Mama doesn't let her ride in the auto on Independence 'cause there's too much of her to show and we can all see that. Still, we watch the parade with anticipation, and every time it's pretty much the same. Except last year. All July Dad was upset 'cause of what happened to the Stueck brothers. We got woken up three nights before the parade by a frantic pounding on the back door. Mrs. Johnson pushed her way through as Dad turned the doorknob. "The Stueck boys are...dead," she stammered. Interview With The Author: Q: What makes His Visible Hand series special? A: These books are intended to reach young readers with the experience of God's visible hand in the lives of the main characters, Shoe Makinen and MaryAnne DuPree. I am particularly interested in reaching reluctant readers in this age group; especially boys. Q: Where did you get the idea for this series? A: I only had the setting in mind - a small town from my childhood long before my time. The story was born out of the first sentence in the book, when MaryAnne stepped through the schoolroom door. The rest of the book and those that followed blossomed from there. Q: So, why should readers give these books a try? A: I think all of us can relate a little to Shoe and MaryAnne. Even I became enamored with both of them before too long. I can only tell you what others have said: about 'Mystery at the Hot Pond', readers have shared that they loved it! All of it! Some say they have a hard time reading out loud because they laugh too hard; especially in 'For the Love of Ricky'. These books are an adventure I hope many will enjoy.