The Well-Guarded Truth - A Review

Review

THE WELL-GUARDED TRUTH by Kari Lee Townsend
The Seventh Wishville Mystery 

Fall WishFest is here, but that's not the most exciting thing happening in Wishville, Vermont, at least for Lyra Wells and the Fearless Four. A question has been popped and Chief Elder Vaerion has ventured from the underground world of Elarion. His departure gives rival factions the perfect opportunity to set a boundary claim in motion. In the human world of Wishville suspicious things are happening within the Historical Society with interest in certain historical documents. Not only that, subtle differences are occurring throughout the festival, copies that aren't quite right and sabotage in the chili cook-off tent. But more than that, Harrison Pike who came to town to check certain historical documents is found dead at the bottom of the stairs of the Historical Society building, and his fall was not natural. Lyra, Guardian of the Well, will work with the rest of the Fearless Four to discover who wanted history erased and why, before both worlds collapse and chaos reigns. 

Truths kept hidden because it's just easier and the rise of rival factions power the seventh Wishville Mystery. Throughout history land has been a commodity that has been bought, stolen, and used as power. Wars have been fought over it and people have died. The land remains, but the machinations between people who want it and those who are entitled to it remain. We see that both above and below ground in Wishville.

What should be a happy event turns tumultuous as odd occurrences and murder try to disrupt Fall Wish-Fest. Many people with various agendas made the mystery complex and engrossing. One of my favorite parts of the book was seeing the residents of Wishville fight the rebel rebels without even knowing the truth behind the villains. It's fascinating to see Lulu come into her powers while Lyra's are diminishing. Both are in tune with the magic and learning to adjust, but I find it sad that the well doesn't automatically recognize Lyra anymore. 

Happy days are put on hold as THE WELL-GUARDED TRUTH deals with deception, obstruction, hate, and ultimately, love.