What is the title of your latest release?
THE WELL-KEPT SECRET (Book 1 in The Wishville Mysteries)
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
When half-human, half-Dweller Lyra Wells inherits guardianship of Wishville’s magical wishing well, she discovers a murdered man, a missing mother, and a fragile treaty between worlds that’s beginning to crack. With a grumpy human police chief and a brooding Dweller enforcer at her side—and a sarcastic talking cat who steals every scene—Lyra must solve the mystery before both realms unravel.
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I wanted a setting that felt both cozy and otherworldly, so I created Wishville, Vermont—a storybook mountain town with cobblestone streets, quirky locals, and a magical wishing well at its heart. It’s the kind of place you’d want to visit…if you didn’t mind the occasional murder or mischievous spell.
Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely! Lyra is funny, fiercely loyal, and just the right blend of awkward and brave. We’d probably spend our time people-watching at the Wishbone Café and gossiping about the latest WishFest scandal.
What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Curious. Compassionate. Relentless.
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
That magic and mystery work best when grounded in emotion. Beneath the spells and secrets, it’s really about belonging, grief, and the courage to face the truth—no matter how impossible it seems.
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I lightly edit as I go to keep scenes fresh and voices consistent, but I save the heavy lifting for the end. First drafts are for discovery—revisions are for clarity and heart.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Cinnamon rolls still warm from the oven.
Describe your writing space/office!
A cozy blend of chaos and charm—candles, crystals, stacks of books, and a window that looks out on the street so I can people watch. My three Samoyeds are usually asleep on the floor, somewhere around my feet.
Who is an author you admire?
TJ Klune for his heartfelt whimsy, Erin Morgenstern for her lush atmosphere, and Juliet Blackwell for balancing mystery and magic so effortlessly.
Is there a book that changed your life?
Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. It showed me that magical realism and emotional truth can coexist beautifully—that enchantment can be both tender and haunting.
Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I’ve written for Berkley Prime Crime and Amazon’s Thomas & Mercer, but my favorite publisher by far has been Oliver Heber Books. Getting “the call” is always exciting. It’s validation that all the hard work authors put into their books is worthy and means something to people.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
Cozy fantasy mysteries—books that mix magic, humor, and heart with a dash of danger. Basically, the kind of story where tea, friendship, and murder all have equal importance.
What’s your favorite movie?
I don’t have one favorite. I love movies with at least some romance, mystery, emotion, and humor.
What is your favorite season?
Fall! The cool, crisp air. The vibrant colors. The festivals. All of my books take place in the Northeast with all four seasons and lots of festivals.
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
With friends and family. My ideal birthday would involve a lakeside getaway, good wine, and an excuse to buy more books than I can reasonably read.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Lockwood & Co. on Netflix—sharp dialogue, supernatural mystery, and endearing characters. It’s what would happen if Wishville had a London cousin.
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
It’s a tie between Mexican and Italian food
What do you do when you have free time?
Go for a walk, sit on my patio, play with my pets. Spend time with friends and family. I love to travel as well, especially cruising.
What can readers expect from you next?
Book Two in The Wishville Mysteries, THE WELL-LAID TRAP. A missing man, a deepening love triangle, a crack in the Veiled Vault—and a summer WishFest that might just expose every secret the town has tried to bury.
THE WELL-KEPT SECRET by Kari Lee Townsend
A Spring Festival. A Magical Murder. A Secret Buried Beneath the Well.
Wishville, Vermont looks like a storybook postcard-complete with forest festivals, quirky locals, and a centuries-old wishing well that allegedly grants one wish each season. But for Lyra Wells, the magic isn’t just folklore-it’s her full-time job. As the half-human, half-Dweller Guardian of the Well, Lyra must keep the peace between the mortal world and the magical realm of Elarion. That means overseeing every seasonal WishFest, keeping tourists entertained, and pretending her glowing cat sidekick isn’t judging everyone.
But when an all-too-nosy antique dealer is found mysteriously dead by the well-and a rare memory crystal is discovered at the scene-the fragile treaty between worlds begins to unravel, and the ethereal Dweller chief enforcer isn’t happy. As the townsfolk whisper about curses and coincidences, something ancient stirs beneath the surface-and it’s not ready to stay hidden.
Now Lyra must solve a murder, hide her magical identity, outwit the gossip-fueled “Wellies” (a trio of eccentric women with suspiciously accurate intuition), and work alongside a grumpy new police chief who doesn’t believe in wishes…or in her. Caught between two worlds and two men, everything is on the line and the clock is ticking.
Because in Wishville, even one secret can change everything.
Romance Paranormal | Fantasy Mystery | Mystery Amateur Sleuth [ Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: October 28, 2025, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9798900430300 / ]
Buy THE WELL-KEPT SECRET: Amazon.com |Kindle Unlimited| BN.com | Books-A-Million | Indie BookShops | Ripped Bodice | Walmart.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Kari Lee Townsend
National Bestselling Author, Agatha, RT Reviewer’s Choice & Golden Duck Award Nominee. Kari lives in Central New York with her husband & Samoyeds. She’s a lover of wine & travel, obsessed with reality TV, and loves a good book with mystery, romance & humor. Inspired by 80s TV shows, she writes cozy mysteries & upper middle grade as Kari Lee Townsend, as well as suspense, romance, romantic comedy & women’s fiction as Kari Lee Harmon. You can find her on her website.
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