The Secret in Magnolia House
A Poppy James Cozy Mystery #9
by Gemma Harper
Published: September 29, 2026
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Cozy Animal Mystery, Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Blurb:
A
historic house on the move. A dead man inside. And a secret someone
will kill to keep buried.
Café
owner Poppy James expects Willowbrook’s much-anticipated relocation
of Magnolia House to bring crowds, coffee orders, and plenty of
small-town gossip—not murder. But when preservation consultant
Julian Cross is found dead in an upstairs bedroom after the Victorian
house travels across town with its doors sealed, Poppy can’t resist
an impossible puzzle.
With
sharp-eyed Nadine, history-loving Theo, and clue-sniffing beagle
Midsip at her side, Poppy follows a trail through forgotten fire
records, hidden renovations, and a house with more secrets than its
walls can hold.
Structural
engineer Harlan Quade had everything to lose when Julian questioned
his certification, while developer Benton Rusk faced a costly
financing disaster if Julian halted the project. Both had motive.
Both are hiding something.
As
Poppy gets closer to the truth, someone starts protecting Magnolia
House’s past at any cost—and the next secret uncovered could make
Poppy the next victim.
My Review:
The Secret in Magnolia House is the fantastic ninth installment in Gemma Harper’s A Poppy James Cozy Mystery series, and it is easily one of the most captivating stories I have read so far. The mystery kept me hanging on every word, completely hooked as the plot unfolded.
The historic Magnolia House is being relocated, and the building was completely sealed for the move, with no one allowed inside. However, upon its arrival at the new lot, Poppy notices that preservation consultant Julian Cross has vanished. He is later discovered dead in an upstairs bedroom.
If the house was sealed, how did Julian get inside? Did he enter on his own, or did someone put him there after doing away with him? Why was he inside a house that was strictly off-limits? How far will the killer go to keep the truth hidden?
All these fascinating questions kept me turning pages. I was on the edge of my seat trying to solve the puzzle before Poppy did, though I think that is nearly impossible! Poppy is incredibly sharp when it comes to solving crimes.
Her dog, Midsip, never misses a clue or a crumb—he truly has one of the best sniffers around! Of course, Poppy couldn't solve these mysteries without her best friend Nadine and the history-loving Theo by her side.
After that surprising ending, I cannot wait for the next book in the series to see what trouble Poppy, Midsip, Nadine, and Theo land in next.
I thoroughly enjoyed uncovering the secrets of Magnolia House, and I highly recommend this book to all cozy mystery fans. Grab your copy today!
Check out all the books in the Poppy James Cozy Mystery Series I’ve read.
Caffeine and a Corpse
NightBlooms and a Burial #1
Killer Crust #2
Whistle Stop Murder #3
Murder at the Heritage Festival #4
Murder on the Bunny Slope #5
Death by Choreography #6
Murder at Briar House #7
Buried Secrets and a Suspicious Death #8
The Secret in Magnolia House #9
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