Synopsis
How do you survive a season of fear?
October is a hard month for Rae Riley's family. Her dad, Sheriff Walter "Mal" Malinowski lost his wife and father then. He also has to manage the trouble Halloween brings to rural Marlin County, Ohio. But this year, Rae's uncle fights for his life after a riding accident, and a family feud over a lost inheritance erupts at a local Halloween attraction. As Rae tries to support her family, she and her cousin Amber work to unravel the 70-year-old riddle that will reveal the location of the inheritance so their great aunt Lily and her kids can gain a fortune. And Rae must deal with the secretive behavior of the deputy she’s fallen for.
When a bogus medium conducts a séance to contact Cyrus Morley, the man who devised the riddle, the results stun everyone, and the aftermath is even more shocking. There's only one way to survive a season of so much fear--and only one way to unmask a killer.
"Rae Riley is at it again, navigating complex family dynamics, potential romance, and a high-stakes treasure hunt with her usual faith and aptitude. Allen never fails to bring Marlin County to life, all the more vividly in this installment with the addition of fall colors and new personalities! A Riddle in the Lonesome October gives off the perfect spooky vibes for a Halloween read, yet shines a light of hope that good will always triumph in the end."
~Laurie Lucking, award-winning author of Common
"J.P.C. Allen takes readers on a journey into mystery, suspense, and Bigfoot. Rae Riley is the perfect heroine: brave, compassionate, but still deals with her own struggles as she processes life. A Riddle in the Lonesome October is my favorite of the series because of the intense drama and mystery that keeps you guessing right up until the last page."
--Jennifer Hallmark, author of Jessie’s Hope and Smoking Flax
JPC Allen’s A Riddle in the Lonesome October is a perfect addition to your fall reading list, continuing the Rae Riley Mystery series with intrigue, heart, and a touch of the mysterious.
As Rae’s town prepares for an October celebration at the abandoned home of its most infamous villain, a mysterious riddle tied to a long-lost treasure sparks a frantic search. But when a horrifying accident leaves Rae’s uncle gravely injured, and her cousin paralyzed by fear of a monster lurking in the woods, the stakes rise. With rumors swirling and strangers flooding into town, Rae must summon her courage and unravel the riddle before greed, danger, and darkness claim another life.
JPC Allen masterfully blends suspense with themes of faith, family, and sacrificial love—reminding readers that true strength often comes in the face of fear. A discussion guide is included, making it a thoughtful pick for book clubs.
-- Felicia Bridges, author of the award-winning International Mission Force series
About the Author
JPC Allen started her writing career in second grade with an homage to Scooby Doo, and she's been tracking down mysteries ever since. The first novel in her Rae Riley Mysteries series, A Shadow on the Snow, won first place in the ACFW KidLit contest for YA fiction in 2024. A Storm of Doubts, her second novel, came in second for YA fiction at the Selah Awards in 2025. Online, she offers tips and prompts to ignite the creative spark in every kind of writer. She also leads workshops for tweens, teens, and adult, encouraging them to discover the adventure of writing. Coming from a long line of Mountaineers, she's a life-long Buckeye. Follow her to her next mystery at www.facebook.com/JPCAllenWrites/, www.instagram.com/jpcallenwrites/, www.bookbub.com/profile/jpc-allen, and www.goodreads.com/author/show/18623122.JPC_Allen.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
