The Forgotten
Secret
A grisly tale inspired
by real events.
A word of advice: read it in your well-lighted home,
behind locked doors, when you’re snug in your own bed.”
— The Denver Post
Order before October 31, 2025 for intriguing bonuses!
AS SEEN IN:
It all started to unravel when Eleanor Varner passed away…
In the quaint town of Cedar Hollow, where the steeples are as high as the town’s moral standards, the Varners have been pillars of the community for generations. Their ancestral home, a majestic Victorian manor, has stood as a testament to their devout faith and charitable deeds. But behind the polished surface lies a dormant secret so profound, its revelation threatens to unravel the fabric of their legacy.
When Eleanor Varner, the family matriarch, passes away, her will reveals more than just her assets.
Hidden within her estate is a cryptic letter that hints at a mysterious past event. Her grandniece, Abigail Renshaw, a young journalist, becomes entangled in the puzzle. As Abigail delves deeper, she discovers that seventy years ago, a scandalous crime was buried in the town’s history, one involving the Varners. Between historical records, whispered rumors, and cryptic messages from someone who knows too much, she must piece together the truth before the shadows of the past claim her as their next victim.
The Forgotten Secret weaves family loyalty, betrayal, and redemption into a tapestry as intricate as the lies that bind the Varners to their fate.
Order before October 31, 2025 for intriguing bonuses!
“A truly bone-chilling story…
I was afraid to turn off the lights!”
– Kim Sutton, Book Editor
“Breatty masterfully weaves her fact-finding skills into her fiction, creating a tapestry of intrigue that ensnares the reader from the first word to the last.”
– SANDRINE BRAWN,
New York Times Best-Seller
Handra Breatty is a master of intrigue and suspense. Born and raised in the coastal town of Riverwood, Handra grew up surrounded by tales of the sea and the secrets it keeps.
A former investigative journalist, she has a knack for uncovering hidden truths and weaving them into captivating narratives. Her writing career began in the pages of the local newspaper, but it wasn’t long before her passion for storytelling led her to the world of fiction.
Her debut novel, The Forgotten Secret, draws heavily on her deep understanding of small-town dynamics and the skeletons that lurk in seemingly perfect closets. Handra’s ability to blend the eerie charm of historical mysteries with the sharp edge of modern thrillers has earned her a devoted following.
When she’s not writing or researching her next book, Handra enjoys hiking with her two dogs in the lush forests around Riverwood and volunteering at the local history museum, preserving the stories that inspire her writing.
Order before October 31, 2025 for intriguing bonuses!
From the moment I started reading,
I was gripped by an unrelenting chill that
haunted me long after I read the final page.
– Frank Walter, Book Publisher
Taste a morsel of the The Forgotten Secret…
What was in the cryptic letter Abigail found?
Abigail had never seen the attic of the old Varner estate. It was a dusty, cobwebbed space filled with forgotten family relics. The air was thick with the scent of aged paper and mothballs. As she sifted through boxes of yellowed photographs and worn-out diaries, her hand brushed against a small, leather-bound notebook. Curious, she pulled it out, the leather cool and smooth under her fingertips.
Opening the notebook, she found most of the pages empty. But tucked within was a letter, carefully folded, its edges frayed and the ink faded. As she unfolded it, the brittle paper crackled softly. Her eyes were drawn to an unrecognizable, sharp handwriting.
“My dearest,” the letter began, the words sounding affectionate, but deceptively harmless. “What I am about to reveal must never be told to anyone else. If you are reading this, then I am no longer here to guard the secret. You know of what I’m speaking. Look beneath the willow—the one by the brook. There, you will …”
The letter stopped abruptly, as if the writer was interrupted.
Abigail’s thoughts raced as she considered the implications of the words. The old willow by the brook—she knew it well. It was a gnarled sentinel that had stood watch over the Varner property for five generations. What was beneath it?
Distracted, Abigail folded the letter and tucked it into her back pocket. The shadows in the attic seemed to stretch towards her, as if trying to snatch back the letter, as she made her way down the steep stairs.
Order before October 31, 2025 for intriguing bonuses!
It was impossible to put down.
– Sam Woods, critic
Keep your baseball bat beside you, just in case…
Order before October 31, 2025 and meet Handra Breatty live and online on November 3, 2025 where she’ll reveal the real story that inspired The Forgotten Secret.
(It’s a tale that will haunt your nightmares!)
STEP 1
Order a copy from your favorite
retailer below.
(Be sure to grab the order number, you’ll need that for the next step!)
STEP 2
Head back to this page and pop your order number and other details below
STEP 3
Watch your inbox for details and your special link to meet the author of
The Forgotten Secret
©Copyright 2025 Sandra Beatty & Hanne Brøter