THE GARDENER'S SECRET

In Hansberger’s debut novel, a mysterious family of newcomers to a small town forms a friendship with an aspiring journalist.

After Callie Lou James abandons her pursuit of a journalism degree at UCLA to support her recently widowed mother, she picks up freelance work in her small hometown of Willoughby, Georgia. A dog-walking accident leads her to meet the perplexing William Smith, who rushes to her aid. Callie tries to be friendly, but he’s cagey about revealing facts about himself, other than that he’s a retired gardener. When she lucks into a job writing the gardening column for the local Willoughby Tribune, she soon asks William for help. Locals are suspicious of the reclusive William, his adult daughter Mary, and young grandson Johnny, but Callie establishes a bond with the family. Hansberger does a fine job of portraying life in a small town, and effectively portrays Callie finding her feet again as she connects with gossipy high school friends and her childhood crush, J. B. Taylor, who’s now a police officer. The revelation of the Smith family’s secrets is intriguingly drawn out, making for a compelling narrative that will keep readers engaged as Callie uses her investigative skills to understand her new friends. However, the protagonist’s single-mindedness and self-centered manner make her unlikable at times, as when she submits a human-interest piece on the very private William to a writing competition. That said, her heart is in the right place, and the narrative does see her grow as a person as she rides out a period of great transition. Hansberger’s novel combines romance and thriller aspects, and even has the feel of a coming-of-age tale as Callie rebuilds her life after the death of her father. It all makes for an intriguing read that will keep readers on their toes.

An often compelling tale of small-town secrets and personal growth.