Sharon Short, Author
  • Home
  • About
    • Behind the Scenes FAQ
  • Books (as Sharon)
    • My One Square Inch of Alaska
    • Josie Toadfern Stain-Busting Mysteries
    • Sanity Check
    • Patricia Delaney eGumshoe Mysteries
  • Books (as Jess)
  • Stories and Essays
  • Contact/Events
As Jess Montgomery, I write the Kinship Historical Mystery Series published by Minotaur Books.

Set in 1920s’ Appalachian Ohio against the backdrops of coal mining, farming prohibition and women’s rights, the first title in the series, the series was inspired by Ohio's true first female sheriff in 1925.

Learn more about my books, news and events as Jess at www.jessmontgomeryauthor.com.

I also write a weekly blog, "Dear Reader," focusing on pie recipes, book news, other people's books, and more on my Jess website.


The Kinship Historical Mysteries Series (in series order)
Picture
When Lily Ross learns that her husband, Daniel Ross, the town’s widely respected sheriff, is killed while transporting a prisoner, she is devastated and vows to avenge his death.

But just hours after Daniel’s funeral, a stranger appears at Lily’s door: Marvena Whitcomb, a coal miner’s widow, is unaware that Daniel has been killed, and begs to speak with him about her missing daughter.

Soon Lily and Marvena realize that Daniel was not the man that either of them believed him to be—and that his murder is far more complex than either of them could have imagined.

Set in 1920s’ Ohio against the backdrop of coal mining, prohibition and women’s rights, The Widows is inspired by the true stories of two women: Maude Collins, the first female sheriff in the state of Ohio, whose husband died in the line of duty in 1925, and Mary Harris “Mother” Jones, the prominent labor and community organizer.

BUY NOW

READ EXCERPT



Picture
Ohio, 1926: For many years, the railroad track in Moonvale Tunnel has been used as a short cut through the Appalachian hills. When an elderly woman is killed walking along the tracks, the brakeman tells tales of seeing a ghostly female figure dressed all in white.

Newly elected Sheriff Lily Ross is called on to the case to dispel the myths, but Lily does not believe that an old woman would wander out of the hills onto the tracks. In a county where everyone knows everyone, how can someone have disappeared, when nobody knew they were missing? As ghost stories and rumors settle into the consciousness of Moonvale Hollow, Lily tries to search for any real clues to the woman’s identity.

With the help of her friend Marvena Whitcomb, Lily follows the woman’s trail to The Hollows—an asylum in northern Athens County—and they begin to expose secrets long-hidden by time and the mountains.

BUY NOW

READ EXCERPT



Picture
FORTHCOMING MARCH 9, 2021

PRE-ORDER NOW

Proudly powered by Weebly