Book

Planted Seed: Stories from Pelican Reach

Series · The Pelican Reach Mysteries

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by Mel Charles

Life at Pelican Reach usually follows a comfortable rhythm of morning walks, community gardens, coffee with friends, and quiet days by the coast. Yet even in a peaceful retirement estate, mysteries have a way of appearing where they are least expected. In these six warm and engaging stories, retired lawyer Arthur Brightwell, former psychologist Shirley Calloway, and observant newcomer Ted Barlow find themselves drawn into a series of curious puzzles involving a missing notebook, an anonymous benefactor, a returned library book, a forgotten photograph, a mysterious chair, and a vanished plant label. None involve danger, but each reveals hidden connections, long-buried stories, and the quiet acts of kindness that bind a community together. Set against the sunlit gardens and coastal pathways of Pelican Reach, these gentle mysteries celebrate friendship, memory, and the simple truth that paying attention to people is often the key to understanding them. Perfect for fans of Richard Osman, Jan Karon, and Alexander McCall Smith, Planted Seed is a collection of heartwarming mysteries where the stakes are personal, the puzzles are satisfying, and every answer brings people a little closer together.

Publication date: June 11, 2026