Books & Author Reviews

Rebecca Janni, author of the Every Cowgirl series

From the crow of the next-door rooster in the (way too) early morning to the mystery surrounding one of Jane’s young students, you’ll find yourself rooting for this heroine, page after page.

Joy Neal Kidney is the author of Leora’s Letters, also of Leora’s Dexter Stories, and a regular on the Our American Stories podcast

A plucky young teacher, away from home for the first time, helps solve a who-done-it in a small South Dakota town . . . With grit, spirit, a great sense of humor, and adventure, she also learns to milk a cow and handle a grumpy cleaning lady, all the while pondering clues . . . I’m looking forward to more West River Mysteries from Jolene Philo.

Rebecca Janni, author of the Every Cowgirl series

“Even a South Dakota blizzard can’t stop Jane Newell or bury the clues she determines to uncover as she tries to solve Little Missouri’s latest mystery. String the Christmas lights, pour a mug of Merle’s hot cocoa, and cozy up for Jane’s latest adventure. As she stitches together costumes for the upcoming pageant and strings together evidence for her case, readers will laugh, ponder, and hum along as they See Jane Sing!”

Amazon Reviewer

See Jane Sing. What a fun story that weaves humor and mystery together in the second book of the West River Mystery series by Jolene Philo.

Just like the first book, this one was hard to put down. I just had to keep reading to find out who ‘did it’. I’ve always liked trying to figure out the culprit in a mystery along with the sleuth, but Jolene keeps me guessing till the end.

Philo is so descriptive in her writing that the characters and the setting come alive that I feel like I’m there in Little Missouri with Jane and her friends.

The West River Mystery series is more about the dynamics and personalities of the characters rather than relying on violence, swearing or sex to move the story along or titillating.

This is one book series that all ages can enjoy, and I highly recommend it.

William Kent Krueger
New York Times bestselling author of This Tender Land, Ordinary Grace, and the Cork O’Connor mysteries

“Like a snowflake in a blizzard, See Jane Dance!, which is set in the midst of winter cold and chaos, finds a way to be both precious and unique. With wry humor, Jolene Stratton Philo offers readers the small South Dakota town of Little Missouri, populated by oddballs and lovables, who, when murder comes calling, find themselves dealing with a lot more than just their usual winter doldrums. I found myself smiling often at Philo’s take on small town politics and social mores and laughing out loud at some of the outrageous shenanigans of the citizens of Little Missouri. This is a delightful read, perfect for those who like their mysteries on the soft-boiled side and who maybe wish that Agatha Christie had chosen to set at least one of her stories against the backdrop of the High Plains.”

Amazon Reviewer

I am loving the West River Mysteries series. With every book we get to know the regular cast of characters better, and understand how they grow to care for Jane, and she for them. With a resemblance to Jessica Fletcher, Jane once again assists the sheriff in solving a murder in the tiny town of Little Missouri, SD. The reader follows Jane along the quirky twists and turns that lead to the murderer. This is a page turner, and I look forward to reading the next book. Oh, and the chocolate chip oatmeal cookies that make a regular appearance in this story? The recipe is included. Bonus!

Victoria White, National Speaker, Disability Advocate, and Program Director of With Ministries

“Surprise endings and new beginnings will delight readers who dig! into the mystery that has Jane drinking a lot of coffee as the end of her first school year nears. Join paleontologists, students, the sheriff and his deputy force as Jane uncovers real fossils and creates phony ones, encounters local traditions, and engages in a dash of delightful romance. Just when you think you’ve learned Jane’s recipe for solving the mystery, Philo comes through with clever and intriguing twists that will keep you reading to the end and eager for the next book in the series. Get ready to laugh out loud at the quirky kids and Jane’s clashes with town characters. Once you realize that you might know as much as the switchboard operator, you’ll still value Jane’s forensic investigator skills and tenacity, which make her more endearing than ever.”

Amazon Reviewer

I highly recommend See Jane Dig, the latest addition to Jolene Stratton Philo’s See Jane series. This fast-paced engaging who-done-it mystery novella once again features the heroine grade school teacher Jane Newell, who also works as a forensic technician. Philo skillfully intertwines the excitement of a dinosaur dig with a lively school field trip while exploring the personal relationships of a new teacher adjusting to life in a small rural South Dakota town.

Jane’s sharp investigative mind and grounded nature make her a relatable and intriguing protagonist. Readers will enjoy the unexpected twists as Jane unravels multiple mysteries including a missing dinosaur bone. See Jane Dig is a captivating read that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.

Is it possible that the struggles you have with your child may be because he or she suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? Once ignored, even by the medical professionals treating war veterans, PTSD is gaining global recognition as a very real and serious issue for those who have experienced traumatic events, even children. 

When children experience medical illness, witness violence, or are abused, it can leave a lasting effect. According to recent studies, 50 to 60 percent of children who experience these traumas early in life may suffer from a form of PTSD, leading to issues in childhood, through adolescence, and even into adulthood. Does My Child Have PTSD? is designed for readers looking for answers about the puzzling, disturbing behaviors of children in their care. 

With years of research and personal experience, Philo provides critical information to help people understand causes, symptoms, prevention, and effective diagnosis, treatment, and care for any child struggling with PTSD. 

Between the worry, the doctor’s appointments, and the thousand small challenges of everyday life, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and exhausted. The idea of showing abundant love to every member of your family can feel like a daunting task. Jolene Philo has been there. And in this wise, warm, practical guide, she and Dr. Gary Chapman show you how the 5 love languages can help strengthen your marriage and family life—whatever your needs. Sharing dozens of stories from parents of children with special needs children, they teach you how to:

• protect your marriage amidst the stress
• discover and speak the love language of your child—even if they’re nonverbal
• accommodate the love languages for children with special needs and disabilities
• show love to every member of your family when you have limited time, money, and energy

Having a special needs child shouldn’t mean sacrificing a full family life. Learn to share love abundantly no matter your circumstances.

Jesus set a high standard when He said “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” The call is not limited to children who will sit quietly at His feet and listen, who color between the lines, who raise their hands and wait to be called upon, and who work at grade level. Children’s ministries are responsible to be ready to bring children with disabilities to Jesus’ feet too. Every Child Welcome is the guide for leaders and volunteers to assist in purposeful planning and skill development for a ministry inclusive of children with unique needs.

Experienced children’s ministry leaders, and parents of special-needs children themselves, the authors are superbly equipped to offer a thoughtful, thorough approach to creating a positive environment for children―one where all children will be able to digest the important concepts being taught. For leaders and volunteers, Every Child Welcome will provide the knowledge and tools to

• create a welcoming environment before kids arrive

• help children learn more effectively by connecting new information to what they already know
• reinforce the main idea of a lesson, building background knowledge and reviewing important concepts
• supplement instruction with hands-on activities to increase attention and participation
• reinforce and wrap up an activity effectively