whistberry author

Once Upon a Wave of Witches by Eli Belt and Helen Whistberry

Amelia Arrowheart is a homebody. Beatrice Buttons most decidedly is not. When these two ladies of a certain age meet and become fast friends, neither expects the extraordinary challenges they will face together and apart. Welcome to Lichen, a place like no other, where fungi are revered, cloud creatures crowd the skies, and sea witches wield their power for the good of all. Two mischievous little boys, a space pirate, and a monster that reaches out from the depths of the ocean will change their lives forever. Join Beatrice and Amelia on the adventure of a lifetime as they take to the skies and plunge into the depths of the sea to save a friend and break a curse! A unique and uplifting fantasy tale celebrating friendship, loyalty, and love. Includes 33 original illustrations!

The Tail of Nightshade by Helen Whistberry

“A mouse scrabbled along under crisp, fallen leaves, whiskers twitching. Death, disguised as an owl, kept watch high above, unblinking eyes orbed bright in the moonlight...” Thus begins an adventure unlike any other for Nightshade, a young mouse who never expected to venture very far from their cozy burrow. Over the course of a few eventful days, they will meet strangers both weird and magnificent, including an impetuous bear and a lovely wyrm, a flitter-flutter and a whirligig, a wizard of modest talents and a legendarily monstrous cat, and a most wondrous being of light. Together they will navigate a noble quest, face unimaginable dangers, and experience astonishing events. Through it all, they will cling to the one thing they most believe: there is no obstacle that cannot be overcome if all remain true. Please be warned, especially for younger readers, that there are brief moments of violence, instances of death and other kinds of mayhem you might expect in a fantasy story. But also be reassured that it is a tale full of hope, love, and the beauty of loyalty, friendship, and doing the right thing no matter the cost. Includes 31 original illustrations by the author.

The Ghostly Groom by Helen Whistberry

Reporter Jim Malhaven is riding on top of the world. June is busting out all over, and he’s about to marry the love of his life. He has no idea everything will come crashing down when he’s called out to investigate the news of a woman found dead in the local movie theater. Now he’s been arrested by Joey Flanagan, his best and oldest friend, and on a charge of Murder in the First, no less. Will it be up to his new bride to save the day? This is Book Three in the Malhaven Mystery Series, light noir novels with a cozy mystery feel and a touch of the paranormal that pay loving tribute to the wise guy detectives of the 40s and 50s. (Content warning: child endangerment, child loss, drug use, racism, anti-Semitism)

The Melody of Trees by Helen Whistberry

Experience the unforgettable magic of these original stories and illustrations from the imagination of writer and artist Helen Whistberry. You’ll discover an elder god keeping a loving eye on their forest, a girl made of glass and other characters fighting for their lives against both impossible odds and monsters (human and otherwise), some wise guys having a supernaturally bad day, and the exploits of a loner gun-for-hire and his loyal dragon. From fantasy and folklore to horror and sci-fi, these tales are tied together not only by their forest settings but by a sense of humanity (even in those characters who aren’t quite human), empathy for all creatures, and the weird beauty to be found in moments both light and dark. And be warned! There are dark and sometimes violent themes ahead and not all stories have a happy ending, but for those brave enough to venture into these wild woods, 10 unforgettable experiences await. (Visit author's website for complete list of content warnings.)

The Avenging Angel (The Malhaven Mystery Series #2) by Helen Whistberry

When a series of escalating pranks at the Sisters of Mercy orphanage get out of hand, it's time for intrepid reporter Jim Malhaven to grab his trusty fedora and dust off his investigatory skills. A lost little girl with no voice and no past, an unpleasantly sinister pair of caretakers at a local mansion, and reported sightings of a heavenly visitor sporting a pair of wings. Can Jim and his friends get to the bottom of the mystery before evil triumphs over good? This is Book Two in the Malhaven Mystery Series, light noir novels with a cozy mystery feel and a touch of the paranormal that pay loving tribute to the wise guy detectives of the 40s and 50s. (This book was originally published under the title The Avenging Angel of Hasselwhite Hall in May of 2020. Content warnings: child endangerment, anti-Semitism, racism)

The Weird Sisters by Helen Whistberry

Jim Malhaven is a lonely hack reporter stringing along on assignments no one else wants at the local paper until he gets the scoop of his life. There's a mysterious wraith haunting the local cemetery, and it's up to him to get to the bottom of the ghostly goings-on. Along the way, he'll cross paths with a trio of weird sisters, uncover a sinister conspiracy, have more than one brush with death, and meet a gal with honey-blonde hair and a killer smile. Is she that certain someone he's been looking for all his life, or is there a villain hiding behind that lovely face? This twisty tale will leave you guessing until the final shocking revelation. This is Book One in the Malhaven Mystery Series, light noir novels with a cozy mystery feel and a touch of the paranormal that pay loving tribute to the wise guy detectives of the 40s and 50s. (This book was previously published under the title The Weird Sisters of Wynter's Hill. Content warnings: suicide, implied child abuse, drug use, child loss)