Whispers of Sea Glass

By Wendy Lynn Decker

A gripping coming-of-age mystery set in 1958 Asbury Park, New Jersey, about a determined Catholic schoolgirl who risks everything to uncover a secret and claim a future of her own.

Sixteen-year-old Ivy Jean Munroe longs to escape the rigid confines of her Catholic school and the narrow life mapped out for her. Inspired by the fearless women of espionage novels, Ivy dreams of becoming a detective, an ambition dismissed by her parents and impossible from within the walls of St. Teresa's.

When Ivy stumbles upon a secret tied to the school's domineering head nun, she sees an unexpected opportunity. Teaming up with Stella, the resident troublemaker, Ivy forms an unlikely alliance to uncover the truth. But as their investigation deepens, so do the risks. In a world governed by strict rules, unspoken power, and dangerous loyalties, some secrets are not meant to be exposed.

Set against the vivid backdrop of mid-century Asbury Park, this coming-of-age mystery blends suspense with richly observed historical detail. At its heart is a story about female ambition, moral courage, and the cost of defying expectations in a time when girls were taught to stay silent.

Perfect for readers who enjoy historical fiction with mystery elements, strong female protagonists, and emotionally resonant storytelling, Whispers of Sea Glass explores faith, rebellion, and the quiet bravery it takes to choose one's own path.

For readers who enjoyed We Had a Hunch by Tom Ryan, or Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0GS3SFR4T
• ISBN13: 9798994997819
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Virtual Serenity
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 0.79 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 13 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 8 to Postsecondary