Susan Leon

A DEBUT NOVEL BY

A story of what tragedy leaves behind.

“If They'd Only Known" is for cold case crime fans who are tired of the victims' families being ignored.”

Available soon at:

Amazon | FriesenPress | Barnes & Noble

★★★★★

Just finished If They’d Only Known. Wow, well done. I'm no critic, though having lived through the era depicted in the book, and having similar experiences, I went from teary eyes to chuckles and from long hidden memories to the hard facts of life.

Jim Giffy

Vietnam Vet

★★★★★

It’s one of those damn books that you want to get to the justice part but don’t want the book to end.

Lynn Peterson

Former Mayor of Thunder Bay

★★★★★

I got so invested in the characters that at times I was heartbroken and crying, enraged and yelling at the page … This was everything I look for in a great read - intriguing, emotional, and with an epic storyline.

Sarah Bingham

Early Reviewer

A child vanished. The case goes cold. A family destroyed. Nineteen years later, the past refuses to stay buried.

TJ “Jack” Kelly is a teenager when eight-year-old Marla Ferguson—the sister of his high school girlfriend—is kidnapped, her twin brother injured, and her family shattered.

When the case goes cold, guilt, anger, and hopelessness drive everyone apart, including Jack, whose dream of becoming a police officer was forged in the aftermath of Marla’s disappearance.

When another young girl, a dead ringer for Marla, is found raped and murdered, Jack, now a homicide detective, returns to Thunder Bay, Ontario.

As the killer begins to taunt the police and the Ferguson family, Jack must confront long-buried secrets, resurfacing resentments, and a past that refuses to stay silent.

With the possibility that the crimes are connected, Jack races to uncover the truth before more girls are killed—perhaps even the woman he’s never stopped loving.

It explores the aftermath of disappearance – not the moment of loss, but the decades that follow. A family fractured by grief. An investigator haunted by the unsolved case. And a community forever changed.

If They'd Only Known is a work of fiction set in Northern Ontario, Canada, in the city of Port Arthur, now known as Thunder Bay. Atmospheric, emotionally intelligent, and intricately layered, the novel will demonstrate the rippling effects of violence and the courage it takes to rebuild.

If They'd Only Known is a haunting cold case crime novel about trauma, memory, and the devastating ripple effects of violence.

FAQ

  • I am drafting my next novel. Another crime thriller that focuses on the aftermath extraordinary events have on ordinary people. I also write non fiction and poetry under the name Brenda Rowe so keep an eye out for that coming soon.

  • I started with poetry in high school and in my early twenties I knew I wanted to write. I would think in stories, I would scribble ideas on napkins, I would start but never finish because life always seemed to get in the way. I'm sure you can relate. I worried about who would read it, what they would think of me, my inner critic was harsh. One day in my early seventies I was doing my usual journaling and writing prompts but I was blocked. I expressed my dilemma to my husband and said "I don't know what's wrong, I can't seem to write anything lately." To which he replied "Well, maybe you just don't have anything to say." That did it! Because as you will find out I have plenty to say. And I hope you enjoy reading it.

  • My writing process was very scattered when I first started lots of scenes and ideas but no order to them. A Pantser (as in fly by the seat of my pants.) Then I happened upon Kevin T. Johns. He was giving an hour-long presentation on a free online Summit for writers. (if you're just starting your writing process I recommend signing up for a few of these.) I signed up for his Story Plan Intensive four week program and it all started to come together. If you would like to know more about how that worked for me use the contact form and send me a message. I'd be happy to share my journey.

  • Thank you for your interest! My debut cold case crime novel, If They’d Only Known, is coming soon! Retailer purchase links will be updated on my website once they are available.