I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own. 

A couple in post-war Europe faces the power of secrets and lies in author Crystal Quast’s “Eye Spied Serenity Acres: The Prequel.”

The Synopsis

A new map is emerging after the war, and not all of the lines have been drawn. After nearly a decade on the run, Zosia and her husband take refuge as caretakers of an old inn.

But soon, rumors and a shameful secret threaten to shatter their hard-won peace. Spies, lies, and raids drag them back into the world they tried to escape. Zosia has a plan to get them out, but at what cost?

Before Serenity Acres, there was a town too beautiful to be true. Of course it was. That’s where the secrets started.

The Review

What has always been so compelling about this series is how in-depth it is in exploring rich characters. The haunting nature of war and its impact on those not only who fought in it but also survived it are greatly explored in this novel’s setting, and the mystery and intrigue that occurs when people are missing and no one knows where everyone is after the deadly battles that have been fought kept the narrative moving forward greatly in this story.

The way this story and its characters set up the rest of the series, and the depth of intrigue the specific setting holds, are the narrative’s greatest hooks. The dynamic between the two protagonists is tense and keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they push not only each other but themselves into paths that shock even themselves in order to find a sense of self-preservation and survival. The horrors that the two face and the theme that no matter how hard a person tries, they cannot deny who they are on the inside made this story so incredibly captivating.

The Verdict

Remarkable, haunting, and enthralling, author Crystal Quast’s “Eye Spied” is a must-read entry in the Serenity Acres series and a compelling suspense thriller. The world-building and mystery add depth to the narrative, and the haunting way the book explores the depths humanity is willing to sink to survive and escape its own reality is the perfect setup for the rest of the series. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy on April 15th, 2026, or preorder your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

About the Author

With over twenty years of spinning stories in corporate communications, Dinked: Serenity Acres. Where Secrets Barely Stay Hidden is Crystal Quast’s debut novel. When she’s not writing, Crystal loves playing pickleball and tennis, paddleboarding, hiking, and spending time with her family.