BIENVENIDO
Welcome to John Marino's
Historical Fiction Mystery Book Site
Who
Who is Laura Jensten?
Fearless like Nellie Bly. Relentless like Ida Tarbell.
Laura Jensten brings the spirit of America's greatest investigative women into the dangerous, politically charged world of the 1920s South. In this world, truth is her weapon, and she plans to use it.
Journalist Laura Jensten doesn't just report stories; she digs deep. Savannah's elite try to hide their sins behind money, influence, and violence, but Laura never gives in to power. Her investigations take her into abandoned mills, corrupt hospitals, back-room deals, and the darkest corners of Georgia's institutions. These are places where women's voices are silenced, and secrets are buried deep.
Each case makes Laura face the harsh realities of her time: systemic racism, misogyny, class conflict, and the corruption that protects the powerful. But Laura will not be intimidated. With determination, sharp instincts, and a steady moral compass, she uncovers conspiracies that go far beyond a single headline.
As Laura's reputation grows, the danger increases. Her allies become targets, her enemies multiply, and every truth she reveals comes at a price.
Bold women. Dark secrets. High‑stakes investigations.
Perfect for readers who enjoy the novels of Charles Todd, Anna Lee Huber, Rhys Bowen, and Kate Morton, where layered mysteries, rich historical settings, and unforgettable characters collide.
Available October 22
The Other Palmer
Savannah, Georgia • 1924
Book #3
When the wife of one of Georgia's most powerful mill owners disappears, former journalist Laura Jensten and reporter Jack Palmer expect a
routine investigation. Instead, their search leads to Central State Hospital, a sprawling asylum haunted by rumors, missing records, and secrets buried for decades. Hidden among forgotten files is the name of a man who officially never existed: The Other Palmer.
As Laura and Jack uncover evidence of stolen identities, vanished patients, and a long-concealed tragedy, they realize powerful people will do anything to keep the past buried. What began as a search for a missing woman soon becomes a race to expose a conspiracy reaching from the hospital's darkest corridors to the highest levels of Georgia society. With danger closing in, Laura and Jack must decide how much they are
willingto risk for the truth. Because some secrets were meant to stay buried. And some names were never supposed to be remembered.
Historical Note
Inspired by the real history of Central State Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia, The Other Palmer blends historical fact and fiction into a suspenseful mystery of hidden identities, long-buried secrets, and the haunting atmosphere of the American South in the 1920s.
"When truth threatens power, love can save you—or destroy you."
Savannah Shadows
(Book # 2 )
Savannah, 1923
Beneath the moss-draped charm, power festers—and silence is bought in blood. When a prominent Mill owner, his wife, and their driver are gunned down outside a River Street speakeasy, the city whispers scandal. Investigative reporters Laura Jensten and Jack Palmer hear something louder: a warning.
The trail leads to the Wellington family—owners of the city's most powerful cotton Mill and architects of an empire built on dust, heat, and fear.
As Laura and Jack close in, each lead draws them deeper into a web of corruption, violence, and buried crimes—and closer to men who kill to protect their secrets.
In a world where women are meant to be silent and the truth can get you killed, Laura and Jack must decide how much they're willing to risk for the story no one else will tell.
El engaño del verano
Un misterio histórico de Laura Jense
Esta novela entrelaza magistralmente lo conocido y lo imaginario, dando vida a acontecimientos históricos y personajes reales mediante una ficción cautivadora. La inclusión de un personaje real en el reparto secundario añade intriga y resonancia histórica. Conozca más sobre los desafíos que enfrentaron las mujeres en la década de 1920, incluso después de obtener el derecho al voto.
Mr. George - a real-life, fascinating character.
Brothers of the Road
"Brothers of the Road" delivers a vivid, historically accurate portrayal that intertwines rich character development with a compelling narrative. As the "Caminantes" (walkers) face the challenges of racial and cultural displacement, their unwavering resilience and bold defiance emerge against the backdrop of their era, revealing incredible strength and courage—especially after their fateful encounter with
Mr. George. Each character offers a unique perspective, enriching the story with diverse experiences and challenges. The story provides readers with an immersive, authentic
historical adventure.
¿Qué dicen de los libros de Marino?
Acerca del autor
Juan Marino
Como escritora novel y apasionada, me entusiasma compartir mi perspectiva única sobre los cautivadores años 1800 y principios del 1900. Esta increíble época está llena de desafíos monumentales y logros extraordinarios, así como de la notable resiliencia y determinación de su gente. A pesar de las incansables luchas, hombres y mujeres siguieron adelante, luchando por un futuro mejor para sí mismos y sus familias. Mis novelas, fruto de una exhaustiva investigación, garantizan que este vibrante período histórico se represente con precisión y estilo. A través de mi ficción histórica, doy vida a las inspiradoras historias de personas reales que contribuyeron a la creación de Estados Unidos. A menudo ignoradas, sus trayectorias son esenciales para la historia de nuestra nación. Enfrentaron con valentía la discriminación y los peligros de las industrias no reguladas, y su espíritu inquebrantable y sus sacrificios han moldeado profundamente nuestro país. ¡Estos logros, alcanzados con tanto esfuerzo, son nuestra admiración y nuestro recuerdo! Con vívidos detalles históricos, los invito a adentrarse en su mundo y a ser testigos de sus luchas, triunfos y determinación inquebrantable. Al sumergirse en mis libros, los animo a reflexionar sobre su perseverancia y a descubrir cómo sus experiencias, aunque de una época diferente, pueden brindar valiosas perspectivas para afrontar los desafíos actuales. Estas lecciones históricas no son solo ecos del pasado; tienen una relevancia atemporal y pueden guiarnos hoy.