Welcome to the Official Author Page for:

Leah van de Berkt

This site is dedicated to my Ginny Mersea Mystery Series. Please take some time to explore the site and feel free to reach out to me via email if you have any questions. You can also subscribe to my newsletter below to stay up to date on release date information and receive some exclusive freebies from me. :)

Under the pale glow of the moon, in a secluded fishing village, a tiny baby is abandoned on the steps of the firehouse. The infant’s piercing wail shatters the night as a young woman hastily flees. The next morning, the life of a lonely firefighter will be

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Two sisters... Cora and Sara Osborne share an unbreakable bond. With their mother wheelchair bound, their father busy running the estate, and their country home shut off from most of the outside world, all they really have is each other. But when Sara’s ey

Heart of a Stranger

WINNER of 2025 Christlit Award Book!!!Renowned across the globe, the Christlit Book Award program is dedicated to acknowledging and honoring remarkable authors who skillfully integrate themes of faith into their literary creations.The Christlit Book Award celebrates exceptional Christian literature.

What blew me away about Heart of a Stranger by Leah van de Berkt is the author's remarkable talent. Her ability to create exquisite prose that immerses readers in an intricately constructed narrative is simply incredible.The prologue effectively sets the stage for the unfolding story, piquing curiosity and establishing an atmosphere that persists throughout the entirety of the book. Van de Berkt’s skill for crafting intimate moments between characters is particularly noteworthy; these instances of normalcy allow readers to connect deeply with their personalities, making their journeys feel authentic and relatable.I genuinely enjoyed the way the novel is sprinkled with a delightful dose of humor, which serves as a refreshing counterbalance to the weighty themes explored throughout. As the lives of the characters intertwine, readers are taken on a journey through various landscapes and time periods, each setting meticulously depicted to instill a sense of reality that amplifies the storytelling. Just when you think you have the plot figured out, van de Berkt delivers an ending that is both surprising and satisfying, wrapping up a magnificent mystery in an exceptional way.Overall, the entire book is a captivating escape, effortlessly sweeping you away into its world. Upon immersing yourself in this literary journey, you will discover it is almost unfeasible to set aside, thanks to the ongoing anticipation and wonder. I enthusiastically endorse it, and this author is certainly one of my new favorites!- Louise Jane, CEO The Christlit Book Awards

Two sisters... Cora and Sara Osborne share an unbreakable bond. With their mother wheelchair bound, their father busy running the estate, and their country home shut off from most of the outside world, all they really have is each other. But when Sara’s ey

The Ginny Mersea Mystery Series

Two sisters... Cora and Sara Osborne share an unbreakable bond. With their mother wheelchair bound, their father busy running the estate, and their country home shut off from most of the outside world, all they really have is each other. But when Sara’s ey
Two sisters... Cora and Sara Osborne share an unbreakable bond. With their mother wheelchair bound, their father busy running the estate, and their country home shut off from most of the outside world, all they really have is each other. But when Sara’s ey

Dive into the Mystery...Embark on a captivating journey into the world of Ginny Mersea, a renowned biographer with an extraordinary talent for unraveling long-forgotten secrets.Prepare for laughter, tears, and jaw-dropping revelations.Prepare to be entertained, moved, and left breathless as you delve into a masterpiece of suspenseful storytelling.Don’t miss out on this extraordinary reading experience.

The Books

Two sisters... Cora and Sara Osborne share an unbreakable bond. With their mother wheelchair bound, their father busy running the estate, and their country home shut off from most of the outside world, all they really have is each other. But when Sara’s ey

Two sisters...Cora and Sara Osborne share an unbreakable bond. With their mother wheelchair bound, their father busy running the estate, and their country home shut off from most of the outside world, all they really have is each other. But when Sara’s eyesight fades, she relies on her sister more than ever before.A missing Locket...On March 3rd, 1930, a priceless locket is stolen, driving Cora to a desperate act. Once the shot is fired there is no going back.A murder witnessed only by a blind girl...Sara was there, she heard everything, but her reliability as a witness comes into question when there’s no evidence to back her story.The killer escaped without a trace...Seventy years later, biographer Ginny Mersea is hired to tell the story. A task that seems impossible with her only source an ailing blind woman. Diving further into the past reveals a spiderweb of conspiracy far bigger than Ginny thought possible. Who is Adley Moore? What does she have to do with the Osbornes? And could a mysterious illness lead to a murderer?
As Ginny finds herself pulled deeper into the cloak-and-dagger world of the Osborne Sisters and the elusive Adley Moore, she finds a place where powerful loyalties protect tragic secrets, and nothing is as it seems.

Available now on Amazon!

Under the pale glow of the moon, in a secluded fishing village, a tiny baby is abandoned on the steps of the firehouse. The infant’s piercing wail shatters the night as a young woman hastily flees. The next morning, the life of a lonely firefighter will be

Under the pale glow of the moon, in a secluded fishing village, a tiny baby is abandoned on the steps of the firehouse. The infant’s piercing wail shatters the night as a young woman hastily flees. The next morning, the life of a lonely firefighter will be forever altered.Fifty years later, Ginny Mersea, a renowned biographer with an uncanny ability to uncover long-forgotten secrets, is taking a sabbatical to plan her upcoming wedding. Her expertise as both a storyteller and a mystery solver are highly sought after, and not everyone can wait until her office reopens. After receiving a puzzling package at her favorite coffee shop, Ginny is thrust into a new mystery brimming with lies, betrayal, and heartbreak. Soon, she’s compelled to abandon her own plans and beliefs or risk losing the answers to the one case she could never crack—the disappearance of her sister.How does the story of a firehouse foundling intertwine with her own? Does everyone leave a trace? And can a stranger’s heart reveal the love of God to someone lost in the shadows of her past? Discover the heartwarming and suspenseful tale in Heart of a Stranger.

RELEASING SEPTEMBER 2, 2025!

Order your copy today!

About Me

I’m an indie author with two novels, four children’s books, and a collection of short stories published.My third novel, Heart of a Stranger, the sequel to Finding Adley, is currently in editing and is expected to be released by late fall or early winter 2025.I’m passionate about all things related to good storytelling, whether it’s writing one or reading one. Most days, I can be found with a coffee and a book in hand. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, exploring and hiking in the beautiful Colorado Rockies, playing the piano or Irish Whistle (check out my recordings on my YouTube channel), and honing my digital art skills. I also am very active in my local church and adore being a homemaker and homeschool mom.

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