“The Roses of Port Townsend” by Ethel Steinmetz Marmont

The Roses of Port Townsend

Ethel Steinmetz Marmont
Palmetto Publishing (2025)
ISBN: 979-8822960329
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (05/2025)

When elementary school teacher Mandy Rose’s job is cut, she finds herself in a position where she needs to take whatever teaching position is quickly available. Her husband, Rick, mysteriously disappeared a few years ago. This left her responsible for her two young sons. The family desperately misses their father and is very worried about what might have happened because he was extremely stressed at work. Mandy readily accepts a teaching position in the quaint Victorian seaport village known as Port Townsend. Her family expresses concern about this because the area is known to be haunted. The teacher she is replacing also seems to have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Despite this, Mandy packs up her two boys and two dogs and moves them to Port Townsend.

Mandy is lucky to find an inexpensive home to rent. The family soon discovers that it holds many secrets. The house reveals surprises like hidden rooms, a special tree house, and some powerfully magical tomatoes. They also find that not everyone in town is who they appear to be on the surface. There are other worldly creatures such as ghosts, vampires, and trolls. Most are not friendly.  The whole family finds themselves caught up in trying to solve a mystery that might also help lead them to their father. Along the way, the family and their new friends must work together to try to stay alive while seeking answers.

The Roses of Port Townsend: A Tale of Mystery, Magic, Science, (and Tomatoes) in a Seaport Village by Ethel Steinmetz Marmont is a wonderful, enchanted tale that is sure to be enjoyed by all ages. Marmont adds unique touches to the magical aspects of the story, which help make it distinctive from other fairy tale-type stories. Her incredible imagination also adds special touches to the mysterious events that have been taking place in this town. As a result, readers will be in for many fun surprises.

The characters are well developed.  I loved how the whole family worked together to help each other solve this mystery. The mother and the boy’s uncles were receptive to the boys and their friends helping in seeking answers despite their young ages. The unity and teamwork added a heartwarming touch. Including animals such as the family dogs, and a magical cat, also added to the sense of unity and made it more fun.

Ethel Steinmetz Marmont also piqued my interest in the magical and haunted Victorian seaport of Port Townsend. I found myself looking for more information about this interesting place. I learned that it is believed to be one of the most haunted cities in the country! It is exciting to learn that the real city of Port Townsend truly has a touch of magic.

Since The Roses of Port Townsend is appropriate for all ages, especially teens through adults, I believe that multiple generations in families will enjoy reading it. I hope that more works by the author will soon follow in this wonderfully unique place so that I can revisit these characters. This is a must-read for fans of young adult stories who enjoy magic and mystery.