Josh Hellyer

#1 Amazon Bestseller

An electric fence, a beautiful cryptic box, and the wildest goose chase this side of Muskoka. The Valentines’ world is about to be zapped with a bolt of mayhem and mystery!

When centenarian Senator Miles “The Tank” Valentine meets an electrifying end at his own resort, Highclere Inn & Carriage House, the shocks are just beginning. The arrival of a mystery box, posthumously sent by the Senator’s long-deceased first wife, Lady Jean Valentine, sets off a series of comical calamities and dramatic conspiracies that touch everyone from Highclere’s aging quirky guests to its staff and neighbors.

Enter the Senator's grandson, the self-described “fabulous” Mason Valentine, and his investigative journalist cousin, Cordelia “Cici” Bradshaw, tasked with unraveling a web of family intrigue thicker than a lake effect fog.

Witty banter flies faster than a loon’s call as “A Box of Frogs” bounds from page to page, oscillating between outrageous humor, a twisty-turny mystery, quiet ruminations, gripping suspense, and a cast that's—as Lady Valentine herself would say—crazier than a box of frogs.

This is one amusing, insightful, and unexpected caper where solving the puzzle could mean finding more than what you bargained for.As Mason and Cici will soon find out, sometimes the biggest mysteries in life don’t fit neatly inside a box.

"In Hellyer’s skillful hands, what initially seems like a simple case of blackmail to spur a quick estate sale soon reveals itself as a much more complicated scheme of revenge and concealment...It all barrels toward a resolution that many readers won’t see coming."

Josh Hellyer is a bestselling author and award winning television, film and media producer. Hellyer was born and raised in Norfolk County, Ontario. He quickly rose to success in the television world by becoming a producer of Canada’s most watched television shows including Canadian Idol, Canada AM and So You Think You Can Dance Canada. He Executive Produced the film 'Lessons In Temperament' which explores a musicians journey through mental health. Hellyer resides in Toronto.

Praise for 'A Box of Frogs'

"Whether you’re curling up on a chilly winter evening or lounging on your dock next summer, A Box of Frogs is the perfect companion. With its rich Muskoka setting, charmingly chaotic characters, and captivating twists, this novel is truly a delight from cover to cover."

"The plot is intriguing and deceptively simple, gradually revealing its actual complexity layer by eye-opening layer...it was mesmerizing watching Mason and Cici separate the red herrings from who was really pulling the strings. I enjoyed the incorporation of pop culture references sprinkled along the way. The story was compelling and full of surprises, and the tragic eleventh-hour resolution was absolutely thrilling. With its engaging protagonists and intricate, well-paced plot, I highly recommend A BOX OF FROGS to mystery and thriller readers. MUST READ."

—Reedsy Discovery Reviews

"While being hilarious, 'A Box of Frogs' does not shy away from weighty subjects but deals with them with respect and consideration and it all makes for one hell of story. Be prepared for the twists and turns and to dive head first into the world of the Valentines. The first in the series has only recently been published but I'm counting down the days til the second. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a gripping read with humour and depth."