Mystery on Church Hill
Patrick Henry, hidden history, and a secret in old Richmond.
A field trip to Richmond’s historic St. John’s Church leads Sam and Derek into a centuries-old mystery tied to Patrick Henry’s legendary call for liberty.
Inside Mystery on Church Hill.
Brothers Sam and Derek have a knack for uncovering mystery and adventure. When they visit Richmond’s St. John’s Church for a reenactment of Patrick Henry’s famous liberty speech, they stumble upon a hidden piece of history — and a clue that pulls them deeper into Revolutionary-era Richmond.
From the steep brick streets of Church Hill to Colonial Williamsburg’s historic capitol, the boys race to put the pieces together. Who hid the clue? Why does it lead to a Founding Father? And can two kids actually crack a mystery the historians missed?
Mystery on Church Hill connects readers directly to Patrick Henry, Colonial Virginia, and the brave words that helped spark a revolution. Pairs naturally with Virginia Studies Revolutionary-era units.
Inside these pages
Walk the brick streets of Church Hill.
St. John’s Church is still standing — and still open to the public. Sam and Derek’s path through Church Hill traces the same brick streets and overlooks the same James River view that Patrick Henry’s neighbors saw in 1775.
Combine your visit with a day in Colonial Williamsburg and you’ll see the world the book is steeped in — colonial homes, reenactors, and the kind of details every kid remembers long after the visit.
St. John’s Church & Colonial Williamsburg
The real history behind the book
March 23, 1775. Patrick Henry stood at St. John’s Church and delivered one of the most famous speeches in American history — words that helped push the colonies toward revolution.
Built in 1741, St. John’s is one of Richmond’s oldest landmarks. The church still hosts reenactments every spring on the anniversary of Henry’s speech.
Jefferson’s teacher, the first Virginian to sign the Declaration of Independence, and the victim of an infamous poisoning — Wythe is the real-history heart of the book. Steven’s companion article tells his full story.
An hour east of Richmond, Colonial Williamsburg recreates 18th-century Virginia at scale — costumed interpreters, working trades shops, and one of the country’s best living-history museums.
Free downloadable comprehension quiz, chapter-by-chapter discussion guide, and Virginia Studies tie-in materials specifically for Mystery on Church Hill.
What readers are saying
“My son is now looking on Google for pictures of the real St. John’s Church & Wythe House. I love how these books can be used as supplementary material to history lessons.”
— Daniel
“These are good old fashioned mysteries without any of the language and sensationalism so many other books for teens and tweens are filled with nowadays.”
— Joseph
“Captivating for even the younger kids. We read together at bedtime and some nights couldn’t put it down.”
— Heather
“He hangs on every word and loves hearing about Sam and Derek’s adventures… our son has made us promise to get more.”
— Parent
All 12 Virginia Mysteries
Using Mystery on Church Hill in your classroom?
Free comprehension quiz, discussion guide, and One Book, One School program materials available. Plus bulk pricing for classroom sets and signed copies.
Start the adventure.
Available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, and audiobook everywhere books are sold — or order a signed copy direct from Steven.