Claudia Breland
Author of Genealogy-Inspired Fiction Rooted in Michigan’s Past
New Release
The Murder of Rhoda Jones
A mystery nearly lost to time. A granddaughter who won't let it rest.
In 1887, Rhoda Jones was bedridden. When her body was found beside the railroad tracks, the papers called it suicide. But was it?
A generation later, her great-niece Grace begins to ask questions—and puts herself in danger. Fifty years after that, Grace’s granddaughter Sophie picks up the trail. As Sophie uncovers forgotten letters, family secrets, and the strange truth about Eleanor Roberts, she learns that the past is never really past.
This richly layered novel weaves three women’s stories across nearly a century, from the quiet lakeside town of Beulah, Michigan to the fever-ridden shores of Florida.
Inspired by true events and real genealogical research.
“I have been drawn in since the first book and this installment did not disappoint! The story is compelling, and the main characters are charming and fun… I can’t wait for the next one!”
— Amazon review for The Murder of Rhoda Jones
👉 Available now on Amazon
→ Buy The Murder of Rhoda Jones
Start with a Story
If you love fiction that digs into family history, unearths long-buried secrets, and captures life in small-town Michigan, you’re in the right place.
Claudia Breland’s novels are written with the heart of a genealogist and the mind of a researcher. They blend fact and fiction into unforgettable characters and page-turning plots.
What Readers Are Saying
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“Reading Claudia Breland is like sitting down with a friend for a lively and interesting conversation.”
— Amazon review for North to Naubinway
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“The author includes maps and a family tree chart, making it easy for the reader to identify the characters.”
— Amazon review for The Murder of Rhoda Jones
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“Characters from the previous books continue to come alive… the sneak preview has me looking forward to the next book!”
— Amazon review for The Murder of Rhoda Jones
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“As a lifetime Michigander, I loved the story that involved the famous Cherry Hut, Crystal Lake and Beulah.”
— Amazon review for Home to Beulah
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“This is a sweet story of a young lady finding herself and her lost family… Being a resident of Benzie County… it’s nice hearing the history of the area.”
— Amazon review for Home to Beulah
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“The characters are believable and true to their times, while the intriguing plot keeps the reader hoping for answers.”
— Amazon review for North to Naubinway
About Claudia
Claudia Breland is a retired professional genealogist, longtime librarian, and now a fiction writer whose novels are deeply rooted in Michigan’s history.
She’s written for Archives.com and APG Quarterly, taught workshops and delivered lectures across the U.S., and spent decades helping others uncover their own family histories. Now she’s writing stories that honor those same themes: legacy, memory, and the quiet strength of women across generations.