Tag: paranormal mystery

REVIEW: Falling into Magic by Elizabeth Pantley

REVIEW: Falling into Magic by Elizabeth Pantley

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

When Hayden was a child she got “weird” when it came to mirrors. She once saw a strange boy through a mirror and felt like she almost got sucked into one. When her cat went missing, her family told her it must have gotten out and wandered off. But Hayden was sure it was the mirror.

Ever since, Hayden has stayed away from mirrors. But after an accident, Hayden finds herself in that mirror world – Destiny Falls. She finds long lost family, a magical mansion, a mystery, and a dead body.

Review

I know that’s a super short summary, but I don’t want to ruin any of the delightful world-building in this book.

What a treat! I wasn’t sure what to expect with this story, but I found great characters and a fascinating setting with a twisty and engaging mystery. It was a start to finish read. I have so many questions! The biggest is when I can get my hands on book 2. (The answer is March 15 – The Disappearance of Emily.)

There are so many pieces of this that were perfect for me as a reader:

  • Hayden is a great protagonist – she’s bright and curious. I loved watching her sleuthing on the murder as well as her investigation of her new surroundings and situation.
  • She’s pulled into a magical world that is great. A lot of the magic has a fun “Room of Requirement” feel to it that I thoroughly enjoyed.
  • Hayden’s long lost family – and the history of that family – is fascinating. And there are still questions there to explore.
  • The mystery is much larger than the murder. I loved how it developed across the whole book, bit by bit. One of the fast few clues pulled it all together for me. I loved watching it all work out.
  • If I had to pick a genre for this I would say it is more fantasy than mystery because the larger story is about Hayden, about this family and mirror world, about the magic there and her adjustment to it, and about the mysterious characters causing trouble there. But the fantasy and mystery pieces are so well woven together, it’s hard to separate them from each other. And both genres are a big appeal for me.

If you are looking for a magical cozy with a great protagonist and a strong family legacy angle, don’t hesitate to pick this one up. I loved it!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½*

*♥♥♥♥½ = I loved it! Would re-read.

REVIEW: Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders

REVIEW: Bait and Witch by Angela M. Sanders

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Josie Way is on the run. She had a job at the Library of Congress in Washington DC. But something happened there, and now she’s in Wilfred, Oregon, determined to lay low. She’s been hired as the town librarian. But when she gets to Wilfred, she finds out that the library may get torn down to make way for a retreat center.

After only a few days at the library and in Oregon, Josie feels like she is finally where she belongs. The air is fresher, and colors even seem more vibrant. She has an almost magical connection to the library and its collection of books, not to mention the library cat. Josie doesn’t want to walk away from this special place.

But she can’t forget she’s in hiding. And the dead body she finds near the library is unsettling to say the least. Does it have anything to do with the trouble Josie is fleeing? Or does Josie’s new home have sinister troubles of its own?

Review

This is the first book in the new Witch Way Librarian Mystery series, and it is outstanding! The author does a breathtaking job teasing out the story in the early chapters – Josie on the run, the experience on the plane, the change in her perception. Talk about “show, don’t tell.” I was hooked right from the beginning, marveling out loud to my husband about how well crafted the beginning of this book is.

That early high quality carried throughout the whole book – the library, the town, the story of Josie’s life back in DC, her family, the library situation. It was all so well woven together. I loved every bit of it! The mystery is well-constructed, with nice wrinkles and twists along the way.

For me, this was a perfect blend of mystery and fantasy. I love both genres and enjoyed how the author weaves both together. I can’t wait to see what will happen with Josie’s magic in book 2. Seven-Year Witch is scheduled to release in late summer 2021. And I can’t wait to get my hands on it! Paranormal mystery fans should not miss this one! (Magic elements: spells, powers, transfer of consciousness to the cat, tarot cards used as prop by nonmagical character)

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥*

*♥♥♥♥♥ = Outstanding!

REVIEW: A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison

REVIEW: A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Alex has quit her job and gone to Bellamy Bay, North Carolina for vacation with her mother’s side of the family. The family her father refused to visit after her mother’s death. The people he forbid Alex from seeing. But with her father and her job gone and her future up in the air, family is just what Alex needs.

Alex, and her dog Athena, are staying with her aunt Lidia and cousin Minka. Minka’s sister, Kamila, lives in town as well. Aunt Lidia has an apothecary called Botanika, and Alex pitches in there to spend time with her family while she sorts out the upheaval in her life.

Randy Bennett comes to the store in search of a “good luck potion.” Lidia isn’t there, but Minka waits on him. But when Lidia walks in, she flies into a temper at finding Randy in her shop. She tosses his tea at him and bans him – again – from her store.

It’s weird enough that a customer would ask for a “potion.” Add to it Lidia’s temper; it looked like she lifted Mr. Bennett off the floor in her rage. Then there’s the gossip columnist who says Alex’s family are witches. But those problems are weird, and minor, compared to the death of Randy Bennett. The one Lidia is arrested for.

Review

This is a fantastic paranormal mystery! It’s similar in tone and feel to the Wishcrafters series, but with a paranormal hook that’s all its own. The water witch/mermaid piece is unique, and well designed, tying into actual legends from Poland. I thought the world-building here was great!

Alex and her family are characters I would love to know in real life. In fact, finishing the book was actually disappointing because it will be awhile before there’s a sequel. I can’t wait to spend more time in Bellamy Bay.

There’s the usual cozy mystery romance with a law enforcement officer here, or at least the potential for one. But there are actually hints at a possible romantic triangle. Usually I hate those, but this one was fascinating and well written.

The mystery here was top notch. I was guessing all the way to the end, which was so satisfying. There are some unresolved threads here to carry readers into book two. And I can’t wait to read Alex’s next adventure. Paranormal cozy fans – don’t miss this one!

Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Murder at the Palace by Margaret Dumas

REVIEW: Murder at the Palace by Margaret Dumas

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

After discovering her husband’s infidelity in all its publicized Hollywood glory, Nora Paige flees to San Francisco. Her best friend Robbie puts her up in her guest house and asks her to step in as manager of The Palace, a theater that shows movies as classic as the building is.

On her first day, Nora meets her core staff – Marty, the grumpy projectionist; Albert, who’s been seeing movies at the Palace for over 80 years; Callie, the film student; and Brandon, the teen concessions worker. All of them were quite fond of the last manager, Kate, who had died only a couple weeks earlier from a fall. When Nora discovers a dead body at The Palace, though, Kate’s death starts to look less and less like an accident.

With the help of her staff, her friend Robbie, Kate’s best friend Monica, and Trixie the ghost of an usherette who died at The Palace, Nora is looking into what really happened to Kate. What she finds will have a long-lasting impact on The Palace.

Review

I loved this! Nora was GREAT! I loved how she is processing the changes in her life while dealing with all the things going on at The Palace.

The setting of this is so fresh. I loved the classic movies angle, both for the theater and also throughout the story. I’m excited to track down some of the movies that are part of the book.

The cast of characters is quirky and eclectic. And there’s enough of them to be interesting without there being too many to track. Nora’s relationship with her grumpy projectionist is my favorite. I so want her to put him in his place when he questions her movie “cred,” but I figure that will come eventually. The author throws in an interesting wrinkle right at the end which will carry readers into book 2. I can’t wait!

The mystery is great. Not too drawn out, but with interesting suspects and motives. Lots of questions for Nora to work through and for readers to puzzle out, too.

I’m a huge fan of this series launch. I’m eager to see where things go in the future with this must-read Movie Palace Mystery series.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥½

REVIEW: Chocolate à la Murder by Kirsten Weiss

REVIEW: Chocolate à la Murder by Kirsten Weiss

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Midnight Ink in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Wine and Chocolate Days are in full swing, even at Maddie Kosloski’s Paranormal Museum. She has a haunted molinillo for Mexican hot chocolate on display. And she also has a fortune teller coming in to do hot chocolate readings. Local chocolatiers are also providing chocolates for Maddie to sell.

That’s why she was at their shop, Reign, that day. Her delivery was late, so she walked down to pick it up. Finding one of the business partners dead in a pool of melted chocolate was enough to put Maddie off the sweet for years to come.

Maddie’s natural curiosity and local connections means she falls easily back into investigating the crime, but like before, her questions might put her in danger of being the next victim.

Review

This is the fourth Paranormal Museum mystery in the series, but the first book I have read in the line. The overall mystery was pretty typical of the cozy genre. The paranormal pieces for the series aren’t a great fit for me as a reader. The tarot cards and ouija board and such are a step too far for me which led me to rate this lower than I would have otherwise. It’s a matter of personal preference rather than quality of the book.

The characters in the series are interesting. I didn’t get a great feel for Maddie’s best friends. Harper didn’t get a lot of page time, and Adele’s wedding planning woes made her come off a little shrill. I didn’t like her. Maybe if I read other books in this series, I’d have a better feel for her.

In this book, Maddie seems out of step with everyone. This may be something that has been building through the series, and it’s headed toward resolution. But Maddie’s investigations put her at odds with everyone in this book – the cop boyfriend, her mom, her best friends, etc. But investigations seem like one of the few places in her life where Maddie is pretty direct. In her relationships, she sometimes lets stronger personalities bulldoze over her. And in other relationships, she hides from direct questions and conversations. I enjoyed trying to puzzle out this piece of her personality. If not for the occultish elements, I’d read more of these to see how those personality elements play out.

If you enjoy more of the paranormal elements than I do, by all means, check out this series. The mystery was solid and the characters have some intriguing dynamics to dig into!

Rating: ♥♥♥

REVIEW: Murders and Metaphors by Amanda Flower

REVIEW: Murders and Metaphors by Amanda Flower

Posted on by Jaymie

[ I received an electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

There were a lot of wineries in the Niagara region of New York, and Cascade Springs was no exception. And since it was her home town, it was the perfect place for Belinda Perkins to  hold her book signing.

And as the only bookstore in town, Violet and Grandma Daisy’s store, Charming Books, was the natural choice for handling the details of the signing. Yes, it meant Violet had to spend an evening at the Morton Vineyard, but the signing would be good for business.

At first, Violet didn’t realize she knew Belinda Perkins. She was a well-known and popular author when it came to wine. And her opinion could make or break a vineyard – like she broke the nearby Bone and Hearth Vineyard. But Violet knew Belinda from her own childhood in Cascade Springs. She was the older sister of one of Violet’s closest friends, Lacey. What Violet didn’t know was that the Perkins girls had had a huge falling out after Violet left town. At the signing, Lacey tried to approach Belinda to make amends. But Belinda flew into a rage and ordered Lacey to leave. When Belinda’s body is found later, Lacey becomes a murder suspect.

Review

This is my favorite of Flower’s many mystery series. I’ve also read her Amish Candy Shop series and the Magic Garden series. (Her Instagram feed at @amandaflowerauthor is also delightful!) I adore the characters, the town and of course the magical bookshop in this series. All three of the books in this series so far have been well-done and really kept me guessing!

There are some interesting extra wrinkles in this book – an obnoxious private investigator following Violet around, new additions to the writers’ critique group that meets in the shop, and an exploration of the book Little Women. I loved all of it – the ongoing character development, the celebration of books and reading, the fun animal characters. The whole book was a treat to read.

I felt like there were a couple pieces of the mystery that weren’t as fully spelled out as I wanted – a clue that maybe should have been a bigger deal to the police and a suspect with an excellent motive who was almost a non-factor in the investigation. These are minor observations that did nothing to diminish my enjoyment of the mystery in the big picture. The culprit was a nice development. I had toyed with that solution but never committed completely, so I enjoyed the final reveal. It handled several threads of the story nicely.

I highly recommend this book, and the whole series! Book one is Crime and Poetry and book 2 is Prose and Cons.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower

REVIEW: Death and Daisies by Amanda Flower

Posted on by Jaymie

[I received an electronic review copy of this from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]

Summary

Fiona’s been in Scotland only for a couple months. It really should not have been enough time for her to have a nemesis already. But Reverend MacCullen has made his dislike clear since day one. And if he was difficult early on, he’s become almost hateful now. He has had a grudge against the MacCallister family for ages, although Fiona has no idea why. She knows he thinks the rumored magic of the Duncreigan garden is evil. He wouldn’t even allow Fiona to attend services at the church he pastors! He blocked her at the door in front of half the congregation. When the Reverend is found dead, of course Fiona is a murder suspect once again.

The Reverend was a hard man to like, so there are other suspects, too. And Fiona is determined to find them before her new business is ruined by the whispers about her and the Reverend’s murder.

Review

This was a solid cozy mystery with a few paranormal elements (magical garden, mysterious visions, reincarnation). It was nice to spend time again with Fiona and the people of Aberdeenshire. Fiona’s sister, Isla, added a nice dimension to the story – a companion for Fiona and a means to round out the mystery with some more character details. The romantic side plot for Fiona continues to slowly develop.

The mystery was good. After book one I figured it was just a matter of time until the Reverend was murdered. He was a hateful person when it came to Fiona, although his attitude was explained to a degree in this book. The suspects were good -and dangerous. Fiona really had her hands full with this case.

The side stories focused on Isla more than the garden this time around, although there was one big reveal in the book regarding Fiona’s inheritance. The epilogue sets up book three to deal with that plot point.

This was a solid mystery, and fans of book one should not miss this one. I am finding, though, that I am not clicking with the characters in this series as much as I have with Flower’s Amish Candyshop series, for example. While this was good, I’m not sure I will definitely pick up book three, although the reveal in this book could drive me to the third just to see what happens.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Flowers and Foul Play by Amanda Flower

REVIEW: Flowers and Foul Play by Amanda Flower

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Fiona Knox arrives in Scotland in somewhat of a haze. She lost her flower business in Nashville. Her fiancé left her for their cake decorator. And her beloved godfather died and left her his family cottage and grounds.

One of her favorite parts of her godfather’s land was his garden. But when Fiona arrives at the cottage, the garden has died. The groundskeeper says everything died when Fiona’s godfather died. But now that Fiona has arrived, the garden would revive. Fiona has already noticed the ivy on the walls greening up. It’s like magic. But no magic can help the dead man she finds.

The handsome police officer who shows up to look into the death finds Fiona’s arrival at the same time as the death suspicious. And when the death is ruled a murder, Fiona and the groundskeeper, Hamish, are at the top of his suspect list. But plenty of other folks had a reason to hate the man and want him out of the way. Maybe Fiona can puzzle it out as she gets to know the people in her new town and keep herself and Hamish out of jail.

Review

The first book in the Magic Garden mystery series is a treat! I have enjoyed the author’s Amish Candy Shop mysteries and the Magical Bookshop series. This is a great addition to her cozy mystery collection (she has other series besides these three)!

I enjoyed the unusual setting for this mystery. And the town near Fiona’s new cottage has a lovely, eclectic group of residents. Well, most of them are lovely. The magical elements of the garden are a fun twist on the classic cozy formula. There are still some things to be discovered in future books (like a punchy reveal right at the end of this one), which I am looking forward to reading.

There’s a solid mystery with plenty of plausible suspects. I’m curious to see what becomes of some of the disagreeable people in the book who happened to be innocent – this time.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Rating: ♥♥♥♥

REVIEW: Doom with a View by Kate Kingsbury

REVIEW: Doom with a View by Kate Kingsbury

Posted on by Jaymie

Summary

Melanie West and her grandmother, Liza Harris, have finally opened their bed and breakfast after some trouble with a skeleton and a fire. Now they have their first set of guests, the elderly members of a book club who live near Portland.

This kick off week is going to be great! They have a new assistant, Cindi, to help with serving breakfast and cleaning the rooms while Melanie and Liza do the cooking. Cindi even gets her boyfriend to be a magician for their Halloween party. It’s going to be a great event.

But when one of their guests falls through sabotaged railings on the balcony, the local lead detective arrives at the Merry Ghost Inn with his usual gruff demeanor (Liza calls him “Grumpy”). He warns Melanie and Liza to stay out of his case. But they need their B&B to succeed. That means solving the mystery and getting their home and business back to normal. And they have their resident ghost, Orville, to help them again.

Review

This is the first Merry Ghost Inn book – book 2 in the series – I have read. It was easy to get into the story even without having read book one. Most of the action centered around their current guests, which will change with each book. The locals who are likely series regulars are well-defined in the story, even for a second book, so I was able to dig into the story right away. I like this because it means anyone can pick up the series and feel at home even if they didn’t get to the books in order.

The mystery was good. From the start there were several suspects but few clues to start eliminating anyone. I was eventually able to figure out the solution before the end, which is always satisfying.

I liked the main characters, but I didn’t click with them. They are completely likable; I have no complaints. I just didn’t feel drawn into their lives. Maybe that is the draw back of reading book 2 before the first one. Maybe I would have felt more connected by being introduced to the characters in the introduction to the series.

There are some interesting story lines that are laid out and go beyond this particular book, arching through the entire series. But I’m not sure I was hooked enough into the characters to come back to see how those threads work out. I have read paranormal stories before, but the ghost hook here didn’t grab my attention. I wasn’t turned off by it, or by the “seance” in the story, but those pieces didn’t distinguish this story for me from others in the genre. Again, I wonder if this is a drawback of starting with book two. The characters and the ghostly pieces might work better for readers who start from the beginning of the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read an electronic review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ♥♥♥