Seven-Year Witch (Witch Way Librarian Mysteries #2) by Angela M. Sanders

 

Seven-Year Witch

(Witch Way Librarian Mysteries #2)

by Angela M. Sanders

Paperback, 288 pages

Published August 24th 2021 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Synopsis:

Finding your feet in a new job isn't always easy. That goes double for Josie Way, who's settling in as Wilfred, Oregon's, new librarian--and has just discovered she's a witch. But will her fledgling powers be enough to save her from a spell of murder?

While Josie develops her witchcraft with the help of letters left by her grandmother, there are other changes happening in her new hometown. A retreat center is being built at the old mill site, and rumor has it that the location is cursed. That piques Josie's interest almost as much as Sam Wilfred, handsome FBI agent and descendent of the town's founder...

When Sam's soon-to-be ex-wife, Fiona, goes missing at the same time that a bloodied weapon is found, Josie enlists her witchy insight, and her cat familiar, to clear Sam's name. But then the mill project's architect is found dead, and it's clear that someone has been drawing up a vicious plan. Now Josie will have to divine her way out of fatal mischief, before this deadly trouble turns double...

Praise for Angela M. Sanders' Bait and Witch.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the second book in the Which Way Librarian series by Angela M. Sanders.

In this second book, Sam has made a return to Wilfred with a child in tow. He is in the midst of a divorce from a woman that Josie can’t rightly see him connecting with. For a while they think she is dead, then turns out, they all were a bit prophetic in their worries.

I enjoy this series. I wonder if Sam and Josie will ever connect. He already trusts her enough to leave his child with her during an emergency. I just wonder what will develop between the two in the future.

I love how the author brings so many residents into the series. It feels like a real community. Such a wide variety of citizens too. When they all come together at the end when the dam is about to break, I can sense that small town feel so strongly.

This is a series that I will definitely want to continue on with. I am totally an invested reader hoping that this couple will beat all the odds and find each other in the end.

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. 

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.

A Spirit Seeks Asylum (Bay Island Psychic Mystery #6) by Lena Gregory

 

A Spirit Seeks Asylum

(Bay Island Psychic Mystery #6)

by Lena Gregory

ebook, 190 pages

Published July 13th 2021 by Beyond the Page

Synopsis:

Cass Donovan is confronted by ghoulish crimes both old and new when a defunct asylum is the site of a fresh murder and a long-hidden injustice . . .

The old abandoned buildings of the Twin Forks Lunatic Asylum have always fascinated and frightened clairvoyant Cass Donovan, but she never dreamed her psychic abilities would be put to the test there. Then the new owner of the site tells her he plans to renovate it and turn it into a boarding school, and he’ll pay Cass handsomely to determine whether the place is haunted! Cass accepts his offer, but her search for hints of old ghosts soon has her looking for clues among the living when the man who hired her turns up dead.

Returning to the shuttered asylum looking for evidence of who may have wanted her client out of the way, Cass stumbles upon signs of yet another murder, even as she’s besieged by an onslaught of haunting voices from the past. When it comes to light that rival real estate developers have been hatching plans of their own for the property, Cass sees no shortage of motives for the murders, but she’ll have to find a way to quiet the disturbing voices from long ago and focus on the here and now, because whoever’s behind the killings has targeted Cass as their next victim . . .

***

4.5 Stars

This is the sixth book in the Bay Island Psychic mystery series.

I always enjoy books in this series and this one was great per normal. I loved watching Cass as she tried to keep her cool during a lot of the trials the ghosts put her through. Lots of Bee in this one which was a bit different but got to admit, I didn’t hate the Bee overload.

The book starts with an innocent question… can this abandoned location be made into a school? Cass finds quite a bit of paranormal activity but before she can put in her recommendations, the man who hired her ends up dead.

Overall a truly great read. Definitely check this one out if you love paranormal types of mysteries. Well worth your time.

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. 

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.

An Oxford Murder (The Catherine Tregowyn Mysteries #1) by G.G. Vandagriff

 

An Oxford Murder

(The Catherine Tregowyn Mysteries #1)

by G.G. Vandagriff

Kindle Edition, 264 pages

Published November 6th 2019 by Orson Whitney Press

Synopsis:

After Miss Catherine Tregowyn, poet, and Dr. Harry Bascombe, her bête noire, discover a body in the Somerville College chapel, they are declared suspects in a murder inquiry. How can they prove their innocence? The pair decide they must launch their own investigation into the strangling of Oxford don, Agatha Chenowith. But working as a team will not be easy. Their relations are anything but cordial.

It is not long before they uncover motives aplenty. Apparently, Dr. Chenowith was not at all what she seemed. As the surprises about the victim’s secret life multiply, they are awash in a sea of suspects.

Into this scenario sails the former love of Catherine’s life as he returns from Kenya. Is she going to give Rafe another chance to break her heart? He convinces her to give him a six-month trial, and eager to show his worth, he joins in the investigation. Rafe offers to fly Catherine and Harry in his de Havilland six-seater to the Isle of Man where they must pursue a lead. Inevitably, Rafe and Harry square off in a battle for Catherine’s affections.

Meanwhile, playing detectives proves to be a dangerous pursuit. Catherine and Harry shortly embroil themselves in a plot much larger than mere murder. No one wants to hear their theory, however. It contains truths too painful to contemplate. And it makes Catherine and Harry’s lives expendable.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the first book in the Tregowyn Mystery series by GG Vandgriff.

I really enjoyed this book. I particularly loved the parts with Catherine and Harry. Rafe kept seeming to leave poor Catherine behind. He is definitely on task to be a real heartbreaker in this book.

Catherine starts investigating a murder and is thrown off course many times during this book.  The book was interesting to follow and being a first book in a series it brought in a lot of characters in order to use them in the future.

I will definitely look forward to the budding romance between Harry and Catherine in future books. A definite winner in my book.

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. 

Death Loves a Messy Desk (A Charlotte Adams Professional Organizer Mystery Book 3) by Mary Jane Maffini

 

Death Loves a Messy Desk 

(A Charlotte Adams Professional Organizer Mystery Book 3)

by Mary Jane Maffini

Kindle Edition

Published July 13th 2021

Synopsis:

For professional organizer Charlotte Adams, cleaning up other people’s messes can be murder . . .

When a local company calls in professional organizer Charlotte Adams to help straighten out their offices—and especially the hopelessly cluttered desk of one of their employees—she’s soon tangled up in office politics and dodging clashing coworkers. And when the woman behind the disorderly desk goes missing, Charlotte senses foul play and is determined to get to the bottom of it.

But not everyone at the company appreciates Charlotte’s thoroughness, and no sooner does she begin looking for the missing woman than someone makes an attempt on her life. Then one of the employees is murdered, and Charlotte’s convinced that everyone at this company is bad company, and that one of them is setting her up for a nasty piece of work . . .

***

5 Stars

This is the third book in the Charlotte Adams Organizer series by Mary Jane Maffini.

This was a great book. I felt like Mary Jane was my writing twin. I could totally see myself saying so many of the things Charlotte said in this book. I would love to be as organized as she is and i love all the tips to get your clutter under control.

They bring Charlotte into an office office and before she can even get there she is run of road and the gal she is supposed to be organizing for is fleeing from the space. A lot is going on behind the scenes here. I am still flummoxed as so why Jack was so out of touch with Charlotte during most of the book. I know Mary Jane explains it but dang, I needed some Jack love in this book. Give a girl a mercy call once in awhile Jack.

Overall this mystery really kept my attention and I loved how it kept surprising me over and over. So much love for this series. A definitely new favorite for sure.

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. 

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.

Death by Hot Apple Cider (Bookstore Cafe Mystery #9) by Alex Erickson

 

Death by Hot Apple Cider

(Bookstore Cafe Mystery #9)

by Alex Erickson 

Paperback, 320 pages

Published October 26th 2021 by Kensington Publishing Corporation

Synopsis:

Krissy Hancock's bookstore-cafe in Pine Hills, Ohio, is teaming up with the local library for a seasonal celebration, but someone is spiking the refreshments--with fatal results...

With autumn in full swing and Thanksgiving on the way, Krissy's supplying cider and her staff is manning the apple-bobbing booth at a town event. But then a patron dunks his head in--and doesn't come back up.

It soon becomes clear that Krissy's brew wasn't to blame. But with her policeman boyfriend looking to make detective, she can't help being drawn into the investigation. The victim was notorious for harassing not only her own bookstore but the library and the school for promoting supposedly scandalous literature--before someone censored him permanently. Now, Krissy will have to check out a stack of suspects to find a killer who's rotten to the core...

***

4.5 Stars

This is the ninth book in the Bookstore Cafe Mystery series by Alex Erickson.

This was a great read. I feel like the author is really expanding the world in order to bring about more cool mysteries in Pine Hills. Here we see Krissy Hancock paired with the local library. Somehow her cider gets poisoned and someone dies. Ugh. How unfortunate. But putting Krissy in touch with the library sure opens a lot of doors for new stories. Kinda really excited about this new avenue.

I loved following this mystery. The clues were planted so perfectly and I couldn’t figure out why anyone would go to such lengths to frame Krissy. Some of those characters I just waned to shake and say… “why oh why.” Stop messing with Krissy. I have been reading this series from the beginning. I just love it so much!

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. 

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.

A Hex for Danger (An Enchanted Bay Mystery #2) by Esme Addison

 

A Hex for Danger

(An Enchanted Bay Mystery #2)

by Esme Addison

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published July 13th 2021 by Crooked Lane Books

Synopsis:

The annual Mermaid Festival is the setting for Esme Addison's sunny-yet-sinister second Enchanted Bay mystery, perfect for fans of Heather Blake and Bailey Cates.

The small town of Bellamy Bay has its share of skeletons in its closet, but it isn't used to bodies turning up in the local history museum. After all, this coastal North Carolina town is much like any other...except, of course, for the mermaids.

Helping to run the family business, an herbal apothecary while keeping her supernatural secret hidden is no easy feat for water witch Aleksandra Daniels. But somehow she's still found time to help her friend Celeste, who has her own Caribbean mermaid heritage plan the annual Mermaid Festival. As fun-seekers throng the beaches, Alex gets to know and is intrigued by renowned artist Neve Ryland, who's in town to decorate the local park with a mermaid-themed mural. Celeste, however, is less enamored with the artist, as Neve has been spending entirely too much one-on-one time with her boyfriend Jasper, director of Bellamy Bay's history museum. Then, a reception for Neve ends abruptly when the artist is found dead in his office.

The police investigation nets Celeste who asks Alex to find the true culprit. With the help of her magically-inclined aunt and cousins, Alex dives in to clear her friends name. But there was more to Neve Ryland than met the eye...and Alex fears she may be in way too deep. Will she catch the crook or be next on the hook?

***

4.5 Stars

This is the second book in the Enchanted Bay Mystery series by Esme Addison.

This story really sucks you in fast. Alex has her challengers all throughout the story with the men in her life. And it is hard to know who to trust with her heart. I felt bad for the gal since she is just trying to help out and her current boyfriend takes her help the wrong way. I am sensing book three might see a relationship change.

She has an interesting job at Botanica where she mixes tea blends and the mermaid festival is in town so they all are a bit more on the busy side than they normally are. The town’s mermaid history is about to be exposed and the paranormals of the town are a bit up in arms. Then a woman who painted a mermaid mural gets murdered and the story just gets more complex from there.

Definitely loving all the paranormal elements in this. It really keeps your interest. Plus it is fun to read and flows just like all those mermaids. There is a cool reveal near the end that you don’t want to miss. I am sure book three will bring up a more complex paranormal threat that I am really looking forward to. Definitely a must read book for sure!

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great series too!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.

Dogged by Death (A Furry Friends Mystery #1) by Laura Scott

 

Dogged by Death

(A Furry Friends Mystery #1)

by Laura Scott 

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published July 13th 2021 by Crooked Lane Books

Synopsis:

In Laura Scott's Furry Friends series debut, veterinarian Ally Winter must collar the killer of a shifty lawyer. Does the dead man's dog know who committed the arf-ul crime?

Ally Winter is going through a ruff patch. The thirty-something veterinarian lost her fiance, her clinic, and her savings in rapid succession. So when Ally's grandfather undergoes hip replacement surgery, she moves back to Willow Bluff, Wisconsin, to care for him. She arrives home, tail between her legs, only to find sleazy lawyer Marty Shawlin murdered in his home office. And the only witness was Marty's faithful boxer, Roxy.

Quick as a greyhound, Noah Jorgensen is on the case. The good news is, he's the best detective around. The bad news, at least the way Ally sees it, is that Noah is still just as fetching as he was back in high school. He also just happens to have witnessed every embarrassing incident that befell accident-prone Ally--including the fire-ant attack that set tongues wagging and won her the unshakable nickname Hot Pants.

Meanwhile, true-crime aficionado Gramps fancies himself a sleuth, and he is doggedly determined to sniff out the culprit himself...with Ally's reluctant help, of course. Ally has no choice but to team up with Noah--and the irrepressible Roxy--to solve the case while keeping Gramps on a short leash.

Ally had better learn some new tricks, lickety-split. Because if she can't bring the killer to heel, she won't just be playing dead.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the first book in the Furry Friends Mystery series by Laura Scott.

Ally has bought out a local vet clinic after the previous vet left town. She is in town to be near her father after hip replacement surgery. She discovers an underhanded lawyer slain in his office and it kind of puts a black spot on her new vet venture.

She garners the interest of Noah, a local officer, who helps her and they have a history together since they knew each other back in the day. She has a bit of a reputation from her school days that still follows her and she has a challenge getting people to take her new venture seriously.

I totally enjoyed this new cozy series and look forward to reading more from this author. Just a fun romp with a bit of a challenging edge that just keeps you on your toes. Loved it!

If you love a cozy mystery, definitely check this one out. Great series too!

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title. Opinions are completely my own.

With a Charm on Top (Spellford Cove #4) by Samantha Silver

 

With a Charm on Top

(Spellford Cove #4)

by Samantha Silver 

Kindle Edition

Published July 25th 2021 (first published June 25th 2021)

Synopsis:

Welcome to Spellford Cove, where the baking is sweet and the witches are wild.

Things are flowing smoothly for Robin in Spellford Cove. She’s got a support network she loves, business is going great—she’s even thinking of hiring another employee—and things with Hunter are heating up both literally and figuratively.

But when strange things start happening in town, and a number of bodies start showing up, Robin thinks there’s more to it than meets the eye. She smells magic, and she knows that she’s going to have to get involved to get to the bottom of it.

And as Robin investigates, she’ll find more clues as to her past and her biological family that will rock her world.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the fourth book in the Spellford Cove seres by Samantha Silver.

I really enjoy this series a lot but I think the parts about Robin’s father need to be fleshed out a bit. He is not my favorite character but I think seeing more about him will make this story more impactful.

This story is unique since Robin can talk to dead people. The ghosts help her out when she is solving the mystery which I think is just cool. A lot of the ghosts, like Andy, don’t realize they are even dead and she has to use her sly wits to talk to them without anyone thinking she is crazy and talking to herself.

There was a great introduction to a new staff member at her business and when you get to the end, there is a heck of a nice cliffhanger that I think people will enjoy the heck out of. Definitely a series on my must read list for sure!

Ghost of a Chance (Arcane Casebook #2) by Dan Willis

 

Ghost of a Chance

(Arcane Casebook #2)

by Dan Willis 

Kindle Edition, 318 pages

Published March 19th 2019

Synopsis:

When a bizarre string of locked-room murders terrorize New York, the police have no leads, no suspects, and only one place to turn. Now private detective Alex Lockerby will need every magical trick in his book to catch a killer who can walk through walls and leaves no trace.

Unfortunately Alex's magic hasn't been working very well.  He can't even manage to track down several truckloads of stolen goods, including one belonging to New York's preeminent sorcerer, Andrew Barton. To make matters worse, Alex and his clients are being stalked by a shadowy cabal with strange powers that Alex has never seen before. 

With the Ghost killer seemingly able to murder at will and the tabloids, the public, and Alex’s clients demanding results, Alex will need a miracle to keep himself, his clients, and his reputation alive.

***

4.5 Stars

This is the second book in the Arcane casebook series by Dan Willis.

I am so intrigued by this series. It really speaks to me on another level. I love the whole rune books and how Arthur Conan Doyle/Sherlock Holmes is masquerading as Alex’s best friend and roomie. I just get all the feels from this story. Loving it so much.

Alex has used a lot of his life force trying to save the sorceress lady from the last book and now he has this shaky hand which makes it hard for him to write his runes. He goes to a gal to get a potion to help him. And I think he has a bit of a crush on this girl. Since he is having trouble getting his magic to cooperate he has to rely on his smarts and instincts to solve his multiple case load.

This is just a dang good read and you definitely need to check out this series for yourself.