Review - Death at the Alma Mater

I have been wanting to read this author ever since she won the Malice Domestic Grant and went on to win the Agatha Award for best first novel with "Death of a Cozy Writer."  The publisher kindly sent me this book to review.  Miss Malliet says "My books are affectionate send-ups of the traditional

British mystery."  See what you think.

Author: G.M. Malliet

Copyright: Jan 2010 (Midnight Ink) 283 pgs

Series: 3rd in Arthur St. Just Investigations

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: British Police Procedural

Main Character:  Detective Chief Inspector Arthur St. Just

Setting: Modern day St. Michael's College at the University of Cambridge, England

Obtained Through: Publisher for an honest review

It starts like a traditional British mystery, weaving a story slowly and around page 70 the murder takes place.  St. Michael's is desperate for money and invites former wealthy graduates back  to the school for a fund-raising weekend to solicit charitable donations.  But these alumni have intermingled histories, the most famous is how Sir James left his "Paris Hilton-esque" celebrity wife - Lexy,  while at school for India.  Lady India Bassett is not happy that the threesome will be reunited and while many expected some melodramatic scenes from Lexy nobody foresaw her brutal murder.  To top it all off, her body is discovered by India's son!  The strands of the various participant's past come back to haunt them. 

This book has a nice handful of suspects.  Besides the triangle of Sir James - Lexy - Lady India, there is Augie the Texan , Gwen the celebrity reporter, Hermoine the stuffy uptight activist, the financier Karl and his wife Constance, the neglected son Sebastian and Saffron the girlfriend he selfishly uses, and Geraldo the millionaire playboy on Lexy's arm for the weekend.

But hands down the star of the book is St. Just.  He is my favorite police detective now.  Miss Malliet has created a sparkling main character.  He is an experienced investigator yet he keeps from being completely jaded.  He is in love and looking forward to marrying Portia (who is featured occasionally in the book since she attends the college.)  St. Just is humorous and wonderfully like-able, honorable without being stuffy and appealing as a human being. 

The great reveal of the murderer was the campy "suspects are all gathered together".  It worked.  

The motive for the murder stayed murky until the reveal and without that piece to the puzzle was very difficult for the reader to pinpoint the killer.  Like any great mystery novel, the clues were all there and looking back, it was pretty clear.  All I can say about the wrap-up is "Well Done, Loved It!"

So I am sold - this is what makes an award winning author.  Great book, I am looking forward to the next one.

Review: Dead and Kicking by Wendy Roberts

* * * * * * If you have enjoyed this blog, then PRETTY PLEASE vote for this blog as best Entertainment Blog (proving reading is entertainment) and also as best Hobby Blog. Thank you most sincerely. There are voting buttons on the sidebar too. You will have to register with Blogger's Choice, but it is a simple process. I am listed under Mysterysuspence.Blogspot.com. * * * * * * * *

Author: Wendy Roberts

Copyright: Dec 2009 (Signet); 280 pgs.

Series: #3 in Ghost Buster’s Mysteries

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery sub-genre: Paranormal Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Sadie Novak, owner of Scene-2-Clean, a cleaning company that specializes in cleaning up death scenes

Setting: Seattle, Washington

Obtained book through: Library Find

Sadie Novak sees and talks to the dead, which makes her job of cleaning up death scenes interesting and occasionally dangerous. This series caught my eye initially because of the unique concept of a psychic trauma clean specialist. This series does mention some oogie things that Sadie must clean up from death scenes. I think that aspect is handled without overdoing or elaborating on gruesome details too much.

In this installment of the series Sadie is now living with what had just been a developing boyfriend from the last book. I felt as though a year or so was missed in Sadie’s life from the last book to this one. The story opens at the wake for Sadie’s father in her folks’ home and – you guessed it – his ghost is there. Sadie has already lost here brother a few years earlier and she finds that what she considers her duty to help dad cross over into the light is hard since she would rather he stay around.

The mystery in this story comes from her now live-in-boyfriend Zack taking a clean-up job from his former girlfriend. The job is to clean out her “horder” mother’s house. Yes, Paula’s mom was a world-class horder so that there are barely pathways through the canyons of boxes and trash. The wrinkle in the job is the aggressive and angry ghost who refuses to allow the upstairs to be cleared.

...She motioned for Sadie to follow but movement at the top of the stairs caught Sadie's eye.

A deep male voice shouted "Get out of here!"

Sadie stared up the stairs to see the furious face of a large middle-aged man standing on a pile of boxes in the hall above.  She froze.

"Get out!" he roared, waving an angry fist.

Sadie realized Paula was talking.  She and Zack had entered the den up ahead and were oblivious to the meaty Neanderthal screaming angrily from the top of the stairs.

Sadie narrowed her eyes at the man who stood shouting and positively snarling at her.  Saliva dripped from his ghoulish grin and his massive hands opened and closed into tight fists.  Even though Sadie was positive he was a ghost, she couldn't help but feel a little intimidated.  The spirit was well over six feet with a barrel of a chest straining against a sweatstained undershirt and long hairy legs protruding from ugly green boxers.  His lips were ruby red cherries against the gray complexion of the dead.

This ghost manages to throw heavy objects and even breaks Zack’s ankle. Among the items being thrown around by the ugly brutish ghost in green boxers is a box containing the 17-year-dead body of a baby. Enter the police.

To complicate Sadie’s life, Zack is up to more with his ex-girlfriend than just lending a helping hand…could he be falling into his old bad habits again?

I have noticed that each book has considerable developments happen between books and I have to say that Zack and Sadie’s relationship mostly developed off the pages. I think readers typically like to get to know the romantic interest over a few books and have some tension there. Thus it seems sudden that their relationship is going through serious problems already.

Wendy Roberts does a great job of bringing you immediately into the middle of Sadie’s world. Sadie is an interesting character who is facing industrial strength stress in this book which seems the major focus rather than the mystery. Will Sadie deal with her grief over her father’s death and finally help him cross-over? Will Zack get his act together or is this the end for them? Will Sadie get rid of the big angry ugly ghost so the police can investigate?

This seems the darkest of the books so far with all Sadie is facing personally. Sadie missed some obvious clues and was totally oblivious to threats and danger closing in. Danger draws closer with each chapter and there is a bit of a nail-biting climax.  It seemed that Sadie was completely distracted with her personal life and the mystery unfolded around her rather than her doing any serious sleuthing. Don’t get me wrong - it is a good story that kept me reading but I would have appreciated more of an emphasis on the mystery. It pulled me into the drama and I felt emotionally involved which is a testament to Ms Robert’s talents.

Maeva (of Madame Maeva’s Psychic Cafe) and Louise are return characters for the paranormal aspect of the story and I enjoy both for the fun and flavor they add. Also returning in this installment is good old detective Petrovich, the recently divorced middle-aged cop who is becoming one of my favorites. A new addition and potential future romantic interest is Detective Floyd Grayson. The supporting cast is strong with these well-drawn characters and I look forward to watching them progress.

What do you think?  Is this the sort of book for you?

For your convenience, you may purchase your copy here.

For your enjoyment, here is a recipe I love.

Pink Lemonade Pie

Prep Time: 10 Min

Ready In:  2 Hrs 10 Min

Original Recipe Yield 2 - 8 inch pies

Ingredients

1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (6 ounce) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate (or limeade),thawed
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 (8 inch) prepared graham cracker crusts.

Directions

In a large bowl, mix together sweetened condensed milk and lemonade concentrate.
Fold in whipped topping. Pour into pie crusts. Refrigerate until completely chilled.

Amount Per Serving Calories: 253

Total Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 8mg

Until next Monday, I wish many mysterious moments.

Mystery & Crime Fiction Blog Carnival for January 2010

Welcome 2010!  Kicking off the new year on Mysteries and My Musings we have a truly awesome Blog Carnival for you.  Lots of entries and information for you in this one.  Please remember to pass along the news of this blog carnival so it can be a resource for the mystery and crime fiction community.

Police Procedural Book Review

Pudgy Penguin Perusals reviewed the novel Death in the Stocks by Geogette Heyer.

It’s a Crime (Or A Mystery) reviewed the British novel Dead Tomorrow by Peter James.

Tutu’s Two Cents reviewed the novel Fire and Ice by J.A. Jance.

Books ‘N Cooks reviewed the novel The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen.

KerrieS at Mysteries in Paradise reviewed Death Wore White by Jim Kelly KerrieS says it is "One of the best new British police procedurals I've read for a while."


KerrieS at Mysteries in Paradise reviewed The Serpent Pool by Martin Edwards. She says it is "An excellent new British crime fiction title to look for in February 2010."

KerrieS at Mysteries in Paradise reviewed Punter's Luck by Peter Klein. She comments it is a "Debut novel by Australian crime fiction writer: is he Australia's answer to Dick Francis?"


Private Investigator Book Review

Nicole over at Linus's Blanket reviewed what sounds like a fascinating book Locked In by Marcia Muller.

Book Dilettante reviewed the book Blood and Groom by Jill Edmondson.

KerrieS at Mysteries in Paradise reviewed If The Dead Rise Not by Philip Kerr. She says "Crime fiction set in Berlin in 1934. 2009 winner of the Ellis Peters Award for Historical Mystery."


Amateur Sleuth book Review

KerrieS at Mysteries in Paradise reviewed Executive Lunch by Maria E. Schneider. Kerrie says: "This is the first time I have reviewed a book you can only buy as an e-book. crime fiction, with a larger than life heroine Sedona O'Hala, offered the chance to try an executive lifestyle in return for catching some thieves."

Reactions to Reading reviewed U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton.

S. Krishna’s Books reviews the debut book of a new series Murder on the Cliffs by Joanna Challis in which the author Daphne du Maurier is the sleuth.

Writing Advice and Good Books reviewed the novel Deadly Descent by Charlotte Hinger

Book Dilettante reviewed the novel Murder on the Cliff by Stefanie Matteson

Cozy Mystery Book Review

Writers in Residence reviewed the novel Ghost a la Mode by Sue Ann Jaffarian

Okbolover reviewed the book The Tale of Hill Top Farm by Susan Wittig-Albert where the sleuth is children's author Beatrix Potter.

Booking Mama reviewed the book The Body in the Sleigh by Katherine Hall Page.

Book Dilettante did a mini-review of the novel Killer Keepsakes by Jane K. Cleland.

The Mystery Bookshelf reviewed the novel Cockatiel’s At Seven by Donna Andrews.

The Mystery Bookshelf also reviewed the novel The Christmas Cookie Killer by Livia Washburne.

Socrates’ Book Reviews has reviewed The Chocolate Snowman Murders by Joanna Carl.

A Bibliophile’s Bookshelf reviewed the novel The Trouble with Magic by Madelyn Alt.

Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews tackled the Plum Pudding Murder by Joanne Fluke.

Reactions to Reading reviewed the novel Blood in the Cotswald by Rebecca Tope if you are looking for a light English country-side mystery.

Thoughts in Progress reviewed the book Eggs Benedict Arnold by Laura Childs.

The Mystery Bookshelf reviewed the novel Holiday Grind by Cleo Coyle.

Janel’s Jumble reviewed the paranormal cozy Casting Spells by Barbara Breton.

Opinions of a Wolf reviewed the paranormal cozy Truly, Madly by Heather Webber where the main character runs a match-making business.

Socrates’ Book Reviews gives us a review of the novel The Diva Runs Out of Thyme by Krista Davis.


Suspense Fiction Book Review

Reactions to Reading reviewed the novel The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman where a spunky grandmother is an international spy.

S. Krishna’s Books reviewed The Paris Vendetta by Steve Berry.

A Bookworm’s World reviewed True Blue by David Baldacci

Books and Cooks reviewed the intriguing novel The Dirty Secrets Club by Meg Gardiner.

Socrates’ Book Reviews gives us a review on the novel 13 ½ by Nevada Barr.

Steele on Entertainment reviews the novel Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan


Author Interview

Mysteries and Chitchat have an interesting interview with author Evelyn David (Murder Takes the Cake and Murder Off the Books).

Bestselling and awarding winning author Margaret Maron was interviewed here

Author Mary Staton was interviewed here.


Writing Tips and Advice

Mrs. Laughton at Justice City, USA posted a great listing for crime fiction authors of the Top 50 Cops and Crimefighters on Twitter. This may also be a valuable listing of crime experts for an author to get helpful information from.

Herbert Anderson presents Top 50 Criminal Justice and Criminology Blogs to assist the crime fiction author.

Livia Blackburne gives us Slow Motion Descriptions For Important Moments.

Writers in Residence developed a series of posts (5 thus far) for the author:

Basics Part 1 - Formatting

Part 2 - Openings

Part 3 - Adjectives and Adverbs

Part 4 - Show Don't Tell

Part 5 - Dialog
Nathan Bransford posted All about Writing Contests


~ ~ ~ ~ ~WOW - didn't I tell you we had a phenomenal carnival this month?  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
I hope you got some ideas for new books or authors to read and even some tips and insights for writing.

For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here.
And please help spread the word about this Blog carnival, it is very easy to submit a post to be included.


Until Thursday's next book review I wish you many mysterious moments and a fantastic year ahead.

Review: Dying to be Thin by Kathryn Lilley

It is New Years Eve and many people set resolutions for the new year ahead of them.  In that vein I wanted to read a book whose theme is a resolution a vast majority of us have at one time or another made (I know I have) - loosing weight.  The diet industry is worth billions of dollars in the US, so weight issues are a theme that speak to many of us.  According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention), obesity in adults has increased by 60% within the past twenty years and obesity in children has tripled in the past thirty years. A staggering 33% of American adults are obese.  Yes, weight issues are a topic most of us can relate with.  Enjoy this review of a relatively new mystery series that weaves the battle of the bulge in with murder and sleuthing in a humorus way.

Author: Kathryn Lilley

Copyright: 2007 (Obsidian); 283 pgs.

Series: #1 in Fat City mysteries

Sensuality: Adult themes and references

Mystery sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Award Winning, Plus-sized TV News Producer Kate Gallagher

Setting: Weight-loss Clinic in Durham North Carolina

Part of a Challenge: Fall/Winter Mystery Reading Challenge

Obtained book through: Library Find

Move over “The Biggest Loser”, the Fat City Mysteries are here!

In Boston Massachusetts Kate Gallagher is laid off from work and dumped by her boyfriend (for a size 2 girl) all in a week’s span. She decides to turn this negative into a positive by setting her sights on being in front of the camera from now on. Kate has been told she has the “face” to do it with her high cheekbones, blue eyes and auburn hair but not the body, so she has to drop some weight – but she needs help doing it. So Kate arranges to stay at the Hoffman Weight Loss Clinic in Durham NC (aka the Diet Capital of the World – for real – since the Rice Diet in the 1930s started there.) Kate manages a deal with a local TV news station to produce and star in a feature about her own weight loss story to supplement her income since the clinic costs a good bit.

The founder and director of the weight loss clinic, Dr. Hoffman, seems particularly caustic to his clients and Kate finds his body her first morning. He is on the front porch with skewers in his eyes. Kate finds herself on the inside investigating the murder and producing two simultaneous stories for the local news. Things start getting complicated when Kate finds her pulse accelerated by both the attractive British accented Police Detective and a wealthy Lawyer representing the clinic’s new director. Kate quickly finds out she is in a vulnerable position, as the murderer doesn’t like her investigative reporting, especially when she uncovers the Director had a S&M private life including clients and employees. That makes the dieters at the clinic and the employees all suspects.

But first I had to make it out of the newsroom. It would be a tricky maneuver. The exit path would take me past the snack machines again, where danger lurked.

To get prepared, I took a deep breath and lashed myself mentally to the mast, like Odysseus. Then I set sail around Vending Machine Island. And once again, I managed to survive the siren call of the Ho Hos.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Reed fastened his eyes on me. “A sane person would find someplace else to sleep tonight.”

“True, but we broadcast types aren’t all that sane; didn’t you get the memo?” I joked, trying not to sound the way I was feeling, which was scared stiff. “Remember we’re the ones who stand outside during hurricanes, shouting into a microphone.” I mimed a reporter battling a headwind. “Well Anderson, the wind is really starting to blow now!”

A grin cracked through Reed’s on-the-job face. “You’re right, you people are insane,” he said.

Kate is a great heroine, down to earth and gutsy with a sense of humor. The beginning of each chapter has short diet insights, supposedly pinned by a friend of Kate’s who used to be big and passed along her tips. The plot isn’t overly complicated but meaty enough to sink your teeth into (I couldn’t resist!) The writing is equally on par for an amateur sleuth with just enough humor paired with investigative zeal and a pinch of gritty crime. Subplots are woven in such as Kate’s interfering and overprotective father, her best friend who is a cop back in Boston, and Kate’s personal struggle with dieting. The ending was satisfying and wrapped up nicely (while no big twist ending) while leaving Kate the dilemma of two guys interested in her.

The author’s strong point is how she brings Kate to life. Kate is a gal who could be every woman and yet she seems a distinct individual in the novel. A solid story with a refreshing and realistic heroine meshed with a good story line told in an entertaining first person narrative and you have a new series to watch. This series has the potential to heat up and become a sensation. I am looking forward to reading all of the series (thus far only three but promising more.)



For your convenience, you may purchase a copy here.

I wish you health and happiness in the new year - and many mysterious moments.

Review: Dead Pan by Gayle Trent

Author: Gayle Trent

Copyright: 2009 (Bell Bridge Books); 235 pgs.

Series: #2 in Daphne Martin Cake Decorating mysteries

Sensuality: N/A

Mystery sub-genre: Cozy

Main Character: Daphne Martin – Pastry and Dessert Entrepreneur

Setting: Brea Ridge, Virginia – Holiday season

Obtained book through: ARC

Local Brea Ridge Pharmaceuticals Christmas party ended in the majority of its party attendees in the hospital with feared food poisoning, later indentified as the flu bacteria campylobacter. Daphne provided a cake for the event and wants to know what really happened even after her cake is cleared. Most of the partygoers recover after Brea Ridge Pharmaceuticals provides medication that counters the outbreak – all but one person, Fred Duncan. He alone never responds to the medication, slips into a coma and then dies. Fred had been the victim of a terrible car accident a year prior and Fred’s mother specifically begs Daphne to figure out who killed her boy.

Fred's tragic year-old car accident is one issue since the culprit who ran him off the road causing brain damage has never been found. Fred’s death from the suspicious outbreak is the other issue that has Daphne’s curiosity in full bloom. Are the two incidents connected and how in a small town did the hit and run car go undetected?

This is a light cozy mystery with a slathering of pop culture (guitar hero and texting lingo) mixed with a generous dollop of desert making with a coating of varied characters in a small town dish. If you like the Flower Shop mysteries by Kate Collins or the Pet-Sitter mysteries by Linda Johnston you might like this series.

Sparrow, it seems, came with the house. Not long after I moved here I caught a fleeting glimpse of the skinny little one-eyed Persian and began to feed her. She isn’t skinny anymore, but she still is a bit skittish. Lucas and Leslie named her Sparrow in honor of Johnny Depp’s character, Captain Jack Sparrow. They said the one eye made her look like a pirate cat.

I saw the cat emerge slowly from beneath a bush at the upper end of my backyard.

“Come on, Sparrow.” I tore off a piece of ham and tossed it just beyond the porch.
She hurried to get it, watching to be sure I didn’t make any sudden movements. As she ate, I tossed another piece of ham – this one, a little closer to where I sat. She came and ate that one too.

We’ve been practicing this exercise for a few weeks now, and it’s beginning to pay off. I can’t actually pet Sparrow yet, but she will brush up against me occasionally now.

The main character is Daphne Martin who is building her desert making business, working out of her home. She is coaxing a stray cat to join her home permanently, getting addicted to playing Guitar Hero with her elderly neighbor and baking all while satisfying her curiosity (not being nosy or investigating) about Fred’s death.

The ending wraps up satisfactorily enough and the villain is anticipated without knowing fully how the dirty deeds were accomplished until the big reveal.

For your convenience, you may purchase your copy here.

Until next Monday's interview with Gayle Trent, I wish you many mysterious moments.

Dec Mystery/Crime Fiction Blog Carnival

WELCOME to the debut issue of the Mystery and Crime Fiction Blog Carnival. We have a good issue to kick off the carnival and I am already looking forward to growing this carnival next month.

I am hoping to provide a service to the mystery loving community with this blog carnival - so please pass the word to those who could contribute and also those who would enjoy reading.

Police Procedural Book Review

Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea reviewed Still Life

Kerrie at Mysteries in Paradise reviewed Cross Bones

Mike Draper reviews 206 Bones at his blog.

Check out my review of Murder Inside the Beltway


Private Investigator Book Review

Diane at Bibliophile By the Sea reviews The Broken Window

Check out my review of Snake Dreams

Amateur Sleuth Book Review

Jean Henry Mead reviews the book Merry, Merry Ghost at Writing Advice and Good Books

Nicole at Linus’s Blanket presents The House on Tradd Street

Stacy at Stacy’s Books reviews Murder on Nob Hill

Check out my review of Sand Sharks and also Hail to the Chef

Cozy Mystery Book Review

Megan at Write Meg! Reviews Size 12 is Not Fat

The Cozy Mystery List Blog reviewed the book An English Murder



Suspense Fiction Book Review

Devourer of Books reviews The Lost Symbol

Megan at Write Meg! Review Best Intentions



Author Interview

Madeleine Begun Kane presents John Mortimer Interview posted at Mad Kane's Humor Blog.

Jean Henry Mead presents Interview with Loise Penny at Mysterious People Blog

The five authors co-blogging at Five Scribes present Interview with P.J. Alderman, author of the book Haunting Jordan.

Check out my author interview of Juliet Blackwell and also Dolores Steward Riccio

Writing Tips and Advice

Jean Henry Mead presents Bestselling author John Gilstrap discussing Bringing Characters to life at Writing Advice and Good Books Blog

Stephen Tremp presents The Seven Cs of Writing a Great Mystery at Breakthrough Blogs

Jurgen Wolff presents Going Back to the Basics to Solve Your Story at Time to Write

Helen Gringer presents us with Editing Tips at Karen…following the whispers

Livia Blackburne presents Blue: First Person Present Tense at Its Best posted at Livia Blackburne.

Jackie Houchin tackles Outlining: Necessary or Not? At Writers in Residence


  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ WOW - wasn't that a great carnival?! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Let's make next month's even better.  For more information on the specifics of the Carnival and how to submit your posts go here.

Until Thursday's next book review I wish you many mysterious moments.

Review: Secondhand Spirits by Juliet Blackwell

Lily Ivory feels that she can finally fit in somewhere and conceal her "witchiness" in San Francisco. It is in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of the Bay area that she opens her vintage clothing shop named Aunt Cora’s Closet, outfitting customers both spiritually and stylistically. She has not been in town long when the dark and dangerous Aidan Rhodes, leader in the local magical community, greets her with a housewarming present. Her powerful heriditary witchcraft has been noticed.  Lily is not happy to have the attention, even though Aidan is as handsome as he seems dangerous.

An elderly client is murdered and children start disappearing from the Bay Area. Lily has a good idea that the legendary spirit La Llorona is behind it. Lily starts snooping around to confirm her suspicion. She also tries to help Max Carmichael, a myth buster attempting to expose ghost-hunter scam artists. He does not understand her at all, yet she keeps saving him from dangerous situations.

Lily Ivory is a very powerful witch, but in this story she may be up against something more powerful than her considerable talent and skill. Even though she is resistant to seeking help, will she reach out to her employee’s women’s circle for help…or even Aidan?

To our right, I noticed a red sedan coming down the steep hill.  It seemed to be picking up speed, so I hurried a bit to get across the street and urged Maya to do the same. 

The car sped up.

We increased our pace and reached the curb on the other side.

Suddently the vehicle swerved to toward us.

I grasped Maya by the arm to get her attention.  We broke into a run and leaped over the sidewalk.

The car was still headed straight towards us.

Racing up the short driveway, we ducked into a small alley between the house and its neighbor.  A barred metal security gate kept us from going back farther than a few feet.   Maya and I plastered ourselves to the wall, huddling in the farthest corner.

The car careened into the metal garage cans, sending the heavy missiles sailing towards us.

A fraction of a second later we heard the terrible screech of steel on concrete as the car itself crashed into the buildings.  The force of the impact shook the ground.  Part of the nose of the car jutted through the opening between the two houses, coming to a stop a mere two feet from us.

Everything seemed to freeze for a moment...All I could hear was my own ragged breathing, and that of Maya.  We were clutching each other, squeezing our eyes shut.

Finally we looked up.  The grille of the car was close to us, far too close, trapping us between the walls of the houses and the metal gate at our backs.

We stood, still shaky, to peer inside the car.

There was no driver.  No one in the car at all.

I classify this new series as paranormal that is a cozy. It is too light and funny for an urban fantasy but has a strong spirits and witches element. There is plenty of humor and Lily is easy to like as she attempts to make real friends and let people into her otherwise isolated life.

Both Aidan and Max are potential love interests for the series and her employees and fellow shop owners In Haight are colorful characters. I felt the story had a strong ending with good drama as Lily and La Llorona face off. The author took a Spanish traditional legend and gave us a sinister evil. San Francisco comes alive, particularly the neighborhood where the children are disappearing. Good pacing, the story kept my interest and I did not want to stop reading it. This was an excellent first book in an exciting new series and I recommend it, and not just for a halloween read. The second installment, The Cast-Off Coven, is scheduled for June 2010 release and I am looking forward to it.

Obtained book through: Personal Purchase


For your convenience you may purchase a copy here.

Check back in on Monday for another Musings and until then I wish you many mysterious moments.