Review - Witches Protection Program

This is a paranormal police procedural novel with a unique concept.  Read on to see what I thought.

Author: Michael Okon (Michael Philip Cash)

Copyright: Sept 2019 (WordFire Press LLC) 202 pgs

Series: 1st in Witches Protection Program Mystery series

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Police Procedural

Main Character: Wes Rockville, disgraced police officer

Setting: Modern day, Manhattan NY

Obtained Through: Publisher, via Netgalley, for honest opinion

Book cover blurb: "Wes Rockville, a disgraced law-enforcement agent, gets one last chance to prove himself and save his career when he's reassigned to a 232-year-old secret government organization.

The Witches Protection Program.

His first assignment: uncover a billion-dollar cosmetics company's diabolical plan to use witchcraft for global domination, while protecting its heiress Morgan Pendragon from her aunt's evil deeds. Reluctantly paired with veteran witch protector, Alastair Verne, Wes must learn to believe in witches...and believe in himself. "

Wes Rockville is stubborn and has a problem with authority but overall has potential.  Wes is pushed and challenged to accept a different reality.  Alastair Verne is the sort of authority figure Wes fights but must rely on for this last chance. 

The big city setting fits this paranormal concept well and gives it a large scope. The setup of the paranormal world existing alongside the mortal world is well done.  The climax is a chase and showdown that gives some good tension.  The plot had just enough depth to keep my interest and turning the pages.  It sets up well for an ongoing series.

This is like the Men In Black of the paranormal world.  I enjoyed the book and will look for the next in series. 

Rating:  Excellent - a fun read! If you like creative paranormal mysteriess, buy this now.

Review - A Ghostly Light

I have reviewed each in this series from the debut issue.  The sixth, Give Up The Ghost (click here), The fifth, Keeper of the Castle (click here), fourth, Home for the Haunting (click here), the third, Murder on the House (click here), the second book, Deadbolt (click here), and the debut book, If Walls Could Talk (click here).  Plus we have several interviews and guest posts from Ms. Blackwell.  Today is a review of the newest addition to one of her series.

Author: Juliet Blackwell

Copyright: June 2017 (Berkley) 355 pgs

Series: 7th in Haunted Home Renovation Mystery series

Sensuality: Mild

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Cozy

Main Characters: Mel Turner, woman construction renovation Owner/Operator

Setting: Modern day, San Francisco

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

From the book cover:  "Dangerous tides ahead...

When her friend Alicia hires Turner Construction to renovate a historic lighthouse in the San Francisco Bay, Mel Turner can’t wait to get her hands dirty. Alicia plans to transform the island property into a welcoming inn, and while Mel has never attempted a project so ambitious—or so tall—before, she’s definitely up for the challenge.

But trouble soon arises when Alicia’s abusive ex-husband shows up to threaten both her and Mel, and later turns up dead at the base of the lighthouse stairs. With no other suspects in sight, things start looking choppy for Alicia. Now, if Mel wants to clear her friend’s name, she’ll need the help of the lighthouse’s resident ghosts to shine a light on the real culprit..."

Mel Turner, construction renovator extraordinaire, is very down to earth and works nearly all the time.  Her life is complicated and seeing ghosts adds to that, but she has developed a fear oh heights after the last book.  Landon Demetrius is a visiting mathematician professor at a local university and Mel's new boyfriend.  I have to say, personally he is more suited to Mel than Graham ever was.  Mel's close friend Luz, a professor and other friend Stephen are along to help.  Mel’s dad, Bill, their friend Stan, and her ex-stepson Caleb get a little page-time which are all enjoyable.  Alicia is a troubled representative of the man renovating the lighthouse and buildings for a B&B.  Ida Prescott Vigilance, the longtime ghost of the lighthouse is my pick for break-out character - you'll understand when you finish the book.

The island with a lighthouse and caretaker buildings is a great setting for a mystery, throw in the ghosts and it is sheer delight.  The writing accentuates the loneliness on the island for the caretakers with only a tiny bit of gothic atmosphere.

Finding the killer of a brutal wife beater isn't on most people's priority list, but his gentle-natured battered ex-wife is the police's prime suspect and nobody wants her to take the blame.  The plot presents a victim that nobody is mourning, thus dealing with his ghost isn't Mel's preference either.  The sub plot of the ghost of a woman lighthouse keeper who is distraught reveals a touching tale that you follow her story as eagerly, if not more so, than the main plot.

Yes, I really like a suspenseful killer reveal.  I have to admit, this wasn't the nail-biting climax, but it was so well done that I loved it all the same.  The wrap up is heartwarming and left me with a big smile.

I will remember this book and the emotions it evoked for a good while.  It has poignant moments sprinkled through the mystery and the characters are vibrant.  Ms. Blackwell continues to grow as a author, perfecting her craft, and it shows.

Ratings: Near Perfect - Couldn't Put it down. Buy two copies, one for you and one for a friend. 

Review - Caught Dead Handed

I was offered to review this book by the author and publisher.  I have to say, the blurb (She's not a psychic - she just plays one on TV) really grabbed me and I had to read this book.  See what you think.

Author: Carol J. Perry

Copyright: September 2014 (Kensington) 414 pgs

Series: 1st in Witch City Mystery series

Sensuality: Occasional swear word, Adult themes

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Cozy

Main Characters: Lee Barrett, widow of racecar driver and out-of-work actress 

Setting: Modern day, famous Salem, Massachusetts

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review
 
Lee returns to her hometown of Salem Massachusetts, where her beloved Aunt Ibby raised her and still lives, to interview for a job as a reporter at WICH-TV.  But the reporter position is suddenly given to a guy who can also cover local sports, since most everyone work two jobs minimum at the station. As Lee is leaving, she is in it parking garage and looks over the retaining wall to find a body floating in the water.  It is the woman, Ariel Constellation, who hosted the late night movie and psychic show.  Ironically, Lee gets hired to replace the woman...and seems to inherit her cat Orion (they rename O'Ryan).

Lee reluctantly takes the job, but when she starts seeing real events in the obsidian ball she's using as a prop, she wonders if she might really have psychic abilities. The more she gets to know the others at the station, she realizes how dysfunctional they are.  

Lee Barrett, takes the name Crystal Moon for her Nightshades show identity. She is a refreshing cozy sleuth: adult rather than bubbly, reasonable, level-headed, intelligent, raised by her aunt after her parents died, and is still recovering from grieving the death of her popular NASCAR husband.  Detective Mondello is the standard potential romantic interest, Aunt Ibby seems great but doesn't like anything remotely psychic which is unfair to Lee, Rhonda is the News Station receptionist who has more to her than initial impression may suggest.  For the most part the characters are all well done.
 
Salem with Halloween approaching is well done.  I have read a few books using Salem, but this gives Salem a delicious mix of historic and dark undercurrents.  The killer seemed obvious after awhile, but Lee was still oblivious. The story seemed to continue a little longer than necessary which made the pacing in the last third stilted a bit.

There was a heart-racing killer show-down.  The wrap-up didn't go the way I anticipated, or even hoped it would, if I am honest.  Still, I am looking forward to the next in the series already.  I want to know if Lee develops her "sight".

I loved the call-in psychic idea, I quickly became a fan of Lee, and the plot could have gone either way but was pulled off successfully.  Congratulations on a great debut for this paranormal cozy mystery series.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it, it had a good grip on me! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Review - In a Witch's Wardrobe

This week's book review is of the newest book in a series I have followed since it first began.  Here are the reviews of the prior books in the Witchcraft series:  Hexes and Hemlines #3 (click here), A Cast-Off Coven #2 (click here), and Secondhand Spirits #1 (click here).  I also interviewed Ms. Blackwell (click here).  Let's see how this new book rates in this great seasonal read.

Author:  Juliet Blackwell

Copyright:  July 2012 (Signet) 336 pgs

Series:  4th in A Witchcraft Mystery

Sensuality:  mild heat

Mystery Sub-genre:  Paranormal Cozy

Main Character: Lily Ivory, hereditary witch

Setting: Modern day, San Francisco

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Lily gets to attend an Art Deco fancy ball, but the evening barely gets underway when a women falls ill in the ladies room.  Lily is convinced it is a hex on the corsage as Miriam slips into a coma right there in the bathroom.  Lily just has to help, who else is going to know a "Sleeping Beauty" curse and how to deal with it? Additionally, Inspector Carlos Romaro has asked Lily to help him investigate Tarra Dark Moon's death since her coven members aren't opening up to him.  Lily realizes that Miriam and Tarra belonged to the same coven and suspects the two instances could be related.  As if this weren't enough, there is a group calling themselves the "Defenders of Morality" vandalizing anybody's business involved in pagan spirituality, and Lily could be a prime target.

Lily is a great character, a powerful witch who doesn't know her own strength, has low self-esteem, and is finally developing friendships for the first time in her life.  Her familar, Oscar, a Gargoyle-Goblin mix, who appears as a pot-bellied pig when other people are around, is the comic relief with mixed loyalties.  Aidan continues to be a shady character that Lily can't really trust since he is involved in the cases but won't explain how.  Sailor is back in this book and major developments between Lily and Sailor occur since he must help her to save Miriam.

San Francisco is always a great setting in this series, providing a cosmopolitan panorama with a variety of interesting locals to utilize.  The plot was well developed, sending Lily and the reader following a few red herrings.  The motivations of the Miriam/Tarra cases are murky enough to keep the reader guessing through the investigating.  The confrontation with the killer is great magickal suspense.  The wrap up is bittersweet and leaves the reader with a bit of a cliffhanger to ensure eager anticipation of the next book.  It can't come soon enough!

This is another rock solid entry in the series that seems to keep getting better with each book.  The secrecy surrounding Aidan and Sailor have revealing tidbits in each entry providing a tantalizing thread through the books.  Great addictive story telling.

Rating: Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list

Here is a video interview with Juliet Blackwell when she was writing the second book in the series.

Review - Who Do Voodoo

I have had this on my TBR shelf for a few months now.  I had thought I would save it for next Halloween.  Then I discovered it is nominated for an Agatha, so I had to read and review it as part of the Agatha Awards coverage!  In April we will compare the reviews of Agatha nominees and have a vote or elimination.  If you have read this book already, share your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Author: Rochelle Staab

Copyright:  November 2011; Berkley; 304 pages

Series:  # 1 in A Mind for Murder Mystery  

Sensuality:  some kissing and adult references

Mystery sub-genre:  Cozy mystery, paranormal

Main Character:  Liz Cooper, Clinical psychologist

Setting:  Modern day Los Angeles, CA

Obtained book through:  Publisher in exchange for an honest review

Liz has been best friends since childhood with Robin.  Robin is just emerging from grieving about her husband's death in an accident when somebody begins leaving Tarot cards on her front door.  The specific tarot cards left match the ones that predicted her husband's death a year prior, but they have a voodoo theme.  Liz decides to try and help when a more sinister message is left on Robin's door.  Liz turns to her brother's old college buddy Nick, who has become an expert on the occult and teaches. Nick and Liz try to trace the unique Tarot cards for a lead.  They begin to make progress when Robin is accused of murder and the police are quite confident Robin is the killer. Now they must investigate quickly to clear Robin.

Liz is practical and has a hard time with the metaphysical aspects, even though her mother is the scattered and wacky "woowoo" stereotype.  Besides her mother, Liz has a manipulative, egocentric, sports star ex-husband that still plagues her.  I grew tired of the mother trying to get Liz and her ex back together repeatedly. I appreciated that Liz was rational and tended not to indulge the ex or her mother.  Liz even managed to stay open minded to the paranormal without going whole hog.  Nick provides some spice for Liz and challenges her paradigms.  He will make an interesting love interest, even though dear brother doesn't like mixing his best friend and sister.   

The plot of who really killed Sylvia is mixed up with voodoo, a spell book, and a curse.  Events unfold in a manner that are not overtly paranormal yet make you wonder. The pacing was steady.  The killer confrontation occurs because Liz stumbles upon the killer not because she deduced it.  This debut entry was a bit simplistic in style but managed an enjoyable tale with a sprinkling of romance. 

Here is a little magic:  3, 2, 1 CAKE

These individual little cakes are amazing and ready to eat in one minute! They are perfect for whenever you feel like a treat without all the fat and calories that cake can have. Genius idea!  Also perfect for when you have unexpected company and want to serve a little something.

INGREDIENTS:

1 box Angel Food Cake Mix

1 box Cake Mix - Any Flavor

2 Tbsp Water

Makes 1 serving.

DIRECTIONS:

In a ziploc bag, combine the two cake mixes together and mix well. For each individual cake serving, take out 3 Tablespoons of the cake mix combination and mix it with 2 Tablespoons of water in a small microwave-safe container. Microwave on high for 1 minute, and you have your own instant individual little cake!

KEEP remaining cake mixture stored in the ziploc bag and use whenever you feel like a treat! You can top each cake with a dollop of fat free whipped topping and/or some fresh fruit.

This recipe is called 3, 2, 1 Cake because all you need

to remember is

"3 tablespoons mix,

2 tablespoons water,

1 minute in the microwave!"

TRY various flavors of cake mix like chocolate, spice, carrot, red velvet, pineapple, lemon, orange, etc. Just remember that one of the mixes has to be the angel food mix; the other is your choice.  The flavor possibilities are endless!

NOTES:

The best thing is, you open both cake mixes into a gallon storage bag, one that 'zip locks' or 'self-seals', or a container that seals tightly, shake the two cake mixes to blend and then make the recipe. Storage of mix is simple, put it on a shelf. No need to refrigerate, since the mix is dry.

Always remember, that one of the cake mixes MUST be Angel Food. The other can be any flavor.  The Angel Food is the cake mix that has the eggs whites in it. So, if, anyone is allergic to egg whites, you can NOT serve this recipe. 

Review - Pleating For Mercy

Let's combat the winter cold and snow with a book set in the sweltering heat of Texas.  This week we review a book in small town Texas to spent some time with a mulch-generational family that will bring a smile to your face and lift you out of the winter doldrums.

Author:  Melissa Bourbon

Copyright:  August 2011 (JSignet) 320 pgs

Series:  1st in  Magical Dressmaking Mysteries

Sensuality:  n/a

Mystery Sub-genre:  Cozy paranormal mystery

Main Character:  Harlow Jane Cassidy, Manhattan fashion design

Setting:  modern day, Bliss Texas

Obtained Through:  Publisher for an honest review

Harlow is a descendent from Butch Cassidy and all the Cassidy women have possessed a special gift of some sort.  Harlow is returning to her hometown because her great grandmother passed and left Harlow her farmhouse.  Harlow quickly turns into her own custom dressmaking boutique on the main floor.  Her first customer is her childhood friend Josie who needs bridal and bridesmaids dresses all completed lickety-split.  Josie is marrying into the wealthy family Harlow almost did, until the groom dumped her just before the wedding.  Returning home drags up some old hurts such as that back which Harlow never wanted to face again.  One of the bridesmaids is found murdered in Harlow's front yard.  The murder is committed too close for comfor which makes Harlow motivated to figure who did it. 

It becomes clear that Harlow has a genius for dress designing - and that Harlow's great-grandmother haunts the house.  The pipes will groan or other noises will happen to make gran's opinions clear.  Harlow's mother and grandmother are just eccentric enough to make the story a delight to read.  Harlow's character just flows from the pages.  She is an easy character to warm up to.  The teen girl that Harlow gets roped into apprenticing as a seamstress and designer was a great touch. 

The plot has enough suspects and the investigation takes place naturally as Harlow questions the bridesmaids during fittings.  The killer is not obvious and the revealing of the killer was handled in a seemingly natural way.  This book seemed so natural - that seems silly to say but the book never seemed contrived or forced and that made the book a pleasure to read.  All the elements meshed.  The characters, dialog, plot, pacing, suspects, climax, and wrap-up all came together for a balanced blending that had humor, a touch of romance, danger lurking, and even some old wounds to heal.  Miss Bourbon makes this cozy mystery look so effortless.  But we know it took skill and finesse to make it look so easy.

I am looking forward to the next book in this series.  I have been burned out on books set in small southern towns lately but this one is my exception.  If you don't care for paranormal books, this book is primarily a cozy with only slight paranormal touches applied carefully. 

Review - Divine Circle of Ladies Painting the Town

I have reviewed the last few books in the series before this one,  Divine Circle of Ladies Playing with Fire (click here), Divine Circle of Ladies Rocking the Boat (click here), and the Divine Circle of Ladies Tipping the Scales (click here).  The author gave me an interview as well (click here).  I must provide a disclaimer right up front - this is my favorite paranormal mystery series.  I think of it as the genre trailblazer since series started long before a paranormal mystery was the "in" thing.

Author:  Dolores Stewart Riccio

Copyright:  August 2011 (CreateSpace) 299 pgs

Series:  8th in  Divine Circle Mysteries

Sensuality:  married romance, occasional adult references

Mystery Sub-genre:  Paranormal Amateur Sleuth

Main Character:  Cassandra Shipton, Herbalist and Clairvoyant

Setting:  modern day Plymouth, Massachusetts and Rome Italy

Obtained Through:  personal purchase


Let me introduce you to the five phenomenal women who are the Divine Circle:

Cassandra, the viewpoint character, is an herbalist and reluctant clairvoyant.

Phillipa, a cookbook author and poet who reads the Tarot a little too accurately.

Heather, an heiress and animal lover.  She makes magical candles and runs the local pet rescue.

Deidre, young widow who crafts dolls and magical amulets for sale in her boutique besides being a mother of four young children, she now communicates with the dead.

Fiona, the eccentric librarian who dowses with a crystal and is a fount of information - the wise woman of the group with a hippie side.  Don't let her "mature" age fool you!

The story  begins with Cass trying to help a disturbed ex-model, Ada, to control her pyro-kenitic ability mingled with her desire for revenge against her "Don Juan" husband who is a cut-throat divorce lawyer.  Ada's husband is conniving and dirty handed, planning to commit her to a mental institution to get some property in her name.

But before Cass can see Ada and her situation through, Deidre is on a romantic holiday in Rome when her National Geographic photographer boyfriend is kidnapped by the Calabrian Mafia.  The rest of the circle arrive in Rome and Fiona contacts her Italian penpal of the Strega witch heritage. They travel into the rural area to work powerful magic for the return of Deidre's boyfriend with the Strega and then join Deidre again. Even Joe manages to join Cass after his last Greenpeace job. The adventure in Italy takes them to Venice and Pompeii as well with plenty of exciting escapades.

With everyone finally safe and sound, they return home.  Cass finds that while they were away Ada has been accused of murdering her conniving husband.  The ladies focus on finding the true killer and clearing Ada's name.  This brings them close to danger yet again.

As usual the five women are the showcase of the story.  Cass has always been reluctant to have her psychic visions, but she is learning to induce them and somewhat embrace her ability.  Although this series illustrates how the gifts are not always perfect and spells may not work the way you expect.  

While in Rome it is more a thriller but in Plymouth it is more a mystery, so you get a little of both in this book.  The parts in Italy really did transport me for a whirlwind tour of Rome, Venice and Pompeii that I really want to duplicate for real.  The descriptions were effective in providing a feel of another country's vibe, sights, foods, and sounds. The sense of danger lurking was infused throughout.  I have missed Freddie though who is now Cass's daughter-in-law but initially came to Cass to learn to control her own gifts.  The last few books there has not been much with Freddie.

The mystery surrounding Ada and who killed her husband, with fire no less, had a good solid mystery to it.  The entire book has thrilling moments so the confrontation with the killer of Ada's husband is no different.  This series has developed and this book is a great addition giving adventure, excitement, a few good spells, some twists, and a murder to solve.  This may be the eighth book in the series but it shows no signs of wavering and consistently delivers a quality paranormal mystery with phenomenal characters.  Thank you again Ms. Riccio. 

For your Halloween enjoyment, here is a classic music video with a monster twist from Huey Lewis and the News!  Enjoy :-)

Review - A Hard Day's Fright

Today we kick off our month of paranormal mysteries with the newest Pepper Martin book.  I reviewed the book just prior to this one in the series (click here.)  Also this book will be part of the giveaway hop at the end of October, so if you haven't read this one yet, you will have a chance to win it.  

Paranormal mysteries are somewhat new in the mystery genre, but they have already garnered a solid fan base.  So let's take a look at several this month, starting with an old murder from the sixties for our ghost-whispering sleuth (remember mini-shirts, go-go boots, the British invasion and "free love.")

Author:  Casey Daniels

Copyright:  April 2011 (Berkley) 304 pgs

Series:  7th in  Pepper Martin Mystery

Sensuality:  Some adult conversation with "mature" topics

Mystery Sub-genre:  Paranormal Cozy

Main Character:  Red-head Pepper Martin, cemetery tour guide and ghost whisperer who is the daughter of a prominent surgeon father imprisoned for insurance fraud, and a society mother. She must make her own way financially now.

Setting:  Modern Day, Cleveland Ohio

Obtained Through:  from publisher for an honest review

Pepper's car is broke so she is riding on the Rapid Transit when Lucy Pasternak, dead since 1966 after a Beatles concert, approaches Pepper.  But rather than asking Pepper to help find her killer she asks Pepper to simply find her body.  Nobody knows the fifteen year old and popular Lucy is dead because the body was never found.  Pepper was tempted to turn down the case since there just was no starting point, until her boss, Ella, turns out to have been Lucy's best friend and still mourns the loss of Lucy. 

Several friends were riding home together after the Beatles concert where Lucy kept retelling to her friends how she ran onto the stage and kissed Paul McCartney. The other friends in the group got of early, but Ella and Lucy stayed on the bus until Ella's stop.  Ella's last memory is of Lucy waving good by from the back of the bus.  Poof, she was never heard from again, like the intro of a "Lost Without a Trace" episode.  

That was forty-five years ago. Of course Pepper can't share what Lucy tells her happened that night.  How she got off at her stop and was jumped, blindfolded, tied up, and thrown in the back of a car.  When the trunk door opened again she was smothered with a blanket.  She has no clue where she was taken or who grabbed her.  Not much to go on for Pepper.  

The last thing Pepper needs is Ella's fifteen year old rebellious girl, Ariel, spending time with Pepper as a favor to Ella.  Ariel is a subplot that runs throughout the story and I found it a good touch with their interactions.  

Another subplot is the serial killer in the city that Pepper follows in the news because her ex-boyfriend is in the thick of capturing the man.  Each news story opens her fresh wounds from the break-up.  You see, he couldn't accept that she talks to the dead, he feels she is either emotional disturbed or playing games for attention.

The suspects range from one of Lucy's former teacher who is now a semi-famous poet, Lucy's ex-boyfriend, the girl who snatched up Lucy's ex, two other guys that went to the concert, one of which had a crush on Ella.  Of all these suspects, one of the guys was killed in Nam with rumors he committed suicide by jumping into gunfire, the other guy is a long standing drunk who seems haunted by his past.  Lucy's old boyfriend is an influential business man and the girlfriend who once snatched him up is a successful real estate broker.  As Pepper starts asking questions, a murder occurs among one of the suspects and Pepper knows the killer doesn't want Lucy's body, nor the past, dug up.

I enjoyed this book more than I did the previous one. Perhaps part of that is the absence of her annoying boyfriend.  Granted I only met him in "Tomb With a View" and they had already broke up, so my opinion of him is probably tainted.  I related to Pepper even more in this book than the previous. She seemed less spoiled and a bit more sensible.  

I really loved the drawing on the sixties culture for this mystery, it was richly portrayed.  The two teenagers in the book, the ghost Lucy and Ella's daughter Ariel, both were great depictions of dramatic and moody teenage girls while showing some innocence and growing pains.

The plot was good, although I had my strong suspicion of who the killer was and a rough idea of how it was done, the motive was slowly revealed.  I enjoyed the plot and the storytelling which did its job of entertaining.  The climatic revealing of the killer was good and tense.  The wrap up had an interesting twist that left the book with a cliff hanger and I am waiting to see how that is resolved in the next book.  This setups a turning point in the series with this book's ending.

The Pepper Martin series is a solid bet for anybody wanting an enjoyable cozy mystery with just enough paranormal to make it interesting.  The murders and investigation consistently deliver an entertaining ride and this seventh in the series shows it is still a strong go-to series.

A central event to the book is the infamous Beatles concert in Cleveland where the stage is rushed and police are overwhelmed.  This historical fact is used in the book.  The victim, Lucy, is supposed to be one of the girls who got on stage.  I found this news clip that shows some of what happened at that concert.

Review - Ghost Ship: A Port Chatham Mystery

This week we make a trip to Port Chatham Washington for a murder in the current and in 1893 that are somehow connected.

Author: P. J. Alderman

Copyright: February 2011 (Bantam) 368 pgs

Series: 2nd in Port Chatham Mysteries

Sensuality: historical brothel and mention of occurrences, sprinkled cursing

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal cozy

Main Character: Jordan Marsh, a psychologist recently relocated from Los Angeles who sees ghosts everywhere.

Setting: both 1893 and Modern day Port Chatham, Washington

Obtained Through: Library Find

Jordan is on a strenuous walk (read forced march) on the Dungeness Spit with police chief Darcy Moran. Not only does she find Holt Stillwell, the town Don Juan, dead but she finds that her abilities to see ghosts now extends to seeing the "spirits" of downed ships. Interestingly Jordan sees the ghost ship of the Henrietta Dale that ran aground very close to that area and Holt Stillwell was descended from the ship's notorious owner Michael Seavey. The scuttlebutt over the ages claims that a false light imitating the lighthouse purposely led the luxury ship to its death.

By the time Jordan makes it home she finds Michael Seavey's spirit in her house trying to court Hattie, one of her resident ghosts. Hattie must decided between two suitors, both dead. Hattie insists that Jordan find out the circumstances to Michael's death to make up for having said bad things about his character. Jordan is very reluctant to investigate, but having shanghaier Seavey's ghost around makes her uneasy, no matter how suave he is. Thus she starts looking into old records to unravel who led the ship to its watery grave and who murdered Seavey even after he survived the wreck. She becomes convinced that Holt Stillwell's death was connected with the sunken ship and begins unearthing the details of Seavey's last months alive. But her investigation is angering the living and she gets threats and even a break in.

Jordan was an okay character for me. I am rather neutral about her, she wasn't great and yet she wasn't terrible either. I thought it was interesting that Jordan has a hard time walking or driving because she doesn't want to hit the spirits she sees - of course townspeople are known to dress in period clothing which doesn't help her distinguish the living from the dead. For a psychologist she did not come across as having much polish that I would have expected from such a serious and educated professional. I will concede that she had moved recently so she was out of her element, she was recovering from the last story in which her ex-husband was murdered and she is doubting her abilities as a psychologist. I get all that was happening for her, but she still came across a touch immature like a college kid caught breaking dorm rules and explaining herself.

The romantic interest in the story is Jase, a former high profile celebrity who lives next door and owns the local watering hole. The story makes it clear that they are not even dating yet, just mutual interest that Jase is willing to take to the next level. I was starting to warm up to Jase's character, until he starts demanding Jordan not get involved because it could be dangerous. If you have followed this blog much you know I can't stand the main character getting harassed over sleuthing when that is the entire point to the whole story.

With the first pet peeve down let me get the second one out of my system. I grew tired of "when are you just going to sleep with him and get it over with" attitude that occurred several times in the story. Speaking for myself, that isn't "romantic", that is just hormones on a page. This would be one of those instances where, as a psychologist I would have expected more maturity from Jordan and the others. I felt there were several missed opportunities for romantic moments that could have occurred between Jordan and Jase that just didn't. It is as if there is no spark because it is so expected they will hook up so why bother with any of the heart pounding stolen moments or romance.

I did like how some of the story was told from Michael Seavey's perspective in 1893. It brought the mystery of who among many people would have wanted the charming Opium smuggler dead. I found I liked those scenes because I was looking for clues to add to what Jordan was finding.

The plot itself mixed the past and present for two murders to solve that had a connection in the present. I enjoyed guessing who I thought did it and why in both instances, and I was mostly correct. This is an entertaining lite read with a clever concept of mixing past and present, and where the ghosts are mostly the comic relief. The combination is a pleasant beach read that cozy fans should enjoy.

Here is a short video of the Dungeness spit where the mystery starts.  It is an excellent location to imagine ghost ships and a body washing up.

Review: To Sketch A Thief

I had reviewed the first novel in this new series just last month (click here.)   I simply could not wait any longer to read the second book and share it with you.  

Author:  Sharon Pape 

Copyright:  June 2011; 293 pages

Series: 2nd in the Portrait of Crime Mysteries  

Sensuality:  n/a

Mystery sub-genre:  Private Detective, Paranormal

Main Characters:  Rory (Aurora) McCain - a police sketch artist

Setting:  Modern day, Suffolk County New York 

Obtained Book Through:  Publisher for honest review


Rory is now working full time as a private investigator.  She is also adjusting to living with the ghost of 1878 Federal Marshal Ezekiel Drummond, aka Zeke.  He is old fashioned, stubborn and cantankerous.  Dogs and Ghosts don't get along well together so when a stray dog shows up at the house, Rory is quick to take it to the house listed on the tags.  This good deed brings her to the murder of Brenda, the dog's just deceased owner.  Brenda's other pet, a Maltese is missing.  Hobo, the mixed breed, comes home with Rory which makes Zeke unhappy.

A friend of Brenda's hires Rory to investigate a rash of pure-bred dog thefts on the thought that Brenda died from a dog theft gone wrong.  Rory will work the dog theft angle while the police work Brenda's death.

For the second book in the series the characters are developing nicely.  I feel like I know Rory better after this book, and I am growing fond of her.  Of course Ezekial Drummond is still a headstrong entity making her life difficult, but I really appreciate how we see them both trying to make their situation work.  Hobo is a great addition to the cast and I already adore him. 

Don't let the plot of finding dog-nappers fool you.  Rory receives threats and one threat is carried out.  There are some tense scenes and "whodunit" is not very cut and dry.  This series is enjoyable for its engaging mystery and interesting characters with humor and a few twists.  I was very tempted to list this as a cozy because it really is even though Rory is a PI. 

One feature I liked in the first book continues in this one.  Occasionally a chapter is devoted to Zeke's last investigation that got him killed.  Rory is trying to help solve this for Zeke since his own unsolved murder appears to be keeping him here.

Often times a second book after a successful debut novel is hard to pull off.  I am happy to report that I felt this book was a great follow up and definitely consider myself a fan now.

I think the following commercial is funny so I wanted to share with you.

Review - Hexes and Hemlines

This week we go to San Francisco for murder with a snake motif.  I have reviewed the first in this series "Secondhand Spirits"- click here, the second "A Cast Off Coven" - click here, and interviewed the author - click here. 

Author: Juliet Blackwell

Copyright: June 2011 (Signet) 314 pgs

Series: 3rd in Witchcraft Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Cozy

Main Character:  Natural witch Lily Ivory, owner of a vintage clothing store called Aunt Cora's Closet

Setting: Modern day, San Francisco

Obtained Through: Publisher for an honest review.

Malachi Zazi is murdered in his apartment after a Serpentarian dinner party he hosted.  The Serpentarian society is all about flaunting superstitions. Zazi's apartment is filled with bad luck signs, like a broken mirror.  A shard from that mirror was used to stab Malachi.  Inspector Carlos Romero calls Lily in as a consultant because of the strange aspects in the case.  But Lily's involvement infuriates the local top-dog witch, Aidan Rhodes, and gets her employee and dear friend hexed.  Lily doesn't back down.  In fact, hexing her friend was the biggest mistake the killer ever made.  

I have followed this series since the first book and I feel each book was better than the previous.  Lily's character is opened up a bit more in this book.  If you have read any of the others you know Lily has traveled the world and feels she is an outsider until opening her vintage clothing shop in San Francisco.  Even though she was close to her grandmother, she can never go back to her.  In this book we get a flashback of what happened to force her to leave and why she can't go back.  That was an important part of Lily and her story.  Lily also shows her protectiveness to the only friends she has ever had.

An interesting development in this book is Lily wanting to complete her education by pursuing her GED and also her education on her powers and the paranormal world.  But everybody is against Aidan being her teacher.  More is revealed about Aidan and it seems he has ulterior motives that aren't in Lily's best interests.

As always, Lily's familiar (part Gargoyle, part Goblin who takes the shape of a potbellied pig around people) is good comic relief.  A character introduced in the book just prior called Sailor returns in this book and a little more is revealed about his sad past and how devious Aidan is to take advantage of his situation.  Sailor has a lot of potential that is just beginning to be tapped and I am looking forward to seeing how this character is utilized.

The plot was interesting.  I thought I knew who the killer was but I was wrong.  I never did figure out the motive on my own.  So it was a good mystery that gave me a fun time figuring out the killer and the motive.  The confrontation with the killer was surprisingly handled.  If you don't want vampires and ghouls, this cozy mystery with witchy touches is definitely worth a try.

Since the story involves superstitions - I just couldn't resist including the classic song "Superstition".

Review - Bad Moon Rising

This week we have a police procedural book that is suspenseful and has some delicious paranormal elements.  Join this cruise ship that stops in New Orleans and Jamaica for a nail-biting excursion by an award winning author.

Author: L.F. Crawford


Copyright: Feb 2010 (Five Star) 256 pgs

Series: 2nd in Murry/Kidman Suspense

Sensuality: N/A

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Police Procedural

Main Character: California Police Detective Art Murry

Setting: Modern day - New Orleans, on-board a cruise ship, and Jamaica

Obtained Through: Author for an honest review


What would it be like to be a police detective and have psychic visions? Detective Art Murray has learned to pay attention to his "insights". In the first book in this series he followed his visions and saved his girlfriend from a serial killer - but she is left traumatized. This book picks up with his girlfriend Mary having retreated to family in Iowa and Art's opera star brother drags him on a cruise to cheer him up. Murry's single police partner Billy tags along and finds the dating possibilities endless while Art tries to bury his pain of possibly loosing Mary in booze. That is until the ship docks in New Orleans and the woman Billy was out with is found brutally murdered in the ship's jacuzzi. Billy is the prime suspect and Art sobers up fast to sort out the vision he has of wolves involved in the murder.

In New Orleans Detective Jean Gallan is investigating the murders and doesn't think Billy is the only suspect but her boss insists Billy is the killer. Detective Gallan believes it is a local woman, Sylvania, who was a prime suspect of a prior and very similar murder who happens to be on the cruise. The problem being that Sylvania Benoit is wealthy and her papa is influential so Gallan will have to risk her career to trust Art and try to prove Sylvania is the murderer not Billy.

Initially Art Murry was drowning his sorrows and I didn't care for him. But once he got focused and moved into action his character was compelling. I enjoyed the New Orleans detective Jean Gallan who was more than a rich girl playing at being a cop. The main view point shifts between Murry and Gallan smoothly and effectively. They are both well developed characters. Art's brother Lance although a minor character is lovable. The story has a few minor characters who are still quite enjoyable.

There are several twists in the plot with eerie settings in New Orleans and later in Jamaica that keep the tension and suspense high. The paranormal aspects lend to the suspense and atmosphere. This is primarily a police procedural with paranormal elements and a good dose of suspense. If you aren't a big paranormal fan this will allow you to dip your toe in the water without immersion. I liked the bit of supernatural help Art gets from a New Orleans celebrity - the deceased voudou priestess Marie LeVeau. I felt that was a nice touch.

The climax is good edge-of-your-seat suspense that will have you hooked. I enjoyed this book and will definitely look for the next in the series. If you like your books with action and more police type than amateur sleuths this book is a good choice. Although this is not a cozy, it wasn't graphic in explaining the murder etc.
 

Review - An Uninvited Ghost

Need a break today? Need to just get away - maybe to the beach for a little R&R? This week we go to the New Jersey shore and a newly renovated guest house. It has two resident ghosts, but they won't bother you...much.

Author:  E.J. Copperman

Copyright: April 5, 2011 (Berkley) 293 pgs

Series: 2nd in Haunted Guesthouse Mysteries

Sensuality: N/A

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal Cozy

Main Character:  Alison Kerby, single mother, owner and operator of a Guesthouse

Setting: Modern day, New Jersey Shores

Obtained Through: Publisher for an honest review

A lot is going on for Allison as she opens her guesthouse for business.  She has her first Senior Plus Tour showing up and they expect daily ghost activity as part of the bargain.  In order to get her two resident ghosts to agree to playing with the senior guests everyday, Allison had to promise to help the PI ghost, Paul with investigations figuring it would never amount to anything.  No sooner have the first senior guests arrived and a ghost comes to Paul for help - meaning Allison has to do the legwork.  As if that weren't enough to keep her busy, the reality show, Down the Shore, needs a last minute place to film their spoiled bikini clad participants - and they make her a financial offer she can't refuse - so she goes along.

While investigating their ghostly client's concerns that an elderly lady may have been hurt, Allison finds it is the wealthiest member of the town, Arlice Crosby, and she is fine.  Allison and Arlice hit it off so she invites Arlice to the guest house for the "seance" she is doing with her two ghosts that night for the seniors.  The Seance ends up being filmed as part of the reality show with a packed room - when somebody kills Arlice.

Allison is a fun character, just enough gumption and smarts without being over-the-top.  The supporting cast includes the serious police Lt Melissa McElone who grows on me with each book, the ghosts Maxie and Paul are each developing into great sidekicks, Allison's mom and daughter, then her friends Tony and Jeannie add some good fun to the mix. 

There is a houseful of suspects since they were all in attendance when Arlice was killed.  The story moves along at a steady clip and has a twist occasionally.  The three storylines of juggling guests, an investigation, and the never-ending-drama of a reality show taking over were balanced and kept the story moving without bogging down.  The killer even has a twist in his/her identity and the big confrontation takes place in grand style and has some classic moments and surprises. 

This is a sparkling cozy that brings fun into murder.  This second entry's plot was stronger than the first book I felt.  If you want a fun read to create your little escape, this may just be the ticket!

We have not had some food lately so in honor of spring here is a delicious (at least it sounds amazing) fruit desert.  I am definitely making this soon.

Ingredients:
6 oz whole wheat flour by weight (about 1 1/3 cup)

6 tablespoons ice cold butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 cup ice water (plus 1 tablespoon if not using vodka)

1 tablespoon ice cold orange or plain vodka, optional

1 cup cherry pie filling