Review - Mrs. Morris and the Witch

I found this series and have been skipping around reading it.  It is a good series for approaching Halloween.  See what you think.

1) Mrs. Morris and the Ghost (click here)

6) Mrs Morris and the Pot of Gold (click here)

I am reviewing the second in the series today, hope you enjoy.

Author: Traci Wilton

Copyright: April 2020 (Kensington Cozies) 219 pgs

Series: 2nd in Salem B&B Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Paranormal cozy mystery, amateur Sleuth

Main Character: Charlene Morris, new B&B owner

Setting: Modern day, Salem, Massachusetts

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "Halloween is the biggest holiday of the year in Salem, Massachusetts—but when B&B owner Charlene Morris finds the dead body of a witch, it spells trouble . . .

Charlene, recently widowed, has renovated her historic mansion just in time to greet guests arriving for the town’s annual Halloween festivities. She’s lucky to have a helpful staff to provide support—as well as a handsome ghost named Jack standing invisibly by her side.

Unfortunately, while the revelers head out on haunted tours, have their fortunes told, or grab a drink at Brews and Broomsticks, a killer walks among them. When Charlene discovers Morganna, a local Wiccan, dead in her shop, she starts getting cozy with the local coven, looking for clues to locate the crafty culprit. Salem may be famous for the false accusations of witchery in centuries past, but this time someone is genuinely guilty—of murder . . ." 

My Thoughts:

Charlene, recently moved from Chicago and is still missing her deceased husband but she is adapting to her new life in historic Salem as a B&B owner. Jack Strathmore is the extremely handsome ghost who owned the family mansion and chose to stay with Charlene when he could have "gone to the light".  Their relationship is enough for both of them at the moment which is a unique approach.  Will Johnson and wife Minnie are her small staff and delightful.  Detective Sam Holden, six foot tall resembling the actor Sam Elliot, is fond of Charlene but being patient.  Silva is her plush white cat who is a sweet cat with little antics.

In this book in the series, Salem is used and adds quite a bit to the story.  The plot was just complex enough to provide some twists. The climax was well done and provided some good chills and tension.

This has an enjoyable heroine, handsome flirty ghost, nicely developed murder mystery, and good pacing.  This is cozy goodness and an entertaining mystery. 

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

Musings - Reading is Good for Mental Health

The famed Victorian writer, Lord Thomas Macaulay, wrote on the death of his beloved younger sister,  "that I have not utterly sunk under this blow, I owe chiefly to literature. Literature has saved my life and my reason."

We know that during the pandemic book sales increased, particularly cozy mysteries, as a healthy or positive escapism during the Covid quarantine.  The Associated Press had an article on March 7, 2021 about cozy mysteries being a salve during the quarantine.  I did a blog post about it as well (click here.)  But even before the quarantine and beyond that situation, research is showing that reading has many benefits for our mental health in general.

When we say healthy escapism we mean seeking distraction, diversion, and relief of the mind from harsh and distressing realities or boring routines by seeking entertainment and engaging in fantasy either routinely or occasionally as a coping mechanism.  Healthy escapism provides a respite and mental refresh to face daily emotional trials.  Harmful escapism is the avoidance of reality and the tendency to withdraw from the world altogether such as addictions.

Thus, reading provides that mental escape and we are able to deal with life with a renewed outlook thanks to the emotional vacation provided by the story taking us outside our life and into a fictional world for a few hours.

A study in 2015 from the UK claims that readers are “21 percent less likely to experience feelings of depression.” (click here) 

There is even a reading therapy (called "bibliotherapy") that provides a structured book reading program run by clinics, libraries, and even schools that intends to promote recovery in people facing mental health challenges. (Psychology Today May 24, 2019, Rob Whitley click here.) 

The same 2019 Psychology Today article claims benefits such as increasing reader empathy, social skills, and interpersonal understanding.  Because "readers can deeply engage with characters and scenarios, giving them a better understanding of our shared humanity and common struggles." It states that Dr. Keith Oatley of the University of Toronto (Professor Emeritus in the Department of Human Development and Applied Psychology and researcher) often recommends works of fiction to students "in order to increase understanding about mental health. Two favourites are The Scarlett Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne, and The Bell Jar by Sylvia Path, both of which give readers a deep understanding of the alienation, loneliness, shaming, stigma and social exclusion that is often experienced by people with mental health difficulties."

University of Michigan studied how reading fiction is tied to reducing stress.  This is after University of Sussex tied reading to reduced stress levels by up to 68%.  Additionally reading is more effective and faster than other relaxation methods such as a cup of hot tea or listening to music.

But a key that is emphasized is that you pick something that interests you.  Don't read what you think you should, that adds stess right away. Be cautious of self-help books, they have been shown to increase stress.  Pick a fiction novel that captures your imagination or dig into an activity or hobby that fascinates you like travel or cooking.  Read where and when you won't be interrupted, too.  Keep looking until you find the genre or topic that helps you to leave your stresses behind, even if it is for only thirty minutes at a time.

Let's recap, reading: 

• provides healthy escape from life's stresses, 
• makes us more understanding, 
• provides opportunity to identify with others in similar circumstances (empathy), 
• provides mental activity, 
• lessens depression, 

 and additionally reading: 

• keeps the mind active,
• expands vocabulary, 
• improves memory,
• improves brain connectivity and function, 
• and improves analytical thinking skills.

The next time somebody criticizes how you're being bookish, remind them that you are supporting good mental health and they should try it.

Review - Witch And Famous

I reviewed the first in this series of witchy mystery fun.  I didn't review the second but here is the third in the series and it doesn't disappoint. 

1) Bait and Witch

 

Author: Angela M. Sanders

Copyright: July 2022 (Berkley) 274 pgs

Series: 3rd in Witch Way Librarian Mystery series

Sensuality: Mature topics

Mystery Sub-genre: cozy paranormal mystery, amateur Sleuth

Main Characters: Josie Way, librarian and newfound witch 

Setting: Contemporary, small town Wilfred, Oregon 

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb:  "For a tiny town, picturesque Wilfred, Oregon, has everything, including an impressive library housed in a Victorian mansion, a touch of magic in new librarian and fledgling witch, Josie Way, a visiting movie star—and a curious tendency toward murder . . .

 

Josie and all of Wilfred are buzzing with excitement. A-list movie star Daphne Morris has chosen to interview Roz, assistant librarian and novelist, for her book club. But when the glamorous actress quickly charms both Roz’s long-time love and sheriff Sam, the object of Josie’s unrequited affection, Josie turns to the whispers from her beloved books for ideas on revising the plot. Yet soon there’s another twist . . .

 

At a party to celebrate the interview, Daphne’s personal chef is found dead in a scene that all too closely echoes one in Roz’s novel. It’s clear to Josie that someone’s idea of a happy ending means framing her friend. She’ll have to read between the lines with the help of the library’s enchanted stacks, guidance from her magical grandmother’s letters, and her cat familiar, Rodney, to solve this murder before someone decides to stage a deadly sequel . . ." 

My Thoughts:

Josie Way is a fun character learning to control her witchy powers.  She cares about her neighbors and movie star Daphne Morris is turning the town upside down.  Rodney, the cat familiar, is a delightful sidekick.  Josie looks into the murder while navigating the town drama in Daphne's wake, including her romantic interest being swept up by the star.  The plot had enough meat to keep my interest and serve up some twists.  The climax provided some good thrills to top off a solid mystery.  This is a fun mystery with humor and a satisfying plot. 

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

Review - A Fiances Guide to First Wives and Murder

 This is one of my favorite historical cozy mystery series.  The specific sub-genre is chock full of many good series, but this series is delightful and I'm a fan.  Check out what has won me over.

Previous reviews:

1) A Lady's Guide to Ettiquette and Murder 

3) the Lady's Guide to Mischief and Murder 

Author: Dianne Freeman

Copyright: July 2011 (Kensington Books) 306 pgs

Series: 4th in Countess of Harleigh Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Historical cozy mystery, amateur sleuth

Main Characters: Frances Wynn, the wealthy Countess of Harleigh

Setting: Victorian era, London and countryside, England

Obtained Through: Library

Book Blurb: "For Frances Wynn, widow to the late Earl of Harleigh, life has a cosmopolitan flavor of late. No sooner has she sent her mother and daughter off on a shopping trip to Paris than she and her fiancé, George Hazelton, are socializing with visiting members of the Russian royal family. Amid this whirlwind, scandal also comes calling when Inspector Delaney turns up outside Frances’s house with a young French woman with a shocking claim: she is Mrs. George Hazelton.

 As the future Mrs. George Hazelton, Frances assumes the woman is either lying or demented. “Mrs. Hazelton,” aka Irena, makes other outrageous statements. Among them, she insists that she is the illegitimate daughter of Russian royalty, that she has been abducted many times, and that someone is sending her threatening letters. When George arrives, he clarifies that he is certainly not married to Irena—though he can confirm her royal parentage. But even as he agrees to investigate whether Irena’s life is in danger, her claim proves tragically true. Irena is found strangled in Frances’s garden.

 To uncover a killer—and clear their own names—Frances and George must determine which of Irena’s outlandish stories were based in fact. And as the search reaches a shocking conclusion, they may find that villainy lurks all too close to home . . ." 

My Thoughts:

Frances Wynn, one of my favorite heroines, loved her husband and has grieved his death. So many historical mysteries have the deceased husband as unpleasant and the woman is relieved, so this is a pleasant change.  She is newly engaged to George Hazelton who had become her best friend over the previous books, and was a good friend of her late husband. They both are tested by the surprise woman claiming to be George's wife, but also by societal norms around the situation.  

The setting of Victorian England is always well portrayed and creates an immersive backdrop.  The plot has several twists and turns along the way. The climax had some tense moments and was well done.  This is a thoroughly enjoyable mystery that fully incorporates the era and finely realized characters.

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

Here is an interview with the author.

https://youtu.be/rhNj61hjFFU

Review - Getaway with Murder

The author of Southern Homebrew, House Flipper, Paw Enforcement mysteries, and Tara Holloway novels brings us a new mystery series.  This series takes into the mountains to a rustic lodge where death checks in.

Author: Diane Kelly

Copyright: October 2021 (Berkley) 296 pgs

Series: 1st in Mountain Lodge Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy Mystery

Main Character: Misty Murphy, new owner of the Mountaintop Lodge

Setting: Modern day, Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina

Obtained Through: Publisher for honest review

Book Blurb: "As if hitting the half-century mark wasn’t enough, Misty Murphy celebrated her landmark birthday by amicably ending her marriage and investing her settlement in a dilapidated mountain lodge at the top of the Blue Ridge Mountains. With the old inn teetering on both a bluff and bankruptcy, she must have lost her ever-loving mind.

Luckily, handyman Rocky Crowder has a knack for rehabbing virtual ruins and for doing it on a dime, and to Misty’s delight, the lodge is fully booked on opening night, every room filled with flexible folks who’d slipped into spandex and ascended the peak for a yoga retreat with plans to namastay for a full week. Misty and her guests are feeling zen—at least until the yoga instructor is found dead.

With a killer on the loose and the lodge’s reputation hanging in the balance, Misty must put her detective-skills to the test. Only one thing is as clear as a sunny mountain morning—she must solve the crime before the lodge ends up, once again, on the brink."

My Thoughts:  Features Misty Murphy as a newly divorced and just turned fifty amateur sleuth, a hunky handyman named Rocky, a new age housekeeper, and a diner owner as her new best friend. The characters were all fun and relatable. A dog named Molasses and cat called Yeti are delightful additions. This debut novel has a basic whodunit plot with a lodge full of suspects that each have motive or opportunity. The setting is stellar and adds to the storyline. I was engaged and read through it every chance I had. As the first book, Misty guesses everyone at the lodge at one point, but she learns as she goes. I enjoyed this book with its mountain setting and the characters rounded out the story.  I will be back for more.

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