Book Reviews

It Takes a Witch (Wishcraft Mystery #1) By: Heather Blake

It Takes a Witc

It Takes a Witch (Wishcraft Mystery #1) By: Heather Blake

Plot:

Darcy Merriweather has just discovered she hails from a long line of Wishcrafters-witches with the power to cast spells by making a wish. She’s come to Enchanted Village to learn her trade but finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation…

Review:

Now this is the cozy mystery I was looking for. It was a perfect blend of cozy and supernatural. I enjoyed the interesting way Blake chose to use magic. People are Crafters and have a specialty. She made rules and she stuck with them, though, I vaguely remember Darcy helping someone with a money wish which she shouldn’t have. I could be misremembering though and I don’t feel like trying to find it in the book.

Anyway, enjoyed the characters and the setting. I thought the story was interesting and I wasn’t able to guess who done it. There were plenty of questions asked but Darcy wasn’t constantly thinking someone else was the murderer, she went about her search in a friendly manner and wasn’t nosy and annoying. Really liked her and I thought she was very realistic.

After my long search the fact that I finally found exactly what I was looking for made me happy. I can’t wait to read the next in the series, but I’ve burnt myself out on cozies so it might be a little while.

4/5

Heartache (Twenty-sided Sorceress #5) By: Annie Bellet

Heartache

Heartache (Twenty-sided Sorceress #5) By: Annie Bellet

Plot:

Gamer and sorceress Jade Crow’s psychotic ex-boyfriend shows up for a final showdown, and nothing in Wylde will ever be the same.

Review:

Omg I can’t believe she ended there! I’m actually a little mad, the other books had closure for their stories while the over arching villain was still going on. Instead of just making the book longer she’s split it into two. I’m a little annoyed by that.

The series is still good and I love Jade. She’s strong but not over powered and she just wants to protect her friends. Again I had moments where I wasn’t quiet sure who was who since its been a while and she does no introductions. Lots of build up with no pay off, though.

I look forward to the next installment but again I’m a little disappointed in the lack of resolution with this one.

3.75/5

A Murder is Announced (Miss Marple #5) By: Agatha Christie

a-murder-is-announced

A Murder is Announced (Miss Marple #5) By: Agatha Christie

Plot:

Villagers expect a fun game after a Gazette announcement of murder, but when lights flash off, shots ring out, and a masked burglar falls dead, the Inspector and vicar’s wife Bunch call in expert Miss Jane Marple. Was Swiss hotel clerk Rudi framed? Miss Letitia Blackstone houses scatty Dora, cousins Julia and Patrick, gardener widow Phillipa, and paranoid cook Mitzi.

Review:

This is the first Agatha Christie novel I’ve ever read. I’m kind of ashamed to say that. I’ve watched several movies based on her novels and I’ve meant to read some of her books for a while, I just never got around to it.

Anyway, the mystery was great I didn’t figure out who did it until the very end. I also really liked the idea and thought it was cool, surprised I haven’t seen it done more often. Miss Marple didn’t play as large a part in the story as I thought she would based on the movies I’ve seen. There were also some language and cultural differences that I had to overcome. Still it was a great mystery and great story and I’m looking forward to reading more.

I liked the fact that the policeman knew Marple and didn’t treat her like a batty old woman and actually went to her for help. In the movies I’ve seen with her she’s always in such control and I didn’t really get that from the book. She really came off as a nosy little old lady.

I think I might try a Poirot next.

4/5

Side note: There’s a whole paragraph where they talk about old women and how nosy and useful they are, only they don’t call them old women, the use a slang term that means something else entirely and it was freakin hilarious and at the same time uncomfortable to read.

 

Murder is Binding (A Booktown Mystery #1) By: Lorna Barrett

Murder is Binding

Murder is Binding (A Booktown Mystery #1) By: Lorna Barrett

Plot:

The streets of Stoneham, New Hampshire are lined with bookstores…and paved with murder.

Stoneham, New Hampshire, was a dying town until community leaders invited booksellers to open shop. Now, its streets are lined with bookstores – and paved with murder…

When she moved to Stoneham, city-slicker Tricia Miles was met with friendly faces. And when she opened her mystery bookstore, she met with friendly competition. But when she finds Doris Gleason dead in her own cookbook store, killed by a carving knife, the atmosphere seems more cutthroat than cordial. Someone wanted to get their hands on the rare cookbook that Doris had recently purchased – and the locals think that someone is Tricia. To clear her name, Tricia will have to take a page out of one of her own mysteries – and hunt down someone who isn’t killing by the book …

Review:

Wow Tricia Miles, the main character, comes off as a real bitch in the first few chapters. She’s judgmental, blames her sister or her mother for why she feels certain ways, and is about as boring as a stick in the mud. Things just get worse from there.

I didn’t like the way Barrett wrote, she was overly descriptive about the surroundings, and seemed to be forcing things to go a certain way. A lot of her terms and word choices seemed really dated and I was surprised to see the book was published in 2008. None of her characters were compelling. The setting and premise were interesting, so interesting in fact that I already have the second book (thankfully it was only $.99) but I do not plan on reading it.

So disappointed in this book and will probably never read anything from this author again.

1/5

Side note: I really think this book was some sort of wish fulfillment for the author and a way for her to live the life she wants. She gets to solve mysteries, own an amazing bookstore, and have men love her. Too bad the character comes off as a c!@#

Red Velvet Revenge (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #4) By: Jenn McKinlay

Red Velvet Revenge

Red Velvet Revenge (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #4) By: Jenn McKinlay

Plot:

It may be summertime, but sales at Fairy Tale Cupcakes are below zero–and owners Melanie Cooper and Angie DeLaura are willing to try anything to heat things up. So when local legend Slim Hazard offers them the chance to sell cupcakes at the annual Juniper Pass rodeo, they’re determined to rope in a pretty payday! But not everyone at the Juniper Pass is as sweet for Fairy Tale Cupcakes as Slim–including star bull-rider Ty Stokes. Mel and Angie try to steer clear of the cowboy’s short fuse, but when his dead body is found face down in the hay, it’s a whole different rodeo. With a vengeful murderer on the loose, the ladies are quickly realizing that while they came to save their business, they may have to save themselves–and that’s no bull.

Review:

Oh my god!!! Why??? So the book ended on a romantic relationship cliffhanger for Mel and Angie both. Of course my library does not have the next book and neither do any of the used bookstores in the area. I really need to find a way to secure income for buying books.

Anyway, I thought more of the story was dedicated to relationship stuff than mystery stuff,but that could be because that’s becoming my favorite part. The mystery was good, plenty of twists and turns, but even with all it’s drama I didn’t really care about it. I needed Angie to get her head out of her ass or Mel to knock some sense into her. Neither happened.

Maybe it’s a good thing I don’t have the next book. Some character traits are starting to grate on my nerves. Mel has some boundary issues and they always seem to be in flux. One minute she’s asking incredibly personal questions like who do you think murdered your husband and the next she won’t push Angie on who she’s in love with. Angie is all temper and was a real bitch in this book. She’s always threatening to kick someone’s ass but never does. Mel really nailed Tate when she called him a wuss, dude just tell her how you feel already.

I’m excited to read the next in the series, but I also think it’s a good thing I’m going to have a little break from the characters.

4/5