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lenaf's review
5.0
A fantastic group of tales that explore the myth, mystery, and malice of Mardi Gras. Every story in this anthology is steeped in mystery and magic, from theater ghosts to supernatural investigations, from Civil War mysteries to cursed bloodlines and ghost tours, this anthology has an incredible mix of voices and styles!
One of my favorites was Celebration Game by Candace Robinson. This story features an escape room with a terrifying twist that had me riveted. Let’s just say somebody in the room was asking me questions while I was reading it and I couldn’t put the book down cause I had to find out what happened next! An absolutely intense tale!
If you enjoy stories that keep you guessing at what will happen next, and adore the mystique of Mardi Gras and New Orleans like I do, do yourself a favor and check out this book!
Full Disclosure: I also have a story in this anthology, but I’m of course not including that in this review.
One of my favorites was Celebration Game by Candace Robinson. This story features an escape room with a terrifying twist that had me riveted. Let’s just say somebody in the room was asking me questions while I was reading it and I couldn’t put the book down cause I had to find out what happened next! An absolutely intense tale!
If you enjoy stories that keep you guessing at what will happen next, and adore the mystique of Mardi Gras and New Orleans like I do, do yourself a favor and check out this book!
Full Disclosure: I also have a story in this anthology, but I’m of course not including that in this review.
bookly68's review
5.0
I love this anthology! It’s filled with creepy little mysteries and they all take place during Mardi Gras!! Plus I love to read anything that takes place in New Orleans!!! I ordered the paperback and am excited to have this on my shelf!!! This is definitely a must read if you like mysteries with a paranormal flare!!!
si0bhan's review
4.0
I have a love-hate relationship with short stories. I either finish with a feeling of awe due to reading such a wonderful story in so few words, or I find myself disappointed because there wasn’t enough to sustain me. With Masks, we have a mixed bag. Some I really liked; some I was not crazy about.
The Sin Exchanged (Ginger Root) by C. Vonzale Lewis was a police thriller mixed with the supernatural. The supernatural took a backseat for most of the story, but it certainly played an interesting part. As a lover of police thrillers and supernatural twists, this one had me hooked throughout. In fact, I can easily see it as an introduction to a series.
The Fickle Hand of Fortune by Dave Wickenden was a thriller. There were elements that left you questioning what was going on, but for the most part it was a race against the clock. Although not quite for me, I’m sure many will enjoy this story.
Epiphany by M Dalto was a story that will have you questioning if you’ve read a supernatural story or not. It certainly had me hooked throughout, and I happily powered through it to see how the pieces came together. There was a great vibe with this one, really getting into the feel of the collection.
The Mobile Spirit by Sarah Lampkin was a supernatural story set in the past. Both the historical aspect and the supernatural aspect kept me hooked, bringing the story to life. Although I worked out how things would play out, it did not lessen my enjoyment of the story.
La Femme en Rouge by Marlena Frank had me hooked from the start. For the most part, this one has a different vibe to the other stories in the collection. It deals with something that requires a lot of attention, and I loved the way we really got inside of our character’s head. When this one finally hit the vibe that matched the collection, it added an extra addictive element to the story.
Spirits of Le Petit by Melissa Eskue Ousley was an entertaining ghost story. I love stories that follow ghost hunters, and this one gave something slightly different. We have a haunted location, those out for proof, and humour to make the story extra entertaining. Together, it made for an entertaining read.
The Celebration Game by Candace Robinson was a story that gave readers an aspect of the supernatural world that is rarely seen. It’s something I would like to see more of, and I loved the way it played out in this one. Add in the fact it contained a great twist, and this was one of my favourites in the collection.
The Axeman Among Us by R.J. Garcia was another story set in the past, a thriller with a bit of a supernatural vibe. It’s a story that includes many elements of the past, bringing it to life in a way that is rarely seen. Although the thriller and supernatural elements were not as consuming as expected, they played together well.
The Blackbird Mask by Merry Jones was a story that had an air of uncertainty about it throughout. It’s an unusual situation that the characters found themselves in, and it’s not until quite far through the story that you see what category this one falls into. It’s another story that wasn’t quite for me, but I can certainly see it appealing to many.
Roll the Bones by Kristen Jacques was a story that existed in the world between. It had a clear young adult vibe to it, a feeling of many books that I read as a teenager. It has characters dealing with a real-life topic as a result of their introduction to the supernatural world. It certainly gave me flashback vibes to my reading in my early teenage years.
Ashes, Ashes by Myra Fiacco was a story that combined the past and the present. We’re given a murder tour, along with insights into the past, with the two coming together wonderfully. It’s not just a simple murder tour, however, as we’re pulled into the lives of the characters. With little elements thrown in to flesh this one out, it’s another favourite in the collection.
All in all, there was plenty to keep me entertained throughout. Although I wasn’t crazy about every story, there is something that is sure to appeal to everyone with this collection.
The Sin Exchanged (Ginger Root) by C. Vonzale Lewis was a police thriller mixed with the supernatural. The supernatural took a backseat for most of the story, but it certainly played an interesting part. As a lover of police thrillers and supernatural twists, this one had me hooked throughout. In fact, I can easily see it as an introduction to a series.
The Fickle Hand of Fortune by Dave Wickenden was a thriller. There were elements that left you questioning what was going on, but for the most part it was a race against the clock. Although not quite for me, I’m sure many will enjoy this story.
Epiphany by M Dalto was a story that will have you questioning if you’ve read a supernatural story or not. It certainly had me hooked throughout, and I happily powered through it to see how the pieces came together. There was a great vibe with this one, really getting into the feel of the collection.
The Mobile Spirit by Sarah Lampkin was a supernatural story set in the past. Both the historical aspect and the supernatural aspect kept me hooked, bringing the story to life. Although I worked out how things would play out, it did not lessen my enjoyment of the story.
La Femme en Rouge by Marlena Frank had me hooked from the start. For the most part, this one has a different vibe to the other stories in the collection. It deals with something that requires a lot of attention, and I loved the way we really got inside of our character’s head. When this one finally hit the vibe that matched the collection, it added an extra addictive element to the story.
Spirits of Le Petit by Melissa Eskue Ousley was an entertaining ghost story. I love stories that follow ghost hunters, and this one gave something slightly different. We have a haunted location, those out for proof, and humour to make the story extra entertaining. Together, it made for an entertaining read.
The Celebration Game by Candace Robinson was a story that gave readers an aspect of the supernatural world that is rarely seen. It’s something I would like to see more of, and I loved the way it played out in this one. Add in the fact it contained a great twist, and this was one of my favourites in the collection.
The Axeman Among Us by R.J. Garcia was another story set in the past, a thriller with a bit of a supernatural vibe. It’s a story that includes many elements of the past, bringing it to life in a way that is rarely seen. Although the thriller and supernatural elements were not as consuming as expected, they played together well.
The Blackbird Mask by Merry Jones was a story that had an air of uncertainty about it throughout. It’s an unusual situation that the characters found themselves in, and it’s not until quite far through the story that you see what category this one falls into. It’s another story that wasn’t quite for me, but I can certainly see it appealing to many.
Roll the Bones by Kristen Jacques was a story that existed in the world between. It had a clear young adult vibe to it, a feeling of many books that I read as a teenager. It has characters dealing with a real-life topic as a result of their introduction to the supernatural world. It certainly gave me flashback vibes to my reading in my early teenage years.
Ashes, Ashes by Myra Fiacco was a story that combined the past and the present. We’re given a murder tour, along with insights into the past, with the two coming together wonderfully. It’s not just a simple murder tour, however, as we’re pulled into the lives of the characters. With little elements thrown in to flesh this one out, it’s another favourite in the collection.
All in all, there was plenty to keep me entertained throughout. Although I wasn’t crazy about every story, there is something that is sure to appeal to everyone with this collection.
candacerobinsonauthor's review
5.0
If you’re looking for a book full of mystery and intrigue, then this is it! I love reading anthologies because I can read the versatile stories between the authors with a common theme. This one being Mardi Gras! Which! I’ve never read a book centered around that so it was pretty cool! Each tale had me on the edge of my seat trying to figure out how the story was going to end. There are murderers, there are ghosts, there are crimes, there are kisses, there’s a Louisiana setting, and there is lots and lots of awesomeness!
And yes, I do have a short story in here but I’m not reviewing it!
And yes, I do have a short story in here but I’m not reviewing it!
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