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atlantiareads's review against another edition
3.0
It was an alright story, but I had hopes of liking it a lot more than I actually did. Probably will read the second book to see if it gets better.
cabbage_patch's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
qu33nofbookz's review against another edition
5.0
This could have been as good as the wishcrafter series but it falls short of great into just okay. All the characters here are just a bit too eccentric or all their odd qualities are medium not little which can get a bit irksome and it tries a bit to hard with the this is the south and we are just a bunch of friendly helpful good old time but gossipy people. Also the main character and her 'love' interest got on my nerves. If I saw someone always clutching at a necklace every time they have to be around someone I'd think that they had a compulsive disorder or are just so anxious around people that they need a security item to keep them sane and focused. She does this to keep others emotions from affecting her every time she has to talk to someone even though the necklace is supposed to do that just be wearing it, there is no need to clutch it constantly. Also the she bites her thumbnail almost every time she interacts with someone or has to think. After the day I would think she wouldn't have any thumbnail left to bite and she'd be working on biting and eating her thumb off. Her relationship with her love interest who is a cop like in the wishcrafter series doesn't work her. He insists on calling her an annoying nickname (Care Bear) even after she tells him not to and notes how annoying it is to her, and makes her angry every time. It does to us too after the first two or three times. Also instead of sharing her information with him, and thus helping to clear her name faster, she keeps everything to herself thinking that only she can solve what's going on becasue she has to clear her good name. Yet she also states, several times, that it won't matter because everyone already has made up their minds and it will take forever for anyone to believe her even after she presents the proof. At least she isn't a gossip and tells everyone every thing she knows even when they don't need to know it.
read2menow's review against another edition
3.0
This is not a terrible book, I will read the second one to this series. But I did feel lacking in supernatural elements. I felt like it was a storyline to get things started, but was not much of a focus. I will also say I did NOT like the over-sexualized relationship between the main character and her past lover. it felt irrelevant and disrupted the flow of the story.
The lack of technology in this book felt kind of ridiculous. I felt like if you did not want cell phones and the internet to appear in this book, then set the book to the 1980s or older. I think it is difficult to write a book that is set in the 2000s and not have any of that or use it. But that is just my opinion.
The lack of technology in this book felt kind of ridiculous. I felt like if you did not want cell phones and the internet to appear in this book, then set the book to the 1980s or older. I think it is difficult to write a book that is set in the 2000s and not have any of that or use it. But that is just my opinion.
fwog19's review against another edition
3.0
I really need to tell my library to get more of these books.
That being said, the audio version took me a while to get into. I think it was the reader that got me at first. She made Carly (the main character) seem really whiny. About a third of the way into the book, though, I got past that and started to enjoy the story. Aside from being understandably scattered, Carly had a good head on her shoulders. (I'd be scattered, too, if I found a dead person - sheesh.) I liked her aunts, as well. They're wonderfully eccentric.
Overall, the story was your standard whodunit, but it wasn't predictable, which was nice. The side characters weren't terribly annoying and you could really feel the "Oh my goodness, what next" vibe from the characters when someone was going to do something crazy. It was a fun read once I got used to the narrator's voice. ;)
That being said, the audio version took me a while to get into. I think it was the reader that got me at first. She made Carly (the main character) seem really whiny. About a third of the way into the book, though, I got past that and started to enjoy the story. Aside from being understandably scattered, Carly had a good head on her shoulders. (I'd be scattered, too, if I found a dead person - sheesh.) I liked her aunts, as well. They're wonderfully eccentric.
Overall, the story was your standard whodunit, but it wasn't predictable, which was nice. The side characters weren't terribly annoying and you could really feel the "Oh my goodness, what next" vibe from the characters when someone was going to do something crazy. It was a fun read once I got used to the narrator's voice. ;)
rusticreadingal's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
Heather Blake is one of the few authors on my 'must buy' list. Whenever a new book of hers comes out, I have to get it release day and read it as soon as possible.
An intriguing storyline, great mystery and a colorful and quirky cast of characters, A Potion to Die For is a must read for any fan of cozy mysteries. There was never a dull moment and it had me reading as fast as I could to figure out what was going on. I hope there are many more mysteries for Carly to solve.
Heather Blake is one of the few authors on my 'must buy' list. Whenever a new book of hers comes out, I have to get it release day and read it as soon as possible.
An intriguing storyline, great mystery and a colorful and quirky cast of characters, A Potion to Die For is a must read for any fan of cozy mysteries. There was never a dull moment and it had me reading as fast as I could to figure out what was going on. I hope there are many more mysteries for Carly to solve.
katreader's review
5.0
A Potion to Die For by Heather Blake
The First Magic Potion Mystery
A Potion to Die For is a fun read that kept me up way past my bedtime, even though I had to get up early!
Heather Blake writes a fast paced story for this, the first in the Magic Potions Mystery series. It starts with a mob chasing Carly Bell Hartwell, careens through various wacky characters, includes two wild car rides, and ends with me pushing on to finish as I had to know the ending.
The characters are fresh and funny, but there is a depth to these characters as well. I want to know more about them. A perfect example is Delia. When she first made the scene I thought, "OK, here's the nasty character that's going to make all sorts of trouble and is going to annoy me". Delia may be dark to Carly's light, she may cause problems, but I like her. There's a lot more to her than the stereotypical nemesis and even Carly comes to that realization. Plus, Delia has Boo!
If you're looking for a fun, fast read you need look no further. A Potion to Die For is perfect for whatever ails you!
The First Magic Potion Mystery
A Potion to Die For is a fun read that kept me up way past my bedtime, even though I had to get up early!
Heather Blake writes a fast paced story for this, the first in the Magic Potions Mystery series. It starts with a mob chasing Carly Bell Hartwell, careens through various wacky characters, includes two wild car rides, and ends with me pushing on to finish as I had to know the ending.
The characters are fresh and funny, but there is a depth to these characters as well. I want to know more about them. A perfect example is Delia. When she first made the scene I thought, "OK, here's the nasty character that's going to make all sorts of trouble and is going to annoy me". Delia may be dark to Carly's light, she may cause problems, but I like her. There's a lot more to her than the stereotypical nemesis and even Carly comes to that realization. Plus, Delia has Boo!
If you're looking for a fun, fast read you need look no further. A Potion to Die For is perfect for whatever ails you!
fwog19's review
3.0
I really need to tell my library to get more of these books.
That being said, the audio version took me a while to get into. I think it was the reader that got me at first. She made Carly (the main character) seem really whiny. About a third of the way into the book, though, I got past that and started to enjoy the story. Aside from being understandably scattered, Carly had a good head on her shoulders. (I'd be scattered, too, if I found a dead person - sheesh.) I liked her aunts, as well. They're wonderfully eccentric.
Overall, the story was your standard whodunit, but it wasn't predictable, which was nice. The side characters weren't terribly annoying and you could really feel the "Oh my goodness, what next" vibe from the characters when someone was going to do something crazy. It was a fun read once I got used to the narrator's voice. ;)
That being said, the audio version took me a while to get into. I think it was the reader that got me at first. She made Carly (the main character) seem really whiny. About a third of the way into the book, though, I got past that and started to enjoy the story. Aside from being understandably scattered, Carly had a good head on her shoulders. (I'd be scattered, too, if I found a dead person - sheesh.) I liked her aunts, as well. They're wonderfully eccentric.
Overall, the story was your standard whodunit, but it wasn't predictable, which was nice. The side characters weren't terribly annoying and you could really feel the "Oh my goodness, what next" vibe from the characters when someone was going to do something crazy. It was a fun read once I got used to the narrator's voice. ;)
risamyers3's review
3.0
I liked the book, but not as much as the author's Wishcraft series. Maybe it was too "Southern" (which was intentional), more likely, it was too much on the mystery spectrum and not enough on the fantasy side, which I enjoy more.
rdyourbookcase's review
3.0
Basically, this book is half Stephanie Plum, half Charlaine Harris. It could be Plum and Aurora Teagarden with a little supernatural thrown in, or it could be part Plum with a tame Sookie Steakhouse feel. Either way, A Potion to Die For was a fun, light mystery - good for around Halloween time. (Not important - but from what I understand, it’s bad to end a sentence with a preposition. Why would Blake’s publishers let the title of the book end in a preposition? Just a thought.) I’ll definitely continue to read the rest of the series.