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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
4.0
Mouse of Cards by Erin Johnson is the fourth Magic Market Mysteries. Jolene Hartgrave is assisting Officer Peter Flint plus Daisy on a murder case at Museum of Magical Artifacts. Mouse of Cards begins about two weeks after Game of Bones ends. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the Magic Market Mysteries. Geoffrey Ibsen is found dead in his office at the Museum of Magical Artifacts. He was hired by the museum board to handle public relations and to promote the new Cursed Objects exhibit. The mystery is unusual with spooky elements. People believe that the victim died because he looked into the cursed mirror. There are other wild theories. Every employee at the museum is a suspect. The museum has a mouse problem which means there might be a witness to the crime—if Jolene can find him. This leads to some humorous situations. I enjoyed the dramatic reveal. The banter between Daisy and Jolene is snarky and amusing. Jolene gets a chance to find out more about her curse which she hopes can be reversed. I can understand Jolene wanting her magic back but being able to talk to animals is a helpful side effect. Jolene’s hygiene is improving (thank heavens) as well as her outlook on life. Jolene wants to be a better person which brings about a big decision. Jolene has yet to tell Peter that she is a shifter and she is not sure how he will take the news. Ludolf Caterwaul, the shifter mob boss, summons Jolene. He offers to look for a solution for her curse. I look forward to seeing what happens next with Jolene. Mouse of Cards is an entertaining cozy mystery with a fragmented figurine, a missing mouse, a spectral suspect, and a leery looking glass.
shai3d's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
karen_the_baroness's review against another edition
5.0
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Mouse of Cards by Erin Johnson was a skittering tale of information, truth, and friendship.
Jolene Hartgrove is a pet psychic that sometimes works with police as a consultant in some instances, like ones that involve animals. Joleen hasn't heard from Peter in a while, she thinks it has to due with what she shared during the last case. That is until a new investigation comes forward that might be able to help Jolene figure out what her curse is. The case this time is different and weird, all at the same time. Jolene will figure it out.
What I like about Jolene is that she realizes that she is meant for so much more since meeting Peter. She feels freer with him and Daisy. The one thing that I disliked is that maybe she is judging Peter a bit too fast with regard to what she told him recently.
The mystery is in a museum that has a new exhibit coming in that is all about cursed objects. The museum's new PR guy is deceased and two people that work at the museum think it is the cursed objects that have taken another soul. There are a lot of red herrings, and I almost entirely gave up on figuring out who it was until I narrowed it down. I figured it out before Jolene did, but only seconds before she did.
Ms. Johnson has another fascinating case that keeps on giving me more questions and wanting to read another book. I have an idea about Ludlof and Jolene, but I'm not quite so sure about it. Either way, I am giving Mouse of Cards by Erin Johnson a five-star rating and recommending it to anyone that loves an excellent cozy paranormal mystery.
Will Jolene figure out what her curse really is?
Jolene Hartgrove
Jolene Hartgrove is a pet psychic that sometimes works with police as a consultant in some instances, like ones that involve animals. Joleen hasn't heard from Peter in a while, she thinks it has to due with what she shared during the last case. That is until a new investigation comes forward that might be able to help Jolene figure out what her curse is. The case this time is different and weird, all at the same time. Jolene will figure it out.
What I like about Jolene is that she realizes that she is meant for so much more since meeting Peter. She feels freer with him and Daisy. The one thing that I disliked is that maybe she is judging Peter a bit too fast with regard to what she told him recently.
The Mystery
The mystery is in a museum that has a new exhibit coming in that is all about cursed objects. The museum's new PR guy is deceased and two people that work at the museum think it is the cursed objects that have taken another soul. There are a lot of red herrings, and I almost entirely gave up on figuring out who it was until I narrowed it down. I figured it out before Jolene did, but only seconds before she did.
Five Stars
Ms. Johnson has another fascinating case that keeps on giving me more questions and wanting to read another book. I have an idea about Ludlof and Jolene, but I'm not quite so sure about it. Either way, I am giving Mouse of Cards by Erin Johnson a five-star rating and recommending it to anyone that loves an excellent cozy paranormal mystery.
Other Books in the Series
You will find links to my reviews of these books near the top next to the book cover of Mouse of Cards.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Mouse of Cards by Erin Johnson.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
jlen's review against another edition
5.0
Some spoilers!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peter no!!! What were you thinking??? Ugh! But on the other hand, I totally love Johnsons’s flawed characters. I knew Jolene’s secret was going to come out at some point, and I’m thrilled she was at least the one to say it. I pretty much have to continue the series now to see what happens between them! On another note, the mystery was also a good one. I do wonder sometimes why Peter doesn’t just go around with Daisy and ask “did you kill ...?” It would solve the cases a heck of a lot faster, but I also get how that would kind of ruin the series. Overall, another great book in a great series. On to the next one!
Peter no!!! What were you thinking??? Ugh! But on the other hand, I totally love Johnsons’s flawed characters. I knew Jolene’s secret was going to come out at some point, and I’m thrilled she was at least the one to say it. I pretty much have to continue the series now to see what happens between them! On another note, the mystery was also a good one. I do wonder sometimes why Peter doesn’t just go around with Daisy and ask “did you kill ...?” It would solve the cases a heck of a lot faster, but I also get how that would kind of ruin the series. Overall, another great book in a great series. On to the next one!
slc333's review against another edition
3.0
Pet psychic cosy mystery. Quick fun read. Still don’t really get the whole shifter prejudice. Glad Jolene has finally told Peter all her secrets.
gemmaflanagan's review against another edition
5.0
UPDATED : I have listened to the audio of this also and it was brilliant. The naration is brilliant as always . A real joy to listen to.
This series is getting so good, I absolutely love the chemistry between Jolene and Peter, and even Daisy is a brilliant character.
I am rooting for the three of them.
I really can't wait for the next book. There are so many new sayings and magical things happening as each book goes on.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
This series is getting so good, I absolutely love the chemistry between Jolene and Peter, and even Daisy is a brilliant character.
I am rooting for the three of them.
I really can't wait for the next book. There are so many new sayings and magical things happening as each book goes on.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
aconitecafe's review against another edition
5.0
This one is a tear jerker. Jolene faces hard truths, and has to come to terms with her lot in life. It was a great character growth moment for her. The BFF dynamic between her and the clinic is great.
I love that we finally get to see some shifter prejudice in action instead of just hearing that it happens. Up until now it has really felt like the shifters were being a bit over dramatic about it. (since no other character has ever really done anything negative to a shifter) Just sad that it had to be who it was.
With each book the stakes are getting higher for Jolene, but she is growing more into herself. My fingers are crossed that all of her troubles will fall into place! She deserves happiness!
I love that we finally get to see some shifter prejudice in action instead of just hearing that it happens. Up until now it has really felt like the shifters were being a bit over dramatic about it. (since no other character has ever really done anything negative to a shifter) Just sad that it had to be who it was.
With each book the stakes are getting higher for Jolene, but she is growing more into herself. My fingers are crossed that all of her troubles will fall into place! She deserves happiness!
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