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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
Normally I'm pretty fond of the Lucy Stone mysteries. They might not be my absolute favorites, but they're fun reads that are usually holiday centric and that's always a plus.
This one just never felt quite right.
I'll admit it's been awhile since I read up a ton on Wicca but the whole thing just pinged my radar as Off. I suppose one of the great things about Wicca is how many different ways it can be taken but just about everyone presented as Wiccan in this book is offensive.
Diana screams fluffy-newcomer who is still starry eyed by the whole idea of ~magick~ and the less said about Malcolm's ideas of initiation the better.
On the flipside, Ike is your stereotypical religious zealot who believes Diana is cursing the town by merely existing. He doesn't believe in modern medicine (which sucks for his wife cuz there goes her only chance of survival!) and rules his house with an iron fist. I was ready to write him off as a little over the top and then I read some of the comments on GR about this very book and, well... I see that he is most definitely not alone in his fictional values. Fab, guys. Just fab.
So if the Wiccans don't offend you, the exceptionally religious Christian figurehead might? Maybe I'm the only one who felt this way. *shrug*
I did like Rebecca and the less is more approach she took to life and that whole being a witch without being exceptionally fluffy about it.
This one just never felt quite right.
I'll admit it's been awhile since I read up a ton on Wicca but the whole thing just pinged my radar as Off. I suppose one of the great things about Wicca is how many different ways it can be taken but just about everyone presented as Wiccan in this book is offensive.
Diana screams fluffy-newcomer who is still starry eyed by the whole idea of ~magick~ and the less said about Malcolm's ideas of initiation the better.
On the flipside, Ike is your stereotypical religious zealot who believes Diana is cursing the town by merely existing. He doesn't believe in modern medicine (which sucks for his wife cuz there goes her only chance of survival!) and rules his house with an iron fist. I was ready to write him off as a little over the top and then I read some of the comments on GR about this very book and, well... I see that he is most definitely not alone in his fictional values. Fab, guys. Just fab.
So if the Wiccans don't offend you, the exceptionally religious Christian figurehead might? Maybe I'm the only one who felt this way. *shrug*
I did like Rebecca and the less is more approach she took to life and that whole being a witch without being exceptionally fluffy about it.
medium-paced
Lucy Stone doesn’t believe in witches or creepy predictions… or does she? Never take a dog walking; you always find dead bodies! Interesting advice, but it seems in cozy mysteries this is always true! A trip to the fortuneteller. A prediction of death and fire. Witches, witches, and witches galore. But who is really a witch, who is just pretending, and who is responsible for the fire that killed someone in Tinker’s Cove? This one had some interesting characters, lots of small-town Maine scenes, terrible rainstorms that seem to go on forever, galoshes, wonderful gardens filled with giant pumpkins, owls, and casting circles. And cats! Oh, the cats! I am easily hooked by adorable pets in a good cozy. And as always, an intriguing mystery for Lucy to work out.
Well first off the book description implies this story starts in the fall, but it actually starts in late June/early July. I found that a little misleading. Eventually it ends in October, but I would have liked more fall stuff!
Also, is Lucy’s husband supposed to come off as a jerk? Because he kind of does. In one of the first books he tells her she’s “pushing it,” or something along those lines, when she doesn’t cook a fricking creative dinner for him. And in this one he doesn’t even talk to her about the cat she wants to take in - just says it’s not happening and keeps walking away. And the only time he actually shows interest in her is when she’s dressed up in her Halloween costume - specifically trying to look like another woman in a wig and a dress. It’s just weird. Like, I can’t tell if this is the author’s idea of a good husband, or if she’s leading up to something. Granted he’s been acting like a jerk for over a decade by this point in the series.
Also, is Lucy’s husband supposed to come off as a jerk? Because he kind of does. In one of the first books he tells her she’s “pushing it,” or something along those lines, when she doesn’t cook a fricking creative dinner for him. And in this one he doesn’t even talk to her about the cat she wants to take in - just says it’s not happening and keeps walking away. And the only time he actually shows interest in her is when she’s dressed up in her Halloween costume - specifically trying to look like another woman in a wig and a dress. It’s just weird. Like, I can’t tell if this is the author’s idea of a good husband, or if she’s leading up to something. Granted he’s been acting like a jerk for over a decade by this point in the series.
Will Lucy be able to accomplish everything she set out to do this year?
Wicked Witch Murder by Leslie Meier is my second book of the Lucy Stone series. I am grateful to have stumbled upon this series when we got 2 books set on Kindle. This story is a great read, and I didn’t figure out who did it. I once again fell for the red herring. Then again I wasn’t the only one.
The Main Character
Wicked Witch Murder’s main character is Lucy Stone. She’s a great character in my mind. She is even more developed in this book, and I love the commitment she’s trying to keep between her kids and her job. Lucy is a great journalist, and it shows in the story. It shows because of the focus on it throughout this entire installment. And that is all I will be able to say about that.
Lucy, once again, just wants to try to find out what happened to Malcolm and what is happening with her new neighbors.
The Love Interest
This time though we didn’t see much of Bill which is quite sad. The parts we did see him makes me happy. I adore how this couple keeps on moving forward as nothing has happened. They make it look easy with all of their kids and grandkids around.
The Villain
Now I can’t exactly spoil it or why would you read the Wicked Witch Murder. Let’s just say beware of the red herrings. There are quite a few of them, and they can totally fool you. That’s the way it went with me.
Five Stars
I am giving Wicked Witch Murder by Leslie Meier’s a five-star review. I loved this book, and I got this book in a box set called Halloween Murder. This book was brilliant and the mystery kept me guessing. I love when a book keeps me on the edge of my seat.
Anyways until the next time enjoy this review brought to you by
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
I didn’t think this one was as good as Trick or Treat Murder, but it was still cute. I love Tinker’s Cove and the coziness of the Fall in Maine is delightful. I have to give Lucy Stone a break for a while bc I have so many other things to read, but I will definitely get the Thanksgiving and Christmas ones as soon as we hit November.
A hodgepodge of a story that went off the rails in the end when it was time to wrap up the story.
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No