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lynguy1's review
4.0
This is the first book in this paranormal cozy mystery series set in North Carolina. It is lighthearted, but deals with serious issues. The main character is witty, intelligent, likeable and shows growth during the course of the novel. This book combines mystery, crime, journalism, magic, romance, politics and paranormal beings. It is a quick and entertaining read with some plot twists and I look forward to reading additional books in the series.
amycoles's review against another edition
2.0
Since I was looking for a light mystery to listen to on my way to work, I thought that a cozy mystery could be perfect (this was my first ever cozy mystery)!
I kinda saw this coming, but I wasn't a huge fan. For one, I kept forgetting that the MC was 21 years old - she just seriously sounded like she was written by an older person trying to sound young. The host of cliches and outdated expressions used just really made me feel disconnected from the story and MC in general. In addition, the MC's personality was annoyingly headstrong - in a way where she was consistently pushy and every other character would say "this girl's persistent - I like that", when that pushiness often came across as arrogant, misplaced, or straight up rude.
I did, however, enjoy how fast paced and simply plotted the mystery was. There were lots of plot conveniences and not-completely-believable logic jumps. Sometimes characters would confidently come to a conclusion about a clue, when there could really be so many other possibilities, and at other times characters would be so obtuse about seeing what's right in front of them!
Overall, this was okay, but much too cliche and convenient for my taste. Maybe cozy mysteries just aren't my thing.
2/5
I kinda saw this coming, but I wasn't a huge fan. For one, I kept forgetting that the MC was 21 years old - she just seriously sounded like she was written by an older person trying to sound young. The host of cliches and outdated expressions used just really made me feel disconnected from the story and MC in general. In addition, the MC's personality was annoyingly headstrong - in a way where she was consistently pushy and every other character would say "this girl's persistent - I like that", when that pushiness often came across as arrogant, misplaced, or straight up rude.
I did, however, enjoy how fast paced and simply plotted the mystery was. There were lots of plot conveniences and not-completely-believable logic jumps. Sometimes characters would confidently come to a conclusion about a clue, when there could really be so many other possibilities, and at other times characters would be so obtuse about seeing what's right in front of them!
Overall, this was okay, but much too cliche and convenient for my taste. Maybe cozy mysteries just aren't my thing.
2/5
wilko's review against another edition
4.0
One call changes it all for Zoe, she goes from sitting at her grandma's farm worried as she doesn't have a job to having a job in a town that is anything but normal, learning her family history is more than mundane and she has a murder to solve even if no one wants her to look into it. There is plenty of mystery, laughs, doubt on who to trust, wanting Zoe it succeed as well as wanting to go visit this wonderfully weird town. Will Zoe find the killer before he finds her and what can her magic really do!! This was a great read and I can't wait to read more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
tawnyad2004's review against another edition
3.0
I think one word can sum up this book and that’s cheesy. It was just kind of silly and didn’t grab my attention enough to read more in the series. Zoe is a witch but doesn’t know it. She shows up in this magic only town and finds out paranormal exist. Ok I can get on board so far. But then she starts investigating a murder and she solves it of course, in a week, while knowing absolutely nothing about magic. Yet these people who have grown up in this magical town are unable to piece these OBVIOUS pieces together. Sad. Then there’s her love interest Bo. The narrator didn’t help with his personification. When she read his parts she made him sound like a slow, rather stupid but friendly person. I mean it fit, he’s a shape shifter but he shifts into a golden retriever. Not the smartest dog out there and that’s who this character reminded me of. So a love interest was a stretch for me.
thisandthatwithkaren's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first in the Magic and Mystery series of witch cozy mysteries. If you like witty witches, catty talking cats, and magical murder mysteries, then you’ll love this lighthearted debut in Lily Webb’s spellbinding series. The protagonist Zoe is strong, intelligent and witty, she finds herself immersed in a world of magic and paranormal beings that she didnt know existed till she took a job she didn't remember applying for in Moon Grove N.C.
I really enjoyed this book, there was Mystery as well as Magic! There were lots of twists, turns, and laughs throughout, I found myself not wanting to put it down. At one point I dozed off with book still in hand only to start right back up at 3am as I had to find out who the killer was. The characters are well developed and story well written, I highly recommend to fellow Cozy Mystery fans who enjoy a bit of magic and paranormal thrown in. Cant wait to read Spellbooks and Stakings (Magic and Mystery Book 2)
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really enjoyed this book, there was Mystery as well as Magic! There were lots of twists, turns, and laughs throughout, I found myself not wanting to put it down. At one point I dozed off with book still in hand only to start right back up at 3am as I had to find out who the killer was. The characters are well developed and story well written, I highly recommend to fellow Cozy Mystery fans who enjoy a bit of magic and paranormal thrown in. Cant wait to read Spellbooks and Stakings (Magic and Mystery Book 2)
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
panamaangie's review against another edition
4.0
Received a free copy from the author from Voracious readers Only for a unbiased review.
I thought this was a very cute paranormal mystery. First book to a new series about Zoe Clark a journalist that has fallen on hard times and while looking for a new job finds more about herself, a hidden world of witchcraft and other paranormal creatures, as well as, a murder that needs to be solved. A cute cast of characters that are easy to love and want to see what will they do next. This is a great summer read quick and fun.
I thought this was a very cute paranormal mystery. First book to a new series about Zoe Clark a journalist that has fallen on hard times and while looking for a new job finds more about herself, a hidden world of witchcraft and other paranormal creatures, as well as, a murder that needs to be solved. A cute cast of characters that are easy to love and want to see what will they do next. This is a great summer read quick and fun.
telerit's review
3.0
2.5 stars rounded to three. I have worked with journalists for over 20 years and what Zoe does is not how journalists work. There was too much jumping to conclusions on flimsy evidence by someone who hadn't done her homework.
katiya's review
4.0
4 Stars, but for a younger audience
Zoe's 21 and newly downsized from her job as a reporter. An unusual phone call and a job offer out of the blue have her moving to rebuild her life in Moon Grove.
The age of the protagonist, about ten years younger than most cosy heroines, creates a different dynamic in the storytelling. The whole book read to me as being for a young adult audience. As someone who has a bit of life experience under her belt, many of the details just asked for too much suspension of disbelief and we haven't even hit the magical part yet!
That being said, the story flowed and was enticing. I wish I could go back to my teen self and read this series. I have a feeling that I would have really enjoyed it.
Zoe's 21 and newly downsized from her job as a reporter. An unusual phone call and a job offer out of the blue have her moving to rebuild her life in Moon Grove.
The age of the protagonist, about ten years younger than most cosy heroines, creates a different dynamic in the storytelling. The whole book read to me as being for a young adult audience.
Spoiler
To begin with, it doesn't seem logical that a phone call from an unknown number would make anyone just pick up and move. Zoe doesn't research her new job even though she has no idea where the place is on a map. Geography aside, it sounds dangerous in this day and age to blindly accept a job offer over the phone without even an interview. She has no idea of accommodations once she gets there or even how much her salary is. I get it; times are tough and a job is a job, but wouldn't you want to make sure you could afford your new life before you jump heedlessly into it?That being said, the story flowed and was enticing. I wish I could go back to my teen self and read this series. I have a feeling that I would have really enjoyed it.
italapas's review
I found it difficult to care about any of the characters or what happened to them.
13echo's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5