Tag Archives: Cozy Mystery

YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON (Dressed to Kill 3) by Deanndra Hall

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👒YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON (Dressed to Kill: Maisey Friedman Mystery 3) by Deanndra Hall-review tour👒

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date February 17, 2025

Another vision. Another crime. And the millions behind it.

Reluctant and (unfortunately) well-known psychic Maisey Friedman is in dire need of a break—a little rest and relaxation. Going on a girls’ trips for the weekend will help her decompress and forget all the turmoil she’s been embroiled in. After all, fancy dresses, Derby hats, and mint juleps with her friends can cure the blues.

But when she mistakenly places the wrong flowy hat on her head, Maisey regrets all of her weekend frivolity. Seeing a middle school teacher being thrown from a bridge to her death catapults Maisey and her husband, Aaron, into yet another murder investigation. This time, the key players just might be a little too powerful for Maisey and Aaron. A well-connected and corrupt murderer is one enemy the Friedmans don’t want to tangle with. Can they find justice for the innocent teacher before time runs out?

••••••

REVIEW: YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON is the third instalment in Deanndra Hall’s contemporary, adult DRESSED TO KILL; MAISEY FRIEDMAN MYSTERY paranormal, cozy mystery series focusing on social worker / clairvoyant Maisey Friedman and her husband Sheriff Aaron Friedman. The Maisey Friedman Mystery series is a spin off from the author’s JUSTICE FOR MAISEY -Police and Fire: Operation Alpha (Bluegrass Bravery) with the inclusion of the characters Maisey and Aaron Friedman. (March 2021).

Told from omniscient third person perspective (Maisey) YOU CAN LEAVE YOU HAT ON focuses on another murder. On a girl’s trip out of town, Maisey accidentally picks up someone else’s hat, and to her horror witnesses the death of a middle school teacher, a young woman who went missing two years before. Searching for the person who took the life of Hazel Puckett, Maisey and Aaron discover the killer may be closer than they could have ever imagined,and our heroine is in the line of fire.

The world building continues to focus on Maisey’s ability to ‘see’ the last moments of death when wearing an item of clothing from the recently deceased but having struggled with each murder, Maisey swore off buying second hand clothing, only to discover she grabbed the wrong hat at a derby luncheon.

The relationship between Maisey and Aaron continues to grow. Maisey is now the mother to Aaron’s young daughter, and the couple is considering a new addition in the future but Maisey’s need to solve the murders, threatens not only her life, but her relationships as well. There are no $ex scenes-everything is implied.

YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON is another story of murder and mystery, secrets and lies, greed and obsession, family and love. The novella length, fast paced premise is dramatic and gritty; the romance is subtle; the characters are dynamic. The story line fast forwards approximately one year.

Reading Order and Previous reviews
Coat of Many Colors
These Boots Were Made For Walking

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

 

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These Boots Are Made For Walking by Deanndra Hall-review tour

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These Boots Are Made For Walking (Maisey Friedman Mystery: Dressed to Kill Series Book 2) by Deanndra Hall-review tour

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This ain’t her first rodeo, but it could be her last …

Still reeling from solving an innocent woman’s murder, Maisey Friedman is ready to take a breather—even though the entire town knows her secret now. Enjoying some time with a friend to decompress is exactly what Maisey needs. But when her friend graciously gifts her with a pair of retro leather western boots, everything changes.

Just merely sliding the boots on catapults Maisey and her husband, Aaron, into another investigation of an innocent woman’s mysterious death. Suspects keep turning up, each one making their job harder than ever, and the real murderer refuses to let the truth surface. With the looming possibility that Maisey will be silenced once and for all, it’s up to Aaron and the other deputies to track down the criminal and try to pry Maisey from the clutches of a madman before it’s too late.

•••••••

REVIEW: THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING is the second instalment in Deanndra Hall’s contemporary, adult MAISEY FRIEDMAN MYSTERY: DRESSED TO KILL paranormal, cozy mystery series focusing on social worker / clairvoyant Maisey Friedman. The Maisey Friedman Mystery series is a spin off from the author’s JUSTICE FOR MAISEY -Police and Fire: Operation Alpha (Bluegrass Bravery) with the inclusion of the characters Maisey and Aaron Friedman. (March 2021).

Told from omniscient third person perspective (Maisey) THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING continues to focus on Maisey Friedman, and her psychic abilities to ‘see’ the moment of someone’s death. Maisey Friedman likes to shop the local thrift stores but a recent find by her friend, at a storage locker pulls Maisey into the murder of a young woman, a woman who discovered a secrets no one else knew. As Maisey, along with her husband Sheriff Aaron Friedman, reopen the investigation, stirring up a proverbial hornet’s nest of vipers and greed. With a target on her back, Maisey is desperate to uncover the truth, but her journey leaves a trail of victims in its’ wake.

The world building continues to focus on Maisey and her ‘psychic’ abilities to see the final moments of someone’s death. Wearing the clothes in which someone has died, finds Maisey experiencing a vast array of heart break and pain, especially when grief stricken family members want to know the truth.

THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKING is another story of betrayal and vengeance, pain and suffering, greed and obsession, family and acceptance. The fast paced, novella length premise is dramatic and dark; the characters are desperate and dynamic.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

 

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COAT OF MANY COLORS:( Dressed to Kill 1) by Deanndra Hall-review

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COAT OF MANY COLORS: Maisey Friedman Mystery( Dressed to Kill 1) by Deanndra Hall-review tour

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 6, 2025

A dangerous killer, a psychic, and the coat that has all the answers …

Maisey and Aaron Friedman (Justice for Maisey) are enjoying married life and their new blended family. But everything changes after the social worker’s simple trip to a consignment shop where she finally purchases a coat she’s had her eye on.

Despite Aaron deeming the coat “ugly,” Maisey still loves the garment, and she’s sure he’ll love it too when she models it for him. But when she wakes up on the floor with her deputy sheriff husband standing over her, concern in his eyes, Maisey knows something is terribly wrong. The coat’s sad origin reveals an unsolved slaying, and without the victim to help them, the Friedmans begin their attempts to solve the case using the secrets the coat reveals in Maisey’s psychic visions as their only clues.

But as they delve deeper into the mysteries of the coat, the murderer refuses to allow them to uncover the truth. Suddenly, Maisey’s security is in question, leaving Aaron and his crew of hometown heroes to strategize ways of keeping her safe while unearthing the identity of the culprit. The coat comes with answers, but will those answers be the catalyst that puts them all in danger?

••••••

REVIEW: COAT OF MANY COLORS is the first instalment in Deanndra Hall’s contemporary, adult MAISEY FRIEDMAN MYSTERY-DRESSED TO KILL paranormal, cozy mystery series focusing on social worker Maisey Friedman, a woman with psychic abilities. DRESSED TO KILL -Maisey Friedman Mystery is a spin off from the author’s JUSTICE FOR MAISEY -Police and Fire: Operation Alpha (Bluegrass Bravery) with the inclusion of the characters Maisey and Aaron Friedman. (March 2021)

Told from omniscient third person perspective (Maisey) COAT OF MANY COLORS focuses on the search for the truth. Approximately nine months earlier a nineteen year old pageant contestant named Victoria Hunt was brutally murdered, and her killer was never found. Fast forward to present day, social worker Maisey Friedman, having purchased a coat from a local thrift store, falls through the proverbial rabbit hole, witnessing the murder of the woman who had previously owned the coat. With the help of her husband Deputy Aaron Friedman, Maisey begins an investigation into the murder of Victoria Hunt, a murder predicated upon greed and madness.

The world building follows Maisey as her journey into the darkness continues to reveal the secrets long thought buried and dead. As Maisey and Aaron begin to ferret out the truth, Maisey is targeted for by the person responsible.

The relationship between Maisey and Aaron begins in the author’s JUSTICE FOR MAISEY, a part of the author’s Police and Fire: Operation Alpha (Bluegrass Bravery), erotic, romantic suspense series. Months earlier, Maisey fell in love with Deputy Aaron Friedman, while they worked together to solve the murder of Maisey’s co-worker, now their love forges a relationship wherein Maisey’s abilities help to solve crime.There are no $ex scenes-everything is implied.

COAT OF MANY COLORS is a story of murder and redemption, secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, redemption and retribution. The premise is dramatic ; the characters are determined. The crimes are committed off page; the $ex scenes fade to black or are mostly implied.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sandy

Deanndra Hall is a working author living in the far western end of the beautiful Bluegrass State with her husband of over 35 years and small menagerie of weird little dogs. When she’s not writing, she’s editing. When she’s doing neither of those two things, she’s having dinner with friends, spending time with family, kayaking, eating chocolate, drinking beer or moonshine, or looking for something that she put in the wrong place and can’t seem to find (which is pretty much everything she owns).

 

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Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch – a Review

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Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch – a Review

 

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Description:
In this one-of-a-kind mystery with heart and humor, a hilariously grumpy pony must save the only human he’s ever loved after discovering she stands accused of a murder he knows she didn’t commit.

Pony has been passed from owner to owner for longer than he can remember. Fed up, he busts out and goes on a cross-country mission to reunite with the only little girl he ever loved, Penny, who he was separated from and hasn’t seen in years.

Penny, now an adult, is living an ordinary life when she gets a knock on her door and finds herself in handcuffs, accused of murder and whisked back to the place she grew up. Her only comfort when the past comes back to haunt her are the memories of her precious, rebellious pony.

Hearing of Penny’s fate, Pony knows that Penny is no murderer. So, as smart and devious as he is cute, the pony must use his hard-won knowledge of human weakness and cruelty to try to clear Penny’s name and find the real killer.

This acutely observant feel-good mystery reveals the humanity of animals and beastliness of humans in a rollicking escapade of epic proportions.

 

 

Review:

Pony Confidential by Christina Lynch is a unique standalone novel about a Pony and his former owner, Penny.  Years have passed, and Penny has never forgotten her childhood memories of her love for her Pony, when she was 12 years old: she is now 37 years old.   The story opens when Penny opens the door, and the police are arresting her for a murder, that she may have committed when she was 12 years old.  She is whisked back to Ithaca, NY, where she grew up. 

Pony has constantly been passed over from many different owners, and now he is fed up, determined to find the only girl he ever loved; Penny.   Pony busts out and goes on a cross-country mission to find her. Pony can talk to all animals, and gets help from them, but the mission that he embarks on is a long-drawn-out journey.  It was fun with Pony being one of the narrators, and listening to him talk to the other animals; dog, birds, rat, sparrow, goat, butterflies and other species, who will eventually lead him to where he can find Penny.  Each animal has a distinct personality; including other horses who give Pony advice. Pony will also learn along the way, that Penny is in danger, and he needs to save her.   

Penny works with a law student, as her actual attorney only appears in the courtroom. Slowly, Penny’s memories begin to remember that day 25 years ago, when someone else committed the murder.  Pony also remembers when another horse played a prank on Penny and the boy she was riding with, leaving both stranded in the woods.  Of course, Pony feels guilt, as he is determined to rescue Penny; since she was attacked, and someone was killed; but Penny was not the murderer.  The family moved away, and Penny never was able to say good-bye to her wonderful Pony.

Penny’s daughter pays a big part closer to the end, as she finds Pony, and together they will help Penny discover the two villains who were the true murderers. I really loved Pony, and his friends who helped him to find Penny, and the real culprits. This was a wonderful ending.   Pony Confidential was an interesting and different kind of story, which was so very well written by Christine Lynch.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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Sprites & Scuttlebutt by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

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Sprites & Scuttlebutt by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

 

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Description:
This book club is hooked on traveling into books to become the amateur sleuths! In this journey, the club travels to the Kingdom of Everglow.

The royal family is rocked to the core when a key staff member falls dead at a community event. In the turmoil that follows, any evidence of what happened is destroyed, so they must go by the recollection of witnesses who were too busy enjoying the celebration to offer any valuable testimony.

The royal family is further distressed when they return to the castle to see signs of a break in that somehow defied their complex security system. They wake the next day to discover that one member of the royal family has fallen into a deep, deathlike sleep.

Can the Snapdragon Inn Book Club uncover the plot behind this attack on the royal family? Can they find the antidote to wake the sleeping royal from a supernatural slumber? Can they bring peace back to the worried royal family and the frightened community?

Let’s hope they can, since they must solve the mystery and reach The End to get out of the book and back to their home in Colorado.

 

 

Review:

Sprites & Scuttlebutt by Elizabeth Pantley is the 6th book in another enchanting and fun Magical Mystery Book Club series.  Refresher: Paige and Glo, inherited the grandmother’s country inn, which comes with a magical library.  The magical library consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with cozy mysteries that they have to solve. This is a fun, enjoyable, lighthearted series, with wonderful characters and a magical cozy mystery.

The surprise beginning has us discovering that there is more to our wonderful talking cat, Frank.  We learn everything about Frank’s past, which covers hundreds of years, including being a king, with an evil sorcerer changing him into a cat. Of course, now, Frank is a very content enjoying the mystery trips that are part of the mystery book club.

The Snapdragon club members pick a book and they are whisked away into the Kingdom of Everglow, which is comes across as a fairyland location, with sprites.  Upon arrival, they see a key member of the staff being killed during a celebration, shocking the royal family.   The Royal family welcomes the group, to help solve the murder, with them treated like royalty; especially king Frank, who is considered and treated like royalty.  Lots of fun with this.

The next day, everyone is shocked that one of the princesses is in a deep sleep, and no one can wake her.  The Snapdragon members are assigned to try and discover who did this to the Princess, as well as solving the murder of the staff member.  The crew will need to interview people within the community, who may have clues to both incidents.  A garden party gathering with most people in the community, enables them to find information as they mingle, eavesdrop, question and observe those attending.  Can the Snapdragon Inn Book Club uncover the plot behind this attack on the royal family, as well as find the antidote to wake the princess?

What follows is a fun story that has all the members trying to find clues, as well as suspects. I really enjoy this series, as it is so very entertaining.  All the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club are very good, with Paige leading the way. I loved most of the characters, especially Frank, my favorite.  I also like Mollie, the resident ghost, who in Everglow is unseen, and she secretly discovers some clues. 

Sprites & Scuttlebutt was another terrific, enchanting and fun magical addition to this series, with wonderful characters. There were a few surprises, especially learning all about our hero, Frank.  Sprites & Scuttlebutt was a wonderful lighthearted fun magical mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley.  I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

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Murder Uncorked by Maddy Day – a Review

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Murder Uncorked by Maddie Day – a Review

 

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Description:
Raise a glass to Cece Barton, a widowed single mom and recent L.A. transplant to California wine country, who suddenly finds herself at the center of a murder investigation in this sparkling new mystery series from Agatha Award–winning and national bestselling author Maddie Day.

As the manager of Vino y Vida Wine Bar in Colinas, Cecelia “Cece” Barton’s first Alexander Valley harvest is a whirlwind of activity. Her twin sister, Allie Halstead, who owns a nearby Victorian bed & breakfast, is accustomed to the hustle and bustle of peak tourist season. But Cece barely has a moment to enjoy her new home in between worrying about her estranged college-age daughter, juggling her responsibilities at the bar, and navigating the sticky politics of the local wine association. Just when it seems things can’t grow any more intense, Colinas is rocked by a murder within the wine community . . . and Cece is identified as a possible suspect!

With her reputation and her livelihood on the line—and the Sonoma County deputy sheriff breathing down her neck—Cece has no choice but to open up her own murder investigation. Tensions are already high in the valley, as a massive wildfire creeps toward Colinas, threatening homes, vineyards, and the vital tourist trade. And now, with a murderer on the loose, and Cece’s sleuthing exposing the valley’s bitterest old rivalries and secret new alliances, Colinas feels ready to pop! But with Allie’s help, Cece is determined to catch the killer and clear her name before everything she’s worked so hard for goes up in flames . .

 

 

Review:

Murder Uncorked by Maddie Day is the 1st book in her new Cece Barton Mystery series. We meet Cece Barton, who is widowed, with a daughter away at school; Cece moved to Colinas, California, to be close to her twin sister, Allie.  Cece is the manager of Vino y Vida Wine Bar working long hours, but she has a couple of part time people, who help cover her during late hours, giving her time to go home or dinner.  Her sister, Allie owns a Victorian Bed and Breakfast, and is always there for Cece.

Having heard two men arguing, Cece fills their glass of wine to break it up.  But the next day one of the men is found murdered, which causes a detective to visit her to find out what was the argument about, as well as her own emails from the victim. Cece decides to start her own investigation, to ensure that the detective is not looking at her.  She constantly talks to those she knows asking questions, which does begin to annoy some possible suspects.  At times, Allie will also help Cece look for evidence, but when Cece nearly is hit by a truck while on her bike, she realizes that she is putting herself in danger, getting too close to the culprit.

What was really nice about this cozy mystery, was getting to meet her friends, not to mention other neighbors and colleagues.  I got a kick out of her eating at some friend’s restaurants, such as Ko, Eddie and Henry. I also loved her friendship with, Mooncast, who though part time, she was always willing to cover for Cece. Her relationship with Allie was fantastic. Allie tries to get one of her customers, Benjamin, a hunk, to get together with Cece. I really enjoyed this book, especially all these wonderful friends, sister and her wine bar; which made this such a fun, delightful story.  I also enjoyed all the different dishes she ate at the restaurants, which was more vegetarian style.

Cece does spend a lot of time checking into the victim’s past, trying to look into their relationships. She really was an excellent sleuth, smart, always asking questions, which also put her in direct danger.   The last third of the book was exciting, with Cece in a life-threatening situation.  I liked when the detective expressed appreciation for Cece findings on who killed the victim. To say too much more would ruin the story.

Murder Uncorked was a very good story, with great friends, family, suspects and a possible future romance.   Murder Uncorked was very well written by Maddie Day.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Wedding Bells Brew Murder by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

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Wedding Bells Brew Murder by Carolyn Arnold – a Review

 

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Description:
With all the guests at Sara and Sean’s wedding suspected of murder, her walk down the aisle will need to wait…

Everything is going perfectly on the big day until Sara opens the door of her bridal suite. Darlene Day, who made the wedding cake, falls into the room, a serving knife plunged into her back.

As the organists start to play “Here Comes the Bride,” Sara calls a pause to the proceedings. There’s a murder to solve, and the motive may be in the icing.

Darlene wasn’t the most loved person in the small town of Cotton Spring Falls, but rumor has it that she refused the offer of a big franchise to buy her bakery. Did they go so far as murder to put her out of business?

But when it’s discovered their wedding cake was poisoned, Sara and Sean could have been the intended victims all along. Did Darlene stumble upon the killer’s conspiracy and they silenced her before she could reveal their secret? Is it someone on the invitation list or the mysterious wedding crasher?

As long as the coffee is hot, and Sara has Sean and her beagle, Magnum, at her side, she isn’t going down in a heap of tulle and lace.

 

 

Review:

Wedding Bells Brew Murder by Carolyn Arnold is the 2nd book in her Sara and Sean Cozy Mystery series. I am a big fan of Carolyn Arnold, having read all her different series; and I am happy to say I have been enjoying Sara and Sean Cozy Mysteries.

Sara and Sean are getting married, with Sara, her mother, and bridesmaids ready to move out of the dressing room, when Darlene, the wedding cake baker pushes through the door.  She stumbles and collapses, with a knife in her back, crying “icing” and dies.  Of course, the wedding is now on hold, with 400 guests locked in the venue, while the police arrive and begin their investigation.

Sara and Sean decide to do some of their own investigation, since it was their wedding and the victim was a friend.  The detective in charge, Ryan, who used to work with Sara, was very belligerent, threatening them to be arrested, if they tried to do their own sleuthing. In time, Ryan and his partner agree to let them help with the investigations, especially with so many suspects.  Darlene, it seems had enemies, since a company was pushing to sell her bakery to them, and many townsfolk wanted her to sell, so that it will help promote the town better. We learn that another person was also out to hurt Sean from a past case.  Who poisoned the icing on the wedding cake? Who killed Darlene and was the person trying to kill Sean part of the murder?

There were so many suspects, with Sara and Sean looking at every angle; Darlene’s niece, Mercer the bad guy after Sean, Bakery company owner who wanted her to sell, a wedding crasher and other suspects along the way. I really loved Sara and Sean together, as they made such a great couple.  I adored their dog, Magnum (a beagle), and their ex-Sargent, Jimmy was a great help.

What follows is an exciting, suspenseful, entertaining, and fun story. Both Sara and Sean manage to find a number clues with some twists, that will help find the real killer. To say too much more would be spoilers, especially with so many suspects that keep you on the edge of your seat.  Wedding Bells Brew Murder was a wonderful murder mystery, in a small town, dangerous killers, as well as a fun romance. Wedding Bells Brew Murder was very well written by Carolyn Arnold. This is a fun series, which I suggest you start to read with the first book.

Reviewed by Barb

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Secrets and Scallywags by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

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Secrets and Scallywags by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

 

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Description:
When this club selects a book, magic happens. They become the main characters in the story when the mystery comes to life.

This month’s book selection takes them to a charming island community that’s abuzz over a mysterious boat that washed ashore. Rumor has it that it’s the same pirate boat that sunk a year ago in the bay. The one that supposedly sank with treasure aboard.

When the club meets the ghosts of the men from the boat, they learn the astonishing secrets of the treasure. These ghosts can’t move on until it is found.

Can the motley group find the treasure and free the ghosts? They better, since it’s the only way they can exit the book and get back home.

 

 

Review:

Secrets and Scallywags by Elizabeth Pantley is the 5th book in her fun entertaining Magical Mystery Book Club series. Refresher: Paige and her Aunt Glo, inherited the grandmother’s country inn, which comes with a magical library.  The magical library consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with cozy mysteries that they have to solve. This is a lighthearted and fun series, with wonderful characters and a magical cozy mystery.

Our mystery book club gains a new member, Valeria, as all the current members welcome her, and explain how things work in their special secret magical library.   The book they choose contains pirates and lost treasure, which takes them to a charming island community. The residents are all taking about the boat that washed ashore, and it was the same boat that was attacked a year ago, by pirates.

The club meets the 4 ghosts and Bucko (ghostly parrot) from the boat, who are able to communicate with them, but unable to touch.  They learn about the secrets of the treasure, which the captain pleads with them to help take on a quest to free them.  Seems the pirates that destroyed their boat, stole their treasure, but most important, they stole a valuable bracelet that belonged to the captain’s mom. The club needed to retrieve the necklace, for them to enable them to be free and continue their mission to stop the bad pirates.

What follows is a fun story that has all the members trying to find clues where the missing necklace and gems might be found.  I really enjoy this series, as it is so very entertaining.  All the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club are very good, with Paige and Glo being the leaders, and Frank (the talking cat) always enjoyable. I really like all of the club members, and get a kick out of Mollie, their own resident ghost.

Secrets and Scallywags was another terrific and fun addition to this series, with all of the members in the middle of this mystery; trying to save the ghosts. There were a few surprises throughout, which was so much fun and a blast to read. Secrets and Scallywags was a wonderful lighthearted fun magical mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley.  I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed  by Barb

Copy supplied for Review

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