Vampires and Villains by Elizabeth Pantley – a Review

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Description:
Paige and her joyful Aunt Glo have learned that the home they inherited comes with a magical library. They put together a book club group of loveable kooks to explore the magic. They’ve recovered from their first book journey, and they all agree on their next book which takes place on a cruise ship bound for Hawaii. Problem is, they were so excited about the cruising idea that they didn’t read the entire blurb on the back of the book. (“It was entirely too long,” explains Zell.) Once on the ship, they meet a charming and likeable man who blends seamlessly into their motley group. Too bad they don’t know why he’s so scarce during the day but shows up to join them every evening for dinner, drinks, and a show. When a dead body shows up on board, their new friend is labeled a suspect. Can they help him out by finding the real murderer? Or is he the real murderer? The book club will need to solve the case to get off the ship, out of the book, and back to their home.

Review:

Vampires and Villains by Elizabeth Pantley is the 2^nd book in her fun Magical Mystery Book Club series. Refresher: Paige and her Aunt Glo, inherited the grandmother’s country inn, which comes with a magical library. Upon arriving at the Inn, they meet the resident cat, Frank, who talks (love Frank). With Frank’s help, they discover a secret library in the locked basement, which is enchanted.  They learn that they need to continue the existing magical book club, and bring in 6 more members. 

In Vampires and Villains, Paige, Glo, and the eclectic and quirky members, pick a new book, which is a cruise to Hawaii; since they are short one member (from the previous book), a new member, “Million” joins.  This is a misfit group with each very different (talking cat, teenager, 80-year-old original member, etc) but they have become friends.

After boarding the ship, they meet intriguing new characters, including vampires.  Vincent, a vampire, who they immediately like, joins them often at dinner, and becomes their friend.  When a dead body is discovered, Vincent is considered a possible suspect, but the group is determined to find the real murderer, and help save Vincent.

The story was fun, with all of the members in the middle of this mystery, as they find a dead body at the casino; the ships security are mostly Vamps, and they take over. The team spends lots of time enjoying their cruise, and excursions, as well as trying to find new clues. As the mystery moves on to being solved, and the killer apprehended, the story winds down toward their return home.

Vampires and Villains was another enjoyable story, that was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley; which was totally different and unusual.  There were a number of surprises throughout, which was so much fun and a blast to read.  I loved the talking cat, Frank. Vampires and Villains was a wonderful lighthearted mystery and I look forward to the next book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review