Rating: 4 Stars
Source: NetGalley
Description: Mel Turner can't say no which is why she finds herself renovating a local Victorian mansion turned museum for free to get it ready for a fundraiser. When one of the volunteers is found dead in the mansion one morning and the eerie life size dolls just won't stay still Mel calls in witch and vintage clothing store owner, Lily Ivory. With Lily's spells and Mel's ability to talk to ghosts they'll have this museum up and running by Halloween and hopefully put some family secrets to rest.
Genre: Mystery
Why I Picked This Book: I really enjoyed the Mel Turner book I've read and really wanted to try Blackwell's other series. What better way than in a novella that contains both characters?
My Impression:
Pros: This was a really fun paranormal mystery. Mel and Lily are both really likable and work well together. I liked that Mel wasn't sure of the whole witch thing but Lily was okay with it. The Spooner House is delightfully creepy with life size dolls made to look like the family who lived there and don't always stay where they're put. The detective is one who has worked with Mel before and is the right mix of skeptical but willing to go along with it. I read this in one sitting and loved every minute of it.
Cons: The same con that could be made for any novella. With the low page numbers it's hard to get much character development. While Mel and Lily could hold their own the college students got a little lost. I had a hard time remembering the names of the ones who weren't important to the plot. Though to be honest I don't really consider this a con - especially with a novella!
Overall: With a creepy setting and likable characters this is a seriously fun paranormal cozy read!
Would I Read More of this Series/Author?: Definitely! I already knew I enjoyed the Mel Turner series and now I'm looking forward to reading more about Lily Ivory.
Would I Recommend this Book?: Absolutely!
I never knew there was such a thing as a paranormal cozy!! This does sound like fun.
ReplyDeleteI think there's cozy everything! There's a few different authors who had a series in this genre and they're so much fun!
DeleteI like JoAnn's classification of a paranormal cozy - a new classification!. I don't normal like paranormal stories but you've done such a compelling job with the review, I think I'll read it.
ReplyDeleteActually, it's been around a couple years but it doesn't get much press.
DeleteI live paranormal cozies! They're fun though Bea is right - they don't get much press!
DeleteThis one seems fun. Maybe I'll see if it's still on Netgalley. Murder mystery is definitely not a genre I pick up. But I'm trying to branch out more. And a novella seems like a good place to start. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy reading!
Brittany @ This is the Story of My(Reading) Life
This is actually a really great novella! Mystery novellas can be really hit or miss but this was definitely a win!
DeleteThis sounds like something I would really like. I'm about ready for a fun read, I think.
ReplyDeleteI had a really good time with this one!
DeleteNow this looks like a great novella, and better to sacrifice development of secondary than the main characters. It sounds fun and perfect for this time of year.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! It was a fun reads and the pluses definitely outweighed the negatives!
DeleteIt is tough to squeeze a good story into smaller space. I haven't read a novella in years! I think Stephen King's novellas were my favorite growing up.
ReplyDeleteI'm always a little hesitant about novellas because story development can be really weak but this was fun. In really wanting to try a King novella.
DeleteNovellas and short stories are so tricky. I read a book by Blackwell a few years ago but you and Lark at Bookwyrm's Hoard both liked this one. Maybe I should give it a try.
ReplyDeleteI didn't love the first Blackwood I read a few years ago but I really liked the Mel Turnet series. Hope you like this one better!
DeleteOh, cool! I love both series, and it would be awesome to have the main characters from both come together.
ReplyDeleteOh I think you would love this one! The main characters work really well together!
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