The Premise: When someone seems to be killing the witches of Salem, MA Lee Barrett knows she has to get involved. Between being maid of honor and friend and former student, Shannon's wedding and her new kind of job at the news station as an investigative reporter she doesn't have a lot of time but luckily her big orange cat O'Ryan, boyfriend Pete who also happens to be a police detective, and researcher extraordinare Aunt Ibby are there to help.
My Thoughts: This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and this book did not disappoint. Obviously, with the Salem setting witches have always been a part of the story and with Lee's gift of visions there's always been a bit of a paranormal element. However, in this book both witches and the supernatural are front and center. I enjoyed seeing more of the Wiccan population of Salem and was intrigued by the mentions of Bridget Bishop. I definitely would enjoy learning more about her. The mystery itself was very entertaining and really kept me guessing right up to the end. There was some receptiveness and it took a bit for the investigation part to get really up and running but it was enjoyable from beginning to end. The audio of this series is done by C.S.E. Cooney and she does a fantastic job. My Rating: Really Liked It!
Goodreads: Dead in the Doorway (House-Flipper Mystery #2) by Diane Kelly
The Premise: Whitney and her cousin Buck are taking their considerable construction skills and flipping a house that needs some major updating in a charming little neighborhood. The charm quickly disappears when Whitney finds an unexpected tenant and a body blocking the front door.
My Thoughts: This was a fun home renovation mystery with lots of neighborhood coziness and figuring out which one of the delightful poker playing crew just might also be a murderer. I liked Whitney - she's practical and very competent but also relatably nosy. She did cross the line a time or two but nothing outside of the ordinary in a cozy. The mystery was good and the conclusion unexpected. The chapters in the cat's perspective were sweet but didn't really add anything to the story and while I enjoyed the cat's presence I could have done without his POV. This was the 2nd book in the series and I have the 1st book sitting on my shelf and I'm looking forward to picking that one up. Rating: Liked It!
These books both had me at the mention of the cats!
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried Diane Kelly's series before, but it's one I hope to try. I love the premise of it with main character being a house flipper. I need to read more of Perry's series too. paranormal cozies are among by favorites. I am glad you enjoyed both of these!
ReplyDeleteMysteries with cats, hard to resist!
ReplyDeleteI am currently listening to It Takes a Coven! I am enjoying it so far. :)
ReplyDeleteMmm I just checked the Carol J Perry series but not available to me on audible, but will look for it in print at my library... for when I finish one of my cozy series!
ReplyDeleteI plan to read more of Witch City this year because of you.
ReplyDeleteI always love cozy cat covers. 🐈✨
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