A cute, magical cozy mystery that goes a bit too hard on the southern charm. Needs to dial down on the y’all’s and sugars and pay more attention to grA cute, magical cozy mystery that goes a bit too hard on the southern charm. Needs to dial down on the y’all’s and sugars and pay more attention to grammar....more
I’ve been enjoying this series with all its cozy, witchy vibes. The Torrent women are a handful at the best of times, but problems just keep popping uI’ve been enjoying this series with all its cozy, witchy vibes. The Torrent women are a handful at the best of times, but problems just keep popping up in Harlot’s Bay.
This book was a bit scattered for me. There are always a few different plot lines running through each novel, but this one was a jumble of different disasters vying for attention and distracting me from the love/hate salamander that could cause a major catastrophe in the small town.
Running through the last few books has been Harlow’s knowledge that she’s under a powerful spell of unknown origin. Every time she thinks about investigating it, she’s deflected by an equally powerful concealment spell that makes her forget what she’s doing. This device is getting a bit old for me. I have trouble with the fact that her cousins, the moms, Aunt Cass and even Hattie Stern are all under the same compulsion to pay no attention to this huge elephant in the room. Who’s the mystery caster and what are they hiding?
I didn’t enjoy this story as much as I could have if I wasn’t constantly distracted, like Harlow and her family. I hope the next book is more satisfying. ...more
I wouldn’t have predicted how much I’ve enjoyed this series based on the first book. I hated most of the characters and found the teen 4.5 of 5 Stars
I wouldn’t have predicted how much I’ve enjoyed this series based on the first book. I hated most of the characters and found the teen drama overwhelming. But the author built up some interesting personalities and the plot shaped into an intriguing supernatural story.
Zoe is back with Aric and I couldn’t be happier. They make a great team and pretty much all the Evils are aligned against them. Someone is going all out to frame Zoe for all the crazy things that have happened on campus since she arrived, and the police are following her every move. The murders are coming fast and furious while Zoe and Aric struggle to find out who is behind all the mayhem.
I wasn’t very surprised when the mastermind was revealed, but I had fun getting to the climactic reveal. Lots of people to both love and hate here, plus some of those frustrating “are you seriously going to do this?“ moments.
I’m glad I stuck around and finished the story. Make sure you read these books in order or you’ll ruin the experience....more
The more I read about Zoe Lake, the more I actually start to be interested in her. In the first two books of this series I found her to be obnoxious. The more I read about Zoe Lake, the more I actually start to be interested in her. In the first two books of this series I found her to be obnoxious. Now she’s starting to develop into less of a brat and more of a person. Her nasty personality and tendency to lash out at both friends and enemies has mellowed into a sarcasm that can be funny at times: “Shiny objects could distract Tally. Kristy needed me to explain how the shiny objects worked before she could be distracted.”
After a disastrous encounter with a sorority of witches wanting her dead, Zoe discovered that her heartthrob, the werewolf Aric, had kept vital information from her. No longer able to trust him, she broke up with him. Although there are plenty of other guys who would be thrilled to date her, including the handsome and moody vampire, Rafael, Zoe isn’t ready to dive into another relationship.
She’s also busy trying to figure out what Professor Blake and his Academy of zealots are up to. They’re planning some major offensive against the supernaturals on campus, and both the werewolves and vampires are stirred up. There’s going to be a blowup and Zoe will be at ground zero.
The tension builds as the book reaches its finale, and I wasn’t disappointed. Just one more book in this series and I’m already reading it....more
I wasn’t thrilled with the first book in this series. The main character is so obnoxious that it was hard to care what happened to her.
This story is bI wasn’t thrilled with the first book in this series. The main character is so obnoxious that it was hard to care what happened to her.
This story is better, even with an incredibly pugnacious teenager in the lead. The mystery, while not difficult to solve, presented an opportunity to explore the different characters and types of supernatural creatures running around this tiny college campus.
I enjoyed the book and have already picked up the third in series....more
This is my favorite in the series so far. The magic has become stronger (unfortunately, not for the Torrent witches), and Harlow seems to be the targeThis is my favorite in the series so far. The magic has become stronger (unfortunately, not for the Torrent witches), and Harlow seems to be the target of a mysterious witch with some very old and powerful spells.
The Torrents are unable to use Aunt Cass’ vast knowledge as she is currently in the basement with Grandma, also frozen. This hampers Harlow’s investigation, but at the same time clears the story of the most obnoxious and disruptive character in the series. It also opens the story up to more input from Hattie Stern, Aunt Cass’ rival. Hattie becomes a more interesting character as we get some background on her family and see things from her perspective.
The plot is action packed and kept me on the edge of my reading chair seat. There are four more books in this series and I can’t wait to read more....more
Who knew reapers could be so much fun? I was rooting for Aisling from the get go. She’s smart and snarky and holds her own with four brothers who alteWho knew reapers could be so much fun? I was rooting for Aisling from the get go. She’s smart and snarky and holds her own with four brothers who alternate between making a joke of her and being so overprotective it must be hard for her to breathe.
Jerry, her bestie and roommate, is a live wire, constantly blurting out the most embarrassing observations in front of her brothers, as well as the hot detective who’s taking far more interest in her than the job requires.
This is a fun romp in the paranormal, fast-moving and action-packed. I couldn’t put it down and can’t wait to pick up the next episode in the series....more
Book #4 and still enjoying this series. With her online newspaper tanking, Harlow is now working as the resident journalist on a movie set featuring BBook #4 and still enjoying this series. With her online newspaper tanking, Harlow is now working as the resident journalist on a movie set featuring Bella Bing, who went to school with the cousins (and stole Molly’s boyfriend). When the lead actor dies while filming the first scene, Harlow sees his ghost and knows there’s a murderer in town.
Meanwhile, Molly and Luce are reeling after the theft of their coffee machine just after they dumped all of their money into transforming their souvenir shop into a coffee bar. And Aunt Cass is running her newest shady business out of Harlow’s office.
As the stress factors multiply, Harlow’s slip witch powers are causing violent storms that mirror her mood. Trouble plagues the movie set and Harlow has her hands full as she tries to solve everyone’s problems before she blows up the whole town with a lightening strike.
Magical and funny, this story kept me reading all night until everything was resolved....more
Bay helps investigate an abandoned yacht found drifting in Hemlock Cove with no one on board and blood on the deck. She’s also suspicious of propertieBay helps investigate an abandoned yacht found drifting in Hemlock Cove with no one on board and blood on the deck. She’s also suspicious of properties being bought up under shady circumstances. But the worst part is when her new boss at the newspaper introduces her to their most recent advertising account - none other than her cousin Thistle’s absentee father....more
Another day, another body. When Bay Winchester moved back from Detroit to her sleepy little lakeside town she imagined her days of chasing hard-hittinAnother day, another body. When Bay Winchester moved back from Detroit to her sleepy little lakeside town she imagined her days of chasing hard-hitting news stories were over. But when the body of the town drunk turns up at a local festival, it seems like the big city has followed her home.
Soon Bay and her cousins, along with their three mothers and crazy old Aunt Tillie (the curse queen) are finding out that their small town has some huge secrets. The Winchester witches are as quirky a bunch as any I’ve encountered, but absolutely loyal to each other. I was also intrigued by Bay’s relationship with hunky FBI agent Landon. Every time they seem close to a relationship, her mad family does something to keep the couple circling.
A good, quick read with lots of laughs and witchy fun....more
A fun romp with a family of witches trying to keep their powers secret in a small Midwest town. The Winchester witches spend most of their time snipinA fun romp with a family of witches trying to keep their powers secret in a small Midwest town. The Winchester witches spend most of their time sniping at each other, but still manage to become involved in the investigation of the murder of two teenagers from a nearby town. Creepy elements of the crimes are catnip to Bay, a reporter for the local newspaper.
The local sheriff suspects the women are more than meets the eye and keeps Bay in the loop, while also cadging meals at the family inn whenever possible. Add the recent arrival of a motorcycle gang to the quiet town and things get interesting.
A fast and easy read, I really enjoyed this quirky mystery....more
The Torrent witches are back with internet reporter Harlow chasing a child ghost to try and identify her murderer. The cast members are the same: two The Torrent witches are back with internet reporter Harlow chasing a child ghost to try and identify her murderer. The cast members are the same: two crazy cousins, three mothers trying to play matchmaker, and Great Aunt Cass blowing things up and wreaking havoc in their small beach community.
I enjoyed the characters and the mystery. Throw in Harlow’s powers as a slip witch, which have the past manifesting randomly around her, and it’s mayhem at its finest.
A quick and witty romp that entertained me start to finish....more
It’s a cozy mystery with a splash of magic, so I expected some easy entertainment without much substance. Instead, I found myself loving Harlow and heIt’s a cozy mystery with a splash of magic, so I expected some easy entertainment without much substance. Instead, I found myself loving Harlow and her dual employment as a news blogger/investigator for wayward ghosts. Oh, and a side of slip witch, whose powers are unpredictable at best.
The Torrent family is made up of women only, all witches, living in a decrepit mansion on a hill. Quirky doesn’t begin to describe this family with two neurotic cousins running a barely sustainable gift shop, three mothers trying to get their daughters matched up and producing grandchildren, and a crusty great-aunt constantly coming up with new schemes to market questionable products on the internet. Oh, and don’t forget grandma, frozen in time and stashed in the basement, and the immortal talking cat.
Things get interesting when the town hosts its annual butter carving competition (who carves butter?). The contestants are flamboyant and, in some cases, dangerous. When Harlow finds one of them tied to a chair and very dead in the butter warehouse, events spin out of control. Harlow and the local sheriff are working against the clock to find the murderer before anyone one else is hurt.
I loved the characters, even the “villains.” A fast paced read, I raced through it in one sitting, then went looking for more. Lucky for me, this is a first in a series that I plan to binge read soon....more
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