Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers...the place to be when you're in the mood for something new to add to your reading adventures; we'll never leave you hanging.
Today, we're playing host to the final stop along the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours latest romp through the blogosphere, featuring a cozy mystery with a paranormal twist. It's the second book in the Family Fortune Mystery series that works perfectly well as a stand alone, in case you were wondering, and is ready and willing to get you in the Fall Festival mood...just um, avoid the bread. *-* Ready to take a peek inside another potentially great read? Let's! Today's book of choice and blog tour guest is...
by
Dawn Eastman
9780425264478
Berkley Prime Crime Mystery/Penguin
About the book...
Leaving a traumatic police career behind, Clyde Fortune has returned to her seemingly quiet hometown of Crystal Haven, Michigan. In spite of the psychic powers of its residents, there’s no telling what trouble is brewing in this burg…
The highlight of the fall festival in Crystal Haven is a bonfire with a witch’s cauldron resting over it. Clyde’s best friend Diana leads a ritual to divine the future, but it seems no one foresees that one of their own will drop dead—or that Diana will be a prime suspect.
Clyde already has her hands full with her eccentric family, runaway nephew, and burgeoning secret romance with a hunky homicide detective. But after another coven member is attacked, Clyde suspects there’s a witch hunt afoot and focuses her psychic and sleuthing skills to clear her friend’s name and catch a killer.
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First things first, don't you just LOVE the title? That's the one thing consistent with cozy mysteries, the title's are always so catchy, so cute. In this case, it's fitting as well seeing how a good portion of Crystal Haven possess skills of the other worldly sort in some fashion or another. From pet psychics to those that wield and deal in spells and potions, there's something for everyone and every interest level...too bad someone is up to no good. *dun dun dunnn*
The who, what, why, and how are kept pretty tightly under wraps as the story meanders around the facts and fictions running amuck. Add in a surprise visit from Clyde's nephew (and his dog!) and some added tension in the relationship that isn't but really is department and you've got the makings of not only a good story, but an interesting mystery. I loved the characters and their distinct personalities. I loved the setting and season chosen for despite the fact that it's hot as all get out down here, Fall is my favorite time of year and it really added to the good vibes as I read. I enjoyed the parts that the family pets played in the story and how the psychic connection with them played out (that's be AWESOME and totally useful with my dogs). I enjoyed how the author kept you guessing as to exactly who was trying to do them in as well as the magical aspect of the story beyond the writing.
In short, it was a quick weekend read perfect for whiling away a few hours while it kept the entertainment level high. It's not as obvious as a lot of cozy's can be in the who-dun-it area, a fact which I sorely appreciated, but it still lends that welcoming feel that this particular sub-genre creates. So, if you're ready for a magically tinged mystery with some great new fictitious friends waiting to make your acquaintance, pack your bags for Crystal Haven...oh and don't worry about phoning ahead, they already know you're coming.
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About the author....
Dawn Eastman is the national bestselling author of Pall in the Family, the first book in the Family Fortune Mystery Series. She lived in Michigan for many years in a house full of animals, unusual people, and laughter. She now lives in Iowa with her husband, son, daughter, and one extremely bossy small dog.
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Review copy received courtesy of Lori at Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours and the great folks at Penguin. (THANKS!) For more information on this title as well as those promotions forthcoming, be sure to stop by the official site.
Having already read "Be Careful What You Witch For", I can vouch for the fact that every word in this review is true! And yes, while getting lost in this fun read, 'virtually' eat the bread at your own risk.
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting today and for the review! I love the line about how they know you're coming...
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks to Astrid's mom for the shout out!
~Dawn