Midnight Spells Murder
The Blurb
To celebrate Halloween at the Happy Camper, Zo schedules a talk by successful author and self-proclaimed witch Marianne Morgan. Although Marianne’s benign brand of witchcraft is more about feminine empowerment than black magic, her presence is still not welcomed by everyone. Then on a midnight stroll home, Zo spots what seems to be a new Halloween decoration propped up outside the Happy Camper. What she finds is not a mannequin but a dead Marianne, her lifeless body dressed in traditional witch’s garb. But why would someone send this good witch back to the spirit world permanently?
Soon Zo realizes that plenty of folks have motives for murdering Marianne. What’s worse, nosy TV newsman Justin Castle plans to broadcast a report associating Marianne’s murder with the Happy Camper. Zo calls on her partner in sleuthing, local forest ranger Max Harrington, to help her find the culprit before Justin’s report airs. Otherwise, Zo’s business just might go bust. But to catch this killer, Zo will have to risk much more than just her reputation.
The Details
Series: A Happy Camper Mystery – Book #2
Author: Mary Angela
Genre/Category: Cozy – Business/Pets
Publisher: Lyrical Press
ISBN: 1516110730
Page Count: 206
Rating: 
The Review
Midnight Spells Murder is the second book in the “A Happy Camper Mystery” series and is as good, if not better, than the first book. The Happy Camper shop is bustling, and Halloween is in full swing; Zo is busier than ever and thrilled with everything. When an author agrees to do a talk and book signing at her store, she can’t wait. But when that same author turns up dead among the pumpkins and decorations in front of the store, she soon comes to regret ever having heard of author and witch Marianne Morgan.
The characters in this series are growing in leaps and bounds. Zo and Max are headed towards a great relationship, and the other cast members keep adding humor, intrigue, and more than a little mystery. The location of the town and the businesses are well described and sound like places readers would want to spend more than a few minutes exploring. Adding in Halloween, a witch, The Happy Camper store, and a festival makes this story absorbing and fun. And let’s face it, with the current hot weather most of us are experiencing this summer, this book adds anticipation for the fall season coming, cooler days, sweaters, pumpkin spice everything, and holidays.
There are plenty of suspects, antagonists, great clues, and red herrings, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing who the killer is. Readers will have fun trying to figure out the who-done-it right up to the end. The Halloween and witch aspects add fall spice to this story. The Happy Camper shop is in danger of some horrible publicity from a conniving journalist and will have readers up in arms. Midnight Spells Murder is a wonderful read, with multiple relationship intrigue and a mystery that will thrill readers.
The Author
Mary is a mother, writer, teacher, and lover of books—literary and otherwise. She first experienced genre confusion when one of her professors asked what type of writing interested her, and she answered “historical romance.” Although she hasn’t pursued romance writing, she has followed her dream of writing traditional mysteries set in South Dakota.
When Mary isn’t penning heartwarming whodunits, she’s teaching, reading, traveling, or spending time with her family. She lives in South Dakota with her husband, daughters, and spoiled pets. Mary and her family love to travel together, read together, and eat pizza together. And when it comes to watching movies, they can always agree on their favorite characters: Scooby-Doo and the Mystery Gang!
Mary loves hearing from readers, students, and just about anyone else who might want to talk about books, writing, or South Dakota’s weather. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and The Authors Guild.
Readers will want to read the first book in this series, Open For Murder to catch up on the characters and Zo’s backstory.
Represented by: BookEnds Literary Agency
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