Semester of our Discontent, Witches of Mystic Springs

How's your summer going? I just got back, earlier this week, from a trip to Destin Florida. Met family there. We had a great time eating, laying on the beach, eating, shopping and eating. lol Quite relaxing. Ate lots of seafood. I had a lobster roll for the first time. After reading a Lobster Shack Mystery, that was top on my list. I enjoyed all of the seafood.

I did read a couple of books; one on the trip there and one on the way back. They are both cozies. 

First I read Summer of our Discontent by Cynthia Kuhn for the House of Clues FB book club. I had actually acquired the book awhile ago so when it came up as the book of the month, I was happy for the prompt to read it. 

Summer of our Discontent is the Lila Maclean Academic Mystery #1.

"English professor Lila Maclean is thrilled about her new job at prestigious Stonedale University until she finds one of her colleagues dead. She soon learns that everyone, from the chancellor to the detective working the case, believes Lila—or someone she is protecting—may be responsible for the horrific event, so she assigns herself the task of identifying the killer.

More attacks on professors follow, the only connection a curious symbol found at each of the crime scenes. Putting her scholarly skills to the test, Lila gathers evidence, but her search is complicated by an unexpected nemesis, a suspicious investigator, and an ominous secret society. Rather than earning an “A” for effort, she receives a threat featuring the mysterious emblem and must act quickly to avoid failing her assignment…and becoming the next victim."

Talk about a bad first day on the job. I liked it. Since Lila found her boss murdered, all eyes are on her. But nobody liked Roland, so there are lots of viable suspects. The suspense builds and escalates toward the end when Lila uncovers a possible secret society. That does not go over too big.

There are three more books in the series. I have the second one also and plan on reading it.

https://cynthiakuhn.net/

Witches of Mystic Springs by Mona Marple is book five in the Mystic Springs Paranormal Cozy Mystery series. 

"Welcome to St Winifred's, a magic school with an unpopular headmaster who won't survive the night. 

With a storm raging over the choppy waters, and the Magick Squad too worried about Health & Safety to come out and investigate, it's down to the guest of honour to investigate the murder.

Violet Warren has no idea that the evening is a celebration of her achievements. Not that it matters, since a dead body takes centre stage before she's given her award.

She and Ellie Bean form an unlikely amateur sleuth duo, with three clues to help them solve the case... or not.

One of their fellow guests is a murderer, and it's down to them to find out who in this closed room cozy mystery.

The Witches of Mystic Springs is book five in the Mystic Springs paranormal cozy mystery series. These titles can be read in any order and this book especially is an ideal place to start the series. Mystic Springs books are clean, fun and safe from swearing, sexual scenes, and violence. Play detective alongside the characters and see if you can work out whodunnit."

As the description says, this is a closed room mystery, but with a magical twist. There are rumors that the school is being turned into an Academy under other ownership. The characters all have their own "gifts". Someone is murdered and Ellie and Violet decide they will cover the investigation. The school is on an island. There is a storm. No one can leave. We go through their questioning of everyone in attendance. Everyone is a suspect. There are several people that have appear to have a motive. The ladies use their magic sometimes to assist with their solving of the mystery. While there is the paranormal twist, it is not the focus of the story. The main characters have successful businesses, are self sufficient, independent women. The attendees at the reunion are quirky and there are some funny moments. 

You might think you have heard some of this before, but it is different. This is a short book, perfect for a trip.

Mona also writes The Waterfall Tweed series. 

I received an advanced reader copy and voluntarily provided this review.

https://monamarple.com/

Our Mystery Book Club meets next week and I should have that list of Award Winning Books that the members read. We are also reading Need to Know by Karen Cleveland. I will tell you about that also.