A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison

 A Hex for Danger

Book Summary

The annual Mermaid Festival is the setting for Esme Addison's sunny-yet-sinister second Enchanted Bay mystery, perfect for fans of Heather Blake and Bailey Cates.

The small town of Bellamy Bay has its share of skeletons in its closet, but it isn't used to bodies turning up in the local history museum. After all, this coastal North Carolina town is much like any other...except, of course, for the mermaids.

Helping to run the family business, an herbal apothecary while keeping her supernatural secret hidden is no easy feat for water witch Aleksandra Daniels. But somehow she's still found time to help her friend Celeste, who has her own Caribbean mermaid heritage plan the annual Mermaid Festival. As fun-seekers throng the beaches, Alex gets to know and is intrigued by renowned artist Neve Ryland, who's in town to decorate the local park with a mermaid-themed mural. Celeste, however, is less enamored with the artist, as Neve has been spending entirely too much one-on-one time with her boyfriend Jasper, director of Bellamy Bay's history museum. Then, a reception for Neve ends abruptly when the artist is found dead in his office.

The police investigation nets Celeste who asks Alex to find the true culprit. With the help of her magically-inclined aunt and cousins, Alex dives in to clear her friends name. But there was more to Neve Ryland than met the eye...and Alex fears she may be in way too deep. Will she catch the crook or be next on the hook? 

My Thoughts

Summer has arrived in Bellamy Bay, North Carolina which means it is time for the annual Mermaid Festival.  Alex Daniels has settled into town and at her job at Botanika.  She is learning to use her gifts and loves spending time with her family.  Alex is a member of the festival committee and is creating a special candle for the festival.  They are having Neve Ryland create a mermaid mural which will be unveiled at the beginning of the festival.  Neve has been spending time with Celeste’s beau, Jasper working on the museum exhibits.  It has Celeste feeling insecure and shooting daggers at the beautiful artist.  When Neve ends up dead, Celeste is at the top of the suspect list.  Alex has no intention of letting her friend take the fall for the crime.  Alex sets out find the guilty party with help from her aunt and cousins.  

A Hex for Danger by Esme Addison is the 2^nd book in An Enchanted Bay Mystery series.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series, but you will be missing out if you do not read A Spell for Trouble.  A Hex for Danger is complex and beguiling paranormal cozy mystery.  There are some great characters in this story that include Alex, Lidia, Minka, Kamila, Celeste, and Athena.  Alex is settling into her new life and feels like she belongs in the charming small town.  She enjoys spending time with her family and her boyfriend, Jack Frazier (the local police detective).  The mystery is multifaceted, well-plotted, and intriguing.  There are several good suspects in this whodunit.  I had a good time solving the crime before the tension filled reveal.  I like how the mystery ties back to ancient mythology and the Mermaid of Warsaw.  I can tell the author did her research for this story.  I did feel that A Hex for Danger is a slow starter as we are reintroduced to Alex, her family, the town, and their magical abilities.  The pacing increases as you get further into the story.  I thought the story was well-written with developed characters.  I enjoy visiting Bellamy Bay with its unique residents.  I like how the paranormal aspects are woven into the story.  It is hard to resist a cozy mystery with magical mermaid descendants.  I love the authors vivid descriptions which brings the story to life.  We get to learn more about Alex’s maternal history which is fascinating.  I am looking forward to the next tale in An Enchanted Bay Mystery series.  A Hex for Danger is a spirited tale with mermaids, magic, mayhem, and murder.  

A Hex for Danger is available on Amazon* as well as other major retailers.  The first novel in An Enchanted Bay Mystery series is A Spell for Trouble.  You can follow Esme Addison on Amazon to get email updates on her latest releases.  Thank you for stopping by today.  I will return on Monday, July 19 with The Words We Whisper by Mary Ellen Taylor.  I hope that everyone has a safe and relaxing weekend.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison

A Spell For Trouble

Book Summary

A Spell for Trouble by Esme Addison has Alex Daniels returning to Bellamy Bay, North Carolina for the first time since her mother passed away about twenty years ago.  Alex is happy to be reacquainted with her Aunt Lidia and her cousins.  She begins working in Botanika, the family apothecary, learning to make candles, teas, salves, and soaps.  When Randy Bennett ends up dead after an altercation with Aunt Lidia, Detective Jack Frazier arrests Lidia for murder.  Alex is determined to find who framed her aunt.  While Alex digs for helpful intel, the local reporter begins printing salacious tales stating Alex’s family is descended from mermaids and have special abilities.  Alex’s digging uncovers long buried secrets that people do not want exposed.  Could one of them have gotten Randy Bennett killed?

My Thoughts

A Spell For Trouble by Esme Addison is the debut of An Enchanted Bay Mystery series.  I enjoyed reading this paranormal cozy mystery.  I thought A Spell For Trouble was well-written with developed characters.  The author took the time to set the stage as I call it.  We are introduced to the characters and the town.  I enjoyed the vivid descriptions of Bellamy Bay.  Alex Daniels is a complex woman.  She is a little lost when she arrives in town, but Alex soon becomes a strong protagonist.  She is a woman that readers will like and will cheer her on.  I like that she is proactive in investigating.  I enjoyed getting to know Alex and her smart, intuitive canine, Athena.  Alex has a kind aunt and friendly cousins.  I thought the secondary characters were developed and they round out the cast nicely.  They definitely enhanced the story.  The mystery was entertaining. I love a complex whodunit that is full of twists and surprises.  This was a fun one to solve.  There are several themes woven into A Spell For Trouble that include a magical ancestry, family rivalries, a murder, secrets, innuendo, and the importance of family.  The magical components are compelling and nicely incorporated into the story.  A Spell For Trouble is a great start to this enchanting series.   I am eager to read A Hex for Danger.  A Spell for Trouble is a magical tale with an instinctive canine, kind cousins, a messy murder, a fervent reporter, a bitter brew, and helpful healers.  

A Spell for Trouble is available from Amazon*.  The ebook is currently $1.99 on Amazon (price can change at any moment).  The second book in An Enchanted Bay Mystery series is A Hex for Danger which I am featuring tomorrow.  I appreciate you joining me today and reading my review.  I am off to finish preparation for my mother's birthday celebration.  She is seventy-seven today.  I am hoping the special gift I got her arrives in time (if not, I printed off a picture and put it in a pretty envelope).  I ordered early, but it is a custom item.  It is a good thing that I made it a birthday week (a gift each day).  I even have a birthday cake inflatable for the yard.  I want her to have a special day.  I hope that you have a tranquil day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.