Murder Through an Open Door by Melissa Bourbon

 Murder Through an Open Door

Book Summary

To stop the curse that has plagued her family for centuries, Pippin Lane Hawthorne has enlisted the help of authors Tolkien, Homer, and Dickens. How? Through bibliomancy, a practice by which passages in books speak to her in cryptic code that only she can decipher. When she finds a message from her mother in an old copy of The Secret Garden, she hopes this book might hold the answers she so desperately seeks.

The book leads Pippin to a vital clue, but before she can figure out what it means, she stumbles upon a dead body. Though the authorities deem the death is from natural causes, the books found scattered around the body tell Pippin a different story—the victim was murdered. And the death is connected to her family and the curse. Now, to solve a murder in the present, Pippin must dig deeper into her family’s troubled past, even if it means staring danger in the face.

My Thoughts

Murder Through an Open Door by Melissa Bourbon is the third A Book Magic Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series.  However, I recommend reading the series in order which will allow you to understand the curse, the family history, and get to know the main characters.  I thought Murder Through an Open Door was well-written with developed characters.  We continue to learn more about Pippin, Gray, and their family line as the series progresses.  I find the characters to be likeable and relatable.  I love that Pippin’s gift is bibliomancy.  The books speaks to her and provide clues.  Gray and Pippin are still trying to learn more about the family curse.  They both wish to find their soul mate, but they are not willing to risk it until the curse has been lifted.  The woman dies in childbirth while the man is lost to the sea.  I can tell the author did her research into Celtic lore and mythology.  She manages to strike a balance between not enough and too much with regard to details.  It seems that Pippin and Gray are not the only ones interested in the curse or the supposed treasure.  When a man is found dead in backroom of the bookstore surrounded by books, Pippin knows it is related to her family.  The mystery is complex.  We learn more about the Lane family and Tuatha De Danann.  There are twists and a surprising revelation or two.  Murder Through an Open Door combines murder, mayhem, and magic into one intriguing tale. 

Murder Through an Open Door is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other A Book Magic Mysteries here.  The prequel to A Book Magic Mysteries is The Secret on Rum Runner's Lane.  The other A Book Magic Mysteries are Murder in Devil's Cove and Murder at Sea Captain's Inn (all can be borrowed for free through Kindle Unlimited). The next A Book Magic Mystery is Murder and the Irish Curse which publishes September 6.  Check out Melissa Bourbon's other novels by clicking here.  My favorite series by Melissa Bourbon is A Magical Dressmaking series.   Thank you for joining me today.  Tomorrow I am a stop on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for Front Page Murder by Joyce St. Anthony.  Please stop by to learn more about this new historical mystery and enter the giveaway.  I hope that you have a magical day.  Take care, stay safe, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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

Murder in Devil's Cove by Melissa Bourbon: Review & Giveaway!

 

Murder in Devil's Cove

A Book Magic Mystery

 by Melissa Bourbon

 

About Murder In Devil's Cove

 

Murder in Devil's Cove: (A Book Magic Mystery) 

 

Two best-selling authors, one magical universe.

In the Book Magic Mystery Series, best-selling authors Melissa Bourbon and Wendy Lyn Watson bring you the story of cousins Pippin Lane Hawthorne and Cora Lane. The cousins live on opposite coasts (Pippin in Devil’s Cove, North Carolina, and Cora in Laurel Point, Oregon), but they share the family gift of bibliomancy: the ability to foresee the future and unravel the past with the help of the books we love. Join Pippin and Cora as they use their otherworldly power to solve mysteries in their respective worlds. 

Every book tells two stories—one written on the pages with pen and ink, and one woven into the paper, a story of the soul. The Lane women have the gift of bibliomancy. They can read both.

But Cassie Lane doesn’t see this as a gift. For her, it is a curse because the book magic comes with a price--the Lane women die young and the men are lost to the sea. As soon as she’s able, she leaves Laurel Point, Oregon, running from her past and her fate, ending up in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There she meets Leo Hawthorne and lives a perfect life with him in an old Sea Captain’s house.

Perfect, that is, until an old book foretells the future, and the curse that has plagued the Lane women comes true for Cassie.

Twenty years later, Cassie and Leo's children, twins Pippin and Grey, are back in Devil's Cove. Long forgotten secrets surface and an old crime comes to light. Now Pippin must learn how to be a bibliomancer if she is to discover the truth about her father and continue his effort to stop the curse.

About Melissa Bourbon

Melissa Bourbon is the national bestselling author of nineteen mystery books, including the brand new collaborative Book Magic mysteries, the Lola Cruz Mysteries, A Magical Dressmaking Mystery series, and the Bread Shop Mysteries, written as Winnie Archer. She is a former middle school English teacher who gave up the classroom in order to live in her imagination full time. Melissa, a California native who has lived in Texas and Colorado, now calls the southeast home. She hikes, practices yoga, cooks, and is slowly but surely discovering all the great restaurants in the Carolinas. Since four of her five amazing kids are living their lives, scattered throughout the country, her dogs, Bean, the pug, Dobby, the chug, and Jasper, a cattle dog/lab keep her company while she writes. Melissa lives in North Carolina with her educator husband, Carlos, and their youngest son. She is beyond fortunate to be living the life of her dreams.

Author Links

Author Links Website - https://melissabourbon.com/ 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/melissabourbonbooks/ 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookWarriors 

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MelissaBourbonWinnieArcherBooks 

My Thoughts

Murder in Devil’s Cove by Melissa Bourbon takes us to the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  Pippin and Grey Hawthorne have returned to Devil’s Cove, North Carolina.  They discovered that after their grandmother’s death that they are the owners of the home they lived in as children.  The twins decide to keep the home and begin renovations to turn it into a bed and breakfast.  When they explore their father’s boat, they find a skeleton.  It turns out that their father did not walk away from them twenty years ago.  Pippin wants to know what happened to Leo Hawthorne and begins her own investigation.  Pippin soon discovers that she is special powers.  It turns out that she is a bibliomancer.  She makes new friends who help her with her newfound powers which will allow her to unravel the mystery surrounding her father’s death.  Then a local man is killed, and Pippin is positive it relates to her father’s murder.  Pippin needs to be careful or she could end up the next victim.

Murder in Devil’s Cove by Melissa Bourbon is the debut of A Magic Book Mystery series.  I thought the story was well-written and absorbing.  I liked the characters, especially the elder Mr. McAdams.  The author took the time to establish the main characters and well as the town.  I enjoyed the descriptions of Devil’s Cove and the house the twins inherited. It was fun following Pippin as she explored the town and made friends.  The mysteries were fascinating.  Two murders that occur two decades apart.  The second half of the book had me quickly flipping the pages of my ereader.   The suspense increased as we got closer to the end and the identity of the killer.  I could not wait to see if I had guessed correctly (I love solving whodunits).  The paranormal aspect was interesting.  Pippin discovers her special ability and must figure out how to use it.  Magic and books are a wonderful combination (bibliomancy).  I look forward to learning more about the families magic and the lore.  I thought the author beautifully intertwined magic and mystery.  The one thing I did not enjoy was the foul language.   Murder in Devil’s Cove is an intriguing tale with forbidden books, a departed dad, family folklore, mysterious magic, renovation revelations, and one bewildered bibliomancer.  

Murder in Devil's Cove is available from Amazon*.  It is available through Kindle Unlimited.  You can read the first chapter by clicking here.  The next novel in A Magic Book Mystery series is Death at Cape Misery which publishes on December 1.  Murder at the Sea Captain's Inn is the 3rd installment and it will release July 20, 2021.  As part of the tour, the author is giving away two (2) $10 Amazon Gift Cards!  You can enter by clicking here or use the Rafflecopter form below.  Good Luck!  I appreciate you joining me today.  I will return tomorrow with Turning Home by Janice Kay Johnson.  It is the first A Tompkin's Mill Novel.  I hope you have an enchanting day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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Tour Participants

September 21 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW 

September 22 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE 

September 23 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 24 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT 

September 24 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT 

September 24 – Ruff Drafts – GUEST POST 

September 25 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW 

September 26 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 27 – Author Elena Taylor's Blog – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW 

September 28 – Christy's Cozy Corners – GUEST POST 

September 29 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT 

September 30 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

September 30 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT 

October 1 – I Read What You Write – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE 

October 1 – eBook Addicts – REVIEW 

October 2 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST 

October 3 – Brooke Blogs – REVIEW 

October 4 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT 

October 4 – StoreyBook Reviews – GUEST POST

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