Caffeinated Reviewer

We’ve got Sophia Rose on the blog today with a cozy paranormal mystery. Now You See It by Carol J. Perry is the thirteenth novel in the Witch City series. Grab a pumpkin spice coffee and see why this tale is perfect for fall.

Marriage isn’t the only thing new in Lee Barrett’s life when she’s tasked with a hauntingly dangerous assignment in her job as program director for Salem, Massachusetts’s local station, WICH-TV . . .

Just married, Lee and her husband, Detective Sergeant Pete Mondello, are settling into their new home when Lee is dubbed WICH-TV’s new “Historical Documentary Chief Executive.” Her first subject is the brand-newSalem International Museum, slated to be a location for traveling blockbuster exhibits, starting with “Seafaring New England.” From research to collecting artifacts of Salem’s long-ago days as a shipping capital, the project is a challenge—but when the driver of a truckload of antiquities turns up dead under a pile of fall leaves, it’s not quite the kind of challenge Lee expected . . .

Soon, Lee and Pete are dredging up clues along with a hardy crew of helpers, including Lee’s librarian aunt, Ibby, Lee’s best friend and practicing witch, River North—and of course the clairvoyant cat, O’Ryan. But when a ship model in the exhibit’s collection appears to be haunted, Lee will have to dive into her own treasure trove of psychic gifts before a killer comes to the surface to strike again . . .

Sophia Rose’s Review

Autumn in Salem, Mass for a magic-infused murder mystery seemed like a great time to try a new to me author and her paranormal cozy mystery series that has caught my attention in the past.

Now You See It is the thirteenth of the Witch City series and I had little trouble picking up and starting out at this point.  The author gives the backdrop of the characters, setting, and world of the series so I had no trouble getting up to speed.

Autumn in Salem which initially drew me in was a big part of the story so I was not disappointed for the seasonal element.  I had a blast meeting Lee with Pete her new husband just as they were starting out as a married pair shuffling their lives together.  Sometimes there is some extra drama when amateur detective and professional detective share a case, but I loved how Lee helped and shared and Pete respected what she brought to the table.  Lee sees visions and has psychic gifts and he accepts this- it is well into the series by now so I would have been surprised if it was all still unresolved.

But, the fun members of the amateur detecting crew are the cat with magic abilities, O’ Ryan, and Lee’s Aunt Ibby having some witch magic.  Colorful personality, Ibby is like a mother to Lee and raised her.

So besides the fall activities going on, Lee’s work has her documentary for WICH TV (don’t you love it?) set at Salem’s newest museum for a maritime-themed, Sea-Faring Exhibit.  Some of the pieces for the exhibit have disappeared and there is one piece that seems to be haunted and needs them to do something about. I enjoyed that the author took the time to paint in the historical backdrop of Salem in its heyday as big-time port city as noted with the artifacts brought in.  The murder mystery is over the traveling exhibit’s cargo driver’s death.

The mystery took a while to get rolling and the plot focus is not one thread, but on many moving parts so that progress isn’t always happening.  I was into the characters and all the descriptions of their activities and the goings on in Salem so I didn’t mind much.  I really didn’t try to solve it though I did have my suspicions that lighted on the culprit, but not for sure.

All in all, this was a gently-paced and light cozy with some magical elements.  I was in the right mood for it and for the fall setting so it worked well for me.  Magical cats are a huge plus.  Cozy fans are definitely the target audience particularly if they enjoy historical elements and magical artifact mysteries with their murder.

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About Carol J. Perry

Carol J. Perry was born in Salem, Massachusetts, on Halloween eve, and that magical city serves as the backdrop for her Witch City Mystery series. She is also the author of several young adult novels. Her nonfiction articles on travel, antiques, and ecology often appear in regional and national publications.

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About Sophia Rose

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.

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About Kimberly

Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

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