Someone new is pursuing Helga's affections. Does Jacob have something to worry about? Perhaps, but there's something more sinister to be concerned about. A death has occurred and Helga isn't sure if an evil spirit has taken part or if someone is trying to frame it. How does one frame an evil spirit? Very carefully. And is the death even what it appears to be?
Constance Barker lives in the Midwest with her husband and two Akitas where she can look out from her screened porch onto a wooded area brimming with activity. Since she was a young girl she read mysteries, often given to her by her grandmother. She loved figuring out who the culprit was and sometimes she was right and other times startled at who the author picked as the assailant. Now she enjoys writing mysteries herself. When she isn't writing stories, she can be found in her favorite vacation spot, Las Vegas or shopping for bargains.
Helga was helping another witch by appraising some of her antique steins. She got a bad feeling about one of them and warned Eva Franks not to handle it because of the evil spirit trapped in it. A coven could help get rid of the spirit.
While Helga was talking with Penelope, who told her that Eva had been murdered, a handsome and very fit man, Edgar Paulson, walked into the shop, laying on the charm for the two women. He was a little older than Helga, and she knew he was a warlock. It turned out he was a friend of Hazel’s and she came rushing out to hug him. Then they went into the back of the salon to talk. Penelope warned Helga to keep him away from Jacob because, although Jacob is handsome, Edgar is the “alpha� male. Helga told her she would not be swayed by looks and charm, but she seriously thought he might actually be tempting!
When Edgar later visited her shop, Richardson Antiques, her two ghosts couldn’t keep their hands off him! When she told him about the stein the dead witch had owned, he seemed familiar with it, described it accurately, and was oddly interested. Why would he want this one? Or was it the spirit he was after? When Jacob Brody, Helga’s detective friend, walks in to ask for her to verify the stein fragments at the crime scene to help with his case, Jacob acts very possessive of her, making sure Edgar knows he has a date with Helga that evening! When Jacob and Helga stopped at the police station, she saw a missing persons file and asked about it. Grace Barns was missing � but Helga had a feeling she was dead. Could the evil spirit have killed Eva and then Grace? Jacob hands her the broken pieces of the stein. She feels hatred and a desire to destroy; she sees Eva rub the stein; then she drops it to the floor and it breaks. No murderer or anything to help figure why she was killed there in the living room. So was it really the evil spirit that killed her, or someone else?
This was another intriguing story where we have multiple suspects to choose from. With Edgar coming on the scene and interested in Helga, does this mean Jacob may not be her number one guy anymore? What’s going on with her love life? Grab your copy and see if you can figure out the murderer before Helga and Jacob do!
Helga helped another witch look over her antiques, there was one that gave off bad vibes. Helga realized that it had a evil spirit trapped in it, told the woman Eva not to handle it. Helga receives a call from Jacob about a murder, if she can help him. Jacob tells her it is a woman named Eva. Helga decides to help him, there is not to go one. Helga meets a gentleman that is very charismatic and good looking. She is not sure what she feels about him. He seems to know the murder victim well. Helga agrees to having dinner with him. Helga is not sure if she wants to move forward with any relationship with Jacob. She doesn't want to ruin their friendship if it doesn't work. She puts off his inquires until after the case if closed There are lot of clues, her magic being blocked. Helga learns more about Eva than what she knew. Helga and Jacob have their work cut out for them on this case. Their suspects might not be who did the crime,
This was a great story that will take you away for a while. You will not know who is responsible for the crime until the last chapters in book, you will be given some good suspects. You also have Helga and Jacob and what is going with their feelings. Look the banter of the ghosts, her sister and friend. I am looking to the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. Young witch who is inherited her fathers antique store. She has a unique ability do use magic to tell if an antique is actually authentic or a fake and even discover much of its providence. She also has an extraordinary knack for solving crimes. Which comes in handy as her quazi boyfriend is a police detective in New Orleans where she lives. Along with a couple of ghosts who inhabit her antique store her familiar and protector as well as a few other friends help solve crimes in their city. The detective will not magical does have the ability to see ghosts. Her sister helps out on occasion along with her best friend Penelope who is an eclectic hairdresser. Read on and enjoy the mystery. You will be entertained.
I knew drinking could be bad for you, but this takes it to an entirely new level. Can our heroine figure out this latest mystery while juggling her love life?
This is book six of the series but it works fine as a standalone.
Cozy witch mysteries are something of a weakness for me as I really enjoy the combination of mystery and magic. This one provides another fun and intriguing mystery characteristic of this series. The story is well written, easy to read with a well developed setting and characters. Overall, it makes for a fun weekend read and I continue to look forward more books in this series.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
What a wild ride for Helga and Jacob! Trying to solve a murder together, Jacob working on another murder, a newly arrived male witch who is overly charming to Helga, Jacob's jealousy, nasty crowds, and loyal Andromeda all mixed together made a book that kept me guessing. I loved seeing Helga "date" and Jacob's reaction. The murder solution surprised me, and-oh yea, the evil spirit about gave me nightmares! (Can you have nightmares in the daytime?) It was a fantastic book and a great way to... ...Don't know if you know what I know, so I'll just stop here! Read it! You'll be glad you did. I loved it!
When fellow witch Eva brings a bunch of antique steins to Helga’s antique shop for appraisal, Helga senses an evil spirit trapped in one. Eva being murdered has Helga thinking the evil spirit is loose. Add in Edgar, another witch into antiques who tries to romance Helga and Dale (Eva’s husband) who isn’t acting himself, Jacob and Helga Work together to solve The mystery. A great series and this book was so enjoyable to read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Two murdered women. One missing woman and a witch murdered. And Helge just saw the murdered witch earlier that same morning and authenticated several steins along with one that had an evil spirit trapped inside. Did the spirit kill Eva and is it loose in the city? Did it also kill the missing woman Grace, or did the smooth talking Edgar who wants something but isn’t being honest about why he’s in town? I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
After talking with Helga, Eva Franks is murdered. Jacob asks for Helga’s help, since she is familiar with the antique steins that are involved. The case is complicated by an implication of a curse on them. I enjoyed the twists in this investigation and especially liked the honesty developed between Helga and Jacob, allowing their survival.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Once again I found myself laughing out loud at a Constance Barker book. This characters are definitely interesting and the storyline is so well written that it makes it a real pleasure to read this book.There's really nothing better than a funny, witchy cozy! I definitely recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Helga is out to solve another mystery. Helga's use of her magic, family, friends, and ghosts all seem to always work out for her. What a way to use your resources! This mystery had me second guessing what I read, but in the end it all came together. Pay close attention to the breadcrumbs.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is another fun witchy cozy mystery for this series! I liked it... It made me laugh. It is mysterious (which is always good for a mystery) in a way that makes you not want to miss a moment!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Good cozy mystery. The characters are well written and the storyline has a nice blend of mystery with a murder to solve and emotions as Jacob deals with someone else paying a bit too much attention to Helga.
What an intriguing, convoluted mystery! Eva was quite the piece of work and Edgar was, well, Edgar. Actually he was slimy. This would have stumped even Hercule Poirot, there were so many twists and turns no normal person could figure it out! I loved it. I have loved every book in this series.
Wow, just, wow! I did not see the direction this ended up going! Lots of misdirection and hidden clues. It was so good! I like how things are progressing with Helga and Jacob too.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
However, when she heard that Eva was found dead the day after Helga had seen her in her shop, it was still a shock. Eva had asked Helga for her advice on some steins, one of which appeared to house an evil spirit when Helga touched it. Could that be Eva's murderer?
I always enjoy Barker's books and this is no exception. I like Helga and Andromeda her familiar is awesome. He doesn't say much but is always there when she needs him, he certainly has her back. And so has Jacob, her childhood bestie. But we would all like to see him become a little bit more than friends!!
I absolutely love her books. I have read quite a few and found the characters in each are really great. They are well written and have lots of suspense. Real page turners!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.