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Back Room Bookstore #1
Books and Brews
An ordinary murder leads to a perfectly magical mystery.
Monica Montoya is the new owner of the Back Room Bookstore, an ordinary bookstore with a back door to the supernatural realm. When a man is killed at a party, her plan to live a normal life is turned upside down. With the help of a little magic, she seeks to bring the killer to justice. Can Monica keep her secret and protect her friends, both mortal and supernatural?
Monica Montoya is the new owner of the Back Room Bookstore, an ordinary bookstore with a back door to the supernatural realm. When a man is killed at a party, her plan to live a normal life is turned upside down. With the help of a little magic, she seeks to bring the killer to justice. Can Monica keep her secret and protect her friends, both mortal and supernatural?
111 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
April 16, 2019
Monica Montoya had taken over the Back Room Bookstore from her aunt who’d retired. The town of Bankstown was new to Monica � in fact, living with mortals was new to Monica. When the local cop, Brian, arrived for his daily coffee, he was surprised to see a new person in the bookshop. But it was when a body was found submerged in a nearby river that made Monica realise she had to help Brian in his investigation.
Books and Brews is the 1st in the Back Room Bookstore series by Susan Harper and it was light, fun and easy to read. The investigation was a bit of a farce; Abigail, Monica’s familiar was cute but grumpy, and Mona, Monica’s twin sister was a delight. All in all, an entertaining read with some light magic but not much depth. I’ll check out the 2nd in the series soon. Recommended.
Books and Brews is the 1st in the Back Room Bookstore series by Susan Harper and it was light, fun and easy to read. The investigation was a bit of a farce; Abigail, Monica’s familiar was cute but grumpy, and Mona, Monica’s twin sister was a delight. All in all, an entertaining read with some light magic but not much depth. I’ll check out the 2nd in the series soon. Recommended.
December 12, 2018
“Books and Brews� by Susan Harper, is a delightful, fun read. In spite of her blundering spells, a not so magical witch helps a small town detective solve a murder.
This book was so enjoyable, that I plan on reading the sequel, “The Guilty Party�.
Kick your shoes off, grab a glass of wine, sit back and have a relaxing evening while reading “Books and Brews�.
This book was so enjoyable, that I plan on reading the sequel, “The Guilty Party�.
Kick your shoes off, grab a glass of wine, sit back and have a relaxing evening while reading “Books and Brews�.
November 12, 2018
Monica is new in town, taking over the running of her Aunt's bookstore. It is her first time living in the mortal realm and she has to adjust to being in a world where she has to keep her magic (though she doesn't have a lot of it) hidden from those around her. Soon after she arrives, she meets and befriends Brian, a local cop trying to climb the ladder. A man is murdered and she tags along helping Brian with his investigation (with a bit of well-meant but not so well controlled spells).
A light fluffy book. Fun characters (including Abigail her not-regular familiar and her identical except for the hair twin). Very light on the mystery though decent and the arrest/evidence also a bit light but that is what the confession is for.
A light fluffy book. Fun characters (including Abigail her not-regular familiar and her identical except for the hair twin). Very light on the mystery though decent and the arrest/evidence also a bit light but that is what the confession is for.
August 1, 2019
My own code is 3 and I won’t read this author again, but understand that others may enjoy it. This was a bit too juvenile and simplistic for me.
March 14, 2019
Loved this book
What an awesome new cozy series I started. This book was quite sure but full of a lot witchy things going on. I had to crack up these two witches they are something else. Enjoy 😉
What an awesome new cozy series I started. This book was quite sure but full of a lot witchy things going on. I had to crack up these two witches they are something else. Enjoy 😉
November 30, 2018
I purchased this book in Kindle format from Amazon. After reading two biographies, I thought it was time for some light reading. Since I try to read the books from Amazon that I actually pay for first, and this one was at the top of my Kindle reader, I started reading it. At first, there seemed to be something off with the writing, but the author got better as the book went on. The characters were fairly well written and fleshed out and Abigail, the cat familiar, added the snark that actually made the book very entertaining. I'd be very interested in a series going back three hundred years to find out how and why Abigail was punished to be a familiar for five hundred years.
I wasn't sure about the back door being on the border between the magic world and the human world cause I could see some type of trouble beginning...but that takes place in the second book. :)
If you like cozy mysteries with witches and magic, then you will like or love this book/series. I enjoyed it so much that as soon as I finished this one, I bought the next one and began reading it immediately.
I wasn't sure about the back door being on the border between the magic world and the human world cause I could see some type of trouble beginning...but that takes place in the second book. :)
If you like cozy mysteries with witches and magic, then you will like or love this book/series. I enjoyed it so much that as soon as I finished this one, I bought the next one and began reading it immediately.
October 11, 2019
Cosy Mystery Meets The Supernatural In This Sweet Book. Set In A Bookshop Which Are Always My Favourite Places To Read About. Can’t Wait To Read The Second Instalment
October 22, 2018
Not sure why I didn't love this
This had a great plot, wonderful lively characters but after reading it I just don't think it merged together. It just seemed to miss "great" and fell in the "okay" pile. Maybe it needed some humour to make it all gel.
She and her twin sister have taken over her aunt's bookstores. One in the magical realm and her's in the human world. After all her magic is great and she is quite close to being human. She finds the whole things enchanting, confusing and strange. As she has never lived in the human town. However her interest is caught up by the police officer that she meets on her first day. When he asks her out, she quickly agrees only to have the date curtailed by a death. Was it an accident or murder? Can she do anything to aid the hunt for the truth?
This had a great plot, wonderful lively characters but after reading it I just don't think it merged together. It just seemed to miss "great" and fell in the "okay" pile. Maybe it needed some humour to make it all gel.
She and her twin sister have taken over her aunt's bookstores. One in the magical realm and her's in the human world. After all her magic is great and she is quite close to being human. She finds the whole things enchanting, confusing and strange. As she has never lived in the human town. However her interest is caught up by the police officer that she meets on her first day. When he asks her out, she quickly agrees only to have the date curtailed by a death. Was it an accident or murder? Can she do anything to aid the hunt for the truth?
November 8, 2022
Monica and Mona are witches who take over their aunt's bookstore when she decides to retire. Mona gets the paranormal side and Monica gets the mortal side. Monica doesn't have a lot of witchy ability so she uses potions instead. When a man is found dead at a town festival, she helps the handsome detective investigate while trying to keep her secret.
September 23, 2020
Not a fan of this book and most especially not a fan of Monica the MC. She is hyper excited about everything! Every other sentence that should just be part of a normal conversation ends with an exclamation point! It’s like she’s yelling! All the time!!! Plus she bounces and giggles... a LOT. Seriously it’s like she’s a hyperactive 6 year old that ate all the Halloween candy in 10 minutes. She is annoying, especially since she knows nothing of the mortal world; more on that in a bit.
So the premise of this debacle is that she’s a witch but not a “natural witch� meaning she wasn’t born with her abilities but had to study hard to learn her craft. Ok, sounds like a good start but... she constantly compares herself to her identical twin (with different colored hair, eyes and skin tone. Identical? Nope, that’s fraternal twins dear author) Mona who is a natural witch and supposedly good at everything. But she’s not complaining! Which she points out each time she does in fact complain. Sigh...
So her Aunt has a bookshop with sides in mortal world and witchy world and retires. Monica takes over the mortal side since she interested in them. She knows absolutely NOTHING about mortals, their customs, their phrases, their food, etc. Because of this she makes ridiculous mistakes and blunders. I think it’s meant to be cute, but it’s just plain dumb. Aspirin is pronounced “asporyun� for example. Why? It makes her seem even more childish. And why would the Aunt leave a completely unprepared person in charge of her store? Witches and paranormal beings are supposed to be kept a secret yet they let this dunderhead loose to bounce and giggle and exclaim nonsense excitedly and repeatedly almost give herself away. It’s ridiculous. And I will point out again Monica talks often (too often!) throughout the book about how hard she studies to get her potions right. Okay, so why wouldn’t she have studied mortals and their ways before taking over the bookstore??? She hadn’t even read one mortal book before she stepped into the store and STILL hadn’t by the time the story ended.
Then there’s Officer Brian who she instantly has a crush on. SMH. Here’s another joke of a character. Dude is completely useless! And he decides to have Monica tag along to help with the murder investigation. She rides along in the patrol car, she goes inside suspects apartments, she sits in on interrogations. What? Does the author (or those who liked this book) even know how police work is done? She not hired as a consultant, it’s just “Oh gee would you like to help me solve a crime? It could be fun.� There are a billion cop shows on TV, watch one to get the gist of it. Gah! And Officer Brian is a patrolman yet has a corner office. That’s a puzzler.
This wasn’t a fun, paranormal light read for me. I expected more given the positive reviews and was sadly disappointed. Worse still I got this as part of a 12 book box set and I’m positive the next 11 in this series are going to be the same nonsense so I’m going to pass on reading any of them.
I wanted a fun and magical story. What I got was childish and annoying. And loaded with needless exclamation points!!!
So the premise of this debacle is that she’s a witch but not a “natural witch� meaning she wasn’t born with her abilities but had to study hard to learn her craft. Ok, sounds like a good start but... she constantly compares herself to her identical twin (with different colored hair, eyes and skin tone. Identical? Nope, that’s fraternal twins dear author) Mona who is a natural witch and supposedly good at everything. But she’s not complaining! Which she points out each time she does in fact complain. Sigh...
So her Aunt has a bookshop with sides in mortal world and witchy world and retires. Monica takes over the mortal side since she interested in them. She knows absolutely NOTHING about mortals, their customs, their phrases, their food, etc. Because of this she makes ridiculous mistakes and blunders. I think it’s meant to be cute, but it’s just plain dumb. Aspirin is pronounced “asporyun� for example. Why? It makes her seem even more childish. And why would the Aunt leave a completely unprepared person in charge of her store? Witches and paranormal beings are supposed to be kept a secret yet they let this dunderhead loose to bounce and giggle and exclaim nonsense excitedly and repeatedly almost give herself away. It’s ridiculous. And I will point out again Monica talks often (too often!) throughout the book about how hard she studies to get her potions right. Okay, so why wouldn’t she have studied mortals and their ways before taking over the bookstore??? She hadn’t even read one mortal book before she stepped into the store and STILL hadn’t by the time the story ended.
Then there’s Officer Brian who she instantly has a crush on. SMH. Here’s another joke of a character. Dude is completely useless! And he decides to have Monica tag along to help with the murder investigation. She rides along in the patrol car, she goes inside suspects apartments, she sits in on interrogations. What? Does the author (or those who liked this book) even know how police work is done? She not hired as a consultant, it’s just “Oh gee would you like to help me solve a crime? It could be fun.� There are a billion cop shows on TV, watch one to get the gist of it. Gah! And Officer Brian is a patrolman yet has a corner office. That’s a puzzler.
This wasn’t a fun, paranormal light read for me. I expected more given the positive reviews and was sadly disappointed. Worse still I got this as part of a 12 book box set and I’m positive the next 11 in this series are going to be the same nonsense so I’m going to pass on reading any of them.
I wanted a fun and magical story. What I got was childish and annoying. And loaded with needless exclamation points!!!
October 22, 2018
Actually 3.5 stars, instead of 3.
Books And Brews - The cute cover caught my eye, even though I like this author, having read several of her books already. This well written quick read is full of naivety, humor and interesting characters. Monica and Abigail have a rocky relationship but there are reasons. The bookstore is actually two, human and magical. A good introductory story about the sisters and their magic, which is well done.
There's a developing friendship between the witch and the simpleton policeman, which may blossom into a romance. The murder part of the story is rather silly, Monica is investigating alongside Brian? The murderer is easy to figure out early in the investigation. This part of the book didn't work too well and I was disappointed with the farce of an investigation. I contacted Fairfield to do reviews. 3.5*
The Flight Risk Cozy Mystery Series is a funny, entertaining series with a couple of interesting main characters: Pauline and Kendell. Pauline is a feisty, older woman from Georgia, USA, and her sidekick is a confident, young woman from NY. Add a pocket pup that barks at the wrong times and you get entertaining stories to read on their journey around the globe. P.S.: Pauline isn't senile, she's quaint and smart. 4 stars
Murder at Macbeth #1 - Funny, entertaining. I had stopped reading Ms. Harper for a few months and wanted to try this series. I enjoyed this book, the storyline and certainly the characters: Pauline and Kendell. There's a little bit of everything in this story, including a nod to Jackie Chan. While the morgue scene was a bit unrealistic, it still worked, and the rest of the story is entertaining. The Bobbies take a bit of beating with their lack of investigating. 4 stars
A Killing in Kenya #2 - The story picks up on the plane ride from London to Kenya. This story is funnier and has more adventures than Murder at Macbeth. Added to the mix is flight attendant friend Liv and many fun animals. Well written with interesting dialog and an intriguing plot, along with plenty of humor and adventure. It was interesting to read about game reserves and legal hunting of endangered animals; whether this is true or not, it makes sense. Entertaining and quick to read. My favorite of the first four in the series. The next stop: Hawaii. 4 stars
Books And Brews - The cute cover caught my eye, even though I like this author, having read several of her books already. This well written quick read is full of naivety, humor and interesting characters. Monica and Abigail have a rocky relationship but there are reasons. The bookstore is actually two, human and magical. A good introductory story about the sisters and their magic, which is well done.
There's a developing friendship between the witch and the simpleton policeman, which may blossom into a romance. The murder part of the story is rather silly, Monica is investigating alongside Brian? The murderer is easy to figure out early in the investigation. This part of the book didn't work too well and I was disappointed with the farce of an investigation. I contacted Fairfield to do reviews. 3.5*
The Flight Risk Cozy Mystery Series is a funny, entertaining series with a couple of interesting main characters: Pauline and Kendell. Pauline is a feisty, older woman from Georgia, USA, and her sidekick is a confident, young woman from NY. Add a pocket pup that barks at the wrong times and you get entertaining stories to read on their journey around the globe. P.S.: Pauline isn't senile, she's quaint and smart. 4 stars
Murder at Macbeth #1 - Funny, entertaining. I had stopped reading Ms. Harper for a few months and wanted to try this series. I enjoyed this book, the storyline and certainly the characters: Pauline and Kendell. There's a little bit of everything in this story, including a nod to Jackie Chan. While the morgue scene was a bit unrealistic, it still worked, and the rest of the story is entertaining. The Bobbies take a bit of beating with their lack of investigating. 4 stars
A Killing in Kenya #2 - The story picks up on the plane ride from London to Kenya. This story is funnier and has more adventures than Murder at Macbeth. Added to the mix is flight attendant friend Liv and many fun animals. Well written with interesting dialog and an intriguing plot, along with plenty of humor and adventure. It was interesting to read about game reserves and legal hunting of endangered animals; whether this is true or not, it makes sense. Entertaining and quick to read. My favorite of the first four in the series. The next stop: Hawaii. 4 stars
March 24, 2021
Since I tend to write long reviews there is a short version and a long version, the long version may include spoilers and is hidden under a spoiler tag.
Short Version: The story was juvenile, the writing simplistic. I suspect that the target audience is very young. I found the characters to be immature and underdeveloped. I think a pre-teen might enjoy this book more than I did. The writing has potential and I suspect I may like a different book by this author that is geared towards a more mature audience.
2-star rating because it's a very short story and I finished it.
Long Version:
Short Version: The story was juvenile, the writing simplistic. I suspect that the target audience is very young. I found the characters to be immature and underdeveloped. I think a pre-teen might enjoy this book more than I did. The writing has potential and I suspect I may like a different book by this author that is geared towards a more mature audience.
2-star rating because it's a very short story and I finished it.
Long Version:
October 11, 2020
This is the first installment in the author's "Back Room Bookstore" mystery series, featuring unnatural witch, Monica Montoya.
When Monica's Aunt Wilma retires from running Back Room Books, she entrusts it to her twin nieces, Monica and Mona. Monica agrees to manage the mortal side, while Mona takes over the magical side. The two halves of the store are connected by a portal in the back room. For Monica, the choice was easy. She has no magic of her own, and everything she's accomplished as a witch, she had to study and learn. Plus, she's always wanted to visit the mortal realm.
Things are going well for Monica. She opens the store, makes new friends, and meets Officer Brian, who asks her to accompany him to a local festival. There, a man is found dead in the creek, and the police soon determine foul play was involved. Monica had met the man shortly before he died, and Officer Brian asks her to go with him to search Darren's apartment for clues. It's not until Monica returns to the scene of the crime by herself and casts a spell to replay the action, that she finds an important clue. But, just when she and Officer Brian think they have the mystery solved, they find themselves back at square one.
You may have noticed I keep mentioning 'Officer Brian'. It's because that's how the author referred to him throughout the narrative. Le sigh. As if that wasn't bad enough, the fact that Officer Brian invited Monica along on his investigation is one massive eye roll. As if! Note to author: No police officer is ever going to invite a civilian to tag along and/or help with a murder investigation. Guh. That being said, the plot was good. I liked Monica's character; I didn't get a real sense of anyone else, but I presume that will be rectified in future installments. I liked Monica's snarky familiar--a black cat named Abigail.
Meh. This deserves a 2.5 rating. I'll be generous and give it 3.
When Monica's Aunt Wilma retires from running Back Room Books, she entrusts it to her twin nieces, Monica and Mona. Monica agrees to manage the mortal side, while Mona takes over the magical side. The two halves of the store are connected by a portal in the back room. For Monica, the choice was easy. She has no magic of her own, and everything she's accomplished as a witch, she had to study and learn. Plus, she's always wanted to visit the mortal realm.
Things are going well for Monica. She opens the store, makes new friends, and meets Officer Brian, who asks her to accompany him to a local festival. There, a man is found dead in the creek, and the police soon determine foul play was involved. Monica had met the man shortly before he died, and Officer Brian asks her to go with him to search Darren's apartment for clues. It's not until Monica returns to the scene of the crime by herself and casts a spell to replay the action, that she finds an important clue. But, just when she and Officer Brian think they have the mystery solved, they find themselves back at square one.
You may have noticed I keep mentioning 'Officer Brian'. It's because that's how the author referred to him throughout the narrative. Le sigh. As if that wasn't bad enough, the fact that Officer Brian invited Monica along on his investigation is one massive eye roll. As if! Note to author: No police officer is ever going to invite a civilian to tag along and/or help with a murder investigation. Guh. That being said, the plot was good. I liked Monica's character; I didn't get a real sense of anyone else, but I presume that will be rectified in future installments. I liked Monica's snarky familiar--a black cat named Abigail.
Meh. This deserves a 2.5 rating. I'll be generous and give it 3.
October 23, 2018
Monica and Mona are twin witches. Mona has the greater magical powers and Monica is the queen of potions and has to study in order to cast spells. They each inherited a bookstore from their aunt. This bookstore is very unusual in that it is in two sections. Mona runs the magical side where books can reshelve themselves and things are VERY magical, while Monica runs the non-magical side with a portal between the two so they can go back and forth if they want to see each other. Monica wanted to live and experience the mortal world so she was thrilled when she was left her aunt's cottage and the bookstore in the mortal world. This first book of the series is a quick, fun read. There is humor throughout as Monica tries to adapt to the mortal world and her familiar, Abigail who Monica calls Abs is more worldly than Monica. Since Monica is considered not an ordinary witch, and had to learn spells, her familiar Abigail, is very snarky and sarcastic when dealing with Monica and doesn't react to Monica as a regular familiar should. And then there is the police officer, Brian who seems to have taken a real liking to Monica right off the bat. When a murder occurs, Monica helps Brian with trying to solve the murder and what laugh out loud fun that becomes! She is so naive that you have a real comedy of errors when trying to solve the murder. I received and ARC but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
December 21, 2018
The book is a 'cozy mystery.' I had to look to Wikipedia to learn just what was meant by that. The definition goes this way:
Cozy mysteries, also referred to as "cozies", are a sub genre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community.
One cozy series I've been reading involves a woman running a yarn store where vampires meet to knit. Another series involves a woman who works for a small newspaper and has a rather dysfunctional and extremely funny family. I found I really like cozy mysteries.
Anyone, this one is about Monica who runs Back Room Books. Monica is a witch living in the 'normal world.' Her bookstore is linked (unknown to non-witches) to her sister's bookstore in the world of witches.
Monica also has a familiar, a black cat that talks to her and has no respect for her at all. The cat has it's own back story, by the way.
Monica also hasn't been in the 'normal' world for a very long time and that itself leads to some rather humorous situations. She ends up liking a human detective and tries to help him with is self-confidence, again leading to something rather fumy. (especially the mega-burger challenge!)
Of course there has been a murder and the book does deal with how that is solved. It's a fun read.
Cozy mysteries, also referred to as "cozies", are a sub genre of crime fiction in which sex and violence are downplayed or treated humorously, and the crime and detection take place in a small, socially intimate community.
One cozy series I've been reading involves a woman running a yarn store where vampires meet to knit. Another series involves a woman who works for a small newspaper and has a rather dysfunctional and extremely funny family. I found I really like cozy mysteries.
Anyone, this one is about Monica who runs Back Room Books. Monica is a witch living in the 'normal world.' Her bookstore is linked (unknown to non-witches) to her sister's bookstore in the world of witches.
Monica also has a familiar, a black cat that talks to her and has no respect for her at all. The cat has it's own back story, by the way.
Monica also hasn't been in the 'normal' world for a very long time and that itself leads to some rather humorous situations. She ends up liking a human detective and tries to help him with is self-confidence, again leading to something rather fumy. (especially the mega-burger challenge!)
Of course there has been a murder and the book does deal with how that is solved. It's a fun read.
February 4, 2021
Another one where I read the second in the series way before I read the first! This is light, easy and clean reading about twin witches. One of them is really good at what she does--the other not so much. Monica, the one who lives in the normal world has a familiar who is not too thrilled to be her familiar. There is a doorway in the back of her bookstore which leads directly to the magical world where her twin is in charge of that store.
A policeman comes into the store every day for coffee and to see Monica although she doesn't see his attraction to her--her familiar does! Well they eventually go to a community fair I guess you would call it and in the midst of having a great time--there is a murder.
Now the policeman is not all that confident--and Monica decides to help him by whipping up a potion--only she gives him too much! You will laugh at what happens.
Monica decides to try some real magic to try and see what happened and who actually did it. Will it work? Is Monica able to solve this case? You will just have to read this to find out!
A policeman comes into the store every day for coffee and to see Monica although she doesn't see his attraction to her--her familiar does! Well they eventually go to a community fair I guess you would call it and in the midst of having a great time--there is a murder.
Now the policeman is not all that confident--and Monica decides to help him by whipping up a potion--only she gives him too much! You will laugh at what happens.
Monica decides to try some real magic to try and see what happened and who actually did it. Will it work? Is Monica able to solve this case? You will just have to read this to find out!
October 24, 2018
Monica and Mona are twins. Mona is a 'natural' witch, that means things come naturally for her as far as some witchcraft goes. Monica is an 'un-natural' witch, that means she had to learn all of hers, it doesn't come easily for her. Monica also has Abigail, a black cat who is her familiar, but used to be a witch and now must spend time for being a bad witch and be with Monica. Abigail and Monica go around all the time! They are a pair to draw to!!! Monica is living on the mortal side of her Aunt's bookstore, Mona is on of Wysteria where there is magic and witches and the like. There is a murder on Monica's side called Bankstown. She and Officer Brian have a 'thing' developing and Brian is a mortal. Can Monica help Brian with the case and NOT use any magic? You will have to read this delightful book to find out. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. I can't wait for the next one!!!!
October 20, 2018
Books And Brews, the first book in Susan Harper's new light-hearted paranormal series A Back Room Bookstore Cozy Mystery introduces an array of second string characters supporting Harper's star team - amateur sleuth and twin witch Monica Montoya, her twin sister Mona and local cop Officer Brian.
Monica and Officer Brian team up in between some eventful magic gone wrong moments to solve Bankstown's unexpected murder mystery.
The book seemed to be written for a much younger audience than Harper's other cozy mysteries which was not only a bit awkward but also distracting in my opinion. I could not make a strong connection with the characters. Instead of getting lost in the story I felt as though I was reading aloud to a child.
The story has great potential but for me the book was too simplistic to hold my attention as other books by Harper have done.
Monica and Officer Brian team up in between some eventful magic gone wrong moments to solve Bankstown's unexpected murder mystery.
The book seemed to be written for a much younger audience than Harper's other cozy mysteries which was not only a bit awkward but also distracting in my opinion. I could not make a strong connection with the characters. Instead of getting lost in the story I felt as though I was reading aloud to a child.
The story has great potential but for me the book was too simplistic to hold my attention as other books by Harper have done.
January 17, 2020
This book was a cute, fast read. I agree with another reviewer who said it was a bit too "juvenile & simplistic". I realize it's only 154 pages so you can't get too detailed or elaborate too much in the story, but it was super unrealistic (Monica just walking into a victims house and rummaging around, playing detective, contaminating potential evidence, questioning witnesses as if she's a cop & nobody minds) and just had her getting involved in things that felt scattered and just not believable... as much as a book about twin witches and talking cats can be believable. :) Like I said, it was cute but I don't see myself carrying on with this series (Not a definite no though...maybe they get better?). I gave it 3 stars for it's cuteness and coziness. I enjoyed my tea while reading this one, but that's about it.
January 18, 2020
Monica Montoya has taken over the "Mortal" bookstore her aunt ran before she retired. There is a magical door that links to the bookstore in Wysteria, the "Paranormal" town she grew up in.
Monica has a talking cat familiar, a former witch that has been sentenced to serve as a familiar as punishment for previous misdeeds. And she's very resentful about it too.
Monica is invited to a party to celebrate a town anniversary, and one of the town's citizens is killed. Monica helps to solve the case as she is trying to cover up an error she made with a potion she gave to a mortal policeman without his knowing about it.
This was a decent story, but it does hit on one of my pet peeves as Monica is allowed to search the deceased home for evidence. She has no knowledge or training in forensic searches.
Monica has a talking cat familiar, a former witch that has been sentenced to serve as a familiar as punishment for previous misdeeds. And she's very resentful about it too.
Monica is invited to a party to celebrate a town anniversary, and one of the town's citizens is killed. Monica helps to solve the case as she is trying to cover up an error she made with a potion she gave to a mortal policeman without his knowing about it.
This was a decent story, but it does hit on one of my pet peeves as Monica is allowed to search the deceased home for evidence. She has no knowledge or training in forensic searches.
October 27, 2018
I think I'm going to love Susan Harper's new series. The first book "Books and Brews" introduces us to the Montoya twins Mona and Monica. Monica takes over the mortal side of their aunt Wilma's bookstore, while Mona takes over the magical side in Wysteria.
This is the first time that Monica is exposed to mortals. "Back Room Books" has a steady walk in clientele coming in to drink coffee and read books.
On Monica's first day she meets Officer Brian, a local police officer, who invites Monica to come to the festival by the river. While there, they have a murder. It wouldn't be a cozy mystery without one.
You have to read the book to find out who was murdered and who killed them. Also to find out how this mystery is solved.
I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it.
This is the first time that Monica is exposed to mortals. "Back Room Books" has a steady walk in clientele coming in to drink coffee and read books.
On Monica's first day she meets Officer Brian, a local police officer, who invites Monica to come to the festival by the river. While there, they have a murder. It wouldn't be a cozy mystery without one.
You have to read the book to find out who was murdered and who killed them. Also to find out how this mystery is solved.
I received a free copy of this book and chose to review it.
June 25, 2019
Too cozy? But a promising start.
A good start. This reads a little like someone just getting into publishing their work, but I only see things improving from here. I like the twins idea, but I think it would have made more sense for them to be fraternal twins (still womb-mates, but with two eggs being fertilized rather than one fertilized egg dividing). Remember to think before asking boy and girl twins if they're identical. They just might say yes. I also like the characters, and am looking forward to see them being developed. Monica is ungifted; she has no natural magic. Yet she seems fine casting magical spells. Maybe she does have natural magic; she just doesn't have very much.
A good start. This reads a little like someone just getting into publishing their work, but I only see things improving from here. I like the twins idea, but I think it would have made more sense for them to be fraternal twins (still womb-mates, but with two eggs being fertilized rather than one fertilized egg dividing). Remember to think before asking boy and girl twins if they're identical. They just might say yes. I also like the characters, and am looking forward to see them being developed. Monica is ungifted; she has no natural magic. Yet she seems fine casting magical spells. Maybe she does have natural magic; she just doesn't have very much.
November 2, 2019
A cozy mystery with some witch spells
This little mystery is about twin witch sisters who were left a coffee\ bookstore from their Aunt. One sister runs part of the bookstore in the mortal world, then you go through a portal in the back room that takes you into the immortal world that her sister runs.. Monica is not use to bring around mortals so she's not sure how to do something like make coffee in her coffee house. There are laugh out loud moments as well.
She uses some of her spell and potions to try and help solve the mystery but it doesn't work as well as she had hoped.
Truly enjoyed this story and would like to read more. I'm this series and anything else this author writes.. Thank you for a great story.
This little mystery is about twin witch sisters who were left a coffee\ bookstore from their Aunt. One sister runs part of the bookstore in the mortal world, then you go through a portal in the back room that takes you into the immortal world that her sister runs.. Monica is not use to bring around mortals so she's not sure how to do something like make coffee in her coffee house. There are laugh out loud moments as well.
She uses some of her spell and potions to try and help solve the mystery but it doesn't work as well as she had hoped.
Truly enjoyed this story and would like to read more. I'm this series and anything else this author writes.. Thank you for a great story.
February 21, 2019
Monica, the main character, takes over the mortal side of her Aunt's bookstore, while her twin sister Mona takes over the witchy side of the bookstore. Monica is not your average witch. She had no skills at birth. She is "unnatural" and had to learn her skills. She also is clueless about mortals and the mortal world. This makes for some awkward moments for Monica. Her familiar is a black cat, who is really a witch who is being punished. Monica falls for Brian, the local cop. Together they figure out who murdered a young man. The witchy part seemed forced. The murder mystery part flowed much better. That plot was actually good, with a twist (though not a surprise) at the end.
March 23, 2019
Nice little cozy mystery
Especially liked that the bookstore had a back door to another realm. The characters were well-defined and easy to tell apart. Plot development was done well despite occasional lapses into awkward description and dialogue. Officer Brian was adorable as he tried his best to solve the crime. Reluctant familiar Abigail was a little too acerbic and obstructive to be convincing as a demoted witch serving out her sentence of servitude. She badly needed some guidance from a parole officer of some sort who might render an attitude adjustment of sorts. Enjoyed the concept and will try another tale. Recommended
Especially liked that the bookstore had a back door to another realm. The characters were well-defined and easy to tell apart. Plot development was done well despite occasional lapses into awkward description and dialogue. Officer Brian was adorable as he tried his best to solve the crime. Reluctant familiar Abigail was a little too acerbic and obstructive to be convincing as a demoted witch serving out her sentence of servitude. She badly needed some guidance from a parole officer of some sort who might render an attitude adjustment of sorts. Enjoyed the concept and will try another tale. Recommended
September 28, 2019
A Fresh Case
Susan Harper has a new series out, it has some familer caracters from Wysteria and new from Bankstown in the mortal realm. This is a humorous clean cozey murder mystery and perhaps a budding romance mixed in. Monica has moved from Wysteria to Bankstown where her aunt has handed over the ranes of her book shop do to retirement.Monica has never been to the mortal realm so every thing is new and exciting for her. On the first day she learns how to make coffee. In the first week she is invited to a town festival where a murder accures and her new friend the cop is taxed in solving the case and Monica intense to help. 😏🙄🤔🙄 Kat
Susan Harper has a new series out, it has some familer caracters from Wysteria and new from Bankstown in the mortal realm. This is a humorous clean cozey murder mystery and perhaps a budding romance mixed in. Monica has moved from Wysteria to Bankstown where her aunt has handed over the ranes of her book shop do to retirement.Monica has never been to the mortal realm so every thing is new and exciting for her. On the first day she learns how to make coffee. In the first week she is invited to a town festival where a murder accures and her new friend the cop is taxed in solving the case and Monica intense to help. 😏🙄🤔🙄 Kat
January 17, 2020
This was my first cozy mystery book and I loved it! I finished it in 2 hours!
Monica is a witch, born without powers, who just inherited a book store and home in the mortal world. Her aunt, Wilma, gave her the mortal half of the store and Monica's twin sister, Mona, the magical side.
As Monica is trying to figure out life in the mortal realm, a local clown is mysteriously murdered at the town's festival. With the help of her familiar (a grumpy cat), a cute cop, and her sister, she sets in to help solve the crime.
I found the story fun and easy to follow. It was a quick read, but left me wanting more! I'm excited to read books 2 and 3 of the series!
Monica is a witch, born without powers, who just inherited a book store and home in the mortal world. Her aunt, Wilma, gave her the mortal half of the store and Monica's twin sister, Mona, the magical side.
As Monica is trying to figure out life in the mortal realm, a local clown is mysteriously murdered at the town's festival. With the help of her familiar (a grumpy cat), a cute cop, and her sister, she sets in to help solve the crime.
I found the story fun and easy to follow. It was a quick read, but left me wanting more! I'm excited to read books 2 and 3 of the series!
October 23, 2018
For twins Monica and Mona life as witches is fairly routine. That is until their aunt Wilma decides to retire and asks them to take over running her bookstores. Monica will take the human bookstore while Mona will run the magical bookstore. The trials Monica faces as a new “human� are funny and she is quite charming because of her naïve knowledge of all things human. Really looking forward to reading more in this series.
March 16, 2019
The dialogue was a bit stilted, and the writing awkward at times, but I liked the basic premise of a book store existing in two different realms with magical portal allowing the main characters to go between. It seemed odd that the aunt would just turn the human side over to her niece without first working side-by-side with her for at least a day or two to make sure she knew how everything worked. Maybe in we will eventually find out why she made such an abrupt departure.
June 25, 2019
This was a fun, easy read about a witch who moves to the mortal realm to run her Aunt's bookstore. The magical realm and the mortal realm are connected through the back room of the bookstore. There's a murder Monica's first week in town and she's determined to help her new beau, Officer Brian, solve it. The writing and the plot is fairly simple, and the book isn't terribly long. It's fun reading about Monica trying to figure out the mortal realm while interacting with people.
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