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Madeline Maclin #5
Evil Turns
Murder by witchcraft? Private investigator and former beauty queen Madeline Maclin thought she'd seen it all in her small North Carolina town of Celosia. Yet EVIL TURNS, fifth in the lively series by Jane Tesh, opens with a young man's body covered in strange occult symbols found in a local vineyard, putting Maddy on notice that there is more than one witch in the neighborhood. Years ago, a group of women in town formed Darkrose Coven, a practice now taken up by younger residents who insist that their dark rose tattoos only honor their favorite character from the popular Pagan Desires books and movies. Has the old coven reappeared? Is the new coven responsible for the ritualistic murder? Intrigue unfolds as Celosia prepares for its centennial. The Women's Improvement Society, led by wealthy, obnoxious Amanda Price, plans to create an outdoor musical drama, Flower of the South, extolling Emmaline Ross, one of the state's first vintners. Amanda steamrolls past City Councilmember Harold Stover, who fears Celosia cannot afford this costly venture, and Nathan Fenton, who refuses to let her use his Camp Lakenwood land for the production. When Harold is murdered, Amanda is the prime suspect. She hires Maddy to prove her innocence. Are the two murders connected? What about Megan Underwood, a local wiccan from the defunct commune, Peaceful Meadow, which had ties to the Darkrose Coven? Megan complicates Maddy's inquiries, drifting in and out of town claiming she is Emmaline reborn. What is the secret the Darkrose Coven is so desperate to hide? Maddy is stretched to the limit. Not only is she juggling her time investigating murder suspects, feuding locals, and a long-ago missing infant. She also has to fend off threats by a disreputable goon from her husband's past-her talented and charming spouse, Jerry Fairweather, had once been a con artist. Their current life together, committed to the straight and narrow, could be totally wrecked. Madeline needs magic of her own to unravel the twists and turns of tangled relationships and to find one singular lost soul.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
285 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 3, 2016
3 people are currently reading
497 people want to read
About the author
Jane Tesh
38 books172 followersJane is a 2022 Book Excellence Award Finalist for her fantasy novel, Butterfly Waltz and a 2023 Book Excellence Finalist for her mystery novel, Ghost Light.
Jane lives and writes in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, the real Mayberry. She is the author of the Grace Street Mystery Series, the Madeline Maclin Mysteries, four fantasy novels, and over thirty plays for children.
Jane lives and writes in Mt. Airy, North Carolina, the real Mayberry. She is the author of the Grace Street Mystery Series, the Madeline Maclin Mysteries, four fantasy novels, and over thirty plays for children.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
August 9, 2020
Celosia is a small town, but it does seem to have more than its fair share of murders. Fortunately, it also has resident detective, former beauty queen Madeline Maclin, who is helped by her former con-man husband Jerry. When local businessman Harold Stoker is killed, Amanda Price, a bossy queen bee, is questioned and immediately hires Madeline to clear her name. Then everyone else who is questioned also wants to hire Madeline, who is also fascinated by a recent death, in a local vineyard, of a young man. There's also one of Jerry's friends on hand, trying to draw him back into the game; the proposal for an outdoor drama; several blackmailers; and two local covens, joined by the same name and separated by twenty-five years.
November 22, 2019
Where to start...this is the fifth book in a series and I'm not really sure how there got to be a series. The writing is disjointed, it doesn't flow evenly. In some places, there wasn't even a transition from a topic in one paragraph to a different topic in the next paragraph.
The main character had multiple different cases going at one time so the story was all over the place. The murder that was in the description on the back of the book was the least important case that she was working on. There wasn't a ton of character development, I didn't care about any of them at all. Maybe if I had started with book one it would be different?
The multiple storylines/cases were kind of related to each other in a roundabout way. There were some surprises but not really anything major or shocking.
I don't know what else to say. All in all, I would say to skip this book/series. If you really want to read it, I would suggest starting with book one. It was a quick read but not a page-turning suspenseful one. There's not really a lot of mystery or meat to the story.
The main character had multiple different cases going at one time so the story was all over the place. The murder that was in the description on the back of the book was the least important case that she was working on. There wasn't a ton of character development, I didn't care about any of them at all. Maybe if I had started with book one it would be different?
The multiple storylines/cases were kind of related to each other in a roundabout way. There were some surprises but not really anything major or shocking.
I don't know what else to say. All in all, I would say to skip this book/series. If you really want to read it, I would suggest starting with book one. It was a quick read but not a page-turning suspenseful one. There's not really a lot of mystery or meat to the story.
September 27, 2017
What a fun little read! Totally enjoyable!
August 5, 2021
not my thing.people hiring a p.i. to find a purse seem's dumb.
June 8, 2016
If you haven't read any Madeline Maclin Mysteries, don't start with this book. It's #5 in the series, and although it is a great book, it won't make as much sense without reading the others first. Plus you will simply enjoy all the books about Madeline and Jerry! Over the course of the first four books we learn about Madeline's forced pageant days, her working as a PI and going into business for herself, her art career, Jerry's many many cons and involvements in the supernatural world, the ups and downs of Madeline and Jerry's romance, and moving into Uncle Val's house. So many recurring and colorful characters are in the books. Even though Ms Tesh explains things as needed, it is better to have your own recollections to continue the story. After all, each book is like reconnecting with old friends!
In Evil Turns it seems as more goes wrong than right in the little town of Celosia, NC. There are multiple murders and attacks as well as three covens all called Darkrose Coven. Madeline is hired to solve most of the cases, and eventually she has a 100% success rate. However, as she turns up new information along the way, the crimes and suspects get more and more confusing and interconnected. By the end I was caught totally unsure of who could have murdered anyone! It was a complex but fun mystery. I especially like how Madeline has helped Jerry reform and avoid cons, even when it seems unlikely that she can prevent "just one more con."
Madeline and Jerry are people who I would like for friends. They are talented (beside's Madeline's art, Jerry is an accomplished pianist, song writer, and singer), creative thinkers, determined, and loving people. All of these qualities are shown throughout their relationships and business dealings. I think perhaps this is the best book so far. Both main characters seem to be more stable and more real. Now I can't wait to read book #6 and find out what happens next! Will little Hortensia make her appearance?
In Evil Turns it seems as more goes wrong than right in the little town of Celosia, NC. There are multiple murders and attacks as well as three covens all called Darkrose Coven. Madeline is hired to solve most of the cases, and eventually she has a 100% success rate. However, as she turns up new information along the way, the crimes and suspects get more and more confusing and interconnected. By the end I was caught totally unsure of who could have murdered anyone! It was a complex but fun mystery. I especially like how Madeline has helped Jerry reform and avoid cons, even when it seems unlikely that she can prevent "just one more con."
Madeline and Jerry are people who I would like for friends. They are talented (beside's Madeline's art, Jerry is an accomplished pianist, song writer, and singer), creative thinkers, determined, and loving people. All of these qualities are shown throughout their relationships and business dealings. I think perhaps this is the best book so far. Both main characters seem to be more stable and more real. Now I can't wait to read book #6 and find out what happens next! Will little Hortensia make her appearance?
February 28, 2016
*I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First off, I am curious about the name of this book. It didn't really seem like it went with the story. Cool name, but I don't get it.
Ok, so I started off feeling like this was going to be another poorly informed book about how "Witches" are involved in black magic and curses, which I was fully prepared to disdain (I read waaayyyy too many books whose authors didn't even bother to google witchcraft, or Wiccae before writing their stories). However, this story really did come together with some understanding that yes, there are poseurs who like to play witch, and there are shysters who like to dupe people into thinking they have "magical" powers to control or extort money from them, but there are also root-workers and healers and real-live witches who are something else, entirely.
Thank you, Jane Tesh for demonstrating the difference.
I really enjoyed the tone an tempo of the story. The characters were complex and interesting. The mystery was solid and it unfolded nicely.
I enjoyed the humor, as well. It had a wonderful, conversational feel to it. A story told in a very conversational way, which I find pleasant and engaging.
Definite recommend for fans of the genre.
4 stars.
First off, I am curious about the name of this book. It didn't really seem like it went with the story. Cool name, but I don't get it.
Ok, so I started off feeling like this was going to be another poorly informed book about how "Witches" are involved in black magic and curses, which I was fully prepared to disdain (I read waaayyyy too many books whose authors didn't even bother to google witchcraft, or Wiccae before writing their stories). However, this story really did come together with some understanding that yes, there are poseurs who like to play witch, and there are shysters who like to dupe people into thinking they have "magical" powers to control or extort money from them, but there are also root-workers and healers and real-live witches who are something else, entirely.
Thank you, Jane Tesh for demonstrating the difference.
I really enjoyed the tone an tempo of the story. The characters were complex and interesting. The mystery was solid and it unfolded nicely.
I enjoyed the humor, as well. It had a wonderful, conversational feel to it. A story told in a very conversational way, which I find pleasant and engaging.
Definite recommend for fans of the genre.
4 stars.
July 20, 2016
I received this books in a Goodreads Giveaway, along with another one. I very generous gift, given to me by the author. I really enjoyed this read. I found this a fast paced, fun story. I really have grown to like the characters and I plan on reading more from Jane Tesh and see their story continue. I really like that you can pick up any of the books in this series and read it and not feel let down. You do not have to have read any of the other books to be right up to date, but, after reading one, you will be hooked and want to read more. Great Job Jane. I am a very new and now very hooked fan.
February 20, 2016
A charming book, if somewhat convoluted. I did feel like there were too many plot twists and multiple threads going on. Also, I kept getting confused between the characters (too many of them!). But this is part of a series and I haven't read the other books before so perhaps it's easier if one reads them in sequence.
The story took a little while to kick off but once it did, it kept on at a decent pace and all of a sudden, there were mobster conmen, murders and danger. It was a fun read. I got this book from Netgalley.
The story took a little while to kick off but once it did, it kept on at a decent pace and all of a sudden, there were mobster conmen, murders and danger. It was a fun read. I got this book from Netgalley.
June 21, 2016
Nice Book
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews