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Witch City Mystery #7
Bells, Spells, and Murders
Holiday cheer turns to holiday fear when a Salem, MA, tour guide is murdered in this cozy mystery featuring a local reporter with psychic abilities. Former TV psychic Lee Barrett is back on the air at Salem’s WICH-TV as the new field reporter. Next on her holiday checklist is an interview with the beloved chairman of a popular walking tour through Salem’s historic districts. But it may be his ghost walking this snowy season after Lee finds him murdered in his stately offices, bloody Santa hat askew. With her police detective boyfriend working the case and a witch’s brew of suspects—including some bell-ringing Santas—Lee chases down leads aided and abetted by her wise cat O’Ryan and some unsettling psychic visions of her own. When a revealing clue leads to another dead body, not even a monster blizzard can stop Lee from getting a scoop—even one that could spell her own demise.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2018
223 people are currently reading
829 people want to read
About the author
Carol J. Perry
36 books783 followersCarol J. Perry is the author of the Witch City Mystery series and the Haunted Haven series, both from Kensington Publishers. The Witch City stories take place in the magical city of Salem, Massachusetts--the "Witch City." Carol was actually born in Salem (on Halloween eve!) and knows the city well. The Haunted Haven books take place in Carol's adopted home state of Florida. As an experienced travel writer for magazines and newspapers, Carol knows her way around the Sunshine State too. The Salem books are based of course on a real city but Haven, Florida is made up of bits and pieces of some of the Sunshine State's charming older towns--bypassed by the theme parks. Readers of the Witch City books have come to know O'Ryan, a most remarkable cat. The new series introduces Finn, a lovable Golden Retriever.
Carol lives in the Tampa Bay area of Florida with her husband Dan.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Carol lives in the Tampa Bay area of Florida with her husband Dan.
Librarian’s note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
November 3, 2018
I am a big fan of this series and have read all the books. I was excited for the next installment and Bells, Spells, and Murders is no disappointment. Lee is a wonderful lead character and during the course of the series she went through a lot of changes in her professional development which keeps everything fresh and interesting.
The paranormal elements are adding just a dash of suspense without interfering or being necessary to solve the mystery. Just the right amount for my taste.
In her new job as a field reporter Lee and her photographer are out to interview Mr. Eldridge, a supporter of several charities in Salem. They find him sitting dead at his office desk, a bloody Santa hat on his head…..
Grab a copy of the book, a nice cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the cozy Christmas spirit within the gripping mystery.
Bells, Spells, and Murders can be read as a stand alone but I think it is a lot more well rounded with knowledge of the previous installments.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Kensington and the author provided me with an advance copy.
The paranormal elements are adding just a dash of suspense without interfering or being necessary to solve the mystery. Just the right amount for my taste.
In her new job as a field reporter Lee and her photographer are out to interview Mr. Eldridge, a supporter of several charities in Salem. They find him sitting dead at his office desk, a bloody Santa hat on his head…..
Grab a copy of the book, a nice cup of hot chocolate and enjoy the cozy Christmas spirit within the gripping mystery.
Bells, Spells, and Murders can be read as a stand alone but I think it is a lot more well rounded with knowledge of the previous installments.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Kensington and the author provided me with an advance copy.
September 17, 2018
I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as I did the other book I read by this author Grave Errors. I felt the mystery in this one took a back seat to all of Lee's running around news reporting, which started to get a little boring after a while. I think the author could have dropped a lot of that and it would have tightened up the story and placed more focus on the murder mystery. There were also quite a few inconsistencies within the story, but hopefully, those will be fixed by the time the book is officially released. 
That being said, I still did really enjoy the characters themselves. Lee is a great leading lady. I continued to love Pete and their relationship. I loved Aunt Ibby, and O'Ryan the cat, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end. Throw in a yummy sounding recipe, and it certainly made for an enjoyable (if not perfect) read.
October 6, 2018
Bells, Spells and Murders by Carol J. Perry is the seventh bewitching tale in A Witch City Mystery series. Lee Barrett is starting her new job as field reporter for WICH-TV in Salem, Massachusetts. Lee is set to interview Albert Eldridge regarding the Holiday Walk, but she ends up with breaking news. Albert is dead in his office from blunt force trauma. Detective Pete Mondello, Lee’s boyfriend, is assigned the case which means late nights for him until the killer is apprehended. Lee starts nosing around, gathering clues and questioning those close to Albert. She must work in her sleuthing in between work assignments, shopping for Christmas presents, decorating her tree and participating in a Salem holiday tradition. Lee, with the aid of her visions and O’Ryan, sets out to wrap up the case before sleigh bells ring out on Christmas Eve.
I enjoyed reading Bells, Spells and Murders. The author captured the holiday spirit in this merry cozy mystery. While Bells, Spells and Murders is the seventh story in A Witch City Mystery series, it can be read alone. Ms. Perry provides Lee’s backstory allowing you to know her and how she came to live and work in Salem. Christmas in Salem was brought alive in this book. Cold weather, shopping, baking, tree decorating, a Christmas play, Santa’s ringing bells for donations, family flying off for the holiday and twinkle lights are all included. I loved how the bell theme was spread throughout the story (some of the references will have you giggling). The mystery was interesting with several suspects, a red herring or two and pointed clues. I wish the solution had not been so obvious, and I could have done with less repetition of case details. I did tire of Pete telling Lee to stay out of the investigation. He should know by now that she will keep investigating even if her life is in peril (there is no stopping Lee). All the storylines are nicely wrapped up at the end of the book. My rating for Bells, Spells and Murders is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). Bells, Spells and Murders is my favorite book in A Witch City Mystery series. There is love, humor, murder, family, friends and Christmas fun in one festive cozy mystery.
I enjoyed reading Bells, Spells and Murders. The author captured the holiday spirit in this merry cozy mystery. While Bells, Spells and Murders is the seventh story in A Witch City Mystery series, it can be read alone. Ms. Perry provides Lee’s backstory allowing you to know her and how she came to live and work in Salem. Christmas in Salem was brought alive in this book. Cold weather, shopping, baking, tree decorating, a Christmas play, Santa’s ringing bells for donations, family flying off for the holiday and twinkle lights are all included. I loved how the bell theme was spread throughout the story (some of the references will have you giggling). The mystery was interesting with several suspects, a red herring or two and pointed clues. I wish the solution had not been so obvious, and I could have done with less repetition of case details. I did tire of Pete telling Lee to stay out of the investigation. He should know by now that she will keep investigating even if her life is in peril (there is no stopping Lee). All the storylines are nicely wrapped up at the end of the book. My rating for Bells, Spells and Murders is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). Bells, Spells and Murders is my favorite book in A Witch City Mystery series. There is love, humor, murder, family, friends and Christmas fun in one festive cozy mystery.
October 1, 2018
This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I stay caught up with the series and pre-order the new books as they are published.
Lee Barrett has had several careers since the series started from faux psychic, to instructor at an arts school and to an investigative reporter at the tv station where she started as a psychic. As a reporter, she goes to interview the chairman of a historic walking tour. She enters the room and he appears to be sleeping. She nudges his shoulder and he slides to the floor. He has been murdered. This starts the tale of Bells, Spells and Murder.
I like the location of the series which is Salem Massachusetts. The characters are the strength of the series. Lee is smart and independent. She lives on the third floor of her Aunt Ibby's house in her own apartment. She has O'Ryan, a cat, who is a real character in the novels. He isn't just portrayed on the covers to get readers to read the books. Aunt Ibby who is sixty something is a vibrant caring character. She is an librarian and does research for Lee. She is also a wonderful cook and they share many tasty meals together. I like that the authors portrays her as a vibrant personalty that people would want to know. Aunt Ibby is fun.
There is a little paranormal in the book as Lee can see images in reflective images. She doesn't really embrace this and seems to be apprehensive at what she will see. This doesn't over power the series or this book. I felt the pace in the middle was somewhat slow but I stayed up late to finish the book as the ending was quite exciting.
Lee Barrett has had several careers since the series started from faux psychic, to instructor at an arts school and to an investigative reporter at the tv station where she started as a psychic. As a reporter, she goes to interview the chairman of a historic walking tour. She enters the room and he appears to be sleeping. She nudges his shoulder and he slides to the floor. He has been murdered. This starts the tale of Bells, Spells and Murder.
I like the location of the series which is Salem Massachusetts. The characters are the strength of the series. Lee is smart and independent. She lives on the third floor of her Aunt Ibby's house in her own apartment. She has O'Ryan, a cat, who is a real character in the novels. He isn't just portrayed on the covers to get readers to read the books. Aunt Ibby who is sixty something is a vibrant caring character. She is an librarian and does research for Lee. She is also a wonderful cook and they share many tasty meals together. I like that the authors portrays her as a vibrant personalty that people would want to know. Aunt Ibby is fun.
There is a little paranormal in the book as Lee can see images in reflective images. She doesn't really embrace this and seems to be apprehensive at what she will see. This doesn't over power the series or this book. I felt the pace in the middle was somewhat slow but I stayed up late to finish the book as the ending was quite exciting.
August 27, 2018
I love that holiday feeling, even in the sweltering heat of August. I was thrilled to get an ARC of Carol J. Perry's upcoming Witch City Mystery Bells, Spells and Murders. I have been a huge fan of this series for years and found this cozy mystery to be perfectly delightful. It was however a little light on the paranormal this time, but still an excellent read! I love the main character. Lee is a very relatable and personable. She is creative, talented and curious. I love her aunt, boyfriend and best friend in this series and of course her lovely cat as well! This story takes place in December and even though for me it is the end of August, the story did leave me with that warm and cozy holiday feeling. Complex and cozy, complicate and celebratory, Bells, Spells and Murders is a very good read.
September 25, 2018
Bells, Spells, and Murders by Carol J. Perry, is the 7th book in the Witch City Mysteries, which takes place around Christmas. I really enjoyed this book, and have already read the other books in the series. Lee Barrett now has her dream job, a field reporter on WICH-TV, in Salem, MA. On her first assignment she discovers the dead body of prominent humanitarian, Mr. Eldridge. Lee is determined to find out what happened with the help of her cat O'Ryan, Aunt Ibby, and her detective boyfriend. This book has everything you want in a cozy mystery, plus a little paranormal thrown in. The story kept me intrigued and reading page after page. I am looking forward to reading Lee's next adventure.
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
October 15, 2018
Bells, Spells and Murders by Carol J. Perry is the seventh book in A Witch City Mystery series and was as good as the rest in this series. There is no sign that this series is running its course. Chang is good in life as well as in books, so in this outing, Lee Barrett is starting her new job as field reporter for WICH-TV. Lee is assigned to interview Albert Eldridge, the organizer of the Holiday Walk and financial supporter of a number of charities in Salem, Mass. When she arrives for her interview, she ends up with a different story, as she finds Mr. Eldridge dead in his office from blunt force trauma. Detective Pete Mondello, Lee’s boyfriend, is assigned the case. Lee begins an investigation of her own, gathering clues and questioning those close to Albert. She is busy with her snooping, assignments for work and getting her home ready for Christmas. Luckily for Lee, with the aid of her visions, and O’Ryan her cat, she hopes to wrap up the case before sleigh bells ring out on Christmas Eve.
Christmas in Salem was brought alive in this book. Cold weather, shopping, baking, tree decorating, a Christmas play, many Santa’s ringing bells for donations, and the generosity of people around Christmas all add to the setting and ambiance of the story. The mystery was interesting with several suspects, a red herring or two and pointed clues. Even though Pete continually asks Lee to stay out of the investigation, she does not stop, even if it means she puts herself in danger. The characters are the strength of the series. Lee is smart and independent. She lives on the third floor of her Aunt Ibby's house in her own apartment. She has O'Ryan, a cat, who is a real character in the stories, who just happens to have been a witch's familiar before she died. Aunt Ibby, who is sixty something, is a vibrant caring character. She is a retires librarian and does research for Lee. She is also a wonderful cook and they share many tasty meals together. I like that the authors portrays her as a vibrant personalty and there is also a bit of a love triangle for her in this book. There are several characters in this book that have not been in the others, but they all help to flesh out this book. There is a little paranormal in the book as Lee can see images in reflective images (she is a scryer). She doesn't really embrace this and seems to be apprehensive at what she will see. This is one of the ways she gathers information, but it is not overdone. I was not able to figure out the culprit until just before the clues gave it away, which I always enjoy. I will continue to look for more books in this series, as I continue to enjoy them. The publisher, Kensington Publishing, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
Christmas in Salem was brought alive in this book. Cold weather, shopping, baking, tree decorating, a Christmas play, many Santa’s ringing bells for donations, and the generosity of people around Christmas all add to the setting and ambiance of the story. The mystery was interesting with several suspects, a red herring or two and pointed clues. Even though Pete continually asks Lee to stay out of the investigation, she does not stop, even if it means she puts herself in danger. The characters are the strength of the series. Lee is smart and independent. She lives on the third floor of her Aunt Ibby's house in her own apartment. She has O'Ryan, a cat, who is a real character in the stories, who just happens to have been a witch's familiar before she died. Aunt Ibby, who is sixty something, is a vibrant caring character. She is a retires librarian and does research for Lee. She is also a wonderful cook and they share many tasty meals together. I like that the authors portrays her as a vibrant personalty and there is also a bit of a love triangle for her in this book. There are several characters in this book that have not been in the others, but they all help to flesh out this book. There is a little paranormal in the book as Lee can see images in reflective images (she is a scryer). She doesn't really embrace this and seems to be apprehensive at what she will see. This is one of the ways she gathers information, but it is not overdone. I was not able to figure out the culprit until just before the clues gave it away, which I always enjoy. I will continue to look for more books in this series, as I continue to enjoy them. The publisher, Kensington Publishing, generously provided me with a copy of this book to read. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.
August 12, 2018
There is an engaging conversational style about these books that draws me in from page one. I have enjoyed all the Witch City Mysteries so far and Bells, Spells and Murders is every bit as bewitching (pun intended!) as the first in the series! It is Christmas time and Lee has landed her first job as a field reporter. She arrives early for an interview with Mr. Eldridge, Chair of the local holiday walking tour and financial supporter of a number of charities in Salem, Mass. The interview never transpires, however, because instead of finding the benefactor filled with Christmas spirit, she finds Mr. Eldridge lifeless at his desk. It soon appears to be foul play when secrets are discovered and Lee’s “visions” kick in. This is a wonderful “whodunnit” with a splash of paranormal thrown in. The author knows how to pen characters that come to life, plot captivating stories and paint vividly realistic scenes. Five stars.
August 7, 2018
The seventh adventure of Lee and O'Ryan is another relaxing and a fun read. Lee Barrett is now a field reporter for WICH-TV. Lee and camera person, Francine assignment is to do a good field report at a charitable organization. Lee goes to get the person and he is dead. The story takes twist a d turns Lee work with her police boyfriend, homicide detective to solve the case. O'Ryan her cat is knocking off books and remove ornaments from Christmas tree. Lee is seeing visions in shiny objects. Lee needs answers before her life is over.b I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book and series.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: Many thanks to Kensington Books for a review copy. The opinions expressed are my own.
September 22, 2021
One of my favorite pleasures of October is reading books with witches in them. Never skilled at deferring pleasure, I jumped the gun a bit. Smart move! I’ve been reading dutifully for a while, and this lighthearted novel restored my sense of pleasure.
Sticklers for reading in order will be shocked to hear that I started on this series with book 6, It Takes a Coven. I could tell I was missing some backstory, but the tale itself was self-explanatory enough; the same is true here. This is one series where starting at the beginning seems unnecessary.
Our heroine, Lee Barrett, is a news reporter in Salem, Massachusetts. Despite what you might imagine she’s not part of a coven—the paranormal elements in these stories are minimal—and the cop she’s dating tends to keep her feet on the ground. She has a cat who was probably a witch’s familiar in one of his past lives, and she sees unexplained images in shiny surfaces that offer vague hints to the mysteries she gets embroiled in. But mostly she leads an ordinary small-town life, focused on the sorts of events that you might expect to happen in a small town.
This story takes place in the holiday season, and the murder in question comes her way when she arrives to interview a man who runs a local charitable organization, only to find him dead. She’s not a suspect but has a big bump of curiosity and can’t stop pulling on the thread of the mystery, despite her boyfriend’s warnings. These are all familiar elements of cozy mystery, but somehow the author manages to make things feel fresh.
One of the strengths of this story was how much of the activity revolved around Lee’s job at the TV station. Often an amateur sleuth’s day job is the merest pretext, leaving the reader wondering why the person doesn’t get fired, they spend so much time shirking their duties in order to investigate crime. But I believed in Lee as a reporter and she spent a lot of her time pursuing an array of assignments as well as investigations of her own. We even follow her into the technicalities of video editing, and those were credible too. Another strength is her relationships with her aunt and her boyfriend, both angst-free and loving. So many authors of cozies feel the need to inject drama into the lead character’s personal relationships, but I found the stability of Lee’s connections gave the story a nice ballast that offset the suspense of the plot.
There wasn’t a lot of mystery about who the bad guys were and I suspect what they were up to from the start, but the how was not clear to me and the climactic twist wasn’t quite what I predicted. Mostly I just enjoyed spending time with the heroine in Salem, and those are pleasures not to be underestimated.
For those concerned with such matters, although she’s dating and her boyfriend does spend the night, there are no sex scenes.
Sticklers for reading in order will be shocked to hear that I started on this series with book 6, It Takes a Coven. I could tell I was missing some backstory, but the tale itself was self-explanatory enough; the same is true here. This is one series where starting at the beginning seems unnecessary.
Our heroine, Lee Barrett, is a news reporter in Salem, Massachusetts. Despite what you might imagine she’s not part of a coven—the paranormal elements in these stories are minimal—and the cop she’s dating tends to keep her feet on the ground. She has a cat who was probably a witch’s familiar in one of his past lives, and she sees unexplained images in shiny surfaces that offer vague hints to the mysteries she gets embroiled in. But mostly she leads an ordinary small-town life, focused on the sorts of events that you might expect to happen in a small town.
This story takes place in the holiday season, and the murder in question comes her way when she arrives to interview a man who runs a local charitable organization, only to find him dead. She’s not a suspect but has a big bump of curiosity and can’t stop pulling on the thread of the mystery, despite her boyfriend’s warnings. These are all familiar elements of cozy mystery, but somehow the author manages to make things feel fresh.
One of the strengths of this story was how much of the activity revolved around Lee’s job at the TV station. Often an amateur sleuth’s day job is the merest pretext, leaving the reader wondering why the person doesn’t get fired, they spend so much time shirking their duties in order to investigate crime. But I believed in Lee as a reporter and she spent a lot of her time pursuing an array of assignments as well as investigations of her own. We even follow her into the technicalities of video editing, and those were credible too. Another strength is her relationships with her aunt and her boyfriend, both angst-free and loving. So many authors of cozies feel the need to inject drama into the lead character’s personal relationships, but I found the stability of Lee’s connections gave the story a nice ballast that offset the suspense of the plot.
There wasn’t a lot of mystery about who the bad guys were and I suspect what they were up to from the start, but the how was not clear to me and the climactic twist wasn’t quite what I predicted. Mostly I just enjoyed spending time with the heroine in Salem, and those are pleasures not to be underestimated.
For those concerned with such matters, although she’s dating and her boyfriend does spend the night, there are no sex scenes.
July 29, 2018
Lee Barrett plays an excellent role in Bells, Spells, and Murder by Carol J. Perry.
I've read all the books in this series and this one has to be my favorite.
As a child who visited Salem many times, this series appeals to me for many reasons. The author weaves a well told take of mystery, keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end.
The cover art is exceptional and I couldn't resist taking peeks of the cover while I was reading.
It's Christmas in Salem and Lee is working hard at her new role at WICH-TV. As an investigative reporter, she has the chance to meet Mr. Eldridge, who supports numerous charities in Salem.
Unfortunately, right before Lee is to interview him, she finds him dead in his chair, and from there things just get worse.
Someone has too many secrets, and Lee, along with her Aunt Ibby and hunk detective Pete, is determined to find the answers.
The author described Salem in such a way that I could see the beautiful holiday lights and the swirling snow as I was reading the story.
The characters are so realistic, it's not hard to imagine yourself having a cup of tea and one of Aunt Ibby's delicious meals, while catching up on the latest news.
This is quite an interesting series and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes cozy mysteries.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley .
I've read all the books in this series and this one has to be my favorite.
As a child who visited Salem many times, this series appeals to me for many reasons. The author weaves a well told take of mystery, keeping the reader engaged from beginning to end.
The cover art is exceptional and I couldn't resist taking peeks of the cover while I was reading.
It's Christmas in Salem and Lee is working hard at her new role at WICH-TV. As an investigative reporter, she has the chance to meet Mr. Eldridge, who supports numerous charities in Salem.
Unfortunately, right before Lee is to interview him, she finds him dead in his chair, and from there things just get worse.
Someone has too many secrets, and Lee, along with her Aunt Ibby and hunk detective Pete, is determined to find the answers.
The author described Salem in such a way that I could see the beautiful holiday lights and the swirling snow as I was reading the story.
The characters are so realistic, it's not hard to imagine yourself having a cup of tea and one of Aunt Ibby's delicious meals, while catching up on the latest news.
This is quite an interesting series and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes cozy mysteries.
I volunteered to read and review an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley .
September 7, 2018
Lee Barrett has landed her dream job at Salem’s WICH-TV. As the new field reporter, she’ll be covering events live as they happen. On her holiday checklist is an interview with the chairman of a popular walking tour through Salem’s historic district. Unfortunately, it may be his ghost walking on this snowy Noel season after Lee finds him murdered in his office, his bloody Santa hat askew.
With her police detective boyfriend working the case and a plethora of suspects—including some bell-ringing Santa’s. Lee chases down leads aided by her wise cat O’Ryan and some unsettling psychic visions of her own. When a revealing clue leads to another dead body, not even a blizzard can stop Lee from inching closer to the truth, and a scoop that could spell her own demise this Christmas.
--
Series: A Witch City Mystery - Book 7
Author: Carol J. Perry
Genre: Cozy/Witch Mystery
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publishing Date: September 28, 2018
Rating 4-books
Carol Perry is a talented writer who obviously enjoys her characters and seeks to flesh them out as much as possible. The writing is smooth and balanced with just enough adventure, action and emotion to make the reader care about the characters and thrill at turning the page.
Bells, Spells, and Murders is the 7th book in the “Witch City Mystery” series. It is a pleasurable read, easy to follow and filled with all the things and characters that make this a great series. There was a little less of River North, and other ongoing characters than most readers would expect but the story overall was enjoyable as always.
Lee Barrett is a very likable character with issues that plague most people in the world today. Her excitement over her new job is contagious. Yet her compassion for the victim is palpable even though she never met him. Trying to figure out a murder while maintaining her boss’s expectation of her work is a balancing act that Lee pulls off with no problem. However, add in the fact that she and her boyfriend, Pete, have recently moved in together, and it is taking a bit more work than she had thought it would to adjust, makes for a very absorbing story. Aunt Ibby never plays a big enough role in this series, or at least not as much as most readers would like. Unfortunately, this does not change in the new addition to the series.
When the killer is finally unmasked in this story, it doesn’t come as that big of a surprise to those who know this author's style and the way she structures her stories. This does not detract from the delight of the book, and in fact, helps enhance the reader's interest.
Bells, Spells, and Murders is a pleasant read that will take the reader away on a trip to Salem, and into a world, most people never get to experience. I highly recommend this book and the series to anyone that wishes to sit down with a book that doesn’t leave them scratching their head or having unanswered questions.
With her police detective boyfriend working the case and a plethora of suspects—including some bell-ringing Santa’s. Lee chases down leads aided by her wise cat O’Ryan and some unsettling psychic visions of her own. When a revealing clue leads to another dead body, not even a blizzard can stop Lee from inching closer to the truth, and a scoop that could spell her own demise this Christmas.
--
Series: A Witch City Mystery - Book 7
Author: Carol J. Perry
Genre: Cozy/Witch Mystery
Publisher: Kensington Books
Publishing Date: September 28, 2018
Rating 4-books
Carol Perry is a talented writer who obviously enjoys her characters and seeks to flesh them out as much as possible. The writing is smooth and balanced with just enough adventure, action and emotion to make the reader care about the characters and thrill at turning the page.
Bells, Spells, and Murders is the 7th book in the “Witch City Mystery” series. It is a pleasurable read, easy to follow and filled with all the things and characters that make this a great series. There was a little less of River North, and other ongoing characters than most readers would expect but the story overall was enjoyable as always.
Lee Barrett is a very likable character with issues that plague most people in the world today. Her excitement over her new job is contagious. Yet her compassion for the victim is palpable even though she never met him. Trying to figure out a murder while maintaining her boss’s expectation of her work is a balancing act that Lee pulls off with no problem. However, add in the fact that she and her boyfriend, Pete, have recently moved in together, and it is taking a bit more work than she had thought it would to adjust, makes for a very absorbing story. Aunt Ibby never plays a big enough role in this series, or at least not as much as most readers would like. Unfortunately, this does not change in the new addition to the series.
When the killer is finally unmasked in this story, it doesn’t come as that big of a surprise to those who know this author's style and the way she structures her stories. This does not detract from the delight of the book, and in fact, helps enhance the reader's interest.
Bells, Spells, and Murders is a pleasant read that will take the reader away on a trip to Salem, and into a world, most people never get to experience. I highly recommend this book and the series to anyone that wishes to sit down with a book that doesn’t leave them scratching their head or having unanswered questions.
December 2, 2019
Lee is the quintessential Mary Sue: Too perfect, with “faults” like her “too curly” hair and penchant for sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong. That’s it. Otherwise, she’s constantly talking about how well off she is financially, and finding ways to show how generous she is with her money by donating $5 to every bell-ringing Santa she sees.
She’s also been 32 for well over a year now. She was 32 during Halloween in book #5, Grave Errors, and 32 in June in book #6, It Takes a Coven. And now in book #7, set at Christmas. Time to update that copy and paste character intro that’s in every book! (“I’m Lee Barrett, née Maralee Kowalski, thirty-two, red-haired, Salem born, orphaned early, married once, and widowed young...”)
She takes really obvious clues and then acts like it’s because she’s an investigative reporter that she was able to figure them out (like mentioning her “reporter hat” being on as she decided that Eldridge was dead, when she was the one who found his body, and that “minimum rigor” means rigor mortis had begun - um, duh?) Then she misses super obvious ones, like recognizing a scene from A Christmas Carol, and which just goes right over her head.
The chapter endings are awkward, and end in the middle of a scene, but not during any sort of mysterious or dramatic moment. It’s like the chapter markers were just randomly dropped between paragraphs.
Regarding a pet peeve of mine in a scene early in the book (“All I could think of was one of those UNICEF Christmas card illustrations showing happy kids of every color playing together. That’s how those beautiful little ones looked to me. “): I hate it when people go overboard with how “beautiful” they find children who are poor or who are of other races. The people I hear talk like this are the same people who are okay with children of immigrants being locked in camps while their parents get sent to jail or back out of the country. Those who actually perform actions like they care about other races don’t feel the need to talk in this hollow, high and mighty manner. She does it again later: “I watched the rough cut of the shelter piece on a small camera-mounted monitor and marveled again at the beauty of those multihued children.” That’s cringe-worthy.
The Kindle edition I read was rife with typos and editing mistakes. These books are feeling like very cookie-cutter and slap-dashed. The only thing I like about them is they take place in Salem, Massachusetts.
She’s also been 32 for well over a year now. She was 32 during Halloween in book #5, Grave Errors, and 32 in June in book #6, It Takes a Coven. And now in book #7, set at Christmas. Time to update that copy and paste character intro that’s in every book! (“I’m Lee Barrett, née Maralee Kowalski, thirty-two, red-haired, Salem born, orphaned early, married once, and widowed young...”)
She takes really obvious clues and then acts like it’s because she’s an investigative reporter that she was able to figure them out (like mentioning her “reporter hat” being on as she decided that Eldridge was dead, when she was the one who found his body, and that “minimum rigor” means rigor mortis had begun - um, duh?) Then she misses super obvious ones, like recognizing a scene from A Christmas Carol, and which just goes right over her head.
The chapter endings are awkward, and end in the middle of a scene, but not during any sort of mysterious or dramatic moment. It’s like the chapter markers were just randomly dropped between paragraphs.
Regarding a pet peeve of mine in a scene early in the book (“All I could think of was one of those UNICEF Christmas card illustrations showing happy kids of every color playing together. That’s how those beautiful little ones looked to me. “): I hate it when people go overboard with how “beautiful” they find children who are poor or who are of other races. The people I hear talk like this are the same people who are okay with children of immigrants being locked in camps while their parents get sent to jail or back out of the country. Those who actually perform actions like they care about other races don’t feel the need to talk in this hollow, high and mighty manner. She does it again later: “I watched the rough cut of the shelter piece on a small camera-mounted monitor and marveled again at the beauty of those multihued children.” That’s cringe-worthy.
The Kindle edition I read was rife with typos and editing mistakes. These books are feeling like very cookie-cutter and slap-dashed. The only thing I like about them is they take place in Salem, Massachusetts.
October 22, 2018
Lee Barrett has landed her dream job at Salem's WICH-TV as a field reporter. One of her first assignments is meeting the beloved chairman of a popular walking tour through Salem's historic districts. But when she gets to his office she finds him dead, with a bloody Santa hat on his head.
With her police detective boyfriend working the case and a witch's brew of suspects--including some bell-ringing Santas--Lee chases down leads aided and abetted by her wise cat O'Ryan and some unsettling psychic visions of her own. When a revealing clue leads to another dead body, not even a monster blizzard can stop Lee from inching closer to the truth . . . and a scoop that could spell her own demise this killer Christmas.
This series gets better with each book, and I read this one as fast as I could, and then went back and reread parts to see if I had missed the clues, because there was a twist I didn't see coming.
Lee is a great protagonist. She has worked hard in the previous books, trough various jobs and troubles, to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. She is strong willed and smart, and following her adventures is a great deal of fun. She always finds herself in trouble, but it's never from moves that I consider to make main characters too stupid to live. Lee and her Aunt Ibby make a great pair. Lee's ability to see visions gives great insight into the plot, but does not give away too much, leaving the reader to figure things out on their own.
The romance in this book is a perfect addition, and does not overshadow the mystery. It is realistic and adds so much to the story.
Perfectly drawn characters and a tightly woven mystery make for a great story. I hope this series continues for a long time to come.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
With her police detective boyfriend working the case and a witch's brew of suspects--including some bell-ringing Santas--Lee chases down leads aided and abetted by her wise cat O'Ryan and some unsettling psychic visions of her own. When a revealing clue leads to another dead body, not even a monster blizzard can stop Lee from inching closer to the truth . . . and a scoop that could spell her own demise this killer Christmas.
This series gets better with each book, and I read this one as fast as I could, and then went back and reread parts to see if I had missed the clues, because there was a twist I didn't see coming.
Lee is a great protagonist. She has worked hard in the previous books, trough various jobs and troubles, to rebuild her life after the death of her husband. She is strong willed and smart, and following her adventures is a great deal of fun. She always finds herself in trouble, but it's never from moves that I consider to make main characters too stupid to live. Lee and her Aunt Ibby make a great pair. Lee's ability to see visions gives great insight into the plot, but does not give away too much, leaving the reader to figure things out on their own.
The romance in this book is a perfect addition, and does not overshadow the mystery. It is realistic and adds so much to the story.
Perfectly drawn characters and a tightly woven mystery make for a great story. I hope this series continues for a long time to come.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
September 24, 2018
First off, thanks to #NetGalley & #Kensington for the opportunity to read an e-book ARC of this one. This series has been a favorite of mine since book one, so I was very happy to get to read this one! Ms. Perry crafts excellent mysteries with just enough "paranormal" happenings. While this one is not my favorite in the series, it's still a great read. I figured out "whodunit" very early in the story, but that didn't make me like it any less. Lee is back at WICH, but as a reporter this time and not a "faux psychic". Her comings and goings due to her job could be a deterrent in some ways in future books, but I don't think it had any effect on this one. I like Lee & Pete's relationship. It comes across as natural. 2 of my favorite characters, O'Ryan and Aunt Ibby, are around, though not so much for Aunt Ibby this time. I missed not having River be more a part of the story. I always enjoy mysteries that are built around holidays and Ms. Perry does a great job with Christmas and Halloween centered stories. If you're a fan of this series already you'll definitely want to be on board for this one. If you haven't tried the series yet, and I highly recommend you do, I'd start with an earlier one so you're not lost on some of the finer points!
July 26, 2018
Another winner! I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and found myself engrossed in the plot. Once more, Lee is seeing images she doesn't understand, even with the clues her faithful (and former witch's) cat provides.
Once thing I really enjoy about this series is how the characters have developed and grown in each book. Lee has had a collection of jobs, from tv psychic, to journalism instructor, to investigative reporter. It is in her role as a reporter that has her covering a murder when she has the misfortune of finding the victim. Her boyfriend, police detective Pete, responds and Lee attempts to get the inside scoop on the deceased while also providing live news updates. What follows is a great who-done-it mystery, with Pete balancing between sharing with his girlfriend, vs, maintaining confidentiality with the press.
This is a wonderful mystery with a bit of paranormal that fans of the genre will love. The author is on my must read authors' list. While this novel is part of a series, this is a stand alone book. However, it is so good that you really owe it to yourself to read them all.
Once thing I really enjoy about this series is how the characters have developed and grown in each book. Lee has had a collection of jobs, from tv psychic, to journalism instructor, to investigative reporter. It is in her role as a reporter that has her covering a murder when she has the misfortune of finding the victim. Her boyfriend, police detective Pete, responds and Lee attempts to get the inside scoop on the deceased while also providing live news updates. What follows is a great who-done-it mystery, with Pete balancing between sharing with his girlfriend, vs, maintaining confidentiality with the press.
This is a wonderful mystery with a bit of paranormal that fans of the genre will love. The author is on my must read authors' list. While this novel is part of a series, this is a stand alone book. However, it is so good that you really owe it to yourself to read them all.
July 27, 2018
I love this series and always thought they were really good mysteries but this Iis the best in the series.
The plot keep you guessing till the end and I stayed awake late in the night hooked by the developments, twists, and turns.
The characters are well developed and it's interesting how thing evolves from one book to the next.
The paranormal element that was quite heavy in the previous book is present but in a light way.
The cast of characters is always likeable and the cats are adorable.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC
The plot keep you guessing till the end and I stayed awake late in the night hooked by the developments, twists, and turns.
The characters are well developed and it's interesting how thing evolves from one book to the next.
The paranormal element that was quite heavy in the previous book is present but in a light way.
The cast of characters is always likeable and the cats are adorable.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC
September 28, 2022
I didn’t enjoy this one ! She didn’t see any visions that were worth talking about and River was not in this book at all ! It seemed to be way too long for no action…..
December 23, 2020
Book 7 and I found out the cat is not named Orion but O'Ryan. #disadvantageaudiobooks
.
.
.
.
What DAFUQ kind of name is that on a cat, anyway!?! 😹😹😹
Ehem, oh well, I guess I will have to get used to that idea.
He's a ginger so it sort of makes sense. I guess. 😼
This book was nice enough. Not the best in the series, but adequate.
I feel like Lee and Pete as an item has started to stall a bit though. Time for things to change or at least shift gears somehow.
There was a moment involving poinsettias and freezing temperatures that made me laugh and shake my head because poinsettias can't stand cold or drafty environments so Lee's comment about there being real poinsettias outside a building instead of fake ones in the middle of winter made absolutely zero sense. #plantnerd
Other than that? Well, it was just as cosy as a cosy murder mystery should be. It kept me company while I decorated the Christmas tree. Very fitting. 🎄✨
.
.
.
.
What DAFUQ kind of name is that on a cat, anyway!?! 😹😹😹
Ehem, oh well, I guess I will have to get used to that idea.
He's a ginger so it sort of makes sense. I guess. 😼
This book was nice enough. Not the best in the series, but adequate.
I feel like Lee and Pete as an item has started to stall a bit though. Time for things to change or at least shift gears somehow.
There was a moment involving poinsettias and freezing temperatures that made me laugh and shake my head because poinsettias can't stand cold or drafty environments so Lee's comment about there being real poinsettias outside a building instead of fake ones in the middle of winter made absolutely zero sense. #plantnerd
Other than that? Well, it was just as cosy as a cosy murder mystery should be. It kept me company while I decorated the Christmas tree. Very fitting. 🎄✨
December 1, 2023
I've been enjoying this entire series, and this book is another fun entry. Like most of the previous books, I've figured out who-dun-it well before the end, but the characters and other plot twists are engaging enough that I don't mind.
My main reason for rating this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the number of typos. I read the ebook, so I don't know about the formatting of a paperback edition, but the ebook had numerous formatting glitches and typos. I know that I tend to read with an editor's eye (not every reader does that, certainly), but even so, it seemed like a lot of mistakes. I still enjoyed the book, though.
My main reason for rating this book 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the number of typos. I read the ebook, so I don't know about the formatting of a paperback edition, but the ebook had numerous formatting glitches and typos. I know that I tend to read with an editor's eye (not every reader does that, certainly), but even so, it seemed like a lot of mistakes. I still enjoyed the book, though.
March 22, 2024
I didn’t enjoy this one as much as the previous books. The murder was bland and seemed to take a backseat to everything else in the story
September 24, 2018
I am new to this series and author, and this author has picked up a new fan. I also must say even though I’ve never read a book in this series, the author did a great job of making sure new readers knew what was going on, or had gone on the past, so we wouldn’t be lost. I liked all of the characters (I think the cats were my favorite!) and will have to read the previous books to see what all I’ve missed. I do have to mention that some of the book could have been cut out and still would have been a good read. The plot got bogged down a little bit by a lot of description and by Lee’s new job as a reporter. These things weren’t terrible, but I don’t think were completely necessary to the book. There were also a few timeline inconsistencies in this book that I hope will be corrected by publication. However, overall, this book was a great paranormal cozy that flowed along smoothly even with those minor hiccups. Even if you don’t like paranormal, there were few elements that were so I think you’d still like this. Give it a try! Highly recommend! I was provided the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.
July 8, 2018
Bells, Spells, and Murders by Carol J. Perry is another grand adventure full of mayhem. Murder, secrets, and danger lie here. It's up to Lee Barrett once more to solve another murder investigation. She has a fiery personality that is fun to follow. Her curiosity and determination to solve a case is crazy sometimes dangerous. She is always finding herself in a difficult position. But in the end there is her boyfriend, Detective Pete, there to come to her rescue. It was funny, sweet, and engaging. I could not stop reading this novel. The mystery was good. So many possible suspects that I was guessing the whole way...I liked the red herrings that the main character dropped for readers like me. It was enjoyable. I am hooked.
Bells, Spells, and Murders is highly recommended for all cozy mystery lovers. For fans of Angie Fox this is a must read. I loved the main character's visions and the presence of cats running around...plus, there's a bit of romance inside too.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
Bells, Spells, and Murders is highly recommended for all cozy mystery lovers. For fans of Angie Fox this is a must read. I loved the main character's visions and the presence of cats running around...plus, there's a bit of romance inside too.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
July 26, 2018
I received a free copy of Bells, Spells, and Murders (A Witch City Mystery) by Carol J. Perry in exchange for an honest review. Lee is settling into her new job. With Christmas fast approaching, Lee’s days are filled with special holiday reports about charities and festive events. When Lee shows up for her interview with a local notable who sponsors many of the charities and events, she finds her interviewee dead. One of Salem’s greatest humanitarians has been murdered; who would do such a thing to such a good man? Who’s the grinch messing with Christmas?
I enjoyed this book and thought it was a great addition to the series. The story contained lots of investigation, human interest, and feline hijinks. The plotline advances Lee’s career as well as her personal and professional relationships. I’m really looking forward to the next tale.
#Bells,Spells,AndMurders #NetGalley
I enjoyed this book and thought it was a great addition to the series. The story contained lots of investigation, human interest, and feline hijinks. The plotline advances Lee’s career as well as her personal and professional relationships. I’m really looking forward to the next tale.
#Bells,Spells,AndMurders #NetGalley
November 25, 2018
Just okay…
I became a fan of the series with the very first book I read, but I felt this one somehow didn't come close to feeling the same. None of the stories have had the exact same feel as the very first one for me, and my complaint with this book is the constant designer clothes name dropping ! Don't really need to hear about or be impressed by labels. I'm not sure if the author sometimes needs to just fill the story with extra words, but even sentences that describe lee changing clothes don't need to have all of the items she puts on like underwear listed! Just say she changed clothes . I enjoyed the first book a lot but subsequent books just have not been as good. Hopefully this gets back on track soon.
I became a fan of the series with the very first book I read, but I felt this one somehow didn't come close to feeling the same. None of the stories have had the exact same feel as the very first one for me, and my complaint with this book is the constant designer clothes name dropping ! Don't really need to hear about or be impressed by labels. I'm not sure if the author sometimes needs to just fill the story with extra words, but even sentences that describe lee changing clothes don't need to have all of the items she puts on like underwear listed! Just say she changed clothes . I enjoyed the first book a lot but subsequent books just have not been as good. Hopefully this gets back on track soon.
August 15, 2018
Yikes! My very first cozy mystery from this author and I was skeered. I feel like it seems that authors are taking advantage of reviews because a lot of their work is getting better instead of worse. While there were some verbiage I did not understand, I guess I figured it out ok. Other than that, this author certainly knows how to scare the pants off of you. As I was was reading along, I found myself wishing I could spend Christmas with her characters. If you like scary books then you really will like this one.
Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
5+ stars ⭐️ out of 5
Thank you to netgalley as well as the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review.
5+ stars ⭐️ out of 5
December 29, 2018
Cozy Cats and Crime
This is the second Witch City cozy crime boom by Carol J Perry, which I’ve read, and as always, the author captures the appropriate seasonal atmosphere, the crimes often take a few guesses to identify the whodunnit and I love the cats. Especially O’Ryan. However, I’d love to know more about him, and I’d love to hear how Ibby gets on with Nigel in the UK on New Years Eve. Please let us know. My only bugbear is, yes, I know he’s a cop, but Pete can be a bit condescending towards Lee and she just shuts up and does as she’s told. A bit more fight please. Otherwise another great, fun read.
This is the second Witch City cozy crime boom by Carol J Perry, which I’ve read, and as always, the author captures the appropriate seasonal atmosphere, the crimes often take a few guesses to identify the whodunnit and I love the cats. Especially O’Ryan. However, I’d love to know more about him, and I’d love to hear how Ibby gets on with Nigel in the UK on New Years Eve. Please let us know. My only bugbear is, yes, I know he’s a cop, but Pete can be a bit condescending towards Lee and she just shuts up and does as she’s told. A bit more fight please. Otherwise another great, fun read.
April 9, 2019
A bit long for a cozy mystery. You would think a book with this title might actually have something about witchcraft in it. Think again. It doesn't. I truly hate when an author creates characters, plots, and details, but can NOT keep track of those details. In a MURDER mystery where the details are the key to trying to solve the mystery before the end of the book DETAILS MATTER. It is Prestigious Electric, Acme Plumbing, and Precision Carpentry NOT as mentioned on page 213 of my copy (10th printing paperback) Prestigious Plumbing. Do publishing houses no longer employ copy editors? Do authors NOT ask a few discerning friends to read the book before it goes to print?
August 25, 2019
2019 bk 266. Of the 7 of Ms Perry's books, this one does the best at being a standalone mystery. The others require a bit of background knowledge, in this the author does the best of including background information. It also has the benefit of being a 'Christmas' mystery and will surely reappear on my December reads table again and again. Now working for the television station as a field reporter, Lee is sent to interview the head of one of Salem's largest charitable organizations, only to find him murdered. The mystery involves bells, a tiny bit of spells, more murders, and snow. What more could you want in a mystery for the month of December?
October 4, 2018
Lee Barrett is now a field reporter for WICH tv in Salem, MA, a position she is delighted to have earned. Her report on a charitable organization didn't go as planned as the intended interviewee is found dead, slumped over his desk. Her aunt, Ibby, and police detective, Pete, have her back as she decided to investigate.
Highly recommended for cozy fans who like a touch of the paranormal. Definitely one of my fav series! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Highly recommended for cozy fans who like a touch of the paranormal. Definitely one of my fav series! Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
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