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Silver Hollow #5

Shear Magic

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Listening Length: 4 hours, 14 minutes

When wizard detective Eric Naill is found stabbed to death behind the salon of hunky witch hair stylist Graeme “Gray” Quinn, it doesn’t bode well for the Quinn clan. Especially when Gray’s favorite golden shears appear to be the murder weapon.



With both the Council of Wizards and the police after him, Gray must prove his innocence before he and his cousins lose everything. But when his investigation reveals a link between Eric’s death and a decades-old secret, things get complicated. The only way to get to the bottom of it is to seek the help of the one woman Gray is forbidden to get close to — Starla Knight.



Meeting with Starla could spark a feud that might change Silver Hollow forever. Only it’s Gray’s heart that may be the worst casualty.


Audible Audio

First published October 29, 2018

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About the author

Leighann Dobbs

134 books1,862 followers
USA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.

Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.

Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.

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5 stars
427 (52%)
4 stars
247 (30%)
3 stars
121 (14%)
2 stars
16 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
Profile Image for Anna's Herding Cats.
1,274 reviews319 followers
June 2, 2019
I do enjoy this little paranormal town. Shear Magic was a nice mystery and fun time spent.

The Gist: Gray's in a pickle. Someone's been stabbed behind his shop with his pair of shears. And it seems everyone's out to mark him guilty-- the regular human police and the warlock's council. So it's up to him and his cousins to find the real culprit!

I like Gray. He's a hairdresser and the best of the best. Loves ladies and his family. He's easy to like and down on his luck at the moment. Poor guy. I liked that he didn't give up.

There's just hints of a future romance with an off limit witch from the other side of town. I did wish he'd buck it up and go after that a bit more. Maybe in the next book?

The mystery was fun. It wasn't terribly hard to figure out but I enjoyed watching Gray and his cousins bop around town investigating both the current murder and it's connection to something 30 years prior.

Overall, Shear Magic was a good time. Easy characters, entertaining storyline, a cute little bird familiar. Not bad at all.
Profile Image for Mara.
1,478 reviews113 followers
November 16, 2018
This is part of the Silver Hollow Paranormal Cozy Mystery series and the long awaited book that focuses on Graeme “Gray” Quinn, the hunky hairdresser witch in the Quinn clan. Gray finds his special magical, solid gold shears are missing while helping a client with a "hair emergency". He didn't have a chance to get his shop, Shear Magic, ready for the day before Mrs. Newcastle arrived, and they aren't where they're supposed to be. He finds them, with the help of Brimstone the cat familiar, in the body of Eric Naill who's been murdered outside the back door to Gray's salon!

Raina, Ember and Issy Quinn know Gray didn't kill anyone; he's being framed. The Quinn cousins have to work quickly to figure out who the murderer is because not only is the Silver Hollow police chief looking into the murder, but the wizard council too, which could have far greater consequences for Gray than being put in jail.

They found out Eric Naill was a wizard detective. What was he investigating when he was killed? That vital piece of information could lead to the real killer and keep Gray from being charged with murder. The evidence the Quinn cousins find involve a decades old suicide, and has Gray contacting Starla Knight, a South Side witch for information. That's risky because of a long time feud between the North Side and South Side witches.

This book in the series gives us more information about Gray Quinn, how he became a hairstylist, and opened his shop. That interesting story helps solve the murder. There were a couple of twists and turns in the story and we get a lot more input and help from Brimstone, the cat. Hopefully the feud between the town's witches gets settled soon so Gray and Starla can see if their relationship has the possibility to lead anywhere.

All the familiar characters are back, the police chief, Dee Dee Clawson, the shapeshifter who's on the police force, the medical examiner vampire, and Luigi, wizard and pizza shop owner. This is a cozy mystery without any detailed scenes of violence.
323 reviews3 followers
November 7, 2018
This is the fifth book in the Silver Hollow series. This one features Graeme "Gray" Quinn, the owner of Shear Magic.When Gray is opening his shop one of his patrons, Fanny Newcastle, needs an emergency hair style for a wedding. As he begins to style her hair he discovers that his 24 carat golden shears are missing. He is so startled Fanny leaves with an unusual haircut. Gray discovers his shears in the alley behind his shop in the back of Detective Eric Naill, a local wizard and private detective. Gray becomes the primary suspect in the murder and is being investigated by Martin Ellsworth on behalf of the Wizard's Council. Needing to clear his name he enlists the help of the Quinn cousins, Raina, Ember and Issy. As they begin to dig they feel Naill's murder may be part of a murder that occurred 30 years ago in the same shop that Gray is currently in. It was a barbershop then owned by Timothy Stevens father. Since that murder Eric's mother has not been acting right and Beth Wilkins, a local witch, has lost all memory of the day of that murder.
This story brings in Dee Dee Clawson, a member of the police force as well as a werewolf shifter along with her husband Caine Hunter.
It also includes Owen Gleason, the local police chief, who is not a paranormal; Stanley Judge from the Federal Bureau of Paranormal Investigations; Ursula Lavoie, the medical examiner who is a vampire and is sweet on Stanley.
Luigi Romano, a local wizard and pizza shop owner, helps Gray with some insight and suggestions. He has to be careful because he is not in good standing with the Wizard's Council.
Gray feels he needs to contact Starla Knight from the forbidden South side witch coven as well as Brimstone, a local cat familiar.
The suspects are endless. The story is wonderful. There are many twists and turns. You will not want to put it down.
Lee Dobbs has done it again with this book. I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
7,774 reviews50 followers
November 2, 2018
SHEER. MAGIC by Leighann Dobbs
A feeling that something isn’t right at the hair salon, as he goes to open. A patron is waiting and wanting a hair cut, and looking for his sheer and he
can’t find them. She leaves with an unusual haircut. While scissors were found as the item of murder behind the salon. They were special, and now with a patron with an unusual hair cut, and murder he was finished. A beautiful story, in believing in one self, that the sheers were just a tool. When all cleared, would shop open again, and what about that unusual haircut.
I enjoyed, it was whimsical, a very good plot. Readers will definitely enjoy this latest from the author and look forward to the next one. Given ARC for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Krystyna.
5,134 reviews55 followers
November 14, 2018
Romeo and Juliet?

Another winner. Talk about a pair of star crossed lovers - just wish it had ended on a happier note. A good plot that merged the past and the present into a seamless storyline. Okay it was fairly obvious who the "baddie" was but a great read. Loved the characters and the familiars.
When he comes into his barbers/hairdressing shop early, to catch up on paperwork, he doesn't expect to be waylaid by a senior. Desperate to have her hair done for a wedding. It's only as he goes to finish the cut that he realises that his magic golden shears are missing. His familiar leads him to them and the body they are in. Now he is a prime suspect for murder. His family try and help him but they only seem to raise questions about a death that happened years ago. The only way to get answers seems to be to go and try to get some one from the family his has been feuding with for years. Okay it isn't such a hardship as he had fallen under the spell of one of it's members. Getting her help is a bonus and the more they and everyone investigates the more it leads to an old crime. Can he find the answer to the old crime? Which should hopefully lead him to the present killer? Will he ever tell her how he feels?
18 reviews
November 15, 2018
Exciting paranormal cozy

After the murder of a private detective in the alley, Gary becomes the prime target of investigators trying to solve the crime. Gary is trying desperately to prove his innocence, while receiving help from his cousins and an unlikely source. The mystery element of this book is exciting, as we are privy to Gary’s thoughts as he rushes to stay out of prison.
Profile Image for Elena Granger.
366 reviews6 followers
November 26, 2022
The final book was disappointing. After the good 4th one I expected something more interesting.
Unfortunately, here the story is not so interesting, messy, predictable, some twists don't even fit into the plot. Also what is the issue with the forbidden territories of the other clan of the witches? Why was it introduced here, I think there was nothing about that in the whole series and suddenly here in comes out of nowhere...
The love line is so clumsy in a bad way, forbidden love? Are you joking? So they were not allowed to see each other for ages and did what? Exactly nothing! But suddenly everything resolves so good and they can meet again. Doesn't make sense at all.
I don't even know why I gave the book 3 stars rating right after finishing it. Now, I will probably rate it 2 or even 1.5.
2 reviews
November 4, 2018
Shear Magic is the 5th book in the series and was a great read. This book takes a peek inside of Gray's life. It offers hints of the paranormal, mystery and a bit of a secret, forbidden romance.

Gray's magical scissors have disappeared only to be found in the alley in the back of wizard detective Eric Naill. Now the Quinn clan must try to figure out why someone used Gray's scissors to kill Eric before they all get in a lot of trouble. Who would have done it? Are the witches of the South side trying to frame Gray? If not them, then who would have killed the detective and why? Could something that happened decades ago be the catalyst for all of this trouble?

Thanks Leighann Dobbs for adding another great book to the series. Can't wait to find out what happens in the next book!!

1,703 reviews35 followers
November 1, 2018
When Graeme “Gray” Quinn arrives to open his shop, he gets the feeling that something isn’t right. Before he can investigate, an elderly woman comes in with a hair “emergency.” While finishing up, he notices that his 24-carat gold finishing scissors are missing. With the help of Brimstone (a cat familiar who helps when needed and answers to no-one), he locates his scissors behind his shop. Buried in a wizard investigators chest.

It’s up to Gray and the Quinn sisters to figure out who murdered Eric Naill, before Gray is hauled off to jail (or worse, being brought before the wizarding council) for a murder he didn’t commit.



Leighann Dobbs is a great author, her stories are clean and can be read without offending anyone of any age. They are normally filled with humor, a little romance, and a few misdirection's to keep you guessing.
Profile Image for Kim.
130 reviews
November 1, 2018
In this 5th installment of the "Silver Hollow" series, the focus is on Graeme AKA Gray.
Gray, who owns "Shear Magic", the local hair salon, opens his shop early for an emergency hair cut. Except his special/magical Golden shears are missing. He finds them in the alley behind the shop, embedded in the back of local wizard & P.I. Eric Naill.
Gray becomes the prime suspect in the murder. To prove his innocence, he and his witchy cousins, along with the cantankerous familiar Brimstone need to figure out what the P.I. was investigating that may have gotten him murdered.
How does a 30 year old suicide, and long-standing feud with the South-side witches, play into the present day murder??
Another 5-Star mystery in this series!!
The story grabbed me at the beginning, and didn't let go.
Profile Image for Miss W Book Reviews.
1,790 reviews154 followers
November 1, 2018
Shear Magic is Book 5 is the fantastic Silver Hollow Paranormal Cozy Mystery Series.

In this book we get to learn more about Gray who we met in the first four books. Gray has found himself in some trouble when Wizard detective Eric Naill is stabbed to death behind Gray's beauty salon killed with Gray's magical shears.

Gray has to prove his innocence with the help of his magical cousins.

I enjoy this series SO much and it keeps getting better! This is a stand alone story but I highly recommend reading the first 4 books in the series as they are just as good and you will read more about Gray's magical cousins.

The story is so well thought out with incredibly likeable characters and a twist you surely won't see coming !
Profile Image for Debi Paglia .
621 reviews17 followers
November 1, 2018
I just love this series! The main characters are people that you would like to know better. I like that the town has both magical and non-magical folks living together. It makes for an air of mystery surrounding the town. Ms. Dobb’s books have lots of potential villains and red herrings, so it keeps your interest throughout the book. Her style to easy to read and hard to put down. If you like a good, clean paranormal cozy, then you’ll love reading about Gray and his cousins as they investigate a murder which may very well land Gray in jail.
Profile Image for LouAnne Stachowski.
8 reviews
November 1, 2018
I love the Silver Hollow Paranormal Cozy Mysteries. Each book concentrates on a different member of the Quinn family, and this book focuses on Gray Quinn. I have to be honest, I’ve been looking forward to Gray’s story for quite a while. You can read the blurb for the book on Amazon, but I would like to point out that the book is a terrific mixture of the paranormal, a great mystery, and a dash of suspense. It’s both interesting and fun, and of course, as with all of Leighann Dobbs series, leaves you wanting more!
Profile Image for Kelsey Bueno.
9 reviews
November 1, 2018
Another great book in this series. Grabbed my attention from the beginning. Great storyline with a murder , suicide from 30 years ago. Gray and his cousins working to clear his name from a crime he didnt commit. Family fued with another family of witches from other side of town. Gray needs help from one of them to help clear his name. Bad guy in this story was not who i thought. Great read from begining to end.
3 reviews
November 5, 2018
Really good book, kept my attention and i finished it in one day. No errors i noticed.
Profile Image for Valerie.
487 reviews
September 29, 2021
The story line is good, but because the first four books are on Kobo, and this one is only on Amazon, I’ve given this book 3*. Apparently Leighann Dobbs isn’t putting her new books on Kobo anymore. So now I have this series on two apps. Not good! I won’t be buying anymore of her books because of this.
Profile Image for gary c lehn.
1,724 reviews7 followers
June 3, 2019
Great series........

Or course I've enjoyed reading, Shear Magic, a story out of another great series by the author of many wonderful mysteries and always a little of this and that mixed in for good measure. !!
Profile Image for moxieBK.
1,763 reviews5 followers
June 28, 2023
Shear Magic(Silver Hollow #5) — Leighann Dobbs and Traci Douglass/Narrator: Amy Rubinate (25 chapters) June 14, 2023

I have been on a bit of a Leighann Dobbs readathon, and I am here to say I am not one bit embarrassed about it. The author writes fun, original, witty storylines with various characters and book series. Almost all of them involve furbabies of some type.

Well, not many furbabies in this one, but the attention is all on Ray, the man with the magic shears who makes all his patrons shine with their unique looks.

This time, he is out of that magic swipe when someone steals his clippers and kills a person out his back door. And Ray thinks it’s someone with magic.

The race is on to find the perp, or someone close to Ray will be next.

This felt a little different than the proceeding stories in this series. Ray is the center point, unlike the other wonderful ladies in this group.

The narration is great; the plot and characters are wonderful, as always.

Four stars.
Profile Image for Angela Griffin.
1,695 reviews5 followers
May 10, 2020
Hope for an overdue return visit to Silver Hollow!

The Quinn cousins are tangled in yet another murder! Gray shows up to his salon only to discover the loss of a magical implement and a dead body. I enjoyed the various twists and the tie-in to a decades-old death and scandal. Discovering the truth in the past leads to restored honor and memories, long-delayed justice, and a potential love connection (or two); this also makes for a delightful read. The few minor proofreading issues are not enough to distract from this fine storyline; the really irritating issue is having to wait so long to return to Silver Hollow (more than a year and a half). Perhaps this fine author could devote more time to fewer series...
270 reviews1 follower
June 19, 2019
Welcome to Silver Hollow. This is a peaceful town where the supernatural live in harmony with humans, unbeknownst to them. They all try their best to stay under the radar.... The Quinn Cousins and the Deputy DeeDee Clawson work hard to keep everything secret... When wizard detective Eric Naill is found stabbed to death behind the salon of hunky witch hair stylist Graeme “Gray” Quinn, it doesn’t bode well for the Quinn clan. Especially when Gray’s favorite golden shears appear to be the murder weapon. With both the Council of Wizards and the police after him, Gray must prove his innocence before he and his cousins lose everything. But when his investigation reveals a link between Eric’s death and a decades-old secret, things get complicated. The only way to get to the bottom of it is to seek the help of the one woman Gray is forbidden to get close to — Starla Knight! The Quinns and the Deputy rush to solve the murder and prove Gray innocent before he is sent to jail or before the Council of Wizards! I have binge read this series and have really enjoyed it! I hope there are more to come!
Profile Image for Angelina Kerner.
Author 26 books151 followers
November 27, 2018
Book Title: Shear Magic (Silver Hollow #5)
Book Author: Leighann Dobbs and Tracy Douglass
Rating: 5 stars

Gray! Like, oh my stars. I’ve been waiting for a story about him since the first book in the series. The cover is amazing as ever. All of the familiars made an appearance. One minus – too short! I can’t wait to see what happens next with the South side witches! This was a great case and was nice to get into Gray’s head. More please.
Profile Image for Darla Taylor.
1,863 reviews
February 1, 2019
When Graeme, Gray, Quin discovers the dead body of wizard detective, Eric Niall, behind his shop with his magic shears in Eric's back he knows he's in trouble. Being investigated by both the police and the wizard council Gray must solve the mystery in record time.

I loved this story although I hoped there might be a bit more to the ending. I sincerely hope there'll be another book in this series.
78 reviews1 follower
December 18, 2018
Silver Hollow witches solve another murder

Someone is trying to blame Gray for a murder outside his shop. Also, someone stole his enchanted golden shears to do it! Now, the family with a little help from their familiars and some of the locals find some mysterious goings on with the death of the old barber. It all leads back to long past alliances.
Profile Image for Francine.
145 reviews
January 4, 2022
A fun paranormal mystery

I enjoyed reading this book which featured Gray as the narrator. This whole series is fun with likable characters & interesting paranormal storylines. Each book focuses on a different main character but the storylines include all the characters which makes it more entertaining.
Profile Image for Teri Huggins.
70 reviews1 follower
November 24, 2018
Great read

I love all of Leighann Dobbs series but this series is among the top. Leighann is my favorite author I can't wait for the next book to come out and hopefully soon North and South sides will put their feud behind them and Gray and Starla can find happiness together.
Profile Image for Elisa.
3,232 reviews45 followers
December 14, 2018
A really entertaining supernatural cosy mystery.

Silver Hollow is a great place to visit or live unless you end up stabbed in the back then it's not so great ... lol

I enjoyed another visit to Silver Hollow and spending time with the Cousins these mysteries are always engaging and entertaining.
109 reviews2 followers
January 21, 2019
Almost Perfection

Yet again Leighann Dobbs and Traci Douglass have delivered a wonderful book. The only slight disappointment was that nobody got their girl/man romantically. Looking forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Brenda Tindle.
7 reviews3 followers
January 23, 2019
Bravo!

Another great story. Love the characters. When you can look at the book cover and immediately know who is in trouble; that says a lot about how an author portrays the character's personalities and details.
209 reviews1 follower
January 24, 2019
Shear Magic

I enjoyed the story and reconnecting with the characters. The plot was well thought out and the characters remained stable.
I hope the next episode doesn't take as long to go live
Profile Image for Wendy Beachley.
96 reviews
February 4, 2019
Excellent

good at finding his happy ever after would be great,but since that isn't happening yet keeping him out of jail is good! All the cousins put their skills to good use to do this,and we even get a glimpse into who Grey's heart may desire.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews

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