It's a school reunion to die for. Welcome to St Winifred's, a magic school with an unpopular headmaster who won't survive the night.
With a storm raging over the choppy waters, and the Magick Squad too worried about Health & Safety to come out and investigate, it's down to the guest of honour to investigate the murder.
Violet Warren has no idea that the evening is a celebration of her achievements. Not that it matters, since a dead body takes centre stage before she's given her award.
She and Ellie Bean form an unlikely amateur sleuth duo, with three clues to help them solve the case... or not.
One of their fellow guests is a murderer, and it's down to them to find out who in this closed room cozy mystery.
The Witches of Mystic Springs is book five in the Mystic Springs paranormal cozy mystery series. These titles can be read in any order and this book especially is an ideal place to start the series. Mystic Springs books are clean, fun and safe from swearing, sexual scenes, and violence. Play detective alongside the characters and see if you can work out whodunnit.
I had a great time reading this book! It has two narrators which can be difficult to pull off, particularly when they both are on the same side. I have read enough books with this type of narrative to know that can get confusing. Happily I can say that this time it worked. Kudos to Ms Marple for making that difficult feat appear effortlessly. I had no difficulty adjusting to the alternating narrators. The mystery was told so delightfully it was like sitting listening to two friends talk. I loved the investigation of the mystery, the clues, the scary moments. I want to say more but I’m trying to encourage you to read this cozy mystery so I don’t want to give away the twists and especially the ending. I was surprised with the discovery even though the person was on my list. The reveal is genuinely entertaining. I was torn between wanting to devour each word and wanting to slow down the telling so I could savor the moment. This book is a part of the Mystic Springs Series but if you haven’t read the previous books, don’t despair. You can read this as a stand-alone. Beware though, once you read it, you will want to read the whole series! If you’re looking for a magically good time with a few chills, this is the paranormal cozy mystery you want.
I DEVOURED The Witches of Mystic Springs. I absolutely LOVE closed room mysteries. This one is so great because it is a closed room paranormal cozy mystery.
This is Book 5 in the Mystic Springs Series, but definitely reads as a stand alone. It is also different in that the first four books focused on Connie and Sage.
THis book is about the witches Ellie and Violet and I absolutely love them. The book is also written in past tense in alternating perspectives which in enchanting and catches the readers attention from page 1!
These witches have their hands full to solve a murder before they strike next. I love the characters and the setting. It takes a very talented author to pull off a closed room mystery , not to mention in the past tense with alternating perspectives. So well written and I was so taken away to another place. 5 wonderful stars! Cannot wait for the next book in this series.
This is the first book by Mona Marple that I have read. Attending a school reunion can be fun, but when it is a room full of witches in a spooky setting. Makes the reunion more interesting. A fun paranormal read with enough twists to keep you guessing.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it Opinions are my own.
I loved this book about a class reunion of witches. Now I remember why I didn't go to my class reunions. There is a murder with a few clues that don't appear to mean much and the school is in trouble. There is also some hanky panky going on and other surprises. So who did it??? You will enjoy reading to find out. Looking forward to the next in the series.
Fun, quick mystery for your summer reading list. I really enjoyed this book. It is a closed room mystery, with a magical twist. The main characters; Ellie, Violet and Crystal are attending what they think is a class reunion for their school. Just happens to be the school for witches. It is hidden from the public by an invisibility spell. There are rumors that the school is being turned into an Academy under other ownership. The characters all have their own "gifts". Someone is murdered and Ellie and Violet decide they will cover the investigation. The school is on an island. There is a storm. No one can leave. We go through their questioning of everyone in attendance. Everyone is a suspect. There are several people that have appear to have a motive. The ladies use their magic sometimes to assist with their solving of the mystery. While there is the paranormal twist, it is not the center of the story. The main characters have successful businesses, are self sufficient, independent women. The attendees at the reunion are quirky and there are some funny moments. Delightful read. I received an advanced reader copy and voluntarily provided this review.
High school reunions can be murder and this one certainly was! Seeing old friends and foes - how they have all aged, well or otherwise, how much better they are doing than you are, or otherwise, but often and more surprisingly, how much the same things are - the pettiness, the bitchiness - yup it can certainly lead to murder. Winifred's, a snobby high class school for witches invites its alumni to a re-union, in the isolated island on which it stands. With the storm lashing outside, they are all trapped in there with the killer.
Mystic Springs introduces her witches in another fun read of the town. Mona Marple has done a good job with this closed room mystery, well written and well thought out, worthy of an Agatha Christie novel. Totally recommended. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
If you've ever gone to a school reunion of any kind, you will find yourself nodding your head to the books wonderful setting. Written from the viewpoint of two characters, the author quickly gets you into each of the Witch's head. Murder at a reunion-it's been done before, but never like this! You'll find yourself following along from character to character; as if YOU were that character. Remembering the awful awkwardness of high school, the clicks and the secret crushes and the teachers? Prepare to revisit those memories as you read along. Oh, and added to all that stress, there is the life or death situation of a killer on the loose! I highly recommend this book. You can bet I'll be looking to read the other books in the series.
This was a really fun book. There are two main characters and every other chapter is from the point of view of one of them. Violet is an artist that pretty much stays to herself. Ellie owns a coffee shop and they're both witches. Each of them receives an invitation to an event at their old school. Before the ceremony even gets started good, someone finds a dead body. Violet takes charge and convinces Ellie and her best friend to help. There's a good plot here and solving the mystery isn't quite as simple as you'd think. I definitely recommend this book to those who love cozies and mysteries with a bit of witchery involved. Even if that's not your cup of tea (coffee for me please!), this is still a fun read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Okay it's not a serious read but if you want pure entertainment with quirky characters then this is for you. The plot revolves around a school reunion but this might be the last one ever as the head has agreed to change the school into an Academy. That is until he meets an early demise. Stabbed in the back. Three unlikely heroines take up the challenge to find out who killed him. An artist (more or less a recluse), a coffee shop owner ( one has always been made to feel that her magic was inferior by the school) and independently wealthy socialite. Can they work through the clues, the affairs, the egos and the desperate need for money to find out the culprit? What will each of the three find out about themselves in the process?
I loved The Witches of Mystic Springs. This is such a fun book. It is a closed room paranormal murder mystery. It is so interesting and has many twists and turns that keep you guessing. This book is a stand alone within the Mystic Springs series. It is a great book to start with as it follows new characters than previous books in the series. I love the characters! They are so interesting and fun. The characters were well developed and it is well written. I could not put the book down. I highly recommend this book!
What a great story. Love Mystic Springs and its residents are so much like friends. This book was different in that it was from both Ellie and Violet’s views and sent you back in time to your high school and all of its drama. Really enjoyed the viewpoints of both characters and how they solved the crime. Imagine being at an isolated castle on an island with a murderer, not on my vacation plans anytime in the future. Recommend this book to all mystery lovers. Mona Marple has a gift for writing fun and entertaining stories. Try this series, it is fun and you will be glad you did.
This book captured me from the first page! Light yet full of mystery. This is the second book I've read by Mona Marple...She is now on my list of "Must read ALL her books!" This book is a paranormal cozy mystery. I found myself reading snippets while waiting in line, or on breaks. It keeps the reader interested and wanting to read more. I love the difference in characters personalities! It is quite tempting to tell the story line, however, just know "The Witches of Mystic Springs" is Magic and you will be spellbound!!
This book can definitely be read as a stand-alone to the series as it features two different lead characters than the previous books. A witches high school reunion that involves a murder and being stuck there. What else can the characters do but help solve it? I quite enjoyed it and the alternating chapters written from the two main characters perspective was an interesting approach. This is another winner in the series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Ellie and Crystal are off to attend their high school reunion at their witch’s school on a remote island. They encounter another alumna, Violet, who is to be an awardee at the banquet. The school has a big announcement which is not approved by most of the staff. The head of the school is killed but who did it? Most of the people know why.
This is the first book that I’ve read in this series. I enjoyed it. The characters were fun and the school was creepy.
A fun book to read. Told from two points of view, this book follows the two main characters back to their alma mater for a reunion. While there, the headmaster is found murdered. The two must locate the murderer by interviewing the suspects who include the wife, the mistress, a necromancer, and witches.
I loved this book! The characters were interesting and sometimes entertaining. The setting was spooky. The storyline was addictive. Life just kept on interfering with my reading or I would have just read it straight through! If you like mysteries with a little paranormal, a little friendship-building and a lot of interesting investigating, then you need to get this book!
Mona Marple has become one of my all-time favourite authors. Each book is full of surprises and stories that are well thought out. The Witches of Mystic Springs is no exception. I hated putting it down to do anything b/c it kept me riveted the entire time. Excellent book and excellent author! Brilliant!
A school reunion gone bad. Violet Warren goes reluctantly, unaware it was for her to receive an award. Fortunately she sees a familiar face from home, Ellie Bean who also wasn't interested but brought her friend Crystal. Together the three form an unlikely friendship, as well as their magic, is solving a murder. I was given this book for an honest review. And, honestly, I couldn't put it down!
The plot was well thought out. The characters are very likeable. This is not the first book in the series but it can easily be read as a standalone. The world of Mystic Springs is always a great place to visit and this novel is no exception.
I received a complimentary eARC copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I love, love, love this book! It is well thought out, written and had an original plot that kept me turning those pages and just couldn't put it down! I'm looking forward to the next in this series! In fact, I enjoyed this one so much I had to get a couple more from her other series to read in the meantime!!
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It had enough twists that the end was a surprise, but not so many that I got lost. The characters were well-developed and interesting. I recommend the book to anyone who loves a good mystery and/or a paranormal story.
Take a turbulent boat ride to St Winifreds, where this school reunion will have the headmaster dead and Violet and Ellis will endeavour to solve the crime before the Magick Squad arrive. Love the characters and fun mystery style, that Mona Marple brings to her books.
This book is awesome. My favorite in the series by far. I missed the characters from the previous books but it was great to get more info on Violet & Ellie. Hope to see more of them in future books!
Violet getting a letter floating thru the window from her Alta Mater was never a good sign. Ellie looking around the coffee shop wanted to use her magic want to clean it, but knew that wouldn’t go over in the town. More thoughts should of gone into this venture, how dirty people were, and then to touch and clean. Getting an envelope with the school crest, as she open the door. A storm, a murder, this was a reunion to die for. The humor and adventure as they try to investigate, I liked the two narration of Violet and Ellie, will it be by using magic to figure out. Delightful cozy mystery
This book is a step aside in the entire series. While Ellie and Violet are from Mystic Springs, they are never a main focus on the previous novels and it's nice to learn more about them and their backgrounds. To have this novel set somewhere besides Mystic Springs is entertaining and keeps the series fresh. The story has good pacing and keeps you guessing on who did it as Ellie investigates the office and Violet interrogates everyone. I love the dynamic they have going.
I love the characters, but one of them is my secret favorite. I love all of Mona Marple's series, and in all of them it is because of my secret favorites. This mystery had everything... Infidelity, magic, mystery, and fun! Even though this is the fifth book in the series, it also works as a standalone. Highly recommended!!
A fun paranormal cozy mystery. Violet and Ellie are at their school reunion when a storm traps them on the island, and then there is a murder. A well written, fun mystery with great characters. This series has been excellent so far and this standalone has kept up the high standard.