The Conjuring Comedienne

The Morelville Cozies #3

by Anne Hagan

Faye thinks Hattie’s a suspect. Chloe thinks she’s a kindred soul. Only Hattie knows for sure!

Best friends Faye Crane and Chloe ‘Mama’ Rossi are deep into another historic building preservation project in the tiny village of Morelville. Money is tight and it gets even tighter when the rare coins one of their prospective donors, Bridget Novak, was going to auction off to benefit the project come up missing.

Written out of a hit sitcom when she’s suspected of maliciously using witchcraft to further her career, Althea Dwyer, returns to using her given name, Hattie Novak, and moves in with her aunt Bridget to lick her wounds and kick off her next move. When Bridget’s oldest friend Selma confides she’s experienced coin thefts too, Hattie sticks her nose into the investigation on behalf of her aunt and her friend.

The local sheriff warns off all the ladies as rare coins continue to disappear and bodies pile up, but the trio each have their reasons for wanting to see the coins returned and justice done. They don’t take orders from Faye’s eldest child too seriously. They won’t stop until the coins are recovered, a murderer is in jail, and the restoration can continue.

268 pages, Paperback

Published July 6, 2022

About the author

Anne Hagan is the author of more than twenty works of fiction in the mystery, romance, and thriller genres. She writes of family, friends, love, murder, and mayhem in no particular order and often all in the same story. She’s a half owner of the weekly discount eBook newsletter, MyQueerSapphFic, the managing director of the non-profit, iReadIndies, a wife, parent, foster parent, and an Army veteran. She draws from all of those experiences when she writes because truth is often stranger than fiction.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read most of the Morelville books, but the last was a while ago. When I read this, I only remembered a handful of characters: Mel, Dana, Faye and Chloe. Dana doesn’t appear at all and Mel is peripheral. This is largely Faye and Chloe’s story with the help of a large cast of characters. Hattie, a former actress, has come to Morelville to stay with her aunt Bridget. She has a relevant role in moving things along, especially when more coins disappear and someone dies. There are enough characters to have several red herrings so I had no clue who was the criminal. I enjoyed following the sleuths as they followed the clues.

[Elizabeth Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun mystery with great characters of many different personalities. I look forward to seeing what the new shop owner is up to. Mama Rossi is cool. We learn about these characters and more as the mystery of the disappearing coins unravels. Who is involved and why? What other issues come up as we read? Great book with fun plot to keep you guessing.

[Lisa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this cosy mystery featuring the mothers of Mel and Dana from the Moreville Mysteries; it’s light, entertaining, keeps you guessing just enough and has a hint of magic! Recommended for a nice relaxing, enjoyable read.
I was given an advance review copy by the author in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Janice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book!

I say “fun book.” And for a book where some people die, it is definitely fun. I love seeing the interplay between our well-known characters and the newer ones.

This is well-written and kept me guessing!