Cowboys and Chaos

Magical Mystery Book Club #3

by Elizabeth Pantley

This is no ordinary book club! When the group chooses a book, they are whisked away from reality to find themselves totally immersed in the story. The characters, the setting, and the murder all come to life. In order to exit the book, they’ll need to solve the mystery and reach The End.

This time, the club chooses a mystery that takes place in a quaint western town – in the old Wild West. That sounds like great fun, until they arrive in the dusty old town in the Arizona desert, among cowboys and saloons. They discover that the outhouse isn’t the worse thing about this trip.

The good news is that Paige, Glo, Zell, Frank, and the other members of the club discover plenty of surprises here, and they have a great time visiting a piece of history. They’ll get to live through many exciting moments as they unravel this cozy mystery story.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Paranormal, Fantasy, Magic, Fiction, Ebooks

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2022

About the author

Elizabeth Pantley is a bestselling author of fiction and non-fiction books. She writes two well-loved cozy mystery series: The Magical Mystery Book Club, and the Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic series. She has also written the international bestselling No-Cry Solution parenting book series that is available in over twenty languages.

Elizabeth lives in the majestic Pacific Northwest and spends winters in the sunny desert of Arizona. While neither location is home to any paranormal beings (that she knows of) the vastly different yet equally lovely locations are the inspiration for the settings in many of her books.

Sign up for her newsletter to get a free novella at www.elizabethpantleyauthor.com

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Glo and Paige owned the inn which housed the magic library. It was left to them by GeeGee, their grandma & great-grandma. The library itself was underneath the inn, in the basement, and was filled with thousands of cosy mystery books. When the book club members got together, planning another adventure, the instructions were clear. This time they chose a mystery in the time of the Wild West, in Arizona in the 1880s. They needed to solve the mystery, find the killer - if a murder was included - and write "the end". They would then be able to return home.

The saloon bar was a quaint old place, and the book club members; Paige, Glo, Vee, Zell, Frank (the talking cat), Moonbeam, Forrest, Atticus and Sebastian, all enjoyed a "warm" beer there, and sarsaparilla. But when it was discovered that the usual serving girl, Mollie, had gone missing, they wondered if she was their mystery to solve...

Cowboys and Chaos is #3 in the Magical Mystery Book Club series by Elizabeth Pantley and it was fabulous!! Fun, entertaining, with plenty of laugh out loud moments at the mischief they got up to. I've only read #1 but it was such a book that the characters back to me immediately. I can't wait to read more about this magical library filled with cosy mysteries! Highly recommended.

["Avonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com

COWBOYS AND CHAOS (Magical Mystery Book Club Book #3) by Elizabeth Pantley is another entertaining adventure in this cozy paranormal mystery book club series. Each book can easily be read as a standalone because every mystery book the club is pulled into is unique, but I enjoy reading them in order to follow all the book club members’ evolving interactions.

The book club has a new member, Dr. Atticus Papadopoulos to bring their total number of members to eight once again and they are ready to have a book club meeting to decide on their next adventure. Zelda’s choice is picked this time around and it is the second book in a cozy mystery series set in the Old West. What the others don’t know is that Zelda has picked this second book for a specific reason.

There are many surprises awaiting the book club in Bandana, AZ and not just the murder mystery to solve.

I just love this series and all the book club members. It is a fast, fun read with a mystery setting that always changes. I solved this Wild West mystery before the resolution, but it still has many red herrings and plot twists that could easily have taken me in the wrong direction. Each book club member is unique in what they bring to the group, including Frank, the talking cat which leads to lively discussions while trying to solve the mystery and humorous dialogue. Ms. Pantley does a wonderful job of pulling the reader into each setting and making them feel immersed and yet also always reminds the reader they are in a fictional setting. The surprise character the group discovers in this book is wonderful.

I highly recommend this cozy mystery book and encourage you to try the entire series. They are charming and just so much fun!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s time for the book club to go on another book adventure. This adventure takes them to the Wild West. There are some wonderful surprises for the book club members. Will everyone return this trip or will they be looking for the next newest member?

I love the characters in the series. Like the previous two books, we are introduced to a new member of the book club. We are just getting to know him but she seems to be fitting in quite nicely. My favorite character is still Frank, he has some pretty humorous scenes. The mystery is well crafted to keep the reader guessing whodunnit. I recommend this to paranormal cozy mystery fans.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars) Cowboys and Chaos is another charming mystery in the Magical Mystery Book Club series.

Essentially, when the book club chooses a book, they get transported INTO the book and have to solve the mystery. This time, the magic library takes the members of the book club to the old west, a small town in Arizona in the late 1800s. The latest member of the book club is Atticus, a sort of paranormal scientist. He fits right in to the group. Having a new member is a great way for the author to explain how things work, so readers new to the series won’t be lost.

The mystery involves the disappearance of a saloon girl named Mollie. She’s a really fun character, even though she’s a ghost! (Not really a spoiler) The mystery is fairly complex and the author did a good job with various red herrings along the way.

If you enjoy a touch of paranormal in your mysteries, you will enjoy this series.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a review copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series just keeps getting better and better. The settings, the quirky characters, the creative crimes and methods of solving them; I love it all. I’m not usually a fan of talking animals but Frank, while described as a cat, acts more like a person so it doesn’t bother me. He is snarky and hilarious. I’m having a difficult time putting these down and will start the next one shortly.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get ready to jump into a new adventure with Paige, Glo, and the rest of the Magical Mystery Book Club members in Cowboys and Chaos. It’s the third book in this fun series, and though you can enjoy it on its own, you’ll get more enjoyment out of it by reading this series in order.

The Magical Mystery Book Club is a club I think most of us cozy mystery lovers would want to join. We often say we got lost in a book, or we really got sucked into the story. That’s literally what happens in this book club! When the club chooses a book, they get transported into it, so they actually are a part of the mystery as it’s happening! I think I’d be a big asset to a group like this. I mean I’ve been reading mystery books since I was a little kid! And I’m all about murder mystery television – especially British crime! I’m practically a detective. But, there are only eight spots in the book club, so unless someone leaves, I’m stuck in reality.

In Cowboys and Chaos, the club travels to the Wild West. Well, wild-ish, at least. This is a cozy mystery! As in their prior adventures, their sudden appearance isn’t questioned by the townsfolk since the club members are supposed to be part of the book! It’s as if the book is being written as they live out the mystery. Luckily for them, the inn (where Paige and her aunt Glo live) travels with them! It looks unassuming from the outside and fits into the landscape. This time it’s a pretty derelict cabin, but thankfully nothing on the inside changes…except for their wardrobes which add time appropriate clothing for the members to wear. I would love to see what my Wild West wardrobe would consist of!

The club members become entangled in solving the disappearance of a saloon girl in Cowboys and Chaos. The characters they meet in this book are quite colorful with the exception of three very drab, holier than thou women in town. I wonder if every Wild West town had women like that! I enjoyed these side characters as well as the new member of the book club. His intelligence and random insertion of useful facts is an asset to the club, but it may get him into trouble along the way….

I’m really enjoying this series, and Cowboys and Chaos was just as delightful and fun as the first two books. You’ll get a kick out of spunky Zell, the octogenarian of the club. She’s definitely my favorite member with Frank, the Siamese cat, coming in a close second place. He acts exactly as you’d expect a talking cat to act…superior to his humans! It was enjoyable following the clues with the club members and finally solving the mystery.

If you like your cozy mysteries with a little magic and an eclectic mix of characters, you’ve got to read Cowboys and Chaos. Getting sucked into a real cozy mystery book is a cozy mystery lovers dream! I definitely recommend giving this series a read!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Mareli Thalwitzer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If that little face on the cover seems familiar to you, you are not mistaken. This is the 3rd time we get to travel with Frank and the rest of the Magical Mystery Book Club. Then you will also know that this series is written by our ultimate favorite Feline Author, Elizabeth Pantley.

To make sure you don't get confused with Elizabeth's other hit series, Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic, we will do you the honor of giving you a quick recap on the Magical Mystery Book Club:

When Paige and Glo's beloved GeeGee passes (my wording has not been chosen lightly here), they are left with the responsibility of running GeeGee's Snapdragon Inn. While trying to sort GeeGee's earthly dwelling (once again, wording is important here), they discover a secret, magical, talking cat in the basement. The fact that this magical cat lives in a hidden library with travelling powers, are also worth mentioning if are going to keep up. It didn't take them long discover that the books in the library are enchanted and if you open and start reading one, you will find yourself completely submerged in the story. (Yes, yes, - I know that is your normal reading experience - all books are enchanted and can transport you to another world. This library just takes a literal step further.)

In our latest book journey-adventure-pilgrimage Frank and his gang find themselves in the wild wild west. Howdie Cowboy! I have to be honest, I wanted to wrinkle my pretty pink nose at the prospect of all that dust and desolation, but wow! What a surprisingly fun visit to the saloons, homesteads and open landscapes of the Wild West in the late 1800's, we've had.

Once again the Book Club Members (yes, there is a new member. I'm still deciding if I like him or not. I'm a cat and can take however long I want to make up my mind) need to figure out who the murder victim is, make a list of all possible suspects and of course solve the mystery and make sure the killer at hand will hang by his/her neck.

What made this instalment in our beloved series spectacular, were the unexpected characters who showed up to help solve the mystery at hand, not all of them in human form, and the mystery itself. I loved it! Talk about a twist in the tail. Elizabeth sure knows how to keep her readers on the edge of their seats and with a cat on your lap, that's no easy feat.

We love how Elizabeth always handles her plotlines and character development, all while providing the reader with fun tidbits and historical trivia on her current settings and timelines.

Full review available @ Elza Reads

[Tam Sesto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to the audiobook just made this wonderful, fantasy book shine more. I admit, when I first started listening I wasn’t sure about the narrator, the voice seemed to lack warmth. As the book went on, I adjusted to the rhythm and tone and found myself enjoying the book immensely.

This time around the gang enters the book, The Mystery of Mollie’s Disappearance, which is a western set in Bandana, AZ. New member, Dr. Papadopoulos (Atticus), joins the gang amid his research of extraterrestrial energy.

A wonderful surprise awaits the reader within the pages of the mystery. There are many humorous moments throughout the story as Zell and Frank live up to their characters. The character of Molly was lovable and a bit of a rascal. As you read the book, you become so caught up in the Wild West with it’s open spaces, dirt roads, outhouses, saloon, and church socials that it’s like a movie unfolding before your eyes.

My favorite part to this book was the book within a book. As the mystery was unfolding, the author started explaining how the book club and the books work. Lots of information about being an author, how writing a book, plus the edits go, and about the writing industry itself.

There was a surprising twist with the murder case and the ending was unexpected, clever and frustrating as now the reader has to wait for the next book. The author stepped up her game with this book. I love, love this series.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are
my own.

[Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun series, and I think everyone needs to rush out and read it and soon! 

Paige and Glo inherited an inn from their great-grandmother, and in the basement is a magical library. It takes them and six others in their book club into the book to solve the mystery before they are returned home. In this installment, there is a special guest but no spoilers from me! 

The book club is thrown into the Wild West, the late 1800s, and many of the amenities they are used to do not exist. They must adapt to not having a phone or even a camera at their fingertips. Luckily, the inn travels with them, and they can still have some creature comforts from home. I think I'd rather use indoor plumbing than an outhouse!

Turns out that there are a couple of mysteries to solve that are intertwined, but they don't know this until much later. But the gang does well at finding clues and solving the mystery in the end.

I am always drawn into this series because it is so unique, or at least it is to me. I enjoy the banter between the characters, especially the mother/son duo. Forrest is more worldly than his mother would want to admit, but she still tries to shelter him whenever possible. Frank, the talking cat, can be a bit over the top, but he adds flair to the story. Because they end up in paranormal cozies, no one is surprised when he speaks.

I don't think I figured out the mystery ahead of time. But I enjoyed sorting through the clues with the characters and wondering where the truth would land.

Definitely a series I will continue to read! We give it 5 paws up.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's time for another book adventure where the book club members are merged into the story.
This is the third book in the Magical Mystery Book Club.
It is a standalone story as each setting is unique, or it can be read in order.

Paige, Glo, and the gang are headed to the desert in Arizona in the late 1800's.
When the group meets for the next Book Club.
Zell surprises them by having a large delivery of items come to the inn that she has everyone help sort through and repackage.

Zell manages to talk them into a story she found, and Paige and Glo get the surprise of a lifetime when they get there.

While seeing the town, they overhear that one of the saloon girls has disappeared and all kinds of theories are being spun as to where she might have gone. They also hear of a horse thief that may have been shot, so they're not sure which mystery they're supposed to solve yet.

This is another fun story with developed characters that act more as a family than as strangers that come together every few weeks for a trip to who-knows-where

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.Cowboys and Chaos by Elizabeth Pantley see the book club members heading to the wild west of Arizona.
Will the Book Club solve this mystery?
Paige, Glo, and the members
Paige and her aunt Glo are still their very cool book club co-owners. Well, a magical book club. All the members are still a hoot, and I love them all to pieces. Honestly, I can't imagine how funnier this series would be without each one. Especially Frank, the talking Siamese Cat, brings such sass to book. Well, he, Zee (Zelda, the group's oldest member), and Sebastian, but overall they all bring something unique to the series. Of course, we end up getting a new member after losing another one of their members who found their book. So, we got a new member this time, but I can't talk about that person because of spoilers. Everyone who reads this series should find out about them for themselves.
The Mystery
Zee brings them a book they all can't refuse as it's set in the Old Wild West in Bandana, Arizona. Wow, I didn't expect as many things to happen in this book as they did. Though I am pretty excited, I figured out the mystery before the book club members. Mostly because I was paying attention, I figured something had to tie together. I didn't expect all the red herrings peppered throughout the story. Did you fall for a red herring?
Five Stars
Cowboys and Chaos by Elizabeth Pantley is a well-thought-out story, and it's lovely to return to the book club. These characters are unique in their ways and brought together beautifully; they are just fantastic. The way they solve their cases is hilarious and makes me want to be a part of their motley group. Ms. Pantley has gotten me in awe of both of her series. I can't wait to read more of either one.

I am giving Cowboys and Chaos by Elizabeth Pantley five stars and recommending it to anyone that loves a great Cozy Paranormal Animal Mystery.


Magical Mystery Book Club Series

 


Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Cowboys and Chaos by Elizabeth Pantley.

Until the next time,



Happy Reading!

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giddy up for a fun adventure. This authors imagination is a delight and she uses it well to create unusual and wonderful stories that seem to get better and better. This is book three in this unusual series and once again the author transports you to a different location, situation and murder. My mum was a big fan of Westerns, so I grew up watching them with her and listening to this book took me back. I could have used some popcorn. The mystery was good with plenty of twists, some you see coming and others that you don't but it is the characters that really make this series so much fun. This time the talking cat is joined by a ghost and the rest of the quirky book club characters, I still love Zell the feisty octogenarian and her little surprises. I am off to start the next book..
Zell gets to pick the next book the book club pick and this time she comes prepared, as the book contains a little surprise for the rest of the members. The magic library transport them to the wild West where they not only have to learn to ride horses, avoid gunslingers but solve the disappearance of a saloon girl and maybe catch a horse rustler. Can Pagie and the gang find out what happened to Molly, did she runaway or did one of her many suitors harm here? What about the horse thief? With two cases to solve they have no time to gather around the campfire.
This series is narrated by virtual voice and while it does mean it is read by a computer I found that it doesn't interfere in the enjoyment and I got use to the voice and while it doesn't change up the voices like a narrator would, it doesn't sound robotical either.

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book club is back for another adventure. This time we go on a journey back in time to the wild west in Bandana, Arizona. I so wish there was a real book club like this where the members literally are part of the book. The only way they can go home is to solve the mystery.

Paige, Glo and the rest of the team are met with some huge surprises when they land in Arizona. They, also, find themselves with not one, but two mysteries to solve. They quickly learn that the wild west isn’t the easiest place to live. There are outhouses, cowboys and saloon fights. Not what they are used to at all.

I can’t say enough how much I love this series. Isn’t it every book lover’s dream to be part of the story? The cast of characters are a fun, quirky and lively group, to say the last. This includes a talking cat named Frank. Frank is a wisecracking guy who makes me laugh all the time. It’s no surprise that Frank is my favorite character, although the humans are nice too :)

This is a fast-paced mystery with an intriguing storyline to keep you guessing. Elizabeth Pantley has quickly become one of my favorite cozy mystery authors and she has outdone herself with this one.

Cowboys and Chaos is pure fun. It’s filled with charm and a truly delightful way to spend an afternoon. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series. I can’t wait to see where we go next.





FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cowboys and Chaos is the third book in the Magical Mystery Book Club series, and readers of this series are going to love this book. With another member having taken their "leave" a new spot in the group has opened up. When a new member shows up, they come off as a bit eccentric, but you'll quickly see just how well they will fit in with the rest of the group. Adventure awaits as a new book is picked and they are whisked away to the Old West. Lots of surprises are in store as a familiar face to a few of the characters will make an appearance. This mystery is going to be packed with laughs, fun, drama, and of course, murder.
Cowboys and Chaos is packed with all of that and more. There are lots of cowboys in the Old West and there is plenty of chaos with this group of characters. Paige and Glo are going to have a lot of fun wrangling the book club as they work together to coral the group into solving the mystery of the disappearance of a young saloon girl. What happened to her? Why her? What is really going on? Watch out for those red herrings as they are absolutely meant to trip you and throw you off the track. Of course, being in the Old West is sure to be plenty of a distraction as well. LOL!
Whether you've read the series in order to this point or are just diving in you're going to find lots to enjoy in this cozy mystery novel. I'm rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I can't wait to find out what happens next.

[Vicki May · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not enjoy books with paranormal elements, however, I love the Magical Mystery Book Club books. The third installment does not disappoint. Paige, Glo and the book clubbers visit the wild West. In the small town of Bandana they find big surprises and plenty of mystery.
All these characters are evolving and their personalities really shine through. Even with the addition of new member, Atticus, they all work together in their quirky ways to solve the mystery. Each book brings the characters out more and more. I look forward to seeing what is coming for them and from them next.
The mystery is always a page turner that kept me guessing. I love the humorous writing style and all the twists throughout the book.
I highly recommend the magical Mystery Book Club to cozy mystery readers even if you don't like paranormal books give it a try. I know Frank will win you over.

[Kara Marks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in this series; I haven’t read the first two books, but this stands alone very well. I definitely want to go back and read the first two books too—I’ve already bought the first one! This author has one of the most creative minds I’ve ever encountered; this book is so original, I was utterly amazed. It’s like a combination of time travel and being able to live within the pages of a book. You get to help solve the cozy mystery along with the members of the “book club” that travels into the story. The mysteries within the book were very intriguing and fun to solve. I can’t wait to go on the trip into the next book. I can definitely recommend this book; I was provided a copy, but these opinions are my own.

[Pamela Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Magical Mystery Book Club series and Cowboys and Chaos is my favorite so far with a great cast of colorful characters as the club travels back to the old west to solve the disappearance of a saloon girl in Bandana, Arizona. This is definitely a can't-put-down book with a complex plot and some great twists and surprises. I felt like I was with them in Bandana and enjoyed every minute. I can't wait to see what adventures Paige, Glo and the rest of the club will have next as they become a part of another cozy mystery. I received an advance reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving my review.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The wild west never seemed better. Paige, Glo and the rest of the book club get a pleasant surprise when they travel to a book set in the wild west. Each character has their own quirky personalities that continue to grow, and Atticus fits right in. Finding creative ways to solve clues, the book club has fun and learns things along the way. And you can't forget Frank, a talking cat doesn't seem out of the ordinary with an inn that travels with you into books. Ms. Pantley makes everything seem as real as everyday life. The descriptions of the ranch and town come to life if you have watched any westerns. Cowboys and Chaos has just the right blend of paranormal, mystery and humor.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has an amazing imagination! I have listened to a couple of her Destiny Falls books and enjoyed them. This is the first book that I have read in the Magical Mystery Book Club series. At first I had a little trouble understanding how the book club was traveling to a book. But after they had arrived at their destination and the story was unfolding, it made more sense. And then I couldn't wait to find out how it ended! I recommend this book, especially if you like a little magic in your stories!

[Carol Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love getting immersed in a book and this one really pulls you in. Whenever the book club chooses a book they become a part of it. Since I am good at solving mysteries, I think I might be a good fit for the club. It might be a little weird though actually becoming a part of the story.

This time they are drawn out west, the old Wild West and have to deal with the craziness of the time as well as the lack of modern convinces. The club comes together again to have an exciting time as they find out more about history and figure out how to get home.

[Gayle B · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are in a book club and love cozy mysteries, you will love this series. Paige and Glo and the rest of the book club are transported into the past for their next book club mystery. They are to solved the mystery of the disappearance of Molly, a saloon girl. The group has to make sure they keep anything that is a part of their time, under wraps since they are in an old western town. A good mystery with lots of fun and mayhem. I received a free copy and voluntarily provided this review.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

How often do we read a book and wish we were there? Well, the members of this unique book club can do just that. They get together in the special basement library and vote on a book to visit.
Maybe it was the premise of the book that I had trouble with...at first. by the third chapter I was giggling at certain parts especially Frank the talking cat. Usually, I do Pros and Cons when I review books, but this book has all Pros and no Cons.

[Edyee Stocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Want to experience the old west? Then this is the book club adventure for you! Join the lively book club team in solving the disappearance of a saloon girl. This mystery will keep you guessing on who did it! Along with a delightful surprise for Paige and Glo!

[Angie (mushmysteriesandmore) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express my love for this series enough. I am 3 books in and have thoroughly enjoyed each and every one. Although the premise is the same in each, ie the book club members enter the book they choose in order to solve the mystery and cannot leave until they do, each story is as unique as the quirky characters themselves. Or as Frank the sarcastic Siamese calls them, ‘a bunch of yahoos’.

This time we see our usual bunch joined by newcomer Dr Atticus Papadopoulos, a doctor of astrobiology and keen interest in extra-terrestrial life. He’s quickly integrated into the wacky group of mystery solvers, and before long, they are off on another adventure. This time its back to the wild west in Bandana, Arizona and the mystery of a missing saloon girl and a shot horse bandit. But what do they have to do with each other?

I loved how Atticus fit right in with the others; it felt like he’d always been with them, and his encyclopedic brain helped them out enormously with navigating the unfamiliar surroundings and time period, especially as Forrest’s cell phone was useless this time. Without giving too much away, I loved Mollie and her interactions with the group, particularly Sebastian and Atticus. It was also lovely for Paige and Glo to connect with their beloved Gee-Gee again.

Frank’s sarcasm and wit were at the forefront once again, but I think this time his cowboy outfit was the ultimate in high fashion. Okay, maybe not, but it gave me a great visual image and made me want to snuggle him, not that he would appreciate that.

[Georgeanne Mattise · Rating 5 out of 5]

With the book club winding their way downstairs to their next experience is a new member who proves to be a super valuable cohort to their unraveling this next crime, plus ultimately adding a special new twist to club membership. Elizabeth Pantley takes our book club friends into a fantastic, wild, and mostly wonderful (and a bit scary) tale set in the Old West. A startling and unexpected surprise is delivered almost immediately, to the joy of the humans as well as their talking feline, Frank. Besides reconnecting with a beloved old friend and relative, the crew is also gifted upon returning home with a new forever friend, another layer of expertise added to their team.
Once again I was swept away on this lovely fall day into a different realm to enjoy the excitement and wonder of the simpler life back in history, and its sometimes rough around the edges inhabitants. Elizabeth skillfully and beautifully describes gorgeous landscapes and ways of life so that you are there along with the club.
Her addition of new member Atticus, who is well versed in history and world knowledge along with his archaeology experience clarifies and elaborates on the background and history and enriches living the adventures with our friends to an even greater level.
She colorfully and completely describes each member, along with all the new (and old) people living in this incredible place of cowboys, sheriffs, prairie dresses and bonnets, plus a much more lush and true to reality desert than one usually thinks a desert is. Ultimately the group truly enjoys the beauty and peacefulness, and those they befriend there, to almost not want to return home to their own Snapdragon Inn.
The genius and magic with which Elizabeth Pantley weaves this incredible tale also makes me not want to leave!! I simply cannot put the book down- one more page, chapter, section and suddenly, I was at the end of the book, having spent most of my day engrossed in the story. Here I am, wishing for more, sad that it’s ended, and hopeful for her next cozy mystery to arrive!

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

filling in the series

I read book ten in this series recently and thought I should go back to some earlier books to see where various characters had come from. This time, the book club, which chooses a cozy mystery each month and then is magically transported into the world of the book, picks a book set in the Wild West. There they are delighted to discover is narrator Paige’s beloved great-grandmother, who had bequeathed the inn with its magic library to Paige. Now they find that she’s not dead, but has moved into this book world for her retirement. They also meet Mollie, the ghost of a saloon girl, and proceed to figure out who killed her. Only when they solve a mystery can they return to their own time and home. This is quite an interesting story, with a satisfying mystery and happy solution.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The gang is off to the wild Wild West to solve the mystery of a missing ghost and encounter GiGi. Paige, Glo, moonbeam, Atticus, Sebastian and Frank are felling more as book traveling adventurers in cozy mysteries solving mysteries as each members find their forever book

[Kristie Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cowboys and chaos indeed!

I'm loving the diversity in these books. This one takes place in the Wild West, and our book club is in charge of solving not one, but two mysteries! And there's BIG a surprise waiting for them inside, too!

Upon entering the book in Bandana, Arizona, they meet some of the townsfolk and get acquainted with their mystery. A missing saloon girl, and a missing probably shot horse thief. This will be exciting!

They're not quite sure where to begin solving this case though, so as they get to know people, the mystery just keeps coming! Atticus is their new member, and he is a great addition to their team! Along with old friends, they search for information and take on the case of missing persons!

There were a lot of misdirects in this one but I thought it was really well done and I loved the way everything fell together!

[Darla Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is about a magical library that features cozy mysteries. A book club of eight members meets and chooses a book, they're then transported into the story where they must solve the mystery. This time, Paige and Glo along with Frank the talking cat and the others are sent back to the old Wild West. A young saloon girl has gone missing. Can the group find her? There's also another matter that the group needs to get to the bottom of.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest, unbiased review. This is the third book in what's been an excellent series, and this book is a fantastic addition. This quick, fun read was well-written with well-rounded characters and a well-developed plot. I was drawn into this magical tale and kept hooked from beginning to end. The mysteries involved will keep you guessing. While each book has its own mystery and can be read as a stand-alone, I suggest reading the series in order so you can get the most out of it. I'm looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one.

[Susan Reads Cozies · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. This book shocked me with a surprise I did not see coming. It was a good surprise though. It made my heart happy and I know it did the same for the book club members.