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Vampire Pet Boutique Mysteries #0 (prequel)
Almost Fangmous
Josie Wixx, pet-boutique owner and disabled vampire, just wants to enjoy the best vampire music festival of the year, Stakestock, which is held in her gorgeous town, Arteria Falls, Colorado—a snug little community pressed against the Rocky Mountains. But before she can even dip her fangs into the music, she stumbles across one of her favorite front men dead on the ground.
With the whole festival at stake, Josie is asked to resurrect the investigative skills she acquired while assisting her grandfather, the town’s old private investigator. With the help of a borrowed neon-orange mobility scooter, Josie zips around the festival to look for answers, using the scooter’s horn on anyone who gets in her way. But the more she digs, the more Josie realizes the killer might be closer than anyone could have guessed.
With the whole festival at stake, Josie is asked to resurrect the investigative skills she acquired while assisting her grandfather, the town’s old private investigator. With the help of a borrowed neon-orange mobility scooter, Josie zips around the festival to look for answers, using the scooter’s horn on anyone who gets in her way. But the more she digs, the more Josie realizes the killer might be closer than anyone could have guessed.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 15, 2023
I love the town of Arteria Falls and its residents. This was the perfect introduction to them all. The mystery was short but had just the right amount of investigation and tension leading up to the reveal. I learned a few things about Josie and her condition as well; I am a huge fan of the attention paid to those who suffer from debilitating ailments. Vampires still aren't my favorite but it's been fun getting to know these non-sparkly ones.
September 7, 2022
This was by far the funniest, most wonderful novelette I've ever read. With one tiny exception I'll mention later. I can't wait until the first book I the series comes out!!!
From chapter 1 it had me enthralled and I couldn't put it down. Josie is a disabled pet boutique owner in a vampire town which is hidden from humans as are all the many vampire towns. Anyway, their version of Woodstock, Stakestock comes to her town, Arteria Falls. She has to borrow a, get this, neon orange mobility scooter so she can go. Sadly, her favorite bands lead singer is found dead, by her none the less and her posê. Well, it turns out she is also a licensed p.i. and now on the case. This is a who done it that I never saw coming.
If you love vampires, this is for you. If you support disabled characters, this is for you. If you love kickass women, this is for you. If you like humorous cozies this is for you.
Now the exception I spoke of earlier. I know I'm going to make people mad but I'm being honest. I'm 51 years old and in my 40+ years of being a vampire fanatic I am of the mindset that VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE. There. I got that off my chest. LOL.
From chapter 1 it had me enthralled and I couldn't put it down. Josie is a disabled pet boutique owner in a vampire town which is hidden from humans as are all the many vampire towns. Anyway, their version of Woodstock, Stakestock comes to her town, Arteria Falls. She has to borrow a, get this, neon orange mobility scooter so she can go. Sadly, her favorite bands lead singer is found dead, by her none the less and her posê. Well, it turns out she is also a licensed p.i. and now on the case. This is a who done it that I never saw coming.
If you love vampires, this is for you. If you support disabled characters, this is for you. If you love kickass women, this is for you. If you like humorous cozies this is for you.
Now the exception I spoke of earlier. I know I'm going to make people mad but I'm being honest. I'm 51 years old and in my 40+ years of being a vampire fanatic I am of the mindset that VAMPIRES DON'T SPARKLE. There. I got that off my chest. LOL.
August 25, 2022
This novella really rocked! I liked the idea of the prognostic being wheelchair bound as there isn't anything else out there (at least in the cozy mystery genre) with a prognostic being disabled. This story takes us behind the scene of a rock festival where a member of a popular band is murdered. Does our prognostic, Josie, solve the murder or does she get herself into a real jam session?
A fantastic short read that still ticks off all the boxes. Read for yourself and find out.
A fantastic short read that still ticks off all the boxes. Read for yourself and find out.
August 25, 2022
This is such a good book. I love the author’s imagination and she put together a really good murder mystery!!
March 9, 2024
Another phenomenal fun read by this author who I now love. Cozy mystery at its best with such uniqueness. Definitely recommend.
October 23, 2022
Vampires and humans living together, oh my.
Great book
Great book
June 24, 2023
Almost Fangmous, by Elle Wren Burke, is the prequel novella to her Vampire Pet Boutique Mystery series. It is available to download for free in e-book format on BookFunnel when readers sign up for her newsletter.
Josie Wixx is a physically disabled vampire who owns a pet boutique in the cozy town of Arteria Falls, Colorado. It is a hidden vampire town where humans also reside, but by invitation only. When Josie attends a music festival and discovers a dead body, she uses her investigative skills to untangle this mystery.
I had been looking for a cozy mystery featuring a strong amateur sleuth who is physically disabled. I struck gold when I came across this series. It is also a paranormal, which is my favorite theme in cozy mysteries. I had never read a vampire-themed cozy before this one, though. After reading this prequel, I am definitely wanting more.
The setting, the characters, and the mystery are the three main components I look at in a cozy and this one delivers on all three. The town reminds me of something we would see in Halloweentown, except it's extra heavy on the vampires and a bit more edgy.
The characters are both diverse and loveable. I identify mostly with Josie, who proves that someone can be both disabled and strong. She has experience as an assistant to her private investigator grandfather, so it makes sense she would be inclined to do some sleuthing. Burke has the same disability as Josie, so she writes from the perspective of someone who experiences it in real life. She does a phenomenal job of weaving the challenges of her disability into the plot. Sometimes Josie uses a wheelchair or scooter and sometimes she uses a cane. I think it's important to note that she is not "wheelchair bound". Rather, the wheelchair, scooter, and cane are mobility aids that allow her to move about freely.
The entire story takes place just within several hours in one main area, which makes it feel like a locked room mystery, except that it happens at a music festival. This setting also makes it perfect for summer reading. The mystery is well-crafted and I did not figure out the whodunit. When it was revealed, it all made sense.
Almost Fangmous is a quick, light-hearted read that I highly recommend. I bought signed copies of the next two books in this series, A Fang to Remember, and The Tell-Fang Heart, and I can't wait to dive into them. The third one, A Midsummer Fang's Dream, is not yet available in paperback format, but when it is, I am certain I will want my own copy. I am so happy I discovered this series!
Josie Wixx is a physically disabled vampire who owns a pet boutique in the cozy town of Arteria Falls, Colorado. It is a hidden vampire town where humans also reside, but by invitation only. When Josie attends a music festival and discovers a dead body, she uses her investigative skills to untangle this mystery.
I had been looking for a cozy mystery featuring a strong amateur sleuth who is physically disabled. I struck gold when I came across this series. It is also a paranormal, which is my favorite theme in cozy mysteries. I had never read a vampire-themed cozy before this one, though. After reading this prequel, I am definitely wanting more.
The setting, the characters, and the mystery are the three main components I look at in a cozy and this one delivers on all three. The town reminds me of something we would see in Halloweentown, except it's extra heavy on the vampires and a bit more edgy.
The characters are both diverse and loveable. I identify mostly with Josie, who proves that someone can be both disabled and strong. She has experience as an assistant to her private investigator grandfather, so it makes sense she would be inclined to do some sleuthing. Burke has the same disability as Josie, so she writes from the perspective of someone who experiences it in real life. She does a phenomenal job of weaving the challenges of her disability into the plot. Sometimes Josie uses a wheelchair or scooter and sometimes she uses a cane. I think it's important to note that she is not "wheelchair bound". Rather, the wheelchair, scooter, and cane are mobility aids that allow her to move about freely.
The entire story takes place just within several hours in one main area, which makes it feel like a locked room mystery, except that it happens at a music festival. This setting also makes it perfect for summer reading. The mystery is well-crafted and I did not figure out the whodunit. When it was revealed, it all made sense.
Almost Fangmous is a quick, light-hearted read that I highly recommend. I bought signed copies of the next two books in this series, A Fang to Remember, and The Tell-Fang Heart, and I can't wait to dive into them. The third one, A Midsummer Fang's Dream, is not yet available in paperback format, but when it is, I am certain I will want my own copy. I am so happy I discovered this series!
October 11, 2022
This prequel is free when you sign up for Elle's newsletter.
One of the first things I loved about this series introduction is the different take on Vampires. Born not made and are just as susceptible to some things as the rest of us. Case in point our heroine Josie has a congential genetic connective tissue condition that requires her to use a forearm crutch to help alleviate her pain. They also get a kick out of our assumptions about them.
A major event for small town Arteria Falls is the Stakestock 2022 music festival. Josie is looking forward to it and she also has a contract for her store Matilda's VamPets to carry the official pet gear. She's also looking forward to seeing her favorite band Casket. Her friend and roommate Lynnae shows up with a neon orange mobility scooter, borrowed from her grandmother for this occasion. Josie is still waiting for her custom pink wheelchair to be finished and delivered.
They meet up with their friend Disha a new human recruit and veterinarian before heading in to find the festival director, Sydney. What they don't expect is to find Torian James, the lead guitarist and vocalist of Casket dead backstage.
The pressure is on to solve this murder quickly as the festival goes on around them. As Josie and her friends investigate there are plenty of twists and we meet the medical examiner Calder. I'm pretty sure we'll see more of him in this series.
I love the way this plays out keep the suspense high and the suspect list interesting.
I look forward to reading the first full book of this new series.
One of the first things I loved about this series introduction is the different take on Vampires. Born not made and are just as susceptible to some things as the rest of us. Case in point our heroine Josie has a congential genetic connective tissue condition that requires her to use a forearm crutch to help alleviate her pain. They also get a kick out of our assumptions about them.
A major event for small town Arteria Falls is the Stakestock 2022 music festival. Josie is looking forward to it and she also has a contract for her store Matilda's VamPets to carry the official pet gear. She's also looking forward to seeing her favorite band Casket. Her friend and roommate Lynnae shows up with a neon orange mobility scooter, borrowed from her grandmother for this occasion. Josie is still waiting for her custom pink wheelchair to be finished and delivered.
They meet up with their friend Disha a new human recruit and veterinarian before heading in to find the festival director, Sydney. What they don't expect is to find Torian James, the lead guitarist and vocalist of Casket dead backstage.
The pressure is on to solve this murder quickly as the festival goes on around them. As Josie and her friends investigate there are plenty of twists and we meet the medical examiner Calder. I'm pretty sure we'll see more of him in this series.
I love the way this plays out keep the suspense high and the suspect list interesting.
I look forward to reading the first full book of this new series.
September 15, 2022
Pet-boutique owner and disabled vampire Josie Wixx want nothing more than to attend this year’s music festival in her hometown Arteria Falls, Colorado. Josie’s favorite band is going to be in town and performing at the festival. Josie is excited and can’t wait.
Until one of the band members turns up dead that is. Josie is asked to look into the band leader's murder as she has some investigating experience that she learned from her grandfather, the town’s old private investigator.
Josie is in pain a lot and all the time from her disability borrows an orange scooter from a friend to help her get around on while she investigates the death of her favorite band member.
Almost Fangmous is a short, fast read that is filled with mystery from the first page. Almost Fangmous has more secrets than real live vampires within its pages. Secrets that are revealed slowly one at a time keeping me in suspense from the moment I picked it up until I laid it down which was not easy to do. Almost Fangmous is a whodunit sort of book with an ending that I never saw coming.
Almost Fangmous is a great introduction to a brand-new vampire world. I can’t wait to dive into the first book A Fang to Remember in the Vampire Pet Boutique Mysteries due to be released on September 28, 2022.
If you are looking for a short read and you love vampires then you are going to fall madly in love with Almost Fangmous! Grab your copy of Almost Fangmous today for a warm cozy read!
Until one of the band members turns up dead that is. Josie is asked to look into the band leader's murder as she has some investigating experience that she learned from her grandfather, the town’s old private investigator.
Josie is in pain a lot and all the time from her disability borrows an orange scooter from a friend to help her get around on while she investigates the death of her favorite band member.
Almost Fangmous is a short, fast read that is filled with mystery from the first page. Almost Fangmous has more secrets than real live vampires within its pages. Secrets that are revealed slowly one at a time keeping me in suspense from the moment I picked it up until I laid it down which was not easy to do. Almost Fangmous is a whodunit sort of book with an ending that I never saw coming.
Almost Fangmous is a great introduction to a brand-new vampire world. I can’t wait to dive into the first book A Fang to Remember in the Vampire Pet Boutique Mysteries due to be released on September 28, 2022.
If you are looking for a short read and you love vampires then you are going to fall madly in love with Almost Fangmous! Grab your copy of Almost Fangmous today for a warm cozy read!
September 2, 2022
I need to talk about this cozy mystery paranormal novella.
New author to me and I signed up for her newsletter and received this #freebook
Ok first the title #almostfangmous come on how cute ! Second vampire 🧛♂️ town yes please !
But where @ellewrenburke.author totally got me was her main character who has a chronic illness and the author doesn’t shy away from writing that into the story .
I loved this mystery and all the characters in this #vampirepetbotique mystery .
I never review free books from newsletters mostly because they aren’t on retail sites but this book has all the mystery , fun , vampires you could want !
Also I believe the first book in the series is coming in September !
Go get her newsletter ! Get this free novella!
A para cozy with diverse characters a great mystery and a unique town .
5 stars from Miss W 🧛♂️🧛♂️🧛♂️🧛♂️🧛♂️
New author to me and I signed up for her newsletter and received this #freebook
Ok first the title #almostfangmous come on how cute ! Second vampire 🧛♂️ town yes please !
But where @ellewrenburke.author totally got me was her main character who has a chronic illness and the author doesn’t shy away from writing that into the story .
I loved this mystery and all the characters in this #vampirepetbotique mystery .
I never review free books from newsletters mostly because they aren’t on retail sites but this book has all the mystery , fun , vampires you could want !
Also I believe the first book in the series is coming in September !
Go get her newsletter ! Get this free novella!
A para cozy with diverse characters a great mystery and a unique town .
5 stars from Miss W 🧛♂️🧛♂️🧛♂️🧛♂️🧛♂️
November 7, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. It's about a disabled pet boutique owner named Josie who is attending a music festival when one of the band members is murdered. Her grandfather used to be a PI, so she channels some of that energy to help her solve the murder. This is a novella so it is shorter than a regular cozy, just to get you used to the characters. The characters are interesting and well rounded and I loved having a disabled main character. She gets around on her orange mobility scooter and also walks with a cane. I thought that aspect was very well done and believable.
The vampire aspect of the story is also fun and instead of swearing they say things like, "Fang Off" which gives me a chuckle. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
The vampire aspect of the story is also fun and instead of swearing they say things like, "Fang Off" which gives me a chuckle. I'm looking forward to reading more from this author.
December 24, 2023
What a great cozey para mystery with a drop of murder with an array of fangtastic vibrant, colorful and quirky as well as a four legged friend ,characters but of course this wouldn't be a mystery without a deadly schemer hidden in plain sight. All the characters drawing you into this mystery while becoming enticed further through, secrets, lies, betrayal and murder. Once I began reading this marvelous cozey mystery I didn't want to put it down the mayhem, laughter and intrigue following along in the plot had me entranced turning page after exciting page until I reached its unexpected and climatic conclusion. Acquire " Almost Fangmous " so you yourself can enjoy it intriguing characters and mystery as much as I have. Kat
November 28, 2025
Vampires exist all over the world in their own communities. They only allow certain humans in. Josie walks with a crutch, she has the same disease as the author. Being a vampire doesn't make you healthy and invincible and you are born a vampire, you aren't made into one. There is a vampire concert in town today and Josie wants to see it. She has a back stage pass and plans to use it. After very hazardous trip to the area, Josie stumbles onto a dead body and calls for friend Calder, who is a vampire medical examiner. The dead person is the lead singer for a very popular band that is up next. Very creative murder mystery. Well told. Enjoy.
September 10, 2022
Josie is a disabled vamp who runs a pet shop in Asteria Falls, Colorado. The town is full of vamps and humans who know how to keep a secret. Her friends and Josie will attend the festival and concerts. She borrowed an electronic scooter to get around besides her special crutch. When they discover the body of one of the performers backstage, murdered, they start an investigation. With several suspects at the helm, Josie will have to put her P.I. skills to work to solve the murder. Who is the murderer? Why did he or she kill the famous performer?
October 30, 2023
Definitely a different take on vampires but it was fun to read. It was also great to read about a person with a disability taking on life with everything she has. Josie runs a pet boutique in a Vampire town and when she and her friends find a murdered victim at the rock show out comes her PI licence.
How she does this and along with her friends discover both motive and murderer make this an excellent read.
How she does this and along with her friends discover both motive and murderer make this an excellent read.
October 6, 2022
This was a vampire cozy mystery set in a town where vampires are the norm and their fangs can retract. The mystery is set at a crowded music festival even though there are only a few real suspects. One of the side-mysteries remains unsolved but the main one is resolved nicely. The characters were interesting though so I might check out more of the series.
January 11, 2023
Quick, enjoyable cozy mystery set in a hidden paranormal (vampire) town. The MC has a medical condition that causes chronic pain and difficulty walking, which adds to the challenge when she finds a dead body in the middle of a concert. Very well done, I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
February 10, 2023
Josie is a vampire with mobility issues who lives in a hidden-from-most-humans Colorado vampire town. Everyone is excited about the town's vampire music festival until one of the musicians is murdered. Josie, a licensed PI, and her friends are determined to find out who killed their idol. I liked the characters and world described in this novella--a different take on vampires.
April 17, 2024
I receive the newsletter from the author and it’s always such a pleasure to read them, I had to try out the novella that was sent to me when I joined.
My expectations were quite high and I feel that they were met! I really enjoyed this short novella, it’s a fun introduction to the characters and also includes a murder. The mystery was not very complicated, but for the short book it was well-crafted and very engaging.
The main character is disabled, and this is something that sadly is still not very common, and this may be the first time I read a cosy mystery book with a disabled MC. Josie seems like a good main character, maybe we haven’t seen much of her yet but the novel was so short, I am sure that she will be more fleshed out in the main books.
Lastly, the setting is a secret vampire town where everyone is a vampire, except from some selected humans that were chosen based on their love for the paranormal, and that was so much fun! The vampire stuff is so interesting and doesn’t take up too much of the story, it’s just a great background.
I also liked how it was explained that vampires may live longer and have some physical advantages over humans, that doesn’t mean they don’t get sick or are disabled. And I really found it fun when Josie talked about Twilight and how much she enjoyed it!
This was real fun and I can’t wait to start the main series, I hope it won’t disappoint!
My expectations were quite high and I feel that they were met! I really enjoyed this short novella, it’s a fun introduction to the characters and also includes a murder. The mystery was not very complicated, but for the short book it was well-crafted and very engaging.
The main character is disabled, and this is something that sadly is still not very common, and this may be the first time I read a cosy mystery book with a disabled MC. Josie seems like a good main character, maybe we haven’t seen much of her yet but the novel was so short, I am sure that she will be more fleshed out in the main books.
Lastly, the setting is a secret vampire town where everyone is a vampire, except from some selected humans that were chosen based on their love for the paranormal, and that was so much fun! The vampire stuff is so interesting and doesn’t take up too much of the story, it’s just a great background.
I also liked how it was explained that vampires may live longer and have some physical advantages over humans, that doesn’t mean they don’t get sick or are disabled. And I really found it fun when Josie talked about Twilight and how much she enjoyed it!
This was real fun and I can’t wait to start the main series, I hope it won’t disappoint!
Read
August 25, 2022Almost Fangmous is a FREE prequel to my Vampire Pet Boutique mysteries. You can find it on Book Funnel here: https://BookHip.com/MFMVTXH
This novella takes place a few months before the first book in the series, A Fang to Remember.
This novella takes place a few months before the first book in the series, A Fang to Remember.
December 7, 2022
This is an unusual and entertaining short cozy. The characters are very different from what I would expect living in a Vampire community.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from the author and this is my honest and freely given opinion.
June 13, 2024
I really enjoyed this prequel novella! Josie is a determined main character (loved the disability representation) and I loved the vampire interpretation as well as the humour.
This prequel did a great job at convincing me to pick up book one in the series!
This prequel did a great job at convincing me to pick up book one in the series!
August 25, 2022
Absolutely love this starter for a new series , the characters are phenomenal, the storyline was awesome, look forward to more from this author .
August 29, 2022
An interesting take on vampires
August 31, 2022
Found on a free site, a very cute, short read. Maybe a bit too fantastical, but still fun.
September 1, 2022
A fun vampire mystery with disability representation that works
September 2, 2022
An absolutely fun short read. I really enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more of this series.
September 11, 2022
I loved this book. I felt really connected with the characters.
October 20, 2022
A charming prequel novella that has murder, investigation and resolution in a small package. Thanks to BookFunnel for the opportunity to read for free.
December 22, 2022
I liked the way that the author wove her own disability into her cozy characters.
Showing that life is life.
Disability exists but doesn't have to totally determine life.
Showing that life is life.
Disability exists but doesn't have to totally determine life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews