Total Eclipse of the Hex

Crescent Moon Mysteries #6

by Tara Lush

Murder is on the menu in Cypress Grove... and the catch of the day is deadly.

When a celebrity chef dies after a dramatic event at the Crescent Moon Inn, innkeeper and part-time sleuth Amelia Matthews finds herself juggling magical mayhem, suspicious guests, and a daughter who’s suddenly back in town—and not happy about her mom’s witchy lifestyle.

What should have been a showcase of Cypress Grove's culinary scene descends into chaos during a violent summer storm, with tensions simmering among a wine bar owner with a grudge, an increasingly unhinged assistant, a suspiciously knowledgeable newcomer, and a city council member who won't stop singing — or drinking. All signs point to toxic pufferfish poisoning, but Amelia senses something far more sinister at a disturbing force that threatens not just her inn's reputation, but her daughter's safety.

With the power out, the storm raging, and the clues piling up, Amelia must uncover the truth before anyone else falls victim to the killer trapped under her roof. Can she solve the case while keeping both her magic and her family ties intact?


Total Eclipse of the Hex is a paranormal cozy mystery packed with charm, suspense, and a dash of magic! While it can be read as a standalone, the books in the Crescent Moon Mystery Series are best read in order.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2025

About the author

Tara Lush is a RWA Rita finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow and the winner of the George C. Polk award for environmental journalism.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the series so much. I’m always so sad when they end so quickly. Hot flashes and dead bodies. What more could you ask for?

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Total Eclipse of the Hex (Crescent Moon Mysteries #6)" by Tara Lush is a bit different from past books in this series. We don't have any of the usual characters that help Amelia out. Everyone is conveniently on vacation somewhere or tied up with other obligations. This one also gets solved pretty quickly as it follows the classic trapped at a dinner party murder mystery set up. There isn't any ghost action either, or is there? I have a theory that may end up being just that, my own theory.

Amelia's daughter has arrived early for her summer vacation with her mom. This works out because the Crescent Moon Inn is about to host the first in a series of pop up dinners around town. Amelia's daughter seems to be amazing at setting up dinner decor. However, they do have to navigate her daughter coming around to Amelia's new normal and abilities. The guest chef is not all he appears on his social media accounts and there is a literal and figurative storm brewing. One thing leads to another and someone is dead by dinner time.

[Tara Kat (MagnoliaPigeonBookBlurbs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It's like Stars Hollow had a baby with Salem, Massachusetts, and then that baby moved to Florida and got really into crystals. And everyone wore flip-flops.” - Tara Lush, Total Eclipse of the Hex ✨

✨ Total Eclipse of the Hex by Tara Lush ✨

Freddie Purrcury is back in the 6th installment of the Crescent Moon Mystery series and it is absolutely meow-gical!! Amelia is living her best magical midlife when the Crescent Moon Inn is turned upside down! Magic, mayhem, murder and an unexpected guest send their cozy coven into chaos! Full of eccentric characters, hilarious moments, budding romance, the coziest town and the most adorable feline familiar - this may be my favorite installment yet!!

🔍 Mother Daughter Sleuthing
✨ Magical Midlife
📚 6th in the Series
🫖 Cozy Mystery
🐊 Florida
🐈 Freddie Purrcury
💖 Romance
👻 Paranormal Activity
🪦 Graveyard Recipes

The Crescent Moon Mystery series is one of my favorite magical cozy mystery series and I can’t wait to see what will happen in book 7!!

Ps how amazing does Cypress Grove sound?? Salem, MA + Stars Hollow?? Brb moving asap! 🧳

[Amanda Reads Cozies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved getting to know Jenny! I am very interested to see more of her and find out where her story leads. This was a such a fun and different mystery format. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I just hate I read it so fast because now it’s over.

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total Eclipse of the Hex is Book 5 in the Crescent Moon mystery series by Tara Lush.

I absolutely LOVE this series and let me tell you about this book!

Amelia is shocked when her daughter Jenny arrives a month early and boy is she in for a shock with all the witchy going Ons.

Locked Room mystery during a storm that is keeping everyone inside, YES PLEASE!

Celebrity chef with so many secrets, one that got him killed.

Power goes out, poof!

I loved this mystery so much! Also, the mom daughter relationship is on point here and I absolutely LOVED it!!!!

If you're not reading this series, you're seriously missing out!!!

[kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audiobook before this book so I had a general idea of the major characters. I listened to this one as an audiobook as well. I like the narrator. The story flowed very nicely with the narration.

This is really a fun series! I love the witchy elements. Amelia‘s daughter is visiting and discovers her mother has a boyfriend and has some witchy skills! Surprise!

I like how this community supports the supernatural. It’s a nice place to be in a book. The murder mystery itself was interesting. It was like a closed room mystery, which increases the intensity because you don’t know who really is the killer!

It all ends well, of course. The author does a wonderful job creating interesting characters and adding a paranormal element to her novels. Very fun reading. Not hard to get into at all. You could read it as a standalone as well.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total Eclipse of the Hex

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“ When a celebrity chef dies after a dramatic event at the Crescent Moon Inn, innkeeper and part-time sleuth Amelia Matthews finds herself juggling magical mayhem, suspicious guests, and a daughter who’s suddenly back in town—and not happy about her mom’s witchy lifestyle.”

Of course Tara Lush hits a home run again with this addition to the series! I just love this series! The characters are people I want to get to know and be friends with. I love the addition of characters in this book and whole mystery was a good one. I like the modern elements that were brought in. I just really enjoyed and would recommend all the books in this series! I can’t wait to see what happens to Amelia next!

[Nini · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for free from the author. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read it!

This is book six in the crescent moon series and it did not disappoint!

I loved that Amelia’s daughter was introduced and that she had a role in this story. The plot was great and had me guessing. I wonder how Jenny’s storyline will develop! Will she have some sort of power like her mom? I love the characters in this series and wish this town existed in real life LOL

I gave this one 5⭐️

[Susan Reads Cozies · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am always intrigued by each book in the series. Amelia’s daughter, Jenny, is in town unexpectedly! I loved the mother and daughter team working together. This was a different setup as a lot of the characters are not present. There was still plenty of entertainment to go around! I do love a mystery where everyone is stuck together and on their own because things always get interesting. I am excited to see how things develop for Jenny.
 
 
Thank you to the author for my e-copy in exchange for a review.
 

[bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our favourite psychometric witch is back for a new adventure!! Amelia is hosting a dinner party at the Crescent Moon Inn, and a edgy, celebrity chef will be cooking the meal. However it soon turns into a murder mystery dinner party when the chef is killed and everyone is stuck inside the inn, while a typical Florida storm rages outside. It's up to Amelia, her daughter and a new friend to find the killer before they strike again.

The Crescent Moon Mysteries are one of my favourite series. They bring together my love of everything witchy with cozy mysteries, and every book is exceptional. If it's possible Total Eclipse of the Hex is even better than the previous stories. Imagine a murder mystery dinner party with magic? Doesn't that sound awesome?

The victim is a celebrity chef, who is famous for his Tik Tok's and throwing dough, among other things. Is that a thing? Honestly I'm too afraid of Tik Tok to go and check. Probably just like Amelia!! The mystery was great. It takes many twists and turns before the final denouement and I didn't solve it before Amelia.

This book brings Amelia's daughter, Jenny, to Cypress Grove, as she arrives early for a holiday. This creates a new dynamic and I love this storyline so much!!! Not just how Jenny reacts to finding out her mom is a witch, but everything after. I won't spoil it, but I loved it!!

If you're looking for a cozy mystery where women are ruling the world and kicking butt then you need to read this series. It's empowering and magical and everything that this Gen X reader loves.

[ReadThisAndSteep · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is only my second read in this series, and I'm already starting to feel right at home in eclectic Cypress Grove. I'm a sucker for paranormal mysteries, and I really enjoyed this one. Amelia is a witch, innkeeper, and amateur sleuth in a town where magic abounds. She must investigate the mysterious death of a celebrity chef under the watchful eye of her visiting daughter, who isn't very happy about her mom's witchy lifestyle.
The characters are quirky and interesting. I love that Amelia is a proud Gex-Xer. The dynamic between her and her daughter Jenny added depth to the story, especially as Jenny visit was unexpected and she isn't fully on board with her mom's newly discovered powers and lifestyle.
The mystery has a locked-room element, as a storm traps everyone inside for an extended period, including when the crime occurs. The plot was intriguing, cleverly crafted, and balanced by humor and paranormal elements. Its fast-paced and fun, making if a great escapist read. Cannot wait for the next one!

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are great and the situations are interesting - sometimes very funny and other times a bit scary. I can't wait to read the next one.

Amazon synopsis:
When a celebrity chef dies after a dramatic event at the Crescent Moon Inn, innkeeper and part-time sleuth Amelia Matthews finds herself juggling magical mayhem, suspicious guests, and a daughter who’s suddenly back in town—and not happy about her mom’s witchy lifestyle.

What should have been a showcase of Cypress Grove's culinary scene descends into chaos during a violent summer storm, with tensions simmering among a wine bar owner with a grudge, an increasingly unhinged assistant, a suspiciously knowledgeable newcomer, and a city council member who won't stop singing — or drinking. All signs point to toxic pufferfish poisoning, but Amelia senses something far more sinister at play: a disturbing force that threatens not just her inn's reputation, but her daughter's safety.

With the power out, the storm raging, and the clues piling up, Amelia must uncover the truth before anyone else falls victim to the killer trapped under her roof. Can she solve the case while keeping both her magic and her family ties intact?

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

We are back in Cypress Grove, but this time Amelia is dealing with her daughter’s unexpected arrival in town. Meanwhile she is hosting a special guest chef event- only for the chef to suddenly die, while the guests are all trapped at the inn by a ferocious storm.
A variation on the locked room type mystery, this was an enjoyable addition to he series, though I can’t help but feel that Cypress Grove has a rather murderous streak going on!
It’s a quick read, and a fun one, but not really a standalone- it picks up where book five left off, and continues Amelia’s own story, which began in book one.
This is an entertaining series of paranormal mysteries, that any Gen X-er will get a kick out of, while cosy paranormal mystery lovers will have fun with the quirky town, magic, and sweet romance aspect.

[MB Bertram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total Eclipse of the Hex is another great addition to the Crescent Moon Mysteries by Tara Lush. Once again, Ameila Matthews, innkeeper, new witch, and amateur sleuth, has a dead body on her hands, but this time it’s in her kitchen!
Unlike the other books in the series, Ameila must rely on herself and her magic to solve the crime and keep her guests and her daughter Jenny safe while trapped in the inn during a fierce summer storm.
I loved meeting Jenny and hope to get to know her better in future books. The mother-daughter relationship was well-written and believable.
As always, there’s just enough hijinks, mixed with thoughtful observations about learning to believe in yourself and your own magic.
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm loving this series, and I've been excited to read this book since the last one's cliffhanger! When I first started reading, I became worried when I realized that all the usual side characters were off on holiday, and those that were still in town - Oliver, for example - weren't "invited to the party," BUT - yes, of course there's a but - BUT this was an excellent addition to the series. I loved reading about Amelia's daughter, Jenny, and Amelia's new friend, Clara. It was just so... warm and cozy.

I'm really excited to see where things lead with Jenny's mystery, as well as with Amelia and Oliver's love story. And I'm looking forward to, hopefully, "seeing" some of Cypress Grove's usual side characters again in the next book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I thought I couldn’t love the Crescent Moon Mysteries any more another book comes out and I fall deeper in love… I was so excited to see how the cliffhanger from the last book would work out for Amelia. The mother-daughter relationship was perfect. I could see myself in Amelia’s conflicting desires to embrace her new life while still being the mother her daughter expects. Oh, and the mystery, of course perfectly choreographed twists and turns, like I can always expect from Tara Lush. My favorite aspect of this series is the strong female friendships and vulnerability each character brings to their relationships. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if there was a real Cypress Grove with these characters as my neighbors, I’d move there in a heartbeat!

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am happy to be caught up with the Crescent Moon Mysteries by Tara Lush! I have listened to the audiobooks in this series narrated by Anna Maste. The narrator has the best voice for Amelia, the main character, and her friends in Cypress Grove. This story picks up right where the previous book left off. Amelia’s daughter Jenny shows up earlier than expected for her planned visit. She shows up to find out what her mom has been up to since her move to Florida. Jenny has a secret of her own and we learn about some big changes that will be happening in the series.

Listening to the audiobooks has been a fun way to spend time in Cypress Grove, “the Psychic Capital of the World”. I received an advanced listening copy(ALC) from he author, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[J.T. Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total Eclipse of The Hex by Tara Lush was an intriguing cozy mystery. This book in the Crescent Moon Mystery series has the death occur almost halfway through the story, but still involved Amelia's psychometry skills and introduced a few new characters. We finally get to meet Amelia's daughter and I enjoyed every minute of their mother/daughter relationship. The strong female friendships aspect from the previous books was still present, even without our usual friend group. The who behind the murder kept me curious as Amelia worked to solve the case. Overall, I really enjoyed this Crescent Moon Mystery!

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jenny comes to Cypress Grove unexpectedly and discovers her Mom’s new life. It throws their relationship for a loop. Jenny is hiding something as well.
Meanwhile, the special culinary event that is to be held at the Crescent Moon Inn goes sideways when the celebrity chef is a jerk and a massive storm descends on the town.
The book is somewhat a locked room mystery as the storm isolates Amelia and her guests. Amelia must determine how to keep her daughter safe after the chef dies.
This is a really good addition to the series. I love how magic is combined with the mystery.

[booksy.tx.ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

What magical fun!
I loved the locked room feel of this mystery. It made it kind of fun and spooky. The inclusion of a psychic magical element added an extra layer of intrigue. Having Amelia’s daughter show up and having her own mysterious problems were great within the overall story. It showed a different side to her personality. I’m also interested in finding out what path the story is going to take with her daughter.




Come read with me on instagram @booksy.tx.ana

[Beth-l Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book of the series so far! I loved getting to know Jenny and the new backstory adds so much to the series. Lots of LOL moments along with a fun mystery to solve. I enjoyed the time frame of the murder (I don't want to give away any spoilers---you'll have to read it to see what I mean!) Looking forward to the next installment.

[Cynthia Wasco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spoiler! We got a map of the town🙌🏼 Next book I’d love to see a map of the layout of the Crescent Moon Inn 🤣

Another great story of Amelia and her adventures, this time with her daughter. A locked room mystery with an unlikely group of guests and a sexy yet arrogant chef. With a ranging Florida storm will Amelia and her daughter catch the killer before the killer catches them?!

[Holly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
*I received an audible copy of the book from the author. All opinions are mine.*

The narration by Anna Maste really took the story up a level. I loved the mother daughter dynamic and how wild it was that this whole story took place over 24 hours. The series was on the down turn for me, but this installment reminded me of why I love a cozy mystery.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that we get to know Amelia’s daughter, Jenny in this book! And it definitely took a different direction than I thought it would at the beginning. I also love seeing Amelia grow, both as a witch and as a person. She is totally growing into herself and being happy. I love that. And solving another murder mystery? Gotta love that.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth the wait

Amelia's daughter coming early during a town festival starts this book off and it just keeps getting better.
New characters in this book make solving crime more difficult since we know nothing about them.
No spoilers here but I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[Susan Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great book.

I have read all of the Crescent Moon mystery books and I think this is my favorite! Keep up the good work Ms Lush! This book has murder, mayhem, laughter, witches and psychics! So much fun! Can’t wait until the next book.

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Total Eclipse of the Hex ( Crescent Moon Mysteries book 5

The Inn is doing well and a surprise visit from her daughter Jenny. It is also the night of the pop up guest chef dinner. Now that is a grand surprise.

[Marseydoats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was AWESOME! I LOVE this series! Already excited for the next one!

[Lee Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great cozy! Quirky characters, nice blend of magic, mystery and murder.

[Marcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amusing series, cozy mysteries perfect for summer