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dtaylorbooks's review against another edition
Where did I stop? 30% in
Why? There was a lot of inane detail and superfluous information that I was just getting bored. It very much reads like there wasn’t enough plot to fill the book so we’re lighting every single cigarette the character has in order to fill space. Adding into that, there was a lot of repetition, both of character information and actions. Like a character would put her boots, coat, purse, scarf, and gloves down and a few paragraphs later she would pick up her boots, coat, purse, scarf, and gloves. It slowed the plot down to a crawl. Also, I wasn’t liking the main character. She’s a reporter so being inside her head was kind of ick. Just a very intrusive, vulture-like mentality that I wasn’t liking. Plus she’s kind of on the shallow side (we must mention the absolutely ridiculous Corvette she drives every time she drives it, but it’s okay because she recognizes it’s ridiculous, especially in a New England winter, and the designer shoes and purses she has, every time they come into the picture) and I wasn’t liking that piece either. There just wasn’t a lot going on for me to like here. I wanted to like it. Christmas in Salem is beautiful and magical. But this book was neither of those things. It wasn’t even interesting.
literaryfeline's review against another edition
4.0
Review originally posted on my blog, Musings of a Bookish Kitty: https://www.literaryfeline.com/2018/12/bells-spells-and-murder-by-carol-j-perry.html
Bells, Spells, and Murders (Witch City Murder, #7) by Carol J. Perry
Kensington, 2018
Crime Fiction (Cozy); 371 pgs
Source: Review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
Lee Barrett loves her job as the new field reporter for WICH-TV in Salem. While on assignment to interview the head of the city's Holiday Walk Committee, Lee finds him dead at his desk. Lee evidently is not new to murder investigations (after all, this is the 7th book in the series), but it does not make stumbling on a dead body any easier. Putting her investigative reporter skills to good use and piecing together her psychic visions, Lee sets out to find a murderer and uncover the cause of some unusual occurrences she has begun to observe. Can she do it before too many more bodies pile up and before the big blizzard comes to town?
Bells, Spells, and Murders is my first introduction to Lee Barrett, Aunt Ibby and their perceptive cat O'Ryan. I enjoy a good paranormal cozy mystery, and I am happy to say this was a good one. A reporter makes a good protagonist in the mystery genre. They have the perfect excuse for interfering in a police investigation--not only to get to the bottom of the crime for justice sake, but also to get their scoop. Lee Barrett is a likeable character: conscientious, good at her job, and clever. Her romantic relationship with a police detective gives her a bit of an edge, even if he is not as forthcoming with information as she might like.
The paranormal element in the novel is definitely there, but is not overwhelming. Lee has visions that offer her clues, but the clues are often unclear. There is also an appearance or two by a witch who reads Tarot cards. And, of course, O'Ryan's helpful direction now and then. It is all subtle enough that I do not think either particularly lended to the solving of the crime, and so for those who may not care as much for the paranormal, you still might enjoy this cozy.
This made a great holiday read, given the holiday time setting, as Lee gets in some of her Christmas shopping, picks out her tree, and does stories on various holiday events around Salem. I enjoyed going along with Lee and her camera woman as they carried out their various assignments. I liked the mystery itself--the occasional twist and the resolution was satisfying, even if not a complete surprise. Bells, Spells, and Murders was an entertaining read, a perfect way to ring in the Christmas season!
Bells, Spells, and Murders (Witch City Murder, #7) by Carol J. Perry
Kensington, 2018
Crime Fiction (Cozy); 371 pgs
Source: Review copy provided by publisher via NetGalley for an honest review.
Lee Barrett loves her job as the new field reporter for WICH-TV in Salem. While on assignment to interview the head of the city's Holiday Walk Committee, Lee finds him dead at his desk. Lee evidently is not new to murder investigations (after all, this is the 7th book in the series), but it does not make stumbling on a dead body any easier. Putting her investigative reporter skills to good use and piecing together her psychic visions, Lee sets out to find a murderer and uncover the cause of some unusual occurrences she has begun to observe. Can she do it before too many more bodies pile up and before the big blizzard comes to town?
Bells, Spells, and Murders is my first introduction to Lee Barrett, Aunt Ibby and their perceptive cat O'Ryan. I enjoy a good paranormal cozy mystery, and I am happy to say this was a good one. A reporter makes a good protagonist in the mystery genre. They have the perfect excuse for interfering in a police investigation--not only to get to the bottom of the crime for justice sake, but also to get their scoop. Lee Barrett is a likeable character: conscientious, good at her job, and clever. Her romantic relationship with a police detective gives her a bit of an edge, even if he is not as forthcoming with information as she might like.
The paranormal element in the novel is definitely there, but is not overwhelming. Lee has visions that offer her clues, but the clues are often unclear. There is also an appearance or two by a witch who reads Tarot cards. And, of course, O'Ryan's helpful direction now and then. It is all subtle enough that I do not think either particularly lended to the solving of the crime, and so for those who may not care as much for the paranormal, you still might enjoy this cozy.
This made a great holiday read, given the holiday time setting, as Lee gets in some of her Christmas shopping, picks out her tree, and does stories on various holiday events around Salem. I enjoyed going along with Lee and her camera woman as they carried out their various assignments. I liked the mystery itself--the occasional twist and the resolution was satisfying, even if not a complete surprise. Bells, Spells, and Murders was an entertaining read, a perfect way to ring in the Christmas season!
nikkisbooknook's review against another edition
4.0
I haven't actually read any of the other books in this series but I felt right at home and managed to find my way amongst the various previous plot lines.
Lee is settling into her new job at WICH-TV. She is finally going to get hard hitting stories in amongst the fluff. First up is a piece on the immense charity works undertaken by the elderly Mr Eldridge. But less is dropped into hot water big time when she finds him dead!
Her boyfriend may be the lead detective on the case but he is professional to the core and treats her like any other witness, which Lee both commends and condemns, especially when she can't get her unique input to her viewers.
Salem itself is a great background character in the book. Aunt Ibby is a hoot and Pete, well he's all smouldering charm. I likes this book a lot and the weaving lot laid lots of red herrings!
Lee is settling into her new job at WICH-TV. She is finally going to get hard hitting stories in amongst the fluff. First up is a piece on the immense charity works undertaken by the elderly Mr Eldridge. But less is dropped into hot water big time when she finds him dead!
Her boyfriend may be the lead detective on the case but he is professional to the core and treats her like any other witness, which Lee both commends and condemns, especially when she can't get her unique input to her viewers.
Salem itself is a great background character in the book. Aunt Ibby is a hoot and Pete, well he's all smouldering charm. I likes this book a lot and the weaving lot laid lots of red herrings!
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I love this series and always thought they were really good mysteries but this Iis the best in the series.
The plot keep you guessing till the end and I stayed awake late in the night hooked by the developments, twists, and turns.
The characters are well developed and it's interesting how thing evolves from one book to the next.
The paranormal element that was quite heavy in the previous book is present but in a light way.
The cast of characters is always likeable and the cats are adorable.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC
The plot keep you guessing till the end and I stayed awake late in the night hooked by the developments, twists, and turns.
The characters are well developed and it's interesting how thing evolves from one book to the next.
The paranormal element that was quite heavy in the previous book is present but in a light way.
The cast of characters is always likeable and the cats are adorable.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC
crk13's review against another edition
4.0
This book seemed to drag on a bit. The story was a little more intricate than usual which caused me to keep thinking I was mixing it up with a previous story. Overall, I enjoyed the story. I had a series of suspects, but I felt that some of the clues were obvious, and Lee was being ignorant/ naive as per usual. The witch angle was very underplayed in this story. However, I enjoy this series very much, and I look forward to reading more!
lisaeliza's review against another edition
4.0
The latest entry in one of my favourite cozy series knocks it out of the park! Perry crafts a charming yet menacing tale that invokes the spirit of Christie and Hitchcock. A perfect read for a snowy day when you’re safe and warm.
floralaura's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
One of my favorite in the series so far. Easy to read, wonderful mystery! Love the characters and setting very much. A perfect cozy mystery to read at Christmas time.
annarella's review
5.0
I love this series and always thought they were really good mysteries but this Iis the best in the series.
The plot keep you guessing till the end and I stayed awake late in the night hooked by the developments, twists, and turns.
The characters are well developed and it's interesting how thing evolves from one book to the next.
The paranormal element that was quite heavy in the previous book is present but in a light way.
The cast of characters is always likeable and the cats are adorable.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC
The plot keep you guessing till the end and I stayed awake late in the night hooked by the developments, twists, and turns.
The characters are well developed and it's interesting how thing evolves from one book to the next.
The paranormal element that was quite heavy in the previous book is present but in a light way.
The cast of characters is always likeable and the cats are adorable.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC
the_sassy_bookworm's review
3.0
I didn't quite enjoy this one as much as I did the other book I read by this author Grave Errors. I felt the mystery in this one took a back seat to all of Lee's running around news reporting, which started to get a little boring after a while. I think the author could have dropped a lot of that and it would have tightened up the story and placed more focus on the murder mystery. There were also quite a few inconsistencies within the story, but hopefully, those will be fixed by the time the book is officially released. 
That being said, I still did really enjoy the characters themselves. Lee is a great leading lady. I continued to love Pete and their relationship. I loved Aunt Ibby, and O'Ryan the cat, and the mystery kept me guessing until the end. Throw in a yummy sounding recipe, and it certainly made for an enjoyable (if not perfect) read.
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