Scan barcode
snacksandstacks's review against another edition
4.0
This series is such fun fast reads. I am loving them so far!
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Friday Night Bites by Erin Johnson is the second tale in Magic Market Mysteries. Jolene Hartgrave is a shifter and lawyer. She was a rich lawyer until a jealous colleague exposed that she was an owl shifter. Jolene was then cursed losing her ability to shift plus her magic and lost everything else in the process. It has caused her to be despondent and her hygiene is lacking. The one bright spot is she can now speak with all animals (from ants to elephants). Jolene moved from her lovely apartment to a seedy dive in the Darkroom Night Market where she works as a pet psychic. She also works as a consultant for Officer Peter Flint when he has a non-human witness such as the very large spider familiar in his current case. Jolene along with Peter and his canine partner, Daisy follow the web of clues to track down the killer. I thought the mystery was interesting with a variety of witnesses, suspects and clues. While the mystery can be solved before the reveal, it is entertaining. I did not want to miss one moment. I especially love the snark that flies between Daisy and Jolene. Daisy just wants to protect Peter and Jolene does not want Peter to know that she is a shifter as well as without magic. The things Jolene tells Peter that Daisy has said or is wrong with her. I laughed frequently while reading Friday Night Bites. I like the budding romance between Peter and Jolene. They are attracted to each other, but there are complications. Jolene is a shifter and she is afraid of how Peter will react. Shifters are reviled on Bijou Mer and treated terribly. Plus, there is the added complication of Ludolf Caterwahl, head of shifter underground, who will not appreciate Jolene interacting with a cop. Their path to love is going to be a bumpy one. I enjoy Erin Johnson’s writing style. It will remind you of chatting with an old friend. She is descriptive without too much detail (a good balance). Friday Night Bites can be read as a standalone if you have not picked up Pretty Little Fliers. Magic Market Mysteries allows us to see a different side of Bijou Mer than we saw in the Spells & Caramels series. We also get to find out more about shifters. A character from the Spells & Caramels series makes an appearance in Friday Night Bites. Friday Night Bites is an enchanting story with super-duper spider, a sour sweatshop, sham shoulder bags and vile venom.
shai3d's review
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
abeautytoyourbeast's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
karen_the_baroness's review
5.0
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.Friday Night Bites by Erin Johnson is an enjoyable paranormal cozy mystery, and I loved every minute of reading this book.
Jolene Hartgrove is our main character and point of view narrator. Another thing that I love is that we have a shifter for the main character. However, I wish that she will tell Peter, though, but I get with why she doesn't. Jolene is cursed and doesn't have magical powers anymore. I love the way that she uses the only power that she has now for her gain. Pretending to be a pet psychic since Jolene can hear an animal's thoughts is her only way to make money. She is the psychic that helps with police investigations that involve animals.
What I like about Jolene is that she knows its wrong to help out the police, but she feels more like her old self when she does. She has to give up the lawyer part of herself. Sure, she can still practice, but who would want a known shifter to help them in the court of law? Another thing that I like about her is that she is pretty good at making people believe what she is saying. Well, except for a lie detector dog. The one thing that I dislike about her is that she won't tell Peter since I think that he wouldn't care if she is a cursed shifter, and he is going to find out anyway.
The mystery is the fun part of this entire book. A fashion designer dies at her show via a heart attack on the catwalk while a sweatshop owner dies from her spider familiar's venom. Is it possible these two victims are connected, or is that just wishful thinking? Jolene is on the case thanks to Peter asking her to talk to the giant spider before it dies.
My questions for the next book are: Will anything change between Jolene and Peter? Or will Jolene be in trouble with the shifter's underground mob boss?
Ms. Johnson does it again! I just couldn't put down this book even if my life depended on it. Jolene is a fantastic character, and I love that we are experiencing a different part of Bijou Mer. The shady part where the island's shifters and misfits live together.
Two murders in one night? Are they connected or just a coincidence?
Jolene Hartgrove
Jolene Hartgrove is our main character and point of view narrator. Another thing that I love is that we have a shifter for the main character. However, I wish that she will tell Peter, though, but I get with why she doesn't. Jolene is cursed and doesn't have magical powers anymore. I love the way that she uses the only power that she has now for her gain. Pretending to be a pet psychic since Jolene can hear an animal's thoughts is her only way to make money. She is the psychic that helps with police investigations that involve animals.
What I like about Jolene is that she knows its wrong to help out the police, but she feels more like her old self when she does. She has to give up the lawyer part of herself. Sure, she can still practice, but who would want a known shifter to help them in the court of law? Another thing that I like about her is that she is pretty good at making people believe what she is saying. Well, except for a lie detector dog. The one thing that I dislike about her is that she won't tell Peter since I think that he wouldn't care if she is a cursed shifter, and he is going to find out anyway.
The Mystery
The mystery is the fun part of this entire book. A fashion designer dies at her show via a heart attack on the catwalk while a sweatshop owner dies from her spider familiar's venom. Is it possible these two victims are connected, or is that just wishful thinking? Jolene is on the case thanks to Peter asking her to talk to the giant spider before it dies.
My questions for the next book are: Will anything change between Jolene and Peter? Or will Jolene be in trouble with the shifter's underground mob boss?
Five Stars for Friday Night Bites by Erin Johnson
Ms. Johnson does it again! I just couldn't put down this book even if my life depended on it. Jolene is a fantastic character, and I love that we are experiencing a different part of Bijou Mer. The shady part where the island's shifters and misfits live together.
Other Books in the Series
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Friday Night Bites by Erin Johnson.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
jlen's review against another edition
5.0
This was a great cozy that I had a difficult time solving, but I still had so much fun gathering clues with Jolene, Peter, and Daisy! I have never sympathized so much with a cozy killer though! I can’t wait to read more and see how/ when Jolene’s secrets come tumbling out!!
slc333's review
3.0
Pet psychic cosy mystery. Quick fun read. Still don’t really get the whole shifter prejudice.
gemmaflanagan's review
5.0
Audio- the audio of this is amazing. Hannah Somerville does an amazing job with both this series and the spells and caramels series.
The characters are really brought to life an it's a joy to listen to.
Book-
I am loving this new series, and it's new characters, the chemistry between them all makes for such an enjoyable read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters are really brought to life an it's a joy to listen to.
Book-
I am loving this new series, and it's new characters, the chemistry between them all makes for such an enjoyable read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.