DEATH SCENE is the fourteenth book in the Witch City Mysteries by Carol J. Perry. I was introduced to the characters in this series through the holiday novellas released by the publisher. Intrigued, I decided I need to read the full-length novels. While I probably should have started with the first book (and I have plans to do so and catch up) I jumped at the chance to read this latest release when I saw it on NetGalley. The author does an admirable job in giving just enough backstory throughout the book, so I never felt lost about who the characters were. And the mystery itself is fully contained and can be read as a standalone. I can see why this has been a long-running series with its charming characters and the history of the witch trials steeped in the locale, Salem, Massachusetts. The protagonist, Lee Barrett Mondello, works for the local TV station, WICH-TV, while her husband is a detective. I like their comradery and they way they work together to solve crimes. The addition of Lee’s Aunt Ibby and her gaggle of friends—known as The Angels, a cross between The Golden Girls and Charlie’s Angels—helping to find clues adds to the enjoyment of the book.

With the town’s Halloween hijinks gearing up along with a studio crew in town filming a movie about the witch trials, Lee hands her hands full. The action ratchets up when the leading lady is found murdered and someone seems to be intent on sabotaging the movie. Pulled into the investigation, Lee bounds from mishap to crime scene. The plot is fast-paced and multi-faceted. Given the number of people working on the movie, along with the multitude of townspeople involved, there were many suspects. I had my suspicions about the culprit, but with each new twist, I changed my mind. In the end, as the clues fell into place, the reveal brought everything to light in a highly satisfactory way. And with the conclusion, I can’t wait to find out what comes next for Lee and her crew!

I was delighted to find several recipes at the back of the book, thanks to Lee’s Aunt Ibby’s cooking and baking prowess. I love how food brings their family and friends together frequently! One of the recipes that caught my eye is Aunt Ibby’s Dark as Night Devil’s Food Cake. And, oh goodness, this is absolutely delicious and easy to make since it relies on a boxed cake mix. Personally, I prefer to use cake mixes and doctor them up, which this one does in quite a delicious manner! The coffee lends a depth to the chocolate taste while the mayonnaise adds a richness to the cake. While Aunt Ibby might rely on canned frosting (and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that!) I’ve included my super quick dark chocolate frosting recipe that uses a food processor. It’s rich and fudgy and yummy enough to eat by the spoonful!

 

 

Amazon Synopsis

Between documenting the progress of the movie, corralling starstruck autograph seekers and fans, and managing unmanageable traffic on Salem’s narrow streets, Lee and her police detective husband, Pete Mondello, are beyond busy. Even Lee’s best friend, River North, tarot card reader and practicing witch, gets in on the action, landing a job as a stand-in and body double. But it only takes one interview for Lee to realize that the male and female leads—whose roles include torrid love scenes—despise each other. Yet the problem is short-lived, literally . . .

When the gorgeous lead actress is found dead on a set staged to replicate the room where suspected witches were tried in 1692—and her on-screen lover, in full costume, is discovered sound asleep in her trailer—the hunt is on for a killer on the loose. Nevertheless, the producer decrees “the show must go on!” Now, even with help from River, Lee’s Aunt Ibby, and O’Ryan, a remarkably clairvoyant gentleman cat, sorting out a witch’s brew of secrets, sorcery, and special effects might turn Lee’s documentary into her own final act . . .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A special thanks to Carol J. Perry for offering a signed print copy of DEATH SCENE to one lucky winner and to Kensington Publishing for offering a print copy as well! Contest ends September 1, 2024 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. residents only. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you love super rich and creamy homemade chocolate frosting but don’t want to spend much time making it, try out my favorite recipe! By using the food processor, the frosting whips together quickly and is ready to frost your cake quicker than it would be to run to the store and buy a can of frosting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


 

 

 

 

 

 

Pin to Pinterest:

 

 

 

 

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.