Blog Archives
Spelled in Ink
Spelled in Ink, by Lina Hansen, opens with a sharp, funny mix of magic, murder, and museum burglary. Cyn, a snarky and reluctantly gifted mage, is sneaking through Leonardo da Vinci’s old haunts when her job goes sideways. Cue spells, secret societies, and a charming thief. What starts as a supernatural heist at Château du Clos Lucé spirals into a mystery full of curses, dead bodies, and a centuries-old manuscript. It’s witty, fast, and delightfully chaotic.
Cyn’s voice hooked me from page one. From the moment she’s telepathically arguing with her boss while hiding in a bush, it’s clear she’s both capable and a total mess. She’s smart but allergic to her own magic, sarcastic to a fault, and impossible not to root for. When she mutters, “Maggots, what am I supposed to do?” over a corpse and a runaway tortoise, it’s equal parts absurd and oddly tender, a perfect snapshot of the book’s tone.
Hansen’s writing crackles with energy. Dialogue snaps, world-building slides in seamlessly, and every scene feels alive. The humor lands without derailing the tension; when explosions go off in Da Vinci’s bedroom or whispers rise from behind locked doors, the suspense feels earned. The blend of sharp wit and eerie atmosphere gives the book a rhythm that’s hard to put down.
The world itself feels fresh yet grounded. Magic here isn’t lofty; it’s messy, inconvenient, and often treated like an irritating chore. Cyn’s exasperated take on spellcasting (“Decades of toothache, more likely”) adds a human touch that makes the supernatural elements believable.
Between rival factions, magical science jargon, and Cyn’s chemistry with Dan the burglar, it can be hard to track every thread. But the chaos mostly works in its favor; it feels intentional, like watching a magician perform too fast for comfort but with total confidence. Cyn and Dan’s banter especially grounds the story; when he calls her “Cinderella in jeans,” it’s cheesy but endearing.
Spelled in Ink hits the sweet spot between mystery, fantasy, and comedy. It’s clever, brisk, and charmingly offbeat. Fans of Ben Aaronovitch or Seanan McGuire will love it. If you prefer your heroines scrappy and your magic delightfully unglamorous, this one’s a gem.
Pages: 160 | ASIN : B0FPBJHC8V
Red Shadows at Saugatuck
Red Shadows at Saugatuck is the fourth entry in Randy Overbeck’s Haunted Shores Mysteries series, and it wastes no time plunging us back into the life of Darrell Henshaw, the history teacher with a ghost-sensing “gift” he never asked for. This time, Darrell, his wife Erin, and their son Leo are headed to Michigan for a family celebration, but like clockwork, something much darker is waiting for them. Ghosts, secrets, and the unsolved disappearances of Native girls from the local Gun Lake Tribe start to bubble up as Darrell is once again pulled into a mystery he didn’t go looking for.
What struck me right away was how real the characters felt, especially Darrell and his family. I loved the opening chapter where they’re fresh from a trip to Sesame Place, still sticky with cotton candy and joy, and Darrell’s dad instincts are on full display. That whole bit where their son Leo gets “lost” in the restroom for three minutes had my chest tightening. It’s those quiet, relatable parenting moments that Overbeck nails, grounding the supernatural in the mundane. Erin, especially, feels like a full character and not just a supportive spouse but a smart, capable woman with her own voice and presence.
The pacing builds in a way that’s more eerie than action-packed. One of my favorite scenes happens early on when Darrell visits the recreated Indian village at Meadowcroft and has that surreal, low-key haunting interaction with the Native elder. That moment felt… still. Intimate. And a little unnerving. Then, when the elder vanishes, and the park ranger tells him that no one was scheduled in that wigwam, it’ll give the reader chills. Overbeck clearly did his research, and it shows, especially in how delicately and respectfully he handles the very real issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. It never felt exploitative, just tragic and timely.
Where the book really grabbed me emotionally was in the smaller, more personal scares. Darrell’s growing fear that his young son might share his ghost-seeing ability is honestly heartbreaking. When Leo cheerfully talks about his invisible playground friend Monica, and Darrell realizes she’s a ghost of a dead girl, the moment hits hard. I found myself whispering “Oh no” under my breath more than once. That slow, gnawing dread works better than any jump scare. It’s the kind of haunting that lingers, especially when you’re a parent.
I really enjoyed Red Shadows at Saugatuck. It’s thoughtful, deeply human, and low-key terrifying in a quiet way. If you like your mysteries with a bit of the supernatural but grounded in family, history, and emotional truth, this book is for you. Fans of Louise Penny or Tana French will appreciate the character depth, while ghost story lovers will get their fix, too. It’s not a thriller that rushes. It’s a slow burn and one that stays with you. I’d recommend it to readers who like their mysteries to make them feel something, not just guess whodunnit.
Murder Under Redwood Moon
Sherri L. Dodd’s novel Murder Under Redwood Moon transports readers to the rustic and mystical backdrop of the Santa Cruz mountains, where Arista Kelly’s seemingly serene life intertwines with the supernatural. Arista, a young woman who finds solace in Ayurvedic practices and with her Siamese cat, Royal, faces her past and emerging powers amid a series of chilling events. The narrative captivates readers with its blend of genres, harmoniously merging cozy mystery, young adult drama, and light horror elements, creating a tapestry reminiscent of the Twilight series and Jess Kidd’s Things in Jars.
Arista’s character, with her unique quirks and journey of self-discovery, forms an engaging focal point. Readers will find themselves rooting for her as she navigates complex emotions and untangles her mysterious past. The novel’s strength lies in its richly developed secondary characters, including a diligent sheriff, the enigmatic Great Aunt Bethie, and an array of suspects linked to an unnerving series of murders.
Dodd’s skillful fusion of nature reverence, supernatural themes, and suspenseful plot twists results in a narrative brimming with intrigue and a touch of witchy allure. The novel’s climax delivers a satisfying resolution yet leaves readers yearning for more adventures in Boulder Creek. Dodd hints at the potential for future tales in this intriguing setting, promising continued enchantment and mystery for her readers.
The novel’s strength lies not only in its vivid setting and multidimensional characters but also in its ability to stitch together disparate genres into a cohesive, engaging story. Readers, having journeyed through this enthralling mix of the mystical and the mysterious, may find themselves eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the captivating universe that Sherri L. Dodd has crafted.
Pages: 319 | ASIN : B0CTKPM863
Blood Thinners
Blood Thinners starts with a great first line that immediately hooks readers and throws them right into the storyline. Detective Mina Summers, the daughter of the leader of the organization known as SHAP (Supernatural Human Accountability Partnership), is just one assignment away from becoming Regional Director for the agency. Should she obtain this position, she will be the youngest one in the agency’s history. There is nothing and no one that will stand in her way. That is at least until she receives her one last assignment.
Detective Summers’s final assignment is to look into a celebrity-endorsed retreat that guarantees weight loss permanently. SHAP finds this claim suspicious, especially in light of the increased number of cases involving rogue vampires randomly making attacks. Mina and her partner Jake are anxious to wrap up this case and move on. However, the Vice President and daughter of Thinner CEO, Carma, might have other ideas.
Mina is the leading lady in this story, and even though she is a bit standoffish, you cannot help but love her character and the character she becomes. Novak does an excellent job of character development, not just with Mina but with all the characters in the book. Sebastian is Mina’s ghost roommate who is obsessed with the movie Titanic. Jake is Mina’s SHAP partner and best friend. He is the level-headed one of the two and tries to keep Mina grounded.
While reading Blood Thinners, I was reminded of the writing style of Lauren Weisberger, i.e., The Devil Wears Prada, and shortly into the book, there is a comparison of the CEO to Miranda. This familiar writing style is engaging, draws readers into the action, and builds attachment to the characters.
Blood Thinners is a fast-paced romantic mystery with LGBTIA+ characters. With excellent and robust world-building, readers will be able to escape into the world created and experience a love story that is heartwarming and heartbreaking.
Pages: 303 | ASIN : B09CK8GHTH
Mystic of the Midway
Mystic of the Midway by A. A. Blair is a teen supernatural-suspense novel where the readers are taken on a journey in the small port town of Crystal Beach. It is here our protagonist, Effie, is involved in an accident and starts experiencing chills and hearing voices all around her. Shortly after a mysterious young girl starts following her but disappears when she try’s to approach. Effie and her friends decide to set out to uncover what is happening to her and why.
Effie’s life before the accident was normal, she had a happy family and normal childhood. Now, however, she hears whispers, knows secrets that she isn’t supposed to know, and starts having cryptic dreams that may be the answer to what is going on. One of the traits in Effie that is relatable to preteen kids is the struggle to express themselves. Effie doesn’t know how to explain what is going on and the feelings she has about the supernatural experiences. This struggle with her emotions and expression adds realism to the story. What child wouldn’t be afraid to tell people they hear and see things others can not. Seeing this in Effie makes her a dynamic character that readers will be able to connect with. Her determination to prove she is not making up the voices or the girl following her gives readers someone to root for, the desire to have her prove it is in fact all real.
A. A. Blair does a superb job with scenery and setting. One of the key settings is arcades. The author was able to accurately portray the excitement and energy from this venue. Included were old pictures that will help modern readers really get a feel for what these old arcade environment’s were like. It is like stepping back in time for older readers, they will enjoy the nostalgia.
Mystic of the Midway is a gripping paranormal mystery for older elementary level and early teens. With suspense and thrill, the author has really captured the emotion for the audience in the writing. The action was fast paced, the dialogue was relevant and entertaining, and the characters were written accurately for their ages. This is a great supernatural thriller that will keep kids engaged.
Pages: 136 | ISBN: 1592111181
LITERARY TITAN 