Cozy Mystery
8th in Series
Self Published (December 29, 2018)
Paperback: 332 pages
ISBN-10: 1792728727
ISBN-13: 978-1792728723
Digital ASIN: B07LB49VBR

 

Sandy slaughter. An enchanting suspect. Can a magical baker protect her friends from a dangerous paradise?

Stranded on Badlands Island, Imogen Banks is driving herself crazy looking for her brother. So when the spell-casting baker’s friends suggest they escape for a luxurious dragon spa treatment, she doesn’t need a second invitation. But her hopes for coastal romance with Hank fall flat when a resort guest turns up roasted in the sand.

Suspecting murder, Imogen zeroes in on the town’s rumored “black widow” as a possible culprit. But when her friend falls for the beautiful woman despite the deadly track record, Imogen fears he’ll be the next victim to stay buried.

Can Imogen sift through the clues before the killer gives her one final treatment?

Grimoires, Spas and Chocolate Straws is the eighth book in the Spells and Caramels delightful paranormal cozy mystery series. If you like endearing heroines, a touch of romance, and unexpected twists, then you’ll love Erin Johnson’s magical whodunit.

Buy Grimoires, Spas & Chocolate Straws to massage a new mystery today!

Purchase Link – Amazon

4 Stars: I read so many great reviews of the Spells & Caramels series that when I saw the opportunity to read and review Book #8 for a blog tour, I thought, why not. Well, I will tell you that reading the first in this series and then the 8th was not the best decision I could have made. I will definitely need to go back and read them in order. Having said that, I did enjoy this book. First of all, this series has been characterized as a cosy mystery series, but here is a lot more to it. It is part paranormal, part fantasy, a bit of romance and some adventure. The setting of the book is in an amazing fantasy land with monsters, witches, vampires, seers and more. In this book the main character Imogene is stranded on a forgotten island with her friends. Getting the opportunity to visit a seaside spa, off they go and stumble upon a murder. Was it the proprietress of the spa, known as the Black Widow who killed the spa critic and cad who had come on to her, or is there another murderer running around. When one of her friends becomes infatuated with Miss Sara, Imogene and Hank decide that they need to find the culprit. Throw in a brother who is the leader of the Badlands Army trying to overthrow the king and you have quite an adventure and mystery.

I really enjoy the descriptive writing in this book. The world that Erin Johnson has created comes to life in this story. From the siren baths to the magical manta monster migration, I could picture the island and seaside. The mystery was a major part of the story, but the rest is just as important. I loved seeing the friendships grow and develop. I did figure out who the murderer was before it was revealed, but I still enjoyed the unravelling and the motive. I read this book in one sitting as I kept wanting to see what was going to happen next. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a mystery with a difference, some fantasy worlds and paranormal. I received a copy of this book from the Publicity Group upon my request to participate in this tour. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Erin Johnson is a native of Tempe, Arizona, Erin spends her time crafting mysterious, magical, romance-filled stories that’ll hopefully make you laugh. In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).

Website: www.erinjohnsonwrites.com.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EJohnsonWrites.
Twitter:@EJohns