Member Reviews

A good book. Well written with great characters and a good plot. The storyline flows and the mystery is enjoyable. I highly recommend.,

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This is a great book; this is the third book in the Abracadabra Mystery series written by Sharon Pape.
This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author.

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This is an enjoyable series. I love having had Merlin brought forward and seeing what trouble he gets into in each book since he hasn't grasped all of the changes that have occurred. The other characters are interesting as well, with Kailyn interacting with her ghostly mother and aunt as well as her live aunt and Kailyn's friends.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. - This is a very fun series.

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I just absolutely love cozy mysteries, especially ones with cats, and ones with witches, and ones with romance, and ones with crazy friends/relatives, and this series has it all! This was my first introduction to Sharon Pape and I will definitely be reading the first two in the series and any more she decides to write. This was a fun quick read, with lots of mystery, magick, and romance.

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"The answer to whodunit may lie beyond the veil...

November in upstate New York can be chilly, but Kailyn Wilde’s shop, Abracadabra, is a cozy respite where you can find lotions, potions, and plenty of warm, feline company. But what customers don’t know is that the proprietor has some unusual powers—and unusual friends, including the renowned magician Merlin, who’s been transported into the modern world. All of which comes in handy when there’s a murder to be solved...

Investigative journalist Ryan Cutler has perished in a car accident in New Camel, and his friend, Travis, suspects foul play—especially when the reporter’s notes reveal a mysterious list of dead men’s names. Kailyn wants to help, but she’s also got her hands full with the curmudgeonly Merlin, who’s not exactly maintaining a low profile. Between keeping the wizard under wraps and mixing up cold remedies that work like magic, she’ll have to tap into her many talents to figure out a killer’s fatal formula..."

I'm a sucker for anything with a cat on the cover.

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This was the first book I have read by Sharon Pape, even though I have had the other two books in the Abracadabra book series on my want to read list for awhile...too many books, so little time. I am so glad I got the opportunity to read and review this book, it is SO GOOD! I love cozies that have a fun paranormal twist to them and this series fits the bill perfectly. Also, how can you not love a story full of magic, cats and Merlin, yes that Merlin and visits from ghosts! The character and story development in this series is phenomenal. This story had me reading long into the night because I didn't want to put it down..although I had to be careful not to wake my husband because the book had me laughing so many times. I can't wait to get reading the other books in the series! This book can be read as a standalone, but seriously if you haven't started the series, just buy them all and start at the beginning.

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What a fun read! Kailyn Wilde's Aunt Tilly has another premonition of a murder and although Kailyn feels her Aunt's premonitions are more of a hunch until Travis informs Kailyn that he found his friend and he's dead. Travis shares that Ryan and his connection to each other goes beyond friendship, and vows to find out who killed Ryan. Kailyn joins in using her magic skills. Together they discover quite a few people have been killed, but need to find out what Ryan, a reporter, knew. Although, the focus is around the mystery of who killed Ryan, there is plenty of humor tossed in.

I'm particularly fond of Merlin, who, although well meaning, always seems to cause trouble for himself. My favorite part was when he transformed himself into a duck, where his indignation was proclaimed by quacking. When Kaitlyn and her aunt using a spell trying to transform Merlin back to himself, lead to a quagmire of varying body parts making an appearance.

If you enjoy paranormal, mystery, and humor then you'll enjoy this book! I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

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I fell in love with the characters in the series during book one and this one loved up to my expectations. We get to follow Kailyn, her aunt, Merlin, and the cats on yet another murder investigation that will have you laughing and gasping along the way. The story follows a new twist that I really enjoyed and when you add the magic I had a hard time putting it down. If you enjoy cozy mysteries that have a magical flair to them then you really have to try this book/series. I really enjoyed it so I give it 4/5 stars.

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Excellent supernatural cozy

I loved this book. Although the third book in the Abracadabra Mystery series, it is a great stand-alone. I didn’t even realize until after I finished it that it was not the first book. Character development is great as is the pacing. Sharon Pape writes with a good sense of humor and keeps the reader enthralled from start to finish. If you liked books like Strange Sight by Syd Moore, Witches Gone Wicked by Sarina Dorie, Case of the Deadly Doppelganger by Lucy Banks, and The Inspector Hobbes series by Wilkie Martin, then you should like this book as well.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book vias Netgalley for review purposes.

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This took a long time to get to the heart of the story but once it did the mystery played out in an interesting and exciting way. I liked the characters. All had special qualities that added to the story line. This is book three and because I had not read the first two I did think I was missing out on some of the subtexts. Still a nice cozy mystery filled with cats.

I received a free copy fo the book in return for an honest review.

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Magick Run Amok is a fast paced cozy that serves up a winning mix of humor, magick and murder.  


Kailyn Wilde has plenty to keep her busy between managing her shop and helping her aunt keep an eye on Merlin - who has a talent for trouble.  When an investigative journalist and good friend is found dead, Travis suspects foul play. But all he has to back up his claim is a list of names that Ryan believed were connected.  Kailyn readily joins in on his investigation, providing magical assistance when necessary. Killers have been dying, but who is responsible? Was Ryan murdered because he found a connection the police did not?  Investigating murder is a dangerous proposition, even when you have magick on your side.


Magick Run Amok is a cute cozy mystery that will readily appeal to fans of paranormal cozies.  


4 / 5


I received a copy of Magick Run Amok from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.


— Crittermom

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This book was so fun and entertaining to read. I love PNR books and witches are one of my favorites and Sharon Pape did an amazing job with the descriptions, the chemistry and the connection of the characters. Thank you for allowing me to read this and write about it.

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This is the third book in the Abracadabra mystery series, and I enjoyed it very much. You have to believe in witches a little to enjoy these books but they are fun reads.
The characters are fun and quirky, especially Merlin (yes, that Merlin), and the book reads well and is fun to boot.
Kailyn is back in her shop and she's working with her boyfriend to solve a series of murders. It takes them some time, and they have to use her magick along the way to get to the truth.
I definitely recommend this books and the others in the series. Thanks to Lyrical Underground and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kaitlyn Wilde already has her hands full running Abracadabra keeping the shelves stocked with items with an extra ingredient -- magick. Her Aunt Tully helps when she can, but Merlin, the famed sorcerer is often flummoxed in the 21st century. Now Travis, her reporter boyfriend, pulls her into the investigation of his brother's death. A list of names that his brother had turns out to be all deceased. But what is the connection between all the names and why does it seem that somebody is after Kailyn and Travis? An enjoyable cozy.

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This series gets better with every installment. I love the touch of magic without it being too overpowering. The way the author adds to existing characters, and throws in new ones without skipping a beat is done fantastically. I truly hope this series doesn't end.

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Magick Run Amok
An Abracadabra Mystery, Book #3
Sharon Pape
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Praise for Magick & Mayhem, the first Abracadabra mystery
“Pape has a sure‑handed balance of humor and action.”
—Julie Hyzy, New York Times bestselling author

“Spellbinding, with magical prose, a wizardly plot, and a charming sleuth.”
—Janet Bolin, Agatha-nominated author of the national bestselling Threadville Mysteries

“Magic, Merlin, and murder are a great mix for this fun debut cozy.”
—Lynn Cahoon, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author

The answer to whodunit may lie beyond the veil . . .

November in upstate New York can be chilly, but Kailyn Wilde’s shop, Abracadabra, is a cozy respite where you can find lotions, potions, and plenty of warm, feline company. But what customers don’t know is that the proprietor has some unusual powers—and unusual friends, including the renowned magician Merlin, who’s been transported into the modern world. All of which comes in handy when there’s a murder to be solved . . .

Investigative journalist Ryan Cutler has perished in a car accident in New Camel, and his friend, Travis, suspects foul play—especially when the reporter’s notes reveal a mysterious list of dead men’s names. Kailyn wants to help, but she’s also got her hands full with the curmudgeonly Merlin, who’s not exactly maintaining a low profile. Between keeping the wizard under wraps and mixing up cold remedies that work like magic, she’ll have to tap into her many talents to figure out a killer’s fatal formula . . .

“A charming, must-read mystery with enchanting characters. A fun and entertaining page turner.”—Rose Pressey, USA Today bestselling author (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well developed and well rounded. I love the relationships between Kailyn, her Aunt Tilly and Merlin, the magician. Kailyn and Aunt Tilly take turns being the “adult” and Merlin is always the precocious “child”. The situations they find themselves in are often very funny and entertaining. Travis is a great guy and he did not run the other way when Kailyn told him about her special powers. I think he is a keeper. I enjoy any time that I spend with them.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy ready. The writing style defines the characters very clearly by their actions and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and I really enjoy the world of magick and mayhem that she creates. Although Kailyn is a witch I forget most of the time that she is a witch. She just seems like a regular person, except of course when she has to perform some magical trick to get out of trouble.

The mystery was well paced and carried on well throughout the entire book. There were enough suspects to consider and clues to sift through and it was not easily solved.
I would highly recommend this book (and series) to anyone that enjoys a well crafted cozy. I have read them all and I have loved them all.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

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I know I have mentioned this in my reviews of the first two books, but I really think that Merlin's character really makes this book. Reading how he loves food and is enthralled with modern technology reminds me of how much we take for granted.

This time the mystery centers around Kailyn's boyfriend's friend, Ryan, that is murdered. Travis knows that it wasn't an accident and what is unraveled in the book is much more than anyone expected....even me! I know when the killer was revealed in the end you could have knocked me over with a feather. I did not expect those people to be involved and the reasoning surprised me. (obviously I'm trying to not give too much away!)

While I am on the fence when it comes to magic in books (or perhaps it is the level), magic works in this series and makes the book a fun read. Especially Kailyn perfecting her transporting skills. I am glad that Travis accepts her skills and allows their relationship to progress.

If you haven't read this series yet, pick up the first book so you don't miss out on some details like how Merlin is in this century and not his own.

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Dollycas’s Thoughts

There is something brewing in New Camel and Kailyn Wilde had nothing to do with it until her boyfriend Travis pulls her in. Ryan Cutler, an investigative journalist is found dead after a car crash. It is ruled an accident by the police but Travis feels it was murder. Ryan was neck deep into an investigation and Travis believes it got him killed. Travis needs Kailyn’s help to find out all about the story Ryan was working on and knows they may need a little magick to get the information they need. Kailyn is also dealing with Merlin, the magician. He is getting more curious about this world he has been dropped into and he is on a mission that could affect the whole town. Hang on tight because Magick is running Amok, Amok, Amok!

Kailyn is still missing having mother and grandmother around to help every day at Abracadabra, but they still pop in “visit” in their ghostly form to give her unwanted advice. This time they popped in while Travis was in the shop. Good thing Kailyn had filled him in on her unusual family. Aunt Tilley is still serving tea and scones, doing readings, and helping out in Kailyn’s shop when Kailyn is tracking down a lead. They both try their best to keep the crafty wizard, Merlin, in line, but sometimes he gets away from them. Merlin is always my favorite character. Everything is new to him and he has the best intentions. I also love the way he can be distracted, usually by food. I also love the way Kailyn’s home is full of cats. Sashkatu is the cat that travels to the magick shop every day but the cats at home usually meet her at the door when she gets home. Of course, they expect to be fed immediately 🙂

Sharon Pape takes these wonderful characters and envelopes them in a complicated mystery that is so much fun to read. Kailyn and Travis make a great sleuthing team. I am so happy that he has accepted Kailyn for her as she is, pop up ghostly relatives and all. They proceed to work their investigation in a very logical way, well after a little magickal intervention to get a key piece of evidence. She also fills the story will humor, Merlin’s antics will have you laughing out loud.

Great characters and a great mystery make this story almost too entertaining to put down. I would have read the entire thing the first night if my eyeballs would have cooperated.

I would classify this series as paranormal light. Just the way I like them. Each can be read on their own, but why would you want to miss out on any of these clever stories.

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If you are a fan of mystery/cozy mystery then this is for you. I haven't read the first two books of this series but I did enjoy the sense of humor and what a fun character Merlin is! It's not the typical magic or witchcraft kind of story.

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MAGICK RUN AMOK by Sharon Pape
The Third Abracadabra Mystery

Merlin, yes, that Merlin, is a magician on a mission. He's determined to changed the name of New Camel back to it's original name, a mission that could do more harm than good! It also seems that Aunt Tilly has developed a new power and it's one she really doesn't want. Tilly can predict death. Sadly, her prediction is realized when Travis finds his missing journalist brother dead. And Travis doesn't think it was an accident. He's asked for Kailyn's help and the two of them are out to discover what story he was working on and if that's what got him killed!

What fun to be back in New Camel, NY! I live not too far from this fictional town and so wish I could meander the aisles of Abracadabra and pick out some products for myself! Truth be told, I'd also be popping across the street to get some of Lolly's fudge! I love the banter between Tilly and Merlin as well as Kailyn's recently dead, but not so departed, mother and grandmother. With all of the nuttiness, I appreciate how down to earth Kailyn is. It's satisfying how Kailyn uses legwork, research, and a little bit of magick to track down a killer.

While there are plenty of laughs to be found here, MAGICK RUN AMOK also touches on some more serious subjects, primarily loss and love, including the lengths you go to for a loved one. The book deals with losing loved ones, yet celebrating the family you have left, whether that family is biological or the one you create for yourself.

MAGICK RUN AMOK is delightful fun with quirky characters and a complicated mystery.

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