Who poisoned Denise? Keli is sure it wasn't Erik, the dead woman's ex who happens to be a Druid. Keli, an attorney, has just opened her own law office AND come out as a Wiccan. That's a lot of stress for anyone, and it's been tough for her relationship with Wes, but she's also gotta solve a murder. This is set at Beltrane, an important Wiccan holiday about which I knew nothing before reading this well written cozy. Keli's a good character, the plot moves briskly, and frankly, this was educational for me. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. A very good read!

Keli is a lawyer and a practicing Wiccan. She keeps her life private but when she goes to a friends shop and runs into someone that needs help she finds herself in the middle of a crime scene. Who is the lady on the floor lying there? What is she? and why did she become involved in the mystery? This book was so fast and fun to read. Thank you NetGalley.

Keli is an attorney building her own practice, she’s also a semi closeted Wiccan. When an ill-fated favour for a friend lands her not only in the middle of a murder investigation, but also a person of interest in the investigation, Keli attempts to clear her name, find the real killer, and save her reputation. Whilst also struggling with her now public identity as a practising Wiccan.
I loved this book!! It was a nice quick read, no complicated texts, although some things, I felt, were a little bit over explained. Saying that it was a good engaging story, the characters were well developed, and I love it when I feel I’ve learnt something from a book too. As there was also a nice touch where Hesse gives a few little insights into the life of a practicing Wiccans. As a pagan myself, it was actually quite a joy to read these aspects openly described in the book. I hope that this could also help any non-esoteric types gain a better insight into what Wicca is really all about.
This is the fifth book in a series. I haven’t actually read any of the other books in the series, so was a little worried that there would be a lot of references that wouldn’t make sense, or characters with pre-existing back story. Surprisingly had a good standalone storyline, I thoroughly enjoyed it without needing any prior knowledge of the series. All the characters were well introduced and any references to past events were relevant to the story and had a brief explanation with it.
In fact, I enjoyed this so much, I’ve now purchased Midsummer nights mischief (book one in the Wiccan wheel mystery series)

This is one my favourite series and this was the best book so far.
The book is darker than the others, more complex and very engaging.
It was great to read about the changes in Keli life and to meet again the cast of characters.
The plot is full of twists and turns and there's also a subplot that makes the reader feel a sense of doom.
The mystery is very good, I was kept guessing till the end, and the paranormal elements makes it very interesting.
I look forward to reading the next instalment.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC

This is the 5th installment in the Wiccan mystery series. This was my first introduction to the series and I feel that I missed too much to pick this up as a stand alone. Perhaps that is just me as I also like to read a series in order. This was a good solid mystery and I did find all the wiccan information fascinating and interesting. Keli Milanni is a practicing wiccan and attorney. She is getting ready for Beltane and is approached by Erik who feels he has been cursed by his ex-girlfriend. They go over to see her and find her dead and now Keli is a suspect. She begins to think she is cursed. I like that she has a support and her clues are very subtle but it does all come together at the end. I see that the next installment is coming out later this year and I have gone and ordered the first books in the series to get caught up.

May Day Murder is probably the best book in the Wiccan Wheel mystery series so far. Not only is there a murder mystery, but there's also another mystery going on with Keli at her new law office. I don't like posting spoilers in my reviews, so that's all I'll say about that. I'll admit that I was actually surprised by who the killer ended up being. But I like how the author crafted the mystery to where, once you do find out who it is, it makes perfect sense and you wonder how you missed it the whole time. I am also glad that Keli is starting to loosen up about people knowing she's a witch. She's not as open as, say, Mila, but she's definitely making progress. I can't wait for the next book in the series to see how the new mystery in Keli's life plays out.

Note: I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

I've only read part of this series and really need to go back and fill in the blanks as I always enjoy the random parts I pick up and read. I find the Wiccan background very interesting. Well written, fast paced story line with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing.

I had read the previous book in this series on NetGalley, so when I saw this I was keen to see what happened next.

What was particularly interesting about this one was how it had two mysteries, one that was solved and one that was ongoing. But the author makes the clues so subtle, the ongoing mystery provides red herrings for the mystery that is solved.

In terms of character development, it was nice to see Keli settling into her own law practice and amusing to see her being identified as the witch lawyer when she'd worked so hard to keep that part of herself private.

I will continue to follow this series.

I really enjoy the premise of this series and look forward to reading the Wiccan rituals interspersed with the mystery.
However I found this latest whodunit fell a bit flat.
This will not stop me from reading the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

When you read just a bit about this series, you think you know what it could be about. What really grabs me the most is how the author doesn't make it full of magic, but pulls from reality without flights of fancy. Keli's internal struggle is really trying to resolve itself in this story. I feel like I have grown with her throughout everything. The relationships between the characters, old and new, are written so perfectly you feel as if you are right there with them. This book just is so full off everything, full of mystery, full of character. A complete and total joy to read.

May Day Murder by Jennifer David Hesse was a breath of fresh air at this time of year.

Ms. Hesse's characters are slowly developing now so that we get more and more insights into Keli, Wes and Farrah. I like Keli but this time she she seemed to be just a little too trusting which surprised me as she has not shown that side of herself before. Wes and Kelli's relationship seemed to be going through some growing pains in this book. Although that's a natural part of relationship growth, it still seemed that some of their conversations were a little flat and stilted. The plot is well-crafted, quickly paced with a few twists, several red herrings, very few suspects and a chilling reveal. There is also a secondary mystery thread that runs through this story that is unresolved at the end that I look forward to pursuing in the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

I have read each of the books in this series and each one just gets better and better. I enjoy reading about Wicca abd all the beliefs involved, and this author does a splendid job combining the mystery and Wicca. I'm excited to read the next one.

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I love books like this page turners