This Magick Marmot
Sharon Pape
5 Stars

Synopsis:

A fatal case of school spirit . . .

Kailyn Wilde, owner of the Abracadabra potion shop, feels some dread anticipating her ten-year high school reunion at the new hotel in New Camel—but it turns out even worse than she feared. Running into her very first boyfriend is pleasant enough. Chatting with Ashley—who still can’t let go of a tragedy that happened on prom night—is a bit more uncomfortable. But the worst part comes when one of Kailyn’s oldest friends is found dead in the ladies’ room.

Soon this upstate New York town is in an uproar. And with some help from time-traveling wizard Merlin—who has adopted an unusual and alluring creature as his familiar—it’s up to Kailyn to identify the alumnus most likely to commit murder . . .

“Pape has a sure handed balance of humor and action.” —Julie Hyzy, New York Times bestselling author (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. The relationship between Kailyn and Aunt Tilly is very heartfelt and you can tell how much they mean to each other. And Merlin continues to be a pain in their side, but he also means a lot to them. The three of them are a force to be reckoned with, and they are going to need to be on top of their game if they are going to find out the murderer. And that is exactly what they intend to do.

The writing style flows smoothly and it defines the characters very clearly by their action and words. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book, I felt like I was right there, watching all of the action taking place and listening in on conversations. It was quite enlightening.

The mystery was well plotted and carried on well throughout the entire book. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. Throw in a couple of red herrings and this mystery was not easily solved.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. With engaging characters, the humorous antics of Merlin and a mystery that is perplexing, this book (and series) is a must read.

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

A reunion gone wrong and sightings of a vengeful ghost on the prowl. But what we know of ghosts is that they are like Kailyn Wilde's mother and grandmother, silver clouds without real shape or form. A classmate died in an unnecessary and tragic accident on grad night and someone is not satisfied with the accident part. Was it an accident or was there more to it. Kailyn uses her special magickal talents to investigate when one of her high school besties dies from poisoning at the pre-reunion cocktail social. Those who were at the lake the night of the accident are seeing Scott's ghost and some are having near-fatal fallout from it. Kailyn, Travis, Aunt Tilly, and Merlin are doing their best to get to the bottom. Every time I read the title I find myself humming the song, "this magic moment," then I laugh because I find myself imagining Merlin's familiar, Froliquet the marmot.

OK, the first item I must comment on is the title: I just love it and how it ties in to something in the book. I am a big pun fan, it is true. On to the book. This is the fifth book in the Abracadabra series. Kailyn is attending her 10th high school reunion when things go terribly wrong as tend to happen in mystery books. I was intrigued to find out this was something mentioned in other books: the death of one her classmates, Scott. The characters were great as usual, especially Merlin; he’s such a hoot. The mystery was interesting, as well, but I do admit to a little let down when everything was revealed at the end. I can’t say much because I don’t want to spoil it, but I feel that not everyone was…punished. Aside from that, this was a great addition to the series, and I can’t wait for more especially because of the very end!! Yay!! Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

No matter who you were in high school, or how well you are doing today, reunions are always stressful. Kailyn Wilde isn't even sure she is going to attend hers. She is happily running her aunt's magical potion shop, has plenty of friends and furry family, her mother and grandmother "pop in" from time to time from the great beyond, where they are causing mischief and walking a thin line between coming back and saying too much about what happens when our time in this world is finished.
Merlin, Kailyn's "Eccentric English Uncle" who is really someone else, quite reknown, had a familiar of his own in another time and place. He feels it is his RIGHT to have one once again, yet his magical skills never have the desired results, even after repeated attempts. After a disasterpus first attempt results with a literal Elephant in the Room, he manages to bring forth a marmot. But I am getting ahead of myself and don't want to give too much away or make this review too long.

The focus of the book is Kailyn's high school reunion and the connections between a death there and an accident that happened ten years earlier...or WAS it an accident? Why are only the people who were in both places being targeted? Can Kailyn figure outthe connection and solve these mysteries?
Wonderful characters and interesting plot twists will keep you entertained for hours, as well as Merlin's new familiar. I recommend you read the entire series but pick up this book NOW and enjoy the magical ride.

A new addition to the "An Abracadabra Mystery "magical cozy series by Sharan Pape, published by Kensington Books comes book five This Magick Marmot. A fun, action-packed adventure with unusual pets, magic, and old fashioned murder.

Merlin is causing problems as always, and as has become the norm, it's up to Kailyn to keep the peace between him and her aunt, Tilly. Merlin's desire for a magical familiar cause havoc, not just for Kailyn and her aunt, but for the entire town of New Camel. His new familiar, a lovable Marmot spells trouble. First off, if you don't know what a Marmot is, Google it asap! They are adorable, and although it is illegal to keep one as a pet, readers will fall in love with Merlin's new familiar. Then as trouble has a way of multiplying, Kailyn's school reunion ends with the death of one of her oldest friends and brings up the memories of a dear friend's tragic death ten years before.

This cozy series is magical in more than one way. The characters are unforgettable. They exude love, laughter, and family. Every one of the reoccurring characters has a special place in each book; the stories wouldn't be the same without them. The victim, suspects, and the killer are precisely what readers want in a murder mystery. The motive is apparent almost from the start, and the killer comes as little surprise in the end. But none of this takes away from the enjoyment of the book.

The action in This Magick Marmot is almost non-stop. Between the murder, the ongoing attempted murder of Kailyn's former classmates, and the antics of Merlins familiar, readers will laugh, worry, and cheer. In the end, Kailyn solves the murder and prevents any more from claiming the lives of innocent people with the help of Aunt Tilly and Merlin. Readers will find this magical cozy worth the read, and if they haven't read the other books in the series, they will want to grab them along with this new addition for hours of pleasurable thrills and laughter.

"A fatal case of school spirit...

Kailyn Wilde, owner of the Abracadabra potion shop, feels some dread anticipating her ten-year high school reunion at the new hotel in New Camel - but it turns out even worse than she feared. Running into her very first boyfriend is pleasant enough. Chatting with Ashley - who still can’t let go of a tragedy that happened on prom night - is a bit more uncomfortable. But the worst part comes when one of Kailyn’s oldest friends is found dead in the ladies’ room.

Soon this upstate New York town is in an uproar. And with some help from time-traveling wizard Merlin - who has adopted an unusual and alluring creature as his familiar - it’s up to Kailyn to identify the alumnus most likely to commit murder..."

I LOVE high school reunions with a side of murder!

Class reunions can be horrible but this one- well this one really takes the cake! Kailyn, a witch, always wondered what happened the night her friend Scott died and now it seems someone is determined to press that. Kailyn finds Genna, one of the two people who were with Scott that night, dead and then Tony, the other one, is hit by a car. AND then, Scott's ghost shows up, as does Merlin the Wizard. This might sound nuts but go with it because while this might seem a bit out there, it never gets twee and it's quite amusing. Merlin needs a familiar - his first is an elephant but then he manages to work with a marmot. Kailyn and her family (she's got a great aunt!) are a hoot, she's got her feet planted on the ground even as she deals with the situation, and Merlin is fun. The mystery isn't too twisty but that's ok. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good cozy read.

Murder visits Kailyn’s 10-year high school reunion when Charlotte finds Genna dead in the restroom. A few days later, a car sideswipes Tony, another classmate. The only thing Genna and Tony have in common is their presence, exactly10 years earlier, at the lake the night Scott drowned. Kailyn hears from others around town that they’ve seen Scott – in person. One night Kailyn sees him at her window, looking in. Determined to get answers, Kailyn begins investigating.

In the meantime, Merlin, the wizard, tries to summon a familiar and gets an elephant. Kailyn corrects that mess. Attempting to fix the shifted ley lines that Merlin believes responsible for the spell problems, he inadvertently triggers an earthquake that wreaks havoc in New Camel. Merlin finally summons the familiar he wants – a marmot.

Sharon Pape combines mystery, magic, and Merlin in a smart story that engages and entertains. A few spells, a small earthquake, murder and attempted murder, an ancient wizard somewhat out of control: the elements of a perfect Abracadabra Mystery.

Fun series. Well plotted mystery with plenty of quirky engaging characters. Kaitlyn Wilde, owner of the Abracadabra Potion shop, hesitantly decided to attend her 10th high school reunion where a old friend and classmate is poisoned. And somehow it seems related to the tragic death of one of their friends during high school. Investigating is a little easier for her as she has a few extra powers the death Of us mortals are missing plus a relative who is actually the real MERLIN who is troubled by modern times. Wonderful way to escape our current modern woes for a few enchanted hours.

I enjoyed this book enough that I got the other books in the series. I enjoy the interactions between the MC, her boyfriend, her aunt and Merlin. The mystery was interesting and kept me entertained.

Thank you to the author, publisher, NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest reviw.

I’ve read all the books in this series, and This Magick Marmot did not disappoint. From the beginning we’ve all wondered what really happened to Kailyn’s best friend Scott on the night of his death. This book answered many questions and also told a riveting story.
I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next for this cast of quirky characters.

This really didn't work for me. I did not manage to have the suspension of disbelief to get into it. After a few pages of this is silly and even goes back to the first book to see if I could get into the story I just gave up. DNF.

I received a free copy of THIS MAGIC MARMOT (Book 5 of the Abracadabra Mysteries) by Sharon Pape in exchange for an honest review. Kailyn Wilde is a witch and the owner of the Abracadabra potion shop; she’s also facing her ten-year high school reunion. Kailyn’s happy to reconnect with her childhood friends, but she’s nervous about encountering the still-grieving girlfriend of Kailyn’s best friend Scott, who died tragically on prom night. When one of Kailyn’s childhood friends is murdered at the class reunion, when Scott’s ghost begins appearing to her classmates, and when several of Kailyn’s other classmates are affected by horrific incidents, it’s clear that Kailyn must find out, not only who was behind Scott’s death, but also who’s hunting Kailyn’s graduating class. The hunt for a familiar by the time-traveling wizard being hosted by Kailyn’s family adds some levity to the otherwise serious goings-on in New Camel, New York.

This book was very entertaining. I haven’t read the prior books in the series, but I had no problems connecting to the characters or keeping the storyline straight. The introduction of each character was organic/fluid without any in-depth discussion of or spoilers for prior stories. I recommend this book to fans of Sharon Pape, to fans of the series, and to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring magic, familiars, Aunt-Clara-type (Bewitched!) elder witches, ghosts, high school reunions, small towns, and small businesses.

#ThisMagickMarmot #NetGalley

This is the 5th in the Abracadabra Mystery series. I have not read all in the series but I have been able to enjoy the last couple. Kailyn Wilde is the owner of the Abracadabra Potion shop and like most people she dreads a little going to her high school reunion. Everything starts out ok but take a turn for the worse when an old friend ends up dead in the bathroom. This is a good series and I have I think 2 in the middle that I need to pick up so that I have them all. I think you will enjoy Kailyn and her antics with Merlin as they track down a killer in her hometown.

It's a fun and well crafted cosy mystery with lots of humour, especially when it comes to Merlin. I love the characters and the plot has a few twists and turns.

See the notes to publisher section as to why I am not writing a review of this book.
Thank you for the opportunity to try this author.

Book number five does not disappoint!
I adore the characters of Kailyn, Aunt Tilly and Merlin. What a delightful trio!
This series never lets me down.
An engaging premise with a well written whodunit.
I recommend you read the series in order.
I cannot wait to read the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

A funny well crafted read with likable characters and their antics especially Merlin. Hooked me and reeled me until the end.

I'm a huge fan of this series and it wen to the top of my TBR list as soon as I got this ARC.
I think I need a yearly dose of Merlin antics and of Kailyn Wilde investigations.
This is one is an excellent and unputdownable read as the previous installment: it made me laugh, kept me hooked and guessing till the end.
The mystery is interesting and solid, it was great to meet again the cast of characters and be back to Abracadabra.
I can't wait to read the next installment, this one was excellent: strongly recommended.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

This is not the first book I have read by this author and this one was as good as her previous book. I find the characters and unique and the paranormal aspects but just the right tone. If you like paranormal mysteries you should try the series. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.