Member Reviews
This is the second book I have read in this series. In this one Salem is celebrating Halloween. When Charlene finds the body of a local witch she sets out to solve the crime. I enjoy the setting and some of the characters. The mystery was just OK and it was easy to solve.
I read the first book in this series, Mrs. Morris and the Ghost, three years ago and enjoyed it. Widowed Charlene Morris bought a mansion sight unseen with plans to turn in into a bed and breakfast. Little did she know it came with its own resident ghost, Jack Strathmore.
Mrs. Morris and the Witch, picks up soon after the events in the first book of this cozy mystery series. Charlene is excited about hosting her first guests over Halloween and has planned an unforgettable evening Halloween night with a tour of Salem and a cemetery, led by a local ghost expert. Unfortunately, the night takes a turn for the worst when Charlene finds Morganna, a local Wiccan, dead in her shop. One of Charlene's guests is a person of interest, and Charlene is determined to clear his name. Charlene's inquiries lead her down the path to find the murderer, learning about the modern day Wiccan community and coven politics in Salem along the way.
It was a pleasure to spend time with Charlene again as well as her friendly household ghost, Jack. She uses him as a sounding board quite a bit in the novel, and he offers some helpful suggestions along the way. Her friend and detective, Sam, seems quite capable at his job, and it's obvious he is frustrated with Charlene's interference--not to mention the way she puts herself in danger. I can't really blame him. There is one scene in the novel in which Charlene does something very dumb, in fact; but I had to laugh because not too long after that scene, Charlene is reading a romantic suspense novel and describes the heroine as "smart and savvy, not the too-stupid-to-live kind, like she'd been the night before." Kudos to authors Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton for calling their own character out! I do like Charlene though even if her curiosity gets the better of her sometimes.
I was along for the ride in this paranormal cozy mystery and did not figure out who was behind the murder until the end. The cast of characters, some familiar from the previous book, and others new, had interesting backstories of their own, and I am enjoying getting to know Charlene's Salem through her eyes. I look forward to reading more of the series. I believe it's set around Christmas time--so perfect for the upcoming winter season!
I love cozy mysteries and this one did not disappoint. Great characters, kept my interest and was a fun read. Would definitely recommend.
Another fun book in a good series. I've read a couple of them now, but read them out of sequence. Might be why this one gave me more of a struggle. Did like the building of the romance with Sam though. The jealousy of Jack the ghost was a bit creepy though. Otherwise, would recommend, especially if you've read others. This is book 2.
Cute, fast paced cozy mystery. Charlene and Jack are a good combination. Can’t help rooting for them as a couple even though it’s not realistic. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily chose to review.
I absolutely love this new series. I love the main character along with the supporting characters. The bed and breakfast would be the perfect place to stay in Salem. The surrounding shops and businesses really add to the story. I cannot wait to read the next one.
I really liked this one! I thought the entire basis for the series is very creative, and I loved the different feel. The interplay between Charlene and Jack was fabulous!
I didn’t even realize for awhile that this was the second book in the series; I think it’s perfectly fine to read this one as a stand-alone.
The ending surprised me; I really thought I knew who the culprit was but I had guessed wrong. It’s nice to be wrong!
If you’re a cozy mystery fan, definitely check this series out. A very fun, creative, well-plotted read and perfect for fall!
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for my complimentary digital copy.
I enjoyed this second book in this series. I like the main character and how she works to find the answers. Enjoyable cozy will be buying for my store.
Mrs. Morris and the Witch is the 2nd book in the Salem B&B mystery series. I really enjoyed reading this one. I like how the author is already showing character development with the main character, Charlene. She's mentioning her late husband less and appears to be opening up a little more to the possibility of something more with Sam. I'm really hoping they get together in a future book in the series. As for the murder mystery, I was intrigued due to my real interest in Salem and learning more about Wiccan beliefs. There are no shortage of suspects for the murder, so I was surprised when the killer was revealed. I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Note: I voluntarily read a free copy of this book from Netgalley. All opinions are mine alone.
The second in a new cozy mystery series is off to a great start, while the mystery was easy to solve I really enjoy the characters
A B&B cozy mystery complete with a ghost. I think it was the whole ghost in the mystery that turned me off this book. I don’t know why I keep picking up cozy mysteries with ghosts in them. Knowing I don’t like them. But I think I keep picking them up because I keep hoping that I will find one that I actually like. But this one was not one.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the gifted ARC. I didn’t realize going into this book that it’s the second one in the series. However, I didn’t feel like I missed much. There were a few references to the first book, but it works pretty well as a standalone. After all, it’s set in a B&B so a lot of the secondary characters come and go as guests.
As far as the mystery goes, I actually didn’t quite figure it out before the end of the book. This was definitely one of those cases where it felt like it could have been anyone, which made it a lot of fun and kept me guessing. Overall, I think it’s an entertaining read for October.
Charlene owns and runs a bread and breakfast in Salem called Charlenes. She has a residential ghost named Jack who was a doctor in his previous life. It's opening night for Charlenes, it's also Halloween and Charlene is about to take her guests on a Haunted Ghost Tour. During the haunted ghost tour, Charlene and some of the guests go into Morganna's Witch House and see beautiful glass spheres that look like giant Christmas Ornaments. Come to find out the owner Morganna, a proclaimed Witch, creates the custom glasswork Witch Balls, we learn they are used to trap evil spirits, attract money or cleanse. Several guests are enthralled and buy some including Charlene.
At the end of the ghostly tour, the guests and Charlene meet back at Morganna's Witch House and find the store dark. They get inside and find the witch dead. One of Charlene's guests, a young single male, is taken in for questioning and becomes a suspect. Charlene wants to vindicate her guest and help solve Morganna's murder.
The Ghostly tour was interesting. Like the other characters on the tour, I wished a ghost showed up.
I didn't understand why Charlene was infatuated with Witch Balls and even contemplating getting one even though she didn't know if it would trap her ghost Jack. Truth be told, I wouldn't mind if it did. Jack was a bore. I was expecting more between and with Jack and Charlene but was disappointed. I was also disappointed in the list of boardgames available for the guests to play at the B&B. Being a boardgamer, I hate it when an author only inputs monopoly, scrabble, charades and connect four. I wish an author would do research and input better boardgames, we are in the 21st century and have more and better boardgames then those.
I thought this book was going to be about Charlene being a witch but it's not. She is just a lady, previously raised Catholic but not currently practicing, running a B&B in Salem.
We do get a lot of history about the witches in Salem and the Wiccan community. The other characters are packed full of information. And we get to follow along with Charlene taking care of her guests, going place to place asking questions. And that is the jiff of the book, just following along with Charlene. I didn't care for any of the characters. The writing was a bit off, I don't know how to explain it. I would of liked to see more character development.
What I did like was the author did a good job incorporating the witches being just like one of us. There was a witch that was a banker, a bookstore owner, a college professor and one that sells life insurance.
I also liked Sam and Charlene's relationship. I hope it continues to grow in future books.
40% into the book I placed a note that said: I'm only reading this book so I can review it but it's not that good. Amateur writing. If not for the review, I would DNF.
The book did pick up towards the end, but not enough to change my score.
The mystery was all over the place. I did not guess who the killer was nor did I care.
I really wanted to like this book, I wish the author would spend more time developing the characters and helping me to feel for them.
Overall I give the book 3 stars (being generous)
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for my advanced digital copy. The opinions expressed are truly my own.
Excerpt:
(Between Sam and Charlene)
His frame blocked the door as he stared at her. “you cant help it, can you?”
“I went to buy tea, Sam. How is that my fault?”
“It's like you are a magnet for trouble,Charlene.”
“I didn't use to be...I used to have a very nice life. Steady, with breakfast in bed on Sunday mornings. Not a single dead body in all my forty-two years.”
Quotes:
“The history here is steeped in mysterious happenings. Why should things be any different now than they were centuries before?” - Kevin
“Charlene Morris, you are a smart, caring, beautiful woman. Unfortunately, trouble seems to find you.” - Jack
This book is the second in the Salem B&B cozy mystery series and as soon as I finished reading it I wanted to read more! The setting of Salem is perfect for a haunted B&B with just the right amount of cozy and paranormal! I am really getting to love Jack and love how he works with Charlene to solve the mystery. I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
This is book 2 in the Salem B&B series. It can be read as a stand alone, I did not read book 1, Mrs. Morris and the Ghost. I'll be looking for it. It's Halloween in Salem, Ma. and Charlene is having her first group of guest in her new B&B. She's arranged a tour of the town and it ends with her finding a dead witch in her shop on Main Street. The local coven is in flux as the dead witch has been stirring things in town. Jack, Charlene's resident ghost helps from home but is bound to the B&B. He can still save the day. An enjoyable read for all ages. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Mrs. Morris and the Witch is a wonderful cozy mystery read that I enjoyed a lot. In this installment, Charlene Morris’ husband dies and she is starting her new life running a B&B in Salem, Mass. The B&B has a ghost, the recently deceased Dr. Strathmore, which is only privy to Charlene and her cat Silva. A fun paranormal mystery surrounding an over the top Halloween in Salem – complete with a Witch Ball and Festival. I really enjoyed reading this book, for the fun setting, the likable characters and the murder mystery that had me guessing. I recommend this enjoyable read.
I finished Mrs. Morris and the Witch last night, second in the Salem B&B Mystery series by Tracy Wilton. This was a very good read. I was impressed with the story, characters and outcome. Love the resident Ghost and the angle of the very complex love triangle. I also loved that this book did not focus on Halloween, even though it takes place on Halloween. I think that the author did a great job of continuing to develop the characters into something more than just a typical 2 dimensional witch characters. Not your normal paranormal cozy, I very much enjoyed it.
This series is becoming a favorite as I love the style of writing, the characters and the setting.
This was an excellent story, well written and engrossing.
The plot was entertaining, the mystery is solid and the cast of characters is likeable and fleshed out.
I can't wait to read the next instalment.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Mrs Morris and the Witch is an entertaining mystery wrapped in a great Halloween/Wiccan vibe full of spells, magic and ghosts. Even though I initially thought the myriad of characters was a bit confusing, I quickly immersed myself in the overall spooky atmosphere. I really liked how the author depicted this mystical world of witchcraft and the historical background of Salem. I wasn’t entirely sold on the character of Charlene which I felt didn’t sound her age, but maybe that’s because I didn’t read the first book. However, it still can be read as a standalone. At the end there’s an excerpt from the next book set around Christmastime, I’m definitely tempted to follow up on this series.
Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review, "Mrs. Morris and the Witch" by Traci Wilton. I was excited to continue this series since I enjoyed the 1st book so much. This story follows Charlene Morris as she takes her B &B guests on a ghost tour of Salem for Halloween! A local Wiccan woman by the name of Morganna is murdered in her own witch shop! Charlene takes it upon herself to look for clues and talk to people involved in the local coven in order to solve this murder. Charlene makes new connections along the way but who can she truly trust? This 2nd novel also left me wondering who the murderer could be. I was truly surprised as the events continued to unfold. I loved the sneak peak of the next novel in the series. I am excited to have finally found a murder mystery series I truly enjoy! Here's to the next one!