I really enjoy this series, and this book was another great installment. This time, there is a copy cat murder. The present day murder is eerily similar to one that happened in the past. This time Lee gets asked for help by the twin, former police officers from her past film class. Their nephew is accused of the murder and they want Lee to help figure out who done it. I thought the mystery was done nicely and it kept me guessing. I love the characters in these books and the paranormal aspects. My favorite character is O'Ryan, but there really aren't any characters that I dislike. I love the Salem setting as well. I look forward to every new installment and wish I had found this serious sooner!

Lee Barrett is a Salem, Massachusetts, native, WICH-TV field reporter and amateur sleuth who is well versed in the region’s lore. She is pulled in to report on the case of a revered local professor who has been murdered. Not only was Samuel Bond killed, but it resembles a killing from almost two centuries ago. Assistant professor, Cody McGinnis is arrested for the murder as he recently had issues with Bond when his promotion to full professor was blocked by him. It turns out that Cody is the nephew of friends of Lee, who are heading to town to help clear his name. They are retired police detectives so definitely have the knowledge and clout to get some information. They ask Lee to investigate on their behalf until they get there. Who killed Samuel Bond? Was it Cody or one of the other people who had issues with him? Was he as loved as he appeared?

This was another enjoyable addition to the Witch City Mystery series. It was interesting that there was a historic murder woven into the story. Lee covers the murder and investigation for WICH-TV, as well as doing some sleuthing on the side. I like the characters in this series. Aunt Ibby is one of my favourite. She is older and a semi-retired librarian, so her research skills always come in handy. Aunt Ibby is right into the investigation and calls in some friends who knew the victim to help. They call themselves "Charlie's Angels" which was a hoot. O'Ryan, her clairvoyant cat, also gets in on the act and sends her some clues that help solve the mystery. There is even a live action game of Clue to help solve the crime. There are more suspects than originally thought and their are even more people arrested, but eventually the true culprit is revealed. An enjoyable mystery that can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the whole series. This is not the best of the series, but still an enjoyable one.

This is the 10th book in the Witch City Mystery series. It’s a cute cozy, and I really enjoyed it. The characters are relatable, and I liked the magical aspects of the story. 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This is a cozy mystery, and this is the 10th book the Witch City series. I had high hopes for this book, but it did not live up it my hopes for it. It was just ok. I personal did not love the mystery part of this book because I found it boring and not very well done. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Publishing Corporation) or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review about how I feel about this book, and I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

Murder, Take Two is one of the best books in the Witch City mystery series. I really loved the tie-in with the Clue board game since that's my favorite game to play. It's amazing to me how the author keeps this series fresh with each new book. Some series that go on as long as this one tend to start suffering in quality, but not the Witch City mysteries. I always look forward to a new book coming out because I know the writing will be great, that I'll be stumped by the murder mystery, and that the reader will still see more aspects of the characters that we've already gotten to know extremely well. Murder, Take Two is no different. I'm already looking forward to the next book in this series.

This is without a doubt one of my very favorite cozy mystery series. I love the characters and enjoying spending time with them. I love that there's frequently a "team" element to the investigation and usually a research one as well. I love the supernatural element and that it doesn't overshadow the basic investigation. And how can I resist a Salem setting AND a big orange cat?

That said, this is probably my least favorite in the series so far. There's a lot of promise here - the murder that closely mirrors a historical murder, a team of investigators, and a Clue party based off the board game. However, it didn't really feel like all of these different threads really came together. It kind of feels like Lee ping pongs between all the different threads without really picking one and fleshing anything out. The Clue party is fun but seems a bit random and the tie to the past murder is mentioned enough that I'm aware of it but I wanted more from that particular plot point. It wasn't bad and I did enjoy it but this is a series I expect a lot from and if you weren't already a fan of the series I don't think this one would keep you interested.

I mean don't we all know that I love this series from Carol J. Perry.

When a local murder seems to mirror a historical murder can investigative reporter Lee Barrett and her band of merry "snoopers" find out what happened?

I adore this series so much. I love Lee and Pete. I love Aunt Ibby and River North. I think my favorite character is probably O'Ryan my favorite character. While this story was a bit predictable, I still enjoyed reading it. I loved the aspects of the historical murder and the aspects of the game Clue. I did wish that there was a bit more of Pete in this book. I missed him a little bit. I need more commitment from them! I can't wait for the next book in the series!!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars, I really liked it.

Book 10 in the series.

This was probably my favorite of the series, purely because they staged a live CLUE game, haha. As always Leigh and Aunt Libby are fun characters, and of course O'Ryan is always fantastic. Add in the setting of Salem, and I love these books.

Leigh seems to be getting more and more comfortable with her gift with each book, and I love that Pete accepts her and her paranormally obtained information.

This was a little bit of a slower read, but still had an interesting mystery and a fun ending. I always look forward to more in the series.

The Witch City Mystery series is one of my favorites. I enjoy the Salem setting and the characters. Lee and her Aunt Ibby are strong lead characters. While this series does offer a bit of paranormal hi jinks, this particular book is not overwhelmed by it. This particular story has a mix of old and new mysteries with plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end. I am already looking forward to book eleven.

I haven't really enjoyed the lady two books of this series. I liked the first few very much. It seems they've lost their excitement and I had trouble finishing this newest installment.

Reporter Lee Barrett and her Aunt Ibby are tasked with finding the true killer of local professor Samuel Bond. The accused killer, assistant professor Cody McGinnis has been arrested and his family has asked for their help.
This is a fun cozy mystery set in Salem, Massachusetts. It has interesting characters, including a clairvoyant cat. Definitely a fun read.

A local murder has everyone abuzz in Salem, Massachusetts. Professor Samuel Bond has been murdered in what appears to be a copycat version of Captain Joseph White’s brutal murder in 1830. Lee Barrett, WICH-TV reporter, is embroiled in the investigation both as a reporter and as a friend of the uncles of the accused murderer. Can Lee, with the help of her aunt and the Angels (think Charlie’s Angels, but elderly) solve this modern-day murder?

MURDER, TAKE TWO is the 10th book in the Witch City Mystery series but can easily be read as a standalone. Carol J. Perry provides enough back story on the characters for new readers to jump right in and enjoy the story line. I particularly like that the historical murder is a real life whodunnit as it adds an air of believability and gives a bit of atmosphere to the fun but sometimes campy aspects of Salem.

I absolutely love the game, Clue, and what a phenomenal surprise to find it used as part of the story! I want to visit with Captain Billy at the Toy Trawler and see what other life-sized games can be played as a role-playing version of Clue seems like pure fun. In fact, Captain Billy practically steals the show with his fun store and creative ingenuity about his store and its products.

MURDER, TAKE TWO is an engaging paranormal-tinged cozy mystery that is perfect for the Halloween season! The characters are a lot of fun and the whole town of Salem, with all things witch-themed, is a joy to visit! Each and every visit I find myself fascinated by yet a different part of the town and I eagerly look forward to more visits. Carol J. Perry’s MURDER, TAKE TWO is a yet another hit in the Witch City Mystery series!

A very clever series. Great characters with very well done mystery plots. As a Salem, Massachusetts, native, WICH-TV field reporter and amateur sleuth Lee Barrett is well versed in the region’s lore. So when the murder of revered local professor Samuel Bond resembles a killing from almost two centuries ago, everyone is on edge. Especially assistant professor Cody McGinnis . . .

Not only did Cody have differences with Bond, he even taught a course on the historic murder. And when his fingerprints and ladder are found at the crime scene, the police are certain of his guilt. Cody’s family, however, believes otherwise and asks Lee for assistance. Now, with the help of her clairvoyant cat, O’Ryan, her tech-savvy librarian aunt and housemate Ibby, and Pete Mondello, her handsome detective beau, Lee will delve deeper than ever into Salem’s past—and into her own psychic gifts—to find the real killer—before someone else is history

Murder, Take Two: A Witch City Mystery Book 10
By Carol J. Perry
Kensington
2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

Maralee Kowalski has gone through many transitions in her professional life, which has included being a home shopping channel host, TV weather girl, call-in psychic, instructor of television production at the Tabitha Trumbull Academy of the Arts, and now a reporter for Salem’s WICH-TV news. It was as a teacher that Lee met the Temple twin Roger and Ray, retired Boston police officers on their way to becoming successful television consultants. They are returning to Salem to help their nephew Cody McGinnis, a history professor at Essex County University and prime suspect in the murder of one of his fellow instructors. That the killing of Professor Samuel Bond eerily mimics that of a murder from 1830 makes it a perfect investigative story for Lee, who recently discovered her own talent in the witchy town as a gazer able to see prophetic images in mirrors.

Lee isn’t alone in her adventures, as her retired-ish librarian Aunt Ibby and a Golden Girls/Charlie’s Angels AARP squadron assist in tracking down gossip running through the University. A recent cruise ship had the late professor acting cozy but also aggressive with a few of his coworkers, while a blue-haired student may be either a stalker or “just” a problematic relationship. As students rally and set up a GoFundMe in support of their instructor, evidence mount against Cody and not even Lee’s boyfriend Detective Pete Mondello can prevent an arrest. It will take Lee’s visions, her helpful familiar O’Ryan, and a strategic live-action game of Clue to help them solve an academic murder.

This tenth in the series continues to surprise with its delightful characters and an ending that should catch readers off-guard. Lee’s unpredictable visions are often more helpful in hindsight than during her actual investigations, but her best friend River North’s tarot card readings provide thoughtful and instrumental insight into the lives of the participants. Romantic intrigue between Aunt Ibby, the Trumbull Academy’s director, and now one of the Temple twins lends no small amount of humor, as do the contributions of their fellow senior Angels. Lee proves herself as an effective journalist not easily deceived, especially when it comes to the overly charming attentions of an egotistical professor. The town of Salem, Massachusetts is the perfect setting for this mystery that blends the paranormal with a very practical police investigation, especially one that closely links the present murder to one of the past. Author Carol J. Perry uses a very real murder of 1830 to inspire this current tale, one that relishes the origin of the Parker Brothers games in Salem to tie in the nostalgic and exuberant game of Clue. Whether it was Colonel White in the Library with a Knife or Professor Plum in the Study with a Candlestick, this case of murder among professors is a fun and frolicking mystery perfect for the Halloween season.

Murder, Take Two by Carol J. Perry is a delightful cozy mystery. The lead characters come together to solve the mystery while learning something about themselves and the historic city they live in, Salem, MA. Suspenseful with lots of well thought out characters.

Release Date: August 25th 2020

Salem Massachusetts is known for odd coincidence and strange goings on but a copycat murder that takes place 100 years later might take the cake. Lee is a reporter who along with her aunt Ivy and the angels are determined to figure out the whodunnit. When Lee starts getting too close, can she help everyone involved?

This is the 10th (!) book in the witch city mystery series. I have some serious catching up to do because this book was very good! I really enjoyed the story, including that the murder (the first, not the second) was a historical murder that did take place. What a great concept! I will definitely be reading the rest of this series!

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

#murderattheplayhouse #Awitchcitymystery #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #cozymysteryseries #netgalleyreads

Lee Barrett is a TV field reporter in Salem, Massachusetts. When college professor, Samuel Bond is murdered in Salem, in a similar vein to a crime that took place almost 200 years before, another academic, assistant professor Cody McGinnis is considered the prime suspect. McGinnis is the nephew of Lee's close friends, twins Roger and Ray Temple, and McGinnis and Bond had been having a disagreement shortly before Bond's killing, so Lee feels obliged to investigate, along with her clairvoyant cat, O’Ryan, and her techie librarian aunt, Ibby.

Murder, Take Two is my first read in this series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Although it is book ten, I was able to keep up with characters and events, but I would have preferred to have started from the first novel for continuity reasons. Protagonist Lee brought her sparkling personality to the proceedings and I also enjoyed the contributions from Aunt Ibby. Her aunt and Ibby’s senior friends really enriched the melting pot, as did the cast from WICH TV, and Salem was effectively its own character, too. Events moved along at a comfortable pace and the mystery itself was great. I had a ball reading this highly amusing and entertaining cozy mystery and I'm already looking forwarding to catching up with Lee in book #11, See Something, as well as grabbing copies of all of books I've missed, though that will take some time! A great choice of cozy if you enjoy a dose of the paranormal.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Princess Fuzzypants here: How could I not love a series where one of the key characters is a big orange cat named O’Ryan who seems to be a step or two ahead of the humans? It would be impawsible. The humans in the series are pretty cool too starting with our heroine Lee. She is a reporter at the local tv station, former teacher and scryer- or one who sees visions in shiny surfaces that may be clues to the past, present or future. Her cop boyfriend Pete is very understanding and supportive. Her aunt Ibby and all of Ibby’s senior friends add a lot to the mix as does the cast of characters from WICH tv. Of course, Salem itself is a character all its own.

This time Lee’s help is requested from two former students, retired cops, who want her help in proving their nephew did not murder an odious professor. The evidence overwhelmingly points in his direction. Even Lee has the occasional twinge but both as a friend and as an investigative reporter, she continues to dig deeper. The crime mimics a famous one from 130 years ago. Lee figures the best way to get additional information out is to organize a party game of Clue with all the possible suspects present. Even though he was not invited O’Ryan is there to keep a feline eye on his human.

It is all done in an entertaining and enjoyable way. The mystery is a good one and the motive almost makes the reader feel empathy for the killer rather than the victim. As always there are lots of fun characters darting in and out of the story line. And of course, there is O’Ryan.

Five purrs and two paws up.

Salem's WICH-TV field reporter Lee Barrett is eager to help her friends, twins Roger and Ray Temple, prove their nephew Cody McGinnis is innocent in the murder of Professor Samuel Bond. It's not going to be easy, though, because all the evidence points to Cody.

To get things moving, Lee askes her aunt Ibby, who is also her house mate, for help. Ibby calls in friends, Betsy, Louisa, and Mr. Pennington. They all gather and talk thinks over and notice there is a similarity in Bond's death and that of the Nineteenth Century murder of Captain Joseph White. With the help of O'Ryan, Lee's clairvoyant cat, and her own ability to see visions, the group sets out to prove Cody innocent, before the police indict him.

I adore this series. It's one of my favorites, and I have read them all a few times over. I love Lee and her relationship with police detective Pete Mondello. It adds great flavor to the series. And Lee and Ibby are such good friends that I love them, too.

This book had a different flavor than the others, with Lee not really covering the murder, and getting a side job at The Tabby, an arts school.

Ms. Perry expertly weaves a fun tale, full of mystery, history, and board games. The addition of the games added a lot to the story, and provided some intriguing scenes. I love how Ms. Perry paints Salem in this series, and its history.

I highly recommend this series for readers who like mystery with a little paranormal mixed in. I read a digital ARC of this book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.

This is the Tenth release in the popular cozy series "Witch City" by cozy author Carol Perry. I love this series for its Salem setting described so beautifully by the author with all of its charm and mystery.
Lee is covering a murder for her local station in Salem Massachusetts when she finds out the suspect is related to her family friends. Her Aunt and her friends are trying to prove he is innocent but Lee has her doubts. As she investigates the clues are not proving him innocent. Her visions are not good about the case and her Detective boyfriend is sure he is guilty The case proves to be difficult but Lee is determined to solve this mystery.

This was the perfect setting for early fall and a fun mystery. Lee and friends are a close group of friends that all depend on each other. With the added charm of Salem this is a fun mystery . Thank you to the publisher and to Net Gallery for the opportunity. My review is cross posted.