Dollycas's Thoughts

Zo Jones owns the Happy Camper Gift Shop and she has special plans for Halloween and Spirit Canyon's annual Spirit Spooktacular. She has invited Marianne Morgan, a self-proclaimed witch and self-help author to give a talk and book signing. Her subject "Embracing Your Inner Witch" isn't about magic or spells but women reclaiming their power. The Spooktacular will also include a pumpkin carving contest, a parade, a costume party, and a Harvest Hike.

Marianne's book talk goes well sans a couple of unwanted interruptions. Later Zo attends an event at her best friend Jules' Spirits & Spirits just down the street. As she heads home she notices a new life-sized witch propped up in front of the Happy Camper. Then she noticed the witch's shoes, she had seen them before. It was no Halloween decoration! It was Marianne Morgan dressed like a witch but she wouldn't be empowering any more women. Marianne was dead and Zo soon finds herself pressed to find her killer. Does she have a ghost of a chance? or will the killer send her to the great beyond?

_____

Zo Jones is a strong protagonist. She is very likable and with her curious nature a good amateur sleuth. Her Maine Coon cat George is quite a cat. He goes on an adventure in this story which probably gave Zo some gray hairs. Her relationship with forest ranger Max continues to evolve. Zo has some great friends in Harley, Beth, and Jules. I enjoy how all the characters interact with each other. They all feel true to life.

Ms. Angela plotted out a captivating murder mystery. With plenty of suspects and twists and turns it was fun to follow along with Zo. I especially liked the hints she received from a very unexpected source. I was surprised when the killer was revealed as was Zo. A piece of evidence was randomly found and then all the clues snapped into place. I loved the spooky takedown.

Zo also has a personal mystery she is trying to solve and finds some major clues in this story to move that investigation forward. This intriguing subplot genuinely adds to each story. I am excited for the continuation.

Midnight Spells Murder is a wonderful Halloween read. Ms. Angela sets the scenes well and brings her characters to life to solve a marvelous mystery. I am looking forward to reading Book 3 Mining for Murder soon.

As a Halloween lover I really enjoyed this book. I’ve read the first one prior to the ARC of this one. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. The culprit actually took me by surprise. It was a light hearted mystery but it did keep me wondering.

I really loved this book in a new to my series and author. I can't wait to read the next one. The characters and location really add to the plot. This book keeps you guessing until the end.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I really enjoyed reading it the plot was interesting and the characters made me want to know more about them. I highly recommend.

Midnight Spells Murder is the second title in the A Happy Camper Mystery series, and although I hadn’t read the first story I enjoyed myself here and didn’t feel the least bit lost – so it can be read as a stand-alone title, in my opinion, if need be.

When a visiting author and implied witch shows up dead among the shop decorations the morning after her talk at Zo’s shop… well, it wasn’t the best morning for all involved. Now the rumors are flying, a gossip-hungry journalist is onsite, and things could get quite bad for not only Zo’s shop (the crime scene) but her reputation as well.

I had fun with Midnight Spells Murder. There are possible culprits galore, lots of clues with some red herrings tossed in as well. And a deepening relationship between Zo and Max will add to the enjoyment and the suspense. I enjoyed watching sleuthing partners (and perhaps more), Max and Zo set out to discover whodunit. I’ll admit that I didn’t see that coming – which is exactly how I like my Cozy Mysteries. So, if you enjoy putting puzzle pieces together, a murder mystery to solve, and an entertaining story, then you’ll want to check this one out for yourself.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Cute spooky read!

Description
Spirit Canyon's annual Spirit Spooktacular weekend is on, and for local amateur sleuth Zo Jones, it's boomtime for business at her Happy Camper gift shop . . . until a murderer drops in for a browse.

To celebrate Halloween at the Happy Camper, Zo schedules a talk by successful author and self-proclaimed witch Marianne Morgan. Although Marianne's benign brand of witchcraft is more about feminine empowerment than black magic, her presence is still not welcomed by everyone. Then on a midnight stroll home, Zo spots what seems to be a new Halloween decoration propped up outside the Happy Camper. What she finds is not a mannequin but a dead Marianne, her lifeless body dressed in traditional witch's garb. But why would someone send this good witch back to the spirit world permanently?

Soon Zo realizes that plenty of folks have motives for murdering Marianne. What's worse, nosy TV newsman Justin Castle plans to broadcast a report associating Marianne's murder with the Happy Camper. Zo calls on her partner in sleuthing, local forest ranger Max Harrington, to help her find the culprit before Justin's report airs. Otherwise Zo's business just might go bust. But to catch this killer, Zo will have to risk much more than just her reputation . . .

This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series. I love the setting and the quirky characters. The mystery was interesting and kept me focused until the end. Zo and Max make a great team. I appreciate that the romance portion is kept to a minimum. I look forward to the next installment.

Fun series with a unique setting. I love holiday based cozies and this story is perfect for the Halloween season. I was definitely kept guessing until the very end. Looking forward to the next book in this series.

I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery. I have not read book one but I was not lost reading this one. Zo owns The Happy Camper Gift Shop in Spirit Canyon, South Dakota. The town and Zo go all out celebrating Halloween. The store is hosting a local author book signing. When the author is found dead after the book signing near the shop Zo sets out to solve the crime. The small town, the supporting characters and Holiday Celebrations are a lot of fun. The author does a good job with the South Dakota backdrop. The mystery was good, with a lot of suspects and was not easy to solve. I will be going back to read book 1 and I am looking for word to Book 2. Enjoy this fun seasonal read.

I thought that the book, was such a page turner. A great read. I loved the book. The plot was very well written. As this is the first book I have read by this author, I cannot wait to read another book.

Midnight Spells Murder by Mary Angela, set in The Black Hills, is the second in the Happy Camper series. With the different locale and very different characters, I enjoyed reading this book very much. I will now have to go find the first one and hope for a third.

This second book in the Happy Camper series is a real page turner! I loved getting to know more about the characters and their relationships with each other. Can't wait for the next book to come out!

Halloween has come to Spirit Canyon. Zo is hosting a book signing with a local author who is also suspected to be a witch. When the author is then found dead in front of Zo's store, Zo is determined to find out who the murderer is. When the investigation also leads Zo to some information about her own history, she adds that to her list to investigate, too.

I really like Zo as a character. I love how independent she is. I love the town of Spirit Canyon. It seems like such an interesting place. This story was so much fun to read. I was kept guessing the whole time. I was with Zo with each person she suspected. It was fun to have the deadline of the false news report. I can't wait to read more of this series!

I loved the sense of community created in this book. The author does a great job describing the setting and making it easy to picture how beautiful the area is. The characters are well developed, building on the foundation laid in book one. What was missing, though, was the actual investigation. There were bits and pieces thrown in between different activities but it felt more like a story where someone in the community was murdered rather than an actual mystery. The discovery of answers into Zo’s past were my favorite part.

Such a fun Halloween themed book. I haven't read the first book in the Happy Camper series but I don't feel I needed to because this was great as a stand alone.

During Spirit Canyon's annual Spirit Spooktacular, Zo, the proprietor of the Happy Camper book shop, books author and witch Marianne Morgan to speak. Zo finds the body and the race is on to find out who murdered Marianne.

This is a great book and I will definitely be reading the 1st and each new book in this series.

I love a Halloween-themed cozy. Midnight Spells Murder, the second installment in the Happy Camper Mystery series, has excitement, murder, intrigue, and romance. I enjoy it all! But I really enjoy the relationship between Zo and Max. I cannot wait to see where this goes.

I have been in love with this series and its characters since the start. I highly recommend this book. Moreover, since this is the second book, interested readers can start with book one and give themselves a chance to get to know the characters and fall in love with the writing of Mary Angela.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ -- A festive and charming read!!

I adore holiday themed cozy mysteries. There is just something extra special about them. I also love Halloween, so I was beyond excited to start this one. I was not disappointed. First, the cover is outstanding. The writing was excellent. It held up perfectly as a standalone. It was suitably festive. It was well plotted with plenty of red herrings to keep me guessing. I adored the small town setting. The characters were likable and plenty. We even get a yummy recipe at the end. What more can you ask for? 👍🏻👍🏻

**ARC Via NetGalley**

MIDNIGHT SPELLS MURDER is the second book in Mary Angela’s “Happy Camper” cozy mystery series. I love cozy mysteries and I also love a Halloween theme – and this book has both. Even though it’s part of a series, you can still enjoy MIDNIGHT SPELLS MURDER as a standalone novel. Mary Angela gives enough background info on the main and supporting characters to orient the reader. Business owner and amateur sleuth Zo Jones is celebrating and promoting Spirit Canyon’s annual Spirit Spooktacular weekend when one night, witch and inspirational speaker Marianne Morgan is left for dead outside the Happy Camper. Naturally, Zo can’t help but take a personal interest in finding out who killed Marianne and why. Zo’s aided by her friends and nice guy, forest ranger, and local hottie Max Harrington.

For added drama, TV newsman Justin Castle is the resident jerk who antagonizes Zo and makes solving the murder more difficult. There are some spooky moments, but I think Mary Angela balances those with a few lighthearted ones, and good old-fashioned sleuthing. Even though this victim was likable, there prove to be several possible suspects who may not have wished her well. The trick for Zo is unearthing any hidden agendas and sorting out the merely obnoxious characters from the more sinister. The setting in MIDNIGHT SPELLS MURDER is loaded with small town charm. As a reader, you hope that none of your favorite friendly townsfolk – like Zo’s BFF or her employees - are the murderer. In addition to the murder mystery, Mary Angela gives readers two mysteries for the price of one. Throughout MIDNIGHT SPELLS MURDER, Zo finds clues surrounding the identity of her birth mother whom she never knew. This adds another layer to the main character and another intriguing element to the story.

MIDNIGHT SPELLS MURDER is full of treats, nasty tricks, and a determined amateur sleuth. I hope the tentative romance continues between Zo and Max because I love them together. I really enjoyed MIDNIGHT SPELLS MURDER and look forward to reading the next in this “Happy Camper” series.

Midnight Spells Murder is the second book in the Happy Camper mystery series by Mary Angela. I loved the first book in this series set in the Black hills of Spirit Canyon, South Dakota, so I was very excited to read this newest installment. The series follows Zo the owner of the Happy Camper gift shop and her neighbours and friends.
This book takes place surrounding Halloween and centers around the mysterious death of author and self described witch Maryanne Morgan. Zo is pulled into the murder mystery when she finds the body outside her store after the author holds a book signing at the Happy Camper.

There are many suspects and red herrings as the mystery develops, as well as many side stories involving Zo's romantic life, ghosts and even a clue into the search for Zoe's birth mother. It kept me glued to the page and eager to find out what happens next in th series.

Princess Fuzzypants here: There is magic in the air with witches and ghosts but it feels like paranormal light. While it is part of the story line and certainly plays an important role in the conclusion, it is a light frosting on it rather than being the core of the story. Self proclaimed witch and author Marianne is murdered outside of The Happy Camper, Zo’s store. Zo finds the body. That gives some of the people in town who have an axe to grind with her an opportunity to besmirch her reputation. She feels if she does not find the real killer, she will be pilloried in spite of being innocent. That is one reason she feels compelled. The other reason is the dead woman seems to be asking her to bring the villain to justice.

Much of the book follows the main story line but I found a couple of the side story lines even more interesting. Of course, the one involving grumpy George, the Maine Coon, holds top honours. I confess. Perhaps I am a bit biased. I also liked the blossoming of the relationship between Zo and Max and Zo’s quest to find her birth mother equally intriguing. Naturally Zo does discover the killer but not before she is in grave danger before help comes from beyond the grave.

Four purrs and two paws up.