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.

A spooky cozy mystery filled with murder and plenty of Halloween vibes.

Amateur Sleuth, Zo Jones, has an author event scheduled to bring in business for her gift shop, Happy Camper. But when the witchy author is found dead outside her shop, Zo will have to put her sleuthing skills to work. With the help of local forest ranger Max Harrington, will she be able to crack the case? Or will she become the next victim?

A fun, fast-paced read with just the perfect balance of creepy and cozy!

While I missed reading the first book in the series, it certainly didn't impede my enjoyment as the characters and plot were succinctly described enough to dive right in. Zo Jones runs the Happy Camper gift shop hosting a book signing with a self described witch as part of her Halloween activities. Then the witch turns up dead and So starts looking into it. While spending lot of her youth in foster homes, it has made her resilient not bitter. Still she would like to know how she ended up dropped off at the local police station. I imagine her search for info on her birth mother will continue in future books. Her friends and other business owners are interesting as is the beginning of a new relationship with a forest ranger.

Halloween. Murder. Yes, please. Midnight Spells Murder by Mary Angela is the second in the A Happy Camper series, the started with Open For Murder. Yes, it is the second but if you haven't read Open For Murder, you don't need to. I didn't read it, and I made it through Midnight Spells Murder perfectly fine. I am sure I missed some character history, such as the growing relationship between Zo and Max, but it did not take away from the story.

Zo is the owner of The Happy Camper, a gift shop in Spirit Canyon. She hosts an author book signing as part of a town-wide Halloween celebration, and when it is over finds the author dead dressed as a witch. She sets out to find the murderer before she is blamed for the crime. It is exactly what you want in a cozy mystery, however typical they usually are.

Ok. I will admit it. I totally chose this book because of the super sweet Halloween cover. I couldn't resist, it called my name. I know I should never pick a book based on the cover ( I bet you have also... tell me you haven't and I probably won't believe you LOL), but this time it worked out for me.

The writing in the story is engaging and easy to read, making it quick and fun. The characters all seemed to have a purpose in the story, and for me, the secondary characters really played strong roles and added much humor to the story. There was also a secondary story, that involved Zo and her necklace, which was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The setting was perfect and it had me dreaming of cooler weather as I read ( It has been over 100 degrees here since we arrived home from San Diego and their 75-degree weather ) and the author's description of all the towns Halloween decorations and the seasonal parade had me craving some good ole pumpkin spice.

So turn up your AC, grab a cozy blanket, and some pumpkin spice whatever it is you drink, and sink in for a fun, cozy Halloween read with Midnight Spells Murder.

It’s coming up on Halloween in Spirit Canyon and Zo Jones, owner of the Happy Camper Gift Shop, brings in successful author and self-proclaimed witch Marianne Morgan for a special event. Marianne’s brand of witchcraft focuses far more on the power of the feminine than any black arts, but some local feathers are ruffled to find Marianne in their midst.

But are they ruffled enough to kill for?

Not long after the event, Zo discovers Marianne’s corpse dressed in a traditional witch costume and propped up outside the Happy Camper—the apparent victim of a homicide.

Things are looking bad for Mary Angela’s heroine, as the murder places the Happy Camper dead center in the sights of the local police chief, Brady Merrigan, and not in a good way. Possible suspects pile up as the intrepid Zo Jones tries to solve the murder before she becomes the prime suspect. Making all of it worse, local TV reporter Justin Castle would love to splash Zo’s image across the six o’clock news — preferably in handcuffs on the way to jail.

As with all of Mary Angela’s books, the protagonist is the heart of the story. We root for Zo, not just to solve the crime, but to move forward in her relationship with the handsome park ranger Max Harrington. Complicating Zo’s life is the unfolding story of her family background. Angela deftly weaves together Zo’s exploration of her own past with the murder that showed up on her doorstep in the present.

There are so many things to love about the Happy Camper Series. Zo Jones is a terrific leading lady. She’s smart and brave and funny. Her gift shop is a place I’d love to hang out, and Spirit Canyon is filled with the beauty of the Black Hills. Angela’s descriptions add another powerful layer on top the complex and twisty plot and engaging characters.

Rounding out the list are Zo’s friends and neighbors and delightful feline companion George. Midnight Spells Murder brings back characters from the first in the series, Open for Murder, and introduces others, continuing to build the community and embedding us even more in Spirit Canyon.

If this town were real, it would top my “places to visit list” even with the occasional murder!

Sprinkled with romance, Mary Angela’s latest novel will have you falling even further under her spell.

Don't you just love the cover? If it makes you want to read the book then listen to that voice. Midnight Spells Murder is the second book in the Happy Camper cozy mystery series by Mary Angela. This one deals with the death of an author after doing a book talk and signing at Zo's gift shop.

The story gave me all the spooky and fall feelings I was looking for. The characters are interesting and enjoyable to read about, even the not so nice ones. Max is definitely a favorite and I love George the cat. It's great to see storylines within the town growing. I was able to guess the killer and was happy about who it was. I also liked the reveal because of the sense of danger.

There is a great secondary mystery along with the murder that I am excited about and makes you further invested in the story and characters. It was a very enjoyable read that also brought smiles with a mention of bees dressed as ghosts. I love that! I can't wait for the next in the series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read!

Midnight Spells Murder is a great Halloween-themed cozy mystery. It is the second book in the Happy Camper Mystery series. The story is about a shop owner named Zo and the dead body found near her store. The characters are great and the relationship between Zo and Max is fantastic. Cat lovers will find George the cat charming. The mystery is solid and kept me guessing throughout. This is a great book and I look forward to reading more by this author. I should also add that the cover is awesome.

This is the second in the Happy Camper series. I enjoyed this one as much as the first! The storyline and romance are progressing nicely. In this edition, fall has arrived and Zo is doing a book signing at her shop for a local author, who just happens to be a witch. The signing goes well and Zo is happy to have made a new friend, when she finds the author dead and propped up outside her store, with a witches hat on. Zo, with help from her friend Beth and hunky forest ranger, Max has to find the killer. The local news anchor, Justin has his eyes set on pinning the murder on her and making a huge deal of it on the broadcast. Zo feels that her livelihood is on the line with his looming broadcast date and starts poking around.

I love reading about the store, the characters and the progression of Zo learning about her past and possibly finding some clues about her mom! Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

You hear about those books that people "can't put down." If you are a cozy fan, or enjoy small town fiction, or holiday mysteries this will be that book for you.
I had the cat telling me in no uncertain terms that he demanded to be fed and I casually replied, "Just more more chapter." Wrong answer, both for me and my twenty pound cat.
Several chapters later I was trying to figure out how to continue reading and open then pour his food.

I don't want to tell you the plot of the book. My mini spoiler is that an animal goes missing and I COULD NOT stop reading at that point.
The story covers a murder on Halloween, people who are not who they seems on the surface, some mild flirting, a whole range of emotions, both for the reader and in the characters, yummy snacks, and so much more!

You will not be disappointed if you pick up this book but be prepared to spend some time. You will be drawn into the town, drawn to the people there, and want to find someplace like it in your real life.
There is a continuing mystery so I can not wait to read the next book in this series.

I was happy to dive into Midnight Spells Murder, the second instalment of the 'A Happy Camper' mystery series set in Spirit Canyon, South Dakota, featuring former journalist Zo Jones. I got to meet Zo in book one, Open for Murder who in this story, Midnight Spells Murder, has invited Marianne Morgan an author and a self-acclaimed witch to her gift shop to give a talk. The event is in celebration of Halloween and will include a pumpkin carving contest and a costume party, hosted by Zo, but not everyone likes Marianne's special brand of witchcraft, borne out when Marianne is found dead.

This was a compelling, absorbing cozy mystery. As Zo goes about town speaking to suspects and fact-finding, she and Max Harrington, the Forest Ranger, team up, and there are a few new characters to keep things fresh. Zo's very large adopted tomcat, George caused a stir, the mystery was involved and the killer was someone I didn't expect. I will be watching out for book three and look forward to spending more time with Zo, Jules (Zo's friend since their school days), George and Max in Spirit Canyon.

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

MIDNIGHT SPELLS MURDER by Mary Angela
The Second Happy Camper Mystery

As Halloween approaches Spirit Canyon Zo Jones arranges for local author Marianne Morgan to have a book signing at the Happy Camper. The event is a big success, although not everyone is happy with Marianne's witchy style and brand of feminine empowerment. When Zo sees a life sized witch decoration outside her store she's amazed by its realism...until she realizes it's a very dead Marianne. The local newsman, who acts more like gutter press, has it in for Zo and is trying to create a big news piece, at Zo and her shop's expense. With a lot of gumption and perhaps a little ghostly intervention, Zo will hunt for the killer and find justice for the author with so much promise.

With the action taking place in town and centered more on Zo, the Happy Camper Mystery series finds its groove with its second offering. The Happy Camper shop oozes coziness and the characters seem more connected and in tune with each other. I'm pleased with the development of the secondary characters, each of whom has become more multidimensional with their own raison d'être. The scene with Beth spotting her daughter with a boy still has me laughing, and as for Hattie and her new employee, I'm grinning just thinking about it. I also appreciate how Zo's relationship with Max is evolving.

I enjoyed the mystery and the suspects, two of whom I really wanted to be guilty as I disliked them so much. While not a suspect, "journalist" Justin Castle continues to leave a bad taste in my mouth; a character we can love to hate. I also appreciated the secondary mystery that came when a clue to Zo's birth mom was discovered.

Autumn in Spirit Canyon may bring on the chills, but curling up with a hot beverage and this book will leave you warm inside. Friendship, humor, and happiness combine to make MIDNIGHT SPELLS MURDER a success.

I absolutely love the Happy Camper mysteries. This time we're back just in time for Halloween and the Spirit Spooktacular. We're reacquainted with all of our old favorites and a few new additions to the story. This time, the body is found right on Zo's doorstep (ok just outside the happy camper, but the same thing really), and it's all she can do to discover the murderer before she becomes the prime suspect. I love how much focus is put on female relationships and empowerment in these series, and romantic relationships are a bit of a side plot if involved at all. I cannot wait to read more!

5/5 Stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Open for Murder by Mary Angela is the first book in the new cozy A Happy Camper Mystery series while Midnight Spells Murder is the second. Each of these books in the series could be read as a standalone as they each contain their own mystery that was fully solved inside. There is however character development that is and will carry over from book to book of the series for those that follow from the beginning.

The A Happy Camper Mystery series introduced readers to Zo Jones who had studied to be a journalist but decided that wasn’t where she wanted to go with her life. Zo chose to return to Spirit Canyon, South Dakota where she opened up her shop, Happy Camper. The Happy Camper is a gift shop where Zo sells a little bit of everything and even rents out bikes to the tourists.

Open for Murder takes place over Memorial Day weekend in Spirit Canyon and it’s busy season for Zo in her shop. Zo’s best friend, Beth, has returned to the tiny town to reopen her family’s hotel, Spirit Canyon Lodge. Unfortunately for Zo and Beth the festivities of the opening don’t go as planned when a dead body is found and Beth is a suspect in the murder.

Midnight Spells Murder brings Halloween to Spirit Canyon and Zo is excited to host an author in her gift shop, the Happy Camper, who claims to be a witch. Marianne Morgan isn’t about spooky spells but more female empowerment and Zo is excited to have her. However, after Marianne gives her talk Zo stumbles upon her body outside of her shop obviously murdered and posed in a witch hat so Zo vows to find the killer before she becomes suspect number one.

Being someone that is always drawn into many different cozy series by their cute covers I found myself immediately attracted to the A Happy Camper Mystery series. When reading this series though I found it hard to find anything that I really connected to that would make it stand out from the many that I read. Zo was an alright character and those that surrounded her were too but I’m always looking for that spark that makes me fall in love with the characters and setting, usually something quirky and fun and this one didn’t have that wow factor to me. The second book did pick up a slight bit to three and a half stars with getting to know the characters a bit better but I still wasn’t finding anything unique that I loved. There were still solid mysteries involved in both however with so many out there to read I’m unsure I’ll continue on with the series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

A good cozy mystery, gripping and entertaining. The plot is fast paced, full of twists and turns, and I had a lot of fun reading.
Lovely setting, likeable and fleshed out characters, a solid mystery that kept me guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

I just adore the Happy Camper cozy mystery series by Mary Angela. Midnight Spells Murder is the second in the series. The characters and setting are instantly lovable and you are invested in them and their stories. I highly recommend reading this series!

Book 2 of A Happy Camper Mystery series transports us to Halloween in Spirit Canyon. When witch, and local author, Marianne Morgan turns up dead our mystery begins. This whodunnit will keep you guessing right up until the end. With healthy doses of romantic tension and comedy sprinkled throughout the pages, this book is a charming Fall read.

Do you love a cozy mystery? Do you reach for a cozy like a comfy blanket? Grab this one and settle in. Midnight Spells Murder has characters you’ll enjoy and a storyline that keeps you guessing.

Honestly, I've had more than enough of Summer so a mystery set in The Black Hills National Forest, at Halloween is just what I need. Bring on everything pumpkin spice.The town of Spirit Canyon may or may not live up to its name. Spirits go with Halloween but this will soon turn a visiting author into a permanent spirit....the dead kind. Marianne Morgan has a new book out and she will be giving a talk "embracing your inner witch" focusing on reclaiming your power as a woman. Sounds innocent but there is somebody in town who sees things very differently and decides to turn Marianne into a very stiff Halloween witch propped up against The Happy Camper Gift Shop. As far as the Chief of Police is concerned Zo has a prime seat on his suspect list. Time for Zo and her friends to find the real owner of that spot, fast.
This mystery is a great puzzle full of the desired twists, turns and red herrings. The characters are well fleshed out and there is a nice touch of romance between Zo and Max Harrington, forest ranger. The setting is so well described that I'm going to have to add South Dakota to my wish list. Until then I hope there are more in this series to tide me over until then.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this cozy mystery. It follows the same character as the first book in the series but can be read as a stand alone.

The Inquisition is over, but witches still have one thing to fear—associating with Zo. Zo is a gift shop owner in Midnight Spells Murder, the second entry in the Happy Camper cozy mystery series. She invites a witch to a book signing to celebrate Halloween. But the witch is soon found dead. And Zo is a prime suspect.

With plenty of suspects, clues and red herrings, this mystery will have you guessing whodunit along with Zo. The setting in rural South Dakota and the slow simmering romance between Zo and handsome Forest Ranger Max just adds to the fun. As I get to know the personable and believable characters in this series, the books just keep getting better. 4 stars for Midnight Spells Murder.

Thanks to Kensington Books, Great Escapes Book Tours, and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.