I was so excited to return to Spirit Canyon for the sequel of A Happy Camper Mystery. An added bonus is that it takes place around Halloween. Since my favorite season is Autumn, I loved all the descriptions of cooler temps, changing leaves, pumpkins everywhere and residents sipping hot apple cider. It’s such a charming South Dakota town where you could easily enjoy a hike and then stroll through the many shops finding the perfect, unique gifts. I would definitely frequent Zo’s shop, Happy Camper, especially when it hosts book signings!!!

The mystery was fantastic and so well paced. I liked how the victim was a self proclaimed modern witch. Not only did this tie in some light, paranormal activity, but it gave the investigation an added twist of not knowing if she was targeted for this practice or from some other plausible, nefarious reason. There were plenty of red herrings that continued to make me suspect every single suspect.

We learned a bit more about Zo’s past when she stumbled upon a clue revealing who her mother might have been. I love this mysterious side story and can’t wait to see where it leads her next. I also like the romance slowly developing with Max. He’s just so sweet and they really have some great chemistry together. I mean how can you not have feelings for a park ranger who scales a slippery cliff to save your beloved, grumpy Maine Coon.

I look forward to reading more stories and adventures with this cast when they get wrapped up in another new case.

Mary Angela is one of my favorite cozy mystery writers. I loved A Very Merry Murder from her Professor Prather series, and then this year I started her new Happy Camper series. I was so excited for this second book.

I love a holiday themed cozy mystery, and Midnight Spells Murder really delivers! Not only does it have spooky Halloween vibes, but it also has hints of wintery holiday fun to come!

I was so pleased with this book. I loved getting to know all the characters from the series even more, and I was especially here for the romantic tension between Zo and Max. 😁 In the first book, I fell in love with the Black Hills setting that Mary Angela brings to life. In this book, she gives us a really strong sense of the small town itself, and I absolutely loved this.

My favorite thing was some of the surprises I didn’t see coming in terms of the direction of the series and also the side stories that will hopefully continue to evolve. I had a great time reading this book and I encourage everyone to check out this series!! You can easily buy the ebooks at any ebook retailer. This is absolutely a series I want to continue reading.

Thank you to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I loved how they celebrated Halloween in Spirit Canyon with everyone decorating and all the costumes and the parade. Last time, the book was mostly focused on Zo's friend Beth. This time we got to meet Jules another fun and crazy friend of Zo's. I loved how she and Duncan bantered back and forth about her being close to firing him. Personally, I think she's falling for him. And speaking of that, I was happy to see Zo and Max getting closer. She might be developing a little more patience for his by-the-book ranger rules, or maybe he's lightening up a bit. Whichever it is, I like them together and getting along, lol.

Justin the news guy was his annoying self again, but he sure had a surprise coming to him. I hadn't completely guessed the killer, but about the time Zo was realizing who it was, that was when I was getting to it. The showdown was great, and there might have been a little otherworldly help from a recently deceased friend helping them get her some justice. I love the little addition to Max's family too. George cat isn't a fan though lol.

I'm really enjoying this series for the mystery, a little bit of romance, and I actually like hearing about the people in the town and the little side stories like Max helping remove a tick from George or going on one of Zo's hikes. It's just those little things that endear the characters to readers even more. I'm really looking forward to the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

It's Halloween, and Zo Jones is busy running the Happy Camper and participating in the town's Spirit Spooktacular weekend. Unfortunately, someone has murdered a self-proclaimed witch and left her body outside of Zo's shop! Was the killer unhappy with Marianne's advice on feminine empowerment, or was the crime more personal? Lots of suspects - from an angry ex-husband to an unfriendly teenager, Zo's busy investigating, all while following a lead on the mother who abandoned her at the police station decades before. A very fun cozy to read, and author Mary Angela does such a wonderful job of describing the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota it makes one want to visit (and possibly solve a mystery while there!)!!! A+

In short: It’s the annual Spirit Spooktaculor. Author & self proclaimed witch, is found dead shortly after an event at the Happy Camper.

My thoughts: I enjoyed the first book in this series and was so excited to be back in Spirit Canyon. I loved this book, cast of characters and the town. Definitely a must read series.

What I liked:
*All the Halloween vibes
*Zo is a great character and sleuther. I love her relationship with ranger Max and enjoyed that we learned more about her background and possible link to her birth mother.
*Solving the murder. Like any good cozy mystery there were plenty of red herrings with the suspect being discovered right at the end.

Midnight Spells Murder is the second book in the “A Happy Camper Mystery” series and is as good, if not better, than the first book. The Happy Camper shop is bustling, and Halloween is in full swing; Zo is busier than ever and thrilled with everything. When an author agrees to do a talk and book signing at her store, she can’t wait. But when that same author turns up dead among the pumpkins and decorations in front of the store, she soon comes to regret ever having heard of author and witch Marianne Morgan.

The characters in this series are growing in leaps and bounds. Zo and Max are headed towards a great relationship, and the other cast members keep adding humor, intrigue, and more than a little mystery. The location of the town and the businesses are well described and sound like places readers would want to spend more than a few minutes exploring. Adding in Halloween, a witch, The Happy Camper store, and a festival makes this story absorbing and fun. And let’s face it, with the current hot weather most of us are experiencing this summer, this book adds anticipation for the fall season coming, cooler days, sweaters, pumpkin spice everything, and holidays.

There are plenty of suspects, antagonists, great clues, and red herrings, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing who the killer is. Readers will have fun trying to figure out the who-done-it right up to the end. The Halloween and witch aspects add fall spice to this story. The Happy Camper shop is in danger of some horrible publicity from a conniving journalist and will have readers up in arms. Midnight Spells Murder is a wonderful read, with multiple relationship intrigue and a mystery that will thrill readers.

I fell in LOVE with this book!!!! There is a book 1, but I loved the fact that after reading book 2, which is this one I didn’t really miss so much, the recap to book 1 in this book was amazing, straight to the point, I felt like I read the first one lol. Anyway let’s talk about this book, which I LOVED.

Zo, and the crew are amazing!!!! They are magical, witchy, and adventurous and so supportive and amazing I loved them all, even Max and Duncan being non witchy men. The mystery of what happened to Marianne was crazy, right when you thought you knew who did it, the story shifts and then everything starts to make sense.

I really enjoyed the humor, the mystery, that little bit of romance, and the town in general…. Even the mystery of Zo’s past??? Ugh!!! Mary Angela left me hanging there, I can’t wait for another book!! There has to be!!!!!!

Thanks Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Midnight Spells Murder: A Happy Camper Mystery
By Mary Angela
Lyrical
July 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

After inheriting the Spirt Canyon Lodge from her late Aunt Lily, former journalist Zo Jones has been enjoying the transition into managing the Happy Camper gift shop in Spirit Canyon, South Dakota. To celebrate Halloween, Zo has organized an in-store book talk and signing by inspirational author Marianne Morgan. Although “Embracing Your Inner Witch” is meant to motivate women into reclaiming their female power, Marianne readily admits to being an actual practicing witch. While suitable for the town’s annual Spirit Spooktacular weekend celebration, it does stir up a mild protest from the town’s busy-body helicopter mom. The potential for more disruption arrives with Marianne’s current boyfriend Roberto, who not only is the ex of Zo’s best friend Jules Parker, but has a surly teenaged son who is dismissive and hostile towards his potential new step-mom. Unfortunately, when Zo happens to see what looks like a propped up life-like display seated on a hay bale, it turns out to be the now life-less body of Marianne Morgan.

Chief of Police Brady Merrigan once again warns Zo about minding her own business, but there are too many signs encouraging her to do the opposite. The corner of a check grasped in Marianne’s hand has Zo tracking down who actually still writes and accepts checks, while a séance led by Jules at her Spirits & Spirits shop provides more hints than actual evidence. So Zo is going to have to speed up her investigation if she wants to prevent camera-thirsty news reporter Justin Castle from accusing her of murder on live TV. Planted evidence, college admission shenanigans, and clues to her own past have Zo juggling holiday sales, festivities, and a promising dating life.

New readers can easily jump into the second of this series that memorializes the seasons with a sprinkling of the paranormal. Who can resist a town that celebrates with free hot chocolate on Marshmallow Mondays, a Sips and Swings wine and music concert, or forced Christmas wreath fundraisers. Zo’s investigation into Marianne’s death is both practical and reasonably subtle, making her a surprisingly effective and believable amateur detective. Just as compelling is the mystery of Zo’s parentage, having been dropped off as a baby at a police station with only her name left as a clue to her origin. A necklace brings her ever closer to the woman who may have abandoned her, and an intriguing discovery may nudge her closer to the truth. Characters who initially seemed irritating are shown to evolve in surprising ways, and while not fully redeemed are made far more vulnerable and multi-dimensional. Zo continues to be a witty heroine whose life experience and genuine appreciation of Spirit Canyon make her a winning investigator, one whose blogs for the local newspaper deserve to be shared. Readers will be looking forward to the next in this fun series that highlights a charming town, aggressively slothful cat, and a woman finding her Happy Place.

It seemed like a really good idea to invite Marianne to speak at the Happy Camper as part of the Halloween celebration in Spirit Canyon, South Dakota. Or so Zo thought. Little did she know that the self proclaimed witch would be found dead outside the store or that once again, the Chief would put her on the suspect list. Luckily, she's got a good friend (and maybe more) in Max and the two of them not only solve the crine, they manage to foil obnoxious reporter Justin. There's a second plot line about a family secret. While this is the second in the series, it will be fine as a standalone. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A nice setting and storytelling make this a pleasant read.

I read Open for Murder, the first book in the Happy Camper Mysteries by Mary Angela, and really enjoyed it. So when Midnight Spells Murder came to my attention and I saw that it was a Halloween cozy, I was super excited. And I’m always curious to see if the second book in a series can live up to the first book… and Mary Angela may have written an even better one!

Zo is once again tangled in a murder when the author who had given a book talk about women’s empowerment and is also a witch, turns up murdered outside Zo’s store’s front door. Zo jumps into investigating and while looking for clues she comes across more information about herself and her family. Mary Angela was able to weave these two different mysteries together perfectly.

While running around town talking to suspects, she and the Forest Ranger, Max, get a bit closer, George, her very large, orange tomcat gives everyone a scare, and we get to read about new, very well developed characters in the Happy Camper Mysteries.

Mary Angela shines with her descriptions of the Halloween decorations and festival, as well as all the descriptions of the stores and town and had me wanting Autumn to get here faster this year. The whodunit part will leave readers guessing with lots of red herrings and a killer they may not see coming.

Another great book in the Happy Camper Mysteries and I’m excited to see what adventures Zo gets into in the next book and if we find out more about her long lost family.

It's Spirit Canyon's annual Spirit Spooktacular weekend, but Zo Jones gets the fright of her life when she discovers the body of an author who just did a signing in her store...dead outside her store.

But when Zo's nemesis and local news reporter Justin Castle plans to broadcast a report associating Marianne's murder with Zo's store Happy Camper, Zo and her friends figure out they need to crack the case wide open before the report airs.

This is a quirky cozy mystery series with a bit a romance and a tiny bit of paranormal activity thrown in. This novel is perfect for a relaxing read.

This is the first book that I’ve read by this author, but I’ll definitely be going back to read the first in this series! Although it is the second in a series I had no problem jumping right in. The author does a fantastic job of giving the reader the backstory of the characters without taking up a ton of real estate in the book to do so, and gives a wonderful feel of the setting, so the reader doesn’t feel lost in the world.

This is a wonderful Halloween themed cozy mystery that is perfect to read any time of the year!

In Mary Angela's second book in her Happy Camper Mystery series, Midnight Spell Murder, Zo Jones gets mixed up in another murder case. The dead body of an author who did a book signing at Jo's gift shop, Happy Camper, was found outside her store by Jo. The Spirit Mountain chief of police, who Zo doesn't get along with, has Zo on his suspect list. It is imperative that Zo find the killer. I really enjoyed following along as Zo and her friend, forest ranger Max Harrington investigate, find clues and eliminate possible murder suspects. I look forward to seeing what kind of trouble Zo gets into on her next case.

I received an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

A sweet holiday cozy mystery that packs a punch. I definitely wasn't bored during this book. With its quirky characters and amazing setting it is one of my favorite books I've read this year

It's Spirit Canyon's Spooktacular Festival and Zo Jones is getting Happy Camper gift shop ready by hosting a successful author. Marianne Morgan is a self-proclaimed witch, but her brand of witchcraft doesn't include spells, it's about feminine empowerment. When Zo finds a body on the doorstep of her shop, she worries the local sheriff will find a reason to blame her. With her handsome park ranger Max Harrington as her partner, Zo searches for the killer and finds much more. This is a very enjoyable series and I think the local color adds to the flavor. Looking forward to others in the series.

Halloween is the spookiest time of the year, big but it turns even more sinister when Zo finds a body outside of her shop! As the evidence stacks up and people look to her for the murder, Zo realizes she must find out what happened to clear her name!

This book was amazing beyond words. It moved along at a wonderful pace making for an extremely entertaining read. The characters are so real that you feel as though you know them and you will fall in love with them. This book will keep you reading until you reach the end and then you are wanting mre. This is a book that needs to be on your TBR list, you will not be sorry that you did.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Kensington Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

It is Halloween a perfect time for murder or aa book signing as Zo welcomes a successful author and self-proclaimed witch to her shop. But not everyone is happy to welcome the author to town as she is soon found dead by Zo as her body is propped up on her store down dressed in a witch outfit.

Zo will set out to find the killer as a nosy reporter seeks to link the murder to her business with the aid of her forest ranger friend. Will they find the killer before the reporter shuts down her business?

It is a delightful Halloween read.

The second book in this series has left me a very happy camper. I really enjoyed the first book and was thrilled to see the second one. Filled with enjoyable characters and a solid whodunit! I’m ready for Halloween after reading this…and we have awhile to go before October even thinks about making an appearance.

While each book focuses on solving a mystery, I really enjoying learning a little more about Zo as she learns it herself. Seeing Zo forming new relationships and nurturing others makes this one series that has me tuning in for more than just the whodunit. A great cozy that will have you coming back for more too!

Haven't read the first in this series, I was concerned about not being able to understand all the characters. But soon I was transported to Halloween heaven with pumpkin spice and wonderful treats. As far as cozy paranormal mysteries go, this one kept my interest and I enjoyed the story immensely. I am looking forward to reading more from this author and catching her first book in this series. I received an e-book from NetGalley in return for an unbiased review.