When the making of a movie called Night Magic comes to Salem to finish filming, things get a bit hectic. More hectic than a normal October in Salem.
Lee Barrett had been asked to make a documentary about the movie by her boss Dorn. As Lee starts to gather material, the lead actress dies.
This was masterfully written. I always like visiting Witch City (Salem, Massachusetts) through Carol J. Perry’s fictional lens, but Death Scene takes the series to a new level.
The familiar characters all play their roles well. The new characters introduced for the book are well done and the center of the action in the mystery.
I enjoyed reading Dearh Scene and would recommend the book to those who enjoy arm chair travel, the marking of movies and cozy mysteries. This could be read as a stand-alone.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for the opportunity to read this book.

Death Scene is book #14 in the Witch City Mystery series by Carol J. Perry.

This is such a fun series and this book did not disappoint. Hollywood has come to Salem to finish filming a movie and not all goes well when an actress is murdered.
The characters are interesting, love the setting, and I like the little things like the TV call letters being WICH-TV. This was an entertaining mystery with twists that kept me guessing on who the guilty party was.

Thank you to the author, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Death Scene by Carol J. Perry is the fourteenth A Witch City Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series as there is a recap in the first chapter. I enjoyed visiting Lee in Salem, Massachusetts in late October (Halloween is my favorite holiday). I am glad, though, that I did not have to deal with the traffic. Lee is a strong, likeable protagonist with a special talent. I always enjoy Lee’s visits with Aunt Ibby (Aunt Ibby is smart and resourceful plus she is supportive of Lee). My favorite character is O’Ryan. I like how he goes back and forth between two abodes (Aunt Ibby’s and Lee’s) since Lee and Pete acquired their row house. I grew up in a home very similar to Lee and Pete’s (two brick row homes that share a wall—an early version of a duplex). I liked the author incorporated Salem history, historical events, and myths. The whodunit is one that I was able to solve early in the book. I did not know why this person committed the crime, though, and I had to know. I like how Lee’s gift played into the mystery as well as River’s readings. The ending will have fans of the series smiling. Death Scene transports readers to Salem for movie madness, troubling traffic, a murdered actor, revealing cards, a protective cat, and a Happy Halloween.

Death Scene
(Witch City Mysteries 14)
Carol J Perry



Lee Barrett Mondello is enjoying married life. Her and new husband Detective Sergeant Pete Mondello have been enjoying a relatively peaceful newlywed existence. The town of Salem’s citizens are being tested by the ongoing Hollywood movie madness. The historical scenes in Night Magic are being shot on location in Salem. Lee’s bestfriend River host of her own late night show, has a new job as a body double for star Darla Diamond.

Local WICH-TV owner Bruce Doan has invested in the making of Night Magic, and needs Lee, who is ready for filming madness to end. To produce a new documentary on the Salem witches. One that’s educational, entertaining and can be used to promote the town and movie. This is of course on top of all of her other duties… mercy! After doing a favor for another reporter, Lee and her cameraman decide to make a quick stop by the Paragon Productions movie set at Gallows Hill Park to do a test shot to possibly be used for the documentary. Shockingly, moments later Lee is alerted to the cops and medical examiner being called to the site. Starlet Darla Diamond is… dead!

For anyone new to the Witch City series the main cast is small, Lee & Pete, Aunt Ibby, River and O’Ryan. The occasionally returning characters are the Angels, Wich-TV associates and Michael Martell.

This was a difficult review to write because I enjoyed the book overall. I just didn’t find it to be that mysterious. After a slow start, it was quickly evident who the killer was for me. I still enjoyed the process and the ending was truly sad. There are more than a few animals in this story and while none die… I don’t even like them being mistreated or in pain even briefly. It was wonderful playing catch up with Aunt Ibby and the gang. I hope we get a book 15 but if not this book closed out a wonderful series cleanly and with a hopeful note. 4 stars

We receive five recipes at the end, and the Chicken Marsala turned out wonderful!



Thank you to Netgalley, Ms. Carol J Perry, and the publisher for the ARC.

4.5 ⭐ rounding up.

Another fav series. From Lee Barrett's arrival back in Salem, Massachusetts, after the death of her racecar driver to now, fourteen books in the series, her inquisitive and empathetic nature has landed her in the middle of many an investigation. While she does get a bit of info from some visions off shiny surfaces, it's mostly her putting pieces of the puzzles together. An exceptionally engaging group of characters make this series so enjoyable. In this latest book, a Hollywood production has come to Salem to finish shooting. Plagued with accidents in California, it seems the bad juju has followed them to Salem for Lee, now a program director at WICH-TV, to uncover.

his is such a fun series! I always enjoy catching up with Lee, Pete, Aunt Ibby (though her page time is sadly less since Lee has gotten her own place), the crew at WICH-TV and of course O'Ryan. While I do miss Aunt Ibby and Lee's little garage apartment I have enjoyed how the series has shifted as Lee and Pete have gotten married and the characters are evolving. I've also enjoyed the introduction of Aunt Ibby's firends and their mystery watching sleuthing group.

In this book Salem is abuzz with movie making excitement and traffic problems as a film crew is making a big budget movie on site and in the middle of October which is the highest point of tourism season for Salem. I adore the Salem setting and how not only are the usual well-known tourism spots are mentioned but a number of off the beaten path historical places. Things get even more chaotic when one of the major stars of the movie is found dead on one of the recreated sets.

Lee's got a lot going on and her job naturally gets her involved in the investigation and I really enjoy how she and Pete discuss things. He values her opinion but at the same time doesn't share more than he can professionally. I enjoyed this book from beginning to end. While the murder doesn't happen until about a quarter of the way through the book there are so many little mysteries and bits and pieces that don't quite feel right that it was never slow going.

A nice addition to the long running series (know that it will also be fine as a standalone) which sees Lee, Aunt Abby, and of course Pete working to solve the murder of a Hollywood star in town to film a movie. I've always liked this series as much for the Salem vibes and the characters (including O'Ryan the cat) as for the mysteries and this was no exception. There are multiple people who could be the villain (and you, like me, might spot that person before Lee) and a few good twists. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good cozy read that ends a bit ambiguously so I'm looking forward to what's next from Perry.

This is the 14th release in the endearing " Witch City" mystery series set in Salem. I have enjoyed the entire series and highly recommend this series for all who enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries. Thank you to the publisher, the author and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

In this next in series Lee has her hands full when Hollywood arrives in Salem to shoot a movie. She is in charge and finds the logistics challenging to their small town. With the locals excited to be signing up for the movie and all the excitiment Lee is trying to keep everyone in order . When a murder occurs of the main actress in the movie Lee enlists her friends and fellow "wtich" friends to help her and her detective husband find clues to the murder. A series of red herrings and clues abound as Lee finds out all is not well in movie land and the victim had many enemies.
A enjoyable next in series. This is a charming series with great characters and always a fun sleuth.

With a big movie, shooting the final scenes in Salem, Lee finds herself with a new project focused on the movie. But when the start of the movie is poisoned, Lee finds her project is extended to figuring out who had it in for the woman. Will we be able to figure it out or will her scene finally fade to black once and for all?

I have long loved this series! Carol Perry never disappoints. Anything set in Salem will capture my attention, but only something this good will keep me coming back for more and more and more. With a strong and likable protagonist, quirky and lovable, supporting characters and the smartest, magical cat ever, you’ll be back for more too! If you haven’t read one of the‘s books yet, this is a great place to start. Each book reads fine as a standalone, but you’re gonna want to read them all!

Death Scene is a fantastic new mystery in the Witch City Mystery series. I really love all the characters in this series, especially the main character, Lee. The story was very well-written and the mystery was clever. I enjoyed the subplot of the movie filming in Salem. The way the book ended though it almost seemed like Lee's story is wrapping up... or at least close to wrapping up. I hope not because I love this series so much.

This newest entry in Perry’s Witch City cozy mystery series includes all the usual characters and fun plot. It’s a simple, enjoyable reading experience that fans of the series will race through in one sitting. Usually I have no complaints about Carol Perry’s books, which are always full of likable characters and satisfying mysteries. Here, though, I found the newly married Lee to be annoyingly uncertain about most everything. Not sure why that grated on me so, but it feels a lot like the tension has gone out of the Lee/Pete relationship, rendering it kind of boring. I’ll still continue to read the series and hope this one was just a blip.

Pleasant story. I thought the location would be more prominent in the story. Salem Massachusetts in October would theoretically lend itself to some spooky interactions. An average read with some missed potential.

Another top notch book in one of my favourite paranormal series. Great characters and a well written whodunit keep you entertained and guessing.
The series just keeps getting better.
I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Death scene by Carol J. Perry is due to be published August 20th 2024 by Kensington Cozies. This is the 14th installment in the Witch City Mystery series but is my first book in the series and I gotta say it didn’t disappoint and it made me want to go back and start the series from the very beginning. I just love anything Halloween, fall , witchy and spooky. This definitely gave me all the feels of my favorite time of year.

The final scenes of a new movie is being filmed in the city and it is a hot topic of discussion. When a body is discovered local WICH-TV reporter Lee Barrett finds herself investigating alongside her police detective husband, Pete Mondello, while also trying to do her day job successfully.
Lee soon realises the newly deceased wasn't universally loved, meaning there will be various colleagues who could easily become main suspects. As she works with Pete to solve the case it becomes clear that the studio itself is also in danger and, as she gets closer to identifying the killer, so is she!

I think everyone needs to go pick this series up especially the ones who love a good mystery.

Once again an excellent cozy mystery in the Witch City Mystery series by Carol J. Perry. If you haven't read any it's okay. They can be read as standalones. This time Hollywood has come to film about Salem and the trials. When Lee Barrett finds a body, she and her husband police detective Pete must put all the clues together to solve the crime. The clues are sprinkled here and there to keep the reader guessing. The characters are well developed. The story plot is excellent. Thanks #Netgalley and #Kensington for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

Witch City Mysteries by Carol J. Perry has become one of my favorite cozy mystery series. I love how the author makes each book a standalone--which is helpful for even those of us who have read previous books but might not remember all the details from them and a welcome touch to someone who picked up a book later in the series.

I also appreciate the characters, and how some of their personal abilities and jobs add to the fact that they live in Salem. The latest book involves a murder during the filming of a historical film about Salem and the witch trials. The clues are carefully strung out through the pages and by the end of the book, everything is neatly wrapped up once more.

Salem, Massachusetts has gone a bit Hollywood crazy! The final scenes of a new movie is being filmed in the city and it is a hot topic of discussion. When a body is discovered local WICH-TV reporter Lee Barrett finds herself investigating alongside her police detective husband, Pete Mondello, while also trying to do her day job successfully.

Lee soon realises the newly deceased wasn't universally loved, meaning there will be various colleagues who could easily become main suspects. As she works with Pete to solve the case it becomes clear that the studio itself is also in danger and, as she gets closer to identifying the killer, so is she!

Death Scene is the 14th book in the Witch City Mystery Series but the first I have read. This was absolutely no problem, there was a recap in the first chapter describing the main protagonists and some of their past exploits as well as giving details about the city itself. I loved this novel and am delighted there are so many stories for me to catch up on. I will also definitely be on the lookout for book 15.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Kensington Publishing, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a great read and I highly recommend it.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of DEATH SCENE (Book 14 of the Witch City mystery series) by Carol J. Perry in exchange for an honest review. It seems like all of Salem is excited about a major studio locally filming a with-themed movie, Night Magic. WICH-TV is no different, so Lee Barrett becomes involved in documenting the filming. Lee, who is responsible for her station’s children’s programming is excited to learn the star from one of her own favorite children’s shows, The Adventures of Barney the Bear, is among the cast and crew. However any plans Lee has for incorporating the crew member and Barney into one of Ranger Rob’s shows is put on hold because Night Magic’s filming, which seems to have been cursed with perpetual bad luck, is running true to form with the murder of the female lead. Both Lee and her police detective husband Pete Mondello investigate the murder and surrounding circumstances, including the lead actor being sound asleep in the murdered actress’s residence while she was dying.

I like the book and enjoy the series. I recommend this book to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring historic cities, witch themes, paranormal gifts, and television/movie production.

#DeathScene #NetGalley

Among the many hats she wears as producer at WICH-TV, Lee must also don her sleuthing hat when the lead actress in a movie being filmed in Salem is killed. Who could have wanted the actress dead? Lee's determined to find out.

I adore this series! The clever mysteries, the twists and turns, the characters, the hints of paranormal...everything combines wonderfully to make this a book, and series, I enjoy and highly recommend.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

The Witch City Mysteries by Carol J. Perry are like cozying up with a warm cup of hot apple cider on a fall day. Death Scene is no exception.

Death Scene follow's the series main character, Lee, a journalist and station manager at a small, Salem-based news station as she dives into solving the murderer of a big movie star who was in town filming. We get a taste of her personal life, newly married, and revisit a cast of characters that appear throughout the series.

This is a series that I will stick with for as long as Carol keeps writing them. They are clever and funny, and always come to satisfying endings for an avid mystery reader.