Confound It by Maggie Toussaint – a #BlogTour #BookReview and #Giveaway

I am super-excited today to provide a review for my blog stop for Confound It by Maggie Toussaint on the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour.

Confound It (Dreamwalker Mystery #5)

Cozy Mystery – Paranormal

• Series: A Dreamwalker Mystery (Book 5)
• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Camel Press (June 1, 2018)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10:1603815953
• ISBN-13:978-1603815956

While hosting out-of-town guests at her Georgia home, Dreamwalker Baxley Powell is called upon to help investigate a suspicious fire. One of her guests, close friend and fellow dreamwalker Deputy Sam Mayes, accompanies her to the scene. A meth cook is dead, and when Baxley visits her beyond the Veil of Life, she determines that the woman was murdered. Baxley pities Mandy Patterson, a single mother with aspirations for her teenage son Doodle. Unconcerned about the death of a criminal, the authorities pursue the drug-supply chain angle. Baxley worries about Doodle and vows to find out who killed his mother. As the case grows more baffling, Baxley struggles against her attraction to Sam. Although her husband is missing and declared dead, she does not feel free to love again until she is sure of his fate. Two suspects have the strongest motive, but Baxley has reason to believe they are pawns in a deeper game. And unless she can stop them, the world will never be the same. Book 5 in the Dreamwalker Mystery series.

Baxley Powell, owner of “Pets and Plants” also has a side calling–that is–she has the calling; she speaks with the dead. She is the widow of a serviceman, declared deceased, and is trying to raise their daughter alone. However, she has not yet felt the emotional release from him and seeks the final separation before she feels free to engage in a new romantic interest.

In this installment of the series, Mandy Patterson is found deceased in the ruins of her mobile home following a devastating meth fire. Mandy leaves a son, Doodle, a possible cash stash, feuding neighbors, and a dangerous drug lord boss. In the interim, her romantic interest, Deputy Sam Mayes, is someone with whom she’s discovered can join her psychic abilities to present an even stronger front. She has discovered the ability to cross the Veil of Life between the living and the dead.

Sam Mayes and Toby Duncan are up for a visit to join she and her friend Charlotte, but are soon embroiled in the murder investigation of Mandy after she is contacted by Sheriff Thompson. She has worked with him before as a psychic consultant and there are no romantic interests there on either side. While there is some background information, this book does not develop the protagonist completely as both that and Sam have apparently been fully fleshed before. This was my first experience both with the author and the series. There seems to be some conflict between Mayes and the Sheriff, although unnecessary, and doesn’t always paint Mayes in a favorable light. He sometimes comes on a little too harsh in his drive to get her commitment to him making me very nervous. Still, the draw to his ability to meld with hers is strong.

Baxley’s new client adds a possible red herring in the introduction of voodoo and may interconnect with the meth death. Baxley is busy sorting rumors, following leads, and confronting twists and turns in the well-plotted storyline. The minutia, however, slows the pace somewhat from time to time. Supporting characters are interesting, and again, this may be one that is better read from book 1 as it was confounding and at times confusing. The story does hold interest with the paranormal slant to the mystery and the southern setting. I’d be interested in reading the next one of the series and recommend for those who enjoy paranormal mysteries, supernaturals,  and women sleuth protagonists with a little bit of sci-fi and fantasy licks.

Get the details for the Giveaway and sign up for your chance at a print copy (U.S. only) in this Rafflecopter giveaway

Award-winning southern author Maggie Toussaint is published in romance and mystery genres as Maggie Toussaint and in science fiction as Rigel Carson. She’s a member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. Visit her at http://www.maggietoussaint.com and http://www.rigelcarson.com. While you’re there, sign up for her newsletter to keep up with her latest news.

Maggie uses real-life inspiration to flavor her books. Her rich scenery and colorful characters have received much notice, but at heart, she tells a darn good story.

Thank you for visiting my stop on the tour and please visit the other stops listed below!

Tour Participants:

June 1 – 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too! – SPOTLIGHT

June 2 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

June 3 – Brooke Blogs – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 4 – Babs Book Bistro – SPOTLIGHT

June 5 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

June 6 – Jane Reads – REVIEW, GUEST POST

June 6 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

June 7 – Valerie’s Musings – GUEST POST  

June 8 – Teresa Trent Author Blog – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 9 – Bibliophile Reviews – REVIEW

June 10 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – GUEST POST

June 11 – A Holland Reads – SPOTLIGHT

June 11 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

June 12 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

June 13 – Rosepoint Publishing – REVIEW

June 13 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

June 14 – Socrates’ Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

June 14 – Christa Reads and Writes – REVIEW

Thanks to Great Escapes Virtual Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this cozy mystery!

©2018 V Williams