Accidental Magic: A whimsical witchy midlife mystery by Iris Beaglehole #AudiobookReview #ThrowbackThursday

Myrtlewood Mysteries Book 1

Book Blurb:

Welcome to Myrtlewood, a quirky town, steeped in magic, tea, and mystery…

Life’s a struggle for Rosemary Thorn and her teen daughter, Athena. But their regular troubles are turned upside down after Granny Thorn’s mysterious death.

Despite her cousin’s sinister manoeuvrings, Rosemary returns to Myrtlewood and the sprawling, dilapidated Thorn Manor. But there’s more to the old house than meets the eye, as Rosemary and Athena soon find out — in a whirlwind of magic, adventure, mystical creatures, and endless cups of tea.

Life in Myrtlewood would be bliss if Rosemary could only clear her name in a certain murder investigation, solve the mystery and stay out of mortal peril – for at least a little while!

A small town with endless secrets, strange activities, and a house with a mind of its own.

This book is for you if you love:

mysteries set in small magical villages
witches, fae, shifters mythologically inspired stories
the idea of a self-cleaning house which also renovates and sometimes does the grocery shopping
genuine magic woven into the story
whimsical world-building
paranormal women’s fiction
a midlife main character
queer-friendly stories
a big dose of humour!

WARNING: This book contains a somewhat ditzy main character (there are reasons revealed later in the series) and her rather stroppy teen daughter who has been having a hard time. If these things are triggering for you, please put the book down and step away. The author does not wish to inflict any stress or irritation upon you. You will also find magic based on genuine witchcraft and mythology in this series as well as a lot of UK spelling and diverse characters. If these are not your cup of tea then don’t worry, there are plenty of other books that will suit you out there in the world!

My Review:

I’m not above reading a good witchy story or paranormal, so when my daughter recommended this one, I went looking for it. Yes, it was right in my well-stocked library—an audiobook!

Also, score, it’s Book 1. I’ve managed to find a few lately and love that I can get in with the introduction to the series (in this case, nine installments). Rosemary Thorn and her teenage daughter returns to Myrtlewood following the death of her granny for the reading of the will and return to her childhood home, Thorn Manor.

Surprise! Her memories of Thorn Manor is not what she finds. Worse, there is a question of whether or not good ole Gran died of natural causes or was helped. It’s a small town, of course, where everybody knows everybody and the extended family is not exactly fans of Rosemary.

It quickly became apparent I wouldn’t be either. Go ahead, read that blurb again. There are trigger warnings, one of which is that Rosemary is a ditz (worse, actually) and her snarky daughter needs to be given some tough love. I can’t imagine a mother allowing her daughter to speak to her like that, much less in front of other people.

Rosemary is introduced to the magical side of the Thorn family and the quirky support characters in the little town. Also, the house is magical and, indeed, haunted. But can Gran talk some sense into Rosemary? Maybe not.

Guess I’ve just gotten tired of snotty little kids in the TV sitcoms who appear to rule the roost and have the laugh track hanging on every word. So, the slow burn with these two didn’t help what might have been an interesting, well-paced storyline. Also, I’m not a fan of cliffhangers and this one is a douzy.

Okay, yes, the blurb gives you a warning, but does this novel get better in subsequent installments? Will Rosemary ship Athena off to military school in Minnesota? If you enjoy those bullet points listed in the blurb, you will no doubt enjoy the banter between mom and daughter. I did enjoy the little ghostie things that popped up, and I do love the banners and the covers—way compelling! I may be forced to read the second just because of the cover.

I downloaded a copy of this audiobook from my local well-stocked library. These are my honest thoughts.

Rosepoint Publishing: Three point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Supernatural Thrillers, Cozy Mysteries, Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Podium Audio
ASIN: B0C8ZQMJRN
Listening Length: 12 hrs 55 mins
Narrator: Lorna Bennett
Publication Date: July 25, 2023
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)

Title Links:

Amazon-US

Amazon-UK

Barnes & Noble

The Author: Iris Beaglehole is many peculiar things, a writer, researcher, analyst, druid, witch, parent, and would-be astrologer. She loves tea, cats, herbs, and writing quirky characters.

#ThrowbackThursday

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner – #AudiobookReview – #TBT

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Award nominee

Book Blurb:

A forgotten history. A secret network of women. A legacy of poison and revenge. Welcome to The Lost Apothecary….

Hidden in the depths of 18th-century London, a secret apothecary shop caters to an unusual kind of clientele. Women across the city whisper of a mysterious figure named Nella who sells well-disguised poisons to use against the oppressive men in their lives. But the apothecary’s fate is jeopardized when her newest patron, a precocious 12-year-old, makes a fatal mistake, sparking a string of consequences that echo through the centuries.

Meanwhile in present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, running from her own demons. When she stumbles upon a clue to the unsolved apothecary murders that haunted London 200 years ago, her life collides with the apothecary’s in a stunning twist of fate – and not everyone will survive.

With crackling suspense, unforgettable characters, and searing insight, The Lost Apothecary is a subversive and intoxicating debut novel of secrets, vengeance, and the remarkable ways women can save each other despite the barrier of time.

My Review:

I have to admit, half the fun of this book is reading the reviews. Everyone has an opinion and they literally run from one star to five, more than a few quite vehemently.

Okay, so it isn’t the 2021 great American novel. I borrowed an audiobook from my lovely local library for the purpose of participating in their virtual book club choice for the quarter. (Yes, quarter—nothing is read in a month—or an audiobook listened in a week.) Obviously, a babe in the woods, I had no idea the controversy this title generated after its release of a much anticipated fantasy thriller-mystery. Well, picky, picky, picky.

It does actually start off with a hook, Nella (more than one POV, btw), is a late eighteenth-century apothecarist dispensing poisons to women seeking relief from abusive, explosive relationships. No simple divorce remedies back then. Eliza, however, (another POV) is only twelve sent to retrieve the potion for her mistress. Eliza is smart, manipulative, and brilliantly maneuvering herself into a position from which Nella may end up paying the price.

Okay, now switch to Caroline, an eccentric American in London using reservations previously meant to celebrate her wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, prior to leaving on the vacation, his affair is disclosed which pretty much puts the kibosh on any celebration. Yes, she goes anyway, sans said husband. She’s different, you see.

On a little tour of the mud from the river Thames, she discovers a little bottle—cue Gaynor the local library historian. But at least solving the burning question of the bottle takes her mind off her cheating husband and what?? She thinks she might be pregnant? Uh oh. That could be a sticky wicket!

So, are we having fun yet? Ah, come on—it’s magical realism—fantasy. I say, just go for it!

So flipping back to 1791, things are getting mighty dark for Nella and Eliza is a quick study. It doesn’t look like this can end well though—and doesn’t—Eliza lacking the experience. Phooey. And I preferred that timeline.

The storyline with Nella and Eliza can be pretty intense, while the timeline with Caroline packs in a little filler. Some of Caroline’s motives are muddled and you might be scratching your head, wondering where this is going. Or, is it going at all? Yeah, but not real fast.

This is a narrative that you are not to supposed to over think. So much to stop and contemplate, totally dismiss. In consideration, was it engaging or entertaining—sufficiently so that you finished the book? I zipped right through the audiobook—waiting—I’m not sure for what. Forget magical realism. Fantasy takes a hit as disbelief can’t be stretched far enough to think you could survive jumping very far into an icy river and surviving. Okay, I’m taking it too literally again. No over thinking.

While the conclusion seemed a bit abrupt and left more than a few shakes of the head, it was a bit farcical, remember? Just go with it and if this is a genre you enjoy, you’ll no doubt enjoy this novel. The narrators did a good job, too, you might enjoy that even more.

Rosepoint Rating: Three-point Five Stars

Book Details:

Genre: Magical Realism, Historical Fantasy Fiction, Literary Fiction
Publisher: Harlequin Audio
ASIN: B08BXB3JVY
Listening Length: 10 hrs 18 mins
Narrators: Lorna Bennett, Lauren Anthony, Lauren Irwin
Publication Date: March 2, 2021
Source: Local Library (Audiobook Selections)

Title Link(s):

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

The Author: Sarah Penner is the New York Times bestselling author of THE LOST APOTHECARY (Park Row Books/HarperCollins), available now wherever books are sold. THE LOST APOTHECARY will be translated into two dozen languages worldwide. Sarah and her husband live in St. Petersburg, Florida with their miniature dachshund, Zoe. To learn more, visit SarahPenner.com.