The Trouble with Magic by Madelyn Alt Berkley Prime Crime, 2006
I am not sure how long The Trouble with Magic has been sitting in my TBR collection. A long time, I'd guess. That seems to be the fate of many of my TBR books. Sitting and waiting. Books are very patient, did you know? At least mine have been.
I can't remember how I first came to discover this gem of a book or where I bought it. All I know is that I am glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Maggie O'Neill. She's much older in my mind than she is in the book--probably because I put her at my age, a bad habit of mine. She's smart (are heroines these days ever not smart?), skeptical and a do it yourself-er. I liked her right away. I'll forgive her for her love for all things Magnum, although I have to admit, it fit with Maggie's character, and I think it was great how the author continued that tiny thread throughout the book.
As you can guess from the title, this cozy mystery has a bit of magic in it. After losing her office job, Maggie takes a job working at an eccentric antique store in town. Maggie takes to the owner immediately, a nice woman named Felicity Dow. Felicity just happens to be a witch. Maggie puts on her amateur sleuth hat when Felicity becomes the main suspect in Felicity's sister's murder. In the course of her investigation, Maggie begrudgingly acknowledges that she may have a little something magical in her veins too that opens her up to the spirit world. She's plenty skeptical though and doesn't come to accept it easily--something I really appreciated as a reader.
There's a teeny weeny hint of romance, some action and humor mixed into The Trouble with Magic. The reader is likely to figure out the whodunit before Maggie does but that doesn't detract from the novel. The Trouble with Magic is a great start to a series I'm looking forward to continuing in the future.
You can learn more about Madelyn Alt and her books on the author's website.
Source: From my own personal collection, bought and paid for by myself.
© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I have a theory (one that offers all kinds of justification) that the longer a book sits on my shelf the more it ages and improves. That would mean that I have a whole ton of really really great books! Cozy mysteries have a place in my life. They are good for what ails you.
ReplyDeleteI don't read a lot of cozies, but think that I should probably start. They seem like great books to just relax and be comfortable with. I also like the sound of this one, and think that a cozy with a slightly magical premise sounds wonderful. I am glad you enjoyed it! It sounds like it was a great choice for this time of year!
ReplyDeleteI love cozies and think this one sounds like a good one for October.
ReplyDeleteSandy - I think your theory is a good one! And it would stand to reason then that we both have a lot of good reading ahead of us. :-) Cozy mysteries definitely have their place--I don't like a steady diet of them, but now and then I really enjoy them.
ReplyDeleteHeather - Cozies are good comfort reading, that's for sure. I think this one was one of the best ones I've read--but then, that could be my mood talking too. LOL
Kathy - It hadn't even dawned on me that I was reading it at the perfect time of year. :-)
I have this book in my TBR. It really looks so good!
ReplyDeleteYvonne - I can't wait to hear what you think when you get to it!
ReplyDeleteSounds like it was a good read for you. It's a good thing that you found this on your TBR shelf!
ReplyDeleteKathleen - It was. Having to unpack all my books reminded me of quite a few gems I still need to get to!
ReplyDeleteI went ahead and added it to my list. No idea when I'll get to it, maybe it can age on my list (instead of my shelf!)
ReplyDeleteI have this one checked out from the library and I'm really looking forward to reading it. Sometimes I just crave a cozy mystery and after reading your review I know that it will fit the bill. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLisa - I know how that goes! LOL My shelves are bursting with TBR books I am not sure when I'll get to.
ReplyDeleteSamantha - I hope you enjoy it, Samantha! I hope to read the second in the series once I finish the Chaos Walking trilogy. I'll need something cozy after!