With the fall season approaching, it seems like a good time to escape into a paranormal cozy mystery. In My Attic (A Magical Misfits Mystery, #1) by Lina Hansen fits the bill perfectly. I mean, witches!
Aunt Eve is dead - murdered - and Myrtle has inherited the Witch’s Retreat, a Bed and Breakfast in the idyllic British village of Avebury. As Myrtle bumbles along in search of a murderer, she uncovers secrets more shocking than death: a hidden magical relic, a coven of amateur witches, and modern witch hunters on the prowl.
In My Attic is a new take on the cozy mystery. Think trainee Miss Marple channelling the twenty-first century - with a paranormal twist. [Goodreads Summary]
A weekly meme where readers share the first sentence (or paragraph) of the book they are reading and say what they think. Hosted by the amazing Gillion Dumas of Rose City Reader.
My aunt lay dead and I was lost in her life. It came complete with auntie's beloved bed and breakfast fully booked and brimming with guests. Too bad, since I slung a mean tea bag but was a hopeless cook. Instead, I was a murderess. Well, okay, call it guilty of failing to render assistance, but it felt worse. [opening of In My Attic]
My thoughts: This opening paragraph definitely caught my attention. I like the narrative voice, and already have plenty of questions, including: How did her aunt die? Why does Myrtle feel responsible? What guilt does she carry?
A weekly meme in which readers share a random sentence or two from page 56 or 56% of the book they are reading. Hosted by the wonderful Freda of Freda's Voice.
The answer lay at my feet, so to speak. One of the paper piles protruded farther into the room than the others, as if something behind it was pushing it out. [excerpt from 56% of In My Attic]
Have you read In My Attic? If so, what did you think? What are you reading right now?
A weekly meme in which readers look at what they were reading
last year at this time and compare it to what they are reading now.
Hosted by the great Maria from ReadingMaria.
I am trying something new this week by joining Maria over at ReadingMaria in looking back at what I was reading at this time last year. It is always fun to look back at my reading over the years and compare it to where I am today. I am doing it a bit differently than instructed in that I feature my current read above, and will share more about my past read here.
My reading has definitely been more escapist recently--anything to combat the depression and anxiety that is always hovering around these days. Paranormal cozy mysteries like Lina Hansen's In My Attic seem to be the perfect escape. I am finding In My Attic to be quirky and fun.
One book I do not think I could have taken had I read it now as opposed to then is the book I finished around this time last year, Kassandra Montag's After the Flood. In my review of the book, I referred to an article I had read around the time I read the book about the rising water levels, including an increase in flooding, in relation to climate change. I had this to say about it:
It makes novels like After the Flood all the more frightening. Such a seemingly worst case scenario and impossible idea does not seem all that far-fetched after all.
From where I sit in September 2020, I have to say there is not much I would find far-fetched now when it comes to these dystopian worlds we find in novels.
I really liked After the Flood, but it was a difficult and emotional read, the mother and daughter being in a seemingly hopeless situation. You can find my bookish thoughts here.
What was the last book you read this past year around this time? How does it compare to what you are reading today?
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A glimpse into what I was reading 5 years ago:
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Be sure and tell me what you are reading!
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I haven't read In My Attic but it sounds fun, especially since I've been slowly gaining an appreciation for Miss Marple (:
ReplyDeleteEustacia - In My Attic has been a fun read. I hope to finish today or tomorrow. I am not sure the comparison to Miss Marple is entirely accurate, but you've probably read more of her stories to judge than I have. I always have to throw in a grain of salt before believing blurb comparisons. LOL Thank you for visiting!
DeleteNow I am intrigued! First of all, attics always grab my interest. So many hidden treasures! Or creepy things. LOL. Enjoy, and thanks for sharing. Thanks for visiting my blog.
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain - Oh, yes! Attics can be full of such mystery! Thank you for stopping by. :-)
Delete:) attics and witches--sounds like fun!
ReplyDeleteJenclair - It is a fun one! :-) Thank you for visiting!
DeleteIn My Attic does sound like fun. You've tempted me to look back at what I read a year ago and 5 years ago. I know I'm reading more cozy mysteries now. This week I am spotlighting Nightshade by M. L. Huie - a historical mystery from my review stack. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I'm enjoying In My Attic quite a bit! I thought about going back farther than five years, but that seemed like a good solid number. :-) It's fun to look back on our reading over the years, isn't it? Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteHi Wendy,
ReplyDeleteI don't mind a good cozy mystery from time to time, however at first glance I wouldn't have put this one down as an automatic choice, as I don't believe in witches and don't like Halloween, or cats for that matter (I have a phobia about them)!
But Wait! -
I love that quirky cover art and all the talk of attics. Even better, 'Witch's Retreat' B&B, has been firmly placed by its author in Avebury, which is a mere few minutes away from where I live and which I know well. I also think I could get to like Lina's writing style too!
Okay! That does it! It's heading for my list and I thank you for sharing :)
Yvonne xx
Yvonne - There is something about attics, isn't there? So many different directions a story can go from just that one place. In My Attic is a fun read. There's a bit of play on witch-themed words and a few literary references mixed in. I love it when a book I read is set somewhere near where I live or where I have been. Now you've got me more curious about Avebury. The character seems to find her way to the henge monument quite frequently. If you do read In My Attic, I hope you will like it! I understand though if you give it a pass because of the witch theme and the cat. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteThanks for taking part in the tag! I’ve been wanting to read After the Flood!
ReplyDeleteMaria - Thank you for hosting! It is fun to look back on my reading over the years. :-) Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteI went back to my journal from last year to see what I was reading at this time. I'm usually reading more 'Gothic' books in September and October - that RIP effect - ha! Anyway, at this time last year, I was reading Lock Every Door by Riley Sager and about to start The Haunting of Hill House. Is that scary enough? LOL
ReplyDeleteKay - It is that time of year, isn't it? :-) I'm going for a witchy theme this month with RIP XV. I do want to read The Haunting of Hill House at some point. I'm not sure I'm up for scary just yet. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI think the Attic book sounds like a fun read and appropriate for the upcoming holiday. What will we do about trick-or-treating this year? My Friday quotes are from OTHER NAMES FOR HOME
ReplyDeleteAnne - Yes, it seems to fit in with the upcoming season. :-)
DeleteI belong to a neighborhood FaceBook group and someone asked if people would be passing out candy this year. 225 comments, every one of them yeses. I get it. I do. That want to return to normalcy. Especially for the kids. I'm not sure I want to take the risk though. I mean, with responses like that, is it any wonder the stats for my county are still so high?
Thank you for stopping by!
In My Attic looks so good. I just went over to Amazon and see it's part of Kindle Unlimited, which I have. So, I added it to my list. Thanks for posting this. Have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteYvonne - Yay! I am so glad you were able to access a copy! I hope you enjoy it. I'm about halfway through and enjoying it. I hope you have a great weekend too. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI love the opening paragraph of In My Attic. I'd keep reading. :)
ReplyDeleteLark - It is a good one! Thank you for stopping by!
DeleteLast year I was getting close to my yearly reading goal. This year, not so much. But last year I was also probably getting ready to read some spooky reads for R.I.P. :)
ReplyDeleteIliana - It is the time of year for spooky reads. :-) My reading has really been down this year too. Thank you for visiting!
DeleteI like the beginning of In My Attic, although I steer clear of paranormal. Not my thing.
ReplyDeleteGillion - The paranormal aspects have been very subtle so far. I'm just over halfway through right now. Thank you for stopping by and hosting Book Beginnings!
DeleteSounds like a decent cozy!! Happy Labor Day weekend!
ReplyDeleteFreda - It's a fun read. :-) I hope you have a Happy Labor Day weekend as well. Thank you for visiting and hosting Friday56!
DeleteIn My Attic sounds like a fun read. After the Flood seems like an intriguing and an emotional read as well. With our current circumstances and the climate change, it seems all too real and frightening, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHope you've a great weekend, Wendy!
Melody - It is a fun one. I am so close to being done. I need to get off the computer and finish the book. LOL After the Flood did hit on the reality of the effects of climate change all too well.
DeleteThank you for stopping by!
Rita - I don't think it is strange at all that you'd be interested in After the Flood right now. There is something to be said for reading a book that makes you appreciate what you have. And I also think there's something to reading about how others overcome such great odds--if they can, maybe we can too. There are times when I need those kinds of reads. Right now though I'm more in a place where I need happy endings and more fluffy reads to calm my brain.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting!
I haven't read many cozy mysteries, I'm not sure they are for me, but After the Flood sounds good and tough.
ReplyDeleteHelen - I hope you like After the Flood if you read it. I really felt for the mother and daughter and their plight.
DeleteAfter The Flood is the Omaha Reads book this year and my book club will be reading it. Now you've got me worried!
ReplyDeleteLisa - I hope you enjoy After the Flood. It will make for an interesting discussion, I think.
DeleteIn My Attic sounds really interesting! I like that opening and had the same thoughts as you did when I read it. Hope you ended up enjoying it. I love that you look back at what you were reading last year, too!
ReplyDeleteSammie - In My Attic was a fun read. I really enjoyed it!
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