Weekly Mews: Bookish Mewsings on Mrs. Morris and the Witch & Mother-Daughter Murder Night

I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted by Kim of Caffeinated Book Reviewer and The Sunday Salon (TSS) hosted by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz  where participants recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about. I am also linking It's Monday! What Are you Reading? hosted by Kathryn of Book Date where readers talk about what they have been, are and will be reading.

It has been a busy weekend, and so I am getting this post up later than usual. Our neighborhood has been getting in the Halloween spirit, many decorations going up. Ours are still in the garage, but perhaps they'll find their way out soon. This is one of my favorite times of year. 

I currently am reading Starling House by Alix E. Harrow, which so far is as every bit as good as I heard it would be. 

Next up, I will be picking up the October TBR Winner of my TBR List Poll. 

Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn and The Beekeeper's Apprentice (Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes #1) by Laurie R. King tied with 5 votes each, while Yellowface by R.F. Kuang won with 7 votes! I have heard great things about Yellowface and am anxious to start it. Thank you again for all who voted!

My TBR List is hosted by the awesome Michelle  at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Saturday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and let you vote for my next read during that month. My review will follow (unfortunately, not likely in the same month, but eventually--that's all I can promise). 

This past week I finished reading Nightfall (Keeper of the Lost Cities #6) by Shannon Messenger and Mrs. Morris and the Witch (Salem B&B Mystery #2) by Traci Wilton (see below for my thoughts on the latter).

I continue to enjoy the Keeper of the Lost Cities, a middle grade fantasy series, which is one of my daughter's favorites. Although Nightfall got off to a slower start than the previous books in the series, it eventually picked up. Mouse is all caught up with the series, but I still have a way to go. I can see why Mouse adores the series with her love for fantasy and characters she can root for. It's imaginative and action packed. There's tween/teen angst, lots of blushing, magic, animals of all kinds, danger, and kids who save the day. The tenth final book in the series is rumored to be coming out later this year.

Mouse is currently reading Holes by Louis Sachar in school, a book I have not had the chance to read. It seems to be well loved though, and perhaps I will find my way to it at some point. She's been sharing with me what's going on in the story each evening, and so I feel like I am reading it alongside her. 

Mrs. Morris and the Witch (Salem B&B Mystery #2) by Traci Wilton (Kensington Books, 2020; Mystery/Cozy; 219 pgs)
Source: from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

"All Hallows' Eve--Salem's most celebrated night of the year," Charlene Morris said to Jack Strathmore, seated next to her on the love seat in the privacy of her personal suite. ~ Opening of Mrs. Morris and the Witch

I read the first book in this series, Mrs. Morris and the Ghost, three years ago and enjoyed it. Widowed Charlene Morris bought a mansion sight unseen with plans to turn in into a bed and breakfast. Little did she know it came with its own resident ghost, Jack Strathmore.

Mrs. Morris and the Witch, picks up soon after the events in the first book of this cozy mystery series. Charlene is excited about hosting her first guests over Halloween and has planned an unforgettable evening Halloween night with a tour of Salem and a cemetery, led by a local ghost expert. Unfortunately, the night takes a turn for the worst when Charlene finds Morganna, a local Wiccan, dead in her shop. One of Charlene's guests is a person of interest, and Charlene is determined to clear his name. Charlene's inquiries lead her down the path to find the murderer, learning about the modern day Wiccan community and coven politics in Salem along the way.

It was a pleasure to spend time with Charlene again as well as her friendly household ghost, Jack. She uses him as a sounding board quite a bit in the novel, and he offers some helpful suggestions along the way. Her friend and detective, Sam, seems quite capable at his job, and it's obvious he is frustrated with Charlene's interference--not to mention the way she puts herself in danger. I can't really blame him. There is one scene in the novel in which Charlene does something very dumb, in fact; but I had to laugh because not too long after that scene, Charlene is reading a romantic suspense novel and describes the heroine as "smart and savvy, not the too-stupid-to-live kind, like she'd been the night before." Kudos to authors Traci Hall and Patrice Wilton for calling their own character out! I do like Charlene though even if her curiosity gets the better of her sometimes.

I was along for the ride in this paranormal cozy mystery and did not figure out who was behind the murder until the end. The cast of characters, some familiar from the previous book, and others new, had interesting backstories of their own, and I am enjoying getting to know Charlene's Salem through her eyes. I look forward to reading more of the series. I believe it's set around Christmas time--so perfect for the upcoming winter season!

Challenge Met: COYER / Mount TBR / Backlist / Cruisin' Thru the Cozies

Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon (William Morrow, 2023; Mystery/Thriller; 352 pgs)

Source: from the publisher via NetGalley; all opinions are my own.

Beth knew she couldn't leave for work until she dealt with the dead body on the beach. ~ Opening of Mother-Daughter Murder Night 

Earlier this month, I read Mother-Daughter Night and loved it. This was more than just a mystery/suspense novel, but also a novel about mother and daughter relationships, the choices we make as parents-- as humans, really--and how they can impact the other.

Lana Rubicon is as ambitious as they come, putting her career in real estate above all else. She learned the hard way how a person can only depend on themselves. A diagnosis of cancer and the stresses treatment put on her body mean Lana must turn to her daughter, Beth, for help. Lana finds Beth to be an enigma. She seems to be everything Lana is not. Beth lives a quiet life as a nurse in a sleepy coastal town with her teenage daughter, Jack. Jack is fiercely independent and longs for a different life than the one she's living. She loves her grandmother and mother and wishes they got along better.

When Jack finds a dead body while leading a kayak tour, the police are quick to name her as their main suspect. Lana and Beth are beside themselves with the accusations made by the police. Lana is quick to realize the police are not up to the task of finding the real killer, and, in an effort to prove her granddaughter is innocent, she begins to look for other possible suspects on her own. Beth, on the other hand, is not keen on the idea of her mother conducting her own investigation, especially not while she's in such a weakened state and should be focusing on her recovery. It soon becomes clear though that there is no stopping Lana, and Jack and a reluctant Beth lend her a hand.

Lana and Beth's relationship is mired in the past by slights and misunderstandings. I found myself siding with one or the other at various points in the book, but ultimately hoping they would find common ground between them. They are so much alike even as they think they are so different. And I really felt for Jack being in the middle. The relationships between all three women do grow over the course of the novel. I found all of them extremely relatable. (Not to mention I love the idea of a Mother-Daughter Murder Night! Read the book and you'll know why.)

From wealthy ranchers to land trusts, family vendettas and secret deals, Lana, Beth and Jack find themselves in dangerous territory. While not a fast paced mystery in the way some mysteries are, Mother-Daughter Murder Night was a compelling read. The mystery itself was made up of a complex web of conflict and characters that had me wanting to know where each thread would lead. While the final whodunnit was not a real surprise, the fun was in getting there.

Challenge Met: COYER

I hope you have a great week! Let me know what you have been reading!

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