Review and Giveaway: One Potion in the Grave

One Potion in the Grave (Magic Potion Mystery - Book 2) by Heather Blake

Publication Date: 10/07/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Obsidian Mystery
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: 336
ISBN-10: 0451416317
ISBN-13: 978-0451416315

(Received for an honest review from Obsidian Mystery)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

Heather Blake on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Magic Potion Mystery

1. A Potion to Die For
2. One Potion in the Grave

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

Excerpt from, One Potion in the Grave, courtesy of 
Amazon's Look Inside feature.

Synopsis:

Carly Bell Hartwell’s love potions are always in demand in Hitching Post, Alabama, the wedding capital of the South.…
 
When Katie Sue Perrywinkle walks into the Little Shop of Potions, Carly is surprised and delighted to see her old childhood friend. Katie Sue fled her hometown and a troubled family over a decade ago. But she’s not back for a social visit. She’s come to settle a score with Senator Warren Calhoun, who is in town for his son’s high-profile wedding.
 
But before Katie Sue has a chance to voice any objections, she’s forced to forever hold her peace. After finding her friend dead, Carly vows to find her murderer. Were the corrupt Calhouns willing to go to any lengths to avoid a scandal? Did Katie Sue’s family take the term “bad blood” to a whole new level? And why did the bride-to-be come to Carly for a love potion? As Carly gets closer to the truth, a killer is planning a very chilly reception.…


Thoughts:

When a long lost friend returns to Hitching Post, Alabama it's up to Carly Bell to figure out why she ends up dead in Heather Blake's newest, Magic Potions mystery, One Potion in the Grave. Readers will be thrilled to return to this enchanting small town, where the mystery is almost as captivating as the southern drawl of the characters. Blake continues to draw readers in with strong character development and a ton of humor. This is a series that paranormal cozy fans can not afford to miss. A great addition to the series!

What I liked:

One Potion in the Grave is the second book in the Magic Potions mystery series and Heather Blake once again scores a big hit. This book has a bit of witchery, a dash of blackmail and a smidgen of murder to keep readers glued to the pages. Blake introduced readers to the town of Hitching Post, Alabama in the first book in the series, A Potion to Die For and now readers are back in town with Carly Bell and her gaggle of friends and family. The town is buzzing with the all the details of the nuptials of Senator Warren Cahoun's son. But it's the return of one of Carly Bell's childhood friends that has her in a dither.

Katie Sue isn't Katie Sue anymore, though. She is Kathryn Perry, a woman on a mission. When she returns to Hitching Post, she apparently wasn't just here to see her sister. When she ends up dead, Carly Bell has to step in and figure out what was going on and why she was murdered. It appears that blackmail may have been in the wind and politics was playing a part. I thought the mystery itself was captivating. There were so many ways it could have gone and Blake had me puzzling it all out late into the night. With so many guests in town for the wedding and more motives than an amateur sleuth like Carly Bell knew what to do with, it was a great ride. Hard to put together and full of surprises.

I thought Blake did such a good job with the characters in this book. Carly Bell is just as perky and vivacious as usual and the Odd Duck's (her aunties) are just as funny as ever. Readers also get the added bonus of learning more about Carly Bell's relationship with her ex and her troubles with her hexy cousin, Delia. Ainsley is ever the great sidekick and readers will love seeing how the interactions between the characters add to the story. It seems as though, Blake was very conscious of the fact that not did the mystery need to be good, but the back stories and the development of the mood of the story had to be right as well, to make this such a good book. She had her ear to the pulse of the town and it's inhabitants and that made a big difference in how enjoyable this book was.

I love the aunt's. The Odd Ducks add so much flavor to the story. They are not only the comic relief that keeps the book light and fun to read, but they are also an integral part of the small town of Hitching Post. Aunt Margie and the pitchfork had me laughing out loud and wondering if she really did have the hots for another one of the locals was priceless. Blake knows how much humor to add to keep readers engaged but not to take away from the real reason for reading the book... the whodunit! She did a masterful job here and I think readers will agree.

Bottom Line:

This is a great new series. Coming in at Book 2 shouldn't be any problem for readers. The potions and the hexes are important to the story but not overwhelming, as is the humor. It was just the perfect balance to make this book a great addition to the series. Blake seems to have hit her stride with this one and I look forward to seeing what happens in Hitching Post next. 

One Potion in the Grave is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Heather Blake is the author of the Magic Potion Mysteries (A Potion to Die For) and the Wishcraft Mysteries (A Witch Before Dying, The Good, the Bad, and the Witchy, The Goodbye Witch).

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of One Potion in the Grave by Heather Blake.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, November 10th.

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