The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
jackirenee's review
4.0
How can you make Ophelia Jensen's life just a little more insane? Add Aunt Dot, who sees fairies, an undercover DEA agent, a pending adoption of her foster daughter tink, and a human skull found in the woods. Yep, Ophelia is once again around for the finding of a dead body.
In this fifth installment of the series, we are introduced to Abby's Aunt Dot, who comes to visti from the Appalachia area in the homes of finding some adventure. Does she ever. This is a wacky, 90 some year old woman who is able to brind some family history to the storyline. She also manages to drive Abby and Ophelia bonkers while stretching even their idea of reality.
We are also delighted to have the return of Cobra, or is that Ethan, and his ability to enjoy Ophelia and all her quirks is very enjoyable.
Like many of Damsgaard's books, the back cover description pretty much gives away the storyline, but it is always fun to see how she is going to get to the end. What will Darci convince Ophelia to do this time? How will Ophelia trip over yet another dead body? Who all will get drug into the mess?
Enjoyable read, great to pick up for some light weekend reading. Perfect for those that enjoy humor, the supernatural, and a good mystery.
In this fifth installment of the series, we are introduced to Abby's Aunt Dot, who comes to visti from the Appalachia area in the homes of finding some adventure. Does she ever. This is a wacky, 90 some year old woman who is able to brind some family history to the storyline. She also manages to drive Abby and Ophelia bonkers while stretching even their idea of reality.
We are also delighted to have the return of Cobra, or is that Ethan, and his ability to enjoy Ophelia and all her quirks is very enjoyable.
Like many of Damsgaard's books, the back cover description pretty much gives away the storyline, but it is always fun to see how she is going to get to the end. What will Darci convince Ophelia to do this time? How will Ophelia trip over yet another dead body? Who all will get drug into the mess?
Enjoyable read, great to pick up for some light weekend reading. Perfect for those that enjoy humor, the supernatural, and a good mystery.
hisaacson's review
4.0
Full review: http://hollybooknotes.blogspot.com/2009/05/mystery-monday_25.html
auntbreesqreads's review
3.0
I enjoyed the book. I liked the fact that the magic was kept pretty simple which made it almost believable. I pretty much predicted the ending though and there were several typos in the book which I found distracting. I normally don't read book series out of sequence but my friend gave me this one. I'm not sure if I will go out of my way to read more books in the series.
paperbackstash's review
4.0
The Ophelia and Abby series attempts to embrace quirky characters as it's shining draw. To be honest the elderly Abby never worked for me as a convincing quirky character - there's something about her that can irritate or overwhelm. She's charming and she's wise, but she's a little cliche. We now have an aunt introduced, her sister from the mountains, and even if she is cliche as well, she works much better as a quirky player.
She downright amused me with her eagerness to jump into the crime-solving gig. On the lookout for crime, excitement, and her moonshine drinks, she adds lots of charm. Ophelia is uneven in her relationships still, which is unfortunate. Tink is still a fun introduction that brings a maternal instinct out of Ophelia, who needed another dimension of believability as a character.
The mystery works well not because it is intricately layered, but because it tugs on the heartstrings as we wonder about the characters abilities and what's going on with them, what guilt may rise for Tink, what Ophelia needs to keep discovering about herself to save the day.
When the culprit is revealed, one comes out of the blue, one is obvious. The idea behind it is rather cheesy but the build-up mystery climbing toward it works well enough.
carolsnotebook's review
4.0
Aunt Dot comes to visit in this one. She is definitely an interesting addition to the family. Tink gets kidnapped and Ophelia has to solve two mysteries before she can find her. As always, the women's gifts come in to play, along with Darci's help.
jennyonthebook's review
3.0
I always like these books. They are a fast read and entertaining. Nothing too deep.
eandrews80's review
3.0
Considering that this book features two witches, a medium, and an old lady who can talk to fairies, the supernatural elements were not overplayed, and served as a quirky backdrop to a solid, well-paced mystery. I found the ending a bit rushed, and Ophelia consistently failed to suspect a RIDICULOUSLY SUSPICIOUS supporting character, which got frustrating. I'd like to go back and read the first 4 books in the series, as their plot points came up frequently in this installment.
cherylanntownsend's review
4.0
The Witch is Dead by Shirley Damsgaard
Tink is being haunted by âshadowsâ - her description of the wraiths that seek her out, hoping her burgeoning talent as a medium will assist them in their plights. Ophelia has happened upon a DEA agent she met during one of her off kilter murder investigations. Abbey is with them, at the airport, waiting for their Appalachian aunt Dot to arrive.
Over breakfast, Ophelia suffers a hangover from Dotâs spiked elderberry wine, Abbey regrets a little too much information told, Tink sleeps in and Dot hopes to get involved in a murder investigation. Itâs a long historied family of varied paranormal talents. One farmhouse full of bubbling potential, so you know something is bound to happen.
Dreams continue to haunt Tink, giving clues to something they cannot yet understand, but when Tink disappears, they are all Ophelia (and crew) have to go on. Frustrated that they cannot find answers themselves, (a psychic glitch) they sleuth about and wind up uncovering quite the crime scheme before the signs they did receive, and misinterpreted, become as obvious as Aunt Dotâs faeries.
With the help of DEA Ethan, Ophelia solves the mystery, has a few incarcerationâs added to her resume and learns to deeper listen... even if itâs to Aunt Dot.
Tink is being haunted by âshadowsâ - her description of the wraiths that seek her out, hoping her burgeoning talent as a medium will assist them in their plights. Ophelia has happened upon a DEA agent she met during one of her off kilter murder investigations. Abbey is with them, at the airport, waiting for their Appalachian aunt Dot to arrive.
Over breakfast, Ophelia suffers a hangover from Dotâs spiked elderberry wine, Abbey regrets a little too much information told, Tink sleeps in and Dot hopes to get involved in a murder investigation. Itâs a long historied family of varied paranormal talents. One farmhouse full of bubbling potential, so you know something is bound to happen.
Dreams continue to haunt Tink, giving clues to something they cannot yet understand, but when Tink disappears, they are all Ophelia (and crew) have to go on. Frustrated that they cannot find answers themselves, (a psychic glitch) they sleuth about and wind up uncovering quite the crime scheme before the signs they did receive, and misinterpreted, become as obvious as Aunt Dotâs faeries.
With the help of DEA Ethan, Ophelia solves the mystery, has a few incarcerationâs added to her resume and learns to deeper listen... even if itâs to Aunt Dot.
angielisle's review
4.0
Shirley Damsgaard has carved a new niche in the market: Appalachian Paranormal Fiction! Being a West Virginia gal, I love how Appalachia figures into the books without all the negative stereotyping that usually goes along with it!
I always have problems getting started with Shirley Damsgaard's books. But once I make it past the first couple of chapters, I fall in love with the characters again (and again). I am sucked in by the storyline and I have a very hard time putting the book down.
I love that these books are "chick lit" without all those annoying sex scenes! Finally, we have a main character whose biggest concerns are her family (especially her adopted daughter and her grandmother), her job, her best friend, and her special psychic gift that helps her solve mysteries. There is a guy involved - sometimes, he even helps solve the crimes - but Ophelia's entire life doesn't revolve around him. And, because they aren't rushing off to bed together, they actually have a real relationship forming. It's a nice change from what's normally published and called "chick lit." I hope it takes!
I always have problems getting started with Shirley Damsgaard's books. But once I make it past the first couple of chapters, I fall in love with the characters again (and again). I am sucked in by the storyline and I have a very hard time putting the book down.
I love that these books are "chick lit" without all those annoying sex scenes! Finally, we have a main character whose biggest concerns are her family (especially her adopted daughter and her grandmother), her job, her best friend, and her special psychic gift that helps her solve mysteries. There is a guy involved - sometimes, he even helps solve the crimes - but Ophelia's entire life doesn't revolve around him. And, because they aren't rushing off to bed together, they actually have a real relationship forming. It's a nice change from what's normally published and called "chick lit." I hope it takes!
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