Scan barcode
slvg's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
smlaurie's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was what I expected it to be: an amusing, breezy read; it was silly at times but in an entertaining way. The main character, Jill, is sardonic and self-deprecating, and the story is more about her relationships with the people around her, in particular her biological family who are witches, and her learning to master casting spells. Her cases/mysteries are rather thin in substance, they are there but not complex.
I would read more books from this series when I’m looking for an easy read that will make me laugh.
2023 PopSugar Reading Challenge #44: A book that was self-published.
mrose21's review
4.0
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Jill Gooder -Private eye detective and newbie witch
----------------------------------
What happens?
Jill goes to a play and witnesses someone being murdered. She doesn't believe the person that threw the knife in the play is the murderer and so goes through finding out who did it and why...
In the meantime her witch skills keep improving and eventually she ends up spending more time in Candlewhatever its called. She even picks up a detective job there!
Final thoughts
Liked this book its such easy reading and I find myself really enjoying the book.
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Jill Gooder -Private eye detective and newbie witch
----------------------------------
What happens?
Jill goes to a play and witnesses someone being murdered. She doesn't believe the person that threw the knife in the play is the murderer and so goes through finding out who did it and why...
In the meantime her witch skills keep improving and eventually she ends up spending more time in Candlewhatever its called. She even picks up a detective job there!
Final thoughts
Liked this book its such easy reading and I find myself really enjoying the book.
Would I read again?: Yes
Would I read this author again?: Yes
carlajo713's review
2.0
Please see review of the first book for an in depth description of how awful these books are..... I won't expand further. But come on... Jill gives away her entire Beanie Baby collection to her niece because she lied about still having them. Because, she didn't want her snotty fingers touching her collection... And if she didn't she couldn't be Lizzie's aunt anymore? Great lesson learned for a 5 year old.... I won't even point out that the werewolf and vampire met with Jill in a meeting, then 2 chapters later she "meets" them for the first time again.... Irritating. Frustrating. Poorly written. Well wait, I guess I did expand a little.
irene_wolvercote's review against another edition
2.0
My biggest problem with this book is the sister, Kathy, and Jill's lack of emotional response.
emmymbee's review against another edition
2.0
These books are entertaining, but the lead character Jill has no backbone. While I'm sure the supporting characters are supposed to be amusing and fun compared to the 'unhappy, somewhat OCD' lead character, they are often unbearable and walk all over her.
Take for example her sister Kathy, who basically threatens to disown her for not letting her kid (Lizzy) borrow Jill's beanies (even though days before she had *literally* saved Lizzy's life). That's of course after letting herself into Jill's house and letting her kid play with them, even though she knows how much they mean to Jill.
Frankly, If I was Jill I'd consider myself to be well shot of such a sister.
I'll read the next book as these generally are a good, light read - but if the supporting characters carry on as they were in this book I'm not sure how much longer I'll continue with them.
Take for example her sister Kathy, who basically threatens to disown her for not letting her kid (Lizzy) borrow Jill's beanies (even though days before she had *literally* saved Lizzy's life). That's of course after letting herself into Jill's house and letting her kid play with them, even though she knows how much they mean to Jill.
Frankly, If I was Jill I'd consider myself to be well shot of such a sister.
I'll read the next book as these generally are a good, light read - but if the supporting characters carry on as they were in this book I'm not sure how much longer I'll continue with them.
kaixxx's review against another edition
3.0
Another cute quirky book, a great series if you just want a light read. Jill has got her hands full as she investigates a murder, the theft of two trophies and a missing cat. The plot was a bit predictable but it was still a good light read. With more funny antics from her family, though I think her sister Kathy is annoying with how manipulative she is towards Jill. A good read though if you just want a light witch book. xxx
asmaa_arqawi's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
brokensporty's review against another edition
4.0
I still think this series is adorable and everything a pre-teen girl needs to pass time and foster an early love for reading much like Nancy Drew did for me and generations before me.
The first book provided background for the series and this second book builds upon that while a new mystery is solved. The early part of this book line-up summarized the first book.
The same main characters are still unnecessarily annoying and not endearing at all. Nothing will convince me that a grown woman (sister or not) would put up with the level of meddling that Kathy inflicts on Jill.
I still recommend this series for anyone who has a short amount of time and wants a light read.
The first book provided background for the series and this second book builds upon that while a new mystery is solved. The early part of this book line-up summarized the first book.
The same main characters are still unnecessarily annoying and not endearing at all. Nothing will convince me that a grown woman (sister or not) would put up with the level of meddling that Kathy inflicts on Jill.
I still recommend this series for anyone who has a short amount of time and wants a light read.
tregina's review against another edition
3.0
Even though a lot of the same things that bothered me about the first book carried over into this one, somehow it hung together a little better and bothered me less. Maybe everything was just that little bit tighter. I do appreciate the way Jill has to straddle the worlds, although something has clearly got to give (especially since I have just discovered there are like already over 30 books in this series). The mysteries aren't complex, but they do have the right feel about them. And again, I was happy to jump right into the next book after this one. (Is it too much to hope that she ditches the tepid male love interests and hooks up with Daze?)