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rionapopdan's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rowdyroo762's review against another edition
5.0
Love this series of books. Quirky, intriguing, unexpected. Good humor and a good versus evil vibe lurking in the background.
writewanderread's review against another edition
4.0
I am enjoying this series of witchy cozy mysteries. The character development, spells, and mysteries, keep me reading on to the next installment.
bookslucyking's review against another edition
4.0
I love the magic part of this serie, how Jilly is learning new spells and using them around, and seriously Grandma! :D ... even though this one has a small part of the crime, nevermind. I love Candelfield and every single moment Jill spent there in this book :) cannot wait for the next one, as I see it is the christmas story, perfect timing, I will be ready just to read the next one in December :)
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
Ugh these books are so much fun!
I love Jill, Winky is my absolute favorite, Grandma is a character, and Mrs V’s cameos are always appreciated. All of the side characters are so vividly drawn that I can imagine them fully and their interactions are, by and large, quite hilarious.
The only downside is the formatting — no page numbers, no indentations between paragraphs (where as a writer, I’d normally hit tab), sometimes other editing errors like misplaced commas or missing quotation marks. But I enjoy the story and characters enough that I can overlook that… for the most part. Ha!
I love Jill, Winky is my absolute favorite, Grandma is a character, and Mrs V’s cameos are always appreciated. All of the side characters are so vividly drawn that I can imagine them fully and their interactions are, by and large, quite hilarious.
The only downside is the formatting — no page numbers, no indentations between paragraphs (where as a writer, I’d normally hit tab), sometimes other editing errors like misplaced commas or missing quotation marks. But I enjoy the story and characters enough that I can overlook that… for the most part. Ha!
beanjucie's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mrose21's review
3.0
Quick Info
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Jill Gooder
Jack Maxwell
Mrs V
Donald Hook
----------------------------------
What happens?
Kathy guilt trips Jill into taking the kids on a day trip for her. This isn't a normal trip with the kids using every opportunity to make her life harder. What I found funny is she lets them win! Jill falls out with Jack who has some bitter memories of a PI helping out on a kidnapping case, and uses these memories to get mad at Jill for the victim's boyfriend coming to her for help and in typical fashion doesn't listen to her refusing the case. As she is a very high temper person she retaliates by taking the case just to spite Jack but her interest it peaked when it turns not to be a simple kidnapping case.
Mrs V also has a male visitor called Donald Hook come into the picture. Which Jill has a feeling isn't good and investigates him on the side.
Final thoughts
This one wasn't as good as previous. I like the whole witch stuff but after 5 books why does she not seem to be improving properly. Its more like the magical unicorn where she does amazing things without trying or knowing. There isn't any effort there. The whole Jack thing was annoying too, he is so stuffy and rude just because of a PI. I mean if he was any good at his job how didn't they know to talk to the victim's friends? I don't get that?
Would I read again?: Maybe
Would I read this author again?: Yes
Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Standalone
Part of a Series?: Yes
----------------------------------
Meeting the Characters
Jill Gooder
Jack Maxwell
Mrs V
Donald Hook
----------------------------------
What happens?
Kathy guilt trips Jill into taking the kids on a day trip for her. This isn't a normal trip with the kids using every opportunity to make her life harder. What I found funny is she lets them win! Jill falls out with Jack who has some bitter memories of a PI helping out on a kidnapping case, and uses these memories to get mad at Jill for the victim's boyfriend coming to her for help and in typical fashion doesn't listen to her refusing the case. As she is a very high temper person she retaliates by taking the case just to spite Jack but her interest it peaked when it turns not to be a simple kidnapping case.
Mrs V also has a male visitor called Donald Hook come into the picture. Which Jill has a feeling isn't good and investigates him on the side.
Final thoughts
This one wasn't as good as previous. I like the whole witch stuff but after 5 books why does she not seem to be improving properly. Its more like the magical unicorn where she does amazing things without trying or knowing. There isn't any effort there. The whole Jack thing was annoying too, he is so stuffy and rude just because of a PI. I mean if he was any good at his job how didn't they know to talk to the victim's friends? I don't get that?
Would I read again?: Maybe
Would I read this author again?: Yes
sean67's review
4.0
Book five in the series, and it is still as bonkers as ever, but now I am invested in the characters and the overarching theme of the story.
Still don't like the sister and the detective, but the nutty mean grandma is not as bad as you would think.
What is great is the way the story is building and with the silly humour is a great fun story.
The Christmas special is next, so I'm assuming there will be a break from the big themes, we will see.
Still don't like the sister and the detective, but the nutty mean grandma is not as bad as you would think.
What is great is the way the story is building and with the silly humour is a great fun story.
The Christmas special is next, so I'm assuming there will be a break from the big themes, we will see.