A review by nikkisbooknook
Playing with Magic by Gretchen Rue

4.0

 Pull up a chair and have a cuppa at the Earl's Study whilst we attempt to unravel the latest mystery facing Phoebe and Co.

A bookish event with a famous birder should be a feather in Phoebe's cap but after the event Sebastian is found murdered!  There seems to be some confusion over who the intended victim was and there also seems to be a skeevy lawyer attempting to buy up the town.  But are the two things related?

I'm super invested in the gentle romance between Phoebe and Rich.  They've both been burned in the love department and they're a bit wary of crashing their renewed friendship but I'm rooting for them.  There also may be love in the air for the lovely, gentle giant Leo.

There is much more exploration of Phoebe's new found magical talents this time around and we also learn that magic is possibly the worst kept secret in town! There are a few red herrings, misdirects and twists and I felt completely satisfied when the baddie got their comeuppance.  I won't give too much away but I really did not see that last twist coming!

I'm not really a cat fan but I did love seeing Bob return with some new friends too!