Book 21, 2023

Star of Sage & Scream by Leanne Leeds

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I began an ebook last night and finished it today. Thanks, federal holiday! The book was Star of Sage & Scream by Leanne Leeds, which is the first in the "Owl Star Witch" series, featuring main character Astra Arden.

Astra left home at 18 to join what amounted to the paranormal military. Now, however, the military has been disbanded. Adrift and with no job prospects, Astra returns home to her aloof, disapproving mother, her beloved Aunt Gwennie, and three much younger sisters whom she barely knows. On the auspicious occasion of her 33rd birthday, Astra is gifted a talking owl from the goddess Athena herself. Along with the owl comes a mission to prevent murders before they can happen. Astra doesn't exactly believe in gods and goddesses, but having a mission gives her renewed purpose. Astra's first case involves a spoiled actress who is kidnapped from the set of her latest movie. During the course of her investigation, Astra ends up working with human Detective Emma Sullivan, as they're both trying to locate the victim before it's too late. Astra is aided by her sisters with their various talents, and also by her owl, Archimedes, or Archie as he's willing to be called. The detective is aware of the supernatural world, considering her brother was turned into a vampire. The two of them make a good team, but they still must work hard to solve the case before it's too late and bring justice to those responsible.

First up, I loved that this was not a murder mystery, but rather one of a kidnapping. Hoorah! I liked Astra's character, and Archie was a hoot...no pun intended. Each sister had her own personality and it was fun getting to know them. I loved how unflappable and competent Astra was thanks to 15 years in the military. Pacing was good, characterizations were great, and I was thoroughly engrossed in the outcome.

Favorite lines:
♦ This wasn't a birthday party, it was a coven ritual. It just happened to take place around the dining room table, and the ritual sacrifice was a Black Forest cake.
♦ "You're about as gentle as a drunk giant dancing on an ice sheet."
♦ "I'm dealing with four other detectives--all male, of course--who think I never should have been promoted, and also think I couldn't find a lost beagle howling 'I'm here' while sitting on the back bumper of the dogcatcher's truck."
♦ "Somewhere out there, there is a tree working very hard to produce oxygen so that you can breathe. I think you should go and apologize to it."
♦ "If ignorance is bliss, you must be the happiest person on the planet."

Loved it! Five stars!

( Trope Test )