Book 83, 2022

[chez_jae]

Mrs. Morris and the Sorceress by Traci Wilton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



It took me over a week, but I finally finished reading Mrs Morris and the Sorceress by Traci Wilton. This is the fourth part of the "Salem B&B" mystery series, told in first person pov by widowed B&B owner, Charlene Morris.

It's the Fourth of July and Charlene and some of her guests are in town to see a play about the historical role that Salem played in the Revolutionary War. They see more than they bargained for when the main actress, sultry Madison Boswell, is shot dead on stage. When the police determine there is no way Madison's death could be an accident, it's ruled a homicide. Charlene, who was video taping the performance, quickly turns the video over to Detective Sam Holden. However, she can't quit thinking about Madison's death, especially when she overhears the director of the theater arguing with his wife about his affair with Madison. Soon Charlene, with help from Jack, her resident ghost, is researching Madison's life and career in an effort to discover who may have wanted her dead. Both Sam and Jack implore her not to get too involved, but Charlene doesn't heed their warnings until it's too late and her own life is in danger.

Frankly, I wonder why I keep reading this series. Charlene isn't the most likable person. In fact, she comes across as an irascible snot in some instances. Sam obviously harbors a tendre for her, but she keeps him at arms length because oh-so-handsome Jack, who's dead by the way, has wormed his way into her heart. Um, in the paranormal field that's what's known as an attachment, Charlene, and you and your house should both be cleansed. I think what annoys me the most is that Charlene has zero reason to poke her nose into the investigation. In most cozies, our intrepid amateur sleuth has a reason to get involved, but not Charlene. She's just a nosy twit. Guh.

Favorite lines:
♦ "The Irish are tough."
♦ "There's a girl named Hermia--I only remembered because it's like Hermione from Harry Potter."
♦ "Take a lemon situation and make spiked lemonade fizzes."
♦ "If everyone got locked up for being a fool, think of all the politicians who'd be there."

The story wasn't bad so much as annoying. Giving it an average score.