Book 96, 2023

[chez_jae]

Midlife or Death by Cindy Stark

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I polished off an ebook last night: Midlife or Death by Cindy Stark. It's the first book in the "Sweet Mountain Witches" series, starring 40-year old Daisy Summers.

Although a practicing witch, Daisy prefers solitude over any coven activities. She is content running her cat café and socializing with friends. With the town's annual Beltane celebration looming, there is heightened excitement because a new council member will be chosen. Daisy doesn't care; no one from her branch of the family has been chosen to serve in years. However, with her mother recovering from knee surgery, it falls on Daisy to attend to represent their line. Daisy is surprised when she realizes how fun the celebration is. Having a handsome stranger ask her to dance is icing on the cake. When her drunken cousin, Merry, tries to cut in and causes a scene, Daisy is mortified. And when Merry is found murdered later that night, Daisy is a person of interest. Determined to clear her name, she begins asking questions around town. She is aided by her employees and Gideon, the striking man who seems to be attracted to her. Suddenly, Daisy's quiet life is much more exciting than she had anticipated.

Ebooks can be hit or miss. This one was delightful. Daisy is an engaging character, and I enjoyed the excitement of the festival and a potential budding romance right along with her. The plot was fast paced, although I would have liked to see more of Daisy's every day life; instead, most of the latter part of the book was devoted to her investigation.

Favorite line: People liked to mock crazy cat ladies, but it was a fulfilling way of life.

Very good, and I will look for more in the series. Four stars.