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Murder at the Festival by Nancy McGovern

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I began a new book on Wednesday and finished it last night. It was Murder at the Festival by Nancy McGovern, and it's the fifth installment in the "Bluebell Knopps" mystery series, featuring Bluebell, the witch.

Now that Bluebell has learned she's drawn to murders for a reason, she has begun paying attention to her dreams. Lately, her dreams have compelled her to visit a small town, which hosts an annual Turnip Festival. There, Bluebell meets a woman who used to babysit her when she was a child. Afraid that Jamie may be in danger, Bluebell stays in town for the festival. When the inevitable murder happens, someone close to Jamie is blamed. Bluebell doesn't believe what the police do, and she sets out to prove who really committed the crime. Along the way, she makes friends with some of the townsfolk, while running afoul of others. Eventually, Bluebell's investigating allows her to crack the case, but it will take the help of others to nab a murderer.

A quick read, obviously, and somewhat trite. The story was interesting enough, but lacked any real substance.

Favorite line: "The only way to get to really know a place is to experience its very depths."

Average read, average score

Murder at the Coven by Nancy McGovern

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Last night, I began reading Murder at the Coven, and I finished it tonight. It's the third installment in author Nancy McGovern's "Bluebell Knopps" mystery series, featuring novice witch, Bluebell.

After learning she is a witch, Bluebell's life has taken some odd turns, but none quite so unexpected as encountering a talking cat, who invites her to join the Phoenix Coven. Bluebell travels to the coven's home base, where she meets several interesting witches and wizards, including the handsome Ewan, the beautiful Angelina, and the brusque Sutter, who's the coven leader.

When Sutter is murdered, everyone assumes that Hector is the guilty party, but Bluebell isn't so sure. The clues don't add up, but as she puzzles it through, she realizes who the killer really is.

This was just a short novella, which is why I got through it so quickly. I was disappointed in the second book in the series, but this one redeemed itself nicely. It was light and fun, and perfect for a quick read.

Favorite line: "Hate breeds love sometimes, though the shape of that love is always essentially twisted."

Neither brilliant nor horrible, earning this one an average score.

Between yesterday and today, I read an ebook, The Locked Room Murder, which is the first in the "Bluebell Knopps" cozy mystery series, by author Nancy McGovern.

At the age of 16, Bluebell meets Steve, and she knows he is The One. Her best friend, Nolan, isn't so sure, but he supports her. Blue and Steve begin dating, and on the cusp of 21, she is certain that Steve is about to propose to her. However, a mysterious woman, who has bright blue hair like Bluebell does, comes to town and tells Bluebell that she's a witch, and that she will come into her powers when she reaches age 21. Of course, Blue doesn't believe her.

Later that evening, Steve breaks up with Bluebell and breaks her heart. When the mysterious woman appears again, Bluebell wants her to prove that she's a witch by giving Steve back to her. The next thing Bluebell knows, she is waking up in the middle of a meadow and being arrested for Steve's murder. The rest of the story shows Blue and Nolan asking questions and attempting to figure out how Steve could have been murdered inside a locked room. Along the way, Bluebell learns that Steve wasn't as faithful to her as she was to him.

Eh, it was cute and cozy, but it read like something written by a teen, for teens. Not necessarily a bad thing; it was just right for an afternoon of mindless fluff. There wasn't much character development, and the narrative was more tell than show.

Favorite line: "If it gets any hotter today, I'm going to go to work in a swimsuit and install a pool in the lobby."

Average, 3 stars:

***