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Midnight Spells Murder:  The latest Happy Camper Mystery by Mary Angela

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Midnight Spells Murder

Spirit Canyon’s annual Spirit Spooktacular weekend is on, and for local amateur sleuth Zo Jones, it’s boomtime for business at her Happy Camper gift shop . . . until a murderer drops in for a browse.

To celebrate Halloween at the Happy Camper, Zo schedules a talk by successful author and self-proclaimed witch Marianne Morgan. Although Marianne’s benign brand of witchcraft is more about feminine empowerment than black magic, her presence is still not welcomed by everyone. Then on a midnight stroll home, Zo spots what seems to be a new Halloween decoration propped up outside the Happy Camper. What she finds is not a mannequin but a dead Marianne, her lifeless body dressed in traditional witch’s garb. But why would someone send this good witch back to the spirit world permanently?

Soon Zo realizes that plenty of folks have motives for murdering Marianne. What’s worse, nosy TV newsman Justin Castle plans to broadcast a report associating Marianne’s murder with the Happy Camper. Zo calls on her partner in sleuthing, local forest ranger Max Harrington, to help her find the culprit before Justin’s report airs. Otherwise Zo’s business just might go bust. But to catch this killer, Zo will have to risk much more than just her reputation . . .

Midnight Spells Murder (A Happy Camper Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Publisher: Lyrical Press (July 13, 2021)
Print Length: 271 pages
Digital ASIN: B08L8RJTTD

To purchase Midnight Spells Murder, click on any of the following links: Amazon – iTunes – Google – Kobo – B&N

My Thoughts on Midnight Spells Murder

It’s coming up on Halloween in Spirit Canyon and Zo Jones, owner of the Happy Camper Gift Shop, brings in successful author and self-proclaimed witch Marianne Morgan for a special event. Marianne’s brand of witchcraft focuses far more on the power of the feminine than any black arts, but some local feathers are ruffled to find Marianne in their midst.

But are they ruffled enough to kill for?

Not long after the event, Zo discovers Marianne’s corpse dressed in a traditional witch costume and propped up outside the Happy Camper—the apparent victim of a homicide.

Things are looking bad for Mary Angela’s heroine, as the murder places the Happy Camper dead center in the sights of the local police chief, Brady Merrigan, and not in a good way. Possible suspects pile up as the intrepid Zo Jones tries to solve the murder before she becomes the prime suspect. Making all of it worse, local TV reporter Justin Castle would love to splash Zo’s image across the six o’clock news — preferably in handcuffs on the way to jail.

As with all of Mary Angela’s books, the protagonist is the heart of the story. We root for Zo, not just to solve the crime, but to move forward in her relationship with the handsome park ranger Max Harrington. Complicating Zo’s life is the unfolding story of her family background. Angela deftly weaves together Zo’s exploration of her own past with the murder that showed up on her doorstep in the present.

There are so many things to love about the Happy Camper Series. Zo Jones is a terrific leading lady. She’s smart and brave and funny. Her gift shop is a place I’d love to hang out, and Spirit Canyon is filled with the beauty of the Black Hills. Angela’s descriptions add another powerful layer on top the complex and twisty plot and engaging characters.

Rounding out the list are Zo’s friends and neighbors and delightful feline companion George. Midnight Spells Murder brings back characters from the first in the series, Open for Murder, and introduces others, continuing to build the community and embedding us even more in Spirit Canyon.

If this town were real, it would top my “places to visit list” even with the occasional murder!

Sprinkled with romance, Mary Angela’s latest novel will have you falling even further under her spell.

Mary Angela is the author of the Happy Camper cozy mystery series, the Professor Prather academic mystery series, and several short stories.

When Mary isn’t penning heartwarming whodunits, she’s teaching, reading, traveling, or spending time with her family.

She lives in South Dakota with her husband, daughters, and spoiled pets.

To learn more about Mary, click on her name, photo, or any of the following links: Facebook,  Twitter, Goodreads & Instagram

And don’t miss my interview with Mary! Read the full post by clicking the link here.

Visit all the Stops on the Great Escapes Virtual Tour!

July 13 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE

July 13 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

July 14 – Novels Alive – GUEST POST

July 14 – Island Confidential – SPOTLIGHT

July 15 – I Read What You Write – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

July 16 – Brooke Blogs – CHARACTER GUEST POST

July 17 – Author Elena Taylor’s Blog – REVIEW

July 17 – Nadaness In Motion – REVIEW

July 18 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW

July 19 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

July 20 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW

July 21 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 22 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

July 23 – Celticlady’s Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

July 24 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT

July 25 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – REVIEW

July 26 – Laura’s Interests – REVIEW

Elena Taylor is the author of All We Buried, available now in print, e-book, and audio book format at all your favorite on-line retailers and local bookstores and libraries!

For more information on All We Buried, click on the link here to visit the home page.

Foreword INDIE Award Finalist, Best Mystery 2020