A cold case update in Salem, Massachusetts . . . Life at the house on Winter Street is abuzz with preparations for Aunt Ibby’s 45th high school reunion, and Lee Barrett is happy to pitch in, tracking down addresses and licking envelopes. But as a field reporter for Salem’s WICH-TV, her priority is to be on top of the town’s latest news before anyone else. When the local police dredge up a … When the local police dredge up a vintage sports car containing human remains, Lee is thrilled to be the first reporter on the scene. Once she learns the car is connected to the cold case her boyfriend Pete happens to be working on, her powers of investigation are quickly alerted. But it’s her Aunt Ibby’s emotional reaction to Lee’s TV report that puts her on the case. With the help of O’Ryan, her psychic feline sidekick, she’ll have to unravel a tangled past of secrets and promises to stop a killer from making history again . . .
Praise for the Witch City Mysteries
“Perfectly relaxing and readable.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This rewarding paranormal cozy series debut will have Victoria Laurie fans lining up to follow.”
—Library Journal
“An entertaining story that keeps readers guessing until the very twisted and eerie end.” —RT Book Reviews
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Reaching back into Ibby’s past for a mystery is great! Love the use of the old dresser and hidden compartments. Hope they will play an important role in a scene to protect Lee from a bad guy again.
Great read! I’m now reading this series from the beginning. Anyone who loves copies with cats and interesting humans will enjoy this.
A young news reporter, who has worked her way up to tougher stories, along with a cat who may have magical powers, both of whom at least experience some psychic visions, plus an experience hardened cop, with a soft spot for the reporter, who is beginning to be a believer. These are the main characters in this interesting series. Overall the book is a series of balances and opposites.
Interviewed information versus experienced intuition, promiscuous teenagers versus accomplished senior citizens, secrets aplenty both in the real world and in the cards.
When Lee Barrett gets a tip that police divers are searching for something in the off-limits quarry, she follows her hunch and finds more than she is prepared for. Having to learn as she reports, she finds it usual that her very supportive Aunt Libby can’t find the time to help her search for clues, including Libby’s own high school year book, even as she is preparing for a class reunion. Something is very very off.
I really like the characters and learning more about them as this story unfolds.
The time period involved intrigues me, as I could relate to being the same age back then, although not as wild. Following the clues was exciting. I figured out some connections quite quickly but the motive and details kept me interested until the end.
A very well done mystery.
It is May in Salem, Massachusetts. Lee and her camera woman, Francine Hunter are tracking down a lead and hope to get a juicy story. They find police divers exploring a quarry and Lee scoops other reporters when they find a mustang with bones inside about 120 twenty feet down. Unfortunately, the body turns out to be an old flame of Aunt Ibby’s who disappeared before their high school graduation. All this time, It was believed the victim had taken off after an altercation with his father. Lee begins having visions of the past which lead her to identifying the killer. Carol J. Perry’s writing style is informal writing style which makes Final Exam a pleasure to read. The story has good flow with gentle pacing. I like the variety of characters in A Witch City Mystery series with O’Ryan being my favorite. He is an astute cat who aids Lee in solving her crimes. It was cute how O’Ryan had a friend to play with in this story, and they managed to cause some misdirection and mischief. There are plenty of enjoyable moments between the characters. Lee’s scrying abilities are integrated into the storyline along with a tarot reading from her friend, River North. Her tarot card readings are always helpful. The mystery was intriguing because it involved a cold case. There are pointed clues to aid readers in solving the crime. Past misdeeds have a way of coming back to haunt us. I was appreciative of the epilogue that wrapped up the mystery. Final Exam can be read alone if you have not read any of the previous A Witch City Mysteries. I do want to let readers know that there is foul language scattered throughout the story which is unusual for a cozy mystery. Included in the book are recipes for ginger pancakes, grape nuts pudding and Lee’s bread dipping sauce. Final Exam transports readers to Salem as Lee probes into the past to excavate a killer.
Will they be able to solve the murder?
Final Exam by Carol J. Perry is a fabulous mystery about a cold case. This book is the first book I have read by this author and in this series. Lee Barrett is the female sleuth she is a pretty cool character. She is a reporter, and her boyfriend is a detective. Lee is very determined to help her aunt find out what happened to her old boyfriend.
What I like:
• Lee reminds me of Nancy Drew.
• Lee comes up with a book title like the Nancy Drew books for the case that she is working.
• The mystery was pretty cool and very different.
• I felt bad for the aunt since her high school boyfriend won’t return as she thought he would.
• The cat that Lee and Aunt Ibby have is pretty funny.
What I dislike:
The one thing that I didn’t like is that Lee’s daily tasks take over the story at times.
Five Stars
Final Exam by Carol J. Perry is a great cozy and one that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Ms. Perry did a fantastic job with the mystery. It kept me guessing. The cast of characters is awesome. I will definitely at some point come back and read the rest of the series.
So, if you haven’t read a book from A Witchy City Mystery series, then you should. I recommend it, especially if you like cozy paranormal mysteries.
Anyways until the next time enjoy this review brought to you by,
Baroness Book Trove.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Virtual Book Tour. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
If you would like to read more reviews like this one, please go to baronessbooktrove.com
I came into this series late; in fact, this is only the second book I’ve read. I have never felt I have missed much, if anything, and I think this latest could be an excellent starting point. Speaking of this book, I really enjoyed this second book more than I did the one I read before. There was more depth, and I really didn’t figure out who had committed the murder until the end. I had my suspicions on a couple of the characters, but I didn’t know for sure. This series has an innocent, 50s vibe to it which I think many people will enjoy; it’s a cozy, with a teeny, tiny paranormal element, that transports you back to…simpler times. Maybe that’s just me, but that’s what it feels like. I really enjoyed this latest because of the great writing, interesting characters, and tight plot, and I think you will, too, whether you are new to the series or a regular. I highly recommend this book! I was provided the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.
Life at the house on Winter Street is abuzz with preparations for Aunt Ibby’s 45th high school reunion, and Lee Barrett is happy to pitch in, tracking down addresses and licking envelopes. But as a field reporter for Salem’s WICH-TV, her priority is to be on top of the town’s latest news before anyone else.
When the local police dredge up a vintage sports car containing human remains, Lee is thrilled to be the first reporter on the scene. Once she learns the car is connected to the cold case her boyfriend Pete happens to be working on, her powers of investigation are quickly alerted. But it’s her Aunt Ibby’s emotional reaction to Lee’s TV report that puts her on the case. With the help of O’Ryan, her psychic feline sidekick, she’ll have to unravel a tangled past of secrets and promises to stop a killer from making history again.
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Series: A Witch City Mystery – Book 8
Author: Carol J. Perry
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Witch/Paranormal
Publisher: Kensington Books
Carol J. Perry’s Final Exam is a compelling addition to the Witch City Mystery series from Kensington Books.. This story will have readers laughing, yelling and occasionally on the verge of tears. However, in the end they will be happy and satisfied.
Lee finally gets her dream job but at what price. While trying to help her aunt Ibby she uncovers a murder and makes her aunt the prime suspect. Aunt Ibby is a beloved character throughout this series. She is the one relative we all wish we had, someone kind, loving, intelligent and genuinely admirable individual. Other characters who are staples of this series make an appearance and are delightful and entertaining.
Salem is special. It makes the reader want to jump in the car and travel to this lovely town to see all the wonderful people and places. With the historical relevance and the touristy atmosphere there is no better place to put a magic related series. Each time the reader visits this town they get a thrill from the idea that witches openly live, work, and walk the streets.
If there is a complaint about this book, it has nothing to do with the story or the writing as Ms. Perry is an excellent writer who knows her subject matter and is skilled with transitions and plot lines. No, my complaint is that I found myself wanting things to go back to the days when Lee taught at the Trumbull school and there is not enough of the recurring characters from the school. And… there is never enough of River.
The killer is not necessarily the kind of person you would expect. Not someone you would hate or even dislike overall. But the mere fact that they are a killer will become evident. In the end, murder is wrong no matter how it happens.
Final Exam, sounds like an ending but it’s not. Lee and Pete will go forward, Aunt Ibby is safe. It will be interesting to see what becomes of River and her BF in the coming books, and what mischief Lee gets up to next Readers will love this book, series, and anything Ms. Perry writes.