Runway rivalries. An arcane arachnid. Can she unravel this designer death?Pet psychic Jolene needs some excitement to keep her mind off her downward spiral. So when her dreamy police crush asks her to interview a massive eight-legged murder witness, the former shifter signs on despite the risks. With an enchanted sweatshop owner and a testy trendsetter both dying from the same venom, Jolene fears … venom, Jolene fears their crafty assassin has spun a complex web…
Following the officer and his lie-sniffing German Shepherd into a labyrinth of clues, she cuts through a suspect list full of jealous rivals and bitter enemies. But when their investigation shines a light on the frayed corners of the black market, Jolene worries she’s pulled the wrong thread…
Can she stitch up the case before she gets sewn into a body bag?
Friday Night Bites is the second book in the charming Magic Market paranormal cozy mystery series. If you like clever wit, supernatural settings, and lighthearted whodunits, then you’ll love Erin Johnson’s enchanting tale.
Buy Friday Night Bites for a delectable detective treat today!
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This review is for the audio book.
I really enjoyed this book and just love the series. It is so much fun, I love the interaction between the main character and Daisy the dog, the way they wind each other up, it’s good for a laugh and is highly entertaining. I enjoyed the mystery side to the story too and the fact that it kept you guessing as to who the killer was. In my opinion the author is very talented at waving a web of intrigue and both of her series set in the make believe world of Bejumere where anything can happen, are excellent. This series certainly has cast a spell over this listener.
Jolene is once again asked by the handsome police man to help consult on one of his cases. A woman has been killed by spider bite and the only witness is a gaint spider that is knocking on deaths door, he needs Jolene to find out as much as she can before it is to late. The women owned a sweat shop making clothes and ripped of fashion accessories. A fashion designer also died on the same night, of a heart attack. Could the two death be related? Jolene goes under cover to try and find out the truth and at the same time tries to keep her shifter life a secret. But when you work with a lie sniffing dog some secrets could prove to be to hard to keep, especially if her two worlds collide.
I really like the narrator she puts so much effect in to her story telling that it is an enjoyable experience.
I listened to the audio version.
What a joy to listen to!
It immediately starts funny! Oh how I love this lighthearted, fun style! And it sure helps having a fantastic narrator who really brings the story to life. She does the different voices crazy well and they’re still understandable. Doing sound effects that really raised the level to a very high standard and added so much to my enjoyment. But that giant spider oooh uugghhhh lol.
The conversations between Jolene and police dog Daisy continue to be so much fun!
Favorite quote: “Nothing to see here, just a woman and a dog exchanging insults.”
Highly recommend!
The mystery to be solved is who killed sweatshop owner Li Fan. As you can imagine, by her very professional, the victim was not well-liked in life. The list of suspects is not wanting and many of them have ample means and motive. I like that we have a varied list of potential culprits to work through. Some I hoped would be innocent and others I didn’t mind going down. Clues were revealed at a good pace and there were enough red herrings to distract from the true murderer.
In terms of characters, we learn just a touch more about Jolene and understand how truly frustrating it is for her to be out of a ‘real’ job. She worked hard to build a successful career only to have it smashed by a malicious curse and anti-shifter prejudice. I just wish she’d take a bath!!! Please, someone, fix her shower! It’s funny to point and then there’s just okay… time to get serious about the personal hygiene.
Peter and his police dog, Daisy, again provide an interesting contrast to Jolene. However, in this story it comes out that Peter’s life wasn’t all sunshine and roses as Jolene had imagined. Sparks begin to fly between these two but there’s still the huge secret of Jolene’s true nature between them. With a lie detecting dog shadowing Peter’s everyone move, it’s only a matter of time until she’ll have to spill the beans…
The Darkmoon District remains our main setting in this installment and I can’t help but wonder if Jolene and Peter’s adventures will one day take them to another of the fantastical kingdoms that exist in this world.
Although this is book 2 in the Magic Market Mysteries, it works fine as a stand-alone as there isn’t much that travels over from the first book. The key facts about Jolene and Peter and their world are evident in this one too. That said, I’m keen to see where the story goes next especially as Jolene’s involvement the with the police is going to put her square against the Underground’s boss! Can’t wait for the next one!
I give Friday Night Bites 4/5 espresso shots.
Friday Night Bites by Erin Johnson is the second tale in Magic Market Mysteries. Jolene Hartgrave is a shifter and lawyer. She was a rich lawyer until a jealous colleague exposed that she was an owl shifter. Jolene was then cursed losing her ability to shift plus her magic and lost everything else in the process. It has caused her to be despondent and her hygiene is lacking. The one bright spot is she can now speak with all animals (from ants to elephants). Jolene moved from her lovely apartment to a seedy dive in the Darkroom Night Market where she works as a pet psychic. She also works as a consultant for Officer Peter Flint when he has a non-human witness such as the very large spider familiar in his current case. Jolene along with Peter and his canine partner, Daisy follow the web of clues to track down the killer. I thought the mystery was interesting with a variety of witnesses, suspects and clues. While the mystery can be solved before the reveal, it is entertaining. I did not want to miss one moment. I especially love the snark that flies between Daisy and Jolene. Daisy just wants to protect Peter and Jolene does not want Peter to know that she is a shifter as well as without magic. The things Jolene tells Peter that Daisy has said or is wrong with her. I laughed frequently while reading Friday Night Bites. I like the budding romance between Peter and Jolene. They are attracted to each other, but there are complications. Jolene is a shifter and she is afraid of how Peter will react. Shifters are reviled on Bijou Mer and treated terribly. Plus, there is the added complication of Ludolf Caterwahl, head of shifter underground, who will not appreciate Jolene interacting with a cop. Their path to love is going to be a bumpy one. I enjoy Erin Johnson’s writing style. It will remind you of chatting with an old friend. She is descriptive without too much detail (a good balance). Friday Night Bites can be read as a standalone if you have not picked up Pretty Little Fliers. Magic Market Mysteries allows us to see a different side of Bijou Mer than we saw in the Spells & Caramels series. We also get to find out more about shifters. A character from the Spells & Caramels series makes an appearance in Friday Night Bites. Friday Night Bites is an enchanting story with super-duper spider, a sour sweatshop, sham shoulder bags and vile venom.
As this book opens, Jolene heads to her friend Will’s and interrupts him without thinking. In the room with him are some of the head Shifter’s goons. She’s successfully avoided this type of encounter for a long time. However, there are some things that get noticed anyway. Like her helping the police. As if hearing about it isn’t enough, Peter and his partner Daisy show up there looking for her.
There’s been a murder and the main suspect is dying. Li Fan the victim has a giant spider familiar, it’s spider venom that killed her Peter needs Jolene to find out why the spider would essentially kill itself in such a way.
I have to say I don’t think I could have been as calm and collected as Jolene when she entered the room with that spider.
The case gets even more convoluted when the connect this murder to another uptown. It seems the designer who used Li Fan’s facilities died on the catwalk at the end of her show.
Plenty of suspense, and without magic Jolene is pretty much defenseless around all these magic beings. Somehow, she manages though. I really wish she would tell Peter what happened to her.
In the meantime, I am going to start the next book.
This was another good book and the second in the series. I bought the four book set, so there is no way to show I bought each of the books. The continuing story is enjoyable and reads easy. The world building is fun to watch and the main characters become more endearing with each book. The plot is easily followed and the writing keeps the reader engrossed. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the paranormal genre.
“So what if she gets caught and cleaned? At least she’s having some fun.”
Book 2 is just as wonderful as book 1. I read it in every free moment I had. Each character is unique and well developed. The plot is enjoyable. Jolene misses her old life and the consultant work gives her enjoyment and adventure. I do have a problem with Daisy. Every dog is able to identify some key words and Daisy is smarter than your average dog so she should be able to understand some of what Peter and Jolene are saying. I also think that the covers are misleading since Jolene has yet to wear high heals or a black dress. Heidi and Will are fun too. There were some twists. The Darkmoon area that Jolene lives in sounds scary. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries, paranormal, or pet stories. I look forward to reading book 3.
Another great book in the Magic Market Mysteries. This time Peter asks Jolene to interview a giant spider that is a familiar to a witch. A witch that’s dead from spider venom. It looks like an open and shut case at first but the spider reminds Jolene, if her witch dies, so does the spider. These books are great fun and Jolene and Peter are getting a little closer. Too bad she holding back some pretty big secrets. Off to the next book in this series.
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and any opinion expressed herein is my own.
This is the second book in the Magic Market Series [which is set in the same world as the Spells and Caramels series but no overlapping characters – yet]. It is a standalone book with no cliffhanger ending.
This series is fun, light-hearted, and humorous. The main character, Jolene, has no magical powers in a magical world and spends a lot of time trying to disguise her lack of abilities to humorous effect. I love the interactions between Jolene, possible love interest Peter and his dog Daisy – some of the zingers between Daisy and Jolene are just magical.
The narrator, Hannah Sommerville, is the same narrator for the Spells and Caramels series. She is a lot of fun to listen to and her joy in narrating the series is infectious.
Friday Night Bites by Erin Johnson is an enjoyable paranormal cozy mystery, and I loved every minute of reading this book.
Two murders in one night? Are they connected or just a coincidence?
Jolene Hartgrove
Jolene Hartgrove is our main character and point of view narrator. Another thing that I love is that we have a shifter for the main character. However, I wish that she will tell Peter, though, but I get with why she doesn’t. Jolene is cursed and doesn’t have magical powers anymore. I love the way that she uses the only power that she has now for her gain. Pretending to be a pet psychic since Jolene can hear an animal’s thoughts is her only way to make money. She is the psychic that helps with police investigations that involve animals.
What I like about Jolene is that she knows its wrong to help out the police, but she feels more like her old self when she does. She has to give up the lawyer part of herself. Sure, she can still practice, but who would want a known shifter to help them in the court of law? Another thing that I like about her is that she is pretty good at making people believe what she is saying. Well, except for a lie detector dog. The one thing that I dislike about her is that she won’t tell Peter since I think that he wouldn’t care if she is a cursed shifter, and he is going to find out anyway.
The Mystery
The mystery is the fun part of this entire book. A fashion designer dies at her show via a heart attack on the catwalk while a sweatshop owner dies from her spider familiar’s venom. Is it possible these two victims are connected, or is that just wishful thinking? Jolene is on the case thanks to Peter asking her to talk to the giant spider before it dies.
My questions for the next book are: Will anything change between Jolene and Peter? Or will Jolene be in trouble with the shifter’s underground mob boss?
Five Stars for Friday Night Bites by Erin Johnson
Ms. Johnson does it again! I just couldn’t put down this book even if my life depended on it. Jolene is a fantastic character, and I love that we are experiencing a different part of Bijou Mer. The shady part where the island’s shifters and misfits live together.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Friday Night Bites by Erin Johnson.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out BaronessBookTrove.com.
Jolene once again joins Peter and Daisy as a Consultant for the Police Department to try to solve the murders of two of the big designer house owners. Jolene agrees to work with Peter and she gets into some difficult situations and she and Daisy continue to be snarky to each other. Jolene’s doctor friend keeps telling her she is going to get in trouble working with Peter. Jolene works very hard and I love the way she can talk herself in and out of trouble. I am so in love with this series that I am anxious to read the next book to find out what happens after Peter’s question to her. (shhh…I can tell you what he asks, as that would be a spoiler) lol. You’ll have to read the book and find out.
Fun series!
Jolene is back playing sidekick to her hottie police partner Peter. I love the snark that goes back and forth between Jolene and Daisy. Spider venom has killed two fashion moguls, was it the familiar of the first victim? Jolene is brought in to “talk” to the spider to find out. Another good story with fun characters. Can’t wait for the next one!
I received an ARC. This is my honest review.
Another success! This one’s getting gritty already. Jolene can’t do magic because of her curse, but she attracts trouble around every turn in this book. With no magic to help her she uses very human means to solve her problems. Bodies are piling up and the effort it is taking Jolene to conceal her abilities from Peter is making her feel very guilty. With Daisy around, she’s outed for any lie she tells, but Peter is too sweet and gentlemanly to point out the fact that he knows Jolene is lying. As they get closer during the time spent together solving murders, Jolene gets deeper into trouble with fellow shifters. The story closes with the murders solved and Jolene in serious (possible) trouble. I can’t wait to find out what happens!
This is the second book in the series of the Magic Market Mysteries and Jolene is helping the hottie Officer Peter Flint out with another murder mystery……but this time two Fashion Moguls have been murdered just before a Fashion Show and they believe it was by spider venom!
Okay just a little recap on Jolene if you didn’t read the first book in the series …..she’s from Bijour Mer an orphan that grew up in the Darkmoon Market District, that was a Lawyer until a rival found out she was an Owl Shifter, she was cursed, magic stripped away and is able to speak to animals now in their language. Hence her being a Pet Psychic back in the Darkmoon Market District!
Jolene goes under cover for the Police, working in one of the sweat shops owned by one of the murdered Fashion Moguls that just happened to be a Witch and her familiar was a humongous Spider!
Jolene is all thumbs when it comes to sewing on a machine in the sweat shop and has to rip out her work several time and ends up stabbing herself with a seam ripper….so it’s time for break, now to get down to business and find some clues!
You’ll have to pick up this book to find out if Jolene is able to help Bijour Mer Police solve the murder mystery in the world of magical folks!
What a great read! This is the second book in this series which takes place in the same world as the Spells and Caramels series. The characters are great and I can’t wait for the next book.
Jolene is quickly becoming of my favorite people! I love her tenacity. Friday Night Bites gives us more information on her backstory, and gives us a stronger personal connection to her. While she still longs for what she has lost, this book really shows that she is no longer going to drown herself in self pity over it. She can’t have the best of both worlds, but she can enjoy the ride while it lasts.
I love the chemistry between Jolene and Peter. No insta-love just normal progression of sparks that maybe could form into something later in the series. (Must smoother than Seashells, Spells & Caramels, still salty about Imogens love interest. :P)
It is great to read about the slums after reading the last series about the elite, gives a better picture of the island, and reminds me that all communities have their problems, magic or no. I am really glad this series is following shifters because I was so curious about the harassment and hardships they faced just to live normal lives. Great social commentary.
Also, I know Erin is a dog lover and it really shows in her writing of Daisy. I love that she has a full personality, and is a solid character. It’s one of the best features of Erins books. All reoccurring characters feel flushed out enough to be main characters with their own full past and future.
Can Jolene keep working with officer police Peter without revealing her dark secrets? Two woman died the same night, both related to the fashion world. Can their murder has anything’s in common? A heartwarming story.
I enjoyed Friday Night Bites. I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for an honest review. Jolene is at it again. Peter needs her help with a giant spider problem. Of course Jolene and his police dog Daisy are trading insults all through the book. The book makes you smile and laugh out loud all the way to the end, and by the time you know it, you have all the facts to solve the mystery. The narrator is great. I recommend this story.