Welcome to Hex Falls, A Hex of a Place
Okay, so things aren’t going so well for me, Violet Vance, the one who’d just lost her dream job, and yeah, I have been called the worst investigator ever, but who are they to judge? Besides, there are worse things in life, right? Like, being born the only mortal into a family of paranormals, in say… oh, I dunno…the last one-hundred years.
In need of a … need of a fresh start, I pack up my things and move to Hex Falls. The sleepy little tourist town, built into the side of a cliff, over-looking a picturesque waterfall. There, I plan to open shop as an interior decorator. What could go wrong? Did I mention the town has a hot, hunky, new Sheriff, who may or may not have just asked me out on a date. Okay, so the Sheriff may not be the sharpest carpet tack in the pack, but he sure is something to look at—a real Brad Pitt-Colin Farrell hybrid.
Then, I’m convinced things are finally turning around for me, when I land my first client. A rich, sophisticated, aristocrat, who owns a sprawling mansion at the edge of town. Only problem is, he’s a bit strange and smells funny. But it’s money, right? Even if the mansion in question turns out to be—the infamous Murder Manor.
You’re right, I should have run screaming, but I needed the money, so I took the job—and that’s when the slime really hit the cauldron. In the form of a head rolling out onto the carpet of my first-ever decorating job?
Can you say murder?
What’s an ex-crime investigator turned decorator to do—just let a perfectly good murder lie there unsolved?
Which reminds me, did I mention, right before all these strange things started happening, my overbearing paranormal relatives showed up in town? Uninvited, of course. And bought the house next door to me. That’s right, my bossy vampire cousin and two zany witch aunts are now my new neighbors. Surprise!
Now, I know they haven’t come just to meddle in my love life, as per usual…
So why are they here?
What aren’t they telling me, and why have my fingertips started to tingle?
And what’s with the chubby fox who followed me home, claiming to be my familiar.
Someone has some explaining to do.
more
Over the top fun
Nobody tells Violet ANYTHING. At 33 years old she deserves some answers. But that’s easier said than done. Wanting a new start, Violet moves to Hex Falls. But things don’t go as planned…
I really loved the style. Easy-to-read. Lots and lots of humor. Hard to put down. It has that one-more-chapter-ability, that can’t-put-it-down-factor. It was spooky and a little creepy, but only in a lighthearted way. Super exciting! The characters are almost all of them a bit over the top, but it does make it fun. Almost slapstick-kinda-fun at times. Fun moments, especially with Aunts Kit and Kat and cousin Viv. And I laughed out loud at Aunt Connie.
I enjoyed this book, but I do think there’s room for improvement. I think the characters were a bit too caricatural, I think they could use a bit more development and a bit more kindness. Now ALL of the characters are eccentric and out-there. Too crazy, too much. Except maybe for Sotherby. A bit more balance and I think this could be a real winner of a series. So, don’t expect subtlety, but expect over the top silly fun. This is not a cozy where kindness and softness play a big role, but silliness and over the top fun. If you’re in the mood for that, then why not pick this book up?
Oh my gosh! That was a HOOT! I couldn’t stop laughing! Violet is an absolute riot! Reggie is quite the humorous familiar and her aunts and cousin can be a bit much. I greatly enjoyed the world and the characters are perfect. This was such a great start to what promises to be a delightfully droll mystery series. I am loving it already and am looking forward to reading the next book!
Good start to the series
Story started off slow but was really good by the end. I look forward to seeing what happens in the next book.
Very much enjoyed this book. Enjoyable story line and characters. Couldn’t wait to read the next one.
Violet’s story begins in Hopeless Pocus. Imagine being the only non paranormal in a family of witches and a vampire. Maybe a new beginning in a new town will be the answer to Violet’s problems. Then again, maybe not! Ruby Rivers introduces readers to a wonderful cast of characters. Can’t wait to see how the story continues in book #2.
Poor Violet. Her family has always sheltered her and interfered in her life. Now she has moved to start over only discover they are her neighbors. Everyone is hinting that there is more to her than they want to say and she needs to find out fast. When she gets her first job as a decorator, she also finds out that she can see and talk to ghosts. Even the ghost hints that there is more than she knows. Why does everyone else know and Violet doesn’t? As she is discovering she has powers, she is also trying to find out why the ghost was murdered. There is also someone who is hunting her. Can she solve a decades old murder, protect herself and have a life?
This fun and campy 100 year old murder mystery is a fun story!! The likeable and unlikable! characters are over the top and the murder has some twists and turns! Highly recommended!!
A wonderful beginning to a new series.
I loved the character of Violet. Couldn’t put it down.
Can’t wait to read more in this awesome series…
Loved reading…
who cannot understand moving away from family, only to find out how much you need them? loved this book. a page turning book that I could not put down
Absolutely loved this book. It has mystery beyond mystery! And so many twists and turns, you are so very surprised when you find out who did it. There is a little romance, a lot of mystery, and laughs as well!
“Why is everything I’ve ever been told about anything, turning out to be a myth?”
Violet Imogene Vance feels cursed. All she ever wanted to be is an investigator, but she got fired and ran to a tiny town far from her family in hopes to truly start her life without their influences- read meddling- only to find they followed her! And, they’re rude enough to invade her life in paranormal ways. What’s a mortal to do when you are the only one in well over 100 years of family?
Hex Falls.Intrigued by both the handsome sheriff and her first major restoration job, Violet encounters other strange “things” as she enters the very run down house to meet her client. It’s a lot more to deal with than the actual job, running back almost as long as her family tree. Can she restore peace?
This was a very addictive, well written mystery. I found myself sucked in very quickly and wanting more at the end. Ruby Rivers is a great writer and I am happily looking for other books in this series. 5/5
When Violet decides to start over on her own in a small little town, she expected to be on her own. But new neighbors show up who are all to familiar to her and love to meddle in her affairs. Her aunts decide to follow Violet for reasons they won’t quite tell her, until weird things start happening and suddenly it’s all hands on board to protect her from secrets she has only begun to unravel.
I love Hopeless Pocus. This book is intriguing, entertaining and mysterious. I love the characters! They are humorous and quirky. I like the writing style. The mystery is intriguing and has so many twists. My attention was captured right from the beginning to the end. I could not put the book down. This is a fun read.
This is a new author for me. I love the title of this book, Hopeless Pocus. It conjured up visions of fun. I was not disappointed. I enjoyed the main characters, Violet, her cousin Viv and their aunts. Violet is just finding out she is a witch in this book and is getting her decorating business going while settling into a new home. Viv and the aunts are setting up a paranormal B&B that I definitely want to stay in. The sheriff was a toss up for me. He has funny but I’m not certain about the hunky but dumb part. I was thinking it’s an act to find out more about the paranormals as he is suspicious. I don’t buy dumb in a sheriff though I do buy into the Andy Griffith personality. I’m really curious to see how he develops as well as Violet’s nosy neighbor. There was an uncle introduced towards the end who also peaks my curiosity. The mystery was a bit different from the usual but that’s all I’m saying about that. Over all this was a fun start to a new series with a lot of potential to be seriously entertaining. I’m looking forward to more.
There were some spelling issues. The author is aware and is in the process of fixing them.