From USA Today bestselling authors Sally J. Smith & Jean Steffens comes murder, magic, and laughter on the bayou…There’s magic in the air at The Mansion at Mystic Isle where Melanie Hamilton works-magic everywhere. The Federation of Magicians has contracted to hold their annual show at the resort on the bayou, and Melanie’s excited to join in the fun-nothing like a little hocus pocus to … liven things up, right? The winner’s own show and a huge cash prize guarantees stiff competition. And speaking of stiffs, when the contest frontrunner turns up dead, Mel, Jack Stockton, and the staff at the resort rally to chase down the culprit. Is one magician so desperate for fame and fortune they’d kill for it, or is there another reason to work some black magic? Mel conjures up several suspects, but the adept sleight of hand conceals the identity of the murderer. Will an abracadabra and the wave of a magic wand catch the killer, or will it be Mel who disappears?Mystic Isle Mysteries:Mystic Mayhem (book #1)Mystic Mojo (shorts story in the Killer Beach Reads collection)Mystic Mistletoe Murder (book #2)Mystic Mischief (book #3)Mystic Deception (book #4)
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“Mystic Deception” earns 5/5 Magical Stunts…Clever and Totally Entertaining!
The writing duo of Sally J. Smith and Jean Steffens is my all-time favorite, and this series is one I’m always eager to read! Together they have created a marvelous location in the middle of the bayou ripe for mayhem and murder, and a plethora of endearing and quirky characters. In their fourth book, Harry and Jack managed a major coup getting the annual Ultimate Art of Magic competition to come to The Mansion at Mystic Isle. All sorts of magicians perform their best “illusion,” and judges evaluate performances to reach a “Final Four.” However, since the winner receives a headliner deal in Vegas and a six-figure prize, competition is tough and prima-donna antics are hard to avoid. Case in point…Derek King whose snarky criticisms, inflated ego, professional threats, and personal harassment put him at the top of Karma’s to-do list! But, when he ends up dead, a close friend and amateur illusionist is the prime suspect. This well-written story is filled with Southern flair, cheeky characters, humorous foibles, and of course, a clever cozy murder mystery always heralding a nice karmic bite! I love the first-person narrative sharing Melanie’s perspective and inner thoughts along vivid descriptions tantalizing the senses. The dialogue has fun snark, and does well to illustrate personality, and the side stories highlighting the personal interactions and dynamics between Mel and Jack, Mel and Lucy, Mel and Cat…make this a favorite series. Bonus: Show off your culinary magic with an easy-to-follow recipe from Chef Valentine Cantrall’s kitchen: Valentine’s Oysters Bienville including a few dashes of Louisiana hot sauce.
Sally Smith and Jean Steffens always provide an enjoyable read with plenty of mystery, twists, and turns, always with humor and a touch of romance. No spoilers but here’s what you need to know: New Orleans is the setting for the latest must-read where a bunch of magicians gather and compete at a haunted mansion resort to win a trip to Vegas. Likable characters keep you guessing all the way through until you finally discover who the culprit is. Whether you’ve read any other books in this series, or this is your first, you will be completely entertained and left anxiously waiting for the next book in the series. I received an ARC of this book and am providing my honest unsolicited review.
Great magical story. While Mel is excited for the national magicians contest, she never thought the competition would create a dead body. Everyone wants to win the big money but enough to kill someone for it? As she and her hunky detective boyfriend begin to investigate, they find everyone can be the suspect! And when things become dangerous…well you will just have to read the book lol. Another great and fun story from this author with wonderful characters.
Mystic Deception is another great mystery set at The Mansion at Mystic Isle. Mel and friends are on hand to help discover the killer. The entire cast of characters is an absolute delight. There are many suspects and several possible motives. I was very entertained as I rushed to finish the book!
I always enjoy my visits to Mystic Isle, and my journey through Mystic Deception, the fourth book in the Mystic Isle Mysteries series by Sally J. Smith and Jean Steffans was a fantastic experience. The wonderful characters, the fun flavor of the resort, and the intrigue that is sure to make an appearance combine to create a great read. What could possibly be a better place for the practitioners of the illusion of magic to gather than an island resort that caters to those who love that illusion? The Federation of Magicians must agree because they have chosen Mystic Isle as the place to hold their annual competition. The draw that the success of this endeavor would create is as important to the future of the resort as is winning is to the magicians involved. Alas, the recent curse that seems to have dropped over the resort continues as one of the competitors meets and untimely death in a most appropriate manner.
A fascinating range of wonderful characters populate the resort and keep pulling me back into its magic. The mystery plot is complex enough that it took me some time to become suspicious of the person eventually revealed as the murderer.
As a fan of the series, I was thrilled to receive an ARC of the fourth book in the series that I have enjoyed from the beginning.