It’s that haunted time of year, when skeletons come out to play. But Edindale, Illinois, attorney Keli Milanni discovers it isn’t just restless spirits who walk the night . . . After her recent promotion to junior partner, Keli is putting in overtime to juggle her professional career and private Wiccan spiritual practice. With Halloween fast approaching, her duties include appearing as a witch … appearing as a witch at a “haunted” barn and hand-holding a client who’s convinced her new house is really haunted. But it’s the disappearance of Josephine O’Malley that has Keli spooked.
The missing person is Keli’s aunt, an environmental activist and free spirit who always seemed to embody peace, love, and independence. When Josephine is found dead in the woods, Keli wonders if her aunt’s activities were as friendly as they seemed. As Keli comes to terms with her loss—while adjusting to having a live-in boyfriend and new demands at work—she must wield her one-of-a-kind magic to banish negative energy if she’s going to catch a killer this Samhain season. Because Keli isn’t ready to give up the ghost . . .
Praise for Yuletide Homicide
“A perfect read.” —Library Journal
“Hesse easily balances murder and romance in this holiday tale that’s so cozy.”
—Kirkus Reviews
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I learned so much while reading this book and it wasn’t dry lecture either. Keli has to wrestle with the loss of an aunt she’s long tried to get to know while balancing solving the mystery, a rather demanding client, funeral arrangements, the faith she has now verses the faith she was raised in when her family comes to visit, and a whole lot more. The end held a plot twist that tied it all together in a way that I never saw coming. This was an excellent book and I highly recommend it.
Thank you to Jennifer David Hesse, NetGalley, and Kensington Books for allowing me the chance to read this book and share my thoughts and opinions with others.
I knew nothing about the Wiccan spiritual practice before reading this book, so I didn’t quite know if that lack of knowledge would factor into how I enjoyed this book. Hesse does a great job introducing the reader to Wiccan culture while also writing a fast paced and entertaining mystery. It was a lot of fun to read and I enjoyed it a lot!
Complete review here: https://cozyexperience.com/samhain-secrets-book-review/
This is one of my favorite authors and series. I love the twisty storylines and the insights into the Wiccan world.
It’s almost Halloween in Edindale, Illinois and attorney, Keli Milanni, is putting in a lot of overtime at her job where she recently made junior partner. However, all that time is cutting into her personal life, both at home and in her spiritual practice so she’s not very happy. In her belief, the holiday of Samhain is upcoming and she’s feeling cut off from the divine. She has a new client who is insisting that her new house is haunted so Keli is helping her. In addition, a woman’s body was found in the woods having been murdered and she’s identified as Keli’s aunt, Jodie.
I love this series and this book is no exception. Keli has two mysteries to solve and will have to accept some things that she hadn’t before. The book’s well-written with wonderful characters, some you like and others you don’t. I was drawn in from the beginning and kept enthralled until the end. I highly recommend both book and series which I suggest you read in order.
I enjoyed this book. It was a little slow in the middle, but it kept me guessing on who the killer was. I liked that.
Just a fun read.
I enjoyed the story and will definitely look for more of her books
I didn’t realize that the magic in this series is about a cult. I’m not into that and wouldn’t have gotten the book. That aside the book was well written if you don’t mine the main focus being the cult instead of the mystery. I will not be reading another from this series nor author. If you are into cults and witchcraft you may like this book.
“Samhain Secrets” earns 5/5 Spellbinding Delights…Engaging, Clever!
Jennifer David Hesse’s newest book in her Wicca Wheel Mystery is set during one of my favorite times of the year, and to my delight she chooses to incorporate this celebration in a very realistic manner…no juvenile hocus-pocus. Samhain (sou-en), Irish Gaelic for “summer’s end,” is the “cross-quarter holiday of the Wheel of the Year,” and beginning at sunset on October 31, the Wicca community celebrates the end of the harvest, honors the dead, and communes with the spirits. And Jennifer David Hesse does very well sharing the Wicca way through her delightful character Keli Milani. Along with the town’s candy-laden, costume-donning, haunted-house touring Halloween celebration, we get Kelli’s private and personal Wicca beliefs and practices which include some realistic spell casting like banishing negative energy. But, it’s a cozy mystery, too, and Kelli’s aunt has been found…murdered. She assumes her aunt’s activism may have precipitated the crime, but of course, there is the eternal battle between good and evil. Jennifer’s writing style is engaging with great descriptions, a first-person narrative from Kelli’s perspective, and some well defined, even quirky, characters. The banter is entertaining, and as the clues were gathered, my inner Sherlock was entertained. I highly recommend the series, and newbies can start here! No “trick,” just a real “treat”!
One of my favorite genres, probably 2nd after urban fantasy, is paranormal cozies. This one fit the bill quite well. I’ve read a couple of the previous books in the series, but that is not a problem as the author does quite well keeping the reader informed of anything that is important to know if the other books in the series haven’t been read. One of the aspects I love about this book is where it takes place: Southern Illinois. I live quite close there, and it’s a pleasure to feel that the setting is close to me, almost like Edindale is just one town over. And, of course, the writing was great, the characters fun, and an interesting plot. If you like a paranormal cozy, do give this book and series a try! Highly recommend! I was provided the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.
It’s that time of year again when ghosts come out to play. But attorney Keli Milanni discovers it isn’t just restless spirits who walk the night, so does murder.
After her recent promotion to junior partner, Keli is putting in overtime to juggle her professional career and private Wiccan spiritual practice, and her boyfriend. With Halloween fast approaching, her duties include appearing as a witch at a “haunted” barn and hand-holding a client who’s convinced her new house is haunted. But it’s the disappearance of Josephine O’Malley, her aunt that has Keli spooked.
Keli’s aunt is an environmental activist and free spirit who always seemed to embody peace, love, and independence. When Josephine is found dead in the woods, Keli wonders if her aunt’s activities were as innocent as they seemed. As Keli comes to terms with her loss, her live-in boyfriend and demands at work, she must wield her magic to banish negative energy. If she’s going to catch a killer this Samhain season, it’s going to take a bit of magic.
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Series: A Wiccan Wheel Mystery – Book 4
Author: Jennifer David Hesse
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Witch/Paranormal
Publisher: Kensington Books
Jennifer David Hesse is a gifted storyteller; her Wiccan Wheel Mystery series is thought-provoking and timely. In a world where everything is out of balance, it is refreshing to find a book series that reminds us that we need balance in all things. This series is quickly becoming a fan favorite and should continue to enthrall readers for many years to come.
Samhain Secrets is a well written, fast-paced and highly enjoyable book. This is the 4th book in this series and is a great fit. At long last readers get to meet Keli’s enigmatic aunt. Unfortunately, that aunt has been murdered. Keli sets her sights on finding out why her aunt was so mysterious, and why someone wanted her dead.
Keli is a likable character who continues to evolve, both personally and in her beliefs. She isn’t as averse to being around other Witches, or Wiccans and finds that she enjoys the company of others who have her same beliefs and religion more and more. She is a character who knows that things aren’t always what they seem, even murder. She has her hands full with work, boyfriend, and community, adding murder to the mix has become almost mandatory in her world. She handles everything well and shows that she is stronger than she ever thought she could be.
All the characters in this new edition to the series are memorable. They each have a role to play in Keli’s life. They help comfort and on occasion remind Keli of who she is. They are not just friends but have become part of her family. They, like Keli, are evolving and becoming more well-rounded individuals. Most are lovable, and it is easy to connect to one or more of them.
The setting is wonderful with just enough forest and city combined to make anyone want to visit or move there. It has a quality that allows the reader to think of it fondly, like a treasured place from childhood.
All in all Samhain Secrets is a fun, enjoyable and highly entertaining book that adds flavor and intrigue to the series. Readers will love Keli and the other characters that charm and delight throughout the book. I highly recommend this book and the series to anyone who enjoys a good who-done-it, magic and the wonder of the world around us.
Samhain Secrets by Jennifer David Hesse was a great addition to this series, IMHO. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Kelli is swamped with work as a new partner at her law firm. She hardly has time to spend with Wes or her friends and the stress is beginning to get to her. Then the police contact her to notify her that her Aunt Josephine has been killed in the woods near Edindale. She is heartbroken but determined to find out who and why her aunt was killed. The plot captured me from the first page and sped along at such a quick pace that I didn’t want to put it down. With the help of her friends, a little Wiccan magic and Kelli’s own stubborness, she begins to unravel the life of her mysterious aunt. I always learn something new about the Wiccan culture in Ms. Hesse’s books which I appreciate. So many suspects, twists and turns, friendships, family, a “haunted” house and a little touch of magic made this a book that captivated me from the beginning.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own. I would like to sincerely thank Kensington for allowing me to read and review this book.