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Compass Cove Cozy Mystery #9
The Proof is in the Pudding
Take a trip to Compass Cove, an enchanted town full of magic and mayhem…
Zora Wick is ready to embrace winter, but she’s about to discover that the frost bites hard in Compass Cove. Her dreams of a winter wonderland melt away when a local woman is murdered at a public event. Her cousin, Sabrina, thought she had just moved into an idyllic suburb, but something is very wrong in Starling Gardens.
Things take an even darker turner when her sister and friend are kidnapped by a demonic entity. Solving a murder was enough in itself, but now Zora must play the demon’s twisted games if she ever wants to see her loved ones again.
There’s also the small matter of having her bakery temporarily shut down. It turns out that her Aunt Constance’s dealings weren’t completely above board when she used to be alive, and those past shortcuts are coming back to bite Zora in the butt.
It seems this season is destined to be a recipe for disaster. Add one twist, two turns, three parts mystery and it’s enough to keep you guessing until the end. Can Zora navigate the dangerous waters before her? Nothing is as it seems in Compass Cove.
Zora Wick is ready to embrace winter, but she’s about to discover that the frost bites hard in Compass Cove. Her dreams of a winter wonderland melt away when a local woman is murdered at a public event. Her cousin, Sabrina, thought she had just moved into an idyllic suburb, but something is very wrong in Starling Gardens.
Things take an even darker turner when her sister and friend are kidnapped by a demonic entity. Solving a murder was enough in itself, but now Zora must play the demon’s twisted games if she ever wants to see her loved ones again.
There’s also the small matter of having her bakery temporarily shut down. It turns out that her Aunt Constance’s dealings weren’t completely above board when she used to be alive, and those past shortcuts are coming back to bite Zora in the butt.
It seems this season is destined to be a recipe for disaster. Add one twist, two turns, three parts mystery and it’s enough to keep you guessing until the end. Can Zora navigate the dangerous waters before her? Nothing is as it seems in Compass Cove.
- GenresMysteryParanormal
305 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 21, 2023
48 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
About the author
Mara Webb
131 books119 followersMara Webb graduated from a child with a vivid imagination and a love of all things magic, to a professional writer. Mara writes cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist, and delights in concocting new and unusual ways to murder characters in her books.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 21, 2023
Complications Abound . . .
In theory, Zora Wick’s life has maybe improved? She had a horrible last year without friends or family. Now she has a boyfriend, an adopted teen daughter, employees, 2 talking cats (Hermes and Kinkade), an owl that slept most of the time, an all-knowing magical skull that didn’t seem to know much, and her ghostly Aunt Constance. When a new health inspector made a surprise visit and discovered the health certificate was a forgery, the bakery was shut down, she was given a $10,000 fine to pay for illegally displaying a counterfeit certificate, and she has to apply for a new one at town hall. This was not a good way to start the day!
Kitty Bates, president of the Starling Gardens HOA, was giving a speech at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony announcing her retirement. With no reaction from the crowd, she threw the switch to light the tree. It was brilliant… for a few seconds… then it went dark as Kitty was electrocuted by the switch. The electrician, Tom, who had set up the event stayed to answer questions but had no idea what went wrong. The switch should not have had a current running through it. He and Officer Blake went to get a voltage tester to inspect the switch cabinet and they found an exposed wire spliced from the main power cord and running through a hole made in the cabinet. It was a deliberate tampering meant to kill the switch-thrower, Kitty Bates. Everyone turned to look at Zora with a “what do we do now” look. And the ghost of Kitty Bates dashed across the stage, transparent and blue, to demand action and the arrest of her murderer! Is Zora ready to take on this case? Can she also deal with the 3-day battle for the reinstatement of her bakery’s license? And troubles are still not over for her when her sister Zelda and friend Daphne are kidnapped by a demon and must be rescued. Compass Cove is not the idyllic place it had once seemed to be.
In theory, Zora Wick’s life has maybe improved? She had a horrible last year without friends or family. Now she has a boyfriend, an adopted teen daughter, employees, 2 talking cats (Hermes and Kinkade), an owl that slept most of the time, an all-knowing magical skull that didn’t seem to know much, and her ghostly Aunt Constance. When a new health inspector made a surprise visit and discovered the health certificate was a forgery, the bakery was shut down, she was given a $10,000 fine to pay for illegally displaying a counterfeit certificate, and she has to apply for a new one at town hall. This was not a good way to start the day!
Kitty Bates, president of the Starling Gardens HOA, was giving a speech at the Christmas tree lighting ceremony announcing her retirement. With no reaction from the crowd, she threw the switch to light the tree. It was brilliant… for a few seconds… then it went dark as Kitty was electrocuted by the switch. The electrician, Tom, who had set up the event stayed to answer questions but had no idea what went wrong. The switch should not have had a current running through it. He and Officer Blake went to get a voltage tester to inspect the switch cabinet and they found an exposed wire spliced from the main power cord and running through a hole made in the cabinet. It was a deliberate tampering meant to kill the switch-thrower, Kitty Bates. Everyone turned to look at Zora with a “what do we do now” look. And the ghost of Kitty Bates dashed across the stage, transparent and blue, to demand action and the arrest of her murderer! Is Zora ready to take on this case? Can she also deal with the 3-day battle for the reinstatement of her bakery’s license? And troubles are still not over for her when her sister Zelda and friend Daphne are kidnapped by a demon and must be rescued. Compass Cove is not the idyllic place it had once seemed to be.
February 19, 2023
Zora faces a lot of rule changes, and a lingering fear that she might turn dark
encountering various dark witches and demons probably is not the best way to reinforce confidence, at least not for Zora. perhaps she should see herself making right choices and find heart, but - Zora
changes with Blake and his family situation have trickle down effects - and a series of demonic challenges for the two of them to tace together
maybe triplets might seem easier if they survive demonic threats and challenges first?
challenges and choices have consequences- and some choices might not be the best ones
more threats ahead!
looking forward to the adventures
encountering various dark witches and demons probably is not the best way to reinforce confidence, at least not for Zora. perhaps she should see herself making right choices and find heart, but - Zora
changes with Blake and his family situation have trickle down effects - and a series of demonic challenges for the two of them to tace together
maybe triplets might seem easier if they survive demonic threats and challenges first?
challenges and choices have consequences- and some choices might not be the best ones
more threats ahead!
looking forward to the adventures
February 19, 2023
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It does keep you guessing as kidnappings by a demonic entity and murders cause Zora to search for answers with Blake. The other snafu is the expired license for her bakery that her Aunt Constance faked. I liked how they solve the murders and save the last victim in time. It is ironic how the contract with the demonic entity is solved along with the solution to get rid of him completely. However a good deed may be backfiring in the future.
February 21, 2023
I was entertained by this story. The characters were really fun to read about. I loved the banter between the familiars. I think that the author wrote her cats very well. I liked the magical world of Compass Cove.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 9, 2023
great story line!
I really enjoyed the story line in this book. Would still like more Hermes and the new Kitty Kincaid. I know self publishing is hard but please have someone proof read. Lots of typos and it does detract from the book. Your work is great and thats just not up to par with the story
I really enjoyed the story line in this book. Would still like more Hermes and the new Kitty Kincaid. I know self publishing is hard but please have someone proof read. Lots of typos and it does detract from the book. Your work is great and thats just not up to par with the story
March 1, 2023
A chaotic mystery!
Zora is up for it. There is so much going on this could have been two books. Zora's life is so crazy. I do not know how she handles it. Interesting subplots with a dash of humor.
Zora is up for it. There is so much going on this could have been two books. Zora's life is so crazy. I do not know how she handles it. Interesting subplots with a dash of humor.
March 3, 2023
review breathe!!
I loved all the layers of this book. I’m a baker so that part is always cool but the indigenous parts were amazing. I was so sorry when everything reached a crescendo !! I’m waiting for the new book with baited
I loved all the layers of this book. I’m a baker so that part is always cool but the indigenous parts were amazing. I was so sorry when everything reached a crescendo !! I’m waiting for the new book with baited
March 5, 2023
Worth reading
This book series is amazing but what is with her sister, she so dead set on getting a man when she seems to need to work on herself. Heck am shock most of the problems didn't start with her need for a man. Apart from that its a good book.
This book series is amazing but what is with her sister, she so dead set on getting a man when she seems to need to work on herself. Heck am shock most of the problems didn't start with her need for a man. Apart from that its a good book.
March 8, 2023
I loved reading this wonderful book by author Mara Webb.
Zora is such a awesome character. Highly recommend reading it...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Zora is such a awesome character. Highly recommend reading it...
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 7, 2023
Book 9
Another great story The characters all stood out!
A riding make you not want to put the book down till the end. Another great series
Another great story The characters all stood out!
A riding make you not want to put the book down till the end. Another great series
March 13, 2023
This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
March 30, 2023
okay
The murder mystery was good, but the demon part was very annoying. Not my favorite book in the series. Hopefully the next one will be better.
The murder mystery was good, but the demon part was very annoying. Not my favorite book in the series. Hopefully the next one will be better.
April 23, 2023
Again low marks for spelling - wrong tense used and incorrect sentence structure. Great story - bad proofreading.
January 18, 2024
Fits in well with the series. Ending with a twist! Can’t wait to read the next book.
February 9, 2024
This time we get ancestral ghosts wanting revenge, and Demons posing as love interest - plus some unusual Murders. Just another normal week in Compass Cove - Good Reading!
February 21, 2025
Fancy bill saves the day.
One of the best mysteries of this series. It will keep you guessing until the end.
I enjoyed the book, I hope you do too!
One of the best mysteries of this series. It will keep you guessing until the end.
I enjoyed the book, I hope you do too!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews