One Hex Too Many

Melting Pot Cafe #8

by Polly Holmes

Shhh…Can you keep a secret?

For 200 years, Saltwater Cove has hidden its dark past, but when the town’s bicentenary celebrations attract covens from near and far, the truth threatens to unravel with deadly consequences.

After a showdown at the welcoming reception, tensions erupt, and the High Council is on alert. By the time I get to the ribbon-cutting ceremony, it's in full swing. However, discovering Deegan Beaufort's body cuts the celebrations short. He’s been knifed in the back, which gives his death new meaning to the old cliché.

With my beloved town falling apart, I can't help but wonder if black magic was involved. The covens are at each other’s throats. The prime suspect is a town favorite and local singer. Now, I'm stuck in the middle, desperate to prove my friend’s innocence and solve the 200-year-old mystery plaguing Saltwater Cove.

I may be a master witch, but that’s a big ask for anyone. With the help of my two best friends and drop-dead gorgeous boyfriend, we’re steps away from unveiling the real murderer. When evil threatens my family, I must believe in my powers and trust myself before a loved one pays the ultimate price.

If you like witty witches, talking cats, and magical murder mysteries, then step into the fun and flirty romantic paranormal cozy mystery world of the Melting Pot Café series where the spells are flowing, and the adventure is sure to leave you craving more.

271 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2024

About the author

Author also writes under P.L. Harris

Polly Holmes is the cheeky alter ego of Amazon best-selling author, P.L. Harris. When she's not writing her next romantic suspense novel as P.L. Harris, she’s planning the next murder in one of Polly's mysteries.

Polly’s award-winning Cupcake Capers Series is rich in storyline and location with characters that stay with you long after you turn the last page. She publishes her cozy mystery books with Gumnut Press. Pumpkin Pies and Potions is the first in her new paranormal cozy series.

Cupcakes and Corpses was a finalist in the Oklahoma RWA’s 2019 IDA International Digital Awards, short suspense category. Cupcakes and Curses claimed second place and Cupcakes and Cyanide gained third place making it a clean sweep in the category.

Reviews

[Cici JN · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Hex Too Many by Polly Holmes is the latest installment in her popular Melting Pot Café series, bringing back a core of familiar characters, some mostly lovable, others requiring a bit more patience and understanding, but each growing and developing throughout the series. In addition, there are several new characters who range from welcome, quirky newcomers to potential suspects to absolute villains. Like other books in the series, this can be read as a stand-alone, with enough background information to engage the reader easily. One Hex Too Many also has a complex, exciting plot mixed with a small town celebration, magic of both beneficial and dark varieties, murder, relationships of all kinds, and plenty of surprise twists. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written, great story.

[Sylvie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the world Polly has built in this series.  It's cozy but there's a lot of mysteries, plenty of magic with characters that I can't get enough!  This story kept me on my toes, wanting to find out what is happening to Evelyn's family and the town of Saltwater Cove.  Can't wait to get the next book and see what else will happen!

I received a copy of this book from an ARC team and this is my honest review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evelyn is at it again. As the town celebrates its two hundred year founding a long-term feud spills over leading to murder. Can Evelyn solve the mystery and save her aunt - you'll have to read it to find out! A page turner of a mystery with lots of action and highly recommended.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Evelyn & her aunt Edie have a problem to sort out, but it becomes more than one problem when someone gets murdered. Too much going on in this exciting book to really focus on in a review. A really enjoyable read & lots of good things happen & some bad people do get their “comeuppance”.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book with well-rounded characters, lovely romance, and an interesting plot.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Jennifer Wertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Hex Too Many is a fun and entertaining book. It is full of adventure, action and magic. It is fast paced and difficult to put down. The mystery will keep you guessing. I really enjoyed this book.

[Mary Heiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an exceptional story and the characters pulled you in. It really was that good. You will enjoy reading it.

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Hex Too Many, Melting Pot Cafe book 8

Excellent cozy paranormal where magical people a non live together. The 200 year celebration of the town comes with family squabbles and murder. The ending is a doozy.

[Doreen Farrar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous addition to the series

Without exaggerating, I read hundreds of books every year, and this is one of the best books I've read this year. The series is detailed, creative, and full of love, even while dealing with murders, evil witches, and cruelty. I'm definitely looking forward to reading future books in the series. Highly recommended!

[Beth Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! Trying to keep the town feed and safe during the bicentennial is a tough job but someone has to do it. Hopefully her magic will work when and as needed to save everyone.

[J Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 200-year curse!

Saltwater Cove is ready to celebrate its bicentenary but the festivities are marred when the feud between the McAvoy and Beaufort covens rears its ugly head. Accusations are flung and tempers are hot. When Deegan Beaufort is found murdered, the cauldron of hate is ready to boil over. Evelyn is convinced the prime suspect is innocent.

To make things worse, Salis van der Kolt and his right-hand man, Amorant Morren, are rumored to be in town searching for the Sphere. Evelyn and Aunt Edie failed to stop them before but Evelyn’s powers are stronger and she is determined to end their reign of terror.

So much witchy magic! It made the battles exciting. I enjoyed all the romance. I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.

[April Abtey-Pettigrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Aunt, Mysteries, and town feuds

Can Evelyn find out the cause of the feud between the MacAvoys and Beaufort? How and why did Aunt Rosalyn and Amorant’s relationship change so that he is able to hold her against her will so many years later?Who has been selling black magic products in Saltwater Cove? And finally can the town pull off the 200th year Founder’s Day celebration without another mystery or murder to be solved,

[Misha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Evie and the Melting Pot Cafe crew are getting ready for the 200th anniversary of the founding of Saltwater Cove but there is adventure and mystery afoot. There is a feud about which witch family founded it and when there's a murder, lies, a statue with a secret and a past evil to deal with it makes for an excellent read. I love this series!!

[Tanvi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this world and the characters. Evelyn and her gang just fits together and is loyal, loving and respectful to each other while solving the murders.

Along with solving a murder, Evelyn and her gang is trying to find and defeat Silas, so this book has both plotlines kind of running parallelly.

[Juanita E. Arp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun and entertaining book, full of adventure, action and magic. It's got a fast paced storyline and difficult to put down. I can't wait to read more from this author. I received this book as a Free ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.

[Jodi Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Statues, witches, love and drama all in one delightful book. These stories weave together while still standing alone. Evelyn along with her family and friends will work hard to save the day during the towns 200 year celebration. There are laughs all through this story and is a wonderful cozy read.

[Kate Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a bit of catching up due to not having read some of the others. Nevertheless I soon found myself drawn into the story and enjoyed it. I received this as an advance copy and leave this review voluntarily.

[Conny CONE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diving into the ninth book of this captivating series, I'm already dreading the moment it concludes. The narrative has me so deeply invested that the thought of reaching the final page fills me with a mix of anticipation and reluctance.

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining, looking forward to the next book