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Monsters of Jellyfish Beach #2
Fiends With Benefits
A high-stakes vampire murder mystery.
I’m just your typical witch who owns an occult shop and catalogs monsters for a mysterious society. But now, I must play witchy private detective for a young woman trying to free herself from a vampire who mesmerized her after they met on a dating app.
Before I get the chance to work my magic, he is staked. My client is accused of the crime by the vampires’ barbaric criminal justice system. And she’s depending on me to prove her innocence and save her life.
The murdered vampire had dated many young humans whom he later turned into vampires and dumped. All of them had motives to stake him. He was also a wealth manager for vampires—who need gigantic nest eggs to last them for eternity—and he defrauded several clients. Any of them could have staked him.
Meanwhile, storm clouds are brewing in Jellyfish Beach as my estranged mother returns to practicing black magic. And a sinister monster-slaying cult continues to stalk me.
On a happier note, the vampire creative writing group I supervise got a new a famous poet who was supposed to be buried 130 years ago. Too bad his genius hasn’t rubbed off on the other members.
Dive into a wacky world of murder, magic, and mayhem with the “Monsters of Jellyfish Beach.”
I’m just your typical witch who owns an occult shop and catalogs monsters for a mysterious society. But now, I must play witchy private detective for a young woman trying to free herself from a vampire who mesmerized her after they met on a dating app.
Before I get the chance to work my magic, he is staked. My client is accused of the crime by the vampires’ barbaric criminal justice system. And she’s depending on me to prove her innocence and save her life.
The murdered vampire had dated many young humans whom he later turned into vampires and dumped. All of them had motives to stake him. He was also a wealth manager for vampires—who need gigantic nest eggs to last them for eternity—and he defrauded several clients. Any of them could have staked him.
Meanwhile, storm clouds are brewing in Jellyfish Beach as my estranged mother returns to practicing black magic. And a sinister monster-slaying cult continues to stalk me.
On a happier note, the vampire creative writing group I supervise got a new a famous poet who was supposed to be buried 130 years ago. Too bad his genius hasn’t rubbed off on the other members.
Dive into a wacky world of murder, magic, and mayhem with the “Monsters of Jellyfish Beach.”
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 31, 2023
About the author
Ward Parker
41 books63 followersWard is a Florida native and author of the the Memory Guild midlife paranormal mystery thrillers, the Monsters of Jellyfish Beach paranormal mysteries, and the Freaky Florida humorous paranormal series, all of which are chock full of psychics, witches, vampires, werewolves, dragons, and other bizarre, mythical creatures, such as #FloridaMan. He also pens the Zeke Adams series of noir mysteries. He lives in Florida (of course) with his wife, cats, and a demon who prefers to remain anonymous.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 31, 2023
(I received this copy for the ARC group, so I got to read it early. Eat your hearts out.)
If you read the blurb, you already know the gist of the story. Missy still works days at the botanica, but has calls to answer from those who only work at night. In this case (of vampire justice) she is given a very short timeframe to prove her client's innocence.
There are several twists and turns as Missy tries to figure out who really committed the murder and why. (I guessed wrong at one point.) There are also several laugh aloud points that show the humor of the author.
If you read the blurb, you already know the gist of the story. Missy still works days at the botanica, but has calls to answer from those who only work at night. In this case (of vampire justice) she is given a very short timeframe to prove her client's innocence.
There are several twists and turns as Missy tries to figure out who really committed the murder and why. (I guessed wrong at one point.) There are also several laugh aloud points that show the humor of the author.
August 7, 2023
This book and series is one of my favorites. Missy is my hero. She can take down the meanest, cantankerous creatures. If you like a fun story with lots of snark and mystery, you will love this book. Missy is again handed an impossible task that puts her in danger. Matt of course is always helping Missy and gets himself in some very sticky situations. With a heart of gold and a need to help others, Missy again finds herself in trouble. But have no fear, she can save herself and her friends in almost every situation. Highly recommend this book and this series.
August 4, 2023
Another great story by Mr. Parker! I love being back with Mindy and the residents of Squid Tower. One of the residents has been found dead (staked). Does Mindy figure out who the killer is? You have to read Mr. Parker's books. They are fun, funny, easy to read and contain great characters. You won't regret reading any of his series, including this one.
I volunteered a honest review as I received an ARC copy of this book.
I volunteered a honest review as I received an ARC copy of this book.
August 11, 2023
Not exactly humor but definitely off beat vampires
Missy is now a shop owner doing detective work on the side. A funds manager vampire who is quite the Romeo has been staked! His latest love 'em and turn 'em conquest is blamed. Missy isn't so sure. Once she finds hidden cameras with racy videos things go crazy. Matt her admirer finds himself neck deep in swamp with alligators on the horizon. Is there corruption in the Council?
Missy is now a shop owner doing detective work on the side. A funds manager vampire who is quite the Romeo has been staked! His latest love 'em and turn 'em conquest is blamed. Missy isn't so sure. Once she finds hidden cameras with racy videos things go crazy. Matt her admirer finds himself neck deep in swamp with alligators on the horizon. Is there corruption in the Council?
August 20, 2023
Excellent and exciting story
The storyline was very interesting and the characters were great
I enjoyed the vampire and Missy’s interaction with the cult followers
The evolvement of the characters and main stars in this series is a great contrast to the original storyline
These series are very interesting and entertaining
The storyline was very interesting and the characters were great
I enjoyed the vampire and Missy’s interaction with the cult followers
The evolvement of the characters and main stars in this series is a great contrast to the original storyline
These series are very interesting and entertaining
August 3, 2023
Missy has started a new life path. Working at the Botanic and now helping distraught woman. Murder and mayhem abound. Missy is trying to find a murderer, find a new species as well as trying to keep a demonic cult from killing other supernatural's and herself. Twists and turns with lots of magic.
August 5, 2023
another good quick read by this writer.
This writer captures the weird and wonderful side of life including supernatural people/ creatures.
Everyone has issues and some of these issues are hysterical.
Check it out!
This writer captures the weird and wonderful side of life including supernatural people/ creatures.
Everyone has issues and some of these issues are hysterical.
Check it out!
August 20, 2023
fun read-interesting concepts
Yes, a mystery and adventure with supernaturals and humans, good and evil. Suspend your doubts about monsters existing, and meet some with good intentions and some with malevolent ones!
Yes, a mystery and adventure with supernaturals and humans, good and evil. Suspend your doubts about monsters existing, and meet some with good intentions and some with malevolent ones!
August 4, 2023
Who Really Staked the Vampire?
This was another great story about Missy Mindle who is human, but works with different types of non-human folks. This is about a vampire who ends up staked and dust! Now, who is really, really mad enough to kill a vampire? A dis'd previous lover, perhaps...?
This was really great! It would be good as a stand alone, but is so much better when read with the previous, to read of the stories Missy encountered as a home health nurse for the towering home of vampires. This is also good for most ages, as long as they love good clean bites... I mean story lines.
Thank you, Ward Parker for yet another great story!
I received a complimentary copy of this story, and this is my honest review.
This was another great story about Missy Mindle who is human, but works with different types of non-human folks. This is about a vampire who ends up staked and dust! Now, who is really, really mad enough to kill a vampire? A dis'd previous lover, perhaps...?
This was really great! It would be good as a stand alone, but is so much better when read with the previous, to read of the stories Missy encountered as a home health nurse for the towering home of vampires. This is also good for most ages, as long as they love good clean bites... I mean story lines.
Thank you, Ward Parker for yet another great story!
I received a complimentary copy of this story, and this is my honest review.
February 23, 2024
Another fun read from Jellyfish Beach. Until this series I never dreamed vampires led such interesting and varied lives. It was also disconcerting to read Walt “Wade” Whitman is an alleged “psychic” vampire and was tuned by his pal Henry as in Wadsworth Longfellow. Again it’s important to remember this is a work of fiction meant to enjoy not obsess over. Actually my favorite part was when Miss Marple lookalike Angela helped Missy save Matt from Lord Arseton’s goons. And when Missy herself pushed Lord Arseton in the dryer! Wow! I would’ve done more but that’s just me. I really want Lord Arseton to get what’s coming to him but I guess that’s for another book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 25, 2024
This series is so much fun to read! I love the shenanigans that the residents of Squid tower get up to! I also love the silly situations that Missy puts the quite ridiculous Lord Arseton into. He is a silly little man with delusions of grandeur. This book is full of exciting and dangerous situations and I loved reading it!
October 2, 2024
Entertaining paranormal women's fiction and now the main character that is a witch/nurse in Florida working at a retirement home for vampires mostly but some werewolves is helping a friend breakup with her boyfriend/vampire and things go sideways with a murder, a kidnapped zombie and a lot of other paranormal shenanigans. I like the mystery and fun in this series.
August 12, 2024
I do love this series! It just pleases me no end! A really well written story, in a brilliantly imagined & developed world! Such a great fun world! I do love everything about it! Fun, excitement, amusement, mystery & magic! What more could you want from a book! I do strongly recommend!
August 1, 2023
Great read. Very clever twists and turns but still easy to keep up with the storyline, lots of intriguing ends hanging, so looking forward to next in this series.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews