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The Quentin Strange Mysteries #2
Capturing Magick
A missing woman. Dark magic. Shocking secrets.
It’s been over a year since Quentin Strange and his journalist partner Kat Brannigan solved a decades-old mystery at the haunted Hilderley Manor. Quentin, now a photographer and part-time editorial assistant for the Cricklewood Gazette, has struggled to come to terms with his new-found abilities.
It’s been over a year since Quentin Strange and his journalist partner Kat Brannigan solved a decades-old mystery at the haunted Hilderley Manor. Quentin, now a photographer and part-time editorial assistant for the Cricklewood Gazette, has struggled to come to terms with his new-found abilities.
When the fiancée of a local Wiccan High Priest goes missing on the Winter Solstice, Quentin and Kat are tasked with covering the story. But the enigmatic Jareth Cullen, a pariah of the town and the prime suspect in his fiancée’s disappearance, isn’t what he first seems.
When events surrounding the woman’s disappearance begin to take a darker turn, Quentin is forced to face his fears. Everyone in Cricklewood is keeping a secret. And when witchcraft gets dark, danger lurks around every corner.
A mystery about the masks we wear. The lies we tell. The secrets we keep. And the dangers that lurk around every corner. The second book in the Quentin Strange Mysteries, Capturing Magick takes the characters of the quirky British haunted house mystery into edgier and more thrilling territory in this supernatural mystery thriller full of twists.
367 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 14, 2023
37 people are currently reading
230 people want to read
About the author
Dean Cole
5 books171 followersJust a weird little wordsmith from the United Kingdom. I write funny stuff that's sometimes dark, which is sort of how I look at life.
Capturing Magick (The Quentin Strange Mysteries #2) out now!
Capturing Magick (The Quentin Strange Mysteries #2) out now!
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 25, 2023
This was excellent and I won't even come close to having the words to convey that feeling. And believe me, this book was all feeling. The writing, they mystery or mysteries, depending on how you look at it, the setting, the characters, one being the weather, jeez, all just captivated me.
Picking up months after Chasing Ghosts, Quentin Strange is sure in a totally different place then I thought he would be and this new mystery he is faced with is deeply disturbing and sad.
This was such a great story and I feel we got so much more of Quentin here and the growth of his character was well done. He really was put through the wringer throughout this entire story and I feel he came out stronger because of it. There are so many new questions and a completely new mystery concerning his own life and I can't wait, can't wait, really can't wait for the next book! I don't know how he'll completely or if he'll ever deal with the grief from this story but I am looking forward to seeing it happen.
I'm not going to talk about the romance. It's there, but it is not the focus and it doesn't need to be. Who knows what the next book will bring! Honestly! It's enough though and I do want Quentin to be loved.
My only complaint is one of my own making. I do wish I had done a re-read of Chasing Ghosts as a refresher before jumping into this one. I definitely forgot some things that did eventually come back to me, but it would have been better had it all been fresh. I'll definitely re-read these both before the third book comes out.
Really, really good stuff.
Picking up months after Chasing Ghosts, Quentin Strange is sure in a totally different place then I thought he would be and this new mystery he is faced with is deeply disturbing and sad.
This was such a great story and I feel we got so much more of Quentin here and the growth of his character was well done. He really was put through the wringer throughout this entire story and I feel he came out stronger because of it. There are so many new questions and a completely new mystery concerning his own life and I can't wait, can't wait, really can't wait for the next book! I don't know how he'll completely or if he'll ever deal with the grief from this story but I am looking forward to seeing it happen.
I'm not going to talk about the romance. It's there, but it is not the focus and it doesn't need to be. Who knows what the next book will bring! Honestly! It's enough though and I do want Quentin to be loved.
My only complaint is one of my own making. I do wish I had done a re-read of Chasing Ghosts as a refresher before jumping into this one. I definitely forgot some things that did eventually come back to me, but it would have been better had it all been fresh. I'll definitely re-read these both before the third book comes out.
Really, really good stuff.
October 16, 2023
Like a vise, this gripped me from start to finish.
I'll admit, 3 years after the first book, I had trouble remembering the plot of the first book, as well as the characters, but the moment I flipped the first chapter or so, it started coming back hard and fast.
This felt darker, more gothic, and carried that much more grit and nastiness than the first book, and I was delighted, because I felt like a missed opportunity when the first book slightly missed the mark for its gothic ideals. This book realised the potential fully, with the town, the premise, the mystery, the cast and the weather blending perfectly. You can even say the weather was like a creepy character that you do not like, but whom you cannot get rid of.
I liked that we got to learn about Quentin's past, and what he has been through and what informed his adult psyche and character. It added more layers to Quentin and made him a more dimensional, complex character. And here we were introduced to a new love interest for Quentin, in the form of Drew, and I must say I do like him more, and feel the chemistry between him and Quentin was just right, as opposed to Will. Though Will felt more like a transitory character to help guide Quentin to his next phase of life, it really did feel like it was not to last. Drew actually felt more like he had the potential for permanence.
As with the last, this was pretty romance light, though there definitely is a burgeoning romance going on. It felt more like the romance was in service of the story, rather than everything else revolving around the romance, and I like that. It certainly feels like the delicate balance was achieved. As for the writing, it was deliciously atmospheric, and dark and dreary. The mystery aspects were well crafted, and though at times felt a tad on the nose, it didn't impede on the enjoyment of the story. The shock and surprise at that final revelation though, totally threw me off as I did not see that coming, and I totally relished it.
Overall a great read that had me hooked from start to finish, and I certainly can't wait for the next one. Hopefully we do not have to wait another 3 years for it.
I'll admit, 3 years after the first book, I had trouble remembering the plot of the first book, as well as the characters, but the moment I flipped the first chapter or so, it started coming back hard and fast.
This felt darker, more gothic, and carried that much more grit and nastiness than the first book, and I was delighted, because I felt like a missed opportunity when the first book slightly missed the mark for its gothic ideals. This book realised the potential fully, with the town, the premise, the mystery, the cast and the weather blending perfectly. You can even say the weather was like a creepy character that you do not like, but whom you cannot get rid of.
I liked that we got to learn about Quentin's past, and what he has been through and what informed his adult psyche and character. It added more layers to Quentin and made him a more dimensional, complex character. And here we were introduced to a new love interest for Quentin, in the form of Drew, and I must say I do like him more, and feel the chemistry between him and Quentin was just right, as opposed to Will. Though Will felt more like a transitory character to help guide Quentin to his next phase of life, it really did feel like it was not to last. Drew actually felt more like he had the potential for permanence.
As with the last, this was pretty romance light, though there definitely is a burgeoning romance going on. It felt more like the romance was in service of the story, rather than everything else revolving around the romance, and I like that. It certainly feels like the delicate balance was achieved. As for the writing, it was deliciously atmospheric, and dark and dreary. The mystery aspects were well crafted, and though at times felt a tad on the nose, it didn't impede on the enjoyment of the story. The shock and surprise at that final revelation though, totally threw me off as I did not see that coming, and I totally relished it.
Overall a great read that had me hooked from start to finish, and I certainly can't wait for the next one. Hopefully we do not have to wait another 3 years for it.
October 16, 2023
Supernatural Mystery
Great book. Spellbinding. Well written and impossible to put down. I look forward to reading more stories from this author.
Great book. Spellbinding. Well written and impossible to put down. I look forward to reading more stories from this author.
August 25, 2023
I adore Quentin Strange
Dean Cole does it again!! I absolutely loved the first book and was so excited to see the second one come out. Quentin in all his awkwardness is so dang loveable. A seriously entertaining cozy, paranormal mystery. Vibrant characters, great mystery and ghosts! What else do you need? I didn't want it to end am very much looking forward to another Quentin Strange Mystery!!!
Dean Cole does it again!! I absolutely loved the first book and was so excited to see the second one come out. Quentin in all his awkwardness is so dang loveable. A seriously entertaining cozy, paranormal mystery. Vibrant characters, great mystery and ghosts! What else do you need? I didn't want it to end am very much looking forward to another Quentin Strange Mystery!!!
August 27, 2023
3.5
I read the first book nearly 3 years ago and I have to admit I can't remember much about it. Would have been nice if the author would have provided some kind of prologue where we get some recap. Without it I spent some time into the story trying to remember some parts of Quentin's past like the circumstances of his adoption or his issues with his ability or if I was supposed to know that Will left. Can the book be read without that knowledge? Yes to a certain degree i.e. you can enjoy the atmospheric mystery but you lack information to understand Quentin and therefore some of the Spider situation.
What captured my right from the start was the somehow dreary atmosphere. We're in those gloomy days after Christmas into the early January, grey, sludgy coldness when lonely creeps in after the festivities. It surely doesn't help that the beautiful fiancee of the villages famous outcast went missing and everyone assumes her dead. Doesn't help that Cricklewood is supposed to be near London but couldn't be more far away from the capital. Do I have to add that the majority of characters are eccentric but more edgy kind than the quirky kind? I really enjoyed that and of course it perfectly suits Quentin's character. It gives a certain quality, a certain indifference to the mystery because for most of the time I could easily read it like a non-paranormal mystery.
Yes, we know about Quentin's ability to see ghosts or their memories but apart from a short ghost sighting everything else could also be explained differently. That way covens are more about believe than magic; potions are essentially be remedies and curses the result of poison or hallucinogenic substances. There is only one moment when I was afraid that the story is loosing that precarious balance when Quentin decides that he now has to learn dark magic, but the balance still held until the end.
So why going down to 3.5 instead of giving an untarnished 4? A part of the reason is Quentin's maybe or maybe not new romance but that's on me because I prefer if I at least have the feeling that it leads to something but here it could be also just a temporary thing, even less than the Will connection. However it fits perfectly into the gloomy indifference of the story. The bigger part was the Spider situation respectively its resolution. Suppose it's more connected to the next book but even then … can't go into more details without a spoiler but I didn't appreciate the ending of that story arc.
All in all it's the most un-paranormal paranormal mystery I ever read and I liked it that way.
I read the first book nearly 3 years ago and I have to admit I can't remember much about it. Would have been nice if the author would have provided some kind of prologue where we get some recap. Without it I spent some time into the story trying to remember some parts of Quentin's past like the circumstances of his adoption or his issues with his ability or if I was supposed to know that Will left. Can the book be read without that knowledge? Yes to a certain degree i.e. you can enjoy the atmospheric mystery but you lack information to understand Quentin and therefore some of the Spider situation.
What captured my right from the start was the somehow dreary atmosphere. We're in those gloomy days after Christmas into the early January, grey, sludgy coldness when lonely creeps in after the festivities. It surely doesn't help that the beautiful fiancee of the villages famous outcast went missing and everyone assumes her dead. Doesn't help that Cricklewood is supposed to be near London but couldn't be more far away from the capital. Do I have to add that the majority of characters are eccentric but more edgy kind than the quirky kind? I really enjoyed that and of course it perfectly suits Quentin's character. It gives a certain quality, a certain indifference to the mystery because for most of the time I could easily read it like a non-paranormal mystery.
Yes, we know about Quentin's ability to see ghosts or their memories but apart from a short ghost sighting everything else could also be explained differently. That way covens are more about believe than magic; potions are essentially be remedies and curses the result of poison or hallucinogenic substances. There is only one moment when I was afraid that the story is loosing that precarious balance when Quentin decides that he now has to learn dark magic, but the balance still held until the end.
So why going down to 3.5 instead of giving an untarnished 4? A part of the reason is Quentin's maybe or maybe not new romance but that's on me because I prefer if I at least have the feeling that it leads to something but here it could be also just a temporary thing, even less than the Will connection. However it fits perfectly into the gloomy indifference of the story. The bigger part was the Spider situation respectively its resolution. Suppose it's more connected to the next book but even then … can't go into more details without a spoiler but I didn't appreciate the ending of that story arc.
All in all it's the most un-paranormal paranormal mystery I ever read and I liked it that way.
September 8, 2023
I reviewed the previous book in this series, so when the author offered me a copy of this one, I was happy to accept!
I would definitely say this story is a bit darker than the previous one. Not that the last one wasn't dark, but this one has a lot more trigger warning topics (suicide, loss of pregnancy, etc.) that it either discusses or shows. So I would be prepared for all of that going in.
I was very cautious about pagan and witch beliefs being the center point of a creepy mystery like this. A lot of stories in the genre tend to fall back on twisted myths from the 70s as opposed to the real deal. But the book dealt with everything more or less faithfully. True, there were still some twisted witches. But the general religion wasn't demonized like I'd feared.
While I do miss Will, I am a fan of this new potential love interest. The relationship felt like a much bigger part of the story than the romance with Will and I see great possibilities moving forward. It added some much needed sweet moments (and a bit of drama) where it was needed.
Admittedly, the twist ending moved just over the edge into melodramatic soap opera territory for me. I like some of the reveals that were brought up and the questions they bring for Quentin's future. But the way they were revealed felt like that one step too far from the serious ambience the story had been going for up to that point. It wasn't enough to sully my entire experience of the book, but enough to take off a star.
All in all, if you want some dark twisted stuff, this is a great pick!
I would definitely say this story is a bit darker than the previous one. Not that the last one wasn't dark, but this one has a lot more trigger warning topics (suicide, loss of pregnancy, etc.) that it either discusses or shows. So I would be prepared for all of that going in.
I was very cautious about pagan and witch beliefs being the center point of a creepy mystery like this. A lot of stories in the genre tend to fall back on twisted myths from the 70s as opposed to the real deal. But the book dealt with everything more or less faithfully. True, there were still some twisted witches. But the general religion wasn't demonized like I'd feared.
While I do miss Will, I am a fan of this new potential love interest. The relationship felt like a much bigger part of the story than the romance with Will and I see great possibilities moving forward. It added some much needed sweet moments (and a bit of drama) where it was needed.
Admittedly, the twist ending moved just over the edge into melodramatic soap opera territory for me. I like some of the reveals that were brought up and the questions they bring for Quentin's future. But the way they were revealed felt like that one step too far from the serious ambience the story had been going for up to that point. It wasn't enough to sully my entire experience of the book, but enough to take off a star.
All in all, if you want some dark twisted stuff, this is a great pick!
December 3, 2023
fantastic follow up to Book 1
In which we are reunited with news photographer Quentin Strange and his uninvited visitors from beyond the veil. His ballsy colleague Kat is back too, hauling our shy, bespectacled hero into various scrapes. Aaand possibly a new love interest?
Quentin’s sweetness is at odds with the grisly situations he finds himself in, and it’s that mismatch that is so appealing. Can’t wait for the next instalment!
In which we are reunited with news photographer Quentin Strange and his uninvited visitors from beyond the veil. His ballsy colleague Kat is back too, hauling our shy, bespectacled hero into various scrapes. Aaand possibly a new love interest?
Quentin’s sweetness is at odds with the grisly situations he finds himself in, and it’s that mismatch that is so appealing. Can’t wait for the next instalment!
March 23, 2024
I love how this mystery takes you on a journey of what feels like unrelated events that occur at every turn, to eventually tie together at the end. The main character Quintin is quirky and lovable, and I like how he continues to develop and make sense of his past and accept his present. The book has the perfect mixture of mystery, creepiness, and humor. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2024
Beautiful and elegant writing. Mysterious and magic as dark and gothic atmosphere of Cricklewood it stirs your body and mind with various and unexpectedly pleasant sensations. It is impossible not to enjoy the exquisite composition of words, seductive descriptions and powerful characters who jump straight into the tram you are riding in or into your kitchen, room or bed, depending on where you decide to spend these precious moments with them.
August 14, 2023
** I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK FOR MY READING PLEASURE **
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Capturing Magick (A Quentin Strange Mystery, 02) by Dean Cole
★★★★★
358 Pages
POV: 1st person, past-tense, one character POV
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary, Romance, Gothic Horror, LGBT
Content Warnings:
[on page]: haunting, witchcraft, childhood bullying, PTSD, black magic, allergic reaction, depression
[off page mentions]: historical suicide and murder; witch hunts and Satanic Panic; suicide, suicide to escape bullying, parental abuse, religious zealotry; magical miscarriage, brief mention of past murder/suicide and murder of children; childhood abandonment.
Capturing Magick is the second book in an intriguing new series from Dean Cole. Combining gothic horror with a modern setting, a main character who can see ghosts and feel their residual pain, and an intriguing team of secondary characters, Cole draws you into a world of ghosts, witchcraft and journalism.
I've been eagerly anticipating this book's release ever since I read the first book, Chasing Ghosts, and I'm thrilled to say it's just as enigmatic, captivating and ghoulish as the first book.
It takes a little bit longer to sink right into this story, because it's been a year since Book 1 and there's a little bit of catch-up woven into the beginning of the novel, to let us know what happened to Quentin and Will, Kat and how Quentin's life is going, in a general sense. Also, instead of being dropped right into a forced-proximity situation, where everything happens in one location and everyone involved is tightly grouped together, this story takes on a more journalistic approach. The events take place in Quentin's hometown and he has to root out the people involved in a missing person's case, do research and introduce the new characters.
While this may sound like a negative, it's not. Because Cole takes care to make everything organic. Quentin doesn't just accidentally bump into the right people at the right time; he takes a curious, journalistic approach to some events, is forced into position by Kat's work demands and takes his own initiative on where to go and what to do about the case. This makes all those side characters he's meant to meet appear in the book only when needed, but without feeling forced or convenient to the plot.
~
PLOT
The story takes place one year after the events of Book 1, and spends a little time recapping what has happened in the meantime.
There are a few side plots to the story – work life, personal life, and revelations about Quentin's birth parents – but the main plot is the mystery. A young pregnant woman, Thea, goes missing. She's engaged to the locally infamous High Priest, Jareth Cullen – son to an infamous author obsessed with the occult, and who runs his own coven. Jareth immediately becomes a main suspect, however there are other factors that could have led to Thea's disappearance.
Kat is asked to investigate, but interestingly, Quentin is asked to take equal share of the work, as more than a photographer, to keep Kat from alienating Jareth, who is a local celebrity. As they begin investigating, Quentin uncovers a mystical world full of magic, curses, and jealousy. As well as the inclusion of a new employee, Spider, who leaves a lasting impression on Quentin, and the mysterious but attractive Drew, this proves to be an investigation to remember, and that will leave lasting implications for Book 3.
I don't want to say too much about the story, because it's all about the mystery, but I will say that the unspoken message between Quentin and Jareth nearly made me cry. It was such a strongly emotive moment in the story. I really connected to Jareth as a character, for some reason I can't pinpoint, and this moment was especially moving for that reason.
~
CHARACTERS
Quentin is just as interesting – and just as strange – as Book 1, but this time he's almost grown accustomed to his new gift of seeing and feeling ghosts. They no longer terrify him, but I love that it's not all convenient to the plot story either. He does see and interact with other ghosts that have nothing to do with his current case/investigation.
When it comes to side characters, there are an interesting bunch:
Kat makes her great return, as eager and vivacious as ever. She and Quentin have remained partners, but here they have their separate tasks and spaces, which means that while she might not be on page as often, she still has a strong presence.
We also get to see Mendy the boss, for the first time. He's tasked Quentin with the almost-impossible job of keeping Kat in line, so that she doesn't let her brash personality ruin their opportunity of investigating their case. He's an interesting character, with his own personal story and place within the plot.
Jareth Cullen is the main suspect in their missing person's case, as it's his fiancee and unborn child who are missing. He's also the High Priest of a local wiccan coven, which is utterly fascinating and leads Quentin on some strange and interesting investigative roads.
Spider is a new work colleague, an unfortunate-looking young man who is brought in to take pictures while Quentin plays the role of Kat's babysitter. However, Quentin soon discovers that there's more going on with Spider than first appears.
Then there's Drew. Quentin meets him during an organised search party for the missing woman and he instantly becomes an intriguing character, with potential to be a love interest or a suspect.
Then there are the witches: Octavia, who owns a wiccan store and proves information about the missing woman; and Pedra, a dark witch with a complex history, as well as her volatile girlfriend, Cricket. They all have their parts to play, to various degrees.
~
ISSUES?
Overall, this was an ARC and there were very few issues that I spotted. One or two words misspelled, though the meaning remained clear. There was an instance with the continuity, though: Quentin puts on the crystal given to him by Esther in Book 1, except that he buried that with Joe at the end of the book.
Other than that, I didn't spot anything glaringly out of place.
~
Capturing Magick is an enticing, emotively written story about love, loss and the things that tie us to the people we love. It shows respect for magic and ghosts, and how we should never ridicule the things we don't understand or see clearly, as you never know what is lurking in the shadows of life. It resolves the story, but also introduces some interesting new factors that will take full focus in Book 3. And I can't wait!
~
Favourite Quotes
“They got it wrong when we were kids. Monsters don't live under the bed, they live inside our head.”
“Secrets and lies. They're like arrows that pierce our hearts, shattering our reality, exposing the ugly truth we don't want to see. You can pull out the barb, but the wound never heals, festering until every part of you is infected with mistrust.”
Reviewed for Divine Magazine
~
Capturing Magick (A Quentin Strange Mystery, 02) by Dean Cole
★★★★★
358 Pages
POV: 1st person, past-tense, one character POV
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary, Romance, Gothic Horror, LGBT
Content Warnings:
[on page]: haunting, witchcraft, childhood bullying, PTSD, black magic, allergic reaction, depression
[off page mentions]: historical suicide and murder; witch hunts and Satanic Panic; suicide, suicide to escape bullying, parental abuse, religious zealotry; magical miscarriage, brief mention of past murder/suicide and murder of children; childhood abandonment.
Capturing Magick is the second book in an intriguing new series from Dean Cole. Combining gothic horror with a modern setting, a main character who can see ghosts and feel their residual pain, and an intriguing team of secondary characters, Cole draws you into a world of ghosts, witchcraft and journalism.
I've been eagerly anticipating this book's release ever since I read the first book, Chasing Ghosts, and I'm thrilled to say it's just as enigmatic, captivating and ghoulish as the first book.
It takes a little bit longer to sink right into this story, because it's been a year since Book 1 and there's a little bit of catch-up woven into the beginning of the novel, to let us know what happened to Quentin and Will, Kat and how Quentin's life is going, in a general sense. Also, instead of being dropped right into a forced-proximity situation, where everything happens in one location and everyone involved is tightly grouped together, this story takes on a more journalistic approach. The events take place in Quentin's hometown and he has to root out the people involved in a missing person's case, do research and introduce the new characters.
While this may sound like a negative, it's not. Because Cole takes care to make everything organic. Quentin doesn't just accidentally bump into the right people at the right time; he takes a curious, journalistic approach to some events, is forced into position by Kat's work demands and takes his own initiative on where to go and what to do about the case. This makes all those side characters he's meant to meet appear in the book only when needed, but without feeling forced or convenient to the plot.
~
PLOT
The story takes place one year after the events of Book 1, and spends a little time recapping what has happened in the meantime.
There are a few side plots to the story – work life, personal life, and revelations about Quentin's birth parents – but the main plot is the mystery. A young pregnant woman, Thea, goes missing. She's engaged to the locally infamous High Priest, Jareth Cullen – son to an infamous author obsessed with the occult, and who runs his own coven. Jareth immediately becomes a main suspect, however there are other factors that could have led to Thea's disappearance.
Kat is asked to investigate, but interestingly, Quentin is asked to take equal share of the work, as more than a photographer, to keep Kat from alienating Jareth, who is a local celebrity. As they begin investigating, Quentin uncovers a mystical world full of magic, curses, and jealousy. As well as the inclusion of a new employee, Spider, who leaves a lasting impression on Quentin, and the mysterious but attractive Drew, this proves to be an investigation to remember, and that will leave lasting implications for Book 3.
I don't want to say too much about the story, because it's all about the mystery, but I will say that the unspoken message between Quentin and Jareth nearly made me cry. It was such a strongly emotive moment in the story. I really connected to Jareth as a character, for some reason I can't pinpoint, and this moment was especially moving for that reason.
~
CHARACTERS
Quentin is just as interesting – and just as strange – as Book 1, but this time he's almost grown accustomed to his new gift of seeing and feeling ghosts. They no longer terrify him, but I love that it's not all convenient to the plot story either. He does see and interact with other ghosts that have nothing to do with his current case/investigation.
When it comes to side characters, there are an interesting bunch:
Kat makes her great return, as eager and vivacious as ever. She and Quentin have remained partners, but here they have their separate tasks and spaces, which means that while she might not be on page as often, she still has a strong presence.
We also get to see Mendy the boss, for the first time. He's tasked Quentin with the almost-impossible job of keeping Kat in line, so that she doesn't let her brash personality ruin their opportunity of investigating their case. He's an interesting character, with his own personal story and place within the plot.
Jareth Cullen is the main suspect in their missing person's case, as it's his fiancee and unborn child who are missing. He's also the High Priest of a local wiccan coven, which is utterly fascinating and leads Quentin on some strange and interesting investigative roads.
Spider is a new work colleague, an unfortunate-looking young man who is brought in to take pictures while Quentin plays the role of Kat's babysitter. However, Quentin soon discovers that there's more going on with Spider than first appears.
Then there's Drew. Quentin meets him during an organised search party for the missing woman and he instantly becomes an intriguing character, with potential to be a love interest or a suspect.
Then there are the witches: Octavia, who owns a wiccan store and proves information about the missing woman; and Pedra, a dark witch with a complex history, as well as her volatile girlfriend, Cricket. They all have their parts to play, to various degrees.
~
ISSUES?
Overall, this was an ARC and there were very few issues that I spotted. One or two words misspelled, though the meaning remained clear. There was an instance with the continuity, though: Quentin puts on the crystal given to him by Esther in Book 1, except that he buried that with Joe at the end of the book.
Other than that, I didn't spot anything glaringly out of place.
~
Capturing Magick is an enticing, emotively written story about love, loss and the things that tie us to the people we love. It shows respect for magic and ghosts, and how we should never ridicule the things we don't understand or see clearly, as you never know what is lurking in the shadows of life. It resolves the story, but also introduces some interesting new factors that will take full focus in Book 3. And I can't wait!
~
Favourite Quotes
“They got it wrong when we were kids. Monsters don't live under the bed, they live inside our head.”
“Secrets and lies. They're like arrows that pierce our hearts, shattering our reality, exposing the ugly truth we don't want to see. You can pull out the barb, but the wound never heals, festering until every part of you is infected with mistrust.”
August 28, 2023
Quentin has been working as a photographer and part time editorial assistant on his local newspaper. He is still partnered with Kat and this time they are investigating the disappearance of a local pregnant woman.
This time the adventure takes the pair into witchcraft and local wiccan covens.
This time the adventure takes the pair into witchcraft and local wiccan covens.
August 29, 2023
I like Quentin and Kat is a hoot. I have a few things I am curious about and am pondering after reading:
Overall, I enjoy the mysteries and will continue with the series.
Overall, I enjoy the mysteries and will continue with the series.
September 13, 2023
Another great Quentin Mystery
I loved the first Quentin book so when I was made aware of a new book I immediately bought it. Definitely not disappointed in the least. Full of crazy, interesting characters and a really great plot that I thoroughly enjoyed!! A bit darker than the first and unfortunately very little sex or romance but a really great read nonetheless 👍
I loved the first Quentin book so when I was made aware of a new book I immediately bought it. Definitely not disappointed in the least. Full of crazy, interesting characters and a really great plot that I thoroughly enjoyed!! A bit darker than the first and unfortunately very little sex or romance but a really great read nonetheless 👍
September 8, 2025
The first book was very disappointing to me so, I almost didn’t read this. It turned out to be a wonderful surprise and I anxiously await the next installment.
November 8, 2024
3.5/4*
Another outing with Quentin, the prickly Kat and a new man on the scene, Drew.
Will Drew last, unlike Will?
Lots of magicky goings on, with deluded people abounding.
The mysterious Spider.
And new questions for Quentin at the end, who is he?
Another outing with Quentin, the prickly Kat and a new man on the scene, Drew.
Will Drew last, unlike Will?
Lots of magicky goings on, with deluded people abounding.
The mysterious Spider.
And new questions for Quentin at the end, who is he?
December 21, 2025
3.5 Stars
I was a little disappointed with this book. I loved "Chasing Ghosts," but this sequel was not nearly as interesting. The news story about what happened in the first book was a big success. Kat was promoted to Chief Reporter, and Quentin is now her assistant. In the first book, there was a fledgling and flirtatious relationship between Quentin Strange and Will Anderson, an author of supernatural books. I loved Will and expected him to make an appearance in this book. But, no! Whatever happened between them was off-page, and Will is history. That puts Quentin in a dark and dismal mood. He's also just getting over the flu. The story happens around Christmas, so I liked the contrast between the sights and sounds of the festive season and Quentin’s down-trodden mental state. One of the author's strengths is his descriptive writing. I could really visualize the setting—snowy, small town Christmas—and feel Quentin's pain. The story is about a young, pregnant socialite, Thea Williams, who goes missing. She has some interesting relatives. She is the daughter of a famous magician. Her husband, Jareth Cullen, is the High Priest of a local Wiccan coven and the son of a famous writer of horror novels. Naturally, many of the townspeople suspect that Jareth played a role in Thea's disappearance. I loved Jareth. He was such an interesting, brooding, and misunderstood character.
Most of the book is about investigating Thea's disappearance. The reader gets to meet many interesting characters along the way. In hopes of digging up clues, Quentin joins a local search party. This is where he meets Drew Hawthorne. Drew is very secretive and shows up at unexpected times. But Drew and Quentin eventually form a friendship—maybe more. I found Drew boring. There were other side stories—some interesting, some not. I didn't find the story of the character "Spider" added anything to the book, aside from a little horror. Like the first book, this one is well researched. It was interesting that the town of Cricklewood is a hotbed of witchcraft and covens. I also like Dean Cole's writing. It's always so pretty and has so many interesting quotes. Here is one of my favorites: "The forgiveness ritual the witch recited spoke of death being a sacred act of each of us being free to leave this earth and return to the well of creation." That's how I picture death!
I was a little disappointed with this book. I loved "Chasing Ghosts," but this sequel was not nearly as interesting. The news story about what happened in the first book was a big success. Kat was promoted to Chief Reporter, and Quentin is now her assistant. In the first book, there was a fledgling and flirtatious relationship between Quentin Strange and Will Anderson, an author of supernatural books. I loved Will and expected him to make an appearance in this book. But, no! Whatever happened between them was off-page, and Will is history. That puts Quentin in a dark and dismal mood. He's also just getting over the flu. The story happens around Christmas, so I liked the contrast between the sights and sounds of the festive season and Quentin’s down-trodden mental state. One of the author's strengths is his descriptive writing. I could really visualize the setting—snowy, small town Christmas—and feel Quentin's pain. The story is about a young, pregnant socialite, Thea Williams, who goes missing. She has some interesting relatives. She is the daughter of a famous magician. Her husband, Jareth Cullen, is the High Priest of a local Wiccan coven and the son of a famous writer of horror novels. Naturally, many of the townspeople suspect that Jareth played a role in Thea's disappearance. I loved Jareth. He was such an interesting, brooding, and misunderstood character.
Most of the book is about investigating Thea's disappearance. The reader gets to meet many interesting characters along the way. In hopes of digging up clues, Quentin joins a local search party. This is where he meets Drew Hawthorne. Drew is very secretive and shows up at unexpected times. But Drew and Quentin eventually form a friendship—maybe more. I found Drew boring. There were other side stories—some interesting, some not. I didn't find the story of the character "Spider" added anything to the book, aside from a little horror. Like the first book, this one is well researched. It was interesting that the town of Cricklewood is a hotbed of witchcraft and covens. I also like Dean Cole's writing. It's always so pretty and has so many interesting quotes. Here is one of my favorites: "The forgiveness ritual the witch recited spoke of death being a sacred act of each of us being free to leave this earth and return to the well of creation." That's how I picture death!
May 19, 2024
I really want to write these books but I can't. This was kind of exhausting, rather like trying to binge three seasons of a show in one afternoon. The plot meanders all over the place and it takes forever for the MC to figure out a fairly easily deduced plot. And then there's the left field shock ending. Some of the writing is repetitive and the paranormal aspect is mostly flavor text. Also somehow the MC manages to have flashbacks a different set of childhood traumas than those he had flashbacks to in the first book.
It's so close to being really great that it hurts all the more.
It's so close to being really great that it hurts all the more.
November 8, 2023
This is a really terrific, dark mystery--with occasional ghosts. The setting—it’s winter, it’s dark, it’s creepy—is written brilliantly, and I was completely wrapped up in the story and particularly these characters.
Loved it.
c.t.h.
Loved it.
c.t.h.
September 19, 2023
3.5 stars
October 7, 2023
Wtf happened to Will, did he kick the author’s dog?
August 23, 2023
It's a wonderful feeling to have Capturing Magick out in the world. I was grateful that readers embraced Quentin and the other characters, and I took my time to create a worthy sequel. I hope you enjoy Quentin's new story and look forward to the next in the series!
October 15, 2023
4.5 stars. A well-paced mystery about ghosts and witchcraft with a great cast of characters. Will be reading the next book!
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