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Midlife is Magic #1
Visions and Villainy
A murderous premonition. A dead eyewitness. And an urgency to reach a ghost. Freedom at fifty is working out perfectly for Addie Keane who’s returned to the seaside town of Whalesback Cove. Having developed a new line of body care products, she’s now living out her long-cherished dream. Except her dream doesn’t include sudden psychic visions. Looking for answers, Addie seeks guidance from a local clairvoyant. But the startling message she receives thrusts her into the heart of a murder investigation. When she learns a dead food critic is the only one who can shed light on a murder, she recruits her friend, Quinn Delaney to communicate with the ghost and save their new clairvoyant ally from the sheriff’s sights. The ghost has news all right, but Addie worries he’s told Quinn more than she’s letting on. But why would Quinn keep secrets? And for no good reason, it seems the unruly spirit doesn’t like Addie one bit. With a prime suspect leading them on a wild butterfly chase, Quinn experiencing an unnatural degree of good fortune, and Addie’s impromptu, mystifying visions, her dream of a simpler life might be as dead as the unfortunate victim. Can they tame a ghost and solve the murder before Quinn has to leave Whalesback Cove, or will Addie be left with an ominous message to decipher and a killer on the loose? Scroll up to buy this small town, paranormal cozy mystery in ebook or print and discover what secrets await you in Whalesback Cove!
152 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 23, 2023
152 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Clare Lockhart
42 books58 followersClare Lockhart writes light-hearted, paranormal, cozy mysteries featuring middle-aged sleuths who are going through a few changes. Some are welcome (freedom to live the dream) and some not so much (supernatural abilities and a rash of murders).
If you like reading about best friends who find themselves in the odd pickle, twisty murder plots, and cheeky, paranormal visitors, then you’re in the right place.
Clare lives in a small town, a stone’s throw from Lake Ontario, in Canada, and has recently taken up sailing with her partner John. Sailing has to be one of her most challenging and rewarding life experiences. She loves to read, of course, travel and is a bit of a foodie.
Clare comes by her interest in the paranormal honestly. Her dad loved this stuff, so it was natural for her to believe there was more to our world than we perceive. Therefore, you may find a ghost, a psychic witch, and even a parallel universe in her stories.
She also writes time travel romance under the pen name Sharon Clare.
If you like reading about best friends who find themselves in the odd pickle, twisty murder plots, and cheeky, paranormal visitors, then you’re in the right place.
Clare lives in a small town, a stone’s throw from Lake Ontario, in Canada, and has recently taken up sailing with her partner John. Sailing has to be one of her most challenging and rewarding life experiences. She loves to read, of course, travel and is a bit of a foodie.
Clare comes by her interest in the paranormal honestly. Her dad loved this stuff, so it was natural for her to believe there was more to our world than we perceive. Therefore, you may find a ghost, a psychic witch, and even a parallel universe in her stories.
She also writes time travel romance under the pen name Sharon Clare.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 5, 2025
first book in the Midlife is Magic series
I recently finished book 2 in this series, so this book fills in some background information. Addie is in her small South Carolina hometown, and her friend from Michigan, Quinn, is visiting when a woman is murdered. A wacky psychic who had predicted the death is the main suspect, but a ghost who talks to Quinn is fairly certain that Thalia, the psychic, didn’t do it. The two women do discover the culprit, in a fairly interesting solution to the mystery, and Addie has time to pay attention to the strange power she feels growing inside her, along with the visions she’s experiencing. This is a version of the attempt to rebrand menopausal hot flashes as “power surges,”which is a pleasant notion. The characters are interesting, the crimes offstage, the town charming, so just what one should expect from a cozy mystery.
I recently finished book 2 in this series, so this book fills in some background information. Addie is in her small South Carolina hometown, and her friend from Michigan, Quinn, is visiting when a woman is murdered. A wacky psychic who had predicted the death is the main suspect, but a ghost who talks to Quinn is fairly certain that Thalia, the psychic, didn’t do it. The two women do discover the culprit, in a fairly interesting solution to the mystery, and Addie has time to pay attention to the strange power she feels growing inside her, along with the visions she’s experiencing. This is a version of the attempt to rebrand menopausal hot flashes as “power surges,”which is a pleasant notion. The characters are interesting, the crimes offstage, the town charming, so just what one should expect from a cozy mystery.
September 12, 2023
This is the first book in a very promising fun paranormal mystery series. Addie Keane returns to Whalesback Cove to start a new dream in her mid-life business and she couldn't be happier. But he didn't count on having visions and being clairvoyant and she asks help from a local clairvoyant to understand what it all means. But unfortunately for her, it throws her into the midst of a murder and a ghost is the only one that can help with the clues to investigate the murder. So with her friend Quinn's help they start investigating. This is not what she signed up for, but is necessary nevertheless. Can Addie learn how to control her gift and solve a murder so she can get back to her new business? What are the secrets her friend seems to withhold? This is a fun beginning to a new series and I can't wait for more! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
September 12, 2023
This read is the first book in the Midlife Is Magic series, which promises to be an entertaining and exciting adventure for Addie Keane and her friends. The book opens up with, " I wasn't sure what to think about Thalia Moon, because, at the moment, she was making me very uncomfortable.: The ending is something along the lines of, " Life at 50 was going to be smooth sailing."
Visions and Villainy is a delightful read if you enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries. Lockhart rights books with strong female protagonists, supernatural elements, and a dash of romance. The plot is well crafted and full of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end.
Visions and Villainy is a delightful read if you enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries. Lockhart rights books with strong female protagonists, supernatural elements, and a dash of romance. The plot is well crafted and full of twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end.
September 12, 2023
This was a great short story and fun characters. This is yet another "new to me" author and if this was a sample of her work, I am quite interested.. The characters are interesting, the plot was fun to follow and the premise was helping a friend from being erroneously incarcerated. I definitely recommend this book.
August 16, 2024
Another Amazing Read
An amazing start to another amazing series. Great characters and an exciting storyline. The suspense and twists had me captivated, I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Highly recommend reading this and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
An amazing start to another amazing series. Great characters and an exciting storyline. The suspense and twists had me captivated, I couldn't put it down until I finished it. Highly recommend reading this and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.
February 23, 2026
Visions and Villainy book 1
A delightful mystery story unfolding with intrigue and suspense, captivating readers from the very first page. The narrative weaves an engaging plot that promises to keep audiences guessing until the final revelation, drawing them into a world of unexpected twists and compelling characters.
It's amazing .
A delightful mystery story unfolding with intrigue and suspense, captivating readers from the very first page. The narrative weaves an engaging plot that promises to keep audiences guessing until the final revelation, drawing them into a world of unexpected twists and compelling characters.
It's amazing .
March 17, 2024
Great start to a new series. The story caught my attention from the beginning and kept it throughout the story. Addie and Quinn make a great team even with their gifts being so different. Looking forward to the next book. Recommend reading.
June 19, 2024
Such a fun read! Lots of supernatural abilities going on, a ghost plus the promise of more adventures to follow with Adelaide. Written very well. I liked it so much, I bought the next in the series to read.
September 21, 2025
Adie is wonderful and unaware
Adelaide is 50 and realizes she us psychic and a Ghost keeps saying she is more as she tries to prove another psychic innocent of murder. A well rounded story 👏
Adelaide is 50 and realizes she us psychic and a Ghost keeps saying she is more as she tries to prove another psychic innocent of murder. A well rounded story 👏
February 22, 2026
Simple mystery
Nice story about a death in a small town. The main characters were all influenced by supernatural events. Seeing how they dealt with each one was interesting. Not sure if I would want to read the next adventure of this series.
Nice story about a death in a small town. The main characters were all influenced by supernatural events. Seeing how they dealt with each one was interesting. Not sure if I would want to read the next adventure of this series.
September 11, 2023
I enjoyed this quick read. The characters are fun and the storyline is good. moves at a good pace and still has twists and turns. Characters learn things about themselves. Would Recommend.
March 20, 2024
entertaining
April 12, 2024
I was just recently introduced to this author and I am so loving her work. This novella was fantastic and I can't wait to read more of her work.
September 13, 2024
It was okay. Didn't hold my attention. Had to make an effort to finish.
February 8, 2025
It's a mix of paranormal abilities plus a ghost to help with further insights.
Entertaining characters
Entertaining characters
December 29, 2025
Interesting start of a series
Life at 50. She's starting over after a successful career. She and friends solve a murder because a friend is the suspect.
Life at 50. She's starting over after a successful career. She and friends solve a murder because a friend is the suspect.
January 13, 2026
A nice read
The author has created an interesting and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down
The author has created an interesting and unique plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews