What do you think?
Rate this book
Crescent Moon Mysteries #1
Eat, Pray, Hex
One of the best Florida books of 2023 — Creative Loafing
Paranormal and perimenopausal? Amelia's got double trouble.
When hot flash–prone cookie shop owner Amelia inherits a spooky Florida inn, she plans to sell it fast. But the place is haunted by an unsolved murder, and her dead aunt tasks her with using her newfound psychic powers to crack the case. Armed with nothing but a cat named Freddie Purrcury and a posse of supernaturally-gifted locals, Amelia taps into the spirit world to unravel clues about the decades-old crime. She expected creaky floorboards, not messages from the other side.
Between misbehaving ghosts, a slow-burn attraction to her ghost hunting guide, and her deepening connection to her estranged aunt, this midlife paranormal adventure isn't what Amelia bargained for. But if she can't embrace her emerging psychic gifts and solve the mystery, the spirits may sink her hotel sale for good.
Saddle up for a suspenseful yet laugh-out-loud tale proving it's never too late to awaken your inner psychic detective. EAT, PRAY, HEX is a cozy paranormal read for fans of quirky stories, supernatural hijinks, and a daring heroine trying not to lose her mind at midlife.
Paranormal and perimenopausal? Amelia's got double trouble.
When hot flash–prone cookie shop owner Amelia inherits a spooky Florida inn, she plans to sell it fast. But the place is haunted by an unsolved murder, and her dead aunt tasks her with using her newfound psychic powers to crack the case. Armed with nothing but a cat named Freddie Purrcury and a posse of supernaturally-gifted locals, Amelia taps into the spirit world to unravel clues about the decades-old crime. She expected creaky floorboards, not messages from the other side.
Between misbehaving ghosts, a slow-burn attraction to her ghost hunting guide, and her deepening connection to her estranged aunt, this midlife paranormal adventure isn't what Amelia bargained for. But if she can't embrace her emerging psychic gifts and solve the mystery, the spirits may sink her hotel sale for good.
Saddle up for a suspenseful yet laugh-out-loud tale proving it's never too late to awaken your inner psychic detective. EAT, PRAY, HEX is a cozy paranormal read for fans of quirky stories, supernatural hijinks, and a daring heroine trying not to lose her mind at midlife.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2023
1442 people are currently reading
2213 people want to read
About the author
Tara Lush
27 books583 followersTara Lush is a RWA Rita finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow and the winner of the George C. Polk award for environmental journalism.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews
January 4, 2024
Amusing and entertaining murder mystery. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Loved the cat!
January 16, 2024
I loved everything about it. I can’t wait to read the next two. 🌴🐈🪄🪄🔮🍪
December 25, 2023
Great start for a new series! I loved the setting and how Amelia slowly starts to understand her powers and why she needs to be in town. The humor of having an older perimenopausal main character adds to the charm of the series and makes her more relatable (at least for me). The paranormal aspect was interesting, and I am looking forward to learning more about Amelia’s gift and her new town.
July 6, 2024
Finished this in one day... ONE DAY. Loved it.
"A magical read about the power of female friendship, the courage to start over and begin anew." ~nerdywordyreviews
Eat, Pray, Hex is a well-rounded novel filled with mystery, spirits, magical abilities, and fun-loving friendships. This is book one of A Crescent Moon Mystery Series.
Amelia, a former cookie shop owner (before her recent divorce), receives word that her aunt has recently passed on and left her an inn in Florida. The Crescent Moon. This news is well-received as she is nearing 50 and with all that has been happening in her life, this could be the change she desperately needs and help for her financial woes. However, upon her arrival at the Crescent Moon, she finds it is old, haunted, and needs a lot of TLC.
While navigating the town, meeting her aunt's closest friend and following an unsolved mystery of the past, she realizes she may be the only one who can save the inn. Amelia has to learn to embrace her psychic abilities to overcome the misbehaving spirits. With the help of newfound friendships, she discovers more about herself, her abilities, her aunt and the inn than she bargained for.
Eat, Pray, Hex is a wonderful, cozy book I read in a day. I couldn't put it down. It is fast-paced and engaging read. The characters are relatable, each with their own quirks.
Although there are some stressful circumstances throughout the book, the love of a new life and the friendships developed gives hope and inspiration to those reading the story who may go through something similar in their own life.
The story incorporates the mystery element well, and it reveals the storyline in its entirety by following her aunts' directions.
There are comical moments that made me laugh out loud and some characters whose behaviour, antics, dialogue or names add to that warm, cozy feel.
This was a warm the heart, fun book. This was my first book by author Tara Lush and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
"A magical read about the power of female friendship, the courage to start over and begin anew." ~nerdywordyreviews
Eat, Pray, Hex is a well-rounded novel filled with mystery, spirits, magical abilities, and fun-loving friendships. This is book one of A Crescent Moon Mystery Series.
Amelia, a former cookie shop owner (before her recent divorce), receives word that her aunt has recently passed on and left her an inn in Florida. The Crescent Moon. This news is well-received as she is nearing 50 and with all that has been happening in her life, this could be the change she desperately needs and help for her financial woes. However, upon her arrival at the Crescent Moon, she finds it is old, haunted, and needs a lot of TLC.
While navigating the town, meeting her aunt's closest friend and following an unsolved mystery of the past, she realizes she may be the only one who can save the inn. Amelia has to learn to embrace her psychic abilities to overcome the misbehaving spirits. With the help of newfound friendships, she discovers more about herself, her abilities, her aunt and the inn than she bargained for.
Eat, Pray, Hex is a wonderful, cozy book I read in a day. I couldn't put it down. It is fast-paced and engaging read. The characters are relatable, each with their own quirks.
Although there are some stressful circumstances throughout the book, the love of a new life and the friendships developed gives hope and inspiration to those reading the story who may go through something similar in their own life.
The story incorporates the mystery element well, and it reveals the storyline in its entirety by following her aunts' directions.
There are comical moments that made me laugh out loud and some characters whose behaviour, antics, dialogue or names add to that warm, cozy feel.
This was a warm the heart, fun book. This was my first book by author Tara Lush and I look forward to reading more of her work in the future.
July 28, 2024
I think this just might be one of my top 5 favorite books of all time!!! I've never been one to kick my feet while reading but when I say I got happy feet reading this, I'm not even joking. 100% relatable, the protagonist is in my age range (mid-late 40s), divorced, adult child, perimenopausal, making big changes in her life and second guessing herself. Add a little witchy-ness and magic to the mix, not to mention a hot professor and a cat named Freddie Purrcury, well, this book just CALLS to me! I cannot wait to continue on with the rest of the series!!!
October 13, 2023
This cover is amazing. I love the colors. This was such a great read. Also, what a great name for a cat!
I love cozies! My favorites are the ones with cats, witches or the paranormal. This checked all my boxes. It gave me comedy, mystery, paranormal and a hint of romance. I loved learning about psychometry because I have never heard of it before.
I love that this book had me feeling so many emotions. I remember I was reading before bed and at one point it had me a little scared. I remember thinking I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. Of course, it was nothing, but this book gave me the feels. There was one ending to a chapter that had me scared of what was going to happen next and the beginning of the next chapter had me laughing. It is so great when I feel like I am right there with the characters and feeling as if everything is happening to me as well.
I am so excited because I hear there is a book two in the works called, I Want Your Hex.
Thank you to the author my copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love cozies! My favorites are the ones with cats, witches or the paranormal. This checked all my boxes. It gave me comedy, mystery, paranormal and a hint of romance. I loved learning about psychometry because I have never heard of it before.
I love that this book had me feeling so many emotions. I remember I was reading before bed and at one point it had me a little scared. I remember thinking I saw something move out of the corner of my eye. Of course, it was nothing, but this book gave me the feels. There was one ending to a chapter that had me scared of what was going to happen next and the beginning of the next chapter had me laughing. It is so great when I feel like I am right there with the characters and feeling as if everything is happening to me as well.
I am so excited because I hear there is a book two in the works called, I Want Your Hex.
Thank you to the author my copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 13, 2023
I was expecting to like this book because in general I really enjoy all the author's books. But I was unexpectedly delighted by this book. There is an underlying good humor and positivity woven throughout the book. I love the characters and community of Cypress Grove. The mystery was "mysterious" enough to keep my attention. And I loved the humorous insights into Florida life (having lived in Central Florida now for 15 years). And now, I want a snickerdoodle (gotta read the book to understand). Go read it.
April 4, 2024
Top-tier cozy mystery! Kind of stunned how good it was. LOVED our perimenopausal main character Amelia, all of her friends, especially that silver fox Oliver, and basically everything else in the book. I want to live at the Crescent Moon Inn and have supernatural powers too. WHY CAN'T I
November 29, 2023
Rounding up from 4.5 stars
Immediately drawn into the story, I loved the characters. As a divorcee, Amelia is in a transitional time of her life who just inherited a haunted inn in a Florida town known for its paranormal activity. Recently the inn had real monetary issues seeming from an unhappy ghost. Recovering some memories, Amelia realizes there may be some truth to her aunt's belief she had untapped power and potential. Totally enjoyable.
Immediately drawn into the story, I loved the characters. As a divorcee, Amelia is in a transitional time of her life who just inherited a haunted inn in a Florida town known for its paranormal activity. Recently the inn had real monetary issues seeming from an unhappy ghost. Recovering some memories, Amelia realizes there may be some truth to her aunt's belief she had untapped power and potential. Totally enjoyable.
October 10, 2023
Eat, Pray, Hex
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“ Paranormal and perimenopausal? Amelia's got double trouble.
When hot flash–prone cookie shop owner Amelia inherits a spooky Florida inn, she plans to sell it fast. But the place is haunted by an unsolved murder, and her dead aunt tasks her with using her newfound psychic powers to crack the case.”
I really enjoyed the mystery and all the kookie things in this town. The characters are written well where I want to read the next one to find out more about them. I knew who the killer was early on but didn’t know why and that kept me wanting to read which I love. Cannot wait for the next one. Recommend this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“ Paranormal and perimenopausal? Amelia's got double trouble.
When hot flash–prone cookie shop owner Amelia inherits a spooky Florida inn, she plans to sell it fast. But the place is haunted by an unsolved murder, and her dead aunt tasks her with using her newfound psychic powers to crack the case.”
I really enjoyed the mystery and all the kookie things in this town. The characters are written well where I want to read the next one to find out more about them. I knew who the killer was early on but didn’t know why and that kept me wanting to read which I love. Cannot wait for the next one. Recommend this series.
July 15, 2025
Eat, Pray, Hex is the first book in The Crescent Moon series of paranormal mysteries.
This book is set in Florida in a small town renowned for its psychic residents and quirky places.
Amelia has recently inherited her aunt’s hotel, a place that she hasn’t visited since she was six years old. In fact, Amelia cannot remember the visit or anything about her childhood. However, when she runs her hand along the stair banister she experiences a psychometric vision about the past.
All Amelia plans to do is sell the hotel and go back to California, but first she must deal with the resident ghost whose paranormal activities are disrupting the guests. Friends of Amelia’s aunt are keen to introduce Amelia to the town and help her banish her ghost while solving a mystery from the past.
This was a fun story, the small town was a delight. I especially liked that people had recipes etched onto their gravestones in the cemetery. I also wanted to visit the shops and hotel myself, it all sounded delightful.
This book is set in Florida in a small town renowned for its psychic residents and quirky places.
Amelia has recently inherited her aunt’s hotel, a place that she hasn’t visited since she was six years old. In fact, Amelia cannot remember the visit or anything about her childhood. However, when she runs her hand along the stair banister she experiences a psychometric vision about the past.
All Amelia plans to do is sell the hotel and go back to California, but first she must deal with the resident ghost whose paranormal activities are disrupting the guests. Friends of Amelia’s aunt are keen to introduce Amelia to the town and help her banish her ghost while solving a mystery from the past.
This was a fun story, the small town was a delight. I especially liked that people had recipes etched onto their gravestones in the cemetery. I also wanted to visit the shops and hotel myself, it all sounded delightful.
October 8, 2023
Thank you @taralush for the opportunity to read the ARC Eat, Pray, Hex for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
I knew I was in for a wild ride once I started reading Eat, Pray, Hex. Who doesn’t love a story with quirky characters, a cat named Freddie Purrcury and misbehaving ghosts?
I really enjoyed reading this cozy midlife paranormal mystery. I found myself laughing out loud quite often.
Eat, Pray, Hex is a wacky and hilarious book I highly recommend to anyone that enjoys reading an engaging and bewitching paranormal themed story.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
@shortbookthyme
I knew I was in for a wild ride once I started reading Eat, Pray, Hex. Who doesn’t love a story with quirky characters, a cat named Freddie Purrcury and misbehaving ghosts?
I really enjoyed reading this cozy midlife paranormal mystery. I found myself laughing out loud quite often.
Eat, Pray, Hex is a wacky and hilarious book I highly recommend to anyone that enjoys reading an engaging and bewitching paranormal themed story.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
@shortbookthyme
October 24, 2025
This is a fun start to a cozy mystery series. It’s the first book that I have read by this author and I’ve already bought the next two in the series. I think as I get older, I enjoy books that have older main characters who are more mature and have a better feel for where they are in their lives. Throw in some magical power and paranormal activity and you have a winning storyline.
June 27, 2025
I enjoyed this light mystery. Amelia inherits a haunted hotel from her dear aunt. Just one problem, the ghost named Billy is not happy. Now Amelia has to figure out why and how to make him calm down. This book is cute and funny. I enjoyed the pace as well.
July 8, 2025
Fun read
This was a cute and fun read. There was no real mystery building to unfold, it all just kind of flopped on out there without any real work. I liked that the main character was older, and lover her cat's name, but there could have been a lot more development. This is one I got on Stuff Your Kindle Day for fun, so I'm not mad about it. I'm not sure if I'll read any more of the series or not. The writing feels more like a YA book, which is weird with a perimenopausal main character.
This was a cute and fun read. There was no real mystery building to unfold, it all just kind of flopped on out there without any real work. I liked that the main character was older, and lover her cat's name, but there could have been a lot more development. This is one I got on Stuff Your Kindle Day for fun, so I'm not mad about it. I'm not sure if I'll read any more of the series or not. The writing feels more like a YA book, which is weird with a perimenopausal main character.
April 30, 2024
Fun, quirky Florida cozy mystery
This was so fun. Loved the quirky Florida town and its residents, especially Jimbo and the librarian. Not to mention the ghost humor! 👻👻
This was so fun. Loved the quirky Florida town and its residents, especially Jimbo and the librarian. Not to mention the ghost humor! 👻👻
September 10, 2025
3.5 or 4 stars????
October 25, 2025
I so enjoyed the time reading about a special community filled with different people with extraordinary talents!
Read
October 28, 2025Cute and fun read. Just what I needed for a light read and also a fall theme.
October 25, 2023
Amelia Matthews is trying to get her life in order, but it’s not easy. She has just been through a messy divorce where she lost the cookie delivery company that she created. When she finds out her aunt left her a hotel in Florida, Amelia leaves her home in California and heads to Florida. All she brings with her is her cat, Freddie Purrcury.
She quickly finds out that her aunt neglected to tell her a few things. The first major thing is that a ghost has taken up residency in the hotel and is scaring away all the customers. Much to Amelia’s shock, she has paranormal powers and it’s up to her to get rid of the ghost so the hotel can once again be successful. First, she must solve a cold case. How did the resident ghost die and what will let him rest in peace?
Paranormal cozies aren’t my usual genre, but this one grabbed me in from the first page. The characters are off-beat, whacky and lovable. This town is a spooky one, but it’s also fun to read.
I couldn’t get enough of this story. The resolution is satisfying, although the cold case wasn’t too surprising. I don’t really want to mention too much about the plot as I don’t want to give away any spoilers.
For me, this book has great characters, an interesting plot and a cute kitty named Freddie Purrcury! It’s a magical tale that left me smiling. It's the first book in a brand-new series and it's off to an excellent start. Tara Lush has a fan in me, and I’ll be checking out her backlist.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
She quickly finds out that her aunt neglected to tell her a few things. The first major thing is that a ghost has taken up residency in the hotel and is scaring away all the customers. Much to Amelia’s shock, she has paranormal powers and it’s up to her to get rid of the ghost so the hotel can once again be successful. First, she must solve a cold case. How did the resident ghost die and what will let him rest in peace?
Paranormal cozies aren’t my usual genre, but this one grabbed me in from the first page. The characters are off-beat, whacky and lovable. This town is a spooky one, but it’s also fun to read.
I couldn’t get enough of this story. The resolution is satisfying, although the cold case wasn’t too surprising. I don’t really want to mention too much about the plot as I don’t want to give away any spoilers.
For me, this book has great characters, an interesting plot and a cute kitty named Freddie Purrcury! It’s a magical tale that left me smiling. It's the first book in a brand-new series and it's off to an excellent start. Tara Lush has a fan in me, and I’ll be checking out her backlist.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the author and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 7, 2025
Instant favorite
I loved this book! The mystery was excellent. I loved seeing Amelia's psychometry develop as she and her new friends helped Billy. An instant favorite cozy series for me!
I loved this book! The mystery was excellent. I loved seeing Amelia's psychometry develop as she and her new friends helped Billy. An instant favorite cozy series for me!
July 25, 2024
Eat, Pray, Hex was presented to me as a cozy mystery about a middle aged woman who joins a coven and has a cat named Freddie Purrcury. I couldn't possibly pass that up!
Amelia has arrived at her aunt's Inn in Florida to find that it not only needs some repairs, but it's also haunted. Her aunt has left behind an ominous letter that will send her on an adventure through a super mystical town filled with psychics and mediums.
Amelia is smart, honest, and imperfect and approaches these challenges with an immense amount of humor as she teams up with the town's professor and his witchy cowgirl sister. Eat, Pray, Hex will have you nodding along in agreement with the experience of being a middle aged woman, laughing out loud at kooky antics, and deeply invested in this small town inn.
If you loved Molly Harper's 'Witches Get Stuff Done' or Aura Lee Wallace's 'In The Company of Witches,' this needs to be the next book on your list!
Thank you SO MUCH to Tara Lush for sending me a copy of Eat, Pray, Hex to read! I'm totally hooked on the Crescent Moon Mystery Series now, and I've already got a copy of Eat, Pray, Hex heading to my mom and aunt!
Amelia has arrived at her aunt's Inn in Florida to find that it not only needs some repairs, but it's also haunted. Her aunt has left behind an ominous letter that will send her on an adventure through a super mystical town filled with psychics and mediums.
Amelia is smart, honest, and imperfect and approaches these challenges with an immense amount of humor as she teams up with the town's professor and his witchy cowgirl sister. Eat, Pray, Hex will have you nodding along in agreement with the experience of being a middle aged woman, laughing out loud at kooky antics, and deeply invested in this small town inn.
If you loved Molly Harper's 'Witches Get Stuff Done' or Aura Lee Wallace's 'In The Company of Witches,' this needs to be the next book on your list!
Thank you SO MUCH to Tara Lush for sending me a copy of Eat, Pray, Hex to read! I'm totally hooked on the Crescent Moon Mystery Series now, and I've already got a copy of Eat, Pray, Hex heading to my mom and aunt!
May 29, 2024
When I saw that Eat, Pray Hex featured a cat named Freddie Purrcury…I was instantly sold!!!!
When Amelia inherits her late Aunt’s business, she gets a lot more than she bargained for! She quickly discovers this Florida town is home to many with paranormal gifts…and that she has psychic abilities! And the hotel?? It’s haunted by a troubled spirit who likes to turn off the air conditioning! This was such a fun series debut and I can’t wait to see where Tara Lush takes the storyline next!
🔮 Magical Midlife Adventure
✨ Psychic Powers
🐾 Purrfect Cat Companion
👻 Haunted Hotel
💰 Mysterious Inheritance
💔 Starting Over
🏘️ Town Secrets
🔍 Cozy Mystery
🗄️ Cold Case
📚 First in a New Series
🪦 Gravestone Recipes
🐊 Florida
Thank you so much Tara Lush for the ARC!
When Amelia inherits her late Aunt’s business, she gets a lot more than she bargained for! She quickly discovers this Florida town is home to many with paranormal gifts…and that she has psychic abilities! And the hotel?? It’s haunted by a troubled spirit who likes to turn off the air conditioning! This was such a fun series debut and I can’t wait to see where Tara Lush takes the storyline next!
🔮 Magical Midlife Adventure
✨ Psychic Powers
🐾 Purrfect Cat Companion
👻 Haunted Hotel
💰 Mysterious Inheritance
💔 Starting Over
🏘️ Town Secrets
🔍 Cozy Mystery
🗄️ Cold Case
📚 First in a New Series
🪦 Gravestone Recipes
🐊 Florida
Thank you so much Tara Lush for the ARC!
Read
August 10, 2024DNF ~ I wanted to call it quits at chapter 7, but decided to give it another chapter because I really wanted to like it. I just couldn’t get in to the FMC. A 47 year-old woman who can’t stay in a place she inherited because someone told her it was haunted, is too weak for my tastes. Also, talking about all of her bones creaking (at 47?) was just not real. The author needs to become more informed.
April 16, 2024
I loved this from the first page! Perfect paranormal cozy for me at this point in life. I’m so glad I found this book. Loved Amelia and her group of friends she finds in Florida. Can’t wait to read the next one!
February 13, 2025
My review will soon also post to Novels Alive.
I haven't read Tara Lush's works before, but was rather curious about this series premise when I was asked to review the audio version of Eat, Pray, Hex. While I love cozy mysteries, I don't often gravitate towards ones that have a paranormal twist. But I decided to go out of my comfort zone and give this title a try and I'm glad I did.
Amelia is a likeable character who happens to find herself in a strange situation. She's inherited a hotel from an aunt she barely knew. When she goes to Florida to see the hotel and assess if it can be sold, she gets drawn into a cold case murder mystery that took place at the inn during the 1950s. The town where the hotel is located is known for embracing the mystic side of life and Amelia finds out that her own family has a history of paranormal gifts and the longer she stays in town, her own powers start to make themselves known.
The secondary characters were all so quirky and quite diverse. I loved that there was so much representation and diversity amongst the characters. it made the setting of a small Florida town even more realistic. While a lot of characters and background was thrown at me as the stage was being set for the mystery as well as the series, I didn't feel overwhelmed and was just swept along for the ride and enjoyed my time.
The mystery wasn't terribly complicated, but I found that I didn't mind. It really was just the foundation for the reader to get to know Amelia, her powers as well as the town and its inhabitants. The cold case was solved, the victim got justice and it was all wrapped up in a nice little bow. And I actually am curious to continue the series to see what happens next with Amelia and her new friends.
Anna Maste was a good narrator for Eat, Pray, Hex. Although I felt it was a little too slowly paced for my tastes. With her southern twang, it just felt a little too drawn out. But as soon as I sped up the reading speed to 1.5, I was hooked! Other than the slow pacing, Anna's performance worked for me from the accents to the emotion. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to more from her in the future.
Eat, Pray, Hex was a fun time and a great start to a new mystery series. The paranormal aspects, while plentiful, aren't exactly scary, but I'd keep that in mind if that's not really your thing. But if you do enjoy a little supernatural to mix into your cozy mystery, give this one a try.
I haven't read Tara Lush's works before, but was rather curious about this series premise when I was asked to review the audio version of Eat, Pray, Hex. While I love cozy mysteries, I don't often gravitate towards ones that have a paranormal twist. But I decided to go out of my comfort zone and give this title a try and I'm glad I did.
Amelia is a likeable character who happens to find herself in a strange situation. She's inherited a hotel from an aunt she barely knew. When she goes to Florida to see the hotel and assess if it can be sold, she gets drawn into a cold case murder mystery that took place at the inn during the 1950s. The town where the hotel is located is known for embracing the mystic side of life and Amelia finds out that her own family has a history of paranormal gifts and the longer she stays in town, her own powers start to make themselves known.
The secondary characters were all so quirky and quite diverse. I loved that there was so much representation and diversity amongst the characters. it made the setting of a small Florida town even more realistic. While a lot of characters and background was thrown at me as the stage was being set for the mystery as well as the series, I didn't feel overwhelmed and was just swept along for the ride and enjoyed my time.
The mystery wasn't terribly complicated, but I found that I didn't mind. It really was just the foundation for the reader to get to know Amelia, her powers as well as the town and its inhabitants. The cold case was solved, the victim got justice and it was all wrapped up in a nice little bow. And I actually am curious to continue the series to see what happens next with Amelia and her new friends.
Anna Maste was a good narrator for Eat, Pray, Hex. Although I felt it was a little too slowly paced for my tastes. With her southern twang, it just felt a little too drawn out. But as soon as I sped up the reading speed to 1.5, I was hooked! Other than the slow pacing, Anna's performance worked for me from the accents to the emotion. I wouldn't hesitate to listen to more from her in the future.
Eat, Pray, Hex was a fun time and a great start to a new mystery series. The paranormal aspects, while plentiful, aren't exactly scary, but I'd keep that in mind if that's not really your thing. But if you do enjoy a little supernatural to mix into your cozy mystery, give this one a try.
October 15, 2023
This book has:
☑️A haunted hotel
☑️Real-woman rep
☑️Found family
📖Words I learned:
✔️Masthead: the title of a newspaper at the head of the front page.
✔️ Nadir: the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organisation.
➡️Amelia Matthews, recently divorced and perimenopausal, inherits a hotel from an estranged aunt. She travels to Florida to sort out the business- planning to sell off the hotel and return to California to sort out her post-divorce mess of a life. She quickly learns that selling isn’t going to be as easy as she hoped, and she is forced to confront the idea of being saddled with a failing business that she knows nothing about.
💭I loved reading about a woman struggling through her 40s and perimenopause and divorce and financial trouble. She’s on the cusp between two very different lifestyles- a return to her “old” life only post-divorce (with no job and no home) and a completely new and unknown life in a place that’s so different from what she’s used to. The questions she is facing about herself are questions I could relate to (my divorce was in my 30s, but the questions weren’t at all different for me): what will my life be like in the future? Will I be happy? Capable? Confident?
💭I love a good paranormal novel and cozy mysteries have quickly become a favourite genre of mine in the past few years. This book brings it all together in a delightfully strange setting. I read the majority of this book while vacationing in Orlando and it was enjoyable to read about the sticky-sweaty humidity and torrential downpour in the book while I was experiencing those very things. My vacation was Halloween themed and the witchery in the book was also reflected around me and it made the story so immersive for me. And there is a cookie recipe (and a flowery boozy recipe for the more daring amongst you)!
☑️A haunted hotel
☑️Real-woman rep
☑️Found family
📖Words I learned:
✔️Masthead: the title of a newspaper at the head of the front page.
✔️ Nadir: the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organisation.
➡️Amelia Matthews, recently divorced and perimenopausal, inherits a hotel from an estranged aunt. She travels to Florida to sort out the business- planning to sell off the hotel and return to California to sort out her post-divorce mess of a life. She quickly learns that selling isn’t going to be as easy as she hoped, and she is forced to confront the idea of being saddled with a failing business that she knows nothing about.
💭I loved reading about a woman struggling through her 40s and perimenopause and divorce and financial trouble. She’s on the cusp between two very different lifestyles- a return to her “old” life only post-divorce (with no job and no home) and a completely new and unknown life in a place that’s so different from what she’s used to. The questions she is facing about herself are questions I could relate to (my divorce was in my 30s, but the questions weren’t at all different for me): what will my life be like in the future? Will I be happy? Capable? Confident?
💭I love a good paranormal novel and cozy mysteries have quickly become a favourite genre of mine in the past few years. This book brings it all together in a delightfully strange setting. I read the majority of this book while vacationing in Orlando and it was enjoyable to read about the sticky-sweaty humidity and torrential downpour in the book while I was experiencing those very things. My vacation was Halloween themed and the witchery in the book was also reflected around me and it made the story so immersive for me. And there is a cookie recipe (and a flowery boozy recipe for the more daring amongst you)!
November 1, 2023
Thank-you Tara Lush for letting me read this book as an ARC - I really do appreciate it.
Eat, Pray, Hex is a cosy, witchy, murder mystery that was super quick to read and get in to.
I really enjoyed the simplicity of the writing and it was a nice brain break from the fantasy I’ve read recently.
Despite being only 24, I also really appreciated the fact that the main character was a divorced, middle aged women learning that she had these psychometric powers. I thought this concept was super refreshing as all other books along these lines seem to be from the perspective of a 20 something year old.
And I could never forget the little cat sidekick Freddie, any book that includes a beloved animal gets my vote!
Despite enjoying this book, there were a couple of things that I didn’t enjoy quite as much.
Firstly, the whodunnit murder mystery, really wasn’t a mystery. I had guessed who it was at first mention of their name and I felt like the lead up to this discovery wasn’t very good at convincing you it was someone else.
I’m addition to this, I feel like nothing really major happens that leaves you gripped and never wanting to put the book down - which was kind of what I was looking for in this read. I wanted something that was just a cute, easy read and I got it.
So the conclusion is…
Would I recommend this book? - yes if this is the type of thing you’re looking for
Would I read any sequels? - maybe depends on what it’s about, but probably not.
Eat, Pray, Hex is a cosy, witchy, murder mystery that was super quick to read and get in to.
I really enjoyed the simplicity of the writing and it was a nice brain break from the fantasy I’ve read recently.
Despite being only 24, I also really appreciated the fact that the main character was a divorced, middle aged women learning that she had these psychometric powers. I thought this concept was super refreshing as all other books along these lines seem to be from the perspective of a 20 something year old.
And I could never forget the little cat sidekick Freddie, any book that includes a beloved animal gets my vote!
Despite enjoying this book, there were a couple of things that I didn’t enjoy quite as much.
Firstly, the whodunnit murder mystery, really wasn’t a mystery. I had guessed who it was at first mention of their name and I felt like the lead up to this discovery wasn’t very good at convincing you it was someone else.
I’m addition to this, I feel like nothing really major happens that leaves you gripped and never wanting to put the book down - which was kind of what I was looking for in this read. I wanted something that was just a cute, easy read and I got it.
So the conclusion is…
Would I recommend this book? - yes if this is the type of thing you’re looking for
Would I read any sequels? - maybe depends on what it’s about, but probably not.
February 22, 2025
Look, if I suddenly inherited a haunted B&B in Florida, my first instinct would probably be to burn sage and run. But Amelia, our witchy protagonist in Eat, Pray, Hex, decides to stick around and see what’s up—which is great for us, because this book is a paranormal cozy mystery with all the right ingredients: murder, magic, midlife chaos, and a cat with the best name in the game (Freddie Purrcury, I salute you).
Amelia’s plan was simple: sell her late aunt’s B&B and move on. But when she finds out the place is not only haunted (hi, Aunt Hyacinth) but also tangled up in an unsolved murder, things get messy fast. Oh, and did I mention she suddenly has psychic powers? Because why not add that to the list of midlife surprises? With the help of an eccentric cast—including a sexy potential love interest, a talking ghost, and her scene-stealing cat—Amelia dives headfirst into the mystery. The small-town vibes are fun, the paranormal elements are just the right amount of spooky, and the mystery itself keeps you guessing without getting too dark.
I’m giving Eat, Pray, Hex a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars! It’s fun, fast-paced, and full of personality—exactly what you want from a paranormal cozy. Plus, any book that makes me want to believe in ghostly gossip sessions and sassy feline sidekicks is a win in my book. Now, if you need me, I’ll be googling “how to inherit a haunted B&B” because honestly? I’d risk the ghosts for a place this fun.
Amelia’s plan was simple: sell her late aunt’s B&B and move on. But when she finds out the place is not only haunted (hi, Aunt Hyacinth) but also tangled up in an unsolved murder, things get messy fast. Oh, and did I mention she suddenly has psychic powers? Because why not add that to the list of midlife surprises? With the help of an eccentric cast—including a sexy potential love interest, a talking ghost, and her scene-stealing cat—Amelia dives headfirst into the mystery. The small-town vibes are fun, the paranormal elements are just the right amount of spooky, and the mystery itself keeps you guessing without getting too dark.
I’m giving Eat, Pray, Hex a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars! It’s fun, fast-paced, and full of personality—exactly what you want from a paranormal cozy. Plus, any book that makes me want to believe in ghostly gossip sessions and sassy feline sidekicks is a win in my book. Now, if you need me, I’ll be googling “how to inherit a haunted B&B” because honestly? I’d risk the ghosts for a place this fun.
October 12, 2023
Eat Pay Hex by Tara Lush is the first book in the Crescent Moon Mystery series. Amelia, after going through a horrible divorce and losing her cookie business to her ex-husband inherts an inn in Florida from her aunt, whom she hadn't seen since she was a child. When she gets to the hotel, she finds out the property is haunted by a teenage ghost and must find a way to solve his muder and help him reunite with his long lost love. Ontop af all this, she also finds out she is a witch and must learn how to control her awaken powers.
I really enjoyed this book and thought it had an interesting take take on witches powers. I never heard of the term psychometry, which is the ability to sense emotions impressions or visions related to the history of an object. I thought It was interesting to learn about the development of these powers. I also enjoyed the characters and the town. I liked the idea of it being a hub for witches to learn to their abilities. I especially thought the cowgirl witch was funny. I am looking forward to the next book in this series
I really enjoyed this book and thought it had an interesting take take on witches powers. I never heard of the term psychometry, which is the ability to sense emotions impressions or visions related to the history of an object. I thought It was interesting to learn about the development of these powers. I also enjoyed the characters and the town. I liked the idea of it being a hub for witches to learn to their abilities. I especially thought the cowgirl witch was funny. I am looking forward to the next book in this series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 213 reviews