The Magic of Death

by Leslie Gail

Witches, Murder, and Ghosts, oh my!
Welcome to Dead End, Texas, a tourist town where it’s spooky season all year long…

Star Bell comes from a long line of witches originating all the way back to Salem—if her granny is to be believed.

While the rest of her family employs their magical abilities in their assorted businesses on Main Street, Star flat out refuses to use her own because communicating with the dearly departed has never brought her anything but trouble. And the one spirit she wants to talk to—her sister Astra—has ghosted her. So why bother?

And if that’s not enough for an almost forty-year-old to deal with, she’s living with three generations of Bells. Between her sixty-year-old aunt who is acting like a teenager and her teenage niece who isn’t acting much like herself, Star doesn’t have a moment of peace these days.

But when her niece becomes the prime suspect in a murder investigation, Star must embrace her power and enlist the spirits of Dead End to help find the real killer before she becomes a permanent resident of Dead End herself.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fantasy, Fiction, Contemporary, Paranormal

251 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2023

Reviews

[Vickie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprise

I wasn't sure that I would like this book. I couldn't put it down. Alot of twists and turns. Awesome

[Sarah Welsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful debut novel. Great characters and loved the twists and turns along the way.
Completely hooked and couldn’t put it down.
Small town with big spooky vibes, can’t wait for more in this series to come.

[Michelle Willms · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series start

I really enjoyed this first book in a series. The main character can see and communicate with the dead. She's suppressed this gift for most of her life, but now, with a murder affecting those dearest to her, she needs to utilize this talent.

The only problem with the book is that it really needs to be edited. There are sentences with words in the wrong order; sentences with extra words; words left out of sentences, and lots of punctuation errors.

Otherwise, this is a story that is interesting and fun to read.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ghosts Can be Helpful

This was an intense, but fun paranormal cozy mystery. Star is the main character and she can see and talk to ghosts. Which can be both good and bad. She also gets visions - ones that, in this case, show events that happened years ago but lead to the recent killings in their small town of Dead End. There are a lot of corruptions and secrets abound throughout. Star’s family is quirky and interesting in that they are witches. Star uses her gift/curse to help her discover the killer(s), but nearly ends up being a victim herself.

The story plot was intriguing and had a satisfying end. The characters well done, and the scene setting fit the story. What the story needed though was better editing. There were quite a few glitches throughout, but that didn’t lower my enjoyment of the story.

Recommended.

[Pam Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

I originally started this book in 2023. It’s not the type of book I usually read. I love mysteries but tend to stay away from the supernatural genre. ( I can’t tell you how many times I tried to watch the Supernatural tv series - but just never could get into it). For some reason this summer I decided to pick this book up again. I fell in love with it immediately. It didn’t even seem like the same book I had started 2 years ago. Maybe I was in a “funk” then - I don’t know. All I know is I raced through this book. The good thing about just now reading it is that I don’t have to wait long for the next.

BTW I noticed a few other reviewers mentioned too many characters to keep track of. I didn’t find that to be a problem.

[Tamara Labat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Did someone say small town corruption? Why yes, yes we did! Throw in a quite a few ghost and you have yourself a party! When not working at one of her 5 jobs, Star is busy doing what any other 30 something year old does….she works on ignoring the hundreds of ghost that walk her town. But in order to protect her niece and everything she holds dear, Star risk it all in this brand new small town cozy mystery!

I absolutely loved this book, so much so, I took out a piece of paper and wrote down the entire cast of characters and how they related to each other. I can’t wait to see what book two has in store for the town of Dead End!

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

BOOK REPORT
Another fun fluffy.

I’m a sucker for stuff set in Texas, and witches. Especially ones that can communicate with the dead.

Did the mystery proper get a little convoluted-y?

Well, yeah. But not enough so to put me off the series, which I plan to continue at some point.

Note To Future Kristi: You have kept this and several other paranormal cozies on your Kindle app after finishing them to remind you that you want to continue these series if/when you ever do another Kindle Unlimited Trial.

[Debz78 · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was unexpected, I was thinking this is gonna be a meh kinda read, but it has twists, turns, comedy, pain, sadness, hope and so much more.
Star is a simple girl from a town in Texas called Dead End, she sees ghosts and can speak with them, her family are apparently descendants of the Salem witches. She doesn't like the fact she can see ghosts lol but it ends up helping her when she finally listens. Such a great read, I'll deffo be going to book 2

[Chrissi Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really cool. I picked out because i really needed an in between book and the cover caught my eye. I love the main character and her family. I really enjoyed how it was different from most murder mysteries. I kind the character diversity and the plot. I liked that it wasn't overly graphic and it was more about the story than making you cringe at the crime scenes. This book had little to no romance in it which is also refreshing. I'll be on the lookout for book 2!

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so much fun reading this! The character list is LARGE and it was sometimes difficult to keep everyone straight but I think that was intentional. I loved the characters and the story was riveting! The twists and turns were jaw dropping and believable. I sincerely hope this author gains some traction. She deserves it! I can't wait to read the next one.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story and how the ghosts are not just a prop but part of the progression of the story.

However I found it hard to follow. There was too many people and names to keep track of especially at the beginning it was difficult to follow for this reason.

I also had a fun time trying to see where in Tx this fake town exists because I live near the real places that were mentioned.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a lot of names to keep straight, especially towards the end, and I still don’t know who all the bad guys were, but I really liked this book! I loved the family dynamic and the ghosts and a bit of possible romance in there it being in Texas and it ended enough on a baby cliffhanger that I want to read the next one. Oh…I just realized there isn’t a next one yet. Well that stinks.

[Heather Joubert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun witchy murder mystery! The characters were great and relatable. I loved the references to songs, shows, etc. scattered throughout the story. Overall, a really fun cozy mystery that was super bingable!

[Liz Feldesman · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me a little to get into the booo and that’s the only reason why it was a 3 star for me. It had some moments where you might not expect what’s going on but for the most part for me it was a good read. Nothing super special but it was a book that I didn’t need to DNF which I HATE doing.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

twists and turns

This Dead End story had some interesting twists and turns. Some of the plot elements, the bag of hiding and the amulet, were too convenient. I would like to get to know the characters a little more and I hope that happens in the next book.

[Amie LaCharite · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ended up really enjoying this book! I found the first half a bit slow, but the second half was really engaging for me. I enjoyed this read, and appreciated that it was part magic, and part mystery.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read

I've been in a reading slump. I finished in 3 days. The characters are relatable and likeable. It was an easy read with an interesting mystery. There's history, but I felt like I knew everyone. I'm sorry I waited so long before reading it.

[Sami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

LOVE. I felt it was unique. I felt I was in the shoes of the main character and almost talking to myself or a best friend. I got this book not knowing what to expect but I’ve already bought book two!

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witches

Awesome read lots of fun, good characters and storyline. Someone is killing people to hide a secret from the past but they didn't count on the Bell witches.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful, clever, sassy, witchy … it checks all the boxes. And it’s the first in a series! Squeeeee! Can’t wait to read more about this family! 🩷

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and the commentary from the ghost adds a
Little mystery until it all came together!

[Jo Ann Drolshagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking forward to the next book!

One of the better plotted novels I've read recently. Please write a bit fast (without sacrificing the quality.) Liked the cool cover art!

[Kathleen Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! When does book 2 come out 🤣

[Valeriia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I live for small town dramas 🧎

[Nicole · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea what happened in this book. Way too many characters.

[Jessica Duffy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Was quite confusing with all the different family members names but it was a good story!

[Helene Black]

DNF - 10%

[Callie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read. Good suspense. Great road trip book.

[Crystal Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I could not put this book down once I started. I have already preordered the second one! The twists were crazy.

[James Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulous tale

The author has created an amazing and innovative plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down