A Vampire in Disguise

Creatures of the Midwest #1

by Ava Silvers

A witch’s mission to find her sister’s killer leads to otherworldly dangers.When Hazel Goode’s search for a murderer lands her in Shadow Hollow, she thinks the strangest thing there is herself. But this little midwestern town has been collecting supernatural creatures for centuries, and the arrival of one more could shatter the paranormal veil.Corwin doesn’t plan to disclose he’s a vampire. After all, vampires are supposed to be extinct. But when he enlists Hazel’s help to solve a mystery – the same mystery she is trying to solve…but for a very different reason – his secret will put them both in danger.Helping Corwin could crack Hazel’s case wide open, or could make them the next target. Now, with the Last Vampire on Earth and Hazel both digging around in the Midwest’s magical underbelly, it won’t be long before an uncontrollable darkness is released. And this time, there will be no escape.Fans of True Blood and Midnight, Texas will find their next fix in Creatures of the Midwest series, a thrilling, additive paranormal drama.Scroll up and one click to start reading this cozy small town fantasy today!

Genres: Paranormal, Vampires, Mystery

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2024

Reviews

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cosy paranormal mystery. At the beginning of the story, the protagonist, Hazel, was searching for her sister. I thought Hazel was a good protagonist and a fun narrator, as she was caring, funny and witty, and I liked how she talked to the reader. I was quite invested in the story, and it was a fun read.

Thank you to Booksprout and the author for a free copy to review.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sassy Mystic Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had you wondering what would happen next from the start and continued as the story was unfolded. It was an intriguing mystery and the end actually made me tear up. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it.

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read this author before so I was eager to jump in as it seemed like something I would really enjoy. First off, I really thought this would be a YA/NA read, which I’m glad to say it wasn’t exactly. I don’t mind the genre, and I do read it, but it’s not my favorite, but the characters all vary in ages. Oh, and the characters were very interesting, I quite enjoyed the plot, and the book was nicely written. One thing that did bother me a little was that sometimes the author would tell us what was going on (and sometimes not talk about what was said until later) instead of showing us through the characters’ actions or through dialogue. That made it hard at times to get to know the characters well. There just wasn’t much dialogue. However, I still enjoyed book, and I’m looking forward to see what’s going to happen next. I was provided a copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This starts a little slowly. Hazel is traveling from Georgia to Montana to find her missing and possibly dead sister. She’s going to a supernatural friendly town as both she and her sister are fire witches and her sister moved there on a whim awhile back. She received a mysterious note about the disappearance and once she arrives she slowly starts digging in and trying to figure out what’s what. The first third to maybe half of the book is a lot of world building, introductions of new characters and places in the town and Hazel fretting about what to do.
Once you get past that the pace and the action really picks up. You get major bad guys with serious bad juju vibes. A possible secret society and a conspiracy to do we don’t know what. Bits and pieces of Willow’s life (Hazel’s sister) coming from different people. The story gets edge of your seat can’t wait to see what’s gonna happen next exciting. Mixed in is a heroine with a wicked sense of humor and bravery to spare. A very good start to a series. I’m excited to see what else is in store for Hazel and her crew.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Vampire in Disguise is an unexpected gem. Definitely unique in its telling. It has been a while since a book has surprised me. At first, I thought by the cover that it was a YA story but that is not the case. It’s like Grimm meets Midnight, Texas mashed together to make one intriguing mystery paranormal tale. Two of my favourite shows. There is a plethora of characters of all shapes, sizes, and ages, they are quirky, others plain odd, some stay and have a part in the story and others just disappear from the focus, but all are supernatural’s or magical beings.
There are a few things that frustrated me, and I am hoping that they will be explained or shared in coming books but overall, I enjoyed this tale.
Hazel follows her sister to Shadow Hollow a small town where paranormal seem to gravitate to and where they guard their secrets. It’s the place Hazel is determined to find out what happened to her sister.
There is humour and wit infused along the way that made me, laugh also with a major shiver of doom to be had as you are made aware of the bad guys.
What is hidden amongst the shadows of this small town?

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

4 – 4.5 Stars

“ I’d never been what one would call “emotional.” I was the practical one, the strong one, a no-nonsense kind of girl…… But everything that had happened since I came to Shadow Hollow had shaken my very foundations. I felt lost. Adrift. Scared. Alone. ”

A Vampire in Disguise is the first book in the Creatures of the Midwest series by Ava Silvers. As I have not read any of Ms. Silver’s work before diving into this book, I really didn’t know what I could expect from one of her stories, but to be honest- she already had me at ‘vampire’- so I really didn’t need to know anything else before I snapped up a copy and dove right in, loaded with much expectation.
Let me tell you that Ms. Silvers doesn’t disappoint. I had no idea going into this book that I would love it as much as I did. Or that I would then quickly snap up the rest of the series to read, back-to-back. So, to say this was a very pleasant and entirely engrossing little surprise package is a bit of an understatement.
Hazel Goode is a witch on a mission to find her missing sister, Willow. She arrives in the small-town of Shadow Hollow with no idea what she’s walking into. But pretty quickly finds things aren’t exactly ‘normal’. She is determined to uncover the truth- but, instead, what she unearths turns her life upside down. This is one adventure she could never have predicted- and now she’s in way too deep. So, strap yourself in for a riveting read.
From mystery to hidden agendas, cover-ups to corruption, secret organisations to unethical experimentation- the clever way Ms. Silvers weaves her story makes it almost impossible to think of anything else, let alone put the book down. I was hooked the whole way through- and didn’t draw a breath at the end until I had purchased the next book to dive into.
What started off as a bit of a paranormal mystery turned out to be a thrilling adventure with so many more layers and facets that it first appears. The story continues from book to book, so even though some ‘questions’ and threads are answered- there is so much more being uncovered, but always leaving even bigger questions that are yet to be answered pulling me further and further into its thrall.
I loved the characters. The ‘friends’ that Hazel makes, as well as the ‘bad-guys’ who wreak havoc- are all superbly crafted individuals with their own unique personalities, quirks, and flaws. I can’t wait to see what develops as the series progresses- as I can feel that Ms. Silvers has even more ‘surprises’ up her sleeve. Five books in and sweating on Book #6, Vampires in the Details, which can’t get here quick enough for my liking.
If you love Buffy, Midnight Texas, Supernatural, True Blood, Angel, or Lost Girl- then you will definitely want to get your hands on this book/series.
Highly Recommended.
Happy Reading…

Thank you, Ava Silvers!

[Tom Intiso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising, unexpected and unpredictable

It’s a simple fact in my life that most books I read, no matter whom the author, may be, fail to surprise me or catch me unawares. Granted there are those authors who excel at “The Twist,” who can pull highly improbable events out of an otherwise predictable narrative, but they are largely the exceptions.

Ms. Silvers does not fall into that category. Instead she artfully employs those time-honored tools of the stage magician - misdirection and sleight of hand. Let me be clear that is FAR more difficult to accomplish in prose than real life, yet she does so elegantly and with aplomb.

In fact much of this book is misleading in myriad ways. It begins as a mystery, but the answers to that mystery are provided plainly and openly almost immediately. But puzzles still remain and the reader pushes forward blindly, never realizing that it’s all window dressing concealing a bigger mystery around which we cannot wrap our minds since we learn the truth only in the last few pages.

I need to also explain my use of the term unexpected…. I fully expected that this book would be trite and marginally well written at best. It was listed in a daily email I receive covering free or discounted fantasy titles. Honestly, most of these are forgettable. I hadn’t even intended to start reading this book since I have a LONG to-be-read list filled with authors whose work I already know I enjoy. However, by accident I clicked the “preview” button on Amazon and the opening chapters to the book appeared on my screen. Within a mere 2-3 paragraphs I knew I had found a new favorite author.

Her prose is simple and direct, but reaches far beyond her ability to plot an excellent novel. Without flair or embellishment her word choices give clear and open entrance to her protagonist’s mind and character. You aren’t “sucked into” the character’s mind so much as offered a luxury cruise down her stream of consciousness. And it’s a captivating and intriguing journey.

So take a step out and step on board. It’s undoubtedly worth your time.

[K. Lincoln · Rating 4 out of 5]

Someone in my book/writer club said "where are the midwestern vampire books" and so I googled midwestern vampire just for a laugh-- and found this series. So of course, since I am a UF and paranormal fan, I had to check it out.

Fire witch Hazel Goode comes to a small town, meets alot of outstandingly beautiful people, and searches for clues to what happened to her missing sister.

It's a small town mystery for about 2/3's of the book when suddenly things are revealed having worldwide implications (with kind of no warning, so that was awkward)

Hazel gets to meet a variety of small town comforting people: a hotel clerk, a librarian, a kindly mechanics shop owner, the warm cook at a diner, etc. Very easy-to-read low stakes. There are clues to her sister's disappearance like a mysterious mailed letter, journals, and the strange insistence of the police that no one reported her missing.

Those parts are kind of fun and I'm a fan of 'found family' which this is definitely turning out to be. The magical parts are a little-- amorphous-- which sometimes is a bit of an irritation. There's also a budding, slow, slow romance (think first couple episodes of K-drama slow) until suddenly.

BOOM.

The villains and their dastardly plan and the true nature of one of her new friends is revealed. Then things got a bit over-the-top whacko. Not as enjoyable as the first parts of the book. (It was just jarring for folks to be thrown around on top of breaking glass tables and then sitting down to eggs and thick-cut bacon the next).

So I might venture on to the next book (no resolved romance yet, one main baddie taken out, mystery of her sister somewhat solved) if I'm in a lull, but I guess my own personal preference is for either small town comfort magical found family with small town villains or complete worldwide magical implication action and craziness...not a mix of both.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazel is worried about her sister, Willow. The both of them were revised by their Aunt Mags. The last place Willow was= Shadow Hollow, Montana. Hazel received an anonymous letter and now she is heading there to find out what happened to her sister. Their entire lives had been one tragedy after another. They are part of one of the fifteen witching families, the Goode’s. Hazel is a mechanic and has a roommate named Molly. Seeing how they grew up was very unique. Once she arrives, she starts asking questions about Willow. Willow’s rental place is a cute cottage thru Gene Norsworthy. She nice little old lady. Haywood, is the woman who checked Hazel in. She is also someone the letter says is trustworthy. I really like Haywood, George and a few of the other people there. It’s really cool that the Magicals are “out” there. More and more people as you read, you start to dislike because they clam up while Hazel asks questions. Things start getting weirder. But I enjoyed that as it made the story better. However, the mayor has a registry for the magicals. Can anyone say Mutant registration act from Marvel?? Lol. Being registered because you are different is wrong. Being registered that they are magical after they broke a law or two, ok, i can see that as a point…

Looking around in Willow’s place was very eye opening for me and Hazel. Corwin is cool and I like him. I adore Liam, especially after he handles everything for Hazel, getting her settled into town. There are quite a few magicals there and things get really weird and the tarot reading (as I’ve done them) freaked me out. From there on out, things just get freakier. The fight scenes are cool. I didn’t like not knowing whom Hazel could trust, until they proved themselves. I can’t wait to read the next book. There are some sick sick people in that town. *Shudders*.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Joanne Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Vampire in Disguise is about Hazel, who is a Goode Witch, is searching for her fellow magical sister Willow, since she has gone missing.
The book starts with Hazel’s journey to Shadow Hollow, for which she has been sent an anonymous letter stating that Willow could be in danger, and her touchstone is enclosed. Something that she will not leave behind.

We follow Hazel, as she arrives at Shadow Hollow, a place where magical beings are accepted and live freely within the commit, much to the shock of Hazel, that has always been told not to draw attention to herself or the witching community. So, to be able to talk and practice freely, it is something she battles to get used to.
However, she does not know that there are people that collect supernatural creatures and could therefore add more problems to her already problematic visit.

Whilst she is searching for her sister, she meets people on the way that will not only become very good friends but would also help her in the search for ger missing sister, as well as giving her the clues she so desperately needs.

One person she meets will not only become a grand alai, but a great link towards Willow and the secrets that has been kept hidden from her sister, which will blow the case wide apart.

This book got me hooked immediately, the fantasy of the magical creatures set alongside a mystery of why Willow went missing, to the romance that lay ahead for Hazel, which is something she was not expecting.
If you love Vampire reads, this is a total must! Such an easy read, with several twists and turns and events that will keep you reading! Would recommend.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

What Happened to Willow ? . . .

Hazel Goode is a fire witch on a self-imposed mission to track down her missing sister Willow. But driving up from Georgia, she was not expecting this freezing weather. Why would her sister ever move to a cold place like Montana! The bus had to stop and hustle everyone off while they put chains on the tires to travel through the heavy snowfall. It was indeed snowing really hard. Fortunately they pulled off the interstate into the parking lot of an all-night truck stop where there would be coffee and warm apple pie available. The cook even joined the waitress to take everyone’s orders promptly. Hazel applied her magic to the lukewarm coffee and heated it up. Once more, she read the unsigned letter that had been sent to her regarding Willow. It said to place her trust in Haywood Rivers at the Old Circle Inn, but be watchful and wary of anyone else. And along the way there, she will find out her sister has been murdered.

Corwin is a vampire looking into the same mystery Hazel is exploring and asks her help. However, he ends up putting them both in danger. The story ramps up as more and more happens. Will they inadvertently release something dangerous? Will they find out what happened to Willow?

I thoroughly enjoyed this author’s writing style very much. It was easy to read and kept my attention on the intriguing story line. It was a real challenge trying to come up with answers on my own, so I tagged along with Corwin and Hazel to see what they came up with. The story is delightful, so grab your copy and join in!

[Jaimie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book! I can't wait to read more of the series. In this book Hazel, who is a fire witch is on a mission to find who killer her sister and why. Her search leads her to a small town called Shadow Hollow. She never knew that magicals could live so openly. She grew up with it ingrained into her to keep it a secret and to show/tell no one. So when she comes to this town and it's completely normal for magicals to talk openly and everything she is thrown for a loop. As she starts her investigation it's hard to tell who she can trust and not trust. The law seems to brush her sister missing under the rug. Her sister left a few clues, but with every answer she finds a million more questions come needing answers. Secrets and lies are around every corner. She enlists the help of a few locals but even some of them are hiding things! She gets a job and rents a place while she hunts down answers, but when she is threatened it enforces her need to know all the more. She won't be run out of town. She has to find her sister. Following leads brings her to Corwin who is also trying to solve the mystery of her missing sister as well. But can he be trusted? His secret definitely puts them both in more danger! Will they find her sister or will they end up dead just like her? Boy oh boy will this book hook you in and keep you there until you finish it. I didn't want to put it down. And I can't wait to read the next book either!! This book is a paranormal mystery and it's so good!! Trust me and just grab it!!

[Kerry carr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Creatures Of The Midwest Series. I honestly can't speak highly of this book. As I lover of paranormal and crime stories this books compromise both and gives a story that does not let you go. It is full of twists and turns and surprises that you don't see coming.
In this story we follow Hazel Goode. Hazel is a witch and when she receives a anonymous letter about her sister being in danger she finds herself travelling to Shallow Hollow to discover what actually happened to her sister.
Shallow Hollow is supposed to be a magical beings safe haven however as soon as she arrives she realises that isn't the case. Everywhere she turns is corruption and lies. Now she is in a town she doesn't know with no one to help her and no one she can trust until she meets Corwin

Corwin is the last remaining vampire. He is reluctantly to disclose this to Hazel as vampires are supposed to be extinct. However he needs her help to uncover and solve the mystery. The same mystery that Hazel is trying to solve although her reason is different than Corwins.
Working together to finally get to the bottom of Willows disappearance is just the help that Hazel needs, however when Corwin true identity is revealed it opens them up to more danger and putting a huge target on their backs.
With a dark and evil force working against them do they stand a chance of uncovering the truth or will they become the next targets?
This was a great read and I can't wait to read more from this author.

[Roxsanne Lesieur · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hazel Goode is a young woman who is on a mission, her sister is missing and the last place she has been is Shadow Hollow, a small town near Bozeman, so that is why she is on a greyhound bus heading that way. As soon as Hazel arrives, she checks in at the local hotel and meets someone who may be able to help her, or at least that is what she hopes, but first she needs food and rest, however, in the middle of the night, she senses her sisters presence and knows that the worst has happened, her sister has died.

The next day, Hazel manages to find a place to start, her sister's apartment, however, she is very surprised to see that there are Magicals living freely with Mundanes, and as someone who is a Fire Witch herself, it goes against everything she has been taught. As Hazel follows any lead she can find, she keeps hitting dead ends, however, she also stumbled upon some positives along the way, but one name is familiar, Corwin, a man surrounded in mystery who just happens to also be the Last Vampire on Earth.

When Corwin asks Hazel to help him solve a mystery of his own, she realises that it is also the same one she is currently investigating, but the motive is completely different and as they work together, they uncover long buried secrets and expose the dark underbelly of the Magical world, but will they find out who killed Hazel's sister and what dangers will they face along the way? This is a cozy mystery set in a magical Midwest town with plenty of twists and turns to keep you hooked throughout.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Vampire in Disguise is the first book of the Creatures of the Midwest book series. I was intrigued when I picked up this book because of the title and it was a paranormal mystery. The story follows Hazel as she arrives in Shadow Hollow to look for a murderer. Hazel quickly finds out there is more to the inhabitants of Shadow Hollow than she originally expected. The story drew me in and I enjoyed Hazel as a character. The different residents of Shadow Hollow definitely add to the story and mystery needing solved. I enjoyed the writing and what could have easily become a convoluted and confusing story was easily understandable. The ending left me wanting more and will bring me back to learn more about Hazel. The blurb groups the book in the same vein as True Blood and Midnight, Texas which I found to be accurate. If you enjoy paranormal stories with a cozy mystery this is worth grabbing. I look forward to reading more of this series in the future.

[Darla Yocom · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Hazel Goode receives an anonymous letter mentioning her sister, Willow, she knows she must investigate. It has been a while since anyone in the small town of Shadow Hollow had seen Willow, which is unusual. That’s how you’d describe the little town as well; unusual. Hazel and Willow are from the Goode witch family line. Hazel herself is a fire witch. Shadow Hollow is a place that both mundane and magical folks can openly live amongst themselves. So why upon arriving does Hazel get a strange feeling?
Hazel meets Corwin who wants her to help solve a murder but she isn’t always trusting of folks, at least not immediately. She has to learn to trust the right folks to help solve the case.

This paranormal mystery is a wonderfully unique story that I truly enjoyed from the very first page. It was never dull and my interest was piqued from the get go.

I think fans of all ages will enjoy this wonderful story. I give this 4 out of 5 stars.

[Tausha Treadway · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Vampire in Disguise (Creatures of the Midwest Series) by Ava Silvers. This was a great start to a series. Its the story of Hazel who has received a suspicious tip that her sister Willow is missing. When Hazel decides she has to investigate she arrives in Shadow Hollow to find that no one has seen her sister in quite a while. In Shadow Hollow magical realms and people are welcome and not hidden away so Hazel is welcome there. Hazel and Willow are from the Goode Witch Family and Hazel is a Fire Witch. Even though Hazel has been welcomed in Shadow Hollow she has a strange feeling come over her. She can't quit figure out what it is. Getting help from several locals and meeting several others on the search for Willow she finds some life long friends. But will she find her sister? From murder, to corruption, secrets and hidden agendas this read will keep you guessing til the bitter end. Such a fun paranormal read!

[Kitty Shields · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay but frustrating

I love this genre and I’m as down as anyone for a mystery book involving witches and vampires etc. But nothing is ever explained in this book. The protag keeps meeting other supernatural creatures - they’re rarely identified. The town has rules that are never told to the reader. And the author has a habit of ending a chapter at a reveal, fast forwarding in the next chapter and never filling in details. Just that there were details. Plus, the protag meets all these bad ass women and then they never do anything. Like the dudes come out to play for battle, cool, but wtf was the point of intro-ing all these super cool chicks without and movement or active role in the plot? I just felt short shrifted here. Like this was a second draft and we never got the goods.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this fun cozy mystery, which are fast becoming my new favorite genre. I greatly enjoyed the way the author wove together so many different characters with so many different agendas. For a mystery, it was top notch at keeping you guessing, while the answers were hidden in plain sight. I thought Hazel was an excellent character and I loved her devotion to her sister and trying to discover what happened to her. The dynamic between her and Corwin was fantastic as they try to solve the mystery for very different reasons and the results could be dangerous. The story has a lot of wit and humor infused into the mystery, which made it even more enjoyable. As the story continues, we see that this is only a piece of a bigger puzzle and there will be more to come. This was a great kick off to a dynamic series and I can’t wait to see what happens in the rest of the series.

[Anna Hirsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Vampire in Disguise (Creatures of the Midwest Series)
By Ava Silvers
4 Stars

The cover of a boom draws my attention then I’ll read the blurb. This one has a “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” vibe so I picked it up. I have never read this author before so I was happy to discover a new author. I really enjoyed this book. It’s one part romance, two parts mystery. It’s filled with paranormals we know of and some yet to discover. I enjoyed the author’s writing style. Although the plot is heavy, the author managed to draw me in and lighten the heaviness with great characters and plot twists. She gave just enough to make me want to keep reading. I really liked the main character and those that she surrounded herself with. I want to know more. This is a series that I know I’ll enjoy and look forward to the next one.

[Shannen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in the Creatures of the Midwest series and the first I’d read by this author. I wasn’t sure what to expect but since I love everything to do with vampires, I gave it a chance. I’m glad I did because this is a marvelous paranormal mystery. The author pulled me in from the very beginning and never let go! I couldn’t put it down, so I ended up ignoring way too many chores reading it nonstop. The flow of the story felt natural, and the characters were not only relatable but well-developed. Hazel is our incredible main character who is looking for her missing sister. There were so many twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting throughout this entire story. I am excited to read the next book and highly recommend picking this one up if you love vampires, the paranormal, and mysteries!

[Santana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazel’s sister is missing so she heads to the last known location her sister was seen. The town of Shadow Hallow where magical creatures are relatively normal. When Hazel enters the place were sister was renting, she was plagued with a vision of her sister getting murdered. Thus began her search for her sister's killer.

As time goes on, more clues show up but so do more questions. Hazel doesn’t know who to trust all she knows is she isn’t leaving here until she finds out what happened to her sister.

Hazel is a fire witch and her personality matches her powers quite nicely. She appears feisty and witty, caring and quirky. All things I love about her. I loved most of the characters. They all had such strong personalities. The author did an amazing job with this cozy mystery mixed with the supernatural. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!

[Jennifer Reimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the beginning of this book, I was instantly hooked and couldn’t get enough of it, I was hooked from day one. This story was surprisingly good, filled with supernatural, mystery, adventure, thrill, chills, and so much more. Hazel and willow are sisters, and when one sister goes missing and isn’t found, the other sister goes into sister mood and does everything she possibly can to find her. But when willows ghost shows up with still no sign or her car, what really happened to her? This book had me on the edge of my seat, the characters were so well done it really made you feel like you know them, and the story line really flowed together and well. I can’t wait to read more in this series too, for the book didn’t end on a happy note, and continues in the next book.

[Di · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book has several of my favorite ingredients and it is murder and the search for who done it. Where she lands is another place that captured my interest, I do so like something that turns out to be a bit refreshing as this place was. This also has a ingredient I did not think would transpire but this author has done it to her vampire. Hazel and Corwin take you over in this with the originality having me giggle with glee. I also clap my hands that this is also only the beginning that she has me captive with this treasure that also curled my toes with danger that followed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[chesirern · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Vampire in Disguise by Ava Silvers is a paranormal mystery novel. This is book 1 in The Creatures of the Midwest series. From the start I kneeknew this would a fascinating book. I really liked Shadow Hollows, a town full of random supernatural creatures. The plot is a mystery within in a mystery and no I am not going to explain that you need to read to find out more.
Hazel (a witch) arrives to find out more about the person involved in a mystery involving her sister. This leads to her getting involved with a hidden vampire named Corwin. Of course from here we go down a into another mystery.
If you enjoy mysteries definitely check this one out.

[Kerry Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a great paranormal mystery story that is easy to engaged with and an enjoyable story. I connect with the characters of this book straight away and loved watching how they all interacted. They were each interesting in different ways and added to the story overall.
I enjoyed how the author developed the story. I was invested in everything happening and wanted to find out what happened to the sister. The book starts of fairly slow, but builds as it goes on. I thought this lent itself to really drawing the reader in even more. This is a great start to a new series and I am looking forward to seeing what comes next.

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Vampire in Disguise is the first book in the Creatures of the Midwest series. It is a great, interesting and yet fun read. I was hooked at the paranormal and yet completely thrown off by the cover. I was expecting a YA, which would not have been disappointing (like I said it is the paranormal I came for) but to my surprise it was not YA at all, in fact quite an age span for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end and very excited to read more of the series. The characters/creatures
are fantastic and creative. You will get the paranormal of course and some romance, mystery, danger and lots of twists and turns.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An eerie note brings Hazel Good across the Midwest to find her missing sister. She finds herself in a town who accepts witches like her and all things magical. She comes across Corbin who is also looking to find her sister and discover his true nature, even though his kind was supposed to be extinct. Their bond grows and she becomes more comfortable in her own skin and who she really is, but could hanging around with these other magical creatures put her in harms way? This book was very well written and kept me engaged the whole time. Also, it’s a bit fun to see when my home state can make an honorable mention in the very beginning of a book.

[Callie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Vampire in Disguise starts out with Hazel traveling to find out what happened to her younger sister. When she reaches Shadow Hollow the small town is not what she expected, magical creatures are known to exist and are welcomed. She starts looking into her sisters life in the town but things are not adding up. I love that Hazel is a fire witch and her personality shines through. All the characters are well developed and written that it is hard to determine who to trust. I thought this was going to be a YA read due to the title but I feel like young adults will enjoy it even more. It is a pleasant mix of cozy mystery with paranormal. I can't wait to read the second book in the series!

[The Mysterious Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much happens to Hazel, the fire-born witch heroine of Ava Silvers’ A Vampire in Disguise (Creatures of the Midwest Book 1), that you’d think it would be hard to track along. Happily this book is so well written that it’s no problem to both follow along and addictively enjoy. It’s a huge pleasure to follow along as Hazel and Corwin, the last vampire on Earth, dig around in “the Midwest's magical underbelly”. Ghosts and all sorts of supernatural creatures abound in this well written adventure that’s addictively hard to put down, but easy to highly recommend.