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The Fortune Telling Mysteries #3
Murder of a Hermit
Hope and Summer Bailey have their work cut out for them when a man who seems to be The Hermit from their Tarot card readings is found dead in their back yard!In the fun and exciting third instalment of the Fortune Telling Mysteries, the Bailey sisters find themselves in very hot water!An impromptu Tarot reading reveals the stranger who has been watching Hope and Summer over the last few days to be the Hermit – a seeker of knowledge and wisdom. The sisters discover that he has been hired to steal a valuable and potentially dangerous book from them, but only after he's found drowned in their back garden!
Was he killed to hide the mastermind behind the theft? When a rival fortune teller holds a seance to determine the identity of the Hermit's murderer, Hope and Summer find themselves accused of the crime. Can they clear their name and figure out who the real culprit is before the book falls into the wrong hands?
Was he killed to hide the mastermind behind the theft? When a rival fortune teller holds a seance to determine the identity of the Hermit's murderer, Hope and Summer find themselves accused of the crime. Can they clear their name and figure out who the real culprit is before the book falls into the wrong hands?
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
224 pages, Hardcover
Published June 4, 2024
About the author
Carol Miller
7 books25 followersCarol Miller is the author of the forthcoming Fortune Telling Mysteries and the Moonshine Mysteries. MURDER AND MOONSHINE was named an Amazon Best Book of the Month and a Library Journal Starred Debut of the Month. Carol is an attorney and lives in Virginia.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
January 27, 2025
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Murder Of A Hermit is the third shopfront paranormal cozy mystery in this series by Carol Miller. Released 4th June 2024 by Severn House, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
The setting of Asheville, North Carolina, is well written and believable, with the codicil that readers who are intimately familiar with the environs might find discrepancies which aren't obvious to readers from other areas. The irascible ghosts in the attic are back with a vengeance, banging and rattling and threatening to bring the house down (literally) although the author still hasn't really explored the backstory or explained their presence much.
Much of the characterization, especially secondary characters, is only sketched in *very* lightly. Readers should be prepared to bring a healthy suspension of disbelief. (Then again, there are ghosts in the attic, so there's that). The mystery itself, denouement, solution (supernatural deux-ex-machina) and resolution will strain most readers' suspension of disbelief.
Three stars. Readable, very light, and mostly enjoyable. It works well enough as a standalone, and with three books in the series, it would make a good candidate for a mini-binge/buddy read. Clean language and content; it would also be good for public library acquisition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Murder Of A Hermit is the third shopfront paranormal cozy mystery in this series by Carol Miller. Released 4th June 2024 by Severn House, it's 224 pages and is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.
The setting of Asheville, North Carolina, is well written and believable, with the codicil that readers who are intimately familiar with the environs might find discrepancies which aren't obvious to readers from other areas. The irascible ghosts in the attic are back with a vengeance, banging and rattling and threatening to bring the house down (literally) although the author still hasn't really explored the backstory or explained their presence much.
Much of the characterization, especially secondary characters, is only sketched in *very* lightly. Readers should be prepared to bring a healthy suspension of disbelief. (Then again, there are ghosts in the attic, so there's that). The mystery itself, denouement, solution (supernatural deux-ex-machina) and resolution will strain most readers' suspension of disbelief.
Three stars. Readable, very light, and mostly enjoyable. It works well enough as a standalone, and with three books in the series, it would make a good candidate for a mini-binge/buddy read. Clean language and content; it would also be good for public library acquisition.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
May 17, 2024
Paranormal Cozy Mystery following North Carolina mystic shop owners and sisters who turn sleuths to uncover who drowned a thief hired to steal a potentially dangerous book from their store.
4/5 stars: This is the third entry in Miller's Fortune Teller Mysteries series, which is a Paranormal Cozy Mystery that takes place in North Carolina and features a pair of sisters, Hope's a palm and tarot card reader and Summer creates custom tea blends and herbal remedies, who's mystic shop and home are located in a magical brownstone. While this is a Paranormal Cozy it's very very light on the magic and supernatural. With plenty of twists and turns, Miller has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Additionally, Miller's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great catching up with Hope and Summer, their family and friends and the quirky clients of Bailey’s Boutique. Especially, Rosemarie and her her beloved pug, Percy and I love the sister's Gram and her beau, Morris... they're adorable. I also like seeing the sister's romantic relationships continue to grow. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, The Fool Dies Last.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
4/5 stars: This is the third entry in Miller's Fortune Teller Mysteries series, which is a Paranormal Cozy Mystery that takes place in North Carolina and features a pair of sisters, Hope's a palm and tarot card reader and Summer creates custom tea blends and herbal remedies, who's mystic shop and home are located in a magical brownstone. While this is a Paranormal Cozy it's very very light on the magic and supernatural. With plenty of twists and turns, Miller has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Additionally, Miller's writing and character work are excellent; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great catching up with Hope and Summer, their family and friends and the quirky clients of Bailey’s Boutique. Especially, Rosemarie and her her beloved pug, Percy and I love the sister's Gram and her beau, Morris... they're adorable. I also like seeing the sister's romantic relationships continue to grow. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, The Fool Dies Last.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Severn House in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
October 24, 2025
Murder of a Hermit by Carol Miller is a charming and clever cozy mystery that blends Tarot intrigue, sisterly chemistry, and a dash of supernatural suspense into a delightful whodunit. As the third entry in the Fortune Telling Mysteries series, it delivers both continuity and fresh surprises a story as witty as it is whimsical.
When Hope and Summer Bailey discover a drowned stranger in their garden a man who eerily resembles “The Hermit” from their Tarot readings the sisters are thrust into a tangle of deceit, rivalry, and mystic misdirection. What begins as a quirky reading quickly spirals into a murder investigation involving stolen secrets, dangerous books, and a rival fortune teller determined to turn the tables.
Miller’s storytelling sparkles with humor, heart, and mystery, balancing lighthearted moments with just enough peril to keep readers turning pages late into the night. The Bailey sisters’ bond filled with warmth, wit, and occasional chaos gives the novel its emotional center, while the Tarot motifs lend it a layer of charm and symbolism that feels fresh within the cozy mystery genre.
Perfect for fans of Juliet Blackwell, Bailey Cates, or Ellery Adams, Murder of a Hermit offers readers a magically infused mystery that’s as much about intuition and sisterhood as it is about solving crimes. It’s a cozy mystery that celebrates curiosity, courage, and the enduring power of trust.
When Hope and Summer Bailey discover a drowned stranger in their garden a man who eerily resembles “The Hermit” from their Tarot readings the sisters are thrust into a tangle of deceit, rivalry, and mystic misdirection. What begins as a quirky reading quickly spirals into a murder investigation involving stolen secrets, dangerous books, and a rival fortune teller determined to turn the tables.
Miller’s storytelling sparkles with humor, heart, and mystery, balancing lighthearted moments with just enough peril to keep readers turning pages late into the night. The Bailey sisters’ bond filled with warmth, wit, and occasional chaos gives the novel its emotional center, while the Tarot motifs lend it a layer of charm and symbolism that feels fresh within the cozy mystery genre.
Perfect for fans of Juliet Blackwell, Bailey Cates, or Ellery Adams, Murder of a Hermit offers readers a magically infused mystery that’s as much about intuition and sisterhood as it is about solving crimes. It’s a cozy mystery that celebrates curiosity, courage, and the enduring power of trust.
April 17, 2024
When a “Hermit” is seen outside the shop and acting shifty, Hope and Summer are a little curious as to what is going on as the house is acting up as well. WIth the brownstone broken into and a man found murdered in the back of their yard, it somehow is tied to the shop. But how? That’s exactly what the sister aim to find out. But first they need to deal with false accusation and a fraudster. Can they figure it out and calm the house down?
I enjoy this series. The setting is perfect and I can almost smell the teas and candles as I read. Looking forward to more in the series as we move forward.
I enjoy this series. The setting is perfect and I can almost smell the teas and candles as I read. Looking forward to more in the series as we move forward.
June 1, 2024
I enjoy this series and like Summer, Hope and their friends and family. I'm not a huge fan of their love interests who seem a bit toxic to me and a bit too arrogant and they grate on my nerve when they treat them like minus habens
That said I enjoyed this novel with the twists, the secrets, and the well plotted mystery.
It would be a 5* for me but I found the pretended moral superiority of the two men disturbing even if it was just for some pages. I understand this is part of the game but I'm too old to bear that type of men.
The attic residents and the pug are great
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
That said I enjoyed this novel with the twists, the secrets, and the well plotted mystery.
It would be a 5* for me but I found the pretended moral superiority of the two men disturbing even if it was just for some pages. I understand this is part of the game but I'm too old to bear that type of men.
The attic residents and the pug are great
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
September 6, 2024
I really am a sucker for cozy paranormals so when I saw this book, I had to try it even if I hadn’t read the previous books. This author did a wonderful job of making sure those who started with this third book weren’t lost, so I was very glad to see that. Hope and Summer are a fun sister duo, and their friend Megan is a hoot. While this mystery wasn’t very deep or hard, it was fun reading about the town, the characters, and the ghosts that live in their shop. I’ll definitely read more in the series. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
August 5, 2024
A hermit is found dead and tarot card readings and a mystery
August 15, 2024
So glad I spotted this one in my library’s new releases section. Once again, Carol Miller has created a book that I struggled to put down until finished!
February 7, 2026
The series is getting worse each book. The thief is unexpected but you find out on the second to last page.
March 24, 2024
A quick, whodunit, witchy cozy mystery.
Let me start off by saying that I have not read the other books in this series, however, I do think you can read this as a standalone.
We follow two sisters-Hope and Summer- as they run a metaphysical shop in Asheville. They have help from their friend, Megan, although Megan’s leg is injured so she’s limited on what she can do.
I really enjoy our sisterly sleuths, and how incredibly talented they are in their different fields. In fact, I liked all of our characters. All of them were witty, intelligent, and had a specific profession or passion that added to the book and progress of the murder mystery. And, in this world, ghosts and spirits really do exist and help our sleuths, so fans of supernatural cozies will definitely be happy.
I found myself constantly trying to figure out who the murderer was, and what happened. The reveal at the end felt rushed, but I can’t complain. Lighthearted, and full of potential, I think this was a solid cozie that you should add to your tbr! I wish there was more Megan, though. I missed her! It kind of felt like halfway through the book she just disappeared.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.
Let me start off by saying that I have not read the other books in this series, however, I do think you can read this as a standalone.
We follow two sisters-Hope and Summer- as they run a metaphysical shop in Asheville. They have help from their friend, Megan, although Megan’s leg is injured so she’s limited on what she can do.
I really enjoy our sisterly sleuths, and how incredibly talented they are in their different fields. In fact, I liked all of our characters. All of them were witty, intelligent, and had a specific profession or passion that added to the book and progress of the murder mystery. And, in this world, ghosts and spirits really do exist and help our sleuths, so fans of supernatural cozies will definitely be happy.
I found myself constantly trying to figure out who the murderer was, and what happened. The reveal at the end felt rushed, but I can’t complain. Lighthearted, and full of potential, I think this was a solid cozie that you should add to your tbr! I wish there was more Megan, though. I missed her! It kind of felt like halfway through the book she just disappeared.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided me with an ebook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All of these thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews