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Annie Szabo #2
The Vanished Priestess
Sexy, smart and fun, the feisty Szabo women join forces once again. Annie is the heroine who must walk a treacherous tightrope to save her home and family. Her audacious Gypsy mother-in-law, Madame Mina, uses cures and curses to cover Annie’s back. Engaging and exotic! “Over-the-big-top characters keep the plot spinning, and the mystery pays off with colorful atmosphere, eventful storytelling, and a dramatic finish.” – Mystery Scene The indomitable Annie Szabo has lost too many friends and loved ones, so the death of Margo Spanger hits hard. Margo, Annie's neighbor and close friend, was a cultural icon with money and fame—maybe too much . . . Margo used one of her projects, a New Age cirque, to fund a women's shelter. She is found dead on the property, and there’s not one clue about the killer’s identity. When Margo's partner, Lili, goes missing the day of Margo's death, the circus and shelter fall into disarray. It turns Annie's own world upside down, too—her daughter is a resident of the women's shelter and could become the next victim. Aided by an ex-cop and Mina's plant medicine, Annie uncovers Margo's past. She had rattled a lot of the wine country’s power elite; one sexy trapeze artist; a jealous lover; a captain of industry; her long-lost son; and an ice-blond philanthropist. As Annie delves into their surprisingly tangled lives, one thing becomes clear—the killer is a master of disguise, and time is running out. The Szabo women learn that, under or outside the big top, anything and everything may be an illusion, and justice sometimes wears a surprising mask. REVIEWS “Blevins blends a wild story, wonderful wit, and great characters. THE VANISHED PRIESTESS features idiosyncratic characters, sharp-tongued wit, and wild plot peregrinations. And the exotic embodiments of Gypsy lore and culture add immensely to the mix.” —starred review, Library Journal, which also named ‘The Vanished Priestess’ ONE OF THE YEAR'S BEST FIVE MYSTERIES. “In this unique mystery, Blevins creates a Gypsy world unlike any other depicted in mysteries before. Annie is funny, strong and, above all, she will do anything to take care of those she loves. Lively and real characters jump off the page, the mystery is well constructed, and it’s fascinating to see how Annie solves it.” – Romantic Times Book Club “What sets Blevins’s mysteries apart is the fabulously mixed cast of characters and a Gypsy sensibility in the writing. It’s difficult to describe, but it is odd thoughts, abbreviated sentences, a unique turn of phrase. “It would be easy to go for broad Janet Evanovich-style humor when one is writing about fortune tellers and trapeze artists and 350-pound brothel madams, but Blevins resists the temptation. There is humor, but she gently pokes fun at her characters’ eccentricities while letting the reader know she has a great affection for them. Although, Madame Mina (not to be confused with Juanita the madam) is a piece of work!” – World-Herald “This is a book for those of you who like off-the-wall characters and different settings... What follows is a story of murder, of love gone sour in more than one case, and a story of hope. Peopled with outlandish characters, this book is one of a kind, made equally captivating by a strong plot.” – Mystery News
410 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 19, 2016
The Vanished Priestess, the Annie Sazbo series, book #2
by Meredith Blevins
This is a series I would love to love. I almost do, but not quite.
On the plus side, Meredith Blevins writes one heck of a great story. Her phrasing is almost painfully beautiful and evocative. Her plotting and pacing impeccable. Her storylines complicated yet clear. The stories are full of action and danger. Her subject matter is quirky, yet somehow remain identifiable to the everyday person. Her characterizations are consistently true and believable. Some of the recurring characters are Romani and Blevins treats them with respect and humor, although she insists on using the perjorative Gypsy rather than Roma or Romani. Each story leaves the door open for more adventures, while being a stand-alone on its own merits.
On the negative side, she refuses to use a competent proofreader. I found almost a dozen instances of errors in spelling or use of the wrong word -- and not just a their for a they're or there, but things like this (reading this in a 3-book volume of which this book is #2) at 6767 on my Kindle: "...The circus taught us sexuality is a fluid thing, that even the distinction between annuals and humans is fluid." Huh? Annuals? Flowers that live only one season? A yearly physical exam? Or did she mean animals? That would certainly make more sense in the context of the story. This lack of proofing drives me nuts. I knocked off a star (almost two).
In this episode Annie's youngest daughter, Abra, has been abused by her husband Rory. She and her 2-year old son, Joey, come to Annie's house to hide, although Rory easily finds her there. Annie is able to convince him to leave, but she knows he will be back again, and she must find a place for Abra and Joey where Rory cannot find them. Her good friend and eccentric neighbor, Margo, runs a circus training business, complete with exotic animals, but few know that this is just a cover for her real purpose, which is housing abused women in a secret and safe environment. Margo takes Abra and Joey in. When she is murdered later that same evening, the search is on to find a new place for Abra and her child and to find out who murdered Margo. Along the way there is newfound love, deep loyalties, faithful friends old and new, long-hidden secrets, tangled webs of deceit, and the acquisition, by default, of two giraffes to Annie's collection of lost souls.
I think I said in my review of book #1 that I probably wouldn't read another in the series unless they came across my "free Kindle book" lists. That's pretty much what happened. This 3-in-1 volume was, if I remember correctly, $0.99. So, yes, I will be reading the third in the series, although I'll take a break and first read something from an author who does use a competent proofreader.
by Meredith Blevins
This is a series I would love to love. I almost do, but not quite.
On the plus side, Meredith Blevins writes one heck of a great story. Her phrasing is almost painfully beautiful and evocative. Her plotting and pacing impeccable. Her storylines complicated yet clear. The stories are full of action and danger. Her subject matter is quirky, yet somehow remain identifiable to the everyday person. Her characterizations are consistently true and believable. Some of the recurring characters are Romani and Blevins treats them with respect and humor, although she insists on using the perjorative Gypsy rather than Roma or Romani. Each story leaves the door open for more adventures, while being a stand-alone on its own merits.
On the negative side, she refuses to use a competent proofreader. I found almost a dozen instances of errors in spelling or use of the wrong word -- and not just a their for a they're or there, but things like this (reading this in a 3-book volume of which this book is #2) at 6767 on my Kindle: "...The circus taught us sexuality is a fluid thing, that even the distinction between annuals and humans is fluid." Huh? Annuals? Flowers that live only one season? A yearly physical exam? Or did she mean animals? That would certainly make more sense in the context of the story. This lack of proofing drives me nuts. I knocked off a star (almost two).
In this episode Annie's youngest daughter, Abra, has been abused by her husband Rory. She and her 2-year old son, Joey, come to Annie's house to hide, although Rory easily finds her there. Annie is able to convince him to leave, but she knows he will be back again, and she must find a place for Abra and Joey where Rory cannot find them. Her good friend and eccentric neighbor, Margo, runs a circus training business, complete with exotic animals, but few know that this is just a cover for her real purpose, which is housing abused women in a secret and safe environment. Margo takes Abra and Joey in. When she is murdered later that same evening, the search is on to find a new place for Abra and her child and to find out who murdered Margo. Along the way there is newfound love, deep loyalties, faithful friends old and new, long-hidden secrets, tangled webs of deceit, and the acquisition, by default, of two giraffes to Annie's collection of lost souls.
I think I said in my review of book #1 that I probably wouldn't read another in the series unless they came across my "free Kindle book" lists. That's pretty much what happened. This 3-in-1 volume was, if I remember correctly, $0.99. So, yes, I will be reading the third in the series, although I'll take a break and first read something from an author who does use a competent proofreader.
February 7, 2025
The vanished priestess
By Meredith Blevins
The nuances of family, the circus, and women's welfare overlap in this mystery. Showing the fluid nature of relationships, and definitions. The book looks at the diversity of family and responsibilities. The woman welfare and protection is the center of the mystery. Yet its family that is the driving force.
By Meredith Blevins
The nuances of family, the circus, and women's welfare overlap in this mystery. Showing the fluid nature of relationships, and definitions. The book looks at the diversity of family and responsibilities. The woman welfare and protection is the center of the mystery. Yet its family that is the driving force.
April 25, 2016
Meh. I'm really disappointed in how much I didn't care for this recalling how much I liked the first. This felt like a totally different storyline, characters, style, everything. No mention of Josef from the last book - what the hell happened there and where is he? Just...nothing. The prose and writing was really whacked, like trying to hard to be lyrical and descriptive and mysterious and instead just being a bit irritating and hard to follow the flow. Didn't care much bout any of the characters, felt more forced to me than the first. Wasn't a DNF only becasue I kept hoping ot get some of the experience in reading like the first book, but nope. Will have to really consider whether I'll continue on with the series.
January 13, 2014
I'm completely unfamiliar with the author, aside from this book.
The book lacked substance- repetitive overwrought descriptions of the landscape, poorly researched (for the record, unless it's a camping cot, a 350 lb woman does not take up an entire bed, nor is she unable to walk because of her size) I also didn't find the main character like-able.
The mother in law provided much needed comic relief, but clearly only existed to further the plot along.
Why 2 stars instead of 1? It wasn't the absolute worst thing I've ever read and the funeral was noteworthy.
The book lacked substance- repetitive overwrought descriptions of the landscape, poorly researched (for the record, unless it's a camping cot, a 350 lb woman does not take up an entire bed, nor is she unable to walk because of her size) I also didn't find the main character like-able.
The mother in law provided much needed comic relief, but clearly only existed to further the plot along.
Why 2 stars instead of 1? It wasn't the absolute worst thing I've ever read and the funeral was noteworthy.
December 17, 2024
Dive into the new installment of The Mystic Café series—it's a thrilling and exciting read!
The Vanished Priestess by Meredith Blevins is the second book in The Mystic Café series. The story follows Annie Szabo, who must navigate a treacherous path to save her home and family. Her bold and audacious Gypsy mother-in-law, Madame Mina, uses her mystical cures and curses to protect them. Together, they must uncover a killer hiding behind a web of secrets. When Annie's close friend, Margo Spanger, a cultural icon known for her New Age cirque and women's shelter, is found dead, the investigation points to several dangerous suspects. From a mysterious trapeze artist to a power-hungry elite, Annie digs deep into Margo's tangled past, aided by an ex-cop and Mina's powerful plant remedies. The killer is a master of disguise, and Annie's daughter could be the next target.
The narrative is filled with suspense and intrigue as Annie and her companions navigate the dangers posed by the killer. Their journey is fraught with challenges, but their determination and teamwork drive the story forward. The book's blend of mystery, suspense, and family ties makes it a compelling read. The Vanished Priestess is a thrilling tale of resilience and courage, showcasing the characters' struggle to protect their world from the encroaching darkness. The book's mix of supernatural elements and intense action makes it a captivating read for fans of the genre. Don't miss out on this gripping read! Get your copy today.
• ASIN: B0DMFRMKZN
• Publisher: Rough Edges Press
• Publication Date: 12/17/2024
• File Size: 5041 KB
• Print Length: 369 pages
• Genre: Women's Crime Fiction, Mystery Series, Magical Realism
The Vanished Priestess by Meredith Blevins is the second book in The Mystic Café series. The story follows Annie Szabo, who must navigate a treacherous path to save her home and family. Her bold and audacious Gypsy mother-in-law, Madame Mina, uses her mystical cures and curses to protect them. Together, they must uncover a killer hiding behind a web of secrets. When Annie's close friend, Margo Spanger, a cultural icon known for her New Age cirque and women's shelter, is found dead, the investigation points to several dangerous suspects. From a mysterious trapeze artist to a power-hungry elite, Annie digs deep into Margo's tangled past, aided by an ex-cop and Mina's powerful plant remedies. The killer is a master of disguise, and Annie's daughter could be the next target.
The narrative is filled with suspense and intrigue as Annie and her companions navigate the dangers posed by the killer. Their journey is fraught with challenges, but their determination and teamwork drive the story forward. The book's blend of mystery, suspense, and family ties makes it a compelling read. The Vanished Priestess is a thrilling tale of resilience and courage, showcasing the characters' struggle to protect their world from the encroaching darkness. The book's mix of supernatural elements and intense action makes it a captivating read for fans of the genre. Don't miss out on this gripping read! Get your copy today.
• ASIN: B0DMFRMKZN
• Publisher: Rough Edges Press
• Publication Date: 12/17/2024
• File Size: 5041 KB
• Print Length: 369 pages
• Genre: Women's Crime Fiction, Mystery Series, Magical Realism
May 24, 2020
I read this book for the ATY 2020 Reading Challenge Week 6: a book with a mode of transportation on the cover. "Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive," wrote Sir Walter Scott. True then and true now and true in this book...very tangled! And the cause is as old as the ages, as well. It is a fun book, in spite of it all. It must be interesting to author a series, for one must weave a thread of on-going life while telling a story that is just a small intersection in that life. For the series to be successful, it must not dust off the old details in a boring way. Meredith Blevins never writes boring. I will be reading her as long as she and Annie are partners.
July 5, 2017
Surprisingly good read
When
I first began reading this book I didn't think I
D like it's unconventional characters but I stuck with it and fell in love with them all. A story about a circus run with abused women. So unconventional. Thoroughly delightful. Characters are interestingly drawn. Situations are unconventional portrayed and it all makes sense and a fun read. I've always loved the circus and had I grown up in a small New England town of yore....probably would have run away and joined one. An inside look at the characters who did join the circus.
When
I first began reading this book I didn't think I
D like it's unconventional characters but I stuck with it and fell in love with them all. A story about a circus run with abused women. So unconventional. Thoroughly delightful. Characters are interestingly drawn. Situations are unconventional portrayed and it all makes sense and a fun read. I've always loved the circus and had I grown up in a small New England town of yore....probably would have run away and joined one. An inside look at the characters who did join the circus.
March 22, 2017
Wacky, wise, and wonderful, this book is a nice follow-up to the first one in the series. Her vivid imagery and conversation make this story a joy to read, though it does deal with the dark subject matter of domestic abuse, something I know about personally and something that affects way too many men and women in relationships, sadly. The positive life affirming message of survival is one we all need to hear and the many difficult questions she addresses in this novel with a great sense of humor are needed as well. For all the survivors, this book is full of strong family members and friends. You can survive and thrive. I did it and so does Abra.
August 12, 2018
These are rollicking good fun. The pacing and mystery and characters are just wonderful. I keep seeing this as a TV series and every time I read one I cast it in my head, everyone nailed except Mina. Still haven't figured out who'd play her. Yes, the editing is atrocious - annuals I stead of animals, lite instead of life - the books are rife with gramatical and spelling errors, but they are still heaps of fun. Meredith Blevins spins a good yarn.
February 11, 2017
More Annie Szabo family drama fun? Book 2
Annie has giraffes next door! When her daughter comes home battered they hide her at the circus next door, a hideout for battered women! How did Annie NOT know this?! And that is just the icing.... Excellent and compelling story, well told in the wrap around gypsy style we expect from Annie Szabo and family.
Annie has giraffes next door! When her daughter comes home battered they hide her at the circus next door, a hideout for battered women! How did Annie NOT know this?! And that is just the icing.... Excellent and compelling story, well told in the wrap around gypsy style we expect from Annie Szabo and family.
October 1, 2017
It's nice when the 2nd book exceeds the first one.
This was a rather enjoyable story. Witty, good plot, unforgettable characters, and a heckuva plot twist. I didn't see that one coming. I'm curious to see what happens in the next book of the series.
This was a rather enjoyable story. Witty, good plot, unforgettable characters, and a heckuva plot twist. I didn't see that one coming. I'm curious to see what happens in the next book of the series.
December 26, 2018
The vanishing Priestess (2)
This story was one of the most confusing and chaotic ones in a long time. All the characters are more than likely daffy, but still the author created a lot of sanity out of chaos. You'll enjoy this one.
This story was one of the most confusing and chaotic ones in a long time. All the characters are more than likely daffy, but still the author created a lot of sanity out of chaos. You'll enjoy this one.
March 31, 2019
Don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see.believe
A wacky ride, as usual, with Meredith Blevins. The world among these Gypsies is a wild one. A great read for some real laughs and a strange mystery. It is always a fun time with this group.
A wacky ride, as usual, with Meredith Blevins. The world among these Gypsies is a wild one. A great read for some real laughs and a strange mystery. It is always a fun time with this group.
August 30, 2019
This is the second in a series with many of the same characters. . .and they really are characters! Very entertaining. And memorable: In other words, I started reading the FIRST book in the series and within a few pages actually remembered that I had read it before!
January 23, 2020
Gypsies, murder and mayhem galore in this refreshing series in which Meredith Blevins captivates the reader in this truly unique series. Brilliant character development throughout, and some beautiful writing especially in the second novel. The end of each book guarantee the reader wanting more!
March 18, 2017
Funny, thought-provoking, philosophical - with gypsies, the Bay Area and a mystery. What's not to like!
July 6, 2017
Loved this book. It was just the different, wacky, enlightening book I was looking for!
August 16, 2017
I like the characters, but the ending was unbelievable - like the author had to finish the book and did it too fast.
November 16, 2017
This was just OK, and actually kinda boring.
June 28, 2018
See 1-3 review
August 11, 2020
Very good
This is a good story. Not as good as the first in the series. Not as fast paced and sadly no Jozef.
This is a good story. Not as good as the first in the series. Not as fast paced and sadly no Jozef.
February 4, 2017
I thought the dream sequence was confusing.
March 20, 2017
Not as good as the first book
I was expecting this book to be as funny as the first one; but no, it wasn't. I had a hard time keeping the characters straight; The whole family with children , grandchildren, and the in-laws. I almost didn't finish the book but I struck it out. Hopefully the next book will be better.
I was expecting this book to be as funny as the first one; but no, it wasn't. I had a hard time keeping the characters straight; The whole family with children , grandchildren, and the in-laws. I almost didn't finish the book but I struck it out. Hopefully the next book will be better.
March 11, 2017
Wow, it's great to find an author who can draw me into the story from the very first sentence and not let me go till the very end. This is the second Annie Szabo mystery I've read. In this book Annie's neighbor and good friend Margo runs a circus on her property and behind the scenes also a shelter for abused women. When Margo is murdered, Annie enlists the help of private investigator Lawless (he has retired from the San Francisco Police Department where she met him in book #1). In the meantime Annie's Gypsy mother in law Mina has moved a trailer onto Annie's property. Annie's youngest daughter is escaping her abusive marriage. Annie and Mina start new romantic relationships (Mina's antics make me laugh out loud). I loved the book and plan to begin #3 this minute!
November 20, 2016
Giraffes, trapeze, and murder?
Annie Szabo didn't know when she got married that she was getting a temporary husband and a permanent mother-in-law. Widowed after only a few years, a single mom with three now-grown daughters, we met her eldest in the first book in the series, where Annie also became re-acquainted with her colorful, Gypsy in-laws, including Madame Mina, the mother-in-law who spent years blaming--and cursing--Annie after Stevan, Mina's eldest son and Annie's ill-fated husband, went flying off a mountainous curving road into the Pacific Ocean. Oops..
In The Hummingbird Wizard, Annie and Mina somewhat reluctantly join forces when another family member suddenly dies, under suspicious circumstances. And now Mina has deposited herself in Annie's front yard, with a trailer.
As if that weren't enough to deal with, Annie's youngest daughter appears, too, with bruises that do not bode well for her marriage, or the safety of her two-year-old son.
Throw into this mix a circus right next door (yes, really! It's Sonoma County, so the next-door plot is hundreds of acres), complete with giraffes, trapeze artists, and a whole lot more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye.
Annie knows some mighty colorful people, and everything gets a whole lot more colorful--and rather more scary than Annie would like--when somebody ends up murdered.
With the Szabo clan, Annie, and Lawless (a former cop, now PI) on the case, you can expect a romp that is at turns hilarious and thrilling, with twists you will not see coming.
Come on in, ladies and gentlemen! It's a great show!
Annie Szabo didn't know when she got married that she was getting a temporary husband and a permanent mother-in-law. Widowed after only a few years, a single mom with three now-grown daughters, we met her eldest in the first book in the series, where Annie also became re-acquainted with her colorful, Gypsy in-laws, including Madame Mina, the mother-in-law who spent years blaming--and cursing--Annie after Stevan, Mina's eldest son and Annie's ill-fated husband, went flying off a mountainous curving road into the Pacific Ocean. Oops..
In The Hummingbird Wizard, Annie and Mina somewhat reluctantly join forces when another family member suddenly dies, under suspicious circumstances. And now Mina has deposited herself in Annie's front yard, with a trailer.
As if that weren't enough to deal with, Annie's youngest daughter appears, too, with bruises that do not bode well for her marriage, or the safety of her two-year-old son.
Throw into this mix a circus right next door (yes, really! It's Sonoma County, so the next-door plot is hundreds of acres), complete with giraffes, trapeze artists, and a whole lot more going on behind the scenes than meets the eye.
Annie knows some mighty colorful people, and everything gets a whole lot more colorful--and rather more scary than Annie would like--when somebody ends up murdered.
With the Szabo clan, Annie, and Lawless (a former cop, now PI) on the case, you can expect a romp that is at turns hilarious and thrilling, with twists you will not see coming.
Come on in, ladies and gentlemen! It's a great show!
March 14, 2016
The Hummingbird Wizard was the first book in this series. I liked it although it was a little hard to follow sometimes. I was really looking forward to learning more about Annie's possible man, Jozef. He was a very compelling and unusual character. I was really disappointed that he was not even mentioned until once in the last few pages of this story. Apparently he must have dropped off the face of the earth and no one cared except me.
This book was very inconsistent. I was disappointed in several of Annie's bone-headed moves. TWICE she picks up a probable murder weapon leaving fingerprints all over. It made no sense that she was never questioned by the police. Annie falls for a man probably 20 years older than herself and never mentions to him that she also slept with the man he considers his son. Yuck! The resolution to the mystery was very convoluted and frankly the long discussion of who did what was not interesting. What happened to Annie's daughter, EB, who lived on her property in the first book? I found The Vanished Priestess a frustrating read although there were parts that were excellent. As I said... inconsistent.
This book was very inconsistent. I was disappointed in several of Annie's bone-headed moves. TWICE she picks up a probable murder weapon leaving fingerprints all over. It made no sense that she was never questioned by the police. Annie falls for a man probably 20 years older than herself and never mentions to him that she also slept with the man he considers his son. Yuck! The resolution to the mystery was very convoluted and frankly the long discussion of who did what was not interesting. What happened to Annie's daughter, EB, who lived on her property in the first book? I found The Vanished Priestess a frustrating read although there were parts that were excellent. As I said... inconsistent.
April 6, 2016
Annie Szabo is back along with the Gypsy Szabo clan! This time we have Gypsies and cops, murder and circus people, battered women and madness. The action has moved from the San Francisco of _The Hummingbird Wizard_ up to Annie's land in Marin. Her friend, Dectective Lawless has retired from SFPD and lives up in the Russian River area. Madame Mina has moved into a trailer on Annie's land. There is a circus school next door... or is it a battered women's shelter. When Annie's daughter Abra flees her abusive husband with her son, we find out that it is indeed the latter. Complications ensue. Annie learns to fly on a trapeze and once again meets a lovely man, will this one last? I'm heading off to read Book Three to find out! I'm just not ready to leave these crazy (in a good way) folks behind.
My only con is that the book seems to have been OCR'd rather than actually written on a computer. The typos are very distracting.
My only con is that the book seems to have been OCR'd rather than actually written on a computer. The typos are very distracting.
February 10, 2017
Fun reading more about Annie and her crazy gypsy family.
June 27, 2013
Meredith Blevins should stick to poetry. A lot of the narrative attempts to be super over-the-top poetic and it felt completely out of place in a novel - especially in dialogue between friends. I never got the sense that the characters cared about each other outside of the specific words they said, nor did I pick up on traits everyone talked about people having. (Our main character is referred to by everyone as brash and outspoken - including herself - but it really doesn't seem that way.) I had a hard time figuring out what was happening when and to whom. And the worst part was that I didn't really care who the murderer was. The story was loose and all over the place, and the end explanation seemed so unbelievable and a little out of nowhere. Not my favorite.
December 16, 2010
When Annie Szabo learns that her youngest daughter Abra is being abused by her husband, she whisks the young woman and her little boy to Annie's neighbor, charismatic lesbian Margo, who runs a little-known shelter for women with problems. But Margo is killed and, as soon as she's sure Abra is safe, Annie's first priority is finding out who killed her, much to the disgust of her friend, retired policeman Lawless. Annie's gypsy mother-in-law has moved her trailer next door to Annie's house and is available to give cryptic advice and questionable herbal potions. New acquaintance Leo knows all about the early life of Margo and of her lover, Lili, who has disappeared.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews