Chapters and Charms

Magical Bookstore Mysteries #2

by Sue Hollowell

Arabella's tranquil life is shattered when her spectral grandmother makes an urgent appearance with a harrowing her bones have been mysteriously stolen, and if they're not retrieved quickly, she will disappear forever.

As Arabella visits the family graveyard, she finds her grandmother's grave seemingly undisturbed, but the cemetery manager dismisses her concerns, and the local police deem her story too fantastical. Arabella, feeling increasingly isolated in her quest, sees her grandmother becoming more transparent with each passing hour, heightening the stakes of her mission.

With the crucial 48-hour mark approaching, her grandmother's disappearance appears imminent. Just when the investigation seems futile, a startling revelation about her grandmother’s past in her Coven adds a new layer to the enigma.

Can Arabella unravel the tangled web of her grandmother's past in time to prevent her from fading away forever?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

207 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2024

About the author

Get a free cozy story at https://dl.bookfunnel.com/nn1op4cew3

Sue Hollowell is a wife and empty nester with a lot of mom left over. Finding a lot of time on her hands, and as a lover of mystery novels, she began telling the story of a character who appeared in her head.

The Chemical Bond is a book about Meredith Markette, a young woman who reluctantly enters into the field of law enforcement when her police officer father is killed in the line of duty. Her quest is to discover his murderer and in the meantime come to terms with a tragedy of her youth.

Will this book ever see the light of day? Maybe. Sue really likes the story and character. And writing that book taught her a ton about the publishing industry. Through this experience she has discovered a love of writing stories, and especially mysteries. She hopes you enjoy her books as much as she enjoys writing them.

She and her husband are on the search to adopt a dog, really missing her spaniels that passed a couple of years ago.

Get a free cozy story at https://dl.bookfunnel.com/nn1op4cew3

Reviews

[Debi Paglia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good series! This second book does not disappoint! Arabella is a sweet, soft-spoken young woman. She’s very loyal to her grandmother, who lives in their house as a ghost. Arabella will do anything for her grandmother. She has magical powers, but is afraid to use them because of an accident when she was younger. The storyline is so interesting - that removing one’s bones from a gravesite will cause that soul to completely disappear. The journey that Arabella takes to solve this problem will keep your attention. Looking forward to the next one!

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa, I did not expect the plot twist or that ending. Things just got juicy!

I read the synopsis for the next book and it seems like it’s going to be good…👀

I look forward to continuing my adventure with Arabella and Marcel! They’re the cutest duo and I love them together. 🥰

[Chad Barrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author in return for an early review on this book.

Arabella’s life is thrown into chaos as her ghostly grandmother bursts into the room one morning telling her that her bones have been stolen and unless Arabella can find them and rebury them into
her grave she will permanently disappear!

With her grandmother fading in and out Arabella tries to get a list of who would do such a thing to her. She does get some names and sees her oldest friend who she was once good friends with but had a falling out with. She visits the grave site and finds a clue and visits a witch from the coven her grandmother was a part of and gets help from her old friend she quit in contact with because she was into witchcraft and Arabella wasn’t. However, now Arabella was desperate to save her grandmother’s spirit from disappearing forever so she was willing to try any and everything to get Gigi back again.

This was a great story full of heart with a young woman who had a traumatic experience with magic as a young girl and was abandoned by her parents as a result being left to be raised by her grandmother. She is hesitant to even try using magic now but it seems it’s the only way to save her grandmother’s spirit from disappearing forever so with her former best friend, together they strive to do just that!

I enjoyed this heartwarming story and recommend it as one I believe you’ll enjoy! Marcel is a great little familiar to Arabella who offers up clues to her and helps her as she tries to cope with her awkwardness around people.

With her best friend back and her familiar life is not so lonely for Arabella anymore but the detective she
likes seems to always accuse her of murder! What’s a girl to do to get him to notice her some other way!!
Solve the murders for sure but hope he’ll quit accusing her of them would be nice!

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arabella’s life is thrown into chaos as her ghostly grandmother bursts into the room one morning telling her that her bones have been stolen and unless Arabella can find them and rebury them into
her grave she will permanently disappear!

With her grandmother fading in and out Arabella tries to get a list of who would do such a thing to her. She does get some names and sees her oldest friend who she was once good friends with but had a falling out with. She visits the grave site and finds a clue and visits a witch from the coven her grandmother was a part of and gets help from her old friend she quit in contact with because she was into witchcraft and Arabella wasn’t. However, now Arabella is desperate to save her grandmother’s spirit from disappearing forever so she was willing to try any and everything to get Gigi back again.

I really enjoyed this second book in Sue Hollowell’s new series. I’ve fallen in love with Arabella and Gigi and enjoy watching them solve mysteries and save the day. I’m excited to read the next book in the series.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arabella's grandmother, Gigi for short is a spirit who had brought up Arabella and now she is a spirit that Arabella can see and speak to along with her dog, Marcel. But when Gigi comes frantically into the room telling Arabella someone stole her bones and she only has two days before she is gone forever unless Arabella can return the bones to the grave. She enlists the help of her old best friend and Marcel to find and rebury the bones. Arabella won't use witchcraft since the one time she did was a disaster, even though Gigi pushes her. But losing Gigi would be the worst thing to happen to Arabella so she gives in and asks the help of witches who tell her to trust her instincts. With Gigi slowly fading away, time is of the essence. Can Arabella save her in time? With so many twists, we are taken by a surprise end. I really like this series and can't wait for more. I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Margaret Hejmanowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love all things Sue Hollowell, and this does not disappoint!! Arabella is a non practicing witch. Gigi Arabella's grandmother; still approaches her as her spirit. Gigi approaches her franticly, that someone has stolen her bones. If they are not returned, she will disappear forever; and where would she go if she disappeared? Arabella investigates and indeed the bones are gone. With the help of Marcel, Arabella's french bulldog and other witch friends; she is told to trust her instincts. Can she help Gigi in time? Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Sue Hollowell!!!

[Amary Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light Paranormal Cozy
Arabella lives with the ghost of her deceased grandmother, both being witches, although Arabella is not a practicing witch in spite of her Gigi wishing her to be.
Arabella must investigate the desecration of Gigi's grave to stop her disappearance without Gigi's help. Enjoyable for any cozy lover, but more so for paranormal lovers
I received an arc gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

[Anne Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marcel a French bulldog & Arabella hear from Gigi, Arabella’s grandmother, that someone has stolen her bones! On investigation they find that, indeed, someone has done so. Marcel finds a locket near the grave. Arabella enlists the help of her friend Dorine & some of the other witches also come to her aid. She is told to trust her instincts & after a lot of running around begins to learn to use her magic (which she has fought against) & it leads to good results.

[Bonnie J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy from the author.
Love this new series. Arabella is such a great character. Like her grandmother, she is a witch, but is too afraid to practice. Now Grandma's ghost is in a tizzy because her bones have been stolen and unless Arabella can get them back within two days, Gigi will disappear forever. Along with her French bulldog and best friends, Arabella is in a rush to get the bones back where they belong.

[Roger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chapters and Charms (Magical Bookstore Mysteries Book 2), my thirty-second highly-enjoyable read from author Sue Hollowell, the second in her Magical Bookstore Mysteries. “I received a Kindle copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review." The gifting of this book did not affect my opinion of it. I look forward to reading more from this author with Sherbet and Shenanigans (A Belle Harbor Cozy Mystery Book 9) high on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.

[Lauren Heiy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapters and Charms(Magical bookstore mystery book 2)

A wit,h who doesn't like magic, A grandmother who is a ghost and whose bones were stolen lead into this mystery. Quite a journey.

[Antonia Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one fantastic read! I didn't want to put the book down. The missing bones are a puzzle that grabs your attention and doesn't let go. This is a thoroughly entertaining book. More please!!!!!

[Iris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting better

This was better than the first, but I still caught an inconsistency in the plot. I liked the development of her confidence only to be immediately pulled back like a yo yo. These are short novels so I can see why that wouldn't develop quickly, but it's a bit frustrating too. Once again, the dog is cute and I am glad to see the character grow.

[Martine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arabella and Marcel are back to solve a mystery. This is a lovely series with interesting characters. The story quickly pulled me in and it's so easy to read and very entertaining. A recommendation.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.

[Barb Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved love. Any books by this author are like a great big chocolate chip cookie. Sweet, a smidge crumbly and a whole lot of love. Definitely a quick read that leaves you wanting more. I won this with Goodreads giveaways.