When this club selects a book, magic happens!This book club does more than read their books – they are absorbed into them to become the amateur sleuths! In order to leave the book, they must solve the mystery and reach The End.
In this journey they travel to The Golden Island Wellness Retreat for yoga, meditation, workshops, and spa treatments. They’ll bond with nature and improve their spiritual wellbeing. They’ll find their inner peace – and a dead body, of course.
Graduates from an acting college have gathered at the retreat for their ten-year reunion. Old friends reconnect, but apparently, so have old enemies. The book club must evaluate the attendees to determine whose baggage has led to murder.
"You can’t enough of this series! It will blow you away!"… Cozy Mystery Book Reviews“One of my go-to series. The quality and enjoyment are guaranteed.”… All and Any Books“I adore this series, and it just keeps getting better with each book!”… Fiction Vixen“I guarantee you will LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it !!!!”… Goodreads
Elizabeth Pantley is a bestselling author of fiction and non-fiction books. She writes two well-loved cozy mystery series: The Magical Mystery Book Club, and the Destiny Falls Mystery and Magic series. She has also written the international bestselling No-Cry Solution parenting book series that is available in over twenty languages.
Elizabeth lives in the majestic Pacific Northwest and spends winters in the sunny desert of Arizona. While neither location is home to any paranormal beings (that she knows of) the vastly different yet equally lovely locations are the inspiration for the settings in many of her books.
Another magical bookclub adventure this time the club is heading to a wellness retreat. Our adventure take is to a 10 year reunion of an acting college. While old friends are catching up on life someone seems to have actually on an old rivalry and kill one of their classmates. The book club is taking their time enjoying their time at the retreat while trying to solve the mystery.
This is one series I don’t hesitate to read when I get my hands on it. This series is so much fun! I mean for a book lover, especially a cozy mystery lover, who wouldn’t want to attend a magical book club. The characters are great. They all have so much personality; they are different ages and have different backgrounds so you can always find someone you identify with. 2 of my favorites are Frank the cat and Zell. Zell is a quirky, energetic senior who loves food and says what is on her mind most of the time. The mystery is well crafted with plenty of twists and turns to keep your guessing. The storyline was interesting and entertaining. I’m not going to spoil anything for those that have read this book yet but the ending was a little bitter sweet, but I love it all the same. I am looking forward to the next adventure.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
"Meditation and Mischief (Magical Mystery Book Club #7)" by Elizabeth Pantley sees the Magical Mystery Book Club jumping into a tropical resort vacation/college reunion cozy mystery. This one is pretty light on the paranormal beyond the fact that they're living inside a book outside of the regular world's space and time. We get one additional ghost, the victim. The same sort of rules apply to him as to Molly when they were in her book.
Like in Molly's book, the club gets a special guest star. I wont say who, it'd be spoilers. Speaking of potentially spoiling something. Someone decides to stay behind in this book as well. I will just add that it wasn't who I expected it to be. There is one character that I'm feeling is a bit too perfect now and may be a problem in future books, but I could just be paranoid too.
The mystery kept me guessing. Except, I did have one particular suspect in mind for the culprit. However, all the red herrings did manage to throw me off.
A clever and intriguing series that keeps you coming back for each new book.
With each new book in the series, I feel like I’m returning home to a family reunion. I love the characters and am totally invested in this book club. The author’s descriptive moments are just enough detail to allow the reader to see the scenery, feel the winds, taste the food, and etc. She put’s you right into the book which is quite clever considering the book is about humans who find themselves inside a book. Long time readers will be thrilled at the surprises the author gives to the story as well as shedding a tear or two. I highly recommend this series.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions expressed are my own.
After reading Meditation and Mischief, the eighth book in the Magical Mystery Book Club series, by Elizabeth Pantley, I have to start off saying that this one hit hard !! I know it's just a book and not real but when you read numerous books in a series, getting to know the characters inside the book, you develop feelings. I don't just read a book and that's that. No, I get to know the people, and the places, I like spending time with them in their "world" and when I get to the end, sometimes it is emotional. And that is what happened here with Meditation and Mischief. In Meditation and Mischief Paige, Glo, Frank and the rest of the magical book club members are getting ready to pick their next cozy mystery in the magical library and get swept into the story and begin to solve a murder. And, boy, do they pick a good one. They will be attending a colleg ten-year reunion at a wellness center on a tropical island !! They are, as you know, totally excited. Unfortunately while they are on the water taxi heading to the island the captain of the boat has a heart attack ... and the group wonders if he is the victim. They are able to call for help, get the boat to the retreat center, and save the captain. But that makes them wonder what that all meant. It doesn't take the group long to settle in and start mingling with the other reunion participants. There are lots of fun workshops, classes, and such for the group to divide and conquer so that they can get to know everyone and see the lay of the land. It's not long before there is a death .... Owen, an actor, attending the reunion is found dead in one of the massage tents but when it is ruled death by natural causes, the group is more confused than ever !! And to make it more interesting Owen shows up as a ghost and they have to explain everything to him ... luckily he takes it easier than they thought. Even thought they book club members would love to attend the workshops, practice for the talent show at the end of the reunion, eat and drink all the tasty foods and just relax and have a nice vacation, they know that they have a job to do and need to solve Owen's death so that they can type THE END into the magical typewriter and return to Colorado. Readers, if you haven't read these books yet, I cannot stress it enough to get hitting the books !!! This series is like no other and will have you feeling all kinds of emotions !!! You will enjoy your time spent with the Magical Mystery Book Club and hate to leave .... but know that there will be another book to open soon and Pantley knows how to keep the excitement going and keep you coming back for more !!!
What a delightful cozy mystery series. All the elements of a good series, with changes of venue to keep the stories fresh. This one has us greeting an old friend, saying goodbye to another and meeting a couple new folks. A few blips that the editor missed, but enjoyable just the same.
I love this whole series and have read each of the 8 books with the 9 waiting patiently in the wings. It is about a group of people who actually enter a chosen book to solve a mystery. This book was placed in a tropical area and was very fun to read. As is the whole series. My suggestion is to start with book one, so you know how the group came to be.
I continue to be blown away by this series. I look forward to each new book with this entertaining premise. With each new adventure, the book club literally enters a book and becomes part of the story and events. Top notch writing and splendid characters are a winning combination. I cannot wait to read the next one! I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
If you are a cozy mystery aficionado, then Meditation and Mischief: Magical Mystery Book Club #8, is for you.
As cozy mystery readers, we want to follow along with the sleuth as we watch them figure out how the murder happened and who killed the victim. But if you are like me and have read a lot of cozies, things can sometimes get stale as authors use the same premises across different series in an attempt to duplicate the success of other authors. The Magical Mystery Book Club series addresses both of these issues. The sleuth and her posse both satisfy our desire for found family and provides that rotating cast of characters that we all love, while the premise of the series gives us new settings and environments to enjoy through a unique twist.
The Magical Mystery book club series introduces a magical library of only cozy mystery novels located inside the Snapdragon inn. The cast of characters actually take “book trips” into a cozy mystery novel itself. They enter the story, in the location where the book takes place, and become the sleuths, assuming the role of the characters within the novel. The only way they can leave the book is to solve the mystery themselves. So, as we follow the characters, this premise allows the reader to step into the books, not as a voyeur watching someone else do it, but as true participants themselves.
The characters from the Magical Mystery Book Club are very self-aware of what they are doing as they dissect the tropes and commonalities of cozy mysteries to solve the murder. They discuss whether the action of one character outside of their group is perhaps misdirection or a red herring, for example. They are very knowledgeable about cozy mysteries and interested in figuring out not only who the murderer is, but how the author utilizes the different tropes at issue. This series gives us a whole different take on how much a reader can participate in a book rather than just being an observer of the characters doing something on a page they are reading. The characters take us with them as they dissect what it takes to make a good cozy mystery and how those tropes and modalities are being utilized by the author of their book trip book. They echo the commentary we, as readers, might have in our own minds as we read a book.
This was a delightfully new hook for me. I loved it. The book into which they took their trip was a tropical island where they solved a beach murder. So, while they were recognized by the other characters playing their roles within their book trip book, they also maintained their own identities. They would get together to strategize and discuss their different approaches to solving the book trip book’s mystery. Yet, there was a ghost in their group and a talking cat that kept things feeling familiar and cozy.
I really enjoyed this book. One of the most telling measures for me about how good a book is would be how long the characters haunt the corners of my mind. I read this book over a year ago. I had some health problems right around that time that incapacitated me and I was unable to review the book at that time. The characters of Meditation and Mischief, however, have stayed vividly in my mind since that time. I picked up Meditation and Mischief as a stand-alone. It made such a lasting impression that I am going back to the beginning to read the whole series. Enjoy!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Meditation and Mischief by Elizabeth Pantley has the book club going to a tropical island for a college reunion.
Will the book club figure out this latest mystery?
The Book Club The Snapdragon Inn Book Club is meeting to find another book to solve that mystery. Paige, Glo, and the rest of the group are excited to get started since they have all become friends during this wonderful adventure club. I have to say that I love the Book Club, as each member brings much hilarity. They also get serious when the situation calls for it.
The Mystery Paige, Glo, and the others have quite a doozy of a mystery to solve. Graduates from an acting community college are coming to The Golden Island Wellness Resort for some much-needed relaxation and to enjoy being back with old friends. The problem is that someone gets killed, and now the gang has to figure out what happened. Let’s say this one had me stumped on who did it, not only who did it but all the different plot threads as well. Ms. Pantley did a great job.
Five Stars My rating for Meditation and Mischief by Elizabeth Pantley is five stars. I also recommend this series to anyone who wants to start reading it. Ms. Pantley does a fantastic job of coming up with these stories and the rules for the book club. Another thing that she does well is keeping me guessing about what will happen next in each new installment I pick up. I can't wait to see where the next adventure will take us.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Meditation and Mischief by Elizabeth Pantley.
I have spent the past two weeks reading every title in this Magical Mystery Book Club series... and I feel like I've spent that time with my best friends. In each book, the main characters get whooshed into a cozy mystery and then have to investigate and solve it. Believe it or not, there are ten (TEN!) main characters and Pantley does a great job of giving them all personalities and foibles as well as making sure they each make a contribution to each scene. Sounds like it would be kludgy but the author keeps everything light and moving.
For Book 8, the intrepid book club travels to a tropical location for a college reunion at a wellness retreat. It's funny that no one questions why these people of all ages (I mean, an octogenarian and a cat!) are at their ten year reunion. There's yoga, massages, meditation, and even horses to help the guests relax... and, of course, a dead body. As usual, they meet and befriend many of the other characters while they try to solve the murder. And don't forget the food! Every one of the books in this series revolves around food! As the team travels to different lands, they eat fruit, pastries, and main dishes local to their location. I definitely want to follow the book club just so I can sample the wonderful food on the buffets. Pantley has a vivid imagination when she creates the yummy goodness that the book club eats in each book, and this one was no different.
All of the books in the series are paranormal. Not only does the book club have a magical library where they get whooshed into a cozy mystery, but each book has an element of the paranormal. Trying not to give spoilers, but one of the books has sprites, one has genies, one has vampires, and there always seems to be a ghost or two around. The advantage of the cozy in the story being paranormal is that Frank, the gorgeous siamese cat with many secrets, is able to talk to the other characters. If the story weren't paranormal, then Frank would sound like he was meowing... which would be frustrating for him. As it is, his snarkiness shines forth in every book.
I will say, even though there's an intro at the beginning of this book to give the background, I strongly recommend reading all of the books in order. There are just too many inside jokes and references that you don't want to miss.
Disclosure: We received a free digital ARC of this book. No guarantee of a review or other compensation was made.
The Magical Mystery Book Club is back in their 8th adventure by Elizabeth Pantley. In Meditation and Mischief, the club chooses a book to jump into that leads them to a tropical island in which they become alumni of an acting school attending their 10 year reunion! I always love seeing where the club ends up when they choose a book. You don’t necessarily need to read these books in order since you will quickly catch on to how this magical club ends up in different cozy mystery books!
This is one location I could totally get behind…a tropical island with tons of food! And if I were in the magical book club, the calories wouldn’t count; after all, everyone knows book calories don’t count! The Golden Island Wellness Retreat, the location of the reunion, offers things like yoga, interesting workshops, spa treatments, food, and a relaxing, beautiful location. However, it wouldn’t be a magical book club book without a murder occuring! And when one of the attendees is murdered, the Magical Mystery Book Club is on the case!
The best thing about this series is the characters. Yes, the mystery always plays a part in the enjoyment, but without these characters, it wouldn’t have the same charm. The club always consists of 8 members, so if a member leaves, another one is added! I’ve come to love the characters, so it’s sad when one leaves! It is fun getting to know the new ones though! The characters have a wide variety of personalities from quirky to zen which makes their interactions all the more fun! Without giving any spoilers, some unexpected things happen with both the main characters and the supporting cast who live in the cozy mystery book.
If you read the Magical Mystery Book Club books, you know that this group is obsessed with food! If you haven’t read them, be prepared to be hungry. Breakfast, brunch, second breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner, campfire s’mores…this group eats all the foods! I think most of us associate food with comfort. (Yeah, yeah, we shouldn’t, but we do.) This group does their best thinking while indulging.
This is a character driven mystery filled with red herrings, so beware! Don’t fall for the traps! I fell for a couple of them, but in the end, it becomes clear who the killer is.
I think cozy mystery lovers will love Meditation and Mischief! It’s got wonderful characters, a light and fun mystery, all the food, and a beautiful location! I give it 4 solid stars!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
If you're a fan of book clubs and love the idea of getting lost in a good mystery, then you absolutely need to dive into the whimsical world of the Magical Mystery Book Club. Trust me, this series is pure magic—literally!
In "Meditation and Mischief," the eighth installment of this delightful series, we find our beloved book club members whisked away to The Golden Island Wellness Retreat. Picture it: yoga, meditation, spa treatments, and... murder? Oh yes, among the tranquil vibes and spiritual workshops, there's a dead body to be found, and it's up to our amateur sleuths to solve the case before they can return home.
One of the highlights of this book is the clever and unexpected way the mystery unfolds. Elizabeth Pantley has truly outdone herself with this one. The plot is packed with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. The club's interactions with the quirky graduates from an acting college, who are there for their ten-year reunion, add an extra layer of intrigue and humor.
Speaking of humor, I can't get enough of Frank, the talking cat, and Zell's hilarious antics. They never fail to bring a smile to my face. Mollie, our ghostly book club member, is back with her spectral shenanigans, adding a fun and mischievous element to the story. Her escapades with another ghost are a hoot!
On the flip side, Moonbeam's judgmental attitude is starting to grate on me a bit. Here's hoping she lightens up in future books. But even with a few eye rolls at Moonbeam, the overall charm and wit of the series remain intact.
What I really love about these books are the little nuggets of wisdom about the mechanics of writing cozies. In this one, Pantley explains the concept of "red herrings"—how they're used and the origin of the term. It's fascinating and adds an educational twist to the fun.
With plenty of red herrings thrown our way, I had no clue who the killer was until the big reveal. The conclusion is satisfying and ties up all loose ends beautifully. Plus, there are a couple of major surprises that tugged at my heartstrings—no spoilers but have some tissues handy!
Meditation and Mischief by Elizabeth Pantley is the 8th book in her Magical Mystery Book Club series. Refresher: The magical library consists of 8 members, who choose a book, and they are transported into the story, with cozy mysteries that they have to solve. This is a fun, enjoyable, lighthearted series, with wonderful characters and a magical cozy mystery.
In this journey, our book club members are whisked away to The Golden Island Wellness Retreat, a tropical resort, as they become transported into the story. The resort has yoga, spa, meditation, workshops for a perfect vacation spot, which includes a college reunion during their stay. In a short time, a man is murdered at the spa; and the book club members must now try to find the killer. The dead man, Owen, is a famous tv star, and all the members (especially Molly) see him as he is now a ghost. It’s up to our amateur sleuths to solve the case before they can return home.
This was once again a fun adventure, with a number of red herrings that kept throwing them off; a number of the suspects were part of the college reunion. There was a lot of humor, as the club had a lot of shenanigans throughout. I loved Frank, who is my favorite (cat who talks); I like Paige, who is the leader and always reasonable. Mollie, the resident ghost, who is unseen, to others, but the book club sees her, and she secretly discovers some clues. The big surprise is that Gee Gee makes an appearance, since she is able to visit a couple of books.
What follows is a another terrific, enchanting and fun addition to this series, that has all the members trying to find clues, as well as suspects. I really enjoy this series, as it is so very entertaining. All the characters in the Magical Mystery Book Club are very good, with Paige leading the way. There were a few surprises along the way, which changes a few things at the end. Mediatation and Mischief was a wonderful lighthearted fun magical mystery, which was very well written by Elizabeth Pantley. I look forward to the next book.
MEDITATION AND MISCHIEF by Elizabeth Pantley The Eighth Magical Mystery Book Club Mystery
It's always exciting when members of the Magical Mystery Book Club choose a new cozy mystery to inhabit. Eschewing flying monkeys and vampires the group chooses to attend a college reunion at a wellness retreat on a tropical island. While there they'll be able to partake in workshops, spa treatments, as well as simply relax on the beach...and solve a murder!
In the eighth Magical Mystery Book Club mystery the friends become alumni of the Lake Minetonka Community College's School of Dramatic Arts, a perfect fit for this outgoing bunch. After a harrowing arrival they wonder when the murder will take place, but are perfectly content to join in all of the leisure activities in the meantime. Once the murder occurs they get some surprising help to weed through suspects and clues to find the killer, all while enjoying themselves.
The more books I read in this series the more I like it. Since the book club only reads cozy mysteries, that genre is explained and the author nails it on the head. While there is a mystery, and oft times a violent murder, the characters and setting are even more vital to the story. Readers care about these characters, even thinking of them as good friends. It's interesting to read about what they're doing...and thinking...even if it's not crucial to the plot. It makes them more real and adds interest and heart to the story. Atticus needs to relax and remember this! The mystery was great with lots of red herrings and a satisfying resolution. Apart from the mystery, the ending had a huge surprise that I never saw coming and I'm not entirely sure how I feel about it. I'm definitely pleased about the second half of the surprise, but am still shocked by the first.
Friendship and laughter are the heart of MEDITATION AND MISCHIEF the mystery that makes enjoying your vacation as important as solving a murder.
This is such a delightful series! I can't explain it, but from the first book, these characters have captured my interest, made me laugh, cry a little, and made me wish I could join their book club and solve a mystery with them.
Paige and Glo inherited the Snapdragon Inn from their Grandmother, who everyone thinks is dead. However, a few books back, we learned that she was actually living out her life in the pages of a book. Can you imagine? You definitely have to choose the right book to live out your life there. I think a tropical island would suit me well!
This rowdy cast of characters always makes me smile and, many times, laugh out loud at their antics. This book was no different. I laughed at Forrest and Zell racing the golf carts around the island. It is no wonder the rest of the group banned them from driving. The group also learned what happens if you tell a character you are in their book. It was quite an interesting reaction, but I won't spoil it. I appreciate how Frank and Zell let the rest of the group learn on their own what happens if you do something that goes against the principles of being in the book. Luckily, it is never fatal.
In this book, the characters discuss what a cozy is and how it differs from standard mysteries. They share what a red herring is, the history behind that phrase, that there is no foul language in a cozy, and how the protagonist is never a detective or police officer. While most of us might understand the difference, it was nice to see it discussed mainly for the newer members of the book club.
The mystery itself was well hidden. I had no idea who killed Owen and why. The revelation made sense, and I did start to suspect this character based on some information revealed closer to the end of the book.
The book had a few surprises, and the ending made me tear up a bit. I can't wait to see what this book club has in store.
I want to say I enjoyed this book. However as the ending had me reaching for the tissues because we say goodbye to a member of this very special book club, I am not sure I can, well okay Disney films make me cry so yes I loved this book. This is book eight in the series and the characters have been so well written and we have gotten to know them so well, that it felt like saying good bye to an old friend. The zany group of characters won't be the same again but then again we get a new member join the group, which gives the author lots of possibilities for the fun and mischief to continue. Loved the book ghost Molly has a new friend in this adventure and together they provided much of the hilarity. The mystery was full of red herrings, not the kind the talking cat could eat though. Okay now I am just making the story sound weird but it actually works and is a delightful series were are thing can happen. Paige and the other book club members are off on there next book club adventure. They select a reunion on a topical island and as soon as they are transported into the story they are drawn into the cozy mystery. Was the boat captains heart attack connected to the murder they are there to investigate? Is he the victim? When one of the reunion guests is found dead it looks like they have found there answers but have they? There is a lot more going on at this ocean paradise resort than acting, sun bathing and meditation. Can the book club members find the killer when even the murder victim doesn't know why he is dead? I was given this free review copy book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Paige and Glo inherit a house and a book club from their beloved GeeGee, but it's not your ordinary book club. No, this is a magical book club and the members travel into the book they choose. The group of amateur sleuths then have to solve the mystery in order for the book to end and the members to return home.
In this book, the group travels to a tropical island resort for a bit of meditation, some workshops, and some yoga. In addition, it's the ten year reunion for a class from an acting college. It's time for old friends to reunite but it seems old grudges are still alive when a class member is found dead.
I've absolutely enjoyed this series and this book is no exception. The series has quickly become a favorite and a can't-miss. The book was well-written with well-developed characters and a fast-paced plot. I was drawn into this captivating story from the beginning and kept hooked until the end. The mystery was intriguing with lots of twists and turns and red herrings, and the ending was one I didn't see coming. I loved this book and am looking forward to the next one. I'm truly hoping that there's a lot more to come from this series. I highly recommend both book and series which I believe is best read in order although each book does have a self-contained mystery. However, previous book "trips" are mentioned and you will have a stronger grasp on things if you read the books in order.
Meditation and Mischief is book 8 in the Magical Mystery Book Club series by Elizabeth Pantley. This was the first book that I read in this series and I need to go back to read Book #1 so that I can learn the back stories of the characters. I really enjoyed the premise of this cozy mystery series. The members of a book club have a special magical library which allows them to become part of the story of a cozy mystery that they select. This series reminds of an adult version of the Magic Tree House books that my kids used to read and is just as fun. In Meditation and Mischief, the members of the book club are transported to a tropical island wellness retreat where they are part of a 10 year reunion from a dramatic college. The members of the book club were all very different and I enjoyed them all. In addition to enjoying the wellness resort they have to work together to solve a murder mystery. They members have different experiences that they bring together to solve the mystery. I really enjoyed this story and I want to go back to read the previous books to learn about the other adventures that the book club has experienced. Elizabeth Pantley has written a fun and enjoyable story with interesting characters with a new twist on the cozy mystery genre. Highly recommend.
The eighth book in an incredibly enjoyable series that hooks you from the beginning and never lets you go until the very end, a little happy-a little sad. In this adventure, our book club picked a book about a wellness retreat. This is not just any book club, this is a magical book club that brings the members into the story and they can't return back until they solve the murder in the book so the book can end. Having read all the books up to this one, the characters have become friends. In this adventure, the club is at a wonderful wellness resort on a paradise island along with a group of 10 year college reunion. When one of the attendees of the reunion is found murdered, the club has to solve the murder in order for the story to end and for them to return. Not only are the club members inside the book, but the author has us there too. There are so many twists and turns with some humor, that you will never guess the ending. And we have a new character that emerges in this book. I can't wait to see what the next book they choose for their next adventure. I highly recommend this entire series! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
My favorite of the series so far! Meditation and Mischief has a lot going on. What starts as a journey into a book about a college reunion quickly turns to murder. The characters from the book make for a lot of fun. All kinds of personalities and antics. One of them will become a real friend of the book club and he has more personality than the page can hold. Red herrings abound in this book. Just when you think you know what is going on , you are wrong. Paige and Glo have their handles full with the antics of Zell, Frank and the rest of the book club let alone the suspects. Mollie makes a new friend and enjoys teaching him about being a ghost. Moonbeam as always embodies the soul of the group and for the talent show writes a poem that embodies everything the book club is about. The ending had me crying and laughing at the same time. You won't be expecting it. Old friends and new bring lots of joy to the characters. Pour a drink and snuggle in for one of the funniest and best written books yet!
School reunions are always good for murder mysteries because of the simmering resentments and long-held secrets. Probably best read in order as there are several references to previous stories but the basic "rules" of the book journeys are rehashed for new readers. This does slow down the story in spots, and there's times where nothing much is happening or there's extra exposition. There's also lots of humor included- right away in the first chapter with the driving story and continuing throughout. Frank's grooming, Zell's driving (of boats and golf carts), the talent show, and so many other entertaining moments. There was a "book character" I particularily liked, and with the new development I'll be curious to see how that all works but should make things fun. Another surprise character appears, bringing new information about the club. Plenty of suspects and misdirects keep the mystery alive.
This is the 8th book in this series; I believe I’ve read all the previous books, but this book could stand alone well. This is one of the most creative series I’ve ever read; I thoroughly enjoy each book, and this one is no exception. The magical book club travels into a cozy mystery as characters in each book, and in this one, our members attend a class reunion of an acting school, held at a fabulous tropical resort. The book club members investigate a crime in each book and can’t return home until the mystery is solved. The members, each unique and well-fleshed out, are getting better and better at investigating, and it’s fun to solve the mystery along with them. This book is Britten very well and I highly recommend it; I was provided an ARC, which I appreciate, but these opinions are my own.
I have been waiting months for this book to come out, and it was definitely worth the wait. I think this is possibly the best of the series. Full of mystery and surprises. Even the victim was a surprise. It had me guessing until the very end, and even then, I was still shocked. With a surprise guest and surprise twist at the end, you will be blown away. This book will have you laughing, crying, and everything in between. I absolutely love this series, and will be saving it to re-read again in the future. Thank you Elizabeth Pantley for creating these amazing characters and thrilling adventures. I wish I could jump into the books and join the book club on their adventures. Hopefully the adventures continue. I cannot wait for the next book 😊
I received a free ARC from the author and this is my honest opinion.
This is the book club you want to join!!!! I really enjoyed the island yoga retreat theme. It felt like I was able to experience something I probably would not have a chance to do. This is my favorite location so far. I was able to picture the aquarium library thanks to the great details.
I always feel like I am an honorary member of the book club and I am investigating right along with them. I was able to figure this one out although at the last minute. I had a great hoorah moment. I don’t normally figure it out.
There was a surprise character appearance that I loved. The ending made me sad but just like the characters I understood why. I look forward to seeing what is up next.
Thank you to the author for my copy in exchange for my review.
Meditation and Mischief is book #8 in the Magical Mystery Book Club series by Elizabeth Pantley.
It was great catching up with book club again. They end up at a tropical resort as part of a class reunion. For me, the characters and their relationships are the best part of cozy mysteries, especially long running series. This book club is no exception. The characters in this book realize that as well. This one seemed more focused on the characters and enjoying the location. I love how you cannot predict where this story is going. There was one thing I was absolutely positive was going to happen and it didn’t. It was a great ending to the story and I look forward to the next book adventure.
I received a free copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
While the Magical Book club jumps into a cozy murder mystery set at a wellness retreat hosting a college class reunion this time, this book felt like a warm hug on a cold winter’s night! To me, while the mystery was excellently executed, it was secondary to the whole plot of the book. The highlight of the book was simply enjoying the journey these characters had been on together so far and seeing them interact as one highly dysfunctional-ly funny family in a tropical paradise. I didn’t see the ending coming, and yes, a few tears were shed on more than Paige’s part.A five star rating for this book is an understatement!
If you love cozy mysteries and are looking for something different, than this book (and series) is for you. What I wouldn't give to be a part of this book club!! How exciting would it be to have a magical library where you can "actually" go into the book you are reading and be a part of the story.
The characters in this book are a mismash of very different personalities and ages that just seem to work. Some members aren't even your average members of a book club but make the best team to solve the mysteries.
There's also some very big surprises in this book!!
So come join Paige and the gang in Meditation and Mischief for some Meditation and Mischief (see what I did there LOL).
"The Magical Mystery Book Club" is a fun and unique cozy mystery series for all ages. Book 8 - Meditation and Mischief, is especially unique in style from all the rest. You'll join a diverse group of quirky book lovers on a spectacularly thrilling adventure to a tropical paradise retreat, where magic, mystery, mayhem, mishaps and murder are carefully uncovered. The endearing leading characters explore and investigate, while also having a good time, making connections and experiencing more than a few special surprises. Elizabeth Pantley has really out-shined herself in this new, exciting addition. It's a definite must read, that I thoroughly enjoyed.
This series can be read as stand alone. This was my first book of the series. I can say, I will be reading the rest of them. This series is original in that the group of sleuths are members of a book club. Not your ordinary book club because it is filled with magic. They pick one book and as the words are read aloud and that is when the magic starts. They actually become a part of the cozy murder mystery book! Imagine travelling the world thru any of the cozy mystery books you have read? Not only that, but to become the group who has to solve the murder. That would be the ultimate murder mystery cruise of all! Now I can finally get to sleep and what dreams I will have!
A tropical island resort vacation sounds like a great place for the Magical Mystery Book Club to be. It also happens to be a college reunion. What a journey these characters have already been on and this one was fun watching them function. I was laughing as I watched a dysfunctional group that has become a family trying to figure out who the killer was. Was surprised at the end. I really wanted to be at the resort with them, sounded like paradise….almost.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.