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Spells and Secrets
Former magical investigator Maple Winterbourne wasn’t exactly invited to Brightstone Bay—it was more of a magical banishment with a side of disgrace. Now stuck in the quaint, seaside town, Maple plans to keep her head down and avoid trouble.
Those plans go up in smoke when a magical electrician is found dead right in the middle of a daycare’s enchanted playroom. Between dodging suspicious Council members and reluctantly stepping into the chaos of paranormal kid daycare life, Maple is pulled into solving the case before things get even messier.
With her sarcastic fox familiar, Solstice, at her side, Maple digs into the victim’s tangled life. But her investigation unearths more than she bargained black-market dealings, dangerous secrets, and mentions of a shadowy operation called Project Whisper.
Armed with quick wit, clever magic, and a questionable talent for improvising, Maple must untangle the clues before the killer strikes again—or before the daycare play ends in more flames than applause.
Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, magical mishaps, and quirky small towns, Spells and Secrets is a spellbinding whodunit guaranteed to charm and delight.
Those plans go up in smoke when a magical electrician is found dead right in the middle of a daycare’s enchanted playroom. Between dodging suspicious Council members and reluctantly stepping into the chaos of paranormal kid daycare life, Maple is pulled into solving the case before things get even messier.
With her sarcastic fox familiar, Solstice, at her side, Maple digs into the victim’s tangled life. But her investigation unearths more than she bargained black-market dealings, dangerous secrets, and mentions of a shadowy operation called Project Whisper.
Armed with quick wit, clever magic, and a questionable talent for improvising, Maple must untangle the clues before the killer strikes again—or before the daycare play ends in more flames than applause.
Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries, magical mishaps, and quirky small towns, Spells and Secrets is a spellbinding whodunit guaranteed to charm and delight.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2025
37 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
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January 29, 2025Banished to Brightstone Bay Maple tries to keep her head low. A former investigator, the last thing she wants is to be anywhere near trouble. Best laid plans and all, she is asked to help a friend out. She finds herself in the middle of a nursery school for magical children. The mischief they get into made me laugh. Little did she know, in the next room an electrician who is a vampire was murdered. Who was the 'lucky ' one to find him? You got it, poor Maple. She and Solstice, her fox familiar are pulled in not only to put on a play with the kids for their parents, but trying to uncover the murderer. A totally charming book!
January 31, 2025
Toddler wands and glitter bombs!
Maple Winterbourne needs to earn money. She is banished to Brightstone Bay where not a lot of employers need a fired ex-spy. Maple winds up with the job of her nightmares after discovering a corpse at Pixie Pal’s Daycare; a daycare worker and security for paranormal toddlers who are overflowing with energy and out-of-control toddler magic. Unwilling to leave the investigation to the Council, Maple and her fox familiar, Solstice, begin their own investigation. The clues lead to dark magic, danger, and suspicious connections.
This fun cozy has a good mystery, hints of possible romance, and plenty of humor. The scenes in the daycare center are hilarious! I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
Maple Winterbourne needs to earn money. She is banished to Brightstone Bay where not a lot of employers need a fired ex-spy. Maple winds up with the job of her nightmares after discovering a corpse at Pixie Pal’s Daycare; a daycare worker and security for paranormal toddlers who are overflowing with energy and out-of-control toddler magic. Unwilling to leave the investigation to the Council, Maple and her fox familiar, Solstice, begin their own investigation. The clues lead to dark magic, danger, and suspicious connections.
This fun cozy has a good mystery, hints of possible romance, and plenty of humor. The scenes in the daycare center are hilarious! I received a free copy but my review is honest and voluntary.
February 9, 2025
Spells and Secrets is book #2 in the Brightstone Bay Cozy Mysteries series by Paula Lester.
I knew we were in for a treat when Maple gets roped into working at a paranormal kid daycare. There’s a murder and she is drawn to investigate. She finds much more than she expected. Solstice, her fox familiar, is perfect for Maple with her sarcastic comments providing humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the next one!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I knew we were in for a treat when Maple gets roped into working at a paranormal kid daycare. There’s a murder and she is drawn to investigate. She finds much more than she expected. Solstice, her fox familiar, is perfect for Maple with her sarcastic comments providing humor. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can’t wait for the next one!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
February 11, 2025
I really liked this story. There is a touch of romance, a swirl of mystery, a flash of intrigue, and a river of secrecy. The characters are all intriguing and interesting. The plot is straightforward and the premise is finding out who killed the strange vampire and why. The answers are not illuminating at all and only the basic crime is worked out, yet most are willing to ignore the overall pall of danger. I am looking forward to the next book and recommend this one, as well as the first book.
February 2, 2025
Maple finds herself caught up in strangeness related to a daycare.
Certain magical items, folks stuck on power, others on following their missions or personal projects - they make for a slew of suspects , power struggle, and false leads.
it's a tangled mess of mischief, malice, pixies and charming familiars and dragons of various ilk.
Loving the chaos and ongoing mysteries!
Certain magical items, folks stuck on power, others on following their missions or personal projects - they make for a slew of suspects , power struggle, and false leads.
it's a tangled mess of mischief, malice, pixies and charming familiars and dragons of various ilk.
Loving the chaos and ongoing mysteries!
January 29, 2025
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I liked the magical town and the house Maple lives in. I like how Maple and her familiar, Solstice, were able to solve the murder and perhaps learn a little of what was behind her banishment.
February 17, 2025
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
October 25, 2025
Fun book
The writing takes adjusting to, the descriptions are so thorough. The characters are engaging. The plot lines come together well.
The writing takes adjusting to, the descriptions are so thorough. The characters are engaging. The plot lines come together well.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews