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Magical Bookstore Mysteries #6
Sentences and Spells
A missing brother. A desperate detective. And a small-town secret that could unravel everything.
When Arabella is asked to help find Detective Derek Reed’s missing brother, her witchy instincts tell her there’s more to this case than meets the eye. With a few untapped magical abilities and a lot of determination, Arabella dives into the investigation, quickly finding herself pulled into the dark underbelly of the seemingly quaint town she calls home.
Their search uncovers a hidden world where a dangerous cult practices dark magic and leaves a trail of mysterious symbols that lead right back to Arabella’s own family history. Her grandmother Gigi knows more than she’s saying, and the more Arabella digs, the more she uncovers a web of secrets that could spell trouble for everyone she loves.
As Arabella and Derek close in on the truth, the cult strikes back, capturing them and forcing Arabella into a dangerous game where her magical skills—and her courage—are put to the ultimate test. With time running out, she must harness her full potential to save them all, confront the vengeful cult leader, and end a long-standing feud that could destroy her family.
Can Arabella unravel the mystery and master her magic before it’s too late? Or will the cult’s sinister plans claim another victim?
When Arabella is asked to help find Detective Derek Reed’s missing brother, her witchy instincts tell her there’s more to this case than meets the eye. With a few untapped magical abilities and a lot of determination, Arabella dives into the investigation, quickly finding herself pulled into the dark underbelly of the seemingly quaint town she calls home.
Their search uncovers a hidden world where a dangerous cult practices dark magic and leaves a trail of mysterious symbols that lead right back to Arabella’s own family history. Her grandmother Gigi knows more than she’s saying, and the more Arabella digs, the more she uncovers a web of secrets that could spell trouble for everyone she loves.
As Arabella and Derek close in on the truth, the cult strikes back, capturing them and forcing Arabella into a dangerous game where her magical skills—and her courage—are put to the ultimate test. With time running out, she must harness her full potential to save them all, confront the vengeful cult leader, and end a long-standing feud that could destroy her family.
Can Arabella unravel the mystery and master her magic before it’s too late? Or will the cult’s sinister plans claim another victim?
227 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
About the author
Sue Hollowell
399 books432 followersGet 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 22, 2025
Marcel is so awesome in this book. I loved his character arc most in this installment of the Magical Bookstore Mysteries series. There were some great twists and turns, and a great reveal that needed to happen. I love how Arabella is advancing in her magical ability and look forward to more in this series. This can be read as a standalone.
April 22, 2025
I received an ARC from the author but was not required to post a review. This is my honest,voluntary
impression and reaction after reading the book.
This is by far the best book in the series so far as
Arabella is asked by her enemy/antagonist and someone she still likes regardless of how he views her to help him locate his missing brother who has been kidnapped!
She agrees but tells him he may see things he may not understand but he needs to trust her and indeed he does see things just like she said but he does trust her even though he doesn’t understand what he sees! What she discovers traces a secret back to someone who is near and dear to her!
This book really is a page turner as Arabella, Derek and Marcel get involved in a mystery that has sinister
implications and it taxes the full limits of her emerging powers and abilities!
You’ll find this book hard to put down as the book is well written, the plot excellent and the characters are now your friends so you just have to know what’s going to happen next!
I really enjoyed this book and wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend it to one and all! It certainly made me envious of Arabella’s abilities as I
would like to possess the powers she now has myself!
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with suspense, intrigue and non stop action this is for you! Of course if you love witches so much the better!
I encourage you to get this book and when you’re done, why not check out the entire series if you haven’t already and read about Arabella’s unlikely journey into a world and life now that’s becoming second nature to her!
impression and reaction after reading the book.
This is by far the best book in the series so far as
Arabella is asked by her enemy/antagonist and someone she still likes regardless of how he views her to help him locate his missing brother who has been kidnapped!
She agrees but tells him he may see things he may not understand but he needs to trust her and indeed he does see things just like she said but he does trust her even though he doesn’t understand what he sees! What she discovers traces a secret back to someone who is near and dear to her!
This book really is a page turner as Arabella, Derek and Marcel get involved in a mystery that has sinister
implications and it taxes the full limits of her emerging powers and abilities!
You’ll find this book hard to put down as the book is well written, the plot excellent and the characters are now your friends so you just have to know what’s going to happen next!
I really enjoyed this book and wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend it to one and all! It certainly made me envious of Arabella’s abilities as I
would like to possess the powers she now has myself!
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery with suspense, intrigue and non stop action this is for you! Of course if you love witches so much the better!
I encourage you to get this book and when you’re done, why not check out the entire series if you haven’t already and read about Arabella’s unlikely journey into a world and life now that’s becoming second nature to her!
May 16, 2025
When Detective Derek Reed’s brother goes missing, he approaches Arabella desperate for help finding him. Despite his skepticism about her special talents, he’s willing to try anything to find his brother. When her investigation leads her to an underground cult practicing dark magic, some mysterious symbols lead her right back to her family history. Arabella’s grandmother, Gigi, knows more than she’s saying and when the cult goes on the offensive Arabella must do everything in her power before it’s too late.
I enjoyed seeing Detective Reed’s evolution as he slowly started to accept the truth about magic and ghosts, and I think it will make for an interesting change in upcoming books. This was a fast paced read with plenty of suspense which only intensifies when Arabella and Detective Reed find out the reason his brother Tristan was kidnapped. The mystery was well plotted with engaging characters and I especially loved Marcel, Arabella’s familiar, and his penchant for dressing up for each occasion. The action really ramped up when Arabella and Detective Reed finally confronted the cult and the magical battle had me on the edge of my seat. This story has a little bit of everything: magic, complex and quirky characters, an adorably well dressed pooch, action and suspense. It was definitely a page turner and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
4 1/2 stars
I enjoyed seeing Detective Reed’s evolution as he slowly started to accept the truth about magic and ghosts, and I think it will make for an interesting change in upcoming books. This was a fast paced read with plenty of suspense which only intensifies when Arabella and Detective Reed find out the reason his brother Tristan was kidnapped. The mystery was well plotted with engaging characters and I especially loved Marcel, Arabella’s familiar, and his penchant for dressing up for each occasion. The action really ramped up when Arabella and Detective Reed finally confronted the cult and the magical battle had me on the edge of my seat. This story has a little bit of everything: magic, complex and quirky characters, an adorably well dressed pooch, action and suspense. It was definitely a page turner and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
4 1/2 stars
May 7, 2025
This is the 6th book in a fantastic series and it's a page turner. While Arabella is working with her mentor on her magic abilities, there's a knock on the door. Detective Derek Reed, who never knows how to take Arabella but knows there's something unusual about her. This time he needs her help in finding and saving his brother, Tristan who was last seen boarding the ship, Midnight Star. Telling Derek she will help him but he will see things he definitely isn't used to. So with the help of ghost grandma, Gigi, her best friend, Danica, mentor Sable, and of course, the most intelligent, clue finding dog, Marcel, she assures Derek that she will do everything she can to find and rescue Tristan. But we find there is Dark Magic involved, sacrifices, and a very powerful Dark Magic purveyor, Elijah who seems to have plans for Tristan. Add to that and Arabella while working hard with Sable on her magic finds Gigi knows a lot more about Elijah that she has let on. This is going to be a fight for survival against dark magic and a strong enemy. Can they do it? Not only do I highly recommend this book, I highly recommend the entire series! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
April 26, 2025
When Derek’s brother Tristan goes missing after going on board The Midnight Star, he asks young witch Arabella for help finding him. Although he knows that Arabella is unusual, he also believes she may be the only one who can help find his brother. With the help of her ghost grandmother, Gigi, best friend Danica and mentor Sable, she assures Derek that she will do all she can to help find Tristan. Soon she is training diligently to hone her weak magical skills. When they discover that there is powerful dark magic at play they realize that the search for Derek’s brother will involve facing danger. Are Derek and Arabella up to the task? This exciting book kept me glued to my seat until I finished this clever cozy mystery. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.
May 21, 2025
This is another installment in the Magical Bookstore series. This book continues to focus on Arabella and her ever-developing magical powers. Detective Reed's brother, Tristan, is missing and he asks for her help in finding him. There's a lot of fishy (no-pun-intended, ha!) things going on, a cult, and lots of other shenanigans. Will they be able to find Tristan? Or will disaster strike?
This is a continuation of a series; however, you could read this as a stand alone book and I don't think it would affect too much of the overall story without having read any of the previous books.
I've read several Sue Hollowell books in the past, and this was up to par with her other stories--well written, easy to read, and lovely characters. I highly recommend this if you're into witchy mystery books.
This is a continuation of a series; however, you could read this as a stand alone book and I don't think it would affect too much of the overall story without having read any of the previous books.
I've read several Sue Hollowell books in the past, and this was up to par with her other stories--well written, easy to read, and lovely characters. I highly recommend this if you're into witchy mystery books.
May 1, 2025
I love all things Sue Hollowell, and this does not disappoint; this is part of The Magical Bookstore series. Detective Derek Reed's brother Tristan has gone missing; and Derek asks Arabella to use her wohoo to help find him. He was last seen boarding The Midnight Star, and old fishing trawler. Tristan had been acting secretive, he was looking into something suspicious at the docks. Gigi, Arabella's grandmother (in her ghostly form), tells her their is a cult and dark black magic involved. Arabella's friends Danica, Sable, and Maddie help her to strengthen her magical skills. Can they find Tristan? Marcel, Arabella's spiffy sidekick dog is a great help. Love the plot, great setting, and strong intense interesting characters. I look forward to reading more from Ms. Sue Hollowell!!!
May 30, 2025
Arabella agrees to help her enemy and former flame locate his brother but tells him he may see things he may not understand but he needs to trust her and indeed he does see things just like she said but he does trust her even though he doesn’t understand what he sees! What she discovers traces a secret back to someone who is near and dear to her!
This book really is a page turner as Arabella, Derek and Marcel get involved in a mystery that has sinister
implications and it taxes the full limits of her emerging powers and abilities!
You’ll find this book hard to put down as the book is well written, the plot excellent and the characters are now your friends so you just have to know what’s going to happen next!
This book really is a page turner as Arabella, Derek and Marcel get involved in a mystery that has sinister
implications and it taxes the full limits of her emerging powers and abilities!
You’ll find this book hard to put down as the book is well written, the plot excellent and the characters are now your friends so you just have to know what’s going to happen next!
April 19, 2025
A missing person, cults and dark magic, yikes! Triston boards the mysterious Midnight Star, and is not seen again. Arabella and her friend Derek, along with her dog Marcel, decide to investigate and try and find Triston. They find a strange symbol and go to Maddie at Tidewater Tails to find out what it means. Maddie finds a book which mentions that the symbol was often used to mark places of power or to signal secret gatherings. Their investigation leads to Elijah, a man who has plans for a ritual using Triston as a sacrifice to gain immense power. And it seems Officer Hargrove has gone to the dark side also! An exciting adventure which is sure to keep your interest till the end!
April 20, 2025
Detective Derek Reed is at Arabella’s home. He’s very worried that his brother has gone missing on a mysterious boat. Arabella is given some serious training when her ghostly grandmother, Gigi, warns her of a stiff battle against an evil cult. Lots of quite dark scenes, so I suggest that you start this book with time to finish it before sleeping time! Marcel, as ever, is a great help & melts into her training sessions when she’s learning to do a protective shield around the both. Another enjoyable read.
April 29, 2025
Arabella is a witch in training and when her friend Derek's brother is missing and everything points to a dark magic she has to up her game. Her family has always fought the dark arts in her town and it appears she is going have to do the same. With her familiar Marcel, her dog, they look for Derek's brother and find that he has been kidnapped and is going to used in as a sacrifice to help the dark ones gain power. Arabella finds powers in herself that she had no idea that she had. Great story keeps you involved and rooting for the good guys.
I received an arc and this is my honest review.
I received an arc and this is my honest review.
May 16, 2025
Sentences and Spells (Magical Bookstore Mysteries Book 6), my forty-first well-written & enjoyable read from author Sue Hollowell, the sixth book in her Magical Bookstore Mysteries. “I received a complementary Kindle copy of this book am reading it & 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 Mousse and Mayhem (A Belle Harbor Cozy Mystery Book 11) high on my TBR list. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018.
May 9, 2025
You must let your mind wander into the world of magic. Arabella is learning about her powers. She is searching for Tristan, who is being held by Elijah for a dark magic ritual. Elijah must be stopped. Derek, Tristan’s brother, is also a police officer. Gigi, Arabella’s Grandmother, and Rosetta, Arabella’s home, make appearances and take action to help Arabella. Magic spells play an important role in the story.
May 18, 2025
This is the first book I’ve read in this series & it was amazing!! I’m meeting these characters for the first time & really enjoyed them (including the adorable Marcel) and the story!! Arabella is working on her magic skills and was put to the test when Derek’s brother was kidnapped by a magical cult. It was entertaining with wonderful characters & I look forward to reading more books in this series.
April 28, 2025
Arabella joins with Derek to take down a cult and save his brother. This was a good story with a lot going on! It is exciting to see Arabella find her powers. And it is fun to see her relationship with Derek progress. I don't know why they don't use the expertise of the other friends more, but it wouldn't be as impressive! Marcel is showing us his true powers.
May 19, 2025
Arabella is learning how to use her magic and finding out some of her granny’s dark secrets. Arabella agrees to help Detective Reed find his brother as long as he keeps an open mind. There are a few surprises and my favourite character is still Marcel, he is the hero of this story. I received an arc and the views and opinions are my own.
April 21, 2025
Arabella’s magical abilities are so cool! I love imagining having those mystical powers! Marcel shines in this story as he and Arabella team up! These are my thoughts after enjoying an advance copy of the book.
April 29, 2025
Sweet Marcel and Arabella are back. I really enjoy this series. Family, friends, magic and a little romance. So nice. The story is easy to read and I wanted to keep on reading. I'm looking forward to the next one!
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
I received an advance review copy and I'm leaving a voluntary and honest review.
May 8, 2025
Intense situation for a novice witch to deal with! It is a good thing Arabella has several fantastic mentors and teachers including he grandmother’s ghost and he familiar, Marcel. This was fun to read!
April 21, 2025
I’m really enjoying this series! Family, friends, magic and a little romance! Easy to read and kept my attention. Looking forward to the next one!
April 30, 2025
Pulse-Pounding-Mystery This story is a roller coaster ride of emotions; sometimes harrowing and sometimes poignant. This is a great read and good entertainment!!!!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews