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The Ringmaster Murder: A Paranormal Mystery
Her paranormal abilities helped keep her on Easy Street. When she ends up on the run, can she handle colliding with murder?
Carmen Acosta lives in a gilded cage. So when her controlling crime boss husband forces her to use magic to read the mind of a captive, the desperate trophy wife seizes the chance to break herself and the undercover FBI agent free. Fleeing to a circus train and employing her hidden powers to hide in plain sight as one of the big tent acts, she finally feels safe… until the ringmaster turns up dead.
While the show must go on, Carmen discovers a succession of suspects and clues that point to money, betrayal, or doomed affairs as possible culprits. But as she tries to put the pieces together, the killer and her ex’s goons are both closing in to silence her forever.
Can this secret witch stay one step ahead of the mob before the big-top comes down?
The Ringmaster Murder is the light-hearted first book in the Alistar Circus paranormal mystery series. If you like smart female protagonists, enchanting settings, and amateur sleuthing, then you’ll love Renee Brume’s magical adventure.
Buy The Ringmaster Murder to tame a savage beast today!
Carmen Acosta lives in a gilded cage. So when her controlling crime boss husband forces her to use magic to read the mind of a captive, the desperate trophy wife seizes the chance to break herself and the undercover FBI agent free. Fleeing to a circus train and employing her hidden powers to hide in plain sight as one of the big tent acts, she finally feels safe… until the ringmaster turns up dead.
While the show must go on, Carmen discovers a succession of suspects and clues that point to money, betrayal, or doomed affairs as possible culprits. But as she tries to put the pieces together, the killer and her ex’s goons are both closing in to silence her forever.
Can this secret witch stay one step ahead of the mob before the big-top comes down?
The Ringmaster Murder is the light-hearted first book in the Alistar Circus paranormal mystery series. If you like smart female protagonists, enchanting settings, and amateur sleuthing, then you’ll love Renee Brume’s magical adventure.
Buy The Ringmaster Murder to tame a savage beast today!
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2025
3 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 12, 2025
Of all the settings an author could choose for a mystery series, I certainly never expected a circus. The mere idea was so refreshingly different that it both intrigued and worried me in equal measure. Circuses have gotten a bad rep for various reasons in recent years and have fallen out of favor, so I was a little worried that the story might get a little heavy-handed in tackling that issue, either in favor or against, but I thought the author did a great job illustrating a circus's struggles in the modern world without moralizing about it either way.
The characters were enjoyable, and I enjoyed getting to know the FMC's background especially, but I would have appreciated a little more background on the MMC, since it appears he will be sticking around long-term, and not just for the plot of the first book, in order to introduce Carmen to her new circus family. It would be nice to get some insight into his motivations for continuing with the circus beyond his apparent attraction to Carmen; has he enjoyed performing in the circus more than he thought, given his familial background? Is he sticking around because part of him actually enjoys it, despite trying to pursue another career path entirely? I hope the series explores some of these questions as it progresses, because I think it has the potential to be really great, particularly since all of the traveling that the circus does allows the characters the advantage of solving mysteries in different locations, rather than the problem that many small town mysteries (much as I love them!) run into with the improbability about the frequency and spike in murders that often happens after the MC moves there.
Another thing that I would be interested to learn about is the magic that the FMC and MMC both have. Is there something about having magic that attracts people with that particular talent to each other? Is there a niche community of magic users that interact with each other? Something that the MMC said about his education and training hinted at this, but I would like to see it fleshed out a bit more.
Overall, I would heartily recommend The Ringmaster Murder. It is a strong, well-written book that can stand on its own, but which also serves as a strong beginning to the Alistar Circus series as a whole, and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Brume's books in the future!
The characters were enjoyable, and I enjoyed getting to know the FMC's background especially, but I would have appreciated a little more background on the MMC, since it appears he will be sticking around long-term, and not just for the plot of the first book, in order to introduce Carmen to her new circus family. It would be nice to get some insight into his motivations for continuing with the circus beyond his apparent attraction to Carmen; has he enjoyed performing in the circus more than he thought, given his familial background? Is he sticking around because part of him actually enjoys it, despite trying to pursue another career path entirely? I hope the series explores some of these questions as it progresses, because I think it has the potential to be really great, particularly since all of the traveling that the circus does allows the characters the advantage of solving mysteries in different locations, rather than the problem that many small town mysteries (much as I love them!) run into with the improbability about the frequency and spike in murders that often happens after the MC moves there.
Another thing that I would be interested to learn about is the magic that the FMC and MMC both have. Is there something about having magic that attracts people with that particular talent to each other? Is there a niche community of magic users that interact with each other? Something that the MMC said about his education and training hinted at this, but I would like to see it fleshed out a bit more.
Overall, I would heartily recommend The Ringmaster Murder. It is a strong, well-written book that can stand on its own, but which also serves as a strong beginning to the Alistar Circus series as a whole, and I look forward to reading more of Ms. Brume's books in the future!
February 26, 2025
I love reading all sorts of mysteries and cozy mysteries. I’ve read mysteries with paranormal elements, but I’ve never read a cozy with Harry-Potter-level magic. I was curious to see what “The Ringmaster Murder” was like, and I’m happy to say that I loved it! Author Renee Brume has crafted an engaging mystery with likeable characters (and unlikeable ones too!) in the colorful, imaginative setting of a circus traveling by train. Young and beautiful Carmen Acosta is trapped in a golden prison. She lives in a mansion, she has all the designer clothes she could desire, but she has no freedom and no friends. Her mobster husband does not allow her out of the house without supervision. Worst of all, he sometimes forces her to use her magical powers to help his criminal enterprise. If not for her pet jaguar Jet, whom she’s raised since a cub, her life would be unbearable. When she has a chance to flee the mansion and go undercover as a circus magician with FBI agent Aaron, who also has magical abilities, she does not hesitate. Even though life on board the Alistar Circus train is spartan with none of the luxuries she became used to, Carmen loves it. She’s free and surrounded by interesting, colorful people she never would have met in her old life. This amazing world is shaken when one of the brothers who co-owns Alistar Circus is mysteriously found dead. In order to save the circus, Carmen knows she must uncover the circus secrets that led to this crime. Of course, Jet is by her side to help. “The Ringmaster Murder” is the first in the new “Alistar Circus Mystery” series. This promises to be a fun, must-read series, and I’m looking forward to the next book coming in January, 2026.
February 21, 2025
With a compelling protagonist at its core, The Ringmaster Murder is an engrossing blend of mystery, magic, and suspense. While fleeing her deadly background, Carmen Acosta, a lady with paranormal talents, becomes involved in a murder investigation. It's an emotional and exciting journey for her to go from a controlled life under her crime-busting husband to the unexpected world of the Alistar Circus.
The intricate details of the circus scene give a charming atmosphere that heightens the mystery. Every aspect feels immersive, from the breathtaking performances to the mysteries concealed behind the curtains. The ringmaster's murder starts a chain of events, and Carmen's humor and fortitude make her an excellent amateur investigator. From co-stars to dubious individuals, the supporting cast gives the narrative complexity and keeps readers wondering right up to the very end.
This book seems new and thrilling because it combines elements of the supernatural with traditional detective work. Renee Brume writes in a fast-paced, intriguing, and humorous style. The Ringmaster Murder is a must-read for anybody who like mysteries with compelling female leads, a hint of magic, and an intriguing setting. I'm eager to see what the series will do next!
The intricate details of the circus scene give a charming atmosphere that heightens the mystery. Every aspect feels immersive, from the breathtaking performances to the mysteries concealed behind the curtains. The ringmaster's murder starts a chain of events, and Carmen's humor and fortitude make her an excellent amateur investigator. From co-stars to dubious individuals, the supporting cast gives the narrative complexity and keeps readers wondering right up to the very end.
This book seems new and thrilling because it combines elements of the supernatural with traditional detective work. Renee Brume writes in a fast-paced, intriguing, and humorous style. The Ringmaster Murder is a must-read for anybody who like mysteries with compelling female leads, a hint of magic, and an intriguing setting. I'm eager to see what the series will do next!
February 23, 2025
This book starts by introducing Carmen Acosta. The interaction between her and what seems to be a controlling jerk of a husband drew me in by making me feel sympathetic to her husband. The author’s description painted the Miami scene very well. The general feeling is tense. The story quickly establishes that her husband is a very bad man. It also establishes that Carmen has some kind of magical power. This got me more interested in the story. There’s a little bit of telling here, but it seemed necessary at this point. The author does a great job blending references to Carmen’s past with descriptions of tense scenes. This type of writing really kept me immersed in the pages. The first use of her power in the book does so much. It shows what she can do and its limits. It also makes Carmen very human in her powerlessness over her situation and the bad things it makes her do. The story really kicks off from here, and it’s a good one. The author has is very skilled at developing mystery and tension. The characters are very solid. Overall, I highly recommend this book for all lovers of paranormal mystery.
February 25, 2025
This book drew me in. Sometimes it can take me a while to get into a book but this book drew me in right away and didn’t let go until I was done. Thank goodness it’s a quick read or else my life would start to fall apart! I loved the book fully and it was really well written.
The characters were super fun and out there. A circus brings in all sorts of characters but they all come together as a family so that the show can go on. You really get immersed into their world and feel like you are a part of the family. Then there is a mystery and the newcomer comes in to help save the day. The main character was pretty naive throughout the story which makes sense of her background but was a little annoying at times. For example the author provided hints and tips of who the murder and where to explore more but the main character didn’t pick it up.
The details were amazing throughout the story which really pulled you in. The author provided details on the designer bags and we watched people put on lipstick before they went out to the show. I also loved how there was a jaguar that couldn’t be confined. It was a really fun twist to the story.
The characters were super fun and out there. A circus brings in all sorts of characters but they all come together as a family so that the show can go on. You really get immersed into their world and feel like you are a part of the family. Then there is a mystery and the newcomer comes in to help save the day. The main character was pretty naive throughout the story which makes sense of her background but was a little annoying at times. For example the author provided hints and tips of who the murder and where to explore more but the main character didn’t pick it up.
The details were amazing throughout the story which really pulled you in. The author provided details on the designer bags and we watched people put on lipstick before they went out to the show. I also loved how there was a jaguar that couldn’t be confined. It was a really fun twist to the story.
February 25, 2025
A Cute Story but Not So Realistic
The Ringmaster Murder: A Paranormal Mystery (by Renee Brume) is the first-person story of a young woman with certain supernatural powers who is married to a murderous and abusive mobster. It’s an intriguing premise, and the author’s prose flows remarkably well and is a joy to read, but the plot quickly veers into the implausible (besides the supernatural stuff) when the young wife runs away from her horrible husband. Besides carelessly letting unnecessary people in on her plans, she’s decided to hide from her husband, who has even threatened to murder her, in — where else? — a circus where she becomes part of magic act, a circus that is even playing in the same state — “hey dude, was that your wife I saw in the big top?” While the story is a cute and fun read, if that’s what the reader is looking for, there may be too much attention paid to describing the goings-on of the circus and not enough to making the plot believable. The mystery of the ringmaster’s murder is solved in the end, but the reader is left wondering how the young woman protagonist has managed to stay alive.
The Ringmaster Murder: A Paranormal Mystery (by Renee Brume) is the first-person story of a young woman with certain supernatural powers who is married to a murderous and abusive mobster. It’s an intriguing premise, and the author’s prose flows remarkably well and is a joy to read, but the plot quickly veers into the implausible (besides the supernatural stuff) when the young wife runs away from her horrible husband. Besides carelessly letting unnecessary people in on her plans, she’s decided to hide from her husband, who has even threatened to murder her, in — where else? — a circus where she becomes part of magic act, a circus that is even playing in the same state — “hey dude, was that your wife I saw in the big top?” While the story is a cute and fun read, if that’s what the reader is looking for, there may be too much attention paid to describing the goings-on of the circus and not enough to making the plot believable. The mystery of the ringmaster’s murder is solved in the end, but the reader is left wondering how the young woman protagonist has managed to stay alive.
February 9, 2025
I love the circus, and this story pulled in plenty of my favorite circus tropes, including acrobats, trained animals (especially Jet, Carmen's Houdini-esque panther), a magic show, and daredevil motorcycle tricks. Carmen, our heroine, was married to an abusive crime boss who forced her to use her magic powers for ill. She comes across Aaron, supposedly a card dealer at one of her husband's casinos but actually an FBI agent investigating her husband. The case is coming to a head, and Aaron wants Carmen to testify, so they are whisked away to Witness Protection. They end up signing on to the Alistair Circus, run by the enigmatic brothers Reginald and Bernard. Carmen really loves the circus life, but all of that is threatened when Reginald turns up dead. She and Aaron race to solve the murder in order to preserve their new way of life, but enemies threaten from every corner. The killer is a total surprise, and the characters are very likable. I would definitely recommend this to mystery fans who like the circus!
February 23, 2025
The Ringmaster Murder is an engrossing and entertaining read — and it’s always a joy to discover the first of a new series!
While I’m not normally enamoured of paranormal fiction, the magic here is icing rather than cake, just adding a joyful sparkle to a story with plenty of merit of its own.
There are several related strands of which these are just glimpses, to avoid spoilers: Carmen, the uber-controlled wife of a Florida mafioso; Aaron, whom she meets when he is being interrogated by her husband when he forces Carmen to use her inherited mind-reading powers on his captive; Jet, Carmen’s protective black panther; and, tying the strands together, the circus where … but no spoilers!
Suffice to say the world of a struggling travelling circus is delightfully depicted, with its colourful cast of characters and evocative cameos of circus life — you can almost smell the sawdust. And when one of the ringmasters meets a sudden death, the narrative moves to a whodunit (and how and why).
The plotting is careful and the solution satisfying. All in all, a recommended read.
While I’m not normally enamoured of paranormal fiction, the magic here is icing rather than cake, just adding a joyful sparkle to a story with plenty of merit of its own.
There are several related strands of which these are just glimpses, to avoid spoilers: Carmen, the uber-controlled wife of a Florida mafioso; Aaron, whom she meets when he is being interrogated by her husband when he forces Carmen to use her inherited mind-reading powers on his captive; Jet, Carmen’s protective black panther; and, tying the strands together, the circus where … but no spoilers!
Suffice to say the world of a struggling travelling circus is delightfully depicted, with its colourful cast of characters and evocative cameos of circus life — you can almost smell the sawdust. And when one of the ringmasters meets a sudden death, the narrative moves to a whodunit (and how and why).
The plotting is careful and the solution satisfying. All in all, a recommended read.
March 3, 2025
This book was an interesting read as it had an original blend of themes that aren’t usually encountered together: a female protagonist with magical abilities and with a mobster husband she has to escape from; a new life for Carmen when she meets undercover FBI agent Aaron and goes into hiding as a circus magician; the murder of a ringmaster to be solved with the help of Aaron who, it turns out, also has magical abilities; imaginative settings including a travelling circus train; and a cast of memorable characters – including Carmen’s illegal pet jaguar, Jet. There are lots of great details and descriptions sprinkled liberally throughout the book – I particularly liked the circus scenes which include levitation! This is an enjoyable book for murder mystery fans who will appreciate the blend of crime-solving with the paranormal, and for those who enjoy solving puzzles when there are clues hidden throughout the book for readers to follow.
February 25, 2025
“The Ringmaster Murder: A Paranormal Mystery (Alistar Circus Mysteries Book 1)” by Renee Brume is told in first person past tense and is set in Florida. (Trigger warning for domestic violence.) Carmen Acosta is held captive in luxury by her abusive, controlling, wealthy husband, Luis. Luis forces Carmen to use her magic powers in whatever way he dictates. Her only solace is her illegal pet jaguar, Jet. She can produce fire, wind, and water at will. She can also read minds (though the process of reading minds takes a lot of her concentration and the person who is being read can feel the invasion). Her close connection to the remarkable jaguar, Jet, leads Carmen to her freedom. Before she leaves, she frees a prisoner of her husband, an FBI agent who turns out to have hidden powers of his own. The pair end up undercover at a circus, where a suspicious death takes place. This book is an easy read and a fun mix of genres.
March 8, 2025
If you love huge dollops of circus action, mind reading performances, and eye-popping magic mixed in with a murder mystery, then The Ringmaster Murder, A Paranormal Mystery is an ideal story for you.
Author Renee Brume delivers on all three in her short entertaining mystery featuring the wife of a Miami mobster with psychic abilities, an undercover FBI agent with magical talent, and a black, yellow-eyed panther named Jet with seemingly human intelligence.
Carmen Acosta, on the run from her husband, and Aaron Sterling, her FBI handler who is as gifted as she is in the magical arts, join a circus as the ultimate hideout from her bad boy husband, who puts a price on her head, but their lives get even more complicated when one of the circus owners turns up dead.
Against a backdrop of circus performances that include Carmen and Aaron showing off their levitation abilities by flying around the circus tent on a broomstick, the author throws out one red herring after another as they snoop around the circus without giving away their true identities.
I loved the psychic sleuthing angle. I was introduced to the reality of it many years ago by a psychic who showed me testimonials from police agencies thanking him for his help in solving difficult crimes, and I know of at least one psychic who was tracked down and murdered by someone her paranormal abilities had exposed.
Flying on a broomstick, though, is another matter, but it’s one of the fun elements of a story that feels like one long circus ride. So grab some cotton candy and enjoy the show.
Author Renee Brume delivers on all three in her short entertaining mystery featuring the wife of a Miami mobster with psychic abilities, an undercover FBI agent with magical talent, and a black, yellow-eyed panther named Jet with seemingly human intelligence.
Carmen Acosta, on the run from her husband, and Aaron Sterling, her FBI handler who is as gifted as she is in the magical arts, join a circus as the ultimate hideout from her bad boy husband, who puts a price on her head, but their lives get even more complicated when one of the circus owners turns up dead.
Against a backdrop of circus performances that include Carmen and Aaron showing off their levitation abilities by flying around the circus tent on a broomstick, the author throws out one red herring after another as they snoop around the circus without giving away their true identities.
I loved the psychic sleuthing angle. I was introduced to the reality of it many years ago by a psychic who showed me testimonials from police agencies thanking him for his help in solving difficult crimes, and I know of at least one psychic who was tracked down and murdered by someone her paranormal abilities had exposed.
Flying on a broomstick, though, is another matter, but it’s one of the fun elements of a story that feels like one long circus ride. So grab some cotton candy and enjoy the show.
March 8, 2025
I'm kind of stuck in between a rock and a hard place with this book; I loved the concept of the storyline and liked so much of what Carmen and Aaron did/said/performed, etc. but I was a little put off about the mafia "husband/ex-husband" and they way that played out. I didn't want him to hurt Carmen but it was almost like an afterthought for the storyline, just there but not thought out for the story. But I will read the next book in this series because the good outweighed the bad in my opinion. And of course, I absolutely loved Jet - he is so awesome!!!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 4, 2025
Carmen is the wife of a crime boss, and Aaron is the Assistant Director of the FBI investigating her husband. They join forces and run away with the circus. This is a cozy romantasy. It is fun and lighthearted, but it just wasn’t my preference. I prefer high fantasy with lots of political intrigue. If you are looking for a fun and lighthearted romantasy, give this one a try!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 8, 2025
Leave all credulity behind and this paranormal story is a delight. I enjoyed the mafioso back story of the wife fleeing the abusive husband and finding joy in being a part of a circus group. The murder mystery while on the train was interesting too - I look forward to reading more about Carmen and hopefully the circus characters too. The BIG cat story is the icing on the cake.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 1, 2025
This book had a solid plot line and I loved the whole circus and magic (I hope we see more of it in the future books).
I liked the writing too, but somehow Carmen in some situations was not my favourite and some areas had more repetition that caused confusion.
But I am looking forward to this series and hoping it develops better.
I liked the writing too, but somehow Carmen in some situations was not my favourite and some areas had more repetition that caused confusion.
But I am looking forward to this series and hoping it develops better.
March 4, 2025
This is book 1 of Alistar Circus Mystery series. At first, I thought I was in some FBI book but then magic, then a murder. What more could you ask for. I really enjoy the characters and the scenario of the story. It is a new kind of magic, mystery, murder book. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 9, 2025
A really good book by author Renee Brume.
This is the first book I have read by this author but it won't be my last. Carmen is such a good character.
It is full of mystery and intrique. I couldn't put it down. I would highly recommend reading it...
This is the first book I have read by this author but it won't be my last. Carmen is such a good character.
It is full of mystery and intrique. I couldn't put it down. I would highly recommend reading it...
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January 21, 2025Releasing 2/20/2025 - Get it here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DTK8NY8J
January 29, 2025
This was a great book! I loved the characters, magic, and mystery. I think the characters were fun and relatable at times. I really love the concept of magic in this world and love the fact that the circus hides it too. I think Jet was my favorite by far. I will say that to me the murderer was obvious but I do try my best to figure it out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 6, 2025
I enjoyed this mystery with a touch of magic. The circus setting with some behind the scenes details and all the characters made it interesting. I also now want a large black panther following me around. I'll be looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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