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Magical Trinket Mysteries #2

A Murder in the Making

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416 pages, Hardcover

First published November 25, 2025

35 people are currently reading
5253 people want to read

About the author

Victoria Laurie

46 books3,175 followers
Victoria Laurie is the New York Times bestselling author of 32 books and counting. Over the past 16 years Victoria has created several series and a few stand-alone novels. Her mystery series include: The Psychic Eye Mysteries, The Life Coach Mysteries, and The Ghost Hunter Mysteries. She's also the author of two YA books, When and Forever Again, as well as a middle-grade series called The Oracles of Delphi Keep.

Currently, Victoria is working on the 17th book in both the Psychic Eye Mysteries and the 3rd book in the Life Coach Mysteries, along with also working to produce a brand NEW series called Spellbound set for release winter/spring 2020.

Victoria loves to connect with her fans, and you can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/Victo...

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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Rebecca.
697 reviews
October 4, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.

I didn't realize this was the second book in a series when I requested this from NetGalley. It is technically a stand-alone book, and there aren't any spoilers here as far as who the murderer was in the first book, but there were tons of clues pointing me to the fact this definitely wasn't the first book. Nothing that I couldn't follow, though. I have already gotten the first book from the library and can't wait to read it.

Love so much when I am unable to guess who the murderer is in a mystery novel. It's always annoying when it's so obvious. I had absolutely no idea. All of the characters are written so perfectly, that even though there are tons of side characters, you can keep track of them, and feel like you know each and every one of them.

I looked back and have only read one other book so far by this author and will be changing that soon. This has been one of my favorite paranormal cozy mysteries of the year. If you are a fan of Molly Harper, you will definitely like this (and if you haven't read anything by her yet, please start with Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs).

For those who want the smut level, zero. Not even kissing. Maybe in book three they will finally kiss? This is a slow burn, so if you hate that, this might drive you bonkers.

Definitely would recommend this! So much. Please write a billion more ❤️ 💙 💜
Profile Image for Carla Black.
339 reviews84 followers
December 6, 2025
I received this book from Kensington Cozies, but I had won Gull and Bones by Sally Goldenbaum in a Goodreads Giveaway. I was sent this Title that was published the same day as Gull and Bones instead. I am treating the title as a Goodreads Giveaway win nonetheless.

I thoroughly loved this book, best mistake I have ever received. I love this author her writing is so good. She takes the unbelievable magic parts of the book and makes them utterly believable. The FBI's top agents are being killed one by one. seemingly crushed to death from the inside out. They can't figure out how it's being done. But a mystic PI agent Dovey Van Dalen has figured it out. It's from her magical mystic world. When the two worlds collide with both the regular FBI and Dovey trying to hide the magical world while also trying to find out who has done this all chaos erupts. I thoroughly could not stop reading this book. I kept wanting to read more, kept saying one more chapter; and losing track of time. In my opinion that's the best writing of an author and the best book ever. It's a must read for sure, kudos to author Victoria Laurie. I found a new author to begin reading. 👏
Profile Image for Penny.
3,125 reviews85 followers
July 28, 2025
I’ve been a fan of this author for years, probably decades, and I was excited to see the new book in this series. Even if I’m a little iffy about Dovey and Elric’s relationship, I just love this series, and this latest made me love it more. We pick up a couple of weeks after the events of the last book, with poor Dovey missing Gib, and of course, Ursula shoves her nose in and fixes that. Then, there’s another string of murders to solve, and boy, do things wrap up in a big way at the end. I was so surprised at how this all turned out because there is no way I could have seen all of this coming! Loved it, and I loved that we are hopefully getting another one, because that end was a screamer of frustration. LOL! Well-written, engaging, and full of suspense, this latest is a great read. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
Profile Image for Courtney Pityer.
660 reviews39 followers
November 18, 2025
This upcoming contemporary novel with some magical components follows the adventures of a two hundred plus year old society Bell named Dovey as she tries to navigate in the modern world. I haven't read the first book so when I first started reading I was a bit lost but I looked up information on the first book and from there I was less confused. I will say that the setting in this book is very intriguing and I enjoyed every moment of it.

As mentioned before we are introduced to Dovey who is navigating through the modern day world. Her problems involve being in love with a handsome FBI agent named Grant. However that would ruin things with the relationship with Eldric who happens to be her boss. Poor girl can't seem to catch a break.

However the men problems are the less important issues. FBI agents are turning up dead and there seems to be an evil energy in the air. Will she be able to solve it without disrupting the bonds between everyone?
Profile Image for Paige.
210 reviews3 followers
October 21, 2025
In all honesty, I'd give it closer to 3.5 stars. Since I like the author and plan to read the next book, I rounded up.

An interesting 'newish' series from Victoria Laurie! Thank you, Net Galley, for allowing me the privilege of reading this early.

Welcome to the world of mystics. This is a relatively universe for the author and it was enjoyable.
The main character is a mystic that specializes in working with regular humans to retrieve magically enchanted objects. A little more world building would have been helpful to understand a little more about the characters and the world in which they exist.

Government agents are mysteriously being killed and the main character is mixed up in the mess. The reason is murky at best, but there is a reason.
We never quite learn why all the agents are killed, but the ending is a first-rate cliff hanger that ensures I will be reading the second book.

My biggest complaint is the inconsistency of the main character - after 200 years as a mystic, she should have some wisdom from her experiences. There are times when she acts wise and her time as a mystic shows but in several instances, she acts clueless. The damsel in distress doesn't fit the character.

This is a brand new series to me and I hope many answers will be found in Book 3.
It was a fun read that easily held my attention and kept me reading. I'd recommend it to readers that enjoy light suspense.
250 reviews6 followers
August 7, 2025
I am really enjoying this series by Laurie. I think that characters such as Dovey and Gib are well developed and pull you into the story. This book is well-written, has plenty of action and twists with a sprinkling of romance. While this is a series, it can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel. This story starts off about 6 weeks after the end of the first book. Dovey is really missing Gib and realizing that she has feelings for him, and she isn’t sure what to do about it. She decides to talk to Ursula about it and Ursula tells her that she needs to talk to Elric, Dovey’s sometime lover, about her feelings about Gib. This is when things start to fall about for Dovey, someone is trying to murder Dovey, they hurt Ursula very badly and someone or something is murdering top FBI agents by crushing every bone in their body. You need to pick up a copy and find out what happens to Dovey and her friends and does she find out who is murdering the FBI agents. I highly recommend this series and book and hope that you enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Cozies for the ARC in Exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Alicia Webster.
20 reviews2 followers
December 6, 2025
Let me start off by saying that I am not normally a "romantasy" kind of gal. Romances are fine, but I tend to steer clear of anything with fantastical elements in it. Having said that though, I very much enjoyed reading this book, and I am glad that I delved into a genre that was out of my comfort zone. This book is not the first in the series, nor will it be the last, but it works perfectly well as a stand-alone. I had no problem following either the plot or the characters, and even when previous situations were referred to, they were explained sufficiently so that I never felt lost. It is a "clean" or "closed door" read, at least by my standards, and I would have no problem lending this book to others of varying age groups. I understand why it was put in the mystery category, but I consider it to be mostly fantasy. I like that it had both an "old world" feel while simultaneously taking place in present day. I would happily read the first book in this series as well as anything that this author has written subsequently. ** This book was provided to me as part of a GoodReads giveaway.
381 reviews14 followers
December 3, 2025
The beginning of this book was excruciatingly slow, with Dovey, the main character, pining over a man that she likes and who likes her back but...she can't...but he's so hot...but she really can't...but he's so amazing. Ugh.

When the story finally picked up, it was quite an enjoyable ride. The magic system here, while simple, is different with much revolving around magical trinkets that are imbued with all different sorts of power. It is set in a (not terribly realistic) Washington DC with mystics living alongside non-magic users ("unbound") in their own secret parallel world.

I love mysteries that lay good trails, where it all comes together at the end and you can look back and see the breadcrumbs. Maybe I missed something here because I didn't read the first book, but this was not one of those mysteries. Without revealing any spoilers, I will say that I thought there were too many revelations right at the end and not enough breadcrumbs.

Overall though, a decent urban fantasy if you can get past the lovesick sighing at the beginning.
245 reviews1 follower
September 8, 2025
A Murder in the Making is the second book in the Magical Trinket mysteries by Victoria Laurie. I read the first book in the series and thought it was good, but I wasn’t sure if it would be a good series and I wasn’t sure about reading the second book. I am so glad I read the second book! It was fantastic! I could not put it down and loved it from the first chapter. The characters are much more fully developed and really interesting and the magical world setting was lots of fun! I loved how complicated the relationships were and how the author was able to believably bring the magical and not magical characters together. I couldn’t believe the connections between characters, but those connections really helped the story come together and be wonderful. I hope this series will continue for a long time because it is a joy to read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
4,377 reviews56 followers
November 26, 2025
"I would call this more an urban fantasy than a paranormal mystery. It begins a bit slow with Dovey lamenting how she can't be the man she thinks she loves because he is a normal and she is a mystic. But when it picks up it picks up with mayhem, murder, supernatural politics and love triangles that could end up being the most deadly of all.
I enjoyed it once we got over the beginning. It packs in a lot of action and a mystery of who is killing FBI agents using magical means as well as supernatural court intrigue. While this is the second in the series--I didn't read the first--it is easy to understand what is going on. There is more than one love triangle going on here and it is nice to see that by the end of this second book that is on the way to being cleaned up because it sure did cause a lot of mess in this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.
Profile Image for Jessica Brainard.
29 reviews
December 5, 2025
Review of A Murder in the Making by Victoria Laurie
Victoria Laurie delivers a captivating memoir that feels as suspenseful as her mystery novels. A Murder in the Making offers readers a behind-the-scenes look at Laurie’s journey from psychic medium to bestselling author, blending personal anecdotes with fascinating insights into her creative process.
The book shines in its honesty—Laurie doesn’t shy away from sharing the challenges and triumphs that shaped her career. Her storytelling is warm and engaging, making you feel like you’re sitting down with a friend who has lived an extraordinary life. Fans of her mystery series will appreciate the origin stories of beloved characters, while newcomers will find inspiration in her resilience and humor.
If you enjoy true-life stories with a dash of intrigue and a strong, authentic voice, this memoir is a must-read. It’s not just about writing—it’s about perseverance, passion, and the unexpected paths life can take.
Profile Image for April.
3,177 reviews14 followers
November 23, 2025
The book begins with Dovey in the dumps because she feels she needs to stay away from Gib (Grant Isaac Barlow). I wasn’t sure I was going to like this second book if that was to be the tone.
I need not have worried. Ursula gets Dovey and Gib together, and things take off from there.
Someone is killing FBI agents in a manner that clearly indicates magic and mystic involvement.
Someone is also after Dovey. Dovey seeks assistance at Elric’s headquarters and encounters dragons.
There are difficult conversations and plenty of action and surprises.
I really enjoyed the book. Thoughts of this series linger in my head after the reading is over. For me that’s the mark of a good book.
I’m just slightly miffed that the book ends with danger in the immediate vicinity.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington books for the opportunity to read A Murder in the Making.
Profile Image for Selina⚔️.
490 reviews7 followers
July 25, 2025
(Disclaimer: I received the ARC from the publisher, but this has in no way influenced my review. My thoughts are entirely unbiased and honest.)

The best thing about this book and the first one is still Bits, the magical hedgehog.

The rest? I honestly didn't enjoy the plot and any of the characters.

I think it's more of a personal preference because I might already outgrew this kind of mysteries, or most probably because I do not like any form of cheating in fictional characters that I read.

Unfortunately, this series revolved around thatconflict for the leads.

If that doesn't bother you, this novel is definitely dramatic and can be entertaining with all the espionage and magic stuff happening.

Not much for me though.
Profile Image for Clairiefaerie.
197 reviews2 followers
September 11, 2025
5 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cozy fantasy mysteries are my new favourite book genre. This was my first book by Victoria Laurie but I’ll definitely be reading her others, starting with Dovey’s first outing in “A trinket for the taking”.

I particularly loved Bits, a magical hedgehog was always going to be adorable but who knew they could charm every part of the story and even tame an assassin called the Flayer. I also really loved Brutella, something about a dragon with a taste for Twix bars really appeals to me.

This book is cute and a perfect palette cleanser.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Profile Image for Valerie.
130 reviews
September 19, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

"A Murder in the Making" is the second book in Victoria Laurie's magical trinkets series. This is a cozy mystery series set in an alternate Washington, D.C. (and world) in which "mystics" and magic exist in secret. The first book was short and charming, but this installment was quite a bit longer and I think limited my enjoyment. We got more exposition on the magical world and how it operates, which I found interesting since the trinket system is unique to other books I've read.
Profile Image for Doriana Del Pilar Cruz.
28 reviews
September 30, 2025
Rating:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received this book as an ARC, thanks to NetGalley, and I will share my honest review. This book was super fun to read. I was really surprised, because the first book was fun, but the ending was but disappointing, because everything was wrapped up so quickly.

This one started a bit slow, and there were details that maybe are overly descriptive, and for real, I thought I would never finish it, but I was surprised how it picked up and kept me engaged and expecting what was coming. The plot twist at the end was TWISTING!!

And the ending? HOW CAN YOU LEAVE ME HANGING?

💫I recommend for all mystery and fantasy lovers as It has good amount of both.
Profile Image for Paloma.
504 reviews5 followers
November 22, 2025
What a lovely cozy fantasy read!

Dovey is such a beautiful character. She navigates the modern world while also working as a mystic. Though she is 200 years old, she still makes mistakes and can be a bit quirky. So when a string of murders begin to happen, she has no other option than to try and find out who is killing the agents.

I loved Dovey's character and her friend Ursula was the perfect side character. The book is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone. I look forward to reading more from this series. Oh and there is a hedgehog too!

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for this eArc. All opinions are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Tara Petersen Naccarella.
126 reviews15 followers
September 23, 2025
I loved A Murder In The Making! it has just the right mix of mystery, romance, and fantasy. the story was thrilling. It keeps you enthralled and on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Just when one adventure ends, another begins, its constant excitement. I loved that we had more of Ursula and Doveys' adorable little hedgehog. He steals the show in every chapter he's in! i also loved that we learned more of Gibs back story and how it was intertwined with the plot. im going to go crazy waiting for the new book in the series to find out what happens next! I highly recommend this book and series!
Profile Image for Dena.
4,451 reviews12 followers
November 29, 2025
love is a battlefield

So Dovey is finally understanding what is going on. She is going to finally take the next step with Gib hopefully. Then everything starts to fall apart. Again someone is going after her but she isn’t sure. FBI agents are starting to die from a mystic and she is hoping that Gib won’t be next. All of this and she just wants to date the guy however with Elric she doesn’t know what to do.

When she finally falls out of favor she realizes she had no idea what a comfy life she really had,
Profile Image for Kathy Kennerley.
741 reviews6 followers
August 25, 2025
I loved it! This is an excellent murder mystery solved by magical means. The characters have a lot of depth. Dovey is a bombshell with a heart of gold but will fight dirty for those she holds dearest. And she has an eye for fashion and design so she admires her surroundings even in the midst of a gruesome murder scene. It's a relief when things are tense. It was jaw dropping when they realized what was happening. Fantastic author! ARC netgalley.com
3,512 reviews16 followers
November 7, 2025
interesting murder mystery with a lot of drama going on in the background as well and a REALLY SHOCKING final reveal. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
2,290 reviews40 followers
November 10, 2025
I really enjoyed the first book and this second entry was even better! I love when author lets their creativity loose and it flow so well…this was a pleasure to read and escape with. More please!
Profile Image for Aralyn Duke.
13 reviews1 follower
November 30, 2025
Excellent story!

Another masterpiece by Victoria Laurie! The twists, the mystery and more Bits! Loved it, start to finish. This new series is brilliant!
Profile Image for Paige.
386 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2025
4.5 This was a little long, but it was exciting!
1,044 reviews1 follower
December 19, 2025
Turtle Dove is a mystic

Grant is a FBI agent. They work together to solve the murders of FBI agents and mystics. Grant accidentally becomes a mystic too.
Profile Image for Read All About It.
2,031 reviews23 followers
November 25, 2025
Murder and mayhem are back with a magical twist and an ending you won’t see coming.

Dovey has been miserable since the last time she saw Glib. She is afraid for his life so she has stayed away.
Glib is a FBI agent and human. Secrets come to light that change his world.

This series is unique. I’m loving this crazy secret world and all its quirky characters. Waiting not so patiently for what comes next.
Profile Image for Linda Quick.
1,329 reviews30 followers
September 6, 2025
This book is a winner! I loved the first book in the series and this one is even better! Dovey is a mystic who has been fighting her feelings for Gib, a mundane who is an FBI agent and ignorant of the mystic world.

To be with Gib, Dovey strikes a bargain with her supervisor, but the cost is much higher she could have imagined.... Before long, people are dying and Dovey doesn't know who to trust.

Fans of the genre will love this book. While part of a series, this is a stand alone novel, however, it's so good that you really owe it to yourself to read them all. The author is on my must read authors' list.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews

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