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Spellbound Bookshop Mystery #8
Music and Madness
This is book 8 in the Spellbound Bookshop paranormal cozy mystery series by USA TODAY Bestselling Author J.A. Whiting.
It is the beautiful month of August in the seacoast town of Hamlet, Massachusetts and a famous violinist has come to town for rest, relaxation, and a quiet place to compose his music.
When the musician begins to unravel and his prized violin is stolen, Shelby Price, the owner of a bookshop, and her boyfriend, Detective Travis Whitely, step in to solve the case of the missing instrument.
More than a year ago, Shelby fell off a ladder and hit her head and when she woke up, she could hear her cat, Harper, talking to her. Not only that, but she started to develop some paranormal powers.
There seems to be a historical parallel to a missing violinist from the past, but what is really going on?
With the help of Harper, Shelby’s friend Lucy, psychic shop owner Fiona, and shaman Elias, will they figure out the secrets before something terrible happens?
This story has some mild paranormal elements.
It is the beautiful month of August in the seacoast town of Hamlet, Massachusetts and a famous violinist has come to town for rest, relaxation, and a quiet place to compose his music.
When the musician begins to unravel and his prized violin is stolen, Shelby Price, the owner of a bookshop, and her boyfriend, Detective Travis Whitely, step in to solve the case of the missing instrument.
More than a year ago, Shelby fell off a ladder and hit her head and when she woke up, she could hear her cat, Harper, talking to her. Not only that, but she started to develop some paranormal powers.
There seems to be a historical parallel to a missing violinist from the past, but what is really going on?
With the help of Harper, Shelby’s friend Lucy, psychic shop owner Fiona, and shaman Elias, will they figure out the secrets before something terrible happens?
This story has some mild paranormal elements.
234 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2025
121 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Whiting
174 books323 followersUSA TODAY Bestselling Author and Amazon All Star, J A Whiting is the author of over 100 cozy mysteries. She lives with her family in Massachusetts. Whiting loves spending time with family, reading, traveling, cycling, following New England sports teams, exercising, and being outdoors.
For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
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For exclusive content and new book announcements please visit www.jawhiting.com and sign up for my mailing list.
Also please "like" my Facebook page www.facebook.com/jawhitingauthor
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
September 3, 2025
Shelby's Visions Help To Release Several Tormented Souls!
"Music and Madness" is book 8 of A Spellbound Bookshop Mystery series, written by J. A. Whiting. This book has Shelby, Shelby's cat Harper, Travis, Lucy, and Fiona trying to solve the mystery of the missing Stradivarius and, subsequently, the violins current owner, Julian. Shelby has visions that allow her to help two ghosts, one dead for almost a century and a half, and the other who died four years earlier. Each ghost has its own agenda: to save a person who is alive from upcoming danger, before they can finally gain peace and pass 'beyond the veil.' There are many tormented souls in this book: 1) Julian the violinist who is haunted by Nicholas Dane, a man who died in the late 1870s, who was also a great violinist; 2) Nicholas Dane, a ghost who can't rest until Julian is helped; 3) Travis, Shelby's boyfriend who is haunted by his late fiance Natalie, who died four years ago; 4) Natalie's ghost, who had feelings of guilt, as well as needing to save the life of someone she loved; and Cate, Natalie's sister, who felt guilty for not telling Travis about Natalie's feelings about marrying him. The dead individuals must help Shelby and Cate save Julian and Travis from ending up like Nicholas Dane. Fiona and Harper the cat are crucial players in the ending scenes. I love this series and hope there will be more episodes to come. The author deserves the 5 star rating I gave. I received an advanced reader's copy and this is my honest and voluntary review.
"Music and Madness" is book 8 of A Spellbound Bookshop Mystery series, written by J. A. Whiting. This book has Shelby, Shelby's cat Harper, Travis, Lucy, and Fiona trying to solve the mystery of the missing Stradivarius and, subsequently, the violins current owner, Julian. Shelby has visions that allow her to help two ghosts, one dead for almost a century and a half, and the other who died four years earlier. Each ghost has its own agenda: to save a person who is alive from upcoming danger, before they can finally gain peace and pass 'beyond the veil.' There are many tormented souls in this book: 1) Julian the violinist who is haunted by Nicholas Dane, a man who died in the late 1870s, who was also a great violinist; 2) Nicholas Dane, a ghost who can't rest until Julian is helped; 3) Travis, Shelby's boyfriend who is haunted by his late fiance Natalie, who died four years ago; 4) Natalie's ghost, who had feelings of guilt, as well as needing to save the life of someone she loved; and Cate, Natalie's sister, who felt guilty for not telling Travis about Natalie's feelings about marrying him. The dead individuals must help Shelby and Cate save Julian and Travis from ending up like Nicholas Dane. Fiona and Harper the cat are crucial players in the ending scenes. I love this series and hope there will be more episodes to come. The author deserves the 5 star rating I gave. I received an advanced reader's copy and this is my honest and voluntary review.
August 16, 2025
Very enjoyable
I think this is my favorite of all the ones I've read. The mysteries of ghosts, haunting music, past guilt and lost love are memorable. Of course , Harper plays an important part as well. I've come to the conclusion that she is a physic cat, not ordinary like normal cats.
I think this is my favorite of all the ones I've read. The mysteries of ghosts, haunting music, past guilt and lost love are memorable. Of course , Harper plays an important part as well. I've come to the conclusion that she is a physic cat, not ordinary like normal cats.
July 5, 2025
Music and Madness( A Spellbound bookshop mystery book 8
This mystery is quite intricate and different facets of paranormal are involved, along with Harper the cat. The characters must research a lot of history.
This mystery is quite intricate and different facets of paranormal are involved, along with Harper the cat. The characters must research a lot of history.
December 9, 2025
The love books by this author. This book however I just didn’t find as enjoyable. Maybe because it was all about music and that’s not my favorite thing. Any way give it a read and decide for yourself.
July 19, 2025
Music and Madness
Wow this is a wonderful story filled with intrigue, emotion and strong feelings. I hope I can find more to provoke such strong feelings.
Wow this is a wonderful story filled with intrigue, emotion and strong feelings. I hope I can find more to provoke such strong feelings.
August 2, 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!
August 14, 2025
Music and madness
I thoroughly enjoyed all eight books in this series. I didn't want to do anything else but read on. Great author and I enjoyed all. Th
I thoroughly enjoyed all eight books in this series. I didn't want to do anything else but read on. Great author and I enjoyed all. Th
August 22, 2025
Shelby and Travis
These books are so good. Once I start reading, I can’t stop. The characters, story line and the flow of the writing envelopes me.
These books are so good. Once I start reading, I can’t stop. The characters, story line and the flow of the writing envelopes me.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews