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Maybe Murder
(Pactlands, Book 12)
Some opened doors can’t be closed.
Maebe Amos finally has her chance—to explore the world beyond her isolated Appalachian community, to get an education, and to learn how to use her magical talent, weak though it might be. But after two months in the Pactlands, her shining opportunity has begun to tarnish. She lags behind her peers in all subjects, some of her new classmates are cruel, and…
Well, she’s homesick.
What she needs is a taste of the familiar, and her cousin Connor has just the remedy. He invites her back to Georgia for the weekend to hang out with him while he house-sits. Connor offers pizza, a movie, and a sympathetic ear, plus a trip out to East Branch to see her family. But when strange elves crash the party, Maebe’s school woes are suddenly the least of her worries.
Maebe made the choice to expose East Branch, but she couldn’t imagine the consequences…
Some opened doors can’t be closed.
Maebe Amos finally has her chance—to explore the world beyond her isolated Appalachian community, to get an education, and to learn how to use her magical talent, weak though it might be. But after two months in the Pactlands, her shining opportunity has begun to tarnish. She lags behind her peers in all subjects, some of her new classmates are cruel, and…
Well, she’s homesick.
What she needs is a taste of the familiar, and her cousin Connor has just the remedy. He invites her back to Georgia for the weekend to hang out with him while he house-sits. Connor offers pizza, a movie, and a sympathetic ear, plus a trip out to East Branch to see her family. But when strange elves crash the party, Maebe’s school woes are suddenly the least of her worries.
Maebe made the choice to expose East Branch, but she couldn’t imagine the consequences…
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2025
About the author
Ash Fitzsimmons
36 books51 followersAsh has always loved a good story. Her childhood bookshelves overflowed, and she refused to take notes in her copies of classroom novels because that felt like sacrilege. She wrote her first novel the summer after her freshman year of college and never looked back. (Granted, that novel was an unpublishable 270,000-word behemoth, but everyone has to start somewhere, right?)
After obtaining degrees in English and creative writing and taking a stab at magazine work, Ash decided to put her skillset to different use and went to law school. She then moved home to Alabama, where she works as an attorney. These days, Ash can be found outside of Montgomery with her inordinately fluffy Siberian husky, who loves long walks, car rides, and whatever Ash happens to be eating.
After obtaining degrees in English and creative writing and taking a stab at magazine work, Ash decided to put her skillset to different use and went to law school. She then moved home to Alabama, where she works as an attorney. These days, Ash can be found outside of Montgomery with her inordinately fluffy Siberian husky, who loves long walks, car rides, and whatever Ash happens to be eating.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 29, 2025
NOV/ DEC Book Club
At first, this book bummed me out. We're following Maebe's journey into her new magical world, and things aren't going well for her. Then things get even worse!!!!! I don't want to give away spoilers for other people who are starting the series, but I was sad for Maebe.
By the end, everything was wrapped up nice and tight in a sparkling bow and I had a smile on my face. Don't get me wrong, I still felt bad for the MC, but at least things started getting better for her.
The point of this review> I felt something for the character, which is a sure sign of a well written story with wonderful world building.
At first, this book bummed me out. We're following Maebe's journey into her new magical world, and things aren't going well for her. Then things get even worse!!!!! I don't want to give away spoilers for other people who are starting the series, but I was sad for Maebe.
By the end, everything was wrapped up nice and tight in a sparkling bow and I had a smile on my face. Don't get me wrong, I still felt bad for the MC, but at least things started getting better for her.
The point of this review> I felt something for the character, which is a sure sign of a well written story with wonderful world building.
June 5, 2026
This series just gets more fantastic with every single book! Maebe Amos and her cousins are receiving an education in the Pactlands, trying to make up for lost time now that they’ve discovered they have Elvish blood. When she and her cousin Connor narrowly escape an attack one night, and something tragic happens to their home of East Branch, Maebe has to come to terms with her role in it. If she hadn’t pushed to try to find other settlements like hers, maybe events wouldn’t have unfolded the way they did. I loved all the interesting and terrible what if scenarios in this one. It was tragic in so many places, but such a great character study, too. I loved the look into the job of the farseers like Diriem, Rose and Ganti, and how they have an absolutely terrible but important role to play. Wylan, Annie and the gang continue to be one of my favorite parts of the books—I can never get enough of all the side characters in this series. Wylan and his brothers getting a little too excited about the prospect of going hunting? Ah, that was such a fun moment. I am loving Maebe’s trilogy and am excited to see what is in store for her in book 3! 5/5 stars.
March 29, 2026
Maybe Murder
I found this book quite gripping and tense. Right from the start, things are happening. Horrific things. It's enough to put you right off elves. These elves are not like Elrond and Legolas. They are like the worst sort of capitalist self-centred humans you can imagine or typical mean girls from an American school - depending on their age and life experiences. So I quickly enjoyed this book and I've now moved on to the next in the series.
I found this book quite gripping and tense. Right from the start, things are happening. Horrific things. It's enough to put you right off elves. These elves are not like Elrond and Legolas. They are like the worst sort of capitalist self-centred humans you can imagine or typical mean girls from an American school - depending on their age and life experiences. So I quickly enjoyed this book and I've now moved on to the next in the series.
August 13, 2026
Evil elvish ancestors are pricks
Maebe is settling into life in the Pactlands, going to school and learning to control her ability. And then the attack happens.
Connor and Maebe escape with Annie's help and the hunt finds the culprits. But its too late for East Branch and their families. And Maebe starts to question whether she made the right choice.
Old prejudices die hard. But maybe something good can come of this.
Another edge of your seat story! Loved it!
Maebe is settling into life in the Pactlands, going to school and learning to control her ability. And then the attack happens.
Connor and Maebe escape with Annie's help and the hunt finds the culprits. But its too late for East Branch and their families. And Maebe starts to question whether she made the right choice.
Old prejudices die hard. But maybe something good can come of this.
Another edge of your seat story! Loved it!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews