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The Merlin Mysteries #3
Magical Misconduct
Being an Arcane witch should come with a rulebook. Or at least hazard pay.
My magic is changing, again, and not in the fun, “look what I can do now” way. More like the “hope you enjoy staring into the void” kind of way. The Morven curse is awake under my skin, whispering, waiting, and I’m doing my best not to unravel in public.
Then a boy drops into a magical coma at the Carnival of Masks, and everything goes to hell. The magic clinging to him isn’t witch, fae, demon, or anything else I’ve ever seen. It’s something older. Wrong. Hungry.
To find whoever, or whatever, did this, I’ll have to chase shadows through Gallows Gate, play nice with people I don’t trust, and deal with the very inconvenient fact that a certain dragonborne warrior keeps getting under my skin.
And through it all, the curse inside me is shifting. Growing.
If I can’t figure out how to control it…
It will control me.
No pressure. Just another day on the job.
My magic is changing, again, and not in the fun, “look what I can do now” way. More like the “hope you enjoy staring into the void” kind of way. The Morven curse is awake under my skin, whispering, waiting, and I’m doing my best not to unravel in public.
Then a boy drops into a magical coma at the Carnival of Masks, and everything goes to hell. The magic clinging to him isn’t witch, fae, demon, or anything else I’ve ever seen. It’s something older. Wrong. Hungry.
To find whoever, or whatever, did this, I’ll have to chase shadows through Gallows Gate, play nice with people I don’t trust, and deal with the very inconvenient fact that a certain dragonborne warrior keeps getting under my skin.
And through it all, the curse inside me is shifting. Growing.
If I can’t figure out how to control it…
It will control me.
No pressure. Just another day on the job.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 22, 2025
218 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Kim Richardson
205 books1,247 followersKim Richardson is the award-winning author of the bestselling SOUL GUARDIANS series. She lives in the eastern part of Canada with her husband, two dogs and a very old cat. She is the author of the SOUL GUARDIANS series, the MYSTICS series, and the DIVIDED REALMS series. Kim's books are available in print editions, and translations are available in over 7 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 29, 2025
Very good series
I always enjoy books by Kim Richardson and when I get caught up on one series, I check the author pages for new books of hers to read! She’s fast becoming an automatic buy for me! This series is about a witch who comes from a cursed family. Every single family member has succumbed to the magic curse and died, either young or crazy or both. Rhea Morven wants to make a difference in the world, even if she’s only going to be around for a short time, so she trains and qualifies to be a Merlin- a magical police officer. None of the ranking members of the organization want to assign a cursed witch anywhere, but they have to send her someplace. Reluctantly, they assign her as a probationary Merlin to a possibly cursed town on the edge of nowhere. When Rhea proves to be a good investigator, thanks to help from her ghostly former Merlin investigator sidekick, local witch friends and helpful vampire, her career is stabilized, although her magic isn’t.
I really loved the personal journey Rhea took through these first 3 books- magically, friend-wise, and in her budding love story. The prose and dialogue are sharp, humorous, and snarky. The mystery cases are interesting, and the characters are a lot of fun. There are more books coming into this series and I am looking forward to reading them.
For those who like to know these things, there is some violence ( fighting bad guys), some kissing and off screen sex scenes, but no graphic smexy stuff or profanity.
I always enjoy books by Kim Richardson and when I get caught up on one series, I check the author pages for new books of hers to read! She’s fast becoming an automatic buy for me! This series is about a witch who comes from a cursed family. Every single family member has succumbed to the magic curse and died, either young or crazy or both. Rhea Morven wants to make a difference in the world, even if she’s only going to be around for a short time, so she trains and qualifies to be a Merlin- a magical police officer. None of the ranking members of the organization want to assign a cursed witch anywhere, but they have to send her someplace. Reluctantly, they assign her as a probationary Merlin to a possibly cursed town on the edge of nowhere. When Rhea proves to be a good investigator, thanks to help from her ghostly former Merlin investigator sidekick, local witch friends and helpful vampire, her career is stabilized, although her magic isn’t.
I really loved the personal journey Rhea took through these first 3 books- magically, friend-wise, and in her budding love story. The prose and dialogue are sharp, humorous, and snarky. The mystery cases are interesting, and the characters are a lot of fun. There are more books coming into this series and I am looking forward to reading them.
For those who like to know these things, there is some violence ( fighting bad guys), some kissing and off screen sex scenes, but no graphic smexy stuff or profanity.
December 5, 2025
Weaker but readable
The overall story was still good in this installment but the distracting repetition in too many parts bogged down the story. The story was still compelling but the same phrases, usually descriptive, kept repeating, often in the very next paragraph. Off putting but not so much that I don’t plan to finish the series.
The overall story was still good in this installment but the distracting repetition in too many parts bogged down the story. The story was still compelling but the same phrases, usually descriptive, kept repeating, often in the very next paragraph. Off putting but not so much that I don’t plan to finish the series.
December 14, 2025
If you love paranormal books with strong heroine, lots of sarcasm and dry humor with a very well written story with enjoyable characters then you'll love this.
From Rhea to Eryck , Morty , Selena, Yula and Marla I loved all of them and their interactions. And I can't wait to see what's next is waiting for Rhea.
From Rhea to Eryck , Morty , Selena, Yula and Marla I loved all of them and their interactions. And I can't wait to see what's next is waiting for Rhea.
November 24, 2025
Great Series
I have been enjoying the story. It is not predictable. There are always some new twists. The supporting characters really add to the story. I’m looking forward to the next one.
I have been enjoying the story. It is not predictable. There are always some new twists. The supporting characters really add to the story. I’m looking forward to the next one.
December 12, 2025
Ok books but far too many strange similes for me and the series starts to feel a bit repetitive. I don’t feel strongly about any of the characters, though the ghost is a little fun. I’m jumping out here. Maybe I’ll read the next book in the series eventually, but I feel no urge to at the moment.
November 23, 2025
loved this
Kim Richardson again takes us on a magical journey. Curses, hallowed people just a normal couple of days for our MFC. .
Kim Richardson again takes us on a magical journey. Curses, hallowed people just a normal couple of days for our MFC. .
November 30, 2025
Love it!!
Love this series. Its fun and fresh . I like her snarky humor and sidekicks. Can't wait for the next book.
Love this series. Its fun and fresh . I like her snarky humor and sidekicks. Can't wait for the next book.
November 30, 2025
Wonder where this series will go. Finally Eryk and Rhea sorted things .... or did they
December 5, 2025
Loved it
Great book really enjoying the new series can't wait for the next one now to see what in to Rhea
Great book really enjoying the new series can't wait for the next one now to see what in to Rhea
December 12, 2025
What a wonderful book!
I absolutely love these characters and the storyline. Full of life and sass! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
I absolutely love these characters and the storyline. Full of life and sass! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
December 17, 2025
Free
Finally ftthe witch is free, she can live she can love she can caffeine. Can't wait to see what happens next! What a rush.
Finally ftthe witch is free, she can live she can love she can caffeine. Can't wait to see what happens next! What a rush.
December 30, 2025
Could not put this down!
Wow! Rhea just keeps adapting. I love the transformations. And that crazy typewriter, whew. Eryk and Rhea's dynamic is off the charts sexy. I need more!
Wow! Rhea just keeps adapting. I love the transformations. And that crazy typewriter, whew. Eryk and Rhea's dynamic is off the charts sexy. I need more!
December 10, 2025
very repetitive, thought i was reading the same page over and over.
November 26, 2025
DNF 55%
This book starts in a flashback but it’s not clear for a bit that it’s a flashback and the segue between then and now is poorly done. There are immediately time inconsistencies in the first couple chapters too.
I actually kind of loathed this book. The MMC is a controlling douche nozzle. The FMC is a moron like 95% of the time and the supporting characters are either a-holes, or useless in the extreme.
There was pretty much nothing redeeming about this book. I gave up when it got to the house arrest BS. I’m so disappointed in this author because I used to really like her.
This book starts in a flashback but it’s not clear for a bit that it’s a flashback and the segue between then and now is poorly done. There are immediately time inconsistencies in the first couple chapters too.
I actually kind of loathed this book. The MMC is a controlling douche nozzle. The FMC is a moron like 95% of the time and the supporting characters are either a-holes, or useless in the extreme.
There was pretty much nothing redeeming about this book. I gave up when it got to the house arrest BS. I’m so disappointed in this author because I used to really like her.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews