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Ella Bloom Mysteries #2
Magic Can Bee Deadly: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery
The only thing sweeter than honey, is revenge.
When magic returns to Gloamington, the town holds a Spring Awakening Festival. It should be an opportunity to celebrate. Instead, it becomes the perfect stage for murder.
When the mayor is found dead at the festival, Malcolm Fawkes and Ella Bloom find themselves hunting a killer among the celebrating crowd. The sheriff calls it an accident but the great detective knows better.
The mayor had more enemies than friends. From the baker whose dreams he crushed to the beekeeper he battled, everyone had a reason to want Mayor Estes gone.
As magical races flood back to town demanding permits, properties and long-lost treasures, Ella and Malcolm race to uncover the truth. But in a town drunk on newly returned magic, where honey flows through everything and old grievances run deep, nothing is what it seems.
Can Ella and Malcolm catch a killer before it’s too late? Or will the sweetest revenge claim another victim?
Magic Can Bee Deadly is the second book in the enchanting Ella Bloom Mysteries.
When magic returns to Gloamington, the town holds a Spring Awakening Festival. It should be an opportunity to celebrate. Instead, it becomes the perfect stage for murder.
When the mayor is found dead at the festival, Malcolm Fawkes and Ella Bloom find themselves hunting a killer among the celebrating crowd. The sheriff calls it an accident but the great detective knows better.
The mayor had more enemies than friends. From the baker whose dreams he crushed to the beekeeper he battled, everyone had a reason to want Mayor Estes gone.
As magical races flood back to town demanding permits, properties and long-lost treasures, Ella and Malcolm race to uncover the truth. But in a town drunk on newly returned magic, where honey flows through everything and old grievances run deep, nothing is what it seems.
Can Ella and Malcolm catch a killer before it’s too late? Or will the sweetest revenge claim another victim?
Magic Can Bee Deadly is the second book in the enchanting Ella Bloom Mysteries.
- GenresAudiobook
277 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2025
About the author
Sarah Noffke
382 books1,502 followersSarah Noffke is a prolific USA Today Best-Selling Author, who writes YA and NA science fiction, fantasy, paranormal and urban fantasy. Most of her stories draw on her experiences living on the West Coast, growing up in Texas or traveling the world.
Her passion for art, culture and literature drives her to create stories that are full of whimsey, humor and philosophy. Her books appeal to readers who enjoy an escape, a bit of magic mixed with science and the unexpected--like a dragon who tells bad jokes and has a video game addiction, but fights for justice.
Noffke's books are top rated and best-sellers on Amazon. Her books are available in paperback, audio and in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch and Italian.
To stay up to date with Sarah, please visit her website and subscribe to her newsletter: www.sarahnoffke.com
For a complete list of books by Sarah and a suggested reading order, please see: www.sarahnoffke.com/reading-guide/
Her passion for art, culture and literature drives her to create stories that are full of whimsey, humor and philosophy. Her books appeal to readers who enjoy an escape, a bit of magic mixed with science and the unexpected--like a dragon who tells bad jokes and has a video game addiction, but fights for justice.
Noffke's books are top rated and best-sellers on Amazon. Her books are available in paperback, audio and in Spanish, Portuguese, German, Dutch and Italian.
To stay up to date with Sarah, please visit her website and subscribe to her newsletter: www.sarahnoffke.com
For a complete list of books by Sarah and a suggested reading order, please see: www.sarahnoffke.com/reading-guide/
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 5, 2026
entertaining W/ some issues
Rating: 4⭐️
There are many elements that I enjoy about this story. Noffke takes us further outside the town’s boundaries and introduces the reader ,as well as the two main characters, to a variety of different places and magical personalities. Some good and some not so benign.
New information is revealed about the circumstances surrounding Ella Bloom’s birth as well as the mystery behind Malcolm Fawkes’ closing of The Gloaming. Hints and clues, notes from a powerful agency, all leading towards a frustrating path for Ella and Malcolm. This and the storyline of the book is excellent. Really interesting.
But there’s small aspects of the story that made it equally questionable. Early on , the author used an ethnic slur for a certain nomadic culture (substituting a “i” for a “y” doesn’t change name identity) for a someone who was clearly a Romani/Romany seller in the festival. That stood out immediately and it really surprised me that it was used.
Another thing is a secondary male character that feels as though it’s being pushed into play as a potential romantic role for Ella. Those around her keep hinting at her being open to those who want to care for her. Insert romantic relationship trope here.
However, this guy has his mother running his life for him. His mother is actually setting him up on dates, and he’s going through with them because he’s sorry for his mother’s and basically has no spine. But sure, let’s get right on that romantic bandwagon, ugh. There’s so many flags here with him., Unfortunately , I believe that the author has written him into some sort of hero role. Time and the series will see if that’s true.
I certainly hope not. I rather she end up just taking his herd of goats. They seem to like her better.
I had no idea this author was such a prolific writer and this is my first series that I’m reading authored by her. So I don’t have a lot to go on to know how she handles her characters and storylines.
With these several things aside, I do think that Magic Can Bee Deadly is a terrific urban fantasy mystery story. The murder mystery is a good one, the investigation entertaining and detailed, and the town continues to evolve with new otherworldly folk and magical creatures. That’s intriguing!
Moving forward!
Ella Bloom Mysteries (10 book series):
Dying For Magic #1
Magic Can Bee Deadly #2
Blue Blood, Black Magic #3
Verses and Curses #4
Raining Cats and Curses #5
Half-Baked Curses #6
Signed, Spelled, Delivered #7
Murder Spelled in Thread #8
Spelled For Choice #9 - June 19,2026
Born For Magic #10 - July 24,2026
Rating: 4⭐️
There are many elements that I enjoy about this story. Noffke takes us further outside the town’s boundaries and introduces the reader ,as well as the two main characters, to a variety of different places and magical personalities. Some good and some not so benign.
New information is revealed about the circumstances surrounding Ella Bloom’s birth as well as the mystery behind Malcolm Fawkes’ closing of The Gloaming. Hints and clues, notes from a powerful agency, all leading towards a frustrating path for Ella and Malcolm. This and the storyline of the book is excellent. Really interesting.
But there’s small aspects of the story that made it equally questionable. Early on , the author used an ethnic slur for a certain nomadic culture (substituting a “i” for a “y” doesn’t change name identity) for a someone who was clearly a Romani/Romany seller in the festival. That stood out immediately and it really surprised me that it was used.
Another thing is a secondary male character that feels as though it’s being pushed into play as a potential romantic role for Ella. Those around her keep hinting at her being open to those who want to care for her. Insert romantic relationship trope here.
However, this guy has his mother running his life for him. His mother is actually setting him up on dates, and he’s going through with them because he’s sorry for his mother’s and basically has no spine. But sure, let’s get right on that romantic bandwagon, ugh. There’s so many flags here with him., Unfortunately , I believe that the author has written him into some sort of hero role. Time and the series will see if that’s true.
I certainly hope not. I rather she end up just taking his herd of goats. They seem to like her better.
I had no idea this author was such a prolific writer and this is my first series that I’m reading authored by her. So I don’t have a lot to go on to know how she handles her characters and storylines.
With these several things aside, I do think that Magic Can Bee Deadly is a terrific urban fantasy mystery story. The murder mystery is a good one, the investigation entertaining and detailed, and the town continues to evolve with new otherworldly folk and magical creatures. That’s intriguing!
Moving forward!
Ella Bloom Mysteries (10 book series):
Dying For Magic #1
Magic Can Bee Deadly #2
Blue Blood, Black Magic #3
Verses and Curses #4
Raining Cats and Curses #5
Half-Baked Curses #6
Signed, Spelled, Delivered #7
Murder Spelled in Thread #8
Spelled For Choice #9 - June 19,2026
Born For Magic #10 - July 24,2026
January 31, 2026
OK…. no surprises here, I’m hooked!
I think that headline nicely summarizes exactly how I feel about Ms Noffke nei Falconer’s new series.
I finished the first book earlier this morning and now some 5-6 hours later, having accomplished absolutely nothing on this beautiful Saturday, I’ve reached the second book’s end and am having to restrain myself from immediately downloading the third.
Really, what higher praise could I offer? I said this in my last review, but I’ll repeat it here: The flow of the writing and storytelling in this book is relaxed and natural, making this a masterclass in Sarah at her best.
Yes it’s a cozy, which means it has its cute and sweet elements, but don’t let those detract from the quality of the story, because it would be too easy just to lump this with the larger genre.
I find it infinitely amusing that Sarah referenced her days as a teacher/professor in her author’s notes at the end of the first book, and that she did so disparagingly. Because if I were to speculate on the unconscious motivations to Sarah’s writing, it would be her desire to teach humanity and thereby reshape the world.
Sounds overblown? Not at all. As I said I think these are largely heretofore unconscious and unknown motivations for her (which I am, of course, spoiling for her here, lol). However, her best work always contains a slew of hidden gems, spiritual lessons wrapped and hidden in the narrative of her story, that have lasting impact precisely because they are not formulated as lessons. She is merely imbuing her characters with the wisdom she has learned from her own life lessons and sharing that with us. Is that not what the best teachers do?
***shrug*** I could also be horribly wrong about all of that, but it doesn’t change the fact that those lessons are there regardless. ENJOY!
I think that headline nicely summarizes exactly how I feel about Ms Noffke nei Falconer’s new series.
I finished the first book earlier this morning and now some 5-6 hours later, having accomplished absolutely nothing on this beautiful Saturday, I’ve reached the second book’s end and am having to restrain myself from immediately downloading the third.
Really, what higher praise could I offer? I said this in my last review, but I’ll repeat it here: The flow of the writing and storytelling in this book is relaxed and natural, making this a masterclass in Sarah at her best.
Yes it’s a cozy, which means it has its cute and sweet elements, but don’t let those detract from the quality of the story, because it would be too easy just to lump this with the larger genre.
I find it infinitely amusing that Sarah referenced her days as a teacher/professor in her author’s notes at the end of the first book, and that she did so disparagingly. Because if I were to speculate on the unconscious motivations to Sarah’s writing, it would be her desire to teach humanity and thereby reshape the world.
Sounds overblown? Not at all. As I said I think these are largely heretofore unconscious and unknown motivations for her (which I am, of course, spoiling for her here, lol). However, her best work always contains a slew of hidden gems, spiritual lessons wrapped and hidden in the narrative of her story, that have lasting impact precisely because they are not formulated as lessons. She is merely imbuing her characters with the wisdom she has learned from her own life lessons and sharing that with us. Is that not what the best teachers do?
***shrug*** I could also be horribly wrong about all of that, but it doesn’t change the fact that those lessons are there regardless. ENJOY!
October 27, 2025
Cat lover here as well as a Boy Scout
I was born in a concrete city with little grass, few flowers around the house, and trees that only produced leaves that needed raking. True we had some of the biggest parks in the USA but it took time, money and finding transportation. After my father divorced my mom and remarried I had a cat named Skidney at his house in a more country setting. I had to spend time at concrete and then green grass almost every other week. Boy Scouts taught me about nature and it's magic pros and cons. One of our scouts died from sleeping on poison ivy. Needless to say the new Mrs Scotsman hit a homerun for me with this adventure series. Still can't figure out how book 2 ended up on KU when I thought I did not buy it. Must be magic 🎩 and good deeds as a Boy Scout🪄 and a lover of a cat 🐈 named Skidney.
I was born in a concrete city with little grass, few flowers around the house, and trees that only produced leaves that needed raking. True we had some of the biggest parks in the USA but it took time, money and finding transportation. After my father divorced my mom and remarried I had a cat named Skidney at his house in a more country setting. I had to spend time at concrete and then green grass almost every other week. Boy Scouts taught me about nature and it's magic pros and cons. One of our scouts died from sleeping on poison ivy. Needless to say the new Mrs Scotsman hit a homerun for me with this adventure series. Still can't figure out how book 2 ended up on KU when I thought I did not buy it. Must be magic 🎩 and good deeds as a Boy Scout🪄 and a lover of a cat 🐈 named Skidney.
October 20, 2025
OMG am loving this series and really want to visit this wonderful, magical town and its incredible characters. Magic is back but not everyone is happy about it. All kinds of magical beings are returning to town and there has even been alien sightings so the town decides to hold a festival which becomes the scene of a murder! Malcolm and Ella really have their work cut out for them as there is no shortage of suspects and evidence. It’s intriguing, it’s suspenseful, it keeps you guessing as we get to meet more wonderful characters and see if we can discover more of Ella’s history and bring back Malcolm’s wife. A fantastic cozy mystery and I’m so looking forward to the next book!
February 13, 2026
Gloamington Gets Magical
There are a couple mysteries here: a death, and who Ella is (plus what happened to Malcolm's wife, but we don't learn anything about that. Some progress is made with Ella's past. The murder is solved.
I finished the book, but there were a few things I didn't like:
* Magic is random.
* The hippie witches are wise, the goth witches are bad
* A person is described as sinister because of dark hair
* Assault is okay, as long as nobody is seriously injured?
This book had some fun parts, but it felt predictable.
There are a couple mysteries here: a death, and who Ella is (plus what happened to Malcolm's wife, but we don't learn anything about that. Some progress is made with Ella's past. The murder is solved.
I finished the book, but there were a few things I didn't like:
* Magic is random.
* The hippie witches are wise, the goth witches are bad
* A person is described as sinister because of dark hair
* Assault is okay, as long as nobody is seriously injured?
This book had some fun parts, but it felt predictable.
May 25, 2026
Great second book in the series. If you have not read the first one, the author does a GREAT job of giving you enough information that you will not be lost, but not too much that it is repetitive for those who have, or spoiling the plot so in case you wish to read the first one afterwards. Highly recommend as it is fun, with a slow burn romance that makes you crave more. Though there is a background story that appears to be running through the series, the mystery is contained within the book, and resolves. Again, recommend.
October 18, 2025
Loving the characters
Ella and Malcolm have an interesting mystery, they need to figure out who killed the mayor, and they have a whole town to pick from since no one liked him. They will have some help with the mystery from Shadow, Bag, Holmes and some of their favorite town folks. Another fun mystery with lots of magic and fun characters. There are still some mysteries to solve and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Ella and Malcolm have an interesting mystery, they need to figure out who killed the mayor, and they have a whole town to pick from since no one liked him. They will have some help with the mystery from Shadow, Bag, Holmes and some of their favorite town folks. Another fun mystery with lots of magic and fun characters. There are still some mysteries to solve and I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
October 27, 2025
Roaming in the gloaming
Wow these books are getting better , this book was full of excitement loads going on and yet not a.lot of answers for Malcolm and Ellie just enough to get your brain guessing mine was going fast tryng to fit pieces together it's like a jigsaw without the straight edges and I love it , the characters are brilliant and the plot is brilliant a big fat 5 stars
Wow these books are getting better , this book was full of excitement loads going on and yet not a.lot of answers for Malcolm and Ellie just enough to get your brain guessing mine was going fast tryng to fit pieces together it's like a jigsaw without the straight edges and I love it , the characters are brilliant and the plot is brilliant a big fat 5 stars
October 30, 2025
fun mystery with my favorite detective duo
Ella Bloom is a mystery to herself and others. As she and Malcolm try to solve the mystery of the Mayor’s death, they continue to encounter the strange new residents of Gloamington. Ella learns more about herself along the way. This is such a nice read. No stress, just warm feelings. Didn’t know what cozy mysteries were before, but now that I do, I’ll be reading more of them. At least, more of Sarah’s!
Ella Bloom is a mystery to herself and others. As she and Malcolm try to solve the mystery of the Mayor’s death, they continue to encounter the strange new residents of Gloamington. Ella learns more about herself along the way. This is such a nice read. No stress, just warm feelings. Didn’t know what cozy mysteries were before, but now that I do, I’ll be reading more of them. At least, more of Sarah’s!
April 7, 2026
I really enjoyed this book, with Ella looking for answers as to how she opened the Gloaming and working out how the major got killed. Malcolm is gradually getting back to his former self, Tyler is tugging the heartstrings, but Ella thinks she is out of the running, even though he would happily take her.
The animals respond to Ella and she ends up using that to her advantage to help Tyler and also to save Malcolm. A brilliant story.
The animals respond to Ella and she ends up using that to her advantage to help Tyler and also to save Malcolm. A brilliant story.
November 8, 2025
Cute easy read with likable characters. I do think it's about time for Ella to stop being so "head in the sand" and recognize/own her abilities. Maybe since a few things occurred in this one she'll open up more in the next book. Also - get a grip, it's obvious the boy likes her. Stop second guessing/assuming everything. I do like Malcolm - what a great character!
December 18, 2025
I really like this series and I hope there are more books coming. Now that magic has returned to the town of Gloamington of changes are taking place, magically creatures are returning and with them all kinds of issues. When the mayor turns up dead at the Spring Awakening Festival everyone assumes it was an accident. But Ella and Malcolm aren’t so sure and it’s up to them to find the killer.
May 30, 2026
Uooo. good and bad witches
I love Sarah stories
The following gives the story away so do not read any further if you do not just enjoy how the story unravels
I mean the book title was the give away of the murder weapon
Then the fun starts in the reveals of all the characters
Then how to figure out who done it
Love the story
Love the universe under creation
Thank you
I love Sarah stories
The following gives the story away so do not read any further if you do not just enjoy how the story unravels
I mean the book title was the give away of the murder weapon
Then the fun starts in the reveals of all the characters
Then how to figure out who done it
Love the story
Love the universe under creation
Thank you
October 17, 2025
Another great story
This story is even better than the first one, as so often happens after the characters get introduced. One mystery solved but a bunch to go. Can't wait to find out who Ella really is and will they be able to get Elaine back.
This story is even better than the first one, as so often happens after the characters get introduced. One mystery solved but a bunch to go. Can't wait to find out who Ella really is and will they be able to get Elaine back.
October 24, 2025
Another Mysterious Death
Now that Ella and Malcom are a team things are easier but still confusing. Bagpipe, Shadow and Watson are great helpers as is Tyler. How the mystery unfolds and how they piece together the crime keeps you glued to the page!
Now that Ella and Malcom are a team things are easier but still confusing. Bagpipe, Shadow and Watson are great helpers as is Tyler. How the mystery unfolds and how they piece together the crime keeps you glued to the page!
April 11, 2026
Cute, cozy, undemanding mystery that is an easy bedtime read and a 3.5 star read. Although this is nominally a murder mystery as to who killed the mayor in a magical town, the real mystery is who Ella really is - looks like it’s going to be a few more books before we find out the full story.
October 19, 2025
A gentle read but enjoyable
April 7, 2026
I’m truly enjoying this series. Great characters, magic and mysteries. Light hearted reading for these turbulent and frightening times.
June 12, 2026
I didn’t like ‘Ella’ as much in this book. She seemed a little judgy and close minded.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews