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Crescent Moon Mysteries #9
Hungry Like the Hex
She Came For Honey. She Found Murder.When midlife innkeeper Amelia Matthews arrives to buy honey for her boyfriend's birthday party, she finds the beloved local beekeeper dead among her hives. The police call it a freak a fatal bee sting. But Amelia's psychometric vision reveals something far more fear, betrayal, and murder.
Mary Carmichael's cryptic social media posts about "appropriation" suddenly take on new meaning. So do the protection tinctures she requested from her herbalist friend. And the mysterious writer who just checked into Amelia's inn — the one who'd been interviewing Mary for months — knows more than she's saying.
With her best friend Liz, Amelia uncovers a conspiracy involving stolen work, family betrayal, and pricey honey. But juggling a murder investigation with surprise party planning, a haunted linen closet that won't shut up, and the joys of perimenopause is trickier than any spell she's attempted.
And when the killer realizes Amelia's closing in on the truth, she discovers that stealing a woman's life's work is worth killing for, and killing for again.
Hungry Like the Hex is book nine in the Crescent Moon Mystery series, cozy paranormal tales best described as Practical Magic meets Nancy Drew with a Scooby-Doo twist. Each book can be enjoyed as a standalone, but they're best savored from the beginning. Includes a recipe!
Mary Carmichael's cryptic social media posts about "appropriation" suddenly take on new meaning. So do the protection tinctures she requested from her herbalist friend. And the mysterious writer who just checked into Amelia's inn — the one who'd been interviewing Mary for months — knows more than she's saying.
With her best friend Liz, Amelia uncovers a conspiracy involving stolen work, family betrayal, and pricey honey. But juggling a murder investigation with surprise party planning, a haunted linen closet that won't shut up, and the joys of perimenopause is trickier than any spell she's attempted.
And when the killer realizes Amelia's closing in on the truth, she discovers that stealing a woman's life's work is worth killing for, and killing for again.
Hungry Like the Hex is book nine in the Crescent Moon Mystery series, cozy paranormal tales best described as Practical Magic meets Nancy Drew with a Scooby-Doo twist. Each book can be enjoyed as a standalone, but they're best savored from the beginning. Includes a recipe!
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
269 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 20, 2026
About the author
Tara Lush
31 books605 followersTara Lush is a RWA Rita finalist, an Amtrak writing fellow and the winner of the George C. Polk award for environmental journalism.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.
She also writes contemporary romance set in tropical locations under the name Tamara Lush. For many years, she was a journalist with The Associated Press.
Tara is a fan of vintage pulp fiction book covers, Sinatra-era jazz, 1980s fashion, tropical chill, kombucha, gin, tonic, seashells, iPhones, Art Deco, telenovelas, street art, coconut anything, strong coffee and newspapers. She lives on the Gulf coast with her husband and Shih Tzu.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 10, 2026
I adore this mystery series. I read it extra slow because I didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for the next one.
April 4, 2026
Read if you like:
▪️Paranormal cozies
▪️M*rder mysteries
▪️Found family
▪️Menopause rep
▪️Female friendships
💭 MY THOUGHTS
The Crescent Moon series is the most cozy, comforting series. Amelia Matthews runs an inn in Cyprus Grove, Florida. In book 1 she was divorced, displaced, and out of her element. Her inn was haunted, her life was in shambles, and she discovered an unsettling mystical talent she had (but didn’t want).
She met a group of friends and found her place - ghosts and all. Now she is a firm fixture in the community, using her witchy talents and moxie to solve crimes and bring justice to victims of some very weird crimes.
I love the 80s nostalgia, the full moon energy, the women-righting-wrongs vibes Tara Lush brings to these characters. The women are empowered, and they look a lot like what I look like: perimenopausal, itchy in my own skin, but settled into a life of love and excitement … even if the excitement has me in bed by 830p.
▪️Paranormal cozies
▪️M*rder mysteries
▪️Found family
▪️Menopause rep
▪️Female friendships
💭 MY THOUGHTS
The Crescent Moon series is the most cozy, comforting series. Amelia Matthews runs an inn in Cyprus Grove, Florida. In book 1 she was divorced, displaced, and out of her element. Her inn was haunted, her life was in shambles, and she discovered an unsettling mystical talent she had (but didn’t want).
She met a group of friends and found her place - ghosts and all. Now she is a firm fixture in the community, using her witchy talents and moxie to solve crimes and bring justice to victims of some very weird crimes.
I love the 80s nostalgia, the full moon energy, the women-righting-wrongs vibes Tara Lush brings to these characters. The women are empowered, and they look a lot like what I look like: perimenopausal, itchy in my own skin, but settled into a life of love and excitement … even if the excitement has me in bed by 830p.
March 30, 2026
I’m always excited to visit Cypress Grove and see what Amelia and the gang are cooking up. This time it came with a sweet honey glaze, a murdered beekeeper, family drama, and new lore about the Crescent Moon Inn.
When Amelia’s morning errands land her smack dab in the middle of an active crime scene, she has to balance her grief over the loss of a community member with her insatiable desire to figure out whodunnit. The cast of suspects is as colorful as always, most notably the spurned love interest whose photograph collection of the victim left me wanting a little more backstory. Has he always been that creepy?
Tara Lush creates a cozy reprieve for readers through her stories. Reading this book, I got to vicariously experience solving a murder, cooking for a ghost, and hanging out in a metaphysical shop. And most importantly, I was reminded of the importance of collaboration and the power of midlife reinvention. Oh, I almost forgot, I also learned a great new use for my compression socks and crystal collection.
Excellent read and I’ll now impatiently wait for the next one, wondering if it will finally include wedding bells for one of these couples? I’m pretty sure a Gen X coven commitment ceremony will be a rollicking good time!!
When Amelia’s morning errands land her smack dab in the middle of an active crime scene, she has to balance her grief over the loss of a community member with her insatiable desire to figure out whodunnit. The cast of suspects is as colorful as always, most notably the spurned love interest whose photograph collection of the victim left me wanting a little more backstory. Has he always been that creepy?
Tara Lush creates a cozy reprieve for readers through her stories. Reading this book, I got to vicariously experience solving a murder, cooking for a ghost, and hanging out in a metaphysical shop. And most importantly, I was reminded of the importance of collaboration and the power of midlife reinvention. Oh, I almost forgot, I also learned a great new use for my compression socks and crystal collection.
Excellent read and I’ll now impatiently wait for the next one, wondering if it will finally include wedding bells for one of these couples? I’m pretty sure a Gen X coven commitment ceremony will be a rollicking good time!!
April 3, 2026
I enjoy my visits to the supernatural town of Cypress Grove to hang out with Amelia and crew, and see what shenanigans they get up to! And this installment might just be my favorite of the series!
This was a fast-paced and fun paranormal cozy mystery. Amelia, a psychometric witch, is running her inn and planning a birthday party for her boyfriend when she finds her beekeeper friend dead. Police are ready to chalk it up to an accident, but Amelia's psychic powers tell her differently. Now, if she can just manage to deal with the ghost haunting her inn and perimenopause, she might be able to track down the killer!
The writing is engaging with short, punchy chapters and is sprinkled with humor and Gen X references. Amelia is relatable and has really come into her own as a witch and an amateur sleuth. There's a found family element as she is supported by a close-knit group of friends and coven members, each with their own unique magical talents and quirky personalities. And, I especially enjoyed the ghost in this one, who had a great message.
Magical and totally escapist, I love that the series doesn't take itself too seriously. It's meant to be a light-hearted and entertaining read, and it succeeds. I look forward to the next one!
This was a fast-paced and fun paranormal cozy mystery. Amelia, a psychometric witch, is running her inn and planning a birthday party for her boyfriend when she finds her beekeeper friend dead. Police are ready to chalk it up to an accident, but Amelia's psychic powers tell her differently. Now, if she can just manage to deal with the ghost haunting her inn and perimenopause, she might be able to track down the killer!
The writing is engaging with short, punchy chapters and is sprinkled with humor and Gen X references. Amelia is relatable and has really come into her own as a witch and an amateur sleuth. There's a found family element as she is supported by a close-knit group of friends and coven members, each with their own unique magical talents and quirky personalities. And, I especially enjoyed the ghost in this one, who had a great message.
Magical and totally escapist, I love that the series doesn't take itself too seriously. It's meant to be a light-hearted and entertaining read, and it succeeds. I look forward to the next one!
April 13, 2026
Great series
I enjoyed this series and recommend it . Did some research about bees as a result. I live about a mile by air fro the fruit and nut orchards here in Brentwood. My wisteria vine usually blooms in January when the bee keepers set their hives out in the fruit and nut orchards to pollinate them. It doesn't take the bees long to find my wisteria. I have walked among hundreds of bees happily gathering wisteria pollen. They just fly around me . It is an amazing feeling to be accepted and ignored. I have never been stung or even threatened by them. This year the weather has been weird and the wisteria is only blooming now. I have seen only a few bees this year. Hopefully next year will be back to normal. The bees did pollinate my fruit trees and I have fruit the size of walnuts appearing now. My citrus trees are loaded and I need to pick a couple of bushels fruit. I will pass it onto one of the free food shelters. I did not realize that the bees would go from one tree to the next and cross pollinate them when I planted orange, lemon, lime, etc next to each other. So basically I end up using just the juice. It is delicious.
I enjoyed this series and recommend it . Did some research about bees as a result. I live about a mile by air fro the fruit and nut orchards here in Brentwood. My wisteria vine usually blooms in January when the bee keepers set their hives out in the fruit and nut orchards to pollinate them. It doesn't take the bees long to find my wisteria. I have walked among hundreds of bees happily gathering wisteria pollen. They just fly around me . It is an amazing feeling to be accepted and ignored. I have never been stung or even threatened by them. This year the weather has been weird and the wisteria is only blooming now. I have seen only a few bees this year. Hopefully next year will be back to normal. The bees did pollinate my fruit trees and I have fruit the size of walnuts appearing now. My citrus trees are loaded and I need to pick a couple of bushels fruit. I will pass it onto one of the free food shelters. I did not realize that the bees would go from one tree to the next and cross pollinate them when I planted orange, lemon, lime, etc next to each other. So basically I end up using just the juice. It is delicious.
Read
May 9, 2026This was a very entertaining book with a puzzling mystery and great characters.
Amazon synopsis:
When midlife innkeeper Amelia Matthews arrives to buy honey for her boyfriend's birthday party, she finds the beloved local beekeeper dead among her hives. The police call it a freak accident: a fatal bee sting. But Amelia's psychometric vision reveals something far more sinister: fear, betrayal, and murder.
Mary Carmichael's cryptic social media posts about "appropriation" suddenly take on new meaning. So do the protection tinctures she requested from her herbalist friend. And the mysterious writer who just checked into Amelia's inn — the one who'd been interviewing Mary for months — knows more than she's saying.
With her best friend Liz, Amelia uncovers a conspiracy involving stolen work, family betrayal, and pricey honey. But juggling a murder investigation with surprise party planning, a haunted linen closet that won't shut up, and the joys of perimenopause is trickier than any spell she's attempted.
And when the killer realizes Amelia's closing in on the truth, she discovers that stealing a woman's life's work is worth killing for, and killing for again.
Amazon synopsis:
When midlife innkeeper Amelia Matthews arrives to buy honey for her boyfriend's birthday party, she finds the beloved local beekeeper dead among her hives. The police call it a freak accident: a fatal bee sting. But Amelia's psychometric vision reveals something far more sinister: fear, betrayal, and murder.
Mary Carmichael's cryptic social media posts about "appropriation" suddenly take on new meaning. So do the protection tinctures she requested from her herbalist friend. And the mysterious writer who just checked into Amelia's inn — the one who'd been interviewing Mary for months — knows more than she's saying.
With her best friend Liz, Amelia uncovers a conspiracy involving stolen work, family betrayal, and pricey honey. But juggling a murder investigation with surprise party planning, a haunted linen closet that won't shut up, and the joys of perimenopause is trickier than any spell she's attempted.
And when the killer realizes Amelia's closing in on the truth, she discovers that stealing a woman's life's work is worth killing for, and killing for again.
March 20, 2026
Another great book by one of my favorite authors!
Amelia is having a serious case of the middle aged blues while she's busy planning a surprise birthday party for Oliver. She realizes she's almost out of the honey she needs to make one of his favorite dishes, and finds out that one of the local bee keepers is dead. She suspects foul play, the local police do not.
Meanwhile, another ghost at the inn has become very loud, and is banging doors and throwing cleaning products, and Amelia, Liz, and Jenny have a seance to discover what it wants.
When Jenny accuses her Mom of "acting like that old detective Columbus", I LOL'ed!
Another really funny moment when Amelia and Liz decide that Chris actually must be a werewolf.
This is fast paced and hard to put down, and I can't wait for the next book in the series!
Amelia is having a serious case of the middle aged blues while she's busy planning a surprise birthday party for Oliver. She realizes she's almost out of the honey she needs to make one of his favorite dishes, and finds out that one of the local bee keepers is dead. She suspects foul play, the local police do not.
Meanwhile, another ghost at the inn has become very loud, and is banging doors and throwing cleaning products, and Amelia, Liz, and Jenny have a seance to discover what it wants.
When Jenny accuses her Mom of "acting like that old detective Columbus", I LOL'ed!
Another really funny moment when Amelia and Liz decide that Chris actually must be a werewolf.
This is fast paced and hard to put down, and I can't wait for the next book in the series!
March 16, 2026
"Hungry Like the Hex (Crescent Moon Mystery Book 9)" by Tara Lush sees Amelia in a bit of a midlife funk. She's in her second year of running the B&B and knowing about her witchy abilities. She's comfortable in her romantic and family life as well. She just doesn't feel she is where she should be witch abilities wise when the death of a successful older friend hits her hard in the realization that death is looming over all of us.
She keeps getting pulled back into investigating her friend's death too. Circumstances keep popping up to pull her back in until she gets fully thrown in after her mysterious closet ghost finally makes itself fully known. That may take us somewhere in the future, but that's another story I bet.
She keeps getting pulled back into investigating her friend's death too. Circumstances keep popping up to pull her back in until she gets fully thrown in after her mysterious closet ghost finally makes itself fully known. That may take us somewhere in the future, but that's another story I bet.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Hungry Like the Hex by Tara Lush is Book 9 in the Crescent Moon Series.
I LOVED this book. The magic, the midlife, the found family.
Amelia has her hands filled and she is in a bit of a funk.
When she goes to buy local honey, she discovers that the local Beekeeper is dead.
This case is calling to Amelia to look into.
Add to that a ghost in the closet to contend with and her Boyfriend's birthday party, she is a busy lady.
I really enjoyed the mystery in this book
The characters are so well written and relatable.
Highly recommend reading the series from the beginning for the best reading enjoyment.
You won't be sorry!
I LOVED this book. The magic, the midlife, the found family.
Amelia has her hands filled and she is in a bit of a funk.
When she goes to buy local honey, she discovers that the local Beekeeper is dead.
This case is calling to Amelia to look into.
Add to that a ghost in the closet to contend with and her Boyfriend's birthday party, she is a busy lady.
I really enjoyed the mystery in this book
The characters are so well written and relatable.
Highly recommend reading the series from the beginning for the best reading enjoyment.
You won't be sorry!
March 25, 2026
✅My thoughts:
I LOVE this series so much!
✅It’s quirky!
✅It’s corny!
✅It’s witchy!
✅It’s magical!
I love catching up with Amelia to see where the author is going to take us. Another mystery arises and Amelia and her friend, Liz, are on the run trying to figure things out. Meanwhile, a closet ghost is giving Amelia big headaches….literally!
Each book in the series has been entertaining, hilarious and magical….but, I think Hungry Like the Hex is my favorite book in the series.
Though each book can be read as a standalone, I really recommend reading each book. There is so much backstory that is important to know.
Perfect reading for those looking for cozy, laugh-out-loud paranormal encounters with a magical element.
I am so ready for the next book in the series…..hoping for a bit more Oliver?
I LOVE this series so much!
✅It’s quirky!
✅It’s corny!
✅It’s witchy!
✅It’s magical!
I love catching up with Amelia to see where the author is going to take us. Another mystery arises and Amelia and her friend, Liz, are on the run trying to figure things out. Meanwhile, a closet ghost is giving Amelia big headaches….literally!
Each book in the series has been entertaining, hilarious and magical….but, I think Hungry Like the Hex is my favorite book in the series.
Though each book can be read as a standalone, I really recommend reading each book. There is so much backstory that is important to know.
Perfect reading for those looking for cozy, laugh-out-loud paranormal encounters with a magical element.
I am so ready for the next book in the series…..hoping for a bit more Oliver?
May 7, 2026
I listened to this book on audiobook. I love the narrator! I have listened to a couple other books in the series and have really enjoyed them a lot. This one I learned a lot about bees! Really interesting. The author did her research! Nice twist with the plot. Very entertaining with the haunted closet and engaging storyline! A friend recommended this author. I have been delighted with her cozy mysteries with a touch of magic! I also like the idea of a sleuth who is perimenopausal. Nice for us older readers, who can relate! Be prepared for magic, easy to read writing with a sense of humor.
May 13, 2026
Tara Lush literally never misses with the Crescent Moon Mystery series. I would take a trip to Cypress Grove for literally any plot Tara dreams up, but I was particularly excited for the beekeeping theme this go around.
Beyond the cozy mystery aspects of this series, each installment explores what it means to be a woman and to be in community with other women and this one did not disappoint.
Beyond the cozy mystery aspects of this series, each installment explores what it means to be a woman and to be in community with other women and this one did not disappoint.
March 24, 2026
As always, the author has written another fun, "light-hearted," cozy murder mystery with splashes of the supernatural sprinkled here and there. I especially love the way Jenny and Liz step up to the plate. Liz adds quite a bit of humor. Now, I'm going to try out the honey cake recipe!
April 4, 2026
book 9
This has been a great series. The storyline and characters are wonderful. Felt bad that the beekeepers died. I do like happy ending so I guess the son and his girlfriend got what was coming to them
This has been a great series. The storyline and characters are wonderful. Felt bad that the beekeepers died. I do like happy ending so I guess the son and his girlfriend got what was coming to them
April 20, 2026
Moon Follies
Have enjoyed the characters evolving
throughout this whole series. This read held the mystery factory a bit longer. I love the descriptive scenes of the seance and the visit to the cemetery. Looking forward to Book 10.
Have enjoyed the characters evolving
throughout this whole series. This read held the mystery factory a bit longer. I love the descriptive scenes of the seance and the visit to the cemetery. Looking forward to Book 10.
March 24, 2026
4,5/5
Love this series. A cozy small town mystery buzzing with energy. A book full of lovable characters that draw you in.
Love this series. A cozy small town mystery buzzing with energy. A book full of lovable characters that draw you in.
March 30, 2026
Amelia
Love that Amelia & Liz got acknowledged. Will Mary's cousin come to rum the hives? We'll see. Will Sage & Jimbo tie the knot?
Love that Amelia & Liz got acknowledged. Will Mary's cousin come to rum the hives? We'll see. Will Sage & Jimbo tie the knot?
April 3, 2026
This was another fantastic story surrounding the Crescent Moon family and friends.
April 4, 2026
Absolutely LOVE this series!
Amelia and Liz team up against Chief Chris to help solve the murder of local bee keeper Mary.
Lots of twists, a new ghost friend, and an amazing recipe!
Amelia and Liz team up against Chief Chris to help solve the murder of local bee keeper Mary.
Lots of twists, a new ghost friend, and an amazing recipe!
April 21, 2026
Always a good read
Amelia and friends are always ready to go. MURDER can't stay hidden from them. The magic works and always catches the killer(s). Great series.
Amelia and friends are always ready to go. MURDER can't stay hidden from them. The magic works and always catches the killer(s). Great series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews