What do you think?
Rate this book
Dead & Breakfast Mystery #2
Summer Coven
Everyone's favorite vampire odd couple is back for another bloody good time in this new supernatural mystery from the authors of Dead & Breakfast.
Arthur Miller (no relation to the playwright) and his beloved, Salvatore Conte, are settling into their (para)normal lives in Trident Falls. Finally, everything seems to be going swimmingly...business is booming at the inn and Arthur is hard at work on his first case as a private finding their friend Brody's missing mom.
But when a pet psychic is felled by a poisoned potion she (somehow) didn't see coming, Arthur's investigation takes an enchanting turn - and not in a good way. It turns out the psychic was a member of the Celestine Coven, a powerful group of witches who sell their charms for a price. Did the pet psychic find herself on the wrong side of the coven? Or did she trigger someone’s pet peeves with her predictions? It will require all of Arthur's wit and Sal's whimsy to solve this murder, find their missing person, and avoid becoming part of the witches' wicked brew.
Arthur Miller (no relation to the playwright) and his beloved, Salvatore Conte, are settling into their (para)normal lives in Trident Falls. Finally, everything seems to be going swimmingly...business is booming at the inn and Arthur is hard at work on his first case as a private finding their friend Brody's missing mom.
But when a pet psychic is felled by a poisoned potion she (somehow) didn't see coming, Arthur's investigation takes an enchanting turn - and not in a good way. It turns out the psychic was a member of the Celestine Coven, a powerful group of witches who sell their charms for a price. Did the pet psychic find herself on the wrong side of the coven? Or did she trigger someone’s pet peeves with her predictions? It will require all of Arthur's wit and Sal's whimsy to solve this murder, find their missing person, and avoid becoming part of the witches' wicked brew.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 25, 2026
About the author
Kat Hillis
3 books80 followersKat Hillis is the author of queer speculative fiction full of silly jokes and twisty plots. A southerner now living in Alabama, she’s a lifelong fan of vampires, mysteries, and puns. When she’s not writing or reading, she’s gaming, drawing, or making handcrafted soaps.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
Read
July 6, 2026🧛🔮 Summer Coven 🔮🧛
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Cozy Paranormal
• Vampire MMCs
• Murder Mystery
• Witch Coven
• Private Detective
• Small Town
• Queer
_ _ __
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
📖 Bookish Thoughts
My full review will be shared closer to the publication date.
✨ What to Expect
• Cozy Paranormal
• Vampire MMCs
• Murder Mystery
• Witch Coven
• Private Detective
• Small Town
• Queer
_ _ __
📅 Pub Date: August 25, 2026
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
September 7, 2026
𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗻, sequel to 𝘋𝘦𝘢𝘥 & 𝘉𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘬𝘧𝘢𝘴𝘵, finds our beloved vamps Arthur and Sal establishing their home in Trident Falls. Their B&B is booming, Arthur's working on his PI case to locate a missing mother, and the summer solstice festival has come to town. All is sunny (from the shade of an umbrella) for the pair until a kerfuffle breaks out between the pet psychic and Sal.
As if losing his feline daughter Rumble during the ruckus isn't bad enough, Sal soon finds himself once again a prime suspect in a murder when the pet psychic turns up dead. Taking on the case to solve her death on top of his current missing person's and missing cat's cases, Arthur has quite a bit of sleuthing to do.
Arthur Miller -still no relation to the playwright- and Sal -still with an indelible flair for dramatics- return for another adventure! I adore these two vamps and their B&B/ PI services. The hijinks! The puns! The drama! The sass! Round 2 was just as delightful as ever right down to its witty title, and I'll continue to book a stay at the Dead & Breakfast for any and all future installments!
✨️ Thank you Berkley for the ARC via Net Galley [𝘗𝘶𝘣 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦: 8•25•2026]
As if losing his feline daughter Rumble during the ruckus isn't bad enough, Sal soon finds himself once again a prime suspect in a murder when the pet psychic turns up dead. Taking on the case to solve her death on top of his current missing person's and missing cat's cases, Arthur has quite a bit of sleuthing to do.
Arthur Miller -still no relation to the playwright- and Sal -still with an indelible flair for dramatics- return for another adventure! I adore these two vamps and their B&B/ PI services. The hijinks! The puns! The drama! The sass! Round 2 was just as delightful as ever right down to its witty title, and I'll continue to book a stay at the Dead & Breakfast for any and all future installments!
✨️ Thank you Berkley for the ARC via Net Galley [𝘗𝘶𝘣 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦: 8•25•2026]
February 26, 2026
ARC REVIEW | Summer Coven by Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor is an easy five stars for me. I already thought Salvatore was a complete hoot in Dead & Breakfast, but this installment somehow tops it.
Sal and Arthur absolutely leap off the page — their personalities are loud, chaotic, and ridiculously entertaining. Their antics kept me hooked the entire time, and I found myself genuinely excited to see what mess they’d stumble into next.
I’m not typically a mystery reader, so this series has been my unexpected gateway into the genre — and honestly? I’m obsessed. The balance of humor, intrigue, and character chemistry makes it such a standout.
Netflix, please. I’m begging. This deserves a screen adaptation.
Huge thank you to Net Galley, Berkeley, Kat Hillid and Rosiee Thor for sharing this one with me!
Sal and Arthur absolutely leap off the page — their personalities are loud, chaotic, and ridiculously entertaining. Their antics kept me hooked the entire time, and I found myself genuinely excited to see what mess they’d stumble into next.
I’m not typically a mystery reader, so this series has been my unexpected gateway into the genre — and honestly? I’m obsessed. The balance of humor, intrigue, and character chemistry makes it such a standout.
Netflix, please. I’m begging. This deserves a screen adaptation.
Huge thank you to Net Galley, Berkeley, Kat Hillid and Rosiee Thor for sharing this one with me!
March 4, 2026
Dead and Breakfast was everything I wanted from a book. It was silly, it was adorable, it captured my heart. This one however? Somehow, it missed. I'd loved Sal and Arthur in Book 1, but Sal drove me absolutely nuts in this one. He just never got serious!! And i didnt click with the setting or the mystery, and the characters bugged me, so I truly found reading this too be exhausting. And im still not quite over the disappointment :( off to pretend this one doesnt exist so Dead and Breakfast remains untainted in my mind
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
Thanks to Netgalley for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review
August 28, 2026
BLURB:
Arthur Miller & Salvatore Conte investigate the murder of pet psychic Lola Loterell after Sal’s arrest, uncovering secrets in a witch coven & searching for their missing cat, Rumble.
REVIEW:
I read the first book in this series, Dead & Breakfast, just a few weeks ago, and I had so much fun that I needed to listen to this newly released sequel immediately. It’s a cozy paranormal mystery with a fantastic group of eclectic paranormal characters, led by Arthur Miller and Salvatore Conte, a married gay vampire couple who run a B&B in Trident Falls, Oregon. You can read this as a standalone, as there’s enough backstory about what happened in book one, but I recommend reading the books in order for a fully immersive experience. There’s so much humor, banter, and ridiculous antics in both books, especially from Sal, who’s much more eccentric and unpredictable than his husband.
The story is told from the 3rd-person POV, following Arthur and Sal, and it gets off to a fun start with a Summer Solstice Festival taking over Trident Falls. I loved getting to read about all the displays and supernatural attractions, especially the Celestine With Coven, in town recruiting new members. Things quickly take a darker turn when Lola Loterall, a pet psychic at the festival, is murdered, and Sal is arrested by the sheriff, who still has a vendetta against him from book 1. From there, Arthur and Sal interrogate several suspicious characters as they try to clear Sal’s name, figure out who killed Lola, and find their cat Rumble, who mysteriously ran off the same day. The story also incorporates magical potions, different witch levels, and eccentric characters of the coven, like the overenthusiastic Hailey and the highly dramatic Ambrosia Celestine, the very suspicious coven leader. And, just like in the first book, I spent most of the story trying to figure out who the killer was. There are lots of suspicious characters, red herrings, and clever misdirections that had me second-guessing myself many times.
The chapters are short and punchy, which made this such an easy and entertaining read. And there’s SO much fun banter between Arthur and Sal, and their contrasting personalities and all of Sal’s ridiculous antics made me laugh so much. I also enjoyed the funny interactions they have with others, particularly Martha, the accountant in town whom Arthur finds painfully boring and tries to avoid whenever possible. 😂
And don’t think that just because this is a cozy mystery, it’s not intricate. Both books have multiple mysteries unfolding simultaneously, and the way everything comes together toward the end is clever. I did figure out who the killer was, but I did not work out all the intricacies behind their motivations or how everything was connected. The story ends on a humorous, uplifting note that leaves lots of room for more adventures in Trident Falls, and I would absolutely continue with this series!
And if you’re an audio listener, this is one to listen to! Daniel Henning does a fantastic job bringing the characters to life with distinct, entertaining voices, elevating the story to another level. If you’re looking for a cosy small-town mystery for spooky season with heart, humor, and eccentric, memorable characters, I recommend this series—especially on audiobook!
Arthur Miller & Salvatore Conte investigate the murder of pet psychic Lola Loterell after Sal’s arrest, uncovering secrets in a witch coven & searching for their missing cat, Rumble.
REVIEW:
I read the first book in this series, Dead & Breakfast, just a few weeks ago, and I had so much fun that I needed to listen to this newly released sequel immediately. It’s a cozy paranormal mystery with a fantastic group of eclectic paranormal characters, led by Arthur Miller and Salvatore Conte, a married gay vampire couple who run a B&B in Trident Falls, Oregon. You can read this as a standalone, as there’s enough backstory about what happened in book one, but I recommend reading the books in order for a fully immersive experience. There’s so much humor, banter, and ridiculous antics in both books, especially from Sal, who’s much more eccentric and unpredictable than his husband.
The story is told from the 3rd-person POV, following Arthur and Sal, and it gets off to a fun start with a Summer Solstice Festival taking over Trident Falls. I loved getting to read about all the displays and supernatural attractions, especially the Celestine With Coven, in town recruiting new members. Things quickly take a darker turn when Lola Loterall, a pet psychic at the festival, is murdered, and Sal is arrested by the sheriff, who still has a vendetta against him from book 1. From there, Arthur and Sal interrogate several suspicious characters as they try to clear Sal’s name, figure out who killed Lola, and find their cat Rumble, who mysteriously ran off the same day. The story also incorporates magical potions, different witch levels, and eccentric characters of the coven, like the overenthusiastic Hailey and the highly dramatic Ambrosia Celestine, the very suspicious coven leader. And, just like in the first book, I spent most of the story trying to figure out who the killer was. There are lots of suspicious characters, red herrings, and clever misdirections that had me second-guessing myself many times.
The chapters are short and punchy, which made this such an easy and entertaining read. And there’s SO much fun banter between Arthur and Sal, and their contrasting personalities and all of Sal’s ridiculous antics made me laugh so much. I also enjoyed the funny interactions they have with others, particularly Martha, the accountant in town whom Arthur finds painfully boring and tries to avoid whenever possible. 😂
And don’t think that just because this is a cozy mystery, it’s not intricate. Both books have multiple mysteries unfolding simultaneously, and the way everything comes together toward the end is clever. I did figure out who the killer was, but I did not work out all the intricacies behind their motivations or how everything was connected. The story ends on a humorous, uplifting note that leaves lots of room for more adventures in Trident Falls, and I would absolutely continue with this series!
And if you’re an audio listener, this is one to listen to! Daniel Henning does a fantastic job bringing the characters to life with distinct, entertaining voices, elevating the story to another level. If you’re looking for a cosy small-town mystery for spooky season with heart, humor, and eccentric, memorable characters, I recommend this series—especially on audiobook!
September 13, 2026
"I know what you are."
"Say it."
"Detective."
I need everyone to pick up SUMMER COVEN and DEAD & BREAKFAST immediately so Kat and Rosiee can keep writing more of these books, please and thank you very much!!!!
SUMMER COVEN was such a delight. We got all the banter, sass, corny jokes, and love from Sal and Arthur and we got to dive even deeper into the small town of Trident Falls and its residents.
It's the summer solstice and a witch convention is in town, so, of course, chaos ensues!!
Absolutely loved being back in this world and I can't wait to see where the authors take us next (I'm begging for more at this point, okay?!)
Thanks to Berkley for the early copy for review!
"Say it."
"Detective."
I need everyone to pick up SUMMER COVEN and DEAD & BREAKFAST immediately so Kat and Rosiee can keep writing more of these books, please and thank you very much!!!!
SUMMER COVEN was such a delight. We got all the banter, sass, corny jokes, and love from Sal and Arthur and we got to dive even deeper into the small town of Trident Falls and its residents.
It's the summer solstice and a witch convention is in town, so, of course, chaos ensues!!
Absolutely loved being back in this world and I can't wait to see where the authors take us next (I'm begging for more at this point, okay?!)
Thanks to Berkley for the early copy for review!
September 7, 2026
Just as campy and fun as the first, filled with lots of interesting characters and funny one-liners. The mystery was fun, though there were a few things they were working on in this one, and the conclusion was odd but perfect for the series. Sal was incredibly whiny in this one, which was grating, and unhelpful, which was also grating, as poor Arthur had to take everything on in addition to the Sal and his hysterical tantrums. I enjoyed it but not sure if I can take any more of Sal's over-the-top behavior.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the review copy.
August 26, 2026
AND THAT'S WHAT YOU MISSED ON GLEEEEEEE
I absolutely loved all the glee references in this!
I went into this knowing there was a first book, but having not read it and I wasn't confused or missing information at all. There is enough given about book 1 that you can enjoy it as is. BUT this made me want to immediately read book 1 because anything that revolves around Sal & Arthur. I love them and their dead and breakfast.
I loved that there was whimsy in this and it was still pretty upbeat and had me laughing from start to finish, but also was revolving around murder and solving a who done it? I think it takes a very special author to be able to write all of that into one book and have the plot well done, the engagement high and the characters top tier. Kat Hillis absolutely did that.
I immersive read this, and while I enjoyed the moments of no audiobook. I also LOVED that audiobook and narrators as well. I would definitely recommend the audiobook to those wanting to dive in. The narration was so well done and really kept me engaged from start to finish.
Def recommend.
I absolutely loved all the glee references in this!
I went into this knowing there was a first book, but having not read it and I wasn't confused or missing information at all. There is enough given about book 1 that you can enjoy it as is. BUT this made me want to immediately read book 1 because anything that revolves around Sal & Arthur. I love them and their dead and breakfast.
I loved that there was whimsy in this and it was still pretty upbeat and had me laughing from start to finish, but also was revolving around murder and solving a who done it? I think it takes a very special author to be able to write all of that into one book and have the plot well done, the engagement high and the characters top tier. Kat Hillis absolutely did that.
I immersive read this, and while I enjoyed the moments of no audiobook. I also LOVED that audiobook and narrators as well. I would definitely recommend the audiobook to those wanting to dive in. The narration was so well done and really kept me engaged from start to finish.
Def recommend.
April 30, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! I went into this not knowing it was the second in a series. But enough information was given about the first book that I didn’t feel left behind. I’ve decided I would read any book about Sal and Arthur no matter what the content.
Despite this book being about murder this was a delightfully cozy and funny book. I loved every Glee reference. They made me kick my feet in joy.
The only gripe I have with this book is just a me thing. I guessed 90% if the end VERY quickly. The clues were probably meant to be subtle but there wasn’t enough to throw me off. But it didn’t ruin any part of it because the writing was so enjoyable.
Time to go back and read the first one!
Despite this book being about murder this was a delightfully cozy and funny book. I loved every Glee reference. They made me kick my feet in joy.
The only gripe I have with this book is just a me thing. I guessed 90% if the end VERY quickly. The clues were probably meant to be subtle but there wasn’t enough to throw me off. But it didn’t ruin any part of it because the writing was so enjoyable.
Time to go back and read the first one!
September 15, 2026
Back at it again, Arthur and Sal have another mystery to solve! Better yet 3 mysteries that leave you hanging on page by page to see what happens. The twists are unfolding and so much character development.
To the Kat Hills & Rosiee Thor- please write a 3rd book in the series!!!
To the Kat Hills & Rosiee Thor- please write a 3rd book in the series!!!
Want to Read
April 9, 2026Thanks to Berkley for offering me this ARC through NetGalley! Summer Coven by Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor comes out on August 25, 2026.
August 26, 2026
2026: 3.5
This was fine
I had heard in advance that Sal was a bit annoying so I went in with low expectations and it wasn’t as bad as I had prepared for
This was fine
I had heard in advance that Sal was a bit annoying so I went in with low expectations and it wasn’t as bad as I had prepared for
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I accidentally started with book two, which feels a little bit like showing up to season three of a sitcom and somehow immediately understanding exactly who everyone's favorite disaster is. Within about twenty pages, I was fully invested in Arthur, Sal, their inn, their friends, and whatever supernatural nonsense Trident Falls was about to throw at them next.
Arthur Miller (no relation) and his husband Salvatore Conte are finally settling into life as vampire innkeepers when Arthur takes on his first real private investigator case: helping their friend Brody find his missing mother. Which already feels like enough responsibility for one person. Then a pet psychic gets murdered during a festival packed with witches, and suddenly Arthur is juggling a missing person investigation, a murder case, and a town full of people who seem determined to make his life significantly harder.
Nobody prepared me for how funny this book is. Not "I smiled politely at a clever line" funny. I mean genuinely funny. The kind of funny where you immediately want to text someone a quote and then realize you would have to explain seventeen layers of vampire context first. The humor never feels forced either. It just naturally grows out of these characters being absolute weirdos.
Sal in particular feels like someone gave a theater kid immortality and absolutely no supervision. Arthur spends most of the book trying to solve crimes while Sal keeps wandering in from stage left carrying emotional support chaos, and somehow this relationship works better than most real marriages. They're complete opposites in the best way, and every scene they share has this effortless chemistry that makes even the most ridiculous moments work.
The mystery itself is a blast. Witches, poisoned potions, suspicious coven politics, questionable motives, and enough twists to keep things moving without ever losing that cozy atmosphere. This series understands that solving murders is fun, but solving murders with vampires and aggressively eccentric townspeople is even better.
The thing that sneaks up on you is that underneath all the nonsense, these people genuinely love each other. Arthur keeps acting like everything is solely his problem to solve, and every time the book reminds him he has people in his corner, it got me. Not enough to make me stop laughing, but enough to make me feel slightly attacked. The found family elements never overwhelm the story, they're just there in exactly the right moments, quietly giving the whole thing a lot more heart than you expect.
About halfway through, I understood why people get weirdly possessive about this series. Trident Falls has the energy of a town where everyone knows your business, somebody is probably cursed, and somehow that's part of the charm. The supporting cast is delightfully strange, the supernatural elements are playful without taking over the mystery, and the entire world feels like somewhere you'd actually want to spend time.
Occasionally, the chaos threatens to outrun the plot. But honestly, I was having too much fun to care for long. The jokes landed, the mystery kept me invested, and Arthur and Sal are exactly the kind of characters who make you want to immediately pick up another book just to spend more time with them.
By the end, I wasn't thinking about what I'd missed. I was aggressively adding Dead & Breakfast to my TBR like I'd been personally wronged. Because if this is what book two feels like, I clearly need to go see where this wonderfully ridiculous vampire marriage started.
Four stars. A genuinely fun supernatural mystery packed with witches, murder, found family, and one married vampire couple who have completely convinced me that solving crimes together is an acceptable relationship hobby.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Immediately Add Dead & Breakfast to My TBR Before the Body Was Even Cold
And thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC. You handed me book two of a series and somehow tricked me into becoming emotionally attached to a town full of vampires, witches, murder investigations, and a man who treats every crime scene like an opportunity for additional theatrics. Frankly, I respect the hustle.
Arthur Miller (no relation) and his husband Salvatore Conte are finally settling into life as vampire innkeepers when Arthur takes on his first real private investigator case: helping their friend Brody find his missing mother. Which already feels like enough responsibility for one person. Then a pet psychic gets murdered during a festival packed with witches, and suddenly Arthur is juggling a missing person investigation, a murder case, and a town full of people who seem determined to make his life significantly harder.
Nobody prepared me for how funny this book is. Not "I smiled politely at a clever line" funny. I mean genuinely funny. The kind of funny where you immediately want to text someone a quote and then realize you would have to explain seventeen layers of vampire context first. The humor never feels forced either. It just naturally grows out of these characters being absolute weirdos.
Sal in particular feels like someone gave a theater kid immortality and absolutely no supervision. Arthur spends most of the book trying to solve crimes while Sal keeps wandering in from stage left carrying emotional support chaos, and somehow this relationship works better than most real marriages. They're complete opposites in the best way, and every scene they share has this effortless chemistry that makes even the most ridiculous moments work.
The mystery itself is a blast. Witches, poisoned potions, suspicious coven politics, questionable motives, and enough twists to keep things moving without ever losing that cozy atmosphere. This series understands that solving murders is fun, but solving murders with vampires and aggressively eccentric townspeople is even better.
The thing that sneaks up on you is that underneath all the nonsense, these people genuinely love each other. Arthur keeps acting like everything is solely his problem to solve, and every time the book reminds him he has people in his corner, it got me. Not enough to make me stop laughing, but enough to make me feel slightly attacked. The found family elements never overwhelm the story, they're just there in exactly the right moments, quietly giving the whole thing a lot more heart than you expect.
About halfway through, I understood why people get weirdly possessive about this series. Trident Falls has the energy of a town where everyone knows your business, somebody is probably cursed, and somehow that's part of the charm. The supporting cast is delightfully strange, the supernatural elements are playful without taking over the mystery, and the entire world feels like somewhere you'd actually want to spend time.
Occasionally, the chaos threatens to outrun the plot. But honestly, I was having too much fun to care for long. The jokes landed, the mystery kept me invested, and Arthur and Sal are exactly the kind of characters who make you want to immediately pick up another book just to spend more time with them.
By the end, I wasn't thinking about what I'd missed. I was aggressively adding Dead & Breakfast to my TBR like I'd been personally wronged. Because if this is what book two feels like, I clearly need to go see where this wonderfully ridiculous vampire marriage started.
Four stars. A genuinely fun supernatural mystery packed with witches, murder, found family, and one married vampire couple who have completely convinced me that solving crimes together is an acceptable relationship hobby.
Whodunity Award: For Making Me Immediately Add Dead & Breakfast to My TBR Before the Body Was Even Cold
And thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC. You handed me book two of a series and somehow tricked me into becoming emotionally attached to a town full of vampires, witches, murder investigations, and a man who treats every crime scene like an opportunity for additional theatrics. Frankly, I respect the hustle.
August 24, 2026
3.5⭐️ | I was so excited when I got approved for this ARC because I adored the first book, and overall, I had a lot of fun returning to Trident Falls with Arthur and Sal! This was a cute, campy, cozy supernatural mystery with vampires, witches, a murder, a missing person, and plenty of whimsical chaos.
I really enjoyed seeing Arthur settle more comfortably into his role as a private investigator. The murder mystery had a nice cast of suspects, and I appreciated that there were several moving pieces between the poisoned pet psychic, the Celestine Coven, and Brody’s search for his mom. The mystery did take its time getting where it needed to go, though, and I found myself wishing some moments would move along a little faster. I also didn’t find the twists quite as surprising as I did in Dead & Breakfast.
Arthur continues to be my favorite of the two, but I had more mixed feelings about Sal this time around. His over-the-top personality is usually hilarious, and there were definitely moments when his antics made me laugh, but there were also times when he felt like too much. Some of his behavior crossed from charmingly chaotic into frustrating, especially when Arthur was clearly overwhelmed and needed him to be a little more helpful.
That said, I loved the heart underneath everything. The themes of feeling overwhelmed, fearing failure, and learning to lean on the people who love you gave the story more substance than I expected. The found family atmosphere is one of the best parts of this series, and Trident Falls continues to feel like the kind of weird little town where I'd happily spend another book, so I'll definitely continue reading these books! This entire book has such a delightfully ridiculous energy that even when the mystery dragged, I was still entertained. The climax was especially fun, and the ending definitely left me wanting to see what Arthur and Sal get themselves into next.
Even though Summer Coven didn't quite hit the same sweet spot for me as Dead & Breakfast, it was still a fun, cozy paranormal mystery with a lovable cast and plenty of supernatural silliness. If there's a third book, maybe even in another season, I'll absolutely be back in Trident Falls!
Thank you so much to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC!
I really enjoyed seeing Arthur settle more comfortably into his role as a private investigator. The murder mystery had a nice cast of suspects, and I appreciated that there were several moving pieces between the poisoned pet psychic, the Celestine Coven, and Brody’s search for his mom. The mystery did take its time getting where it needed to go, though, and I found myself wishing some moments would move along a little faster. I also didn’t find the twists quite as surprising as I did in Dead & Breakfast.
Arthur continues to be my favorite of the two, but I had more mixed feelings about Sal this time around. His over-the-top personality is usually hilarious, and there were definitely moments when his antics made me laugh, but there were also times when he felt like too much. Some of his behavior crossed from charmingly chaotic into frustrating, especially when Arthur was clearly overwhelmed and needed him to be a little more helpful.
That said, I loved the heart underneath everything. The themes of feeling overwhelmed, fearing failure, and learning to lean on the people who love you gave the story more substance than I expected. The found family atmosphere is one of the best parts of this series, and Trident Falls continues to feel like the kind of weird little town where I'd happily spend another book, so I'll definitely continue reading these books! This entire book has such a delightfully ridiculous energy that even when the mystery dragged, I was still entertained. The climax was especially fun, and the ending definitely left me wanting to see what Arthur and Sal get themselves into next.
Even though Summer Coven didn't quite hit the same sweet spot for me as Dead & Breakfast, it was still a fun, cozy paranormal mystery with a lovable cast and plenty of supernatural silliness. If there's a third book, maybe even in another season, I'll absolutely be back in Trident Falls!
Thank you so much to Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Summer Coven
by Kat Hillis & Rosiee Thor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2026
First of all, thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read Summer Coven.
I already thought Salvatore was an absolute delight in Dead & Breakfast, but somehow Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor managed to make this installment even more chaotic, charming, and entertaining.
Returning to Trident Falls felt like visiting old friends. This series has such a unique blend of cozy mystery, humor, quirky small-town charm, and unforgettable characters that it has completely won me over. I'm not usually a mystery reader, but this series has somehow become my gateway into the genre—and now I understand the hype.
Sal and Arthur continue to be the heart of the story. Their personalities are huge, their dynamic is hilarious, and their adventures always leave me wondering what kind of trouble they'll find themselves in next. The banter, the ridiculous situations, and the genuine care between the characters are what make this series so much fun to read.
The world-building continues to be one of my favorite parts. Trident Falls feels like the kind of strange little town you'd actually want to visit (despite the suspicious amount of crime happening there). The puns, eccentric characters, and cozy atmosphere create such a fun reading experience.
While I did occasionally find Sal's tangents and impulsive decisions a little overwhelming, they are also part of what makes him Sal. Readers who loved the first book will absolutely appreciate the same chaotic energy that made the original so memorable.
The mystery itself kept me entertained, and I loved following along as the pieces came together. Whether you're a longtime cozy mystery reader or someone like me who is newer to the genre, this series offers such a fun balance of humor, heart, and intrigue.
Overall, Summer Coven is another fantastic addition to the series. Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor have created a world filled with charm, chaos, and characters you can't help but root for. I need more Trident Falls immediately.
by Kat Hillis & Rosiee Thor
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: Aug. 25, 2026
First of all, thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to ARC read Summer Coven.
I already thought Salvatore was an absolute delight in Dead & Breakfast, but somehow Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor managed to make this installment even more chaotic, charming, and entertaining.
Returning to Trident Falls felt like visiting old friends. This series has such a unique blend of cozy mystery, humor, quirky small-town charm, and unforgettable characters that it has completely won me over. I'm not usually a mystery reader, but this series has somehow become my gateway into the genre—and now I understand the hype.
Sal and Arthur continue to be the heart of the story. Their personalities are huge, their dynamic is hilarious, and their adventures always leave me wondering what kind of trouble they'll find themselves in next. The banter, the ridiculous situations, and the genuine care between the characters are what make this series so much fun to read.
The world-building continues to be one of my favorite parts. Trident Falls feels like the kind of strange little town you'd actually want to visit (despite the suspicious amount of crime happening there). The puns, eccentric characters, and cozy atmosphere create such a fun reading experience.
While I did occasionally find Sal's tangents and impulsive decisions a little overwhelming, they are also part of what makes him Sal. Readers who loved the first book will absolutely appreciate the same chaotic energy that made the original so memorable.
The mystery itself kept me entertained, and I loved following along as the pieces came together. Whether you're a longtime cozy mystery reader or someone like me who is newer to the genre, this series offers such a fun balance of humor, heart, and intrigue.
Overall, Summer Coven is another fantastic addition to the series. Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor have created a world filled with charm, chaos, and characters you can't help but root for. I need more Trident Falls immediately.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Stars
Thanks so much to @berkleypub for the free book!
Summer Coven was a relatively delightful and campy follow-up to Dead and Breakfast. Hillis’s and Thor’s writing seemed stronger and flowed much more seamlessly, allowing me to read the novel quicker than I did the first. I loved the choice to feature a coven, as it made for a more formidable foe. The climax was well done— the level of detail during the action sequences created a visually satisfying experience for me. That said, the story itself didn’t contain as many mysteries and twists as the first entry in the series. In fact, it was altogether too focused on the main suspect, which dampened my interest in solving the case.
Arthur’s personality shined through more in Summer Coven, which I appreciated, as it was a bit difficult to connect with him in Dead and Breakfast. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t address the issue of Sal. His character remained incredibly reductive and altogether grating, adding an almost negative value to the story itself. Perhaps Hillis and Thor wished him to be true to himself and only saw him as comic relief, given Arthur’s sensible nature. I hate to say it, but if so, such an approach was a mistake, for character growth is necessary in literature, no matter the genre or plot. Choosing to keep Sal as a rather one-note/one-sided protagonist prevented me from empathizing with him during the moments I normally would have and hoping that his fate would have been different.
As an aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the meta reference Arthur made to how mysteries never seem to come together until the very end.
While I believe other readers will share my opinion of Sal, I do think Summer Coven is a worthwhile read. It has a very cozy essence, eschewing the thriller aspects of many mysteries; which makes it a go-to for those who love(d) the classics— Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and Agatha Christie.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC via Berkley’s Influencer Hub for Underrepresented Voices program. I truly appreciate it!
Thanks so much to @berkleypub for the free book!
Summer Coven was a relatively delightful and campy follow-up to Dead and Breakfast. Hillis’s and Thor’s writing seemed stronger and flowed much more seamlessly, allowing me to read the novel quicker than I did the first. I loved the choice to feature a coven, as it made for a more formidable foe. The climax was well done— the level of detail during the action sequences created a visually satisfying experience for me. That said, the story itself didn’t contain as many mysteries and twists as the first entry in the series. In fact, it was altogether too focused on the main suspect, which dampened my interest in solving the case.
Arthur’s personality shined through more in Summer Coven, which I appreciated, as it was a bit difficult to connect with him in Dead and Breakfast. However, I would be remiss if I didn’t address the issue of Sal. His character remained incredibly reductive and altogether grating, adding an almost negative value to the story itself. Perhaps Hillis and Thor wished him to be true to himself and only saw him as comic relief, given Arthur’s sensible nature. I hate to say it, but if so, such an approach was a mistake, for character growth is necessary in literature, no matter the genre or plot. Choosing to keep Sal as a rather one-note/one-sided protagonist prevented me from empathizing with him during the moments I normally would have and hoping that his fate would have been different.
As an aside, I thoroughly enjoyed the meta reference Arthur made to how mysteries never seem to come together until the very end.
While I believe other readers will share my opinion of Sal, I do think Summer Coven is a worthwhile read. It has a very cozy essence, eschewing the thriller aspects of many mysteries; which makes it a go-to for those who love(d) the classics— Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and Agatha Christie.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC via Berkley’s Influencer Hub for Underrepresented Voices program. I truly appreciate it!
September 2, 2026
I was so excited to see that my favorite vampires/bed and breakfast owners were back for a second adventure! Thanks so much to Berkley and NetGalley for the advance copy!
Arthur Miller (no relation) and his husband, Sal Conte, finally feel at home in Trident Falls. Business at their bed and breakfast (called Dead & Breakfast) is booming, especially with the summer solstice festival coming to town. And since Arthur was able to solve a murder (and clear Sal as a suspect), they’ve finally made friends in town.
The summer solstice festival is absolutely packed, and all of the food and activities bring out Sal’s inner child. When he takes their cat, Rumble, to a pet psychic, there is a bit of a kerfuffle. Later that day, the pet psychic is found dead, apparently poisoned. (She obviously couldn’t intuit she was drinking poison.)
At first, Sal once again is the primary suspect, but Arthur is able to quickly clear his name. But his skills as a VAMP (Very Astute Married Paranormal) PI are requested by Ambrosia, the head of the Celestine Coven, a group of witches essentially operating an MLM of sorts. Of course, Arthur hasn’t solved his other case yet—the disappearance of their friend’s missing mother—but he realizes the two cases are connected.
It turns out Ambrosia isn’t the benevolently powerful witch she’s pretending to be. The coven is getting investigated for fraud, and Ambrosia (who used to be called Amanda) may not even be a real witch. Can Arthur expose the real criminals before it’s too late? How many diversions can Sal create?
This is a fun series. Arthur and Sal are an adorable couple, as each balances the other out. Sal is flighty, flaky, and utterly melodramatic, while Arthur could use a little more loosening up. I hope to see them again in another book!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Arthur Miller (no relation) and his husband, Sal Conte, finally feel at home in Trident Falls. Business at their bed and breakfast (called Dead & Breakfast) is booming, especially with the summer solstice festival coming to town. And since Arthur was able to solve a murder (and clear Sal as a suspect), they’ve finally made friends in town.
The summer solstice festival is absolutely packed, and all of the food and activities bring out Sal’s inner child. When he takes their cat, Rumble, to a pet psychic, there is a bit of a kerfuffle. Later that day, the pet psychic is found dead, apparently poisoned. (She obviously couldn’t intuit she was drinking poison.)
At first, Sal once again is the primary suspect, but Arthur is able to quickly clear his name. But his skills as a VAMP (Very Astute Married Paranormal) PI are requested by Ambrosia, the head of the Celestine Coven, a group of witches essentially operating an MLM of sorts. Of course, Arthur hasn’t solved his other case yet—the disappearance of their friend’s missing mother—but he realizes the two cases are connected.
It turns out Ambrosia isn’t the benevolently powerful witch she’s pretending to be. The coven is getting investigated for fraud, and Ambrosia (who used to be called Amanda) may not even be a real witch. Can Arthur expose the real criminals before it’s too late? How many diversions can Sal create?
This is a fun series. Arthur and Sal are an adorable couple, as each balances the other out. Sal is flighty, flaky, and utterly melodramatic, while Arthur could use a little more loosening up. I hope to see them again in another book!
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
Follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/getbookedwithlarry/.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to netgalley for allowing me to read & rate this one!!
I am so disappointed. I ate up the first book so fast and found Arthur & Sal such a delight. The town had potential, the murder mystery was intriguing. It had promise.
Enter book 2. Starts off just as strong, Arthur & Sal are fun, the town has accepted them, business is booming, its great.
Now, I know a murder mystery novel cant wrap up the murder mystery too fast or the book will be over, but i was so over it. I just wanted them to figure it out and be done. I loved Sal in book 1. Yes, hes over the top and edges very close to stereotype, they both do, but he still made me laugh. Book 2 Sal; however, I wanted to strangle. He wasnt helpful in the slightest. Arthur literally told him how stressed he was, the B&B was full of guests, he needed to get their taxes handled, get a bunch of bills sorted, there was a murder, they needed to find the cat, and Brody is still breathing down Arthur's neck about finding his mom. Sal was evern arrested again for a minute over said murder so Arthur had to clear him of it AGAIN, and what did Sal do this whole book? Whinge about Rumble missing and flit about. The way he used his whimsical personality as weaponized incompetence triggered me to no end. I was ready to murder him myself. He was just so frustating!
I was also over the mystery of Brody's mom. Either solve it quicker, or stop talking about the same thing over & over and make it the focus of book 3. I wont spoil what happened, but i rolled my eyes so hard.
Lastly, super nitpicky here, but goldfish have an incredibly long lifespan given the proper care so the comment towards the end was incorrect and annoying.
If you've made it this far, Im sorry for the rant, I simply had high hopes, and this was like a bucket of ice water all over them.
I am so disappointed. I ate up the first book so fast and found Arthur & Sal such a delight. The town had potential, the murder mystery was intriguing. It had promise.
Enter book 2. Starts off just as strong, Arthur & Sal are fun, the town has accepted them, business is booming, its great.
Now, I know a murder mystery novel cant wrap up the murder mystery too fast or the book will be over, but i was so over it. I just wanted them to figure it out and be done. I loved Sal in book 1. Yes, hes over the top and edges very close to stereotype, they both do, but he still made me laugh. Book 2 Sal; however, I wanted to strangle. He wasnt helpful in the slightest. Arthur literally told him how stressed he was, the B&B was full of guests, he needed to get their taxes handled, get a bunch of bills sorted, there was a murder, they needed to find the cat, and Brody is still breathing down Arthur's neck about finding his mom. Sal was evern arrested again for a minute over said murder so Arthur had to clear him of it AGAIN, and what did Sal do this whole book? Whinge about Rumble missing and flit about. The way he used his whimsical personality as weaponized incompetence triggered me to no end. I was ready to murder him myself. He was just so frustating!
I was also over the mystery of Brody's mom. Either solve it quicker, or stop talking about the same thing over & over and make it the focus of book 3. I wont spoil what happened, but i rolled my eyes so hard.
Lastly, super nitpicky here, but goldfish have an incredibly long lifespan given the proper care so the comment towards the end was incorrect and annoying.
If you've made it this far, Im sorry for the rant, I simply had high hopes, and this was like a bucket of ice water all over them.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4/5 stars: This is Hillis & Thor's second entry in the Dead & Breakfast Mystery series which is a 2SLGBTQIA+ Paranormal B&B Cozy Mystery set in Oregon. Following inn owners and vampire odd couple as they turn sleuth to search for their teenaged friend's missing mom and look into a pet psychic's poisoning death. When it turns out the psychic was a member of the local coven, a powerful group of witches who sell their charms for a price and might possibly be a MLM scheme. The duo have to wonder if the witch found herself on the wrong side of the coven or if she triggered someone’s pet peeves with her predictions? As they also continue their search for the teen's missing mother they realize the two cases might actually be connected. It will require all of their wit and whimsy to solve this murder, find their missing person and avoid becoming part of the witches' wicked brew.
With plenty of twists and turns, Hillis & Thor has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Witty and tons of fun, Hillis & Thor's writing and character work are excellent; the main characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced.
• Paranormal: features vampires, witches and werewolves.
• For Animal Lovers: MC's have a feisty cat.
While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Dead & Breakfast.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
With plenty of twists and turns, Hillis & Thor has crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Witty and tons of fun, Hillis & Thor's writing and character work are excellent; the main characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable with a secondary cast that are well crafted and uniquely voiced.
• Paranormal: features vampires, witches and werewolves.
• For Animal Lovers: MC's have a feisty cat.
While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Dead & Breakfast.
I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.
August 28, 2026
ure fun, start to finish! A delightful, funny, and entertaining paranormal cozy mystery featuring a married vampire odd couple who run a small town inn.
There's a summer solstice festival in Trident Falls, and the inn will be full of tourists, but trouble is just around the corner for friendly vampires Arthur and Sal. They'll cross paths with a coven of witches, a pet psychic, search for a missing person, and investigate suspicious deaths.
I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I liked this one even more. The pacing is faster, and the mystery is tighter and twistier. The book can be silly, but it is in on the joke and never takes itself seriously. There were loads of puns, funny lines, and little touches, like the MC's diet of ethically sourced blood delivered from "Fresh Bites," that kept me chuckling.
Sal and Arthur are the heart of the series and the definition of opposites attracting. Sal is flashy and dramatic, while Arthur is reserved and keenly observant. They understand and love each other deeply, banter, and are very endearing. They're surrounded by a quirky cast of secondary characters in their charming little town, some magical, some not.
Daniel Henning narrates the audiobook and does a great job capturing the story's humor and zany vibes. He makes each character sound unique, but I particularly enjoyed his portrayal of Arthur. Arthur could easily be seen as just the steadying presence to all the chaos unfolding around him. But, Henning brings out more of the nuances of Arthur's personality, and his growing confidence as a sleuth. Highly recommend this on audiobook!
A sunny pick for a cute and cozy spooky season or summerween read that will leave you charmed.
Thank you Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted review copy!
There's a summer solstice festival in Trident Falls, and the inn will be full of tourists, but trouble is just around the corner for friendly vampires Arthur and Sal. They'll cross paths with a coven of witches, a pet psychic, search for a missing person, and investigate suspicious deaths.
I enjoyed the first book in the series, but I liked this one even more. The pacing is faster, and the mystery is tighter and twistier. The book can be silly, but it is in on the joke and never takes itself seriously. There were loads of puns, funny lines, and little touches, like the MC's diet of ethically sourced blood delivered from "Fresh Bites," that kept me chuckling.
Sal and Arthur are the heart of the series and the definition of opposites attracting. Sal is flashy and dramatic, while Arthur is reserved and keenly observant. They understand and love each other deeply, banter, and are very endearing. They're surrounded by a quirky cast of secondary characters in their charming little town, some magical, some not.
Daniel Henning narrates the audiobook and does a great job capturing the story's humor and zany vibes. He makes each character sound unique, but I particularly enjoyed his portrayal of Arthur. Arthur could easily be seen as just the steadying presence to all the chaos unfolding around him. But, Henning brings out more of the nuances of Arthur's personality, and his growing confidence as a sleuth. Highly recommend this on audiobook!
A sunny pick for a cute and cozy spooky season or summerween read that will leave you charmed.
Thank you Penguin Random House Audio for the gifted review copy!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I haven't read many cozies, but this series has completely charmed me with its quaint small town and charismatic paranormal and human characters.
Summer Coven is just as delightful as the first in the series, Dead and Breakfast. After rebranding the inn, business has picked up considerably, but Arthur and Sal aren't rolling in the cash yet. It helps that the inn is fully booked for the Summer Solstice Festival, an event that's bringing crowds of tourists to Trident Falls - including the Celestine Coven. Vampires Arthur and Sal are excited to attend the first day of the festival, but what they didn't expect is another murder. Someone kills a pet psychic who is a member of the coven.
With Arthur now a VAMP PI (very astute married paranormal private investigator), he's on the case. Which is a good thing since the bumbling sheriff immediately accuses and imprisons the wrong person again. As in the first book, Sal provides several comedic moments, and his vibrant personality is a perfect balance to Arthur's more serious one. When Arthur starts feeling overwhelmed by his responsibilities, Sal is there for support and reminds Arthur they now have a community of friends they can rely on.
The couple are taken down several unexpected paths in their quest to find the murderer, and it's an entertaining journey every step of the way. I'm hoping for more books in this series. Recommended for fans of found family, small town murder mysteries, and characters you'd love to meet.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Summer Coven is just as delightful as the first in the series, Dead and Breakfast. After rebranding the inn, business has picked up considerably, but Arthur and Sal aren't rolling in the cash yet. It helps that the inn is fully booked for the Summer Solstice Festival, an event that's bringing crowds of tourists to Trident Falls - including the Celestine Coven. Vampires Arthur and Sal are excited to attend the first day of the festival, but what they didn't expect is another murder. Someone kills a pet psychic who is a member of the coven.
With Arthur now a VAMP PI (very astute married paranormal private investigator), he's on the case. Which is a good thing since the bumbling sheriff immediately accuses and imprisons the wrong person again. As in the first book, Sal provides several comedic moments, and his vibrant personality is a perfect balance to Arthur's more serious one. When Arthur starts feeling overwhelmed by his responsibilities, Sal is there for support and reminds Arthur they now have a community of friends they can rely on.
The couple are taken down several unexpected paths in their quest to find the murderer, and it's an entertaining journey every step of the way. I'm hoping for more books in this series. Recommended for fans of found family, small town murder mysteries, and characters you'd love to meet.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
September 10, 2026
Summer Coven, the second installment in the Dead & Breakfast Mystery series, sounded like exactly my kind of book from the description: interesting characters, amateur sleuths (in this case, a married couple of vampires), a charming small-town setting, paranormal elements, and a good mystery. Unfortunately, though, it didn’t quite work for me.
The fact that Summer Coven is the second book in the series, and that I hadn’t read the first one, was not a problem. The authors provided enough background information about the protagonists and their past for a new reader to step into the story without feeling lost.
My main problem was with the central characters, the married couple Arthur and Sal. I imagine they were meant to be interesting and eccentric, and not simply because they are vampires. Unfortunately, for me, they came across more as caricatures, as if the authors had drawn them with a pen that was just a little too thick. I found myself feeling angry on their behalf, and I simply couldn’t get past that feeling. Sadly, it affected my enjoyment of the entire story.
That said, this is very much a matter of personal taste. I’m sure many readers will find Arthur and Sal charming, quirky, and cozy characters who are perfectly suited to a small-town cozy mystery. If that kind of character appeals to you, you may very well enjoy solving a murder alongside them.
Thank you to the authors, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The fact that Summer Coven is the second book in the series, and that I hadn’t read the first one, was not a problem. The authors provided enough background information about the protagonists and their past for a new reader to step into the story without feeling lost.
My main problem was with the central characters, the married couple Arthur and Sal. I imagine they were meant to be interesting and eccentric, and not simply because they are vampires. Unfortunately, for me, they came across more as caricatures, as if the authors had drawn them with a pen that was just a little too thick. I found myself feeling angry on their behalf, and I simply couldn’t get past that feeling. Sadly, it affected my enjoyment of the entire story.
That said, this is very much a matter of personal taste. I’m sure many readers will find Arthur and Sal charming, quirky, and cozy characters who are perfectly suited to a small-town cozy mystery. If that kind of character appeals to you, you may very well enjoy solving a murder alongside them.
Thank you to the authors, the publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the gifted physical and eARC!
This was such a fun time of a read. I haven't read the initial book Dead & Breakfast but I am absolutely grabbing it now. Arthur and Salvatore are so cute and funny together, they remind me of an adorable older couple that have been together forever and balance each other out in the best ways. Salvatore is honestly my favorite, he's so over the top and unserious and the way he loves his cat is everything.
I will say that if you haven't read Dead & Breakfast and intend to, read it before this one. This will spoil the mystery of the first book. It's a cute mystery so it's not like it's a high stakes "must go in blind" read, but if you don't want the ending spoiled, read the first beforehand. This is set in a really cute small town, the characters have the small town vibe you would expect with a nice dose of magical/fantasy realism. Humans, werewolves, vampires, witches, it's just a great eclectic cast of characters. And it has amazing queer representation which is always fantastic to read.
I will absolutely recommend this for a fun and cute mystery. I had a great time with it and I think others would as well. Now I need to go back and read this first one! This is releasing August 25th!
*This ARC was given by Berkley Publishing group in physical format and electronic format through NetGalley, all opinions are my own.*
This was such a fun time of a read. I haven't read the initial book Dead & Breakfast but I am absolutely grabbing it now. Arthur and Salvatore are so cute and funny together, they remind me of an adorable older couple that have been together forever and balance each other out in the best ways. Salvatore is honestly my favorite, he's so over the top and unserious and the way he loves his cat is everything.
I will say that if you haven't read Dead & Breakfast and intend to, read it before this one. This will spoil the mystery of the first book. It's a cute mystery so it's not like it's a high stakes "must go in blind" read, but if you don't want the ending spoiled, read the first beforehand. This is set in a really cute small town, the characters have the small town vibe you would expect with a nice dose of magical/fantasy realism. Humans, werewolves, vampires, witches, it's just a great eclectic cast of characters. And it has amazing queer representation which is always fantastic to read.
I will absolutely recommend this for a fun and cute mystery. I had a great time with it and I think others would as well. Now I need to go back and read this first one! This is releasing August 25th!
*This ARC was given by Berkley Publishing group in physical format and electronic format through NetGalley, all opinions are my own.*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for an eArc of this book!
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐
The world Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor have built is equally quaint and charming, full of puns that make you groan in the best way, and characters that steal your heart. Summer Coven, the follow up to Dead & Breakfast, once again throws us back into the small town of Trident Falls with Arthur Miller (no relation) and Salvatore Conte, running their bed and breakfast and doing some amateur sleuthing when another murder shakes up the town.
I enjoyed this, but not as much as the first in the series. I think it was a good follow up to Dead & Breakfast, but Sal had me wanting to pull my hair out. Sal's tangents really do not add much to the story and frankly, were annoying as hell. And, really, a lot of the random things that he did out of nowhere also doesn't add much to the story other than me sighing and rolling my eyes. I tolerated it in the first book, and I'm not sure if it just wasn't as prominent, but it almost made me DNF this a few times. Maybe I should have, I don't know. I also figured the big "twist" barely even a couple of chapters into the book.
With that being said, I would still highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the first book and is looking for more low stakes/cozy mysteries.
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐
The world Kat Hillis and Rosiee Thor have built is equally quaint and charming, full of puns that make you groan in the best way, and characters that steal your heart. Summer Coven, the follow up to Dead & Breakfast, once again throws us back into the small town of Trident Falls with Arthur Miller (no relation) and Salvatore Conte, running their bed and breakfast and doing some amateur sleuthing when another murder shakes up the town.
I enjoyed this, but not as much as the first in the series. I think it was a good follow up to Dead & Breakfast, but Sal had me wanting to pull my hair out. Sal's tangents really do not add much to the story and frankly, were annoying as hell. And, really, a lot of the random things that he did out of nowhere also doesn't add much to the story other than me sighing and rolling my eyes. I tolerated it in the first book, and I'm not sure if it just wasn't as prominent, but it almost made me DNF this a few times. Maybe I should have, I don't know. I also figured the big "twist" barely even a couple of chapters into the book.
With that being said, I would still highly recommend this to anyone who enjoyed the first book and is looking for more low stakes/cozy mysteries.
July 6, 2026
Summer Coven is a delightful sequel to Dead and Breakfast! It follows up with a new mystery and the same humour and goofiness from the first book!
Arthur and Sal are a married vampire couple who have a bed and breakfast that’s become more successful after Arthur solving the former mayor’s murder case. When a pet psychic gets murdered at the summer solstice festival Arthur and Sal must balance this case, their bed and breakfast and a mysterious coven of witches.
Just like the first book Arthur and Sal are great! I loved seeing their bond and their banter continue in this book! I absolutely loved Sal’s chaos even if I did get second hand embarrassment at times!
I did enjoy adding some more depth to Arthur and his character development throughout this book. He struggles with trying to balance a lot of jobs and it adds a nice bit of depth to his character with this.
Overall the pace was great and I just wanted to keep reading to find out what happened. The humour throughout the book kept it goofy and light, I legitimately laughed out loud at times.
I did figure out parts of the mystery early on in the book but I didn’t find this decreased my enjoyment of the book.
A very fun cozy mystery book with a supernatural twist. I can’t wait for more books in this series!
Thank you for NetGalley and Berkley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Arthur and Sal are a married vampire couple who have a bed and breakfast that’s become more successful after Arthur solving the former mayor’s murder case. When a pet psychic gets murdered at the summer solstice festival Arthur and Sal must balance this case, their bed and breakfast and a mysterious coven of witches.
Just like the first book Arthur and Sal are great! I loved seeing their bond and their banter continue in this book! I absolutely loved Sal’s chaos even if I did get second hand embarrassment at times!
I did enjoy adding some more depth to Arthur and his character development throughout this book. He struggles with trying to balance a lot of jobs and it adds a nice bit of depth to his character with this.
Overall the pace was great and I just wanted to keep reading to find out what happened. The humour throughout the book kept it goofy and light, I legitimately laughed out loud at times.
I did figure out parts of the mystery early on in the book but I didn’t find this decreased my enjoyment of the book.
A very fun cozy mystery book with a supernatural twist. I can’t wait for more books in this series!
Thank you for NetGalley and Berkley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 ⭐️
Vampiric innkeepers Arthur and Sal are back in this warm, witty sequel to Dead & Breakfast.
While I’m not normally a fan of overtly comedic cozy mysteries, much like the first book in the series, this one strikes a great balance—often clever, rarely cheesy. Arthur, coming into his own as both a person and a detective, is a little less uptight, while Sal is still fully ridiculous.
There’s a surprising amount of depth and character development hidden beneath the humor, twists, and turns—at least when it comes to Arthur. (Sal, never change!)
All of my favorite characters from the first book are back, though some aren’t quite as prominent, making room to introduce even more interesting humans and non-humans into the mix. I was also thoroughly impressed by the resolution of both mysteries, especially considering how certain elements from the first novel finally pay off.
Please, please write more of these. I need more of Sal and Arthur in my life. More of Nora, Theo, Brody, Quinn, and Lore. And I really, really need to know what Paige Turner’s deal is!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing this advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Vampiric innkeepers Arthur and Sal are back in this warm, witty sequel to Dead & Breakfast.
While I’m not normally a fan of overtly comedic cozy mysteries, much like the first book in the series, this one strikes a great balance—often clever, rarely cheesy. Arthur, coming into his own as both a person and a detective, is a little less uptight, while Sal is still fully ridiculous.
There’s a surprising amount of depth and character development hidden beneath the humor, twists, and turns—at least when it comes to Arthur. (Sal, never change!)
All of my favorite characters from the first book are back, though some aren’t quite as prominent, making room to introduce even more interesting humans and non-humans into the mix. I was also thoroughly impressed by the resolution of both mysteries, especially considering how certain elements from the first novel finally pay off.
Please, please write more of these. I need more of Sal and Arthur in my life. More of Nora, Theo, Brody, Quinn, and Lore. And I really, really need to know what Paige Turner’s deal is!
Thanks so much to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for providing this advanced copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
August 5, 2026
▪️Read this if you like:
▫️campy murder mysteries
▫️queer representation
▫️small town summer festival setting
———
After reading and enjoying the first book in this series last year, I was so happy to return to this fun little world!
This book was very unserious, but I knew that going into it - to me, it’s part of the charm of this (and the previous) book. The campiness was on a whole other level compared to the first one, and the banter between Arthur and Sal kept me laughing the whole time. Do I wish it had been a bit more serious at times? Sure, but I could also just enjoy this for what it was.
As for the murder mystery plot, I was intrigued. I honestly wasn't sure who had done it, and the smaller twists kept me guessing. Halfway through I did figure something out, but it was still fun to see how it’d play out. Overall I wasn’t as invested in the mystery as I was hoping, and it felt like there was a bit too much going on at times. But again, the levity and coziness was what I enjoyed most about this book, and there were some surprises towards the end.
If you’re in the mood for a silly and fun summer mystery with some paranormal elements, look no further! And here’s hoping there’s going to be a third book🤞🏼
Thank you Berkley for the advance copy.
▫️campy murder mysteries
▫️queer representation
▫️small town summer festival setting
———
After reading and enjoying the first book in this series last year, I was so happy to return to this fun little world!
This book was very unserious, but I knew that going into it - to me, it’s part of the charm of this (and the previous) book. The campiness was on a whole other level compared to the first one, and the banter between Arthur and Sal kept me laughing the whole time. Do I wish it had been a bit more serious at times? Sure, but I could also just enjoy this for what it was.
As for the murder mystery plot, I was intrigued. I honestly wasn't sure who had done it, and the smaller twists kept me guessing. Halfway through I did figure something out, but it was still fun to see how it’d play out. Overall I wasn’t as invested in the mystery as I was hoping, and it felt like there was a bit too much going on at times. But again, the levity and coziness was what I enjoyed most about this book, and there were some surprises towards the end.
If you’re in the mood for a silly and fun summer mystery with some paranormal elements, look no further! And here’s hoping there’s going to be a third book🤞🏼
Thank you Berkley for the advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Summer Coven is the second book in the Dead & Breakfast Mystery series. Just like the last novel, there’s a perfect blend of cozy mystery, humor, and paranormal to create such a unique and fun atmosphere.
My biggest complaint with the first book was the amount of quips and side tangents that were included within the story. This book, however, seems to nail the balance. The pacing was much improved because of it, too.
Unlike the first book, I managed to solve this book’s mystery, but that didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the novel. I’m not here for a puzzle to solve, but more so to see Arthur and Sal solve them; they’re the true highlight of this series. I could read ten more books about these two and their adventures (I hope there will be more books, please let there be more books, Berkley!)
Overall, this book is a fantastic summer read. If you’re looking for small town mysteries with cozy vibes and a paranormal twist, plus queer MCs, I highly recommend this series! Thank you, NetGalley, Berkley, and the authors for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My biggest complaint with the first book was the amount of quips and side tangents that were included within the story. This book, however, seems to nail the balance. The pacing was much improved because of it, too.
Unlike the first book, I managed to solve this book’s mystery, but that didn’t dampen my enjoyment of the novel. I’m not here for a puzzle to solve, but more so to see Arthur and Sal solve them; they’re the true highlight of this series. I could read ten more books about these two and their adventures (I hope there will be more books, please let there be more books, Berkley!)
Overall, this book is a fantastic summer read. If you’re looking for small town mysteries with cozy vibes and a paranormal twist, plus queer MCs, I highly recommend this series! Thank you, NetGalley, Berkley, and the authors for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.5 stars — Thank you Berkeley Publishing Group and PRH Audio for the advanced copies of this book.
This book made me laugh out loud so many times! I loved being back in Trident Falls, a paranormal small town in Oregon, with married vampires Arthur & Sal. From running a dead (bed) and breakfast to solving mysteries & murders with a quirky crew of neighbors and friends to being pet owners, it all made for a delightfully captivating and very entertaining story. I loved the summer festival setting for this book - the imagery was so good, I felt like I was at the fair surrounded by the sights, smells, and sticky (but delicious) foods.
Not only is Summer Coven full of ridiculous shenanigans, but also some beautifully heartfelt moments that hit me right in the feels. I so related to Arthur throughout the book, doing his very best to manage it all and not “burden” anyone else until finally he can’t anymore. The dynamic between him and Sal is so sweet and funny, I absolutely adore their relationship.
I can’t wait to go back to Trident Falls again soon 🤞🏻
🎧: Daniel Henning is incredible at character voices! His narration brings the characters to life in a way no one else could. 10/10 narration, no notes.
This book made me laugh out loud so many times! I loved being back in Trident Falls, a paranormal small town in Oregon, with married vampires Arthur & Sal. From running a dead (bed) and breakfast to solving mysteries & murders with a quirky crew of neighbors and friends to being pet owners, it all made for a delightfully captivating and very entertaining story. I loved the summer festival setting for this book - the imagery was so good, I felt like I was at the fair surrounded by the sights, smells, and sticky (but delicious) foods.
Not only is Summer Coven full of ridiculous shenanigans, but also some beautifully heartfelt moments that hit me right in the feels. I so related to Arthur throughout the book, doing his very best to manage it all and not “burden” anyone else until finally he can’t anymore. The dynamic between him and Sal is so sweet and funny, I absolutely adore their relationship.
I can’t wait to go back to Trident Falls again soon 🤞🏻
🎧: Daniel Henning is incredible at character voices! His narration brings the characters to life in a way no one else could. 10/10 narration, no notes.
August 16, 2026
They’re back … My favorite opposites attract, married vampires are back and they are more fabulous than ever! Arthur Miller and Salvatore Conte run Trident Falls’s bed and breakfast and solve murders on the side. Scones and detective work go hand in hand for our paranormal paramours.
I don’t want to give away the plot, but just know Arthur and Sal return with the same charm and humor they delivered in DEAD & BREAKFAST. This time they search for the killer of a murdered pet psychic which is complicated by the arrival of a coven of sketchy witches who might be using their magic for evil.
If the allure of middle aged gay vampires with cheeky humor is not enough, there’s Rumble, a black cat who features heavily in the story.
I very much enjoyed my first visit to Trident Falls and my second trip was just as much fun. With Arthur and Sal on the case, it’s sure to be a wild ride on the tandem bicycle.
🎧 Daniel Henning is the sole narrator and his switching between Arthur’s cultivated speech and Sal’s Italian accent is seamless. His performance is pitch perfect and pairing the audio with an eyeball read enhanced the experience.
I don’t want to give away the plot, but just know Arthur and Sal return with the same charm and humor they delivered in DEAD & BREAKFAST. This time they search for the killer of a murdered pet psychic which is complicated by the arrival of a coven of sketchy witches who might be using their magic for evil.
If the allure of middle aged gay vampires with cheeky humor is not enough, there’s Rumble, a black cat who features heavily in the story.
I very much enjoyed my first visit to Trident Falls and my second trip was just as much fun. With Arthur and Sal on the case, it’s sure to be a wild ride on the tandem bicycle.
🎧 Daniel Henning is the sole narrator and his switching between Arthur’s cultivated speech and Sal’s Italian accent is seamless. His performance is pitch perfect and pairing the audio with an eyeball read enhanced the experience.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews