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The Mystic and the Missing Girl
Small town secrets, a reluctant psychic, and a cold case that could expose them all.
Drew Benson can read tarot cards and get impressions from objects―she just never expected to use her gifts to investigate an infamous cold case.
Drew Benson has a secret. She gets visions, something she hasn’t tapped into since she was a teenager, when her late aunt, a TV psychic known as Hannah Mystic, became the scapegoat in the unsolved disappearance of a local teenager. Twenty years later, Drew is happy to ignore her gift, focusing instead on keeping the metaphysical shop she inherited from Hannah afloat, wrangling her sole, astrology-obsessed employee, and dodging local rake Foster Banks in her picturesque lakeside hometown.
But when Drew's arch-nemesis from high school, now a big city reporter, decides to investigate the cold case from all those years ago, it’s Drew’s ability that could finally make a break in the decades old mystery. With bills piling up, a disapproving mother laying on the guilt, and a local vandal who wants Drew and her witchy store gone, Drew has a lot to lose. But what she stands to gain―finding out what happened to the missing teen, clearing her aunt’s name, and a second chance at belonging―could change everything.
In The Mystic and the Missing Girl, Vikki VanSickle seamlessly draws readers into an utterly charming world in this unputdownable, small town mystery.
Drew Benson can read tarot cards and get impressions from objects―she just never expected to use her gifts to investigate an infamous cold case.
Drew Benson has a secret. She gets visions, something she hasn’t tapped into since she was a teenager, when her late aunt, a TV psychic known as Hannah Mystic, became the scapegoat in the unsolved disappearance of a local teenager. Twenty years later, Drew is happy to ignore her gift, focusing instead on keeping the metaphysical shop she inherited from Hannah afloat, wrangling her sole, astrology-obsessed employee, and dodging local rake Foster Banks in her picturesque lakeside hometown.
But when Drew's arch-nemesis from high school, now a big city reporter, decides to investigate the cold case from all those years ago, it’s Drew’s ability that could finally make a break in the decades old mystery. With bills piling up, a disapproving mother laying on the guilt, and a local vandal who wants Drew and her witchy store gone, Drew has a lot to lose. But what she stands to gain―finding out what happened to the missing teen, clearing her aunt’s name, and a second chance at belonging―could change everything.
In The Mystic and the Missing Girl, Vikki VanSickle seamlessly draws readers into an utterly charming world in this unputdownable, small town mystery.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published September 8, 2026
About the author
Vikki VanSickle
22 books337 followersReader, writer, Taurus. My work ranges from cozy mysteries featuring snarky detectives to contemporary middle grade fiction to magical, storytime-ready picture books. I am always exploring a new writing era.
Currently, I live and work in Toronto. Everything I do, I do for my cat.
Currently, I live and work in Toronto. Everything I do, I do for my cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 463 reviews
October 3, 2026
30-ish Female Main Character, Drew Benson, is a budding psychic, but not as experienced as her late Aunt Hannah, whom she adored. Tarot card reading and glimmering visions from an object are her forte, and she's really feeling it now.
She’s approached by Nick Campbell, the male main character, now a big-city reporter and fellow student from their high school days, who wants to partner with Drew to find a missing girl from 20 years ago.
She's reluctant to help at first, but she needs the money and would love to put the rumors of her aunt's involvement in the case to rest. The ideal outcome would be finding out what happened to the missing girl and finally feeling like part of this small town community...
The Mystic and the Missing Girl: A Mystery is a cozy mystery, with snippets of magical realism, set in a small town. The pace is good, the chapters are short, which I love, and the pages flip quickly. I enjoyed that this is a lighter read, and it provided a nice break in between a few heavier ones I've experienced lately.
There's more to this story than I've provided, but the details are best discovered for yourself. There's no deep romance, which fits right for the story, but I did want to know more about Drew's longtime BFF, Gigi, who opens a bar on her own after her husband’s sudden death in his mid-30s. She adds a lot of humor to the story and is a great sounding board for Drew.
An immersive reading experience with the DRC and ALC; the audiobook is narrated by Veronica Hortiguela, who does a solid job of voicing all the characters in this story, and there are quite a few. However, a male narrator to represent Nick and other male characters would have been a nice touch.
Lastly, it does sound like there might be a second case in store for Drew Benson and Nick Campbell, meaning a second book. I'd be open to that. Maybe we'll learn more about Gigi, Drew's BFF!
4⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Vikki VanSickle for the DRC and ALC through NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.
She’s approached by Nick Campbell, the male main character, now a big-city reporter and fellow student from their high school days, who wants to partner with Drew to find a missing girl from 20 years ago.
She's reluctant to help at first, but she needs the money and would love to put the rumors of her aunt's involvement in the case to rest. The ideal outcome would be finding out what happened to the missing girl and finally feeling like part of this small town community...
The Mystic and the Missing Girl: A Mystery is a cozy mystery, with snippets of magical realism, set in a small town. The pace is good, the chapters are short, which I love, and the pages flip quickly. I enjoyed that this is a lighter read, and it provided a nice break in between a few heavier ones I've experienced lately.
There's more to this story than I've provided, but the details are best discovered for yourself. There's no deep romance, which fits right for the story, but I did want to know more about Drew's longtime BFF, Gigi, who opens a bar on her own after her husband’s sudden death in his mid-30s. She adds a lot of humor to the story and is a great sounding board for Drew.
An immersive reading experience with the DRC and ALC; the audiobook is narrated by Veronica Hortiguela, who does a solid job of voicing all the characters in this story, and there are quite a few. However, a male narrator to represent Nick and other male characters would have been a nice touch.
Lastly, it does sound like there might be a second case in store for Drew Benson and Nick Campbell, meaning a second book. I'd be open to that. Maybe we'll learn more about Gigi, Drew's BFF!
4⭐
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Vikki VanSickle for the DRC and ALC through NetGalley. These are my honest thoughts.
Read
August 23, 2026Vikki VanSickle's "The Mystic and the Missing Girl" is a beautifully written mystery novel with paranormal elements. Written with wit and a touch of humor, it features Drew Benson, a likable and intelligent female protagonist, as she uncovers an engaging decades-old mystery surrounding the disappearance of a teenage girl. It has heart-warming themes of discovering one's hidden talents, finding oneself, and the satisfaction of helping others. I especially enjoyed the Witches' New Year party, a night of reverence and remembrance, celebrated with laughter, food, and community, and the gratifying conclusion. This novel has even prompted me to look into Janeane Garafalo's role as a tarot card reader in the movie "Now and Then." Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur books, Vikki VanSickle, and NetGalley, who provided me with an advanced reader copy of this fabulous novel. This is my honest opinion.
September 10, 2026
Rating: 4* of five
The Publisher Says: Reluctant psychic Drew Benson can read tarot cards and get impressions from objects—she just never expected to use her gifts to investigate an infamous cold case.
Drew Benson has a secret. She gets visions, something she hasn’t tapped into since she was a teenager, when her late aunt, a TV psychic known as Hannah Mystic, became the scapegoat in the unsolved disappearance of a local teenager. Twenty years later, Drew is happy to ignore her gift, focusing instead on keeping the metaphysical shop she inherited from Hannah afloat, wrangling her sole, astrology-obsessed employee, and dodging local rake Foster Banks in her picturesque lakeside hometown.
But when Drew's arch-nemesis from high school, now a big city reporter, decides to investigate the cold case from all those years ago, it’s Drew’s ability that could finally make a break in the decades old mystery. With bills piling up, a disapproving mother laying on the guilt, and a local vandal who wants Drew and her witchy store gone, Drew has a lot to lose. But what she stands to gain—finding out what happened to the missing teen, clearing her aunt’s name, and a second chance at belonging—could change everything.
In The Mystic and the Missing Girl, Vikki VanSickle seamlessly draws readers into an utterly charming world in this unputdownable, small town mystery.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Drew's a woman who just will not let unfairness or inequitable bullshit rampant in our world go unchallenged. Her "...but that's not right" meter's calibrated very finely indeed, which is probably why those who've gone before in dishonest or unkindly meant ways trust her to bring fairness and closure to their stolen lives.
What makes all that work on a story level is that Drew doesn't have evidence until she, and a very unusual partner in Nick, do the investigation to actually solve the crime. That was very satisfying to me, as was the fact that Drew had to overcome significant internal hurdles to accept and trust her psychometry practice was giving her accurate information to aim the shoe-leather-wearing investigation parts.
Nick being a normal adult and a reasonable guy who learns the right lesson...Drew can be trusted, the leads she turns up in this weird way all pan out or lead to the right data...is a relief. No disbelief carried beyond the point of learning Drew's correct, no rufftuff manly-man nonsense.
The small-town weirdness is played for laffs but that's how it goes in mysteries of a cozy bent. I didn't think any of them were incredible. Unlikely, but that's bog-standard nowadays; rolling with it was fine, especially as they were all adding their bits to the shoe-leather-wearing investigation part as well as fleshing out the history of Drew's late auntie Hannah, their former neighbor who also had paranormal abilities that quite famously failed her once...and that was all the town needed.
Drew needs to redeem her aunt's memory. Nick needs a resolved cold case. Their work styles mesh better than is the norm in cozy mysteries. It's clear we're going to get a series, sooner rather than later please, because the paranormal edge is neither overemphasized nor played for humor...that's all in the town's responses to it.
Drew's shop having a pweshus cutesypooh c-a-t was the loss of the fifth star.
The Publisher Says: Reluctant psychic Drew Benson can read tarot cards and get impressions from objects—she just never expected to use her gifts to investigate an infamous cold case.
Drew Benson has a secret. She gets visions, something she hasn’t tapped into since she was a teenager, when her late aunt, a TV psychic known as Hannah Mystic, became the scapegoat in the unsolved disappearance of a local teenager. Twenty years later, Drew is happy to ignore her gift, focusing instead on keeping the metaphysical shop she inherited from Hannah afloat, wrangling her sole, astrology-obsessed employee, and dodging local rake Foster Banks in her picturesque lakeside hometown.
But when Drew's arch-nemesis from high school, now a big city reporter, decides to investigate the cold case from all those years ago, it’s Drew’s ability that could finally make a break in the decades old mystery. With bills piling up, a disapproving mother laying on the guilt, and a local vandal who wants Drew and her witchy store gone, Drew has a lot to lose. But what she stands to gain—finding out what happened to the missing teen, clearing her aunt’s name, and a second chance at belonging—could change everything.
In The Mystic and the Missing Girl, Vikki VanSickle seamlessly draws readers into an utterly charming world in this unputdownable, small town mystery.
I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA NETGALLEY. THANK YOU.
My Review: Drew's a woman who just will not let unfairness or inequitable bullshit rampant in our world go unchallenged. Her "...but that's not right" meter's calibrated very finely indeed, which is probably why those who've gone before in dishonest or unkindly meant ways trust her to bring fairness and closure to their stolen lives.
What makes all that work on a story level is that Drew doesn't have evidence until she, and a very unusual partner in Nick, do the investigation to actually solve the crime. That was very satisfying to me, as was the fact that Drew had to overcome significant internal hurdles to accept and trust her psychometry practice was giving her accurate information to aim the shoe-leather-wearing investigation parts.
Nick being a normal adult and a reasonable guy who learns the right lesson...Drew can be trusted, the leads she turns up in this weird way all pan out or lead to the right data...is a relief. No disbelief carried beyond the point of learning Drew's correct, no rufftuff manly-man nonsense.
The small-town weirdness is played for laffs but that's how it goes in mysteries of a cozy bent. I didn't think any of them were incredible. Unlikely, but that's bog-standard nowadays; rolling with it was fine, especially as they were all adding their bits to the shoe-leather-wearing investigation part as well as fleshing out the history of Drew's late auntie Hannah, their former neighbor who also had paranormal abilities that quite famously failed her once...and that was all the town needed.
Drew needs to redeem her aunt's memory. Nick needs a resolved cold case. Their work styles mesh better than is the norm in cozy mysteries. It's clear we're going to get a series, sooner rather than later please, because the paranormal edge is neither overemphasized nor played for humor...that's all in the town's responses to it.
Drew's shop having a pweshus cutesypooh c-a-t was the loss of the fifth star.
September 19, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own!
This one really wasn’t what I was expecting, and unfortunately, it just didn’t quite work for me.
The story itself was very charming, and I can definitely see why this would work for readers who enjoy a slower, cozy small-town mystery with a little bit of the supernatural mixed in. But for me, the pacing was just too slow, especially during the first 20%. I didn’t feel like there was much happening with the actual mystery or sleuthing until nearly halfway through, and I found myself almost skimming at times, which I rarely do.
There were also a few plot points that I thought were setting up to be really interesting reveals, only for them to be completely dropped or not go where I expected. That left me feeling a little underwhelmed by the mystery overall.
I didn’t dislike this book, but I also never really found myself getting invested in it. It dragged in places and just wasn’t quite my vibe. I think the charm and small-town atmosphere will work really well for some readers, but this one landed somewhere in the middle for me.
This one really wasn’t what I was expecting, and unfortunately, it just didn’t quite work for me.
The story itself was very charming, and I can definitely see why this would work for readers who enjoy a slower, cozy small-town mystery with a little bit of the supernatural mixed in. But for me, the pacing was just too slow, especially during the first 20%. I didn’t feel like there was much happening with the actual mystery or sleuthing until nearly halfway through, and I found myself almost skimming at times, which I rarely do.
There were also a few plot points that I thought were setting up to be really interesting reveals, only for them to be completely dropped or not go where I expected. That left me feeling a little underwhelmed by the mystery overall.
I didn’t dislike this book, but I also never really found myself getting invested in it. It dragged in places and just wasn’t quite my vibe. I think the charm and small-town atmosphere will work really well for some readers, but this one landed somewhere in the middle for me.
September 3, 2026
I really enjoyed my time with The Mystic and the Missing Girl. The combination of a charming small town setting, a reluctant psychic heroine, and a decades old missing person case made for a mystery that immediately grabbed my attention. I’m endlessly fascinated by the psychic angle, and I loved seeing Drew slowly reconnect with a gift she has spent years trying to ignore.
Drew is such a great lead. She has plenty of spunk and gumption, but she also feels grounded and believable, and I especially loved watching her navigate the complicated history surrounding her aunt and the missing girl. The mystery itself was strong, with plenty of secrets and small town tension to keep me invested. Even the supporting characters were compelling and well drawn, which made the world feel like somewhere I could happily spend more time.
There’s also a modern, millennial edge to this cozy that I’ve been seeing more and more lately, and it worked really well here. The metaphysical shop, tarot, astrology obsessed employee, complicated family dynamics, and small town drama all gave the story a fresh personality without losing that cozy mystery charm. And honestly, I’m hoping this turns into a series because I would absolutely come back for more of Drew and this cast of characters.
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Veronica Hortiguela, who was new to me. Her narration was perfectly pleasant and had a soothing, melodic quality that fit the story nicely. It was one of those narrations that didn’t distract from the story at all, it was simply enjoyable to listen to and let the mystery take center stage.
Overall, The Mystic and the Missing Girl was a charming, character driven mystery with a fascinating premise, a strong heroine, and a setting I’d love to revisit. Fingers crossed Drew gets another case!
Perfect for Readers Who Love
* Small town cozy mysteries
* Psychic heroines and supernatural elements
* Cold cases and decades old mysteries
* Metaphysical shops and tarot
* Strong, spunky female protagonists
* Complicated family dynamics
* Millennial characters and modern cozy vibes
* Character driven mysteries with series potential
September 7, 2026
I received this book as an audio book ARC from NetGalley. Thank you to all involved!
I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
The audio book itself is really well done. Veronica Hortiguela narrates as all of the characters and she really does a great job. She’s clear and easy to listen too. She brings a lot of life and humor to the story.
Things I liked about this book:
- the plot - Drew inherits her aunt Hannah’s mystic store and it’s not going great. Hannah was disgraced after making a “wrong” reading after the disappearance of a local girl. A local turned reporter comes back to town to try to bring new light to the case and drew gets pulled in in an attempt to help clear her aunts name.
- The characters themselves. I especially loved seeing drew really grow into her gift and stand up for herself.
- The tarot aspects. I love how Tarot was used in this story.
- The mystery itself was good and I was invested in finding out who committed this crime.
I really just enjoyed this book and think it would definitely be a fun cozy mystery to add to your spooky season TBR!
I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars.
The audio book itself is really well done. Veronica Hortiguela narrates as all of the characters and she really does a great job. She’s clear and easy to listen too. She brings a lot of life and humor to the story.
Things I liked about this book:
- the plot - Drew inherits her aunt Hannah’s mystic store and it’s not going great. Hannah was disgraced after making a “wrong” reading after the disappearance of a local girl. A local turned reporter comes back to town to try to bring new light to the case and drew gets pulled in in an attempt to help clear her aunts name.
- The characters themselves. I especially loved seeing drew really grow into her gift and stand up for herself.
- The tarot aspects. I love how Tarot was used in this story.
- The mystery itself was good and I was invested in finding out who committed this crime.
I really just enjoyed this book and think it would definitely be a fun cozy mystery to add to your spooky season TBR!
September 7, 2026
4.5/5 stars
This is a review of the audiobook and physical book.
This is a small town cozy mystery featuring a psychic, tarot cards, awesome friendships and a cat.
Twenty years ago Ginny disappeared. Drew’s aunt was involved in trying to help find her. Her aunt Hannah was a psychic. Things didn’t go well and Hannah’s reputation was tarnished. Drew was just discovering her psychic abilities. The ordeal with Hannah made teenage Drew stop trying to use her abilities.
In the present Hannah has died 5 months earlier and she left Drew her store Good Vibrations. Drew assumed that by not using her abilities they were gone. Now as an adult she realizes that she actually has psychic abilities. She can touch objects and gets visions.
This is a wonderful cozy mystery. I love Drew. I love that she has psychic abilities. And I’m obsessed with the tarot readings.
I love the supporting characters. Her best friend Gigi. Her mom. The annoying woman who runs the café next door. Nick her former classmate who is a journalist.
It’s now the 20th anniversary of Ginny’s disappearance. She was 17 when she went missing. Nick is writing a story about her and he wants Drew’s help. Drew wants to help to clear Hannah’s name.
There is a little romance, but it’s mostly a mystery to find out what actually happened to Ginny.
I loved this book so much. Cozy mysteries are one of my favorite genres. This book had everything that I love. I love books featuring psychics. And really hope that this will be a series.
Audiobook thoughts:
This is such a great audiobook! The audiobook is performed by Veronica Hortiguela.
I thought that Veronica Hortiguela was incredible. She is amazing as Drew. However she is also so good at doing the other voices. My favorite voice was Beverly the annoying woman who runs the café next door.
This audiobook is fantastic. I loved it so much. It made me enjoy this book even more!
Thanks to Penguin Canada for the gifted book and to Libro.fm for the gifted audiobook.
This is a review of the audiobook and physical book.
This is a small town cozy mystery featuring a psychic, tarot cards, awesome friendships and a cat.
Twenty years ago Ginny disappeared. Drew’s aunt was involved in trying to help find her. Her aunt Hannah was a psychic. Things didn’t go well and Hannah’s reputation was tarnished. Drew was just discovering her psychic abilities. The ordeal with Hannah made teenage Drew stop trying to use her abilities.
In the present Hannah has died 5 months earlier and she left Drew her store Good Vibrations. Drew assumed that by not using her abilities they were gone. Now as an adult she realizes that she actually has psychic abilities. She can touch objects and gets visions.
This is a wonderful cozy mystery. I love Drew. I love that she has psychic abilities. And I’m obsessed with the tarot readings.
I love the supporting characters. Her best friend Gigi. Her mom. The annoying woman who runs the café next door. Nick her former classmate who is a journalist.
It’s now the 20th anniversary of Ginny’s disappearance. She was 17 when she went missing. Nick is writing a story about her and he wants Drew’s help. Drew wants to help to clear Hannah’s name.
There is a little romance, but it’s mostly a mystery to find out what actually happened to Ginny.
I loved this book so much. Cozy mysteries are one of my favorite genres. This book had everything that I love. I love books featuring psychics. And really hope that this will be a series.
Audiobook thoughts:
This is such a great audiobook! The audiobook is performed by Veronica Hortiguela.
I thought that Veronica Hortiguela was incredible. She is amazing as Drew. However she is also so good at doing the other voices. My favorite voice was Beverly the annoying woman who runs the café next door.
This audiobook is fantastic. I loved it so much. It made me enjoy this book even more!
Thanks to Penguin Canada for the gifted book and to Libro.fm for the gifted audiobook.
Read
September 7, 2026The Mystic and the Missing Girl was a very solid paranormal mystery.
Drew Benson has taken over her Aunt Hannah's store, Good Vibrations. When a former classmate comes into the shop to let her know he's digging into the case of Ginny Evans, who disappeared twenty years ago, she's wary. Her aunt, a psychic, had visions about Ginny's disappearance that brought her public scrutiny and criticism. And yet, she's drawn into the project and to exploring her own psychic gifts.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Drew and Nick. I was expecting it to be romantic but was just as happy when it wasn't! The small town vibes, the missing girl, the clues in Aunt Ginny's diary ... all felt like a fun and well-constructed cozy mystery with paranormal vibes.
If you're looking for a spooky season book that's a good mystery but a little paranormal, I definitely recommend it!
Drew Benson has taken over her Aunt Hannah's store, Good Vibrations. When a former classmate comes into the shop to let her know he's digging into the case of Ginny Evans, who disappeared twenty years ago, she's wary. Her aunt, a psychic, had visions about Ginny's disappearance that brought her public scrutiny and criticism. And yet, she's drawn into the project and to exploring her own psychic gifts.
I really enjoyed the dynamic between Drew and Nick. I was expecting it to be romantic but was just as happy when it wasn't! The small town vibes, the missing girl, the clues in Aunt Ginny's diary ... all felt like a fun and well-constructed cozy mystery with paranormal vibes.
If you're looking for a spooky season book that's a good mystery but a little paranormal, I definitely recommend it!
July 22, 2026
I had so much fun with this one. Give me a small-town cozy mystery with a little paranormal twist and I’m happy. I flew through it.
Drew was such a likable main character, and I loved watching her return home and get pulled into a decades-old mystery connected to her aunt. The psychic element made the story feel a little different from your typical cozy mystery without taking over the plot.
The town was charming, the shop cat was adorable, and the whole cast just worked. I kept changing my mind about what had happened, which is always a good sign. I love when a mystery actually keeps me guessing instead of making the ending obvious.
If cozy mysteries are your thing but you want one with a little extra magic mixed in, definitely pick this one up. It was cozy, entertaining, and just a really enjoyable read.
Drew was such a likable main character, and I loved watching her return home and get pulled into a decades-old mystery connected to her aunt. The psychic element made the story feel a little different from your typical cozy mystery without taking over the plot.
The town was charming, the shop cat was adorable, and the whole cast just worked. I kept changing my mind about what had happened, which is always a good sign. I love when a mystery actually keeps me guessing instead of making the ending obvious.
If cozy mysteries are your thing but you want one with a little extra magic mixed in, definitely pick this one up. It was cozy, entertaining, and just a really enjoyable read.
September 13, 2026
4.25⭐
Well-done cozy mystery with a tarot-reading paranormal twist. Twenty years ago a pretty blonde high school girl disappeared. No body ever found and plenty of lives blown up with suspicion. Drew Benson's aunt, Hannah, was the discredited psychic on the case. Now, Drew's back in town trying to reopen the "witchy" store she inherited and a reporter has shown up hoping to reopen the case. I can only hope that this is the first in a series as I am already engaged with the characters and want to be there for the next mystery. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Well-done cozy mystery with a tarot-reading paranormal twist. Twenty years ago a pretty blonde high school girl disappeared. No body ever found and plenty of lives blown up with suspicion. Drew Benson's aunt, Hannah, was the discredited psychic on the case. Now, Drew's back in town trying to reopen the "witchy" store she inherited and a reporter has shown up hoping to reopen the case. I can only hope that this is the first in a series as I am already engaged with the characters and want to be there for the next mystery. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
When Drew came back to her hometown to take over her aunt's magic shop, she didn't know an old high school pal, Nick, would show up wanting to try to solve a case from twenty years ago that her aunt had helped with.
No one in the town really liked Drew's aunt because she gave them the wrong prediction about where the body might be in that case.
Nick who is now a reporter asks Drew to help him.
They work together interviewing people, and Nick is hoping Drew can use some of her psychic powers to solve the cold case.
Drew does her best because she wants to clear her aunt’s name.
The investigation and tarot cards dig up new clues.
I was surprised at who they discovered the person responsible for the death was.
This is an enjoyable, cozy mystery with very likable characters. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
No one in the town really liked Drew's aunt because she gave them the wrong prediction about where the body might be in that case.
Nick who is now a reporter asks Drew to help him.
They work together interviewing people, and Nick is hoping Drew can use some of her psychic powers to solve the cold case.
Drew does her best because she wants to clear her aunt’s name.
The investigation and tarot cards dig up new clues.
I was surprised at who they discovered the person responsible for the death was.
This is an enjoyable, cozy mystery with very likable characters. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
April 30, 2026
This was a very good book and I’m so grateful to have been offered by the publisher to read and review this book. I read it in one breath, it has captivated me from the first page. I loved the main character and her tenacity and persistence in cracking the case. I also loved the ending of the book, specifically mother-daughter connection. Definitely recommend to all my followers.
Did Not Finish
September 13, 2026DNF 20% I need cozy to move a little faster
September 2, 2026
I’m somewhere between a 3 ⭐️ and a 3.5 ⭐️ for this one.
Drew Benson has recently taken over her Aunt Hannah’s mystic shop after her passing. Her Aunt controversially used her psychic abilities years ago to aid in the case of a missing girl from Drew’s high school. Years later, an old classmate approaches Drew to help him in trying to finally solve the mystery of the girl’s disappearance.
It was a cute story - I was drawn in for spooky season by the psychic aesthetics and tarot reading aspect of it with a missing person mystery. It definitely gave the aesthetics I was looking for - but the whole story lacked some bit of substance for me. I did really enjoy the narrator on the audio. The middle half dragged a little for me and I wasn’t particularly impressed by what actually happened to the missing girl. It was still an entertaining audio, so would still recommend if the premise sounds interesting to you.
Drew Benson has recently taken over her Aunt Hannah’s mystic shop after her passing. Her Aunt controversially used her psychic abilities years ago to aid in the case of a missing girl from Drew’s high school. Years later, an old classmate approaches Drew to help him in trying to finally solve the mystery of the girl’s disappearance.
It was a cute story - I was drawn in for spooky season by the psychic aesthetics and tarot reading aspect of it with a missing person mystery. It definitely gave the aesthetics I was looking for - but the whole story lacked some bit of substance for me. I did really enjoy the narrator on the audio. The middle half dragged a little for me and I wasn’t particularly impressed by what actually happened to the missing girl. It was still an entertaining audio, so would still recommend if the premise sounds interesting to you.
September 15, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with an ARC of this e-book and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of a good cozy mystery. Honestly, I didn’t even realize that this was going to be a cozy with the paranormal elements in the story, but it worked well for me. Being approved for both the ebook and audiobook versions made this so easy to listen to it whenever I couldn’t sit and read the book. So let’s get into my review!
To start with, I absolutely adored Drew. She’s a complex, well-rounded character and her motivation to step in and try to solve a cold case was well-justified. When a girl goes missing, Drew’s aunt tried to use her psychic abilities to find her, and everything goes off the rails, with the case going cold. Although Drew hasn’t used her own paranormal abilities since her teen years, she feels obligated to help out and hopefully clear her aunt’s name.
Since this was an audiobook, I have to say a few words about the narrator. Veronica Hortiguela perfectly voiced Drew’s character. She was believable as Drew and provided a voice that fit her age and felt as though I was really hearing Drew’s thoughts and words in her own voice. However, when it came to the side characters they were all voiced similarly, making it difficult to identify which character was speaking.
Although the story got off to a slow start, once I got past the first quarter of the book things moved faster. The beginning was focused pretty heavily on giving the reader an understanding of the background and the major players in the story, as well as offering insight into Drew and her motivations. It made it a lot easier to feel like I knew Drew and got invested in the story.
Cozies typically have lower stakes than other types of mystery books, and this one was no different. The stakes feel high because Drew is working to clear her aunt’s name, and there is some blowback on Drew from her relation to Hannah. Working as a psychic on television turned Hannah Mystic into a star, and she tried to use her psychic gifts to find a missing teenager. Unfortunately, her help turned into a dead end, and she was quickly blamed for the inability to find her. This motivates Drew to become an amateur sleuth twenty years later.
Her investigation is complicated by multiple factors. First and foremost is that people don’t want to trust Drew because of her aunt. Drew is also trying to avoid someone—the local womanizer, Foster Banks—who has the worst habit of showing up at the worst possible times. Additionally, her high school enemy Nick is now an investigative reporter who needs Drew’s help to look into this cold case and hopefully figure out something new. I loved the enemies to friends vibe between these two, and I especially loved that the author deliberately chose not to include any romantic subplot. While I do enjoy a nice slow-burn romance in a cozy mystery, I think it would have overshadowed more important aspects of the story and felt a bit cluttered.
There is plenty going on in the book aside from the investigation. There’s Hannah’s metaphysical shop that she left to Drew which is struggling to stay afloat. The growing friendship between Drew and Nick kept me intrigued, but I loved seeing Drew’s personal growth over the course of the story. From nurturing her gifts as a teenager with her aunt to turning her back on them, she begins to tap into her long-neglected talent. The story leans heavily into tarot, flash visions, and psychometry (getting impressions or feelings by touching an item). The tarot aspect was done really well, and it is clear that the author is quite knowledgeable about the subject matter.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. The narration for Drew is done well, even if the rest of the characters sound pretty similar. A slow-paced start picks up after about 25% and makes the rest of the read enjoyable and kept things intriguing. The heavy emphasis on tarot and other ‘witchy’ elements were done very well, and it kept me reading late into the night. I loved Drew’s character and appreciated the author’s deliberate decision not to include any romantic storyline in this book. While some books have romances that flow, not all books need a romance to be successful, and VanSickle made a good choice in my opinion. Although there were a few things that I didn’t love, there were a lot more things about the book that I did enjoy.
Bottom line: A wonderful cozy that leans more heavily into metaphysical and paranormal elements and less into romance and puns, but it was well-done and enjoyable.
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of a good cozy mystery. Honestly, I didn’t even realize that this was going to be a cozy with the paranormal elements in the story, but it worked well for me. Being approved for both the ebook and audiobook versions made this so easy to listen to it whenever I couldn’t sit and read the book. So let’s get into my review!
To start with, I absolutely adored Drew. She’s a complex, well-rounded character and her motivation to step in and try to solve a cold case was well-justified. When a girl goes missing, Drew’s aunt tried to use her psychic abilities to find her, and everything goes off the rails, with the case going cold. Although Drew hasn’t used her own paranormal abilities since her teen years, she feels obligated to help out and hopefully clear her aunt’s name.
Since this was an audiobook, I have to say a few words about the narrator. Veronica Hortiguela perfectly voiced Drew’s character. She was believable as Drew and provided a voice that fit her age and felt as though I was really hearing Drew’s thoughts and words in her own voice. However, when it came to the side characters they were all voiced similarly, making it difficult to identify which character was speaking.
Although the story got off to a slow start, once I got past the first quarter of the book things moved faster. The beginning was focused pretty heavily on giving the reader an understanding of the background and the major players in the story, as well as offering insight into Drew and her motivations. It made it a lot easier to feel like I knew Drew and got invested in the story.
Cozies typically have lower stakes than other types of mystery books, and this one was no different. The stakes feel high because Drew is working to clear her aunt’s name, and there is some blowback on Drew from her relation to Hannah. Working as a psychic on television turned Hannah Mystic into a star, and she tried to use her psychic gifts to find a missing teenager. Unfortunately, her help turned into a dead end, and she was quickly blamed for the inability to find her. This motivates Drew to become an amateur sleuth twenty years later.
Her investigation is complicated by multiple factors. First and foremost is that people don’t want to trust Drew because of her aunt. Drew is also trying to avoid someone—the local womanizer, Foster Banks—who has the worst habit of showing up at the worst possible times. Additionally, her high school enemy Nick is now an investigative reporter who needs Drew’s help to look into this cold case and hopefully figure out something new. I loved the enemies to friends vibe between these two, and I especially loved that the author deliberately chose not to include any romantic subplot. While I do enjoy a nice slow-burn romance in a cozy mystery, I think it would have overshadowed more important aspects of the story and felt a bit cluttered.
There is plenty going on in the book aside from the investigation. There’s Hannah’s metaphysical shop that she left to Drew which is struggling to stay afloat. The growing friendship between Drew and Nick kept me intrigued, but I loved seeing Drew’s personal growth over the course of the story. From nurturing her gifts as a teenager with her aunt to turning her back on them, she begins to tap into her long-neglected talent. The story leans heavily into tarot, flash visions, and psychometry (getting impressions or feelings by touching an item). The tarot aspect was done really well, and it is clear that the author is quite knowledgeable about the subject matter.
Overall, this was a fantastic read. The narration for Drew is done well, even if the rest of the characters sound pretty similar. A slow-paced start picks up after about 25% and makes the rest of the read enjoyable and kept things intriguing. The heavy emphasis on tarot and other ‘witchy’ elements were done very well, and it kept me reading late into the night. I loved Drew’s character and appreciated the author’s deliberate decision not to include any romantic storyline in this book. While some books have romances that flow, not all books need a romance to be successful, and VanSickle made a good choice in my opinion. Although there were a few things that I didn’t love, there were a lot more things about the book that I did enjoy.
Bottom line: A wonderful cozy that leans more heavily into metaphysical and paranormal elements and less into romance and puns, but it was well-done and enjoyable.
September 22, 2026
What a perfect witchy read to bring in spooky season! 🔮🍂
This wasn't a scary thriller or psychological thriller, but more of a cozy mystery with a little bit of magic sprinkled in, and I really enjoyed it. If you're someone who loves a good tarot reading or can't resist a witchy/metaphysical vibe, this one might be right up your alley.
Drew inherits her late aunt's metaphysical shop and finds herself pulled into the mystery of a local teenage girl who disappeared twenty years ago, a case that also left Drew's aunt carrying the blame. With Drew's tarot abilities and psychic impressions coming back into play, she starts digging into what really happened, and I had fun following along as the pieces slowly came together. I especially enjoyed the tarot and psychic elements. They gave the mystery something a little different and made the story feel unique without taking over the whole plot. I also liked the balance between the investigation, Drew's personal growth, and the small-town atmosphere.
It was a little slow at times, but honestly, I think that fits the cozy vibe. This isn't a book you're picking up for heart-pounding suspense; it's more of a **rainy afternoon, cup of tea, cozy blanket, kitty curled up at your feet** kind of read. ☕🐈⬛
A fun, charming mystery with just the right amount of witchy vibes to kick off spooky season! 🎃🔮
This wasn't a scary thriller or psychological thriller, but more of a cozy mystery with a little bit of magic sprinkled in, and I really enjoyed it. If you're someone who loves a good tarot reading or can't resist a witchy/metaphysical vibe, this one might be right up your alley.
Drew inherits her late aunt's metaphysical shop and finds herself pulled into the mystery of a local teenage girl who disappeared twenty years ago, a case that also left Drew's aunt carrying the blame. With Drew's tarot abilities and psychic impressions coming back into play, she starts digging into what really happened, and I had fun following along as the pieces slowly came together. I especially enjoyed the tarot and psychic elements. They gave the mystery something a little different and made the story feel unique without taking over the whole plot. I also liked the balance between the investigation, Drew's personal growth, and the small-town atmosphere.
It was a little slow at times, but honestly, I think that fits the cozy vibe. This isn't a book you're picking up for heart-pounding suspense; it's more of a **rainy afternoon, cup of tea, cozy blanket, kitty curled up at your feet** kind of read. ☕🐈⬛
A fun, charming mystery with just the right amount of witchy vibes to kick off spooky season! 🎃🔮
October 6, 2026
This was nice cozy mystery with paranormal additives. Perfect for spooky season!
Drew Benson is not only reluctant to chat with her old high school nemesis Nick (now big city reporter), she's even more reluctant to discuss her aunt and the missing person case that made her notorious.
Her aunt had been the mystic on the case 20 years ago, and while the town still has emotional bruises from the local missing teenager-Nick isn't letting it go.
To make matters worse: she is hiding a secret. She shares her mystic powers with her late aunt, the very thing that turned the town against her.
And so we have some small town mystery vibes with paranormal fun. I enjoyed- thank you to Minotaur books and the author for a advanced reader copy.
Drew Benson is not only reluctant to chat with her old high school nemesis Nick (now big city reporter), she's even more reluctant to discuss her aunt and the missing person case that made her notorious.
Her aunt had been the mystic on the case 20 years ago, and while the town still has emotional bruises from the local missing teenager-Nick isn't letting it go.
To make matters worse: she is hiding a secret. She shares her mystic powers with her late aunt, the very thing that turned the town against her.
And so we have some small town mystery vibes with paranormal fun. I enjoyed- thank you to Minotaur books and the author for a advanced reader copy.
August 9, 2026
I really loved this one! The psychic abilities, tarot cards, metaphysical shop and decades old missing girl case were all right up my alley. I loved Drew, but I especially loved the friendship that developed between her and Nick while they investigated the case together.
My only real issue was the pacing. I don't think the book necessarily needed to be shorter, just tighter. The chapters are short but there’s quite a bit of repetition, so at times it felt like we spent 90% of the book dragging our feet toward the ending. I also figured out what happened to the missing girl pretty easily once the pieces were presented, so the actual reveal was a little meh for me, even though the tension getting there was great.
Still, this was such a fun read and I believe it's the author's first adult novel, so I'm definitely interested in seeing where she goes from here. If this turns into a series, I will absolutely be back for more Drew!
I listened to the audiobook and Veronica Hortiguela was fantastic. She IS Drew to me now.
My only real issue was the pacing. I don't think the book necessarily needed to be shorter, just tighter. The chapters are short but there’s quite a bit of repetition, so at times it felt like we spent 90% of the book dragging our feet toward the ending. I also figured out what happened to the missing girl pretty easily once the pieces were presented, so the actual reveal was a little meh for me, even though the tension getting there was great.
Still, this was such a fun read and I believe it's the author's first adult novel, so I'm definitely interested in seeing where she goes from here. If this turns into a series, I will absolutely be back for more Drew!
I listened to the audiobook and Veronica Hortiguela was fantastic. She IS Drew to me now.
August 14, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this arc!
This was a good book overall. I liked the idea of incorporating a psychic with a disappearance investigation and I thought those parts of the story were unique. However, the pacing seemed off for me at times. Parts of the story really had my interest and I wanted to keep reading, but then there were other parts of the story that did seem to drag a bit at times. Because of this, it took me a lot longer than usual to get through the book. Overall, I did enjoy the plot and the ending wrapped up nicely. A solid 4 stars.
This was a good book overall. I liked the idea of incorporating a psychic with a disappearance investigation and I thought those parts of the story were unique. However, the pacing seemed off for me at times. Parts of the story really had my interest and I wanted to keep reading, but then there were other parts of the story that did seem to drag a bit at times. Because of this, it took me a lot longer than usual to get through the book. Overall, I did enjoy the plot and the ending wrapped up nicely. A solid 4 stars.
September 4, 2026
Drew Benson took over a magic shop from her late aunt, Hannah Mystic. She can read tarot cards and get impressions from objects, but she never expected to use her abilities outside the shop. That changes when a high school classmate, now a newspaper reporter, asks for her help with a twenty-year-old cold case involving a teenager who disappeared when they were younger.
Hannah had tried to use her powers to find the girl twenty years ago and failed. Now Drew is determined to solve the case, find the missing teenager, and clear her aunt’s name.
This was such a fun small-town cozy mystery! I loved the characters, the investigation, and all the surprises along the way. The magical elements added something special without taking away from the mystery, and I really enjoyed watching everything unfold.
Hannah had tried to use her powers to find the girl twenty years ago and failed. Now Drew is determined to solve the case, find the missing teenager, and clear her aunt’s name.
This was such a fun small-town cozy mystery! I loved the characters, the investigation, and all the surprises along the way. The magical elements added something special without taking away from the mystery, and I really enjoyed watching everything unfold.
August 29, 2026
This mystery kept me guessing until the end! I really enjoyed this book. It was a great story with well-developed characters and relationships threaded together by the tarot. It also had a wonderful narrator.
October 9, 2026
The tarot aspect of this novel was cool, and I enjoyed the evolution of Drew's character.
The conclusion and reveal worked, but the side characters were lacking and the book dragged on with many side plot detours.
The conclusion and reveal worked, but the side characters were lacking and the book dragged on with many side plot detours.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 ⭐️
I received this as an arc and this is my honest review.
This was a cute paranormal mystery. I enjoyed the small town vibes and the characters were likeable. Drew inherited her aunt's shop, in a town where a girl went missing years ago, and now Drew, which is special like Hannah Mystic, tries to solve her disappearance. I liked her relationship with Nick and Foster, well he had it coming.. the book overall was an easy read.
I received this as an arc and this is my honest review.
This was a cute paranormal mystery. I enjoyed the small town vibes and the characters were likeable. Drew inherited her aunt's shop, in a town where a girl went missing years ago, and now Drew, which is special like Hannah Mystic, tries to solve her disappearance. I liked her relationship with Nick and Foster, well he had it coming.. the book overall was an easy read.
August 30, 2026
Thank you to St Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for a #gifted advanced reader copy of The Mystic and the Missing Girl by Vikki VanSickle in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Mystic and the Missing Girl is a small town cozy mystery, set outside Toronto, about a reluctant psychic who teams up with an investigative reporter to solve a cold case involving a missing local teenager. The story is told from the point of view of 30-something Drew, who inherited her late aunt’s business and “talent for extrasensory perception”. The plot is slow to develop, and I worried at times that the story might be a bit too cozy for my taste. I struggled to connect deeply with the characters, despite how much I liked Drew’s relatable flaws as she navigates her powers and her family's expectations. There are quite a few red herrings as well as several entertaining subplots, including a potential romance with an unavailable player, themes of grief and forgiveness, and Drew’s own journey of self discovery. The final plot twist surprised me, but I didn’t find it completely satisfying. The ending teases more potential mysteries to come. Ultimately readers who enjoy a dash of magic sprinkled into their cozy mysteries will find plenty to enjoy in this book 2.75/5⭐️
The Mystic and the Missing Girl is a small town cozy mystery, set outside Toronto, about a reluctant psychic who teams up with an investigative reporter to solve a cold case involving a missing local teenager. The story is told from the point of view of 30-something Drew, who inherited her late aunt’s business and “talent for extrasensory perception”. The plot is slow to develop, and I worried at times that the story might be a bit too cozy for my taste. I struggled to connect deeply with the characters, despite how much I liked Drew’s relatable flaws as she navigates her powers and her family's expectations. There are quite a few red herrings as well as several entertaining subplots, including a potential romance with an unavailable player, themes of grief and forgiveness, and Drew’s own journey of self discovery. The final plot twist surprised me, but I didn’t find it completely satisfying. The ending teases more potential mysteries to come. Ultimately readers who enjoy a dash of magic sprinkled into their cozy mysteries will find plenty to enjoy in this book 2.75/5⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ARC provided by Netgalley.
Everyone was a fan of Hannah until her mystical gifts seemingly failed to find a missing teen from 20 years in the past. Now Hannah has passed on leaving her shop and upstairs apartment to her niece who seems to share a similar gift. Drew Benson has returned to her small coastal town trying to decide if she is going to keep the shop or move on. When a reporter who has a shared past with Drew turns up to write an expose on both the missing teen and Hannah, Drew has to decide whether or not to use her gifts to help out.
Besides Drew, there is the non-gender employee named George and a cat (of course there is a shop cat) named Willow that bring an extra sparkle to this tale. Two men also catch the eye of Drew but are either really available to her? And then there is the defacing of the shop, broken windows, and a watcher. No one really wants the niece of Hannah here stirring the spirits.
I easily figured out the mystery but stayed for not only the side characters but the mother daughter relationship and growth of the main character, Drew. I also learned a thing or two about Mystics and Psychics.
The Mystic and the Missing Girl will definitely appeal to those into small town mysteries with a bit of mysticism.
Everyone was a fan of Hannah until her mystical gifts seemingly failed to find a missing teen from 20 years in the past. Now Hannah has passed on leaving her shop and upstairs apartment to her niece who seems to share a similar gift. Drew Benson has returned to her small coastal town trying to decide if she is going to keep the shop or move on. When a reporter who has a shared past with Drew turns up to write an expose on both the missing teen and Hannah, Drew has to decide whether or not to use her gifts to help out.
Besides Drew, there is the non-gender employee named George and a cat (of course there is a shop cat) named Willow that bring an extra sparkle to this tale. Two men also catch the eye of Drew but are either really available to her? And then there is the defacing of the shop, broken windows, and a watcher. No one really wants the niece of Hannah here stirring the spirits.
I easily figured out the mystery but stayed for not only the side characters but the mother daughter relationship and growth of the main character, Drew. I also learned a thing or two about Mystics and Psychics.
The Mystic and the Missing Girl will definitely appeal to those into small town mysteries with a bit of mysticism.
May 8, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book, and I’m genuinely so glad I did.
This cozy mystery completely pulled me in from the very first page. Drew was such an easy character to root for, and I quickly fell in love with both her and the wonderfully eclectic cast surrounding her. The relationships and small-town feel made this such a comforting, immersive read.
One of my favorite parts of the story was the tarot and metaphysical witchy atmosphere woven throughout the mystery. It gave the book such a unique, cozy charm and made it feel absolutely perfect for fall reading. And if you’re someone who knows nothing about tarot (hi, me), don’t let that scare you away—the author explains everything in a way that feels natural, authentic, and easy to follow without ever slowing the story down.
This is exactly the kind of book I want to curl up with on a chilly fall evening, preferably with a candle lit and a drink nearby. With a September release date, the timing honestly couldn’t be more perfect. Definitely add this one to your fall reading list.
Title: The Mystic and the Missing Girl
Author: Vikki VanSickle
Page Count: 336 pages
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publish Date: September 8, 2026
This cozy mystery completely pulled me in from the very first page. Drew was such an easy character to root for, and I quickly fell in love with both her and the wonderfully eclectic cast surrounding her. The relationships and small-town feel made this such a comforting, immersive read.
One of my favorite parts of the story was the tarot and metaphysical witchy atmosphere woven throughout the mystery. It gave the book such a unique, cozy charm and made it feel absolutely perfect for fall reading. And if you’re someone who knows nothing about tarot (hi, me), don’t let that scare you away—the author explains everything in a way that feels natural, authentic, and easy to follow without ever slowing the story down.
This is exactly the kind of book I want to curl up with on a chilly fall evening, preferably with a candle lit and a drink nearby. With a September release date, the timing honestly couldn’t be more perfect. Definitely add this one to your fall reading list.
Title: The Mystic and the Missing Girl
Author: Vikki VanSickle
Page Count: 336 pages
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Publish Date: September 8, 2026
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Drew Benson inherited her beloved Aunt Hannah's mystical shop and is trying to keep the business afloat when a former classmate begins digging into the disappearance of a missing teenager. Her psychic aunt had been unable to solve the case 20 years ago, but the notes her aunt left behind and Drew's forgotten psychic ability may be enough to solve the mystery.
The author slowly pulls you, along with Drew, deeper into the mystery. As Drew's psychic abilities are revealed, you learn the meaning of Tarot cards and how things are not always what they seem.
I enjoyed this mystery and would enjoy getting to know Drew below her snarky exterior. Use of pronouns for one character made for a confusing read but this was limited. Overall, a good start to a mystery series!
Special thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
The author slowly pulls you, along with Drew, deeper into the mystery. As Drew's psychic abilities are revealed, you learn the meaning of Tarot cards and how things are not always what they seem.
I enjoyed this mystery and would enjoy getting to know Drew below her snarky exterior. Use of pronouns for one character made for a confusing read but this was limited. Overall, a good start to a mystery series!
Special thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review!
May 23, 2026
When Hannah passes away, Drew Benson inherits her metaphysical store. Struggling to stay afloat and keeping way too busy another huge weight is put on her- a missing persons case from 20 years ago is getting reopened. Hannah was the psychic on the case and got a lot of pushback. Drew finds out there is a connection between her and the missing girl. Can she figure out the subtle, obscure, and possibly fatal connection to Ginny before it’s too late?
Whatttt I did not see the twist with Ginny’s Death and the actual truth behind it. Poor girl she possibly could have been saved. I really liked the light-heartedness of this story. Crime/Thrillers don’t always have to be crazy to be good.
Whatttt I did not see the twist with Ginny’s Death and the actual truth behind it. Poor girl she possibly could have been saved. I really liked the light-heartedness of this story. Crime/Thrillers don’t always have to be crazy to be good.
September 8, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Vikki VanSickle for an eARC of The Mystic & The Missing Girl in exchange for my honest feedback.
I saw The Mystic & The Missing Girl in an email from NetGalley regarding newly added books that were Read Now.
I had no business even opening the email due to how backed up I am on eARCs... but I saw this cover and had to go investigate. After reading the description, I smashed that Read Now button and threw caution to the wind.
I’m usually not a total cozy mystery girl, but due to the topic matter I felt like I would love this one. Tarot is a keen interest of mine - I have many decks and my own group of gal pals that refer to ourselves as the Hex Girls.
This book seems to fit the bill of everything I should enjoy: small town, tarot, witches, missing person cold case... I’m entranced!
I’m expecting an atmospheric cozy mystery that will get me in the mood for fall - my favorite season!
If you are a witchy person, this one is for you!
The Mystic & The Missing Person was a slam dunk for me. I could not put it down and even when I had to, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
I need just the right level of stimulation when it comes to mystery: I need it to be wound tight enough that I’m constantly picking at it, trying to figure it out for myself before the reveal.
However, if the reveal is something that is from total left field just to say the reader would never guess (because how could we? You just made that up!) - I get frustrated.
This was the perfect amount and as I was unraveling bits and pieces of the story, I still was left guessing and didn’t fully guess on my own.
The setting of this book was perfect. I love picturesque small towns and I dream of moving to a Hallmark Christmas movie town where everyone peddels their silly little wares and live in apartments above their shops and everything is walkable.
Stanfield is the perfect little town in my mind. Picturesque, old nosy ladies, and tons of small businesses - get the hell out of here, Starbucks!
I would move there in a heartbeat to open my dream business of a bookstore that sells plants, candles, and is also a cat cafe (investors HMU).
I cannot stress enough how delightful the setting and overall atmosphere of this book were. Small town in October with crunchy leaves and a mystery to solve... it makes me so ready for fall as I read this over labor day weekend!
The characters were all so lovable - even the absolute dirtbag love interest.
All characters had realistic pasts and motivations - even the minor characters had purpose and clear story arc. No one was there as filler.
I absolutely adored Drew and the people close to her. Seeing her come into her power little by little and have a realistic arc with both internal and external struggle was *chef’s kiss*!
The small town dynamic was natural - everyone knows everyone and there’s that one lady with the heaving bosom who is always in somebody’s business.
The conflict and relationships were interwoven well. Particularly the dynamic between Drew and her mother, a big time real estate agent who is always worried about what people think.
The Mystic and The Missing Girl is a love letter to tarot and the esoteric. Tarot and the meaning of the given card are described in a way that fits the narrative naturally without feeling like it’s copy + pasted from a guidebook.
It is obvious that VanSickle is well versed in tarot and knows how to apply the meaning to her story from the eyes and interpretation of her narrator.
If you love witches, tarot, or any sort of mysticism, this is a must read. I’ve always been interested in how psychics aid police investigations and I think this is a well-done entry in the subgenre.
I found myself falling in love with the characters, the town, and the way VanSickle tells a story. This will not be my last read from them.
The Mystic and The Missing Girl also includes non-binary and queer characters that have rich backgrounds without being stereotypes or “token” characters.
Is it a catfish?
Definitely not.
This book was everything I wanted from it after reading the summary.
In fact, The Mystic & The Missing Girlhas skyrocketed into my top 10 reads of 2026. And honestly... there’s been some pretty stiff competition this year!
I will absolutely be buying my own copy of this one to keep in my personal library.
I‘m going to do it... I’m giving The Mystic & The Missing Girl 5 stars!
Prior to picking this up, I was hopeful for a good, fun, light intro to fall read. But this spoke to me on a deeply spiritual level and honestly made me feel pretty emotional at some points. One of the most meaningful takeaways from this book for me was trusting yourself, but also trusting the people in your life to help... you just have to ask.
I’m beyond sad to leave this universe and I hope that VanSickle turns this into a series. There’s so much that Drew and her friends can do in subsequent books!
I saw The Mystic & The Missing Girl in an email from NetGalley regarding newly added books that were Read Now.
I had no business even opening the email due to how backed up I am on eARCs... but I saw this cover and had to go investigate. After reading the description, I smashed that Read Now button and threw caution to the wind.
I’m usually not a total cozy mystery girl, but due to the topic matter I felt like I would love this one. Tarot is a keen interest of mine - I have many decks and my own group of gal pals that refer to ourselves as the Hex Girls.
This book seems to fit the bill of everything I should enjoy: small town, tarot, witches, missing person cold case... I’m entranced!
I’m expecting an atmospheric cozy mystery that will get me in the mood for fall - my favorite season!
If you are a witchy person, this one is for you!
The Mystic & The Missing Person was a slam dunk for me. I could not put it down and even when I had to, I couldn’t stop thinking about it.
I need just the right level of stimulation when it comes to mystery: I need it to be wound tight enough that I’m constantly picking at it, trying to figure it out for myself before the reveal.
However, if the reveal is something that is from total left field just to say the reader would never guess (because how could we? You just made that up!) - I get frustrated.
This was the perfect amount and as I was unraveling bits and pieces of the story, I still was left guessing and didn’t fully guess on my own.
The setting of this book was perfect. I love picturesque small towns and I dream of moving to a Hallmark Christmas movie town where everyone peddels their silly little wares and live in apartments above their shops and everything is walkable.
Stanfield is the perfect little town in my mind. Picturesque, old nosy ladies, and tons of small businesses - get the hell out of here, Starbucks!
I would move there in a heartbeat to open my dream business of a bookstore that sells plants, candles, and is also a cat cafe (investors HMU).
I cannot stress enough how delightful the setting and overall atmosphere of this book were. Small town in October with crunchy leaves and a mystery to solve... it makes me so ready for fall as I read this over labor day weekend!
The characters were all so lovable - even the absolute dirtbag love interest.
All characters had realistic pasts and motivations - even the minor characters had purpose and clear story arc. No one was there as filler.
I absolutely adored Drew and the people close to her. Seeing her come into her power little by little and have a realistic arc with both internal and external struggle was *chef’s kiss*!
The small town dynamic was natural - everyone knows everyone and there’s that one lady with the heaving bosom who is always in somebody’s business.
The conflict and relationships were interwoven well. Particularly the dynamic between Drew and her mother, a big time real estate agent who is always worried about what people think.
The Mystic and The Missing Girl is a love letter to tarot and the esoteric. Tarot and the meaning of the given card are described in a way that fits the narrative naturally without feeling like it’s copy + pasted from a guidebook.
It is obvious that VanSickle is well versed in tarot and knows how to apply the meaning to her story from the eyes and interpretation of her narrator.
If you love witches, tarot, or any sort of mysticism, this is a must read. I’ve always been interested in how psychics aid police investigations and I think this is a well-done entry in the subgenre.
I found myself falling in love with the characters, the town, and the way VanSickle tells a story. This will not be my last read from them.
The Mystic and The Missing Girl also includes non-binary and queer characters that have rich backgrounds without being stereotypes or “token” characters.
Is it a catfish?
Definitely not.
This book was everything I wanted from it after reading the summary.
In fact, The Mystic & The Missing Girlhas skyrocketed into my top 10 reads of 2026. And honestly... there’s been some pretty stiff competition this year!
I will absolutely be buying my own copy of this one to keep in my personal library.
I‘m going to do it... I’m giving The Mystic & The Missing Girl 5 stars!
Prior to picking this up, I was hopeful for a good, fun, light intro to fall read. But this spoke to me on a deeply spiritual level and honestly made me feel pretty emotional at some points. One of the most meaningful takeaways from this book for me was trusting yourself, but also trusting the people in your life to help... you just have to ask.
I’m beyond sad to leave this universe and I hope that VanSickle turns this into a series. There’s so much that Drew and her friends can do in subsequent books!
September 9, 2026
Huge thank you to @stmartinspress, @minotaur_books, and @macmillan.audio for the ALC and ARCs. This one releases tomorrow and listening at the right speed could be binged in a day or two. 😏
I love tarot and I'm such a sucker for anything mystic. Not to mention I've always been interested in solving a cold case. 🕵️♀️
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗯𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗶 𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗦𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲 is such a perfect cozy paranormal mystery that's arrived just in time for autumn. VanSickle blends a decades-old cold case with tarot, psychometry, witchy atmosphere, romance, family tension, and a wonderfully eclectic cast of characters, with a little mention of Halloween of course. 🍂🍁
We have a a twenty-year-old disappearance, a disgraced psychic, a metaphysical shop, tarot cards, small-town secrets, and a reluctant woman discovering that perhaps her aunt’s mysterious gift wasn’t such a curse after all.
I think the mystical parts of this book, the tarot and psychic abilities, never felt like gimmicks but rather very realistic as they became part of Drew’s journey toward understanding both the case and herself.
The mystery itself isn’t quite as twisty as some thrillers I’ve read, but the characters, atmosphere, emotional stakes, and sheer charm kept me invested. 🙌🏻
🎧 The narration by Veronica Hortiguela was really delightful to listen to and she really gave Drew personality.
I loved Drew! She's snarky, flawed, reluctant, but gradually becomes more confident in her abilities. Beneath all the witchy fun is a surprisingly heartfelt story about grief, belonging, family, reputation, and reclaiming a part of yourself you’ve spent years trying to ignore.
Come for the cold case. Stay for the tarot cards, questionable small-town residents, and the inevitable realization that perhaps inheriting your aunt’s psychic abilities is considerably more troublesome than inheriting her china. 🙂↕️🙂↕️
I love tarot and I'm such a sucker for anything mystic. Not to mention I've always been interested in solving a cold case. 🕵️♀️
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗹 𝗯𝘆 𝗩𝗶𝗸𝗸𝗶 𝗩𝗮𝗻𝗦𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗲 is such a perfect cozy paranormal mystery that's arrived just in time for autumn. VanSickle blends a decades-old cold case with tarot, psychometry, witchy atmosphere, romance, family tension, and a wonderfully eclectic cast of characters, with a little mention of Halloween of course. 🍂🍁
We have a a twenty-year-old disappearance, a disgraced psychic, a metaphysical shop, tarot cards, small-town secrets, and a reluctant woman discovering that perhaps her aunt’s mysterious gift wasn’t such a curse after all.
I think the mystical parts of this book, the tarot and psychic abilities, never felt like gimmicks but rather very realistic as they became part of Drew’s journey toward understanding both the case and herself.
The mystery itself isn’t quite as twisty as some thrillers I’ve read, but the characters, atmosphere, emotional stakes, and sheer charm kept me invested. 🙌🏻
🎧 The narration by Veronica Hortiguela was really delightful to listen to and she really gave Drew personality.
I loved Drew! She's snarky, flawed, reluctant, but gradually becomes more confident in her abilities. Beneath all the witchy fun is a surprisingly heartfelt story about grief, belonging, family, reputation, and reclaiming a part of yourself you’ve spent years trying to ignore.
Come for the cold case. Stay for the tarot cards, questionable small-town residents, and the inevitable realization that perhaps inheriting your aunt’s psychic abilities is considerably more troublesome than inheriting her china. 🙂↕️🙂↕️
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