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Tony Marcella Mystery #11
Soul of a Witch
In book 11 of the Detective Marcella Witch’s series, a simple burglary escalates into murder when a witness turns up dead at the circus. With few leads and ample suspects, it’s all Tony can do to solve the case before the circus jumps. Complicating matters is Lilith, who suspects something nefarious has been harassing her ailing grandmother, and demands that Tony devote more time looking into the matter before it’s too late.
475 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2015
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31 people want to read
About the author
Dana E. Donovan
26 books30 followersDana Donovan grew up in New England where folklore and superstitions can mold a town’s history as much as its people. He exploits that phenomenon in all his books, perpetuating the enigma of small town life and the belief in all that dies is not dead.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 15, 2015
Soul of a Witch, Detective Marcella Witch's series, Book 11
by Dana E. Donovan
I've read this entire series and thoroughly enjoy the characterizations, which I think are are pretty well done. I will admit to enjoying the earlier part of the series better than the last few books. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the entire series -- note my rating of this book.
However, I'm a little tired of the "different dimension/plane of existence/otherworld" concepts. I enjoyed the actual magic and witchcraft of the earlier books much more than the wandering in and out of dimensions that seem to have been the focus of the last few episodes.
I'm also getting a bit confused by the characterizations of Carlos, who is depicted one minute as a sexist pig, another as a callous and quick-to-judge authoritarian, and then the next as a compassionate, caring, quick to defend friend. Either he is the most complex character of all time, or Donovan can't decide exactly how he fits into the story.
Ditto poor Dominic. He is, after all, married to Ursula. Wouldn't just that fact alone make him the expected traveling companion of the three witches, instead of Carlos? So, why is he always on the sidelines, in the dark about what is going on and certainly left out of the action? As Donovan clearly prefers the Carlos character for the action of the novels, why didn't he have him marry Ursula? Ah, the mysteries of life (and authors).
So, this episode, as most of them do, has two mysteries. The first involves thefts, and eventually a murder, at a traveling circus. The second involves protecting the soul of Lilith's grandmother, Madeline, from underworld entities who would steal it as Madeline grows weaker. Interesting characters and other planes of existence traveling ensue. The results are relatively predictable, but the journey is enjoyable anyway.
Yes, not a glowing review, but as I said in the beginning, I'm still enjoying the series and look forward to the 12th to come. I keep hoping to a change of direction back to actual witchcraft and magic.
by Dana E. Donovan
I've read this entire series and thoroughly enjoy the characterizations, which I think are are pretty well done. I will admit to enjoying the earlier part of the series better than the last few books. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the entire series -- note my rating of this book.
However, I'm a little tired of the "different dimension/plane of existence/otherworld" concepts. I enjoyed the actual magic and witchcraft of the earlier books much more than the wandering in and out of dimensions that seem to have been the focus of the last few episodes.
I'm also getting a bit confused by the characterizations of Carlos, who is depicted one minute as a sexist pig, another as a callous and quick-to-judge authoritarian, and then the next as a compassionate, caring, quick to defend friend. Either he is the most complex character of all time, or Donovan can't decide exactly how he fits into the story.
Ditto poor Dominic. He is, after all, married to Ursula. Wouldn't just that fact alone make him the expected traveling companion of the three witches, instead of Carlos? So, why is he always on the sidelines, in the dark about what is going on and certainly left out of the action? As Donovan clearly prefers the Carlos character for the action of the novels, why didn't he have him marry Ursula? Ah, the mysteries of life (and authors).
So, this episode, as most of them do, has two mysteries. The first involves thefts, and eventually a murder, at a traveling circus. The second involves protecting the soul of Lilith's grandmother, Madeline, from underworld entities who would steal it as Madeline grows weaker. Interesting characters and other planes of existence traveling ensue. The results are relatively predictable, but the journey is enjoyable anyway.
Yes, not a glowing review, but as I said in the beginning, I'm still enjoying the series and look forward to the 12th to come. I keep hoping to a change of direction back to actual witchcraft and magic.
December 27, 2015
Disappointed
I loved books 1-10 so I was surprised and disappointed by the unnecessary comments made by the characters Lilith and Carlos. Calling the Chinese man "Ty nee dic" (Lilith) and the repeated derogatory comments about little people (Carlos) did not add to the plot lines. Neither character exhibited this racist tendency in the prior 10 books, so it didn't make any sense. Made me question the author's use of such inappropriate text in an otherwise good series. I found it offensive and unnecessary.
I loved books 1-10 so I was surprised and disappointed by the unnecessary comments made by the characters Lilith and Carlos. Calling the Chinese man "Ty nee dic" (Lilith) and the repeated derogatory comments about little people (Carlos) did not add to the plot lines. Neither character exhibited this racist tendency in the prior 10 books, so it didn't make any sense. Made me question the author's use of such inappropriate text in an otherwise good series. I found it offensive and unnecessary.
May 21, 2015
Another Good Book
I like the way it picks up right where the last one leaves off none of this 15 or 20 years later stuff.
Characters always consistent and interesting.
I hope Carlos gets to meet his Lilth and go thru a passage so we can have a lot more of this group.
I hope not a whole year before next book. But well worth the wait
Thank You Mr. Donovan for the series and Amazon for making it available
I like the way it picks up right where the last one leaves off none of this 15 or 20 years later stuff.
Characters always consistent and interesting.
I hope Carlos gets to meet his Lilth and go thru a passage so we can have a lot more of this group.
I hope not a whole year before next book. But well worth the wait
Thank You Mr. Donovan for the series and Amazon for making it available
November 20, 2015
Wish it was longer but I enjoyed it. I like this one because there's another mystery behind the main story that Detective Marcella is following. It's fun to have different plots going at once. I wish it had more involved when they went under. I feel like it was rushed and almost "too easy" for them to get out. I would have liked to see more conflict and greater obstacles to overcome. Otherwise, good book. If you like the old Tony Marcella, you'll enjoy this one more than the last few!!
March 27, 2017
Another good one
Would recommend this to readers of this series. Leaves the door open to more good stories. Thanks Dana for another otherworldly experience. Well done.
Would recommend this to readers of this series. Leaves the door open to more good stories. Thanks Dana for another otherworldly experience. Well done.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews