Fatal Fairies

A Renaissance Faire Mystery #8

by Joyce Lavene, Jim Lavene

When a fairy named Apple Blossom is found dead in a fountain, Ren Faire lover Jessie Morton makes a wish she lives to regret—that her husband, Chase Manhattan, is no longer the Renaissance Faire Village Bailiff so he doesn’t have to look for the fairy’s killer and ruin their plans to go away for their first wedding anniversary.
Trapped in a timeless ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ experience, Jessie is transported to a different Village to face the consequences of her wish where Chase isn’t the Bailiff, and he’s not married to her.
Jessie’s fairy godmother who granted the wish tells her that she must find a way to make Chase fall in love with her again, and they must discover who killed Apple Blossom, if she ever wants to go back to the life she knew.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 29, 2015

About the author

aka Elyssa Henry and Joye Ames, J.J. Cook, and Ellie Grant

Joyce Lavene and Jim Lavene are a wife and husband team who have written and published more than 70 books since 1999. They live in North Carolina with their family and enjoy cooking, photography and ghost hunting.

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy a Renaissance Faire with quirky, fun characters then this is a must read. Fatal Fairies is book 8 in A Renaissance Faire Mystery series.
A very enjoyable, magical cozy with engaging characters that kept me guessing till the end who the killer was.
Lady Jessie and her husband Chase, the Village Bailiff are getting ready to celebrate their one year anniversary.The plans have to get tossed when a fairy, named Apple Blossom is murdered at the Ren Faire. Who would do such a thing, and why!?
Jessie makes a wish and finds herself in another time at the Ren Faire where Chase is not her husband or the Village bailiff.
In order to get back to her own time Jessie has to get Chase to fall in love with her and solve the murder of Apple Blossom.
Another great book by Joyce and Jim Lavene.

[Ana · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was kind of sad to read the last book on the series, since both authors met an untimely death recently. This one was a little different. Jessie says she wishes Chase was not the Bailiff, and off we go in a "It's a Wonderful Life" takeoff. Her fairy Godmother grants her wish, and Jessie finds herself in a strange version of the village, where Chase is still a knight. A woman playing a fairy gets killed, and Jessie was trying to convince Chase to investigate, as that will hopefully send her back.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie is looking forward to getting away with Chase to celebrate their one year wedding anniversary. If only his pesky bailiff job didn't keep getting in the way.She thought she had a solution for this by hiring an assistant for him, but when a fairy is found strangled in the fountain, she is not sure how to convince Chase that his assistant can handle the investigation. Resolving not to get involved, she goes to their apartment for a brief nap. But when she awakens, she finds herself in the middle of a not-so-funny prank, where she is not Chase's wife and he is not the bailiff. This is a cute take on the "it's a Wonderful Life" theme. I loved seeing former characters and current residents in this series pop up with slightly different personas. Can Jessie find a way to return to her own reality, or will she be stuck in this world forever? And what about her marriage to Chase, the love of her life. He is with Isabella in this version and doesn't seem to have any feelings for her? I look forward to the next book in this fun series. Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[April Schilling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in the Ren Faire series!

Ever heard the phrase "Be careful what you wish for"? Well Jessie sure wishes she had thought of that before she made a wish that her husband, Chase, wasn't the Village Bailiff anymore. When Apple Blossom the fairy is found dead in the Village Fountain, Jessie makes the wish cause her anniversary plans seem to be ruined. How can they go on a fabulous vacation when Chase has to investigate the murder?

That one wish turns her world upside down. Not only is Chase not the Bailiff anymore, he's also not her husband! And her fairy godmother tells her that only she can fix things by getting Chase to fall in love with her again as well as want to be the Bailiff. Not an easy task since she is the girlfriend of the Bailiff in this version of the Village. And Chase is back with Princess Isabelle.

I'm really enjoying reading about Jessie and Chase and the Village and this book did not disappoint. I look forward to more books in this series!

[Teresa Kander · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only the second book I've read in this series. I read the first one and was not impressed by it. It never grabbed my attention, and I honestly found it "wordy" and boring. After that experience, I wasn't sure about reading this one, but decided to take the chance--and am I glad that I did!

The "It's A Wonderful Life" idea is what first caught my eye, as that is my favorite holiday movie. In this book, Jessie doesn't exactly find out what the world would be like without her in it, but she does discover how the Village changed just by one simple wish of hers.

The story is very well-written, the characters are believable and likable, and there is something for everyone: murder, suspense, alternate reality, magic, fairy godmother, romance.

I am so glad I gave this series another shot, and I'll be reading all future installments for sure.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Allyson McGill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have now read all of the Ren Faire mysteries and am sorry that there won’t be others. The mystery part if them was never what drew me to them (mystery plots were just ok), but I feel great affection for Jessie and Chase, and the color and imagination of the Faire always drew me in.

This last book in the series disappointed me. I missed the usual Faire and its regular characters.

Does anyone have any recommendations for similar books/series?

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatal Fairies is the 8th book in the Renaissance Faire Mystery Series by Joyce and Jim Lavene. This is the first book in the Renaissance Faire Mystery Series that I have read! But, now, I fully intend to read the others in the series. I love reading about the Renaissance Faire Village. If the thought of reading a book with some paranormal elements concerns you, don’t let that prevent you from reading this book. The paranormal aspects within the book flow seamlessly and seem quite normal and they just make the story so much more enjoyable. The bits of paranormal “magic” that occur add to this charm of this book. I know that Jim and Joyce are big fans of Renaissance Fairs and I believe that they must do a lot of their research there as the realism throughout this book is amazingly portrayed and well integrated throughout the story.

“Be careful what you wish for, it might come true.” is an example of a powerful oxymoronic and paradoxical idea. It is as central to human thought and/or experience today as it was centuries ago. Since the beginning of civilization, people have dreamed of fame or wealth or other good fortune. In one of Aesop's most popular fables, Aesop wrote, “We would often be sorry if our wishes were gratified.” Do you believe in Fairy Godmothers? Magic? If not, after reading this story you may believe both are a reality at the Renaissance Faire. What would you do if your Fairy Godmother made your wish come true and everything turned out wrong? Lady Jessie and her husband, Chase Manhattan, will soon be celebrating their anniversary. With the death of Apple Blossom, a fairy at Ren Faire Village, Jessie comes to realize that the plans to celebrate their anniversary are likely going to be abandoned as Chase, the Village Bailiff, will be solely responsible to find the murderer. How can they go on vacation when Chase has to investigate the murder? It’s too bad that Jessie doesn’t heed the warning, “Be careful what you wish for, it might come true.” Soon after making a wish Chase is no longer the Village Bailiff or Jessie’s husband. Jessie is transported into another time where everything is different! Fortunately, there is a way to make it right and reverse Jessie’s wish. It won’t be easy. According to Jessie’s Fairy Godmother, the rules require that she figure out who killed Apple Blossom and get Chase to love her again. Then and only then can the wish be reversed and have everything return to the normal as Jessie knew it. This will be a challenging task as now Jessie is the girlfriend of the old Bailiff in this “new” version of the Village, Jessie must become the Bailiff, and Chase is back with Princess Isabelle. This mystery will keep you guessing until the end. You will enjoying reading about Jessie, Chase and the Village and will not be disappointed.

"Fatal Fairies" skillfully combines fantasy, reality; murder, mayhem, and “can’t put the book down” reading enjoyment! I loved being introduced to the Renaissance Faire Village with Jessie, Chase and all of the other village characters with descriptions so vivid that you feel as if you are there. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a good cozy read with a Renaissance flair and quirky characters. The Laverne’s are superb storytellers. Mystery, humor, romance, with a bit a paranormal are all blended together perfectly. This book has been pure pleasure to read. HUZZAH

Full Disclosure – An advance- copy of this book was sent to me by the authors in hopes I would provide an unbiased, honest review. And to be perfectly honest - I LOVED THIS book!!!!)

[Norma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best tea time read this summer. I found myself taking a deep breath after each chapter. At some point while reading a started to hold my breath. Fatal Fairies jumped right in and never let go. You wanted to help Jessie every step.

The best thing to come out of this for me is, be careful what you wish for. Wording is everything. Joyce and Jim Lavene did a very good job with this book.

If you are reading this series you are in for a treat.


This is my first review ever and the first book that I have read in this series and now I am going to read them all.

I thank Joyce for letting me do 2 things I have never done before. First read a book before it has been published and second give a review.

[Rosa Davila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatal Fairies was a good read. I loved being back at the Renaissance Faire Village with Jessie, Chase and all of the village characters. I like the magical twist that happens to Jessie in this book and I'm curious to see what other magic happens in future books. Thank you Joyce and Jim for writing a great story that transported me to a village I wouldn't mind living in! Eagerly awaiting for the next book in the series!

[Fermentum · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a nice escape read. Loved it.
What would you do if your fairy godmother made your wish come true and it turned out ALL wrong? At least there is a way to make it right..... but it isn't easy. Things have changed since she made that wish. Jessie must figure out WHO the killer is and get Chase to love her again. Then and only then, according to the fairy godmother rules, can the wish be changed back.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Alternate reality, magic, fairy Godmothers and so much more. a very fun read.

[Cheri Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing series ends with book # 8. There is a lot more that can be written in this series.....so many great characters. Wished they had named a successor to write other books in the series before they had passed on in 2016.....but this last book does seem to be a proper ending, though I did not want it to end.....😢

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 STARS

Fatal Fairies is the 8th book in the Renaissance Faire Mystery series. It has a fresh new twist on the series. Jessie Morton makes a wish that she wishes her husband was not the Village Bailiff. Suddenly she is in bed with someone different and she is in a different village. Some of the characters are close to the same others who have died are no longer dead and she is no longer married to Chase.

Jessie wants to have her old life back. She needs to get Chase to fall in love with her again, then she needs to solve the murder with Chases help. She has a fairy godmother to help or hinder as the case maybe.

Jessie in the here & now is in charge of the museum they are doing a exhibit of Fairies. She hates fairies. She has almost been married for a year to Chase the bailiff.

Jessie is changing jobs a lot as she tries to figure things out. She is living with Canyon the Bailiff. Chase is a jousts. His girl friend is Princess Isabel.

Someone murdered Apple Blossom a fairy. Jessie has no interest in helping to figure out who the killer is at first.

Lots of drama, humor, crazy characters and romance along with the Renaissance Faire. Sometimes Jessie says things that make her look crazy and other times she knows things about the other characters that she should not know.

I read this in one sitting. It makes you want to go the a Renaissance Faire and be part of it. I have only read part of this series and want to go back and read more of it,

The setting is a Renaissance Faire. The cast has to act and dress the part while it is open. Most even live in the village full time.

I was given this ebook to read and in return agreed to give a honest review of Fatal Fairies.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

A fairy tale at the Renaissance Faire complete with a fairy godmother! Be careful what you wish for!

Jessie and Chase are getting ready to take a honeymoon when a fairy is killed and throws a kink into their plans. Jessie wished Chase was not the Bailiff at the Renaissance Faire Village and her wish was granted. Sadly that one wish had very adverse effects even erasing their whole relationship their marriage. The fairy that granted wish, Jessie’s fairy godmother, quickly explains that she has to make Chase fall in love with her again and solve the murder of the fairy to have things go back to the way they were.

Another fabulous story from Jim and Joyce Lavene. I must admit I started out being a little mad at this twist at first. I love Jessie and Chase together and I really hate the things that keep them apart. But I really became intrigued by parts of the new village Jessie was in. Some characters that had died were brought back and at the same time had some of the new shops and characters from the last story. It really was a village in limbo that let us see a different side to some of the characters we are familiar with from previous installments and how their lives would have changed had they not met Jessie. The authors label it as an It’s a Wonderful Life experience and it is very easy to see their inspiration play out on the pages.

The Laveve’s have written a charming story that is so much fun to read. Great characters, wonderful mystery, idyllic setting, with humor, romance, and a bit of make believe too.

The entire series is absolutely delightful. Start at the beginning or start with this one. You are going to want to read them all.

[Theresa Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you watched the movie, It's a Wonderful Life, this 8th installment of The Renaissance Faire Mystery Series is reminicint of it. The protagonist in this series, Jessie is anxiously awaiting to start a First Honeymoon vacation with her husband, Chase, who is the Village Bailiff. Unfortunately, there is a delay, a murder in the Village fountain, and Chase does not feel comfortable leaving this murder investigation in the hands of his new assistant. Jessie retreats to their apartment, naps, and upon awakening, she finds herself in a different dimension; a village she does not know. Some of the villagers are the same, but with different personas and her husband Chase is not her husband, nor is he the Village Bailiff, and he is involved with another woman. For Jessie to return to the man and life she loves, she must solve the murder!
Bravo to the Laverne's for this movie/cozy mystery combination.

[Lisa Ks Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Authors Joyce & Jim Lavene have a wonderful way of making a story come to life. In this latest installment of the Renaissance Faire Mystery series I could hear the sounds, smells the scents of enticing food, and see every detail as described. It was just like I was standing in the center of it all.

Magic has been doing all sorts of things at the Ren Faire in the past installments. But this time, everyone’s lives are changed. FATAL FAIRIES was such a fun ride. Leave it to these authors to come up with such an out of the box story for a cozy. 

I really did enjoy this story so much. It’s the perfect addition to an already fantastic series. Filled with fun, mystery, and action, you’ll find yourself engrossed in this book that you’ll be surprised when the ending sneaks up on you like it did me. And what an ending it was!

I’m really looking forward to my next trip to the Renaissance Faire, but only with the Lavenes as my tour guides.

[Jeanette Hammond · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given an advance copy for my honest review. So as you can see I gave it 5 stars. I loved it. The characters of Jessie and Chase are down to earth and someone I would want to be friends with.

Be careful what you wish for - especially if you live in a village filled with fairies, witches, warlocks, fortune tellers, knights who joust, and a King and Queen. Life changes for Jessie when she says 'I wish' and she wakes up and her life as she knew it was gone. Prior to her 'I wish' comment, she and Chase were getting ready to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. Now, with the help of her Guardian Fairy, she has to solve a murder and make Chase fall in love with her again.

Intrigue, murder, romance, and fairy magic enhance all the twists and turns in this book. I thought I had the killer pegged - wasn't even close. So, read this for yourself. You won't be disappointed. Huzzah!

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the great pleasure of reading an advanced copy of Fatal Faries by Joyce and Jim Lavene last evening; I loved it! This is the latest in the Renaissance Faire mystery series and it doesn’t disappoint!.This story will quickly grab your attention and transport you into the Renaissance Village that Jessie, Chase, and the cast of quirky but lovable characters inhabit. The story is fast=paced, with plenty of twists and surprises along the way. There is a lottle something for everyone in this tale from romance, suspense, and a little bit of magic. Joyce and Jim Lavene have a knack for weaving an intresting story, with magical elements. This was a fun and enjoyable read, I can’t wait to see what happens next!

I received an advanced reader’s copy of this book from the author’s in exchange for an honest review.

[Terri Crossley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read several books by Joyce and Jim Lavene and each book takes me on an adventure I will never forget! This is the first book in this series that I have read and I can't wait to go back and read the series from the beginning! Jessie is struggling with her life at the Renaissance Village and wishes that her husband had never taken the job as Bailiff especially after a fairy is killed and it looks like their vacation is going to be ruined! That saying be careful what you wish for definitely applies to this book! With twist and turns and an unexpected plot twist this book is definitely worth reading! I was giving a copy of this book for a fair and honest review! I can't wait to see what new stories these two come up with but I can guarantee I won't be disappointed! I highly recommend this book and all of the books this amazing team writes!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, just love, these fun Renaissance Faire Books. In book 8, Jessie is getting ready to make plans for her first anniversary. Trouble is, Chase is always so busy being the Bailiff. She decides to hire him an assistant. Then, oh no! Apple Blossom, one of the fairies is killed.
Afraid this will spoil their anniversary plans, Jessie makes a wish that Chase was never Bailiff. When this wish is filled by her fairy godmother, Jessie discovers how different life is in the village. Chase is Princess Isabelle's boyfriend, some people who are dead in Jessie's village are still alive in this one, and Jessie no longer runs the museum. She has to find a way to solve the mystery, and make Chase love her again and want to be Bailiff instead of just a jouster. Only then will things return to normal. Will she manage to find the way?

[Eva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed most of the Renaissance Village mysteries, but the last two not so much. Introducing "magic" into the books in the form of dragons, people who are half-dragon, and traveling to an alternate village because of a wish you made has taken this series down a sad and slippery slope. I found that, by the 50th page, I didn't really care if Jessie and Chase ever managed to get back together in the proper village in the proper time or not. If you want to write about a renaissance faire and the people there, then do it. If you want to write about magic and fairy godmothers and other magical things, do that. But PLEASE -- don't blend the two. I think I'm finished with this series, and that is sad because I used to really enjoy them.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be careful what you wish for will have new clarity once you read Fatal Fairies! For those who love going to the Renaissance Faires, this is a book you will want to read. The authors make you feel like you are right there walking the streets alongside all the characters. Beware, once you start, you won't want to put the book down.

This was the first book I've read in this series and I can't wait to read more.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fatal Fairies is the 8th book in the Renaissance Faire Mystery Series by Joyce and Jim Lavene. I am new to this series and found it easy to understand the story without having read the previous stories.

The characters are easy to relate to and are enjoyable.

I enjoyed this book and will be reading the rest of this series.




I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be careful what you wish. Jessie's wish for Chase not to be the bailiff was granted by her fairy godmother. The results were definitely not what Jessie has hoped. Now Jessie is stuck in a alternate Renaissance Village where she and Chase are not a couple. Jessie is a wonderful character who had me cheering for her to get Chase back. I enjoyed this story very much. I have enjoyed all of the Renaissance Faire Mysteries. Once I started reading I couldn't stop. I had to know how it ended.

[Diane ~Firefly~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jessie wishes Chase wasn't Bailiff since their vacation plans are threatened by a murder and ends up in the village where he isn't and they never got together.

What I enjoyed:
* It was interesting seeing some of the changes the wish made, although strange to see characters alive who died in the normal time line
* I think this gave Jessie a better appreciation for Chase's job

What could have been better:
* What kind of fairy godmother grants that kind of wish (especially since it wasn't really serious)?
* The people were pretty callous. When they were talking about a plan to use a fairy as bait to figure out which man was the killer and it was brought up they might not get to her in time, Daisy says when then they will know that person is the killer and Bart is like he can't agree to a plan that might end in murder as he will lose his job???
* The killer was a different person in the two different realities? And Jessie managed to hire a killer/abuser as Chase's assistant?
* I still liked this series better before they added magic

[M. White · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed all of the earlier Renaissance Faire series, but this one was a real disappointment for me. I just do not like the direction the author has gone with all the magical elements: a fairy godmother, random granted wishes, travel back in time to an 'alternate reality', etc. All of the Ren Faire information and details were fascinating and enjoyable, but the new magical elements, not so much.

[Marseydoats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a light fun read, but I didn't like the typeset or the size of the book, it was hard to hold.

[Patricia McNicholas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was my least favorite out of the series

[Laura Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m sure you noticed, but just a warning, this is the 8th book in the series and there may be spoilers.

I’ve not read the other books in this series myself. I’m slowly working through all of these authors books and this is one I haven’t started yet. I couldn’t resist reading this one though.

Imagine going to bed happily married to the man of your dreams and living the life you always wanted. Then you wake up with the wrong man in your bed and nobody remembers your life. It’s all topsy turvy wrong.

That’s what happened to Jessie Morton. One stupid wish in the heat of the moment blew up her happy world and landed her in a mess.

All she wanted was to celebrate the first anniversary of her marriage to Chase Manhattan. But he’s the Renaissance Faire Village Bailiff and when a fairy is murdered she doesn’t want him on the case. A wish that he was no longer bailiff so they can sneak away changed everything.

The fun begins when Jessie must get Chase on the murder case so he can solve the murder. Then things will go back to the way they were and she can have her Happily Ever After.

Shouldn’t be too tough. But that’s an understatement.

To set the record straight, the murdered fairy was really a person in costume. I got a big surprise when it was revealed their were real fairies, witches, and even fairy godmothers in the village. How cool is that?

After some initial confusion while I acquainted myself with this world and the characters, I settled in for a fun mystery and some laughs.

I just knew it wouldn’t be as easy as Jessie thought it would be and the fun was watching her scramble to get people to help her, to convince them she wasn’t crazy, and to solve the murder.

You can read this and enjoy it without having read the other books in the series, but if you’re like me, you’ll want to know how it all began. I plan to go back to the beginning and find out.

I received this book for my honest review.

[Daniele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fatal Fairies is the eighth book in the amazingly prolific writing duo Joyce and Jim Lavene’s Renaissance Faire Mystery series. This was my first book in the series to read, and I thought the alternate universe was a fine place to start. I did not feel lost at all, and I do plan on starting at the beginning of the series to catch up.

Jessie Morton is the director of arts and crafts museum in the Ren Faire, and she is married to the faire’s bailiff Chase Manhattan. It is fairy week, and Jessie cannot wait to get away with Chase for their first wedding anniversary. However, when a fairy called Apple Blossom is found strangled in the fountain, Jessie is afraid they will not be able to leave after all and wishes that Chase was not bailiff. Who knew that Jessie had a fairy godmother that just happened to hear the wish, and Jessie finds herself in an alternate version of her life where she is not married to Chase and everyone and everything is not quite what it should be. In order to set things right, she must convince Chase to be bailiff and that they belong together, and together they must find Apple Blossom’s killer.

I found Fatal Fairies to be a fun, light, paranormal cozy read. It has a little bit of everything: romance, murder, quirky Renaissance characters, and a sprinkle of magic. The take on “It’s a Wonderful Life” was inventive, and I enjoyed reading how Jessie’s one tiny wish changed everything. It gives one pause to think about how much each of us influences those around us. The mystery was satisfactory, and I liked that the perpetrator was different in each reality.

I recommend this to fans of the series, the Lavenes, and those who enjoy cozies.

Disclosure: I received an advance copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. The opinions are my own and not influenced by anyone.