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Superstition Mystery #3
Unlucky Charms
Rory Chasen, manager of the Lucky Dog Boutique in Destiny, California, hopes her new line of good-luck doggy toys will be a hit, especially the stuffed rabbits with extra-large feet. The timing of the line’s debut proves ill-fated, though, as several local shops—including Rory’s—are ransacked and vandalized with spilled salt and other unlucky charms.
The most likely culprit is disgruntled real estate agent Flora Curtival, whose issues with the town give her a motive. But after Flora is murdered and one of Rory’s toy rabbits is found with the body, Rory needs all the luck she can get while trying to determine just who killed the superstitious vandal.
The most likely culprit is disgruntled real estate agent Flora Curtival, whose issues with the town give her a motive. But after Flora is murdered and one of Rory’s toy rabbits is found with the body, Rory needs all the luck she can get while trying to determine just who killed the superstitious vandal.
275 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2016
8 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Linda O. Johnston
132 books464 followersLinda O. Johnston's first published fiction appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and won the Robert L. Fish Memorial Award for Best First Mystery Short Story of the Year. Since then, Linda has had more short stories and novellas published, plus, by the end of 2018, she will have had fifty novels published, including mysteries and romance.
Linda currently writes the Barkery and Biscuits Mysteries cozy mystery series for Midnight Ink, and also wrote the Superstition Mysteries for them, both featuring dogs. She has also written the Pet Rescue Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, which was a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series. And yes, they involved dogs, too.
Linda also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, including a new miniseries about a K-9 ranch where dogs are trained. Linda additionally writes paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne including the Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters--and all the werewolves also have cover dogs.
Linda, a currently inactive transactional attorney, now writes fiction full-time. She is a member of the Los Angeles chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America, including the Los Angeles, Orange County and Santa Clarita chapters.
Linda currently writes the Barkery and Biscuits Mysteries cozy mystery series for Midnight Ink, and also wrote the Superstition Mysteries for them, both featuring dogs. She has also written the Pet Rescue Mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime, which was a spinoff from her Kendra Ballantyne, Pet-Sitter mystery series. And yes, they involved dogs, too.
Linda also writes for Harlequin Romantic Suspense, including a new miniseries about a K-9 ranch where dogs are trained. Linda additionally writes paranormal romance for Harlequin Nocturne including the Alpha Force miniseries about a covert military unit of shapeshifters--and all the werewolves also have cover dogs.
Linda, a currently inactive transactional attorney, now writes fiction full-time. She is a member of the Los Angeles chapters of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime. She is also a member of Romance Writers of America, including the Los Angeles, Orange County and Santa Clarita chapters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 19, 2016
I always love visiting Destiny, California. What could be more fun than a town with shops based on different superstitions? Rory Chasen’s shop, the Lucky Dog Boutique, is really special since it caters to good luck dog toys.
Rory is about to release a brand new line of items when someone breaks into several of the shops, including Rory’s and steals her new line of toys. The really odd thing about all the break-ins is that the lucky charms are all replaced with unlucky charms. Someone is obviously out to put some kind of curse on Destiny and bring bad luck.
Meanwhile, a very pushy real estate agent, Flora Curtival, is putting pressure on Rory and her friend Gemma to buy a home in Destiny. They try to avoid her but it’s not easy. When Flora admits to being the local vandal, she threatens everyone in town and singles out Rory. It’s not long after that Flora is found dead and there’s a whole town of suspects with Rory leading the way.
Rory, and her dog Pluckie, are a great team. With each book I feel like I know her more and more. In fact, I feel as if I know the entire town more and more as it continues to grow and develop. The town is made up of quite a few quirky characters – some are beloved, some not so much but still intriguing to read about.
The author gives us a fast-paced mystery that readers can easily follow along and try to solve. Although it's not an easy mystery to crack - readers are given quite a few red herrings. They all seemed guilty to me.
It’s a captivating series that makes you want to keep coming back for more.
FTC Disclosure: The author and NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Rory is about to release a brand new line of items when someone breaks into several of the shops, including Rory’s and steals her new line of toys. The really odd thing about all the break-ins is that the lucky charms are all replaced with unlucky charms. Someone is obviously out to put some kind of curse on Destiny and bring bad luck.
Meanwhile, a very pushy real estate agent, Flora Curtival, is putting pressure on Rory and her friend Gemma to buy a home in Destiny. They try to avoid her but it’s not easy. When Flora admits to being the local vandal, she threatens everyone in town and singles out Rory. It’s not long after that Flora is found dead and there’s a whole town of suspects with Rory leading the way.
Rory, and her dog Pluckie, are a great team. With each book I feel like I know her more and more. In fact, I feel as if I know the entire town more and more as it continues to grow and develop. The town is made up of quite a few quirky characters – some are beloved, some not so much but still intriguing to read about.
The author gives us a fast-paced mystery that readers can easily follow along and try to solve. Although it's not an easy mystery to crack - readers are given quite a few red herrings. They all seemed guilty to me.
It’s a captivating series that makes you want to keep coming back for more.
FTC Disclosure: The author and NetGalley provided me with a copy of this book to review. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 13, 2016
This series is a lucky charm to author Linda O. Johnston, and UNLUCKY CHARMS is evidence of why!
This third installment in Linda O. Johnston’s Superstition Mysteries is the best of the bunch, which seems to make three a lucky number for the author. In reality, luck has nothing to do with it. Its Johnston’s talent as a writer that makes this series, and UNLUCKY CHARMS the successes they are.
The idea of a town that make its tourist trade, and its way of life through superstition is a fresh and fun idea. The names of the shops are adorable, and the cast of quirky characters are a joy to read. I’ve loved watching the characters evolve and grow over three books. And the research author Johnston has done on superstition is amazing! I never knew just how many different ones there are, or the amount of charms that exist.
In UNLUCKY CHARMS, the local shops are vandalized and have things considered as unlucky charms left behind. It turns out to be very lucky for the main suspect who ends up dead.
This was an excellent story from beginning to end, with a fascinating mystery that had me stumped. It would have taken several good luck charms for me to figure out whodunit and why.
Pick up a copy of UNLUCKY CHARMS. It might just be bad luck if you don’t. ;-)
This third installment in Linda O. Johnston’s Superstition Mysteries is the best of the bunch, which seems to make three a lucky number for the author. In reality, luck has nothing to do with it. Its Johnston’s talent as a writer that makes this series, and UNLUCKY CHARMS the successes they are.
The idea of a town that make its tourist trade, and its way of life through superstition is a fresh and fun idea. The names of the shops are adorable, and the cast of quirky characters are a joy to read. I’ve loved watching the characters evolve and grow over three books. And the research author Johnston has done on superstition is amazing! I never knew just how many different ones there are, or the amount of charms that exist.
In UNLUCKY CHARMS, the local shops are vandalized and have things considered as unlucky charms left behind. It turns out to be very lucky for the main suspect who ends up dead.
This was an excellent story from beginning to end, with a fascinating mystery that had me stumped. It would have taken several good luck charms for me to figure out whodunit and why.
Pick up a copy of UNLUCKY CHARMS. It might just be bad luck if you don’t. ;-)
October 8, 2016
A light reading cozy mystery set in the town of Destiny, California. A tourist destination that thrives on the belief of superstitions. Rory Chasen, manager of the Lucky Dog Boutique is the main suspect in the murder of Flora Curtival. Flora informed the town that she was responsible for the break-ins and destruction of the Good Luck symbols. She named Rory as a person who caused her grief. Rory and the Police of Chief, Justin's romance continue to grow. I was disturb over the handling of dogs and cats, it was so different. I am not a believer in Superstitions so I found it hard to relate.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Midnight Ink through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Midnight Ink through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.
October 10, 2016
Unlucky Charms is a cute cozy mystery set in the quirkiest of quirky towns! I’ve read some “cozy mysteries” lately that didn’t really fit the formula, but this one hit the spot and renewed my faith in the genre.
The town of Destiny is built on superstitions, and all the businesses are named accordingly. For instance, the Broken Mirrors Bookstore or the HeadsUp Penny Gift Shop or the Lucky Dog Boutique. I did find that this aspect of the book went a bit overboard – a little too much finger crossing and knocking on wood and watching for cracks in the sidewalk. I mean… at first it’s cute and quirky. But after the tenth reference to a superstition in so many pages (at least) or a silly phrase/gesture to ward them off, it grew more than a bit old. We get it. The town believes in superstitions to the point of holding informational seminars for tourists hoping to avoid bad luck during their stay…. we get that they’re being uber careful about everything.
But therein lies the rub. Because someone isn’t being uber careful. And this is the crux of the mystery. At least partially. Because the crime that takes up about a third of the book does not end up being the main crime under investigation after all. This allows the reader to truly invest in the story before the more major crime occurs; it engages you in the town, the characters, the problem they’re having , etc. A unique technique employed successfully!
And let’s just talk about the romance for a minute. Justin and Rory aren’t really supposed to be together much right now, thanks to the investigation, but Justin doesn’t really let that stop him. He and Rory are a sweet couple and their kisses are ooh-la-la nice!
Bottom Line: Unlucky Charms is ideal for dog lovers, for mystery fans, and for anyone who loves a quirky small-town setting. The mystery is well-done (both of them!) and kept me guessing all the way to the end. And the romance adds just the right amount to the story without overpowering it. There are several occasions where the writing felt a little awkward – misplaced modifiers, etc – but overall this is a great choice for cozy mystery fans!
Reviewer’s Note: There are a very very few minor curse words scattered throughout this novel and the coy implication of intimate scenes but no details, explicit or otherwise.
see my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
The town of Destiny is built on superstitions, and all the businesses are named accordingly. For instance, the Broken Mirrors Bookstore or the HeadsUp Penny Gift Shop or the Lucky Dog Boutique. I did find that this aspect of the book went a bit overboard – a little too much finger crossing and knocking on wood and watching for cracks in the sidewalk. I mean… at first it’s cute and quirky. But after the tenth reference to a superstition in so many pages (at least) or a silly phrase/gesture to ward them off, it grew more than a bit old. We get it. The town believes in superstitions to the point of holding informational seminars for tourists hoping to avoid bad luck during their stay…. we get that they’re being uber careful about everything.
But therein lies the rub. Because someone isn’t being uber careful. And this is the crux of the mystery. At least partially. Because the crime that takes up about a third of the book does not end up being the main crime under investigation after all. This allows the reader to truly invest in the story before the more major crime occurs; it engages you in the town, the characters, the problem they’re having , etc. A unique technique employed successfully!
And let’s just talk about the romance for a minute. Justin and Rory aren’t really supposed to be together much right now, thanks to the investigation, but Justin doesn’t really let that stop him. He and Rory are a sweet couple and their kisses are ooh-la-la nice!
Bottom Line: Unlucky Charms is ideal for dog lovers, for mystery fans, and for anyone who loves a quirky small-town setting. The mystery is well-done (both of them!) and kept me guessing all the way to the end. And the romance adds just the right amount to the story without overpowering it. There are several occasions where the writing felt a little awkward – misplaced modifiers, etc – but overall this is a great choice for cozy mystery fans!
Reviewer’s Note: There are a very very few minor curse words scattered throughout this novel and the coy implication of intimate scenes but no details, explicit or otherwise.
see my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower
May 6, 2016
Rory Chasen lives in Destiny, California a place where good luck is a way of life, literally. Heads-up pennies are scattered on the sidewalks, everyone knocks on wood, and fingers crossed is as common as buying a cup of coffee. Rory is the manager of The Lucky Dog, a store that specializes in "lucky" items for your pet. Rory has just created her own line of lucky dog accessories and she hopes they will be a huge success. Unfortunately someone is trying to reverse the good luck in Destiny by breaking into the local businesses and stealing the good luck items and replacing them with bad luck items instead.
When a local business woman winds up dead, her good luck having run out, of course, it seems Rory is the prime suspect and it's going to take a whole lot of good luck to get her untangled from the giant mess she is in.
This is the first book in this series that I have read and I think it was really unique. I am very familiar with this authors other works and this book was just as good. It was interesting to read about a town built on superstitions and the characters were very believable. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review.
When a local business woman winds up dead, her good luck having run out, of course, it seems Rory is the prime suspect and it's going to take a whole lot of good luck to get her untangled from the giant mess she is in.
This is the first book in this series that I have read and I think it was really unique. I am very familiar with this authors other works and this book was just as good. It was interesting to read about a town built on superstitions and the characters were very believable. I look forward to reading the other books in this series.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review.
September 21, 2016
I loved the cover and thought this would be perfect for my tastes in reading, but the story proved to be a challenge for me to pay attention to.
Try as I might, I just couldn't feel any connection with the main character. I liked the shop names and the idea for the story, but the mystery was slow moving and I just didn't feel like it compelled me to keep reading. I did, eventually, finish the book, but not without many breaks in between.
I think this book would be great for someone who wants a slower developing mystery and anyone who really enjoys superstition, but it just wasn't the one for me.
This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
Try as I might, I just couldn't feel any connection with the main character. I liked the shop names and the idea for the story, but the mystery was slow moving and I just didn't feel like it compelled me to keep reading. I did, eventually, finish the book, but not without many breaks in between.
I think this book would be great for someone who wants a slower developing mystery and anyone who really enjoys superstition, but it just wasn't the one for me.
This review is based on a complementary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.
October 12, 2016
Rory runs the Lucky Dog Boutique in Destiny, CA. When someone starts breaking into local shops and leaving bad luck symbols in their wake, no one wants to talk about it for fear of bringing down even more bad luck on the town. After the real-estate agent who has been trying to find Rory the perfect home confesses to the vandalism and is subsequently murdered, Rory decides it is time to investigate.
Destiny is a quaint, almost fairy-tale like town where superstitions are real and good luck charms are a necessity. I might not like to live there, but it is fun to visit for a while!
Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Destiny is a quaint, almost fairy-tale like town where superstitions are real and good luck charms are a necessity. I might not like to live there, but it is fun to visit for a while!
Note: I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 9, 2017
Title: Unlucky Charms - Superstition Mystery Book 3
Author: Linda O. Johnston
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Published: 10-8-2016
Pages: 290
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Supernatural; Amateur Sleuths; Cozy Mystery
ISBN: 9780738745558
ASIN: B02APSYQ5G
Reviewed For NetGalley and Midnight Ink
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4 Stars
Poor Rory can't seem to catch a break as her shop, Lucky Dog Boutique and several others in the area are vandalized. The burglar left behind plenty of unlucky charms to worry Rory as she has a new line of toys debuting in her shop soon. When the suspected culprit is later found dead with one of the toys near her Rory is going to need more than a rabbit with oversized feet to bring her luck.
Fun zany characters and not just the pets keep this story hopping. Told with descriptive prose to bring a clear picture of the scenes to the readers mind's eye, "Unlucky charms does charm the reader. Although there are a couple of times the superstition references seemed a bit forced it still made me smile as I read this book. I don't know what exactly what made it a bit slow at times, but I did n=find that I didn't mind walking away to finish dinner or check on the laundry as I usually do. That being said I will be looking to read the installment of the misadventures of Rory and the town of Destiny.
My rating of "Unlucky Charms" is 4 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01APSYQ5G/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unlu...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
Author: Linda O. Johnston
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Published: 10-8-2016
Pages: 290
Genre: Mystery, Thrillers & Suspense
Sub-Genre: Supernatural; Amateur Sleuths; Cozy Mystery
ISBN: 9780738745558
ASIN: B02APSYQ5G
Reviewed For NetGalley and Midnight Ink
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 4 Stars
Poor Rory can't seem to catch a break as her shop, Lucky Dog Boutique and several others in the area are vandalized. The burglar left behind plenty of unlucky charms to worry Rory as she has a new line of toys debuting in her shop soon. When the suspected culprit is later found dead with one of the toys near her Rory is going to need more than a rabbit with oversized feet to bring her luck.
Fun zany characters and not just the pets keep this story hopping. Told with descriptive prose to bring a clear picture of the scenes to the readers mind's eye, "Unlucky charms does charm the reader. Although there are a couple of times the superstition references seemed a bit forced it still made me smile as I read this book. I don't know what exactly what made it a bit slow at times, but I did n=find that I didn't mind walking away to finish dinner or check on the laundry as I usually do. That being said I will be looking to read the installment of the misadventures of Rory and the town of Destiny.
My rating of "Unlucky Charms" is 4 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01APSYQ5G/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unlu...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
October 31, 2016
It is animals that first drew me to Linda O. Johnston's writing and although they are not the primary focus of Unlucky Charms, the dogs play a vital role in the book and they stole my heart. Rory has settle pretty well in Destiny and into her job as manager of the pet store. There is a lovely warmth among Rory and her new friends that helps hold the story together.
Although she crosses her fingers and knocks on wood, Rory isn't sure how much she buys into the town's firm stand on luck and superstition that is the basis of their tourist industry. Someone seems to be using those beliefs to frighten the business owners when the villain not only breaks into local businesses, but leaves behind symbols of bad luck.
A specific belief that she has trouble accepting is the mayor's edict that it is bad luck to talk about the break in's. She understands that word getting out to the tourists might be bad luck for the businesses, but she suspects that it could be bad luck for the unwitting business owners if they don't know to prepare themselves for the thefts. Bad luck grows for one person; I guess in Destiny murder would be considered bad luck. When Rory becomes the focus of the investigation, she feels that her luck has turned pretty rotten, too.
The theft and murder plot were intriguing and challenging. I especially enjoyed the people and pets of the community but the emphasis on luck, while fun at first, began to feel heavy handed and repetitive and that made the pace seem a little slow. Not Ms. Johnston's best book but there were so many elements that I did enjoy that I think most fans of cozy mysteries would enjoy it as much as I did.
I requested of copy of this book through NetGalley and I reviewed it voluntarily.
Although she crosses her fingers and knocks on wood, Rory isn't sure how much she buys into the town's firm stand on luck and superstition that is the basis of their tourist industry. Someone seems to be using those beliefs to frighten the business owners when the villain not only breaks into local businesses, but leaves behind symbols of bad luck.
A specific belief that she has trouble accepting is the mayor's edict that it is bad luck to talk about the break in's. She understands that word getting out to the tourists might be bad luck for the businesses, but she suspects that it could be bad luck for the unwitting business owners if they don't know to prepare themselves for the thefts. Bad luck grows for one person; I guess in Destiny murder would be considered bad luck. When Rory becomes the focus of the investigation, she feels that her luck has turned pretty rotten, too.
The theft and murder plot were intriguing and challenging. I especially enjoyed the people and pets of the community but the emphasis on luck, while fun at first, began to feel heavy handed and repetitive and that made the pace seem a little slow. Not Ms. Johnston's best book but there were so many elements that I did enjoy that I think most fans of cozy mysteries would enjoy it as much as I did.
I requested of copy of this book through NetGalley and I reviewed it voluntarily.
September 13, 2018
Rory Chasen is the manager for The Lucky Dog Boutique and has created a new line of dog toys which she is hoping will be a hit. Unfortunately, the debut of the new product line is overshadowed by a vandal who is ransacking the local shops and leaving unlucky charms behind. Then the local real estate agent who has issues with the townspeople has been found murdered with one of Roby’s toy rabbits nearby. That is the last thing Rory needs, so she takes it upon herself to find the murderer and bring order back to her superstitious town.
My thoughts on the book: The superstitions aspect of the town gives its claim to fame, but I found that it was going a little overboard with all the rituals and worry about bad luck. While it is a clever idea and not used before in any cozies I have read, I thought the author needed to reel it in a little bit. Other than that, I found the character of Rory was very well written, the storyline flowed very well, there was a good amount of twists and turns, and had just the right amount of quirkiness often found in cozies.
My thoughts on the book: The superstitions aspect of the town gives its claim to fame, but I found that it was going a little overboard with all the rituals and worry about bad luck. While it is a clever idea and not used before in any cozies I have read, I thought the author needed to reel it in a little bit. Other than that, I found the character of Rory was very well written, the storyline flowed very well, there was a good amount of twists and turns, and had just the right amount of quirkiness often found in cozies.
July 23, 2018
Sometimes I find Rory to be an annoying amateur detective and other times more on the ball than most people in Destiny. Can't understand why one detective always accuses her of murder and then deals with closing the case after she purposefully or not-on-purpose reveals the actual killer. This bit is getting old and I hope the author will expand beyond this limited thinking. This series has the potential to be more than hokey but so far hasn't taken the steps to get there.
July 10, 2017
Ho hum... it kept me reading. Good character development but pretty basic writing. There was even a mistake in the end where it says Martha was the person Rory helped get out of a murder charge. It was Gemma. Very odd unless I am reading something wrong this is not a mistake that should make it past editing?? Just ok.
June 11, 2017
This was an interesting 2nd book of the unlucky portion. She now owns the shop and is trying out new products to get more customers in the door. Interesting timing, characters, and the plot is good.
March 7, 2017
This book started very slowly but the ending brought about surprises. The characters were interesting, the setting was California, and the ending was cute.
February 22, 2018
Interesting series
September 29, 2016
**I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review**
I had such high hopes for this book. It wasn't bad, just not quite what I was expecting. The story was slower than what I'm used to, and it went on a bit too much about superstitions. I understand that the town takes superstitions seriously, but it felt excessive even knowing that. Any time that I thought the story was picking up, the action fizzled out fast. The climax was a little anticlimactic, but I was shocked by who the killer was.
I had such high hopes for this book. It wasn't bad, just not quite what I was expecting. The story was slower than what I'm used to, and it went on a bit too much about superstitions. I understand that the town takes superstitions seriously, but it felt excessive even knowing that. Any time that I thought the story was picking up, the action fizzled out fast. The climax was a little anticlimactic, but I was shocked by who the killer was.
February 11, 2017
Unlucky Charms is the third book in the Superstition Mystery series by Linda O. Johnston. I did not read the first two books, Lost Under a Ladder and Knock on Wood but feel like I was able to catch up pretty quickly with the characters and small town atmosphere.
Rory Chasen, manager of the Lucky Dog Boutique in Destiny, California, hopes her new line of good-luck doggy toys will be a hit, especially the stuffed rabbits with extra-large feet. The timing of the line’s debut proves ill-fated, though, as several local shops—including Rory’s—are ransacked and vandalized with spilled salt and other unlucky charms.The most likely culprit is disgruntled real estate agent Flora Curtival, whose issues with the town give her a motive. But after Flora is murdered and one of Rory’s toy rabbits is found with the body, Rory needs all the luck she can get while trying to determine just who killed the superstitious vandal.
Unlucky Charms is a book with play of mystery, and for those that have read the previous books, some interesting character development. Not having read the earlier books I found the quicks of the town and Rory's relationships to be a bit flat or odd. I like that the mystery was more complex than I expected, but I did to like that Rory seemed to be as uncertain about her life and the mysteries that she was trying to solve as the reader. I did like that I was surprised with the identity of Flora's killer- even though I had my concerns about that character's story. However, it felt like Rory was more surprised than I was. I like a main character that is at least a little more clever than I, and definitely more entertaining. I think I could be friends with Rory, but she never really brought the book to the level that I was looking for. It was a good read- but it never really captured me.
Unlucky Charms is an interesting mystery, with lots of surprises for the reader. If you liked the previous books in the series then you are likely to enjoy this one as well. However, it was not fantastic, and did not make me want to go bad and read the previous books. It was good, but unfortunately not enough to garner a new fan.
Rory Chasen, manager of the Lucky Dog Boutique in Destiny, California, hopes her new line of good-luck doggy toys will be a hit, especially the stuffed rabbits with extra-large feet. The timing of the line’s debut proves ill-fated, though, as several local shops—including Rory’s—are ransacked and vandalized with spilled salt and other unlucky charms.The most likely culprit is disgruntled real estate agent Flora Curtival, whose issues with the town give her a motive. But after Flora is murdered and one of Rory’s toy rabbits is found with the body, Rory needs all the luck she can get while trying to determine just who killed the superstitious vandal.
Unlucky Charms is a book with play of mystery, and for those that have read the previous books, some interesting character development. Not having read the earlier books I found the quicks of the town and Rory's relationships to be a bit flat or odd. I like that the mystery was more complex than I expected, but I did to like that Rory seemed to be as uncertain about her life and the mysteries that she was trying to solve as the reader. I did like that I was surprised with the identity of Flora's killer- even though I had my concerns about that character's story. However, it felt like Rory was more surprised than I was. I like a main character that is at least a little more clever than I, and definitely more entertaining. I think I could be friends with Rory, but she never really brought the book to the level that I was looking for. It was a good read- but it never really captured me.
Unlucky Charms is an interesting mystery, with lots of surprises for the reader. If you liked the previous books in the series then you are likely to enjoy this one as well. However, it was not fantastic, and did not make me want to go bad and read the previous books. It was good, but unfortunately not enough to garner a new fan.
October 9, 2016
Unlucky Charms by Linda O. Johnston is the third book in A Superstition Mystery series. Rory Chasen is doing a presentation before the town in Destiny, California. Rory is telling the town about her new line of good luck pet toys (she is going to need some good luck). One of the new toys is Richy the Rabbit. It has an extra-large back foot (for good luck). The next morning, Rory heads to work at the Lucky Dog Boutique and finds it has been ransacked. The robber stole all of her new toys and left behind some bad luck in the form of spilled salt and broken mirrors. It turns out that this is not the first robbery in Destiny. Mayor Bevin Dermot (who dresses like a leprechaun) comes by to visit Rory and Martha. He issues an edict that they cannot talk about the robberies (not among themselves, employees, friends or other shop owners). Mayor Dermot wants to make sure that Destiny’s luck keeps flowing in a positive direction. Rory is unsettled by these thefts and is determined to catch the culprit. She does not like that someone is harming her friends and fellow shop owners. After some investigating, Rory believes she knows who is responsible. Before the person can confronted, she is found dead with Richy the Rabbit shoved in her mouth. It is pushy real estate agent, Flora Curtival, who moved to town about a month ago. Rory ends up being the number one suspect and it puts her boyfriend, Justin Halberton (Chief of Police) in a bit of a bind. Rory sets out to find the real killer to clear her name and restore good luck to the town.
I had a hard time finishing Unlucky Charms. The mystery was okay, but the rest of the book was ridiculous. I can understand a town using superstitions to lure in tourists (clever scheme). But I do not see every citizen buying into the superstitions (they knocked wood frequently, avoid black cats, etc.). Rory is a hard character to like. She is very focused on herself. The book is written in the first person and every other sentence started with “I”. The mystery was not the dominant part of the book. Superstitions took precedence and the information was repeated over and over (it is crammed down the reader’s throat). Some of the superstitions are interesting (writer did good research), but there were too many. The romance portion of the book is rushed as is the ending (it was anti-climactic). Then we have Rory trying to decide to stay at the Rainbow B&B or buy a house, apartment, or condo. Rory knows she cannot live there forever, but she has no clue what she wants (as she states frequently). I thought the killer was obvious. I was hoping it was not this person, but I was disappointed again (I wanted to be surprised or shocked). I give Unlucky Charms 2.5 out of 5 stars. This series had potential. It is a unique idea, but I did not like the finished product. I will not be able to continue with this series. Thanks to Midnight Ink and NetGalley for a copy of the book.
I had a hard time finishing Unlucky Charms. The mystery was okay, but the rest of the book was ridiculous. I can understand a town using superstitions to lure in tourists (clever scheme). But I do not see every citizen buying into the superstitions (they knocked wood frequently, avoid black cats, etc.). Rory is a hard character to like. She is very focused on herself. The book is written in the first person and every other sentence started with “I”. The mystery was not the dominant part of the book. Superstitions took precedence and the information was repeated over and over (it is crammed down the reader’s throat). Some of the superstitions are interesting (writer did good research), but there were too many. The romance portion of the book is rushed as is the ending (it was anti-climactic). Then we have Rory trying to decide to stay at the Rainbow B&B or buy a house, apartment, or condo. Rory knows she cannot live there forever, but she has no clue what she wants (as she states frequently). I thought the killer was obvious. I was hoping it was not this person, but I was disappointed again (I wanted to be surprised or shocked). I give Unlucky Charms 2.5 out of 5 stars. This series had potential. It is a unique idea, but I did not like the finished product. I will not be able to continue with this series. Thanks to Midnight Ink and NetGalley for a copy of the book.
October 18, 2016
Rory Chasen moved to Destiny, California after her fiance Warren stepped under a ladder and was killed. In her grief, she wanted to find some reason why; if there was any truth to the superstition that to do so was bad luck. Destiny, it seems, is a virtual haven of a town for superstitious people. All the shops sell items that are rumored to be lucky, and the inhabitants never miss an opportunity to cross their fingers or knock on wood to protect themselves from bad luck. It's even become a tourist destination due to its reputation. Now Rory's so taken with the town that she's decided to stay.
But she isn't happy at the moment because a pushy real estate agent, Flora Curtival, seems to be stalking her, trying to get Rory and her friend Gemma into a new home and out of the B&B in which they currently reside. Although Rory intends to move eventually, she isn't in the market for a new home at present, but Flora won't take no for an answer.
Also, while the people in Destiny think it's bad luck to discuss it, Rory learns that several of the local businesses have been vandalized - some of their merchandise has disappeared and unlucky symbols left in place. She discovers this first hand when she arrives one morning at the shop she manages, The Lucky Dog, to find that all the new 'lucky dog' merchandise she's designed and just stocked has been stolen, with unlucky symbols such as spilled salt, all over the shop.
When Flora is found murdered, and Rory's stolen dog toys strewn about, she becomes the chief suspect in the murder, especially since Flora had especially singled her out for revenge; and it doesn't help that she's having a hard time figuring out the murderer because everyone believes it is bad luck to talk about it. Plus, with her relationship with police chief Justin Halbertson heating up, Rory is determined to find the killer and get her life back on track. But since it appears - at least to her - that she's the only suspect, she enlists the help of the owners of the local newspaper to assist her in a covert operation to find the real killer and get him - or her - to confess to the crime before Rory's luck runs out...
The premise of this series is interesting, and is why I began reading it. While it makes for an interesting idea - the town of Destiny is full of residents that are truly superstitious - I don't believe it's realistic, at least not to the point that these residents are; they go out of their way to avoid anything that might bring them bad luck, and everything Rory thought came back to a superstition, even as she was proclaiming that she wasn't sure she believed in them or not.
However, this was a quick, enjoyable read that had a steady flow and I was able to finish it in one sitting. Everything came together nicely at the end, and it was completely satisfactory, making for a decent mystery. Recommended.
But she isn't happy at the moment because a pushy real estate agent, Flora Curtival, seems to be stalking her, trying to get Rory and her friend Gemma into a new home and out of the B&B in which they currently reside. Although Rory intends to move eventually, she isn't in the market for a new home at present, but Flora won't take no for an answer.
Also, while the people in Destiny think it's bad luck to discuss it, Rory learns that several of the local businesses have been vandalized - some of their merchandise has disappeared and unlucky symbols left in place. She discovers this first hand when she arrives one morning at the shop she manages, The Lucky Dog, to find that all the new 'lucky dog' merchandise she's designed and just stocked has been stolen, with unlucky symbols such as spilled salt, all over the shop.
When Flora is found murdered, and Rory's stolen dog toys strewn about, she becomes the chief suspect in the murder, especially since Flora had especially singled her out for revenge; and it doesn't help that she's having a hard time figuring out the murderer because everyone believes it is bad luck to talk about it. Plus, with her relationship with police chief Justin Halbertson heating up, Rory is determined to find the killer and get her life back on track. But since it appears - at least to her - that she's the only suspect, she enlists the help of the owners of the local newspaper to assist her in a covert operation to find the real killer and get him - or her - to confess to the crime before Rory's luck runs out...
The premise of this series is interesting, and is why I began reading it. While it makes for an interesting idea - the town of Destiny is full of residents that are truly superstitious - I don't believe it's realistic, at least not to the point that these residents are; they go out of their way to avoid anything that might bring them bad luck, and everything Rory thought came back to a superstition, even as she was proclaiming that she wasn't sure she believed in them or not.
However, this was a quick, enjoyable read that had a steady flow and I was able to finish it in one sitting. Everything came together nicely at the end, and it was completely satisfactory, making for a decent mystery. Recommended.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2016
Unlucky Charms is the third book in Linda O. Johnston's Superstition Mystery series. This installment finds many of the businesses in Destiny, CA being broken into and littered with charms that aren't so lucky. Upside-down horseshoes, carelessly spilled salt, and other vandalism that has the town on edge. When the burglar/vandal confesses in an unorthodox manner, all the cops need to do now is find her. Unfortunately, her dead body is found the next day and it is surrounded by some of the items that were stolen from Lucky Dog Boutique - Rory's recently designed pet toys. Now Rory's a main suspect who must clear her name before more bad luck descends on her and Destiny.
As this is the third book in the series, I found all of the "knocking on wood" and other superstitious activities to go overboard in Unlucky Charms. I know that superstitions are the town's claim to fame, as well as the underlying theme of the series, but I just thought there were too many references. It seems almost fanatical to me and I didn't feel that way about the first two books in the series.
I did like the book despite the overuse of superstitious phrases. Rory is continues to be a strong, likable character. She works hard and take pride in running the Lucky Dog Boutique. Her interactions with other townspeople are realistic and believable. Rory's character continues to develop and evolve as she is able to move further away from the death of her fiance, Warren. She doesn't forget about him but she isn't allowing her feelings for him or his death to cloud her ability to move forward.
The mystery was unique in that the person involved in the break-ins identified herself and was then murdered. I like that the story developed a bit first - the book didn't begin with the death right away, other events occurred prior. The murder scene also sets up Rory as the killer and she must work hard and diligently to clear her name and bring the real murder to justice - with or without the help of the police.
If you're looking for an easy read then look no further. Linda O. Johnston's Superstition Mystery series will keep you on your toes. The characters are likable and written with emotion and depth. The mysteries are engaging and the author tosses in a few red herrings to help disguise the true suspect(s). I have enjoyed all of the books in the series so far.
I voluntarily reviewed this ARC copy.
As this is the third book in the series, I found all of the "knocking on wood" and other superstitious activities to go overboard in Unlucky Charms. I know that superstitions are the town's claim to fame, as well as the underlying theme of the series, but I just thought there were too many references. It seems almost fanatical to me and I didn't feel that way about the first two books in the series.
I did like the book despite the overuse of superstitious phrases. Rory is continues to be a strong, likable character. She works hard and take pride in running the Lucky Dog Boutique. Her interactions with other townspeople are realistic and believable. Rory's character continues to develop and evolve as she is able to move further away from the death of her fiance, Warren. She doesn't forget about him but she isn't allowing her feelings for him or his death to cloud her ability to move forward.
The mystery was unique in that the person involved in the break-ins identified herself and was then murdered. I like that the story developed a bit first - the book didn't begin with the death right away, other events occurred prior. The murder scene also sets up Rory as the killer and she must work hard and diligently to clear her name and bring the real murder to justice - with or without the help of the police.
If you're looking for an easy read then look no further. Linda O. Johnston's Superstition Mystery series will keep you on your toes. The characters are likable and written with emotion and depth. The mysteries are engaging and the author tosses in a few red herrings to help disguise the true suspect(s). I have enjoyed all of the books in the series so far.
I voluntarily reviewed this ARC copy.
September 8, 2016
**I received a copy of this upcoming book from Midnight Ink via NetGalley in exchange for a fair, honest review**
Superstitions, both lucky and unlucky, abound in this new cozy mystery by Linda Johnston. Unlucky Charms is the 3rd book in the Superstition Mystery series.
Rory Chasen manages the Lucky Dog Boutique in Destiny, CA. She has developed a new line of lucky dog toys -- a white rabbit with extra large lucky paws, black cats and dogs, ladybugs, woodpeckers, dalmations -- each cute, cartoony design chosen for its superstitious reputation for bringing luck. Just as she unveils her new line of lucky toys, bad luck comes to Destiny. Several businesses are vandalized and robbed, and bad luck left behind by the culprits. The shards of broken mirrors and spilled salt are barely swept up off the floor of the local businesses when a real estate agent is found murdered, with one of Rory's lucky rabbit toys alongside her body. As a suspect in the case, Rory knows she has to quickly identify the killer before all her good luck runs out.
This was a cute, fun read. A town built around superstitions was a unique story-line for a cozy mystery, but not very realistic. But, realism isn't really a requirement in a cozy....so I just read for pure enjoyment and entertainment. Rory is a likable main character. The other residents of Destiny are quirky and fun. The mystery was simple, yet engaging. The plot was a bit formula, but the unique theme saved it from becoming old-hat. All in all, an enjoyable afternoon read!
This is the first book I have read in this series. I was able to jump right in and enjoy the story. So it isn't necessary to read this series in order.
Unlucky Charms releases October 8th, just in time for the Halloween season!
For more information on this series and author Linda Johnston, check out her website: www.lindaojohnston.com
Superstitions, both lucky and unlucky, abound in this new cozy mystery by Linda Johnston. Unlucky Charms is the 3rd book in the Superstition Mystery series.
Rory Chasen manages the Lucky Dog Boutique in Destiny, CA. She has developed a new line of lucky dog toys -- a white rabbit with extra large lucky paws, black cats and dogs, ladybugs, woodpeckers, dalmations -- each cute, cartoony design chosen for its superstitious reputation for bringing luck. Just as she unveils her new line of lucky toys, bad luck comes to Destiny. Several businesses are vandalized and robbed, and bad luck left behind by the culprits. The shards of broken mirrors and spilled salt are barely swept up off the floor of the local businesses when a real estate agent is found murdered, with one of Rory's lucky rabbit toys alongside her body. As a suspect in the case, Rory knows she has to quickly identify the killer before all her good luck runs out.
This was a cute, fun read. A town built around superstitions was a unique story-line for a cozy mystery, but not very realistic. But, realism isn't really a requirement in a cozy....so I just read for pure enjoyment and entertainment. Rory is a likable main character. The other residents of Destiny are quirky and fun. The mystery was simple, yet engaging. The plot was a bit formula, but the unique theme saved it from becoming old-hat. All in all, an enjoyable afternoon read!
This is the first book I have read in this series. I was able to jump right in and enjoy the story. So it isn't necessary to read this series in order.
Unlucky Charms releases October 8th, just in time for the Halloween season!
For more information on this series and author Linda Johnston, check out her website: www.lindaojohnston.com
October 9, 2016
UNLUCKY CHARMS by Linda O. Johnston
The Third Superstition Mystery
There's a crime spree occurring in Destiny, California. Not only are store being ransacked, but things of an unlucky nature are left behind. While the mayor wants to keep things quiet, saying it'll bring bad luck to talk about it, Rory feels she has no choice but to talk with other shopkeepers once the Lucky Dog Boutique is hit and the prototypes for her new line of good luck doggy toys are stolen. Crime escalates from vandalism to murder, however, when pushy real estate agent Flora Curtival is found dead with one of Rory's special toys by her. With Rory as prime suspect, her budding relationship with Destiny's Chief of Police becomes more complicated. Could Justin really doubt her? Can she prove her innocence?
Johnston brings us back to the unique town that prides itself on superstitions in her third entry in the Superstition Mystery series. The mystery itself is nicely complex with lots of suspects, interesting motives, and red herrings to spice things up. I love the idea of superstitions and learning about new ones, however information is reiterated a bit too much for my taste.
There's a fine mystery inside UNLUCKY CHARMS and a cute good luck dog in Pluckie. Destiny assists Rory with the loss of Walter by providing her with a new family, relocating a best friend, and perhaps ushering in a new love. Rory needs to concentrate on the good instead of trying to determine if superstitions killed her fiance.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The Third Superstition Mystery
There's a crime spree occurring in Destiny, California. Not only are store being ransacked, but things of an unlucky nature are left behind. While the mayor wants to keep things quiet, saying it'll bring bad luck to talk about it, Rory feels she has no choice but to talk with other shopkeepers once the Lucky Dog Boutique is hit and the prototypes for her new line of good luck doggy toys are stolen. Crime escalates from vandalism to murder, however, when pushy real estate agent Flora Curtival is found dead with one of Rory's special toys by her. With Rory as prime suspect, her budding relationship with Destiny's Chief of Police becomes more complicated. Could Justin really doubt her? Can she prove her innocence?
Johnston brings us back to the unique town that prides itself on superstitions in her third entry in the Superstition Mystery series. The mystery itself is nicely complex with lots of suspects, interesting motives, and red herrings to spice things up. I love the idea of superstitions and learning about new ones, however information is reiterated a bit too much for my taste.
There's a fine mystery inside UNLUCKY CHARMS and a cute good luck dog in Pluckie. Destiny assists Rory with the loss of Walter by providing her with a new family, relocating a best friend, and perhaps ushering in a new love. Rory needs to concentrate on the good instead of trying to determine if superstitions killed her fiance.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
June 19, 2016
This is the third book in the Superstition Mystery Series, but is the first one I have read. I enjoyed this story and will definitely be checking out the other two in the series.
Rory Chasen lives in Destiny, California, a small town that was founded by miners in the 1800s. It is a town where good luck is a way of life, literally. The business owners "salt the sidewalks" with heads-up pennies, everyone knocks on wood, and fingers crossed is as common as buying a cup of coffee. Rory is the manager of The Lucky Dog, a store that specializes in "lucky" items for your pet. Rory has just created her own line of lucky dog toys and hopes they will be a huge success. She has hopes of buying the business down the road and remaining in Destiny. Unfortunately someone is trying to reverse the good luck in Destiny. Businesses are being broken into, things are being stolen and broken mirrors and salt is left on the floor. All of this is supposed to be kept secret because talking about it will bring bad luck. How do you solve a rash of crimes when you cannot talk about it? When a local business woman winds up dead, Rory is the prime suspect and it's going to take a lot of good luck and sleuthing on her part to get her untangled from the giant mess she is in. Throw in a little romance, Rory is dating the sheriff, a best friend and some other interesting characters and you have yourself an entertaining cozy mystery. Definitely worth a read if you are a cozy mystery fan or an animal lover.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Rory Chasen lives in Destiny, California, a small town that was founded by miners in the 1800s. It is a town where good luck is a way of life, literally. The business owners "salt the sidewalks" with heads-up pennies, everyone knocks on wood, and fingers crossed is as common as buying a cup of coffee. Rory is the manager of The Lucky Dog, a store that specializes in "lucky" items for your pet. Rory has just created her own line of lucky dog toys and hopes they will be a huge success. She has hopes of buying the business down the road and remaining in Destiny. Unfortunately someone is trying to reverse the good luck in Destiny. Businesses are being broken into, things are being stolen and broken mirrors and salt is left on the floor. All of this is supposed to be kept secret because talking about it will bring bad luck. How do you solve a rash of crimes when you cannot talk about it? When a local business woman winds up dead, Rory is the prime suspect and it's going to take a lot of good luck and sleuthing on her part to get her untangled from the giant mess she is in. Throw in a little romance, Rory is dating the sheriff, a best friend and some other interesting characters and you have yourself an entertaining cozy mystery. Definitely worth a read if you are a cozy mystery fan or an animal lover.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2016
Book 3 in the series and much better than the previous two. To be completely up front though, I have to say I would never have read it had I not received a review copy from the publisher, via NetGalley.
The mystery was a bit slow to develop, but at least the characters didn't prattle on forever about superstitions this time. They were there, just not as overwhelming as the last books. Rory still tends to be repetitive at times, and certainly has her "too stupid to live moments," but it truly was a better story this time around and I am glad I read it.
One thing I still find annoying is the mayor's pronouncement that anyone who speaks of anything bad happening in the town will have bad luck. It's a small town, gossip happens, and as long as the merchants know not to talk about stuff like that in front of the tourists, who cares what they talk about? And it's not like you can force bad luck on someone, so it just comes off as silly.
I think after this book, I just might be willing to give the next book a try, since the superstitious fun is there, without being so over the top, and I do like the characters.
The mystery was a bit slow to develop, but at least the characters didn't prattle on forever about superstitions this time. They were there, just not as overwhelming as the last books. Rory still tends to be repetitive at times, and certainly has her "too stupid to live moments," but it truly was a better story this time around and I am glad I read it.
One thing I still find annoying is the mayor's pronouncement that anyone who speaks of anything bad happening in the town will have bad luck. It's a small town, gossip happens, and as long as the merchants know not to talk about stuff like that in front of the tourists, who cares what they talk about? And it's not like you can force bad luck on someone, so it just comes off as silly.
I think after this book, I just might be willing to give the next book a try, since the superstitious fun is there, without being so over the top, and I do like the characters.
October 5, 2016
Pet cozies are one of my favorite types of mystery, and Linda O Johnston is a very good author. For this reason, I was surprised that I didn’t enjoy Unlucky Charms as much as I expected. The “luck” aspect of the book went well overboard. I understand that Destiny, California is a town that prides itself on being “lucky” and survives off tourists looking for luck. Somehow, it managed to go beyond being simply an integral part of the story to overwhelming it and distracting the reader. If you can get past that, the plot is good, even if simple and the characters, particularly Rory and Plucky (her canine companion) are likable. The romance aspect was sweet and nicely done.
While Unlucky Charms is not one of Linda O Johnston’s best novels, it is still a decent read. If you are interested in superstitions, particularly good luck/bad luck, or simply want a relaxing pet cozy, you will enjoy Unlucky Charms. In any event, if Unlucky Charms does not appeal to you, I encourage you to try one of Linda O Johnston’s many other pet cozies.
3/5
I received a copy of Unlucky Charms from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
While Unlucky Charms is not one of Linda O Johnston’s best novels, it is still a decent read. If you are interested in superstitions, particularly good luck/bad luck, or simply want a relaxing pet cozy, you will enjoy Unlucky Charms. In any event, if Unlucky Charms does not appeal to you, I encourage you to try one of Linda O Johnston’s many other pet cozies.
3/5
I received a copy of Unlucky Charms from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
October 19, 2016
This is a great book; this book is part of the Superstition Mystery series written by Linda O Johnson. Rory Chasen is the manager of the Lucky Dog Boutique in Destiny, California. She hopes her new line of good-luck doggy toys will be a hit, especially the stuffed rabbits with extra-large feet. Where several local shops are ransacked and vandalized including hers. The most likely culprit is disgruntled real estate agent Flora Curtival, whose issues with the town give her a motive. But after Flora is murdered and one of Rory’s toy rabbits is found with the body, Rory needs all the luck she can get while trying to determine just who killed the superstitious vandal.This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
December 18, 2016
What I like most of the cozy mystery romances is that they typically are set in small towns. Every time I enjoy to discover many small cozy and particular locations. The city of this book is Destiny, a small California town closely linked to superstitions. They are taking classes for tourists to fight bad luck. Even for the shops are chosen names that drive away bad luck, like Rory Chasen's shop, Lucky Dog Boutique, specializing in the sale of lucky items for pets. She has just created a line of lucky items for dogs. But there is someone in town who steals them and replace them with items that bring bad luck. After the culprit has confessed is found dead with a Rory's objects. She is the prime suspect, and with her boyfriend and detective Justin must investigate to clear her name.
It 's a well-written romance, highly addictive, a mystery well developed that it is difficult to solve before the end. There is also a fair dose of romance and the characters are funny and believable.
Recommended for those who love cozy mystery, animals and superstition
It 's a well-written romance, highly addictive, a mystery well developed that it is difficult to solve before the end. There is also a fair dose of romance and the characters are funny and believable.
Recommended for those who love cozy mystery, animals and superstition
October 8, 2016
This book starts out with Rory Chasen speaking at the Theater with a new line of lucky charms for her shop. Her speech about Black Dogs and Black Cats where she talks about various charms not long into this Rory and Martha find out their shop has been vandalized and other shops in Destiny have been vandalized. Add this to Flora Curtival who keeps trying to find a house for Rory and Gemma her friend who have been living at the Rainbow B & B. Are they really ready to move out or are they deliberately dragging their feet? Do they want to live here permanently or move on to somewhere else?
I love this book and the adventures found in Destiny to see whose wronged and by whom and how the luck whether good or bad play into it. This one definitely had me guessing as Rory rushes to clear her name before her luck goes bad! Can't wait to see what is next for the folks of Destiny! May the luck be in your favor!
I love this book and the adventures found in Destiny to see whose wronged and by whom and how the luck whether good or bad play into it. This one definitely had me guessing as Rory rushes to clear her name before her luck goes bad! Can't wait to see what is next for the folks of Destiny! May the luck be in your favor!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2016
Unlucky Charms is a fun cozy mystery. It is the third in the series which I didn’t know when I got it but it can be read stand alone. Destiny, California is a town built on superstitions. It’s their hook. Its what makes them a unique destination. So when local businesses start suffering a string of bad luck the town needs it to stop quickly. The pressure is on police Chief Justin Halbertson to solve it. When his girlfriend Rory Chasen becomes the prime suspect in a murder things get really intense. Who will solve the mystery first? I really enjoyed the interaction between Rory and Justin. I love the supporting cast even the four legged ones. I think I would have enjoyed this more having read the first two but on its own it is still a fun read.
Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.
May 25, 2016
I was given a draft copy of this book by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was attracted to the book by its cover, but sadly, the contents did not fulfil the promise of the packaging. The mystery is incredibly slow to develop, not aided by the fact that the main character is incredibly annoying. She explains things in horrendously confused prose which my year 9 students could have come improved. Sentence construction and punctuation are poor and I had to force myself to finish the book. I wouldn't have bothered except that I was allowed to read it free in exchange for a review.
I was attracted to the book by its cover, but sadly, the contents did not fulfil the promise of the packaging. The mystery is incredibly slow to develop, not aided by the fact that the main character is incredibly annoying. She explains things in horrendously confused prose which my year 9 students could have come improved. Sentence construction and punctuation are poor and I had to force myself to finish the book. I wouldn't have bothered except that I was allowed to read it free in exchange for a review.
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