One of the most original detective duos in fiction: A freelance journalist and her Gypsy mother-in-law! Publisher’s Weekly said: “Fascinating gypsy lore, unforgettable characters and a wicked sense of humor...” A dash of the paranormal too.
Now you can get Meredith Blevins’s entire 3-book Annie Szabo Mystery series— two of which were Library Journal’s TOP FIVE picks in two successive years-- at the irresistible price of $6.99! Freelance journalist Annie Szabo has a way of attracting… unusual experiences. Together with her pushy mother-in-law Madame Mina, the combination is as combustible as a Gypsy funeral. These two are as funny as they are clever, and their hilariously querulous relationship is the real fun of the supernatural cozy series.
Once you marry into a Gypsy clan, just try to get out! Annie Szabo loved her husband, but after his death, she was only too happy to leave his outrageous clan behind, especially Madame Mina, tarot reader, psychic advisor, and philosopher – with her signature accessories: a man (or two) and her red pumps.
Some might call them madcap, zany, eccentric; but really one word says it all: Gypsy. Well, that, and juicy: pulsing with the rhythms – and juices – of life, birth, and death, with the California wine country wind in your hair.
"Fascinating gypsy lore, unforgettable characters and a wicked sense of humor distinguish Blevins's highly unusual mystery debut... This stellar first, with its assured prose, will delight any mystery fan.” – Publishers Weekly in a STARRED REVIEW.
THE HUMMINGBIRD WIZARD When her oldest friend and former brother-in-law, Jerry, turns up dead, Annie’s plunged back into the family she tried to leave behind. Annie knows Jerry’s murder was not the random street robbery the police believe it to be, but how is she supposed to prove it?
As Annie turns amateur detective, THE HUMMINGBIRD WIZARD turns sexy. Truth to tell, it’s probably one of the sexiest mysteries you're ever going to read, but not because it's explicit--there’s just something about that…wizard. Lawyers, criminals, kink, aerial artistry, magic, and more murder mysteries, coupled with Blevins’s trademark humor, make for a delicious—and very funny-- supernatural cozy, with a healthy dose of romance.
THE VANISHED PRIESTESS Annie is heartbroken when her neighbor and good friend, Margo Spanger, the owner-operator of a New Age circus that helps support a home for abused women, is murdered. She’s also frightened—her own daughter is an abused wife who’s a resident of Margo’s project. Along with Annie’s grandson.
The plot thickens as quickly as a roux-- Margo's partner, Lili, goes missing the day of Margo's death, causing the shelter to fall into disarray, thus threatening its residents, and the detective team of Annie and Madame Mina swings into action!
A fast, funny, and very original paranormal murder mystery.
THE RED HOT EMPRESS Nudged by her Gypsy mother-in-law, Madame Mina, freelance journalist Annie Szabo writes an article about Jimmy Qi, an Asian boy with the power to heal through music, which is right down the Szabos’ paranormal alley. But their good intentions soon put the youngster in danger. Everyone, it seems, wants a piece of the rising star of San Francisco's Chinatown—including a shady evangelist, the FBI, the tongs, and a man who talks to dolphins. After two suspicious deaths, Annie and Jimmy go on the lam, not knowing whom to trust or why.
I enjoyed this book because it was different. Not a typical group of characters or setting. Each book had an interesting storyline while growing the main characters personalities.
The books were written in such a different style than I usually read, but I really enjoyed them. I felt connected to Annie all through her insecurities about her life. The endings were a surprise in every book.
This is a set of three books. However, I only read the first of these. Both the mystery and its setting were creative and the characters were unique. However, perhaps because of my own inability to relate to the gypsy culture, I just did not become involved enough with the characters to want to read the rest of the series.
I've made it to chapter 26 in the first book and I can't bring myself to read anymore. it's definitely not a style of writing I'm use to reading, it's just kinda all over the place. it's hard for me to stay focused on the book.
What fun cooky characters Annie and Mina are. The family dynamics and craziness of the gypsies. Would definitely read more in The series. Will Jimmy become a part of the family, what about the youngest Szabo daughter?
Annie is one of the many kooks in this mystery series. Her mother-in-law is another and they drive each other nuts as they work their way through one mystery after another.
Good mystery, funny and heart warming relationship. Thanks for the opportunity to fully experience the character's personality by offering the three volumes together.
Not a whodunit, but very interesting, in the characters, I enjoyed all three books, read them back to back, and am getting the next one, fast and enjoyable,
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
Gypsies, murder and mayhem galore in this refreshing series in which Meredith Blevins captivates the reader in this truly unique series. Brilliant character development throughout, and some beautiful writing especially in the second novel. The end of each book guarantee the reader wanting more!
Awe at first read, love in the second, both in the third. And now there's a fourth. Too much good stuff: plots, characters!, mystic madness, to describe. Just read them. BTW, Julie Smith had a good thing to say about this author in one of her books - what more recommendation does anybody need?
I loved the irreverent way the protagonist went about her life. Annie's life is a jumble of gypsies whose lives she married into; the demise of her husband almost brings the family closer to her as she tries to push them away. A fun read with believable characters; loved Annie, E.B., Mina, Leo, and all the other characters who enter her life. Along with the precarious situations she finds herself in, these books make for hard to put down reads. (I read the series of books, 1-3)
Totally enjoyed the first book. Hope to read the next ones soon. Blevins way of crafting a sentence and turning a phrase and making you think about love and life was great. And fun at the same time. Someone should fix the few small typos though. They always intrude for some of us.