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Maddy Wimsey #1
The Devil's Eye
The epic brand-new mystery series by #1 bestselling authors J.R. Rain and Matthew S. Cox! For fans of The Witch and the Gentleman, A Discovery of Witches and Jessica Jones...
Detective Madeline Wimsey tends to stand out with her wild red hair, pentacle amulets, and offbeat methods, but she has a tool few other cops use ― magic.
Maddy knows the universe wants to balance itself out, so she isn’t above tossing around a spell or two whenever a killer’s karma needs a little nudge in the right direction. As a member of a practicing coven, she’s used to strange looks, hushed whispers, and rolled eyes, but couldn’t care less what people think of her.
After a man turns up dead in a grisly satanic rite, her fellow detectives are quick to crack jokes. Since they can’t tell a pentacle from a pentagram, Maddy’s happy to get the case. She suspects the ritual to be the work of amateurs, a theory that pans out when they track down the pack of clueless high school students who made the shrine in the woods. Convinced all is not as it appears to be, Maddy asks the Goddess for a push in the right direction and learns a disturbing truth:
The Devil’s Eye is watching her.
Detective Madeline Wimsey tends to stand out with her wild red hair, pentacle amulets, and offbeat methods, but she has a tool few other cops use ― magic.
Maddy knows the universe wants to balance itself out, so she isn’t above tossing around a spell or two whenever a killer’s karma needs a little nudge in the right direction. As a member of a practicing coven, she’s used to strange looks, hushed whispers, and rolled eyes, but couldn’t care less what people think of her.
After a man turns up dead in a grisly satanic rite, her fellow detectives are quick to crack jokes. Since they can’t tell a pentacle from a pentagram, Maddy’s happy to get the case. She suspects the ritual to be the work of amateurs, a theory that pans out when they track down the pack of clueless high school students who made the shrine in the woods. Convinced all is not as it appears to be, Maddy asks the Goddess for a push in the right direction and learns a disturbing truth:
The Devil’s Eye is watching her.
292 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 27, 2017
806 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Rain
685 books1,727 followersJ.R. Rain is the author of 110 novels and counting. He lives on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where he's hard at work on his next novel... and fighting off sparkly vampires.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
March 2, 2018
What a fun new series!
The Devil's Eye by two of my favorite authors, J.R. Rain and Matthew Cox, is about a witch that is a detective. It is humorous, clever, wonderful characters, great mystery, fun dialogue, and love the world/setting they have made. A blast of a read.
The Devil's Eye by two of my favorite authors, J.R. Rain and Matthew Cox, is about a witch that is a detective. It is humorous, clever, wonderful characters, great mystery, fun dialogue, and love the world/setting they have made. A blast of a read.
June 3, 2019
I am a bit disappointed, the very last line of the blurb says: The devil is watching her. I expected the book to go similarly in that direction. I did enjoy the mystery, though the paranormal aspect was just witchcraft and not the in depth witchery of the books I read.
Though the romance doesn't play a major role in this book I wish we could have been involved in her meeting her boyfriend instead of finding them comfortable in their relationship already. I will check out the rest of the series when I'm in need for something light.
Though the romance doesn't play a major role in this book I wish we could have been involved in her meeting her boyfriend instead of finding them comfortable in their relationship already. I will check out the rest of the series when I'm in need for something light.
December 5, 2017
What a team! Boy, can these men write! You’re in for hours of great entertainment, engrossing suspense and supernatural doings as you read The Devil’s Eye by J.R. Rain and Matthew Cox. This is a solidly, practically flawlessly written book with their newest heroine, Maddy Wimsey, a practicing Wiccan who is drawn into this case by the Universe herself. The authors write fabulous female characters (see Samantha Moon, Solstice Winters and Alexis Silver) and Maddy is a wonderful addition. Fans of paranormal, fantasy, mystery and crime novels will be glad they picked up this very substantial and satisfying read.
I received a free copy from the authors.
I received a free copy from the authors.
December 6, 2017
Quirky good Cop fun!
These two getting together to write has made for some amazing books!!!! Their talents combine for a fun quirky police procedural with a touch paranormal witch craft! Lots o snarky goodness with enough true crime grit to make any fan of mysteries happy!!!!
These two getting together to write has made for some amazing books!!!! Their talents combine for a fun quirky police procedural with a touch paranormal witch craft! Lots o snarky goodness with enough true crime grit to make any fan of mysteries happy!!!!
January 20, 2018
Devil's Eye
Here is another wonderful book by Matthew Cox and J.R. Rain! It is a story about a police detective who is also a witch and makes for some great fun. There is magic abound and also a cursed ruby which causes some problems. I really, really enjoyed this book and if you are thinking of giving it a try, then do it and you won't be disappointed. I can't wait until the next Maddy Wimsey book in this series comes out.
Here is another wonderful book by Matthew Cox and J.R. Rain! It is a story about a police detective who is also a witch and makes for some great fun. There is magic abound and also a cursed ruby which causes some problems. I really, really enjoyed this book and if you are thinking of giving it a try, then do it and you won't be disappointed. I can't wait until the next Maddy Wimsey book in this series comes out.
January 19, 2018
I absolutely loved this first book in the new series by these two authors! Individually, they are powerhouse authors…as a writing team they have become the Dynamic Duo. This story was entertaining, had me reading non-stop until the end and was filled with such fun and likeable characters! You can’t ask for more than that from a book! This is definitely a story that I can recommend to my friends without hesitation. If you are looking for something new to read that will keep you wanting more than pick up a copy of this one…you won’t regret it!
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November 8, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/8/2020)! 🎁
December 9, 2017
Engrossing suspense and supernatural shenanigans, Maddy Wimsey, practicing witch and police detective, exuberant with her wild red hair. Great story with a quick pace and all kinds of twists and turns.
February 12, 2018
Wiccans
Awesome read fast paced and love the mystery,magic and characters full of humor and wit cop/witch combination is great 👍
Awesome read fast paced and love the mystery,magic and characters full of humor and wit cop/witch combination is great 👍
March 2, 2018
Awesome twist!
Thank you for writing a story that I couldn't put down! I love the plot twist! I would love to read more of your stories
Thank you for writing a story that I couldn't put down! I love the plot twist! I would love to read more of your stories
January 11, 2018
Awesome JR Rain Read
First time reading other than Samantha Moon series. Maddy Wimsey is phenomenal also. As if reading a new author. Same verbage & time of story but totally different. If you love the vampire series, you will adore the "magic series"!!!!!
First time reading other than Samantha Moon series. Maddy Wimsey is phenomenal also. As if reading a new author. Same verbage & time of story but totally different. If you love the vampire series, you will adore the "magic series"!!!!!
December 26, 2017
It is a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love his writing. He is a great story teller.
December 20, 2017
I really like the combination of N. R. Rain and Matthew Cox. This book was interesting and seemed to have some well researched information on Wiccan practices.
Maddie is a homicide detective who is Wiccan. The way she mixes her Wiccan practice with her crime investigation is believable. I also love the humor the authors weave into the story.
Well written with believable characters and well developed storyline make this book a winner. I will be on the lookout for more from this duo.
Maddie is a homicide detective who is Wiccan. The way she mixes her Wiccan practice with her crime investigation is believable. I also love the humor the authors weave into the story.
Well written with believable characters and well developed storyline make this book a winner. I will be on the lookout for more from this duo.
February 9, 2018
Whirlwind
Two mysteries, a witch detective with an awesome part error and a hot LTP. And that's just the start. The writing style rocks as only JR Rain can. If you like his books and a strong female character then you gotta read this.
Two mysteries, a witch detective with an awesome part error and a hot LTP. And that's just the start. The writing style rocks as only JR Rain can. If you like his books and a strong female character then you gotta read this.
June 6, 2018
The Devil's Eye (Maddy Wimsey, #1) by
J.R. Rain and Matthew Cox
Once again I validate my dislike of co-authored books. However, in fairness, although Rain is one of my favorite authors, I've read books him that I wasn't too fond of, so perhaps it's something else than the co-authorship that just didn't fit for me.
The main character in this book is Maddy Wimsey, a 35 year old woman with wild red hair and a sassy personality. She is a practicing Wiccan who also happens to be a police officer. In this story, she and her partner are investigating a gruesome murder that might be connected to Satanic ritual. The authors do a good job with their character, giving her quite a range of knowledge of both the Wicca lifestyle and police protocol. I found only one proofing error, a left out word or two at 174 on my Kindle, so the editing and proofing were good. The plotting and pacing were good and the story flowed well. I very much liked Maddy, and her character is well fleshed out. Some of the supporting characters will hopefully be more fully explored in coming books in this series. Those are the things I liked.
Here are the things I didn't like:
gypsy skirt: This appears 4 times in the book. 1) the word Gypsy should be capitalized if it is going to be used. You wouldn't write american flag, would you? Or african lion? 2) The word shouldn't be used at all. Not just because it doesn't adequately describe the piece of clothing, which it doesn't, but because the word is a perjorative to the Romany people. Just the use of the word knocked a star off my rating.
Wicca: If your main character is Wiccan, why use the words clockwise and counterclockwise. She would say deosil and widdershins. Use the correct verbage for your character, please. You did manage that in other places, so why not for the above? Yeah, I went ahead and knocked another star off for this.
Two other things bothered me about this book, although I didn't take off any more stars for them. One occurred at 3644: "Most of today, I'll be touching my computer in naughty places, working on a mountain of reports. Later tonight, I'll be touching Caius in naughty places." Sigh. First, I've been using a computer since the 1980s and I don't know any of those naughty places. I feel left out. Second -- how old are you guys? 14?
The second is the very last sentence of the book: "If only I could come up with a spell to fill out these damn reports." Okay, first of all 'these damn reports' are all about the stolen items recovered at the end of the book. That means that most of the reports would be filled out similarly. This is a high tech police station with -- gasp! -- photocopiers and computers! This means the officer can fill out one report, if they are paper and not a computer form, with all of the information which will remain the same in each and every report, leave the spots where it will vary blank, make as many photocopies as needed and then just fill in what is needed as to each individual item. If the report is on computer, do the same, but instead of photocopying, just save the form, and the copy it for each item, filling in just the necessary information on each item. Yeah, this is very nit picky, but I would hope anyone who has ever had to work with tedious forms in their job would know both of the above tricks. It made the ending a real let down for me.
So will I read another book in the series? I already have the second, so sooner or later, yes, I'll read it.
J.R. Rain and Matthew Cox
Once again I validate my dislike of co-authored books. However, in fairness, although Rain is one of my favorite authors, I've read books him that I wasn't too fond of, so perhaps it's something else than the co-authorship that just didn't fit for me.
The main character in this book is Maddy Wimsey, a 35 year old woman with wild red hair and a sassy personality. She is a practicing Wiccan who also happens to be a police officer. In this story, she and her partner are investigating a gruesome murder that might be connected to Satanic ritual. The authors do a good job with their character, giving her quite a range of knowledge of both the Wicca lifestyle and police protocol. I found only one proofing error, a left out word or two at 174 on my Kindle, so the editing and proofing were good. The plotting and pacing were good and the story flowed well. I very much liked Maddy, and her character is well fleshed out. Some of the supporting characters will hopefully be more fully explored in coming books in this series. Those are the things I liked.
Here are the things I didn't like:
gypsy skirt: This appears 4 times in the book. 1) the word Gypsy should be capitalized if it is going to be used. You wouldn't write american flag, would you? Or african lion? 2) The word shouldn't be used at all. Not just because it doesn't adequately describe the piece of clothing, which it doesn't, but because the word is a perjorative to the Romany people. Just the use of the word knocked a star off my rating.
Wicca: If your main character is Wiccan, why use the words clockwise and counterclockwise. She would say deosil and widdershins. Use the correct verbage for your character, please. You did manage that in other places, so why not for the above? Yeah, I went ahead and knocked another star off for this.
Two other things bothered me about this book, although I didn't take off any more stars for them. One occurred at 3644: "Most of today, I'll be touching my computer in naughty places, working on a mountain of reports. Later tonight, I'll be touching Caius in naughty places." Sigh. First, I've been using a computer since the 1980s and I don't know any of those naughty places. I feel left out. Second -- how old are you guys? 14?
The second is the very last sentence of the book: "If only I could come up with a spell to fill out these damn reports." Okay, first of all 'these damn reports' are all about the stolen items recovered at the end of the book. That means that most of the reports would be filled out similarly. This is a high tech police station with -- gasp! -- photocopiers and computers! This means the officer can fill out one report, if they are paper and not a computer form, with all of the information which will remain the same in each and every report, leave the spots where it will vary blank, make as many photocopies as needed and then just fill in what is needed as to each individual item. If the report is on computer, do the same, but instead of photocopying, just save the form, and the copy it for each item, filling in just the necessary information on each item. Yeah, this is very nit picky, but I would hope anyone who has ever had to work with tedious forms in their job would know both of the above tricks. It made the ending a real let down for me.
So will I read another book in the series? I already have the second, so sooner or later, yes, I'll read it.
December 29, 2017
To see my full review of this title, visit the So Few Books blog at: https://sofewbooks.blogspot.com/2017/...!
I was quite intrigued by this new series, and rightfully so! The authors have created a powerful character in the persona of Maddy Wimsey... The actual story behind the mysterious crime ended up being quite a bit more convuluted than I would have imagined, making for an intriguing story on the way to finding out what really happened.
We get at least a glimpse of several people in Maddy's life through the course of the story, mostly in her police squad and her coven... Maddy had two especially good, solid relationships: her boyfriend Caius and her partner Rick; both of which provided sharp dialogue and entertaining interaction. My favorite character by far, however, was Maddy's hair, which she treats throughout the book as a separate entity having a mind of it's own.
I definitely enjoyed the read and certainly look forward to reading more stories in the Maddy Wimsey series!
I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author and have willingly provided an honest review.
I was quite intrigued by this new series, and rightfully so! The authors have created a powerful character in the persona of Maddy Wimsey... The actual story behind the mysterious crime ended up being quite a bit more convuluted than I would have imagined, making for an intriguing story on the way to finding out what really happened.
We get at least a glimpse of several people in Maddy's life through the course of the story, mostly in her police squad and her coven... Maddy had two especially good, solid relationships: her boyfriend Caius and her partner Rick; both of which provided sharp dialogue and entertaining interaction. My favorite character by far, however, was Maddy's hair, which she treats throughout the book as a separate entity having a mind of it's own.
I definitely enjoyed the read and certainly look forward to reading more stories in the Maddy Wimsey series!
I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author and have willingly provided an honest review.
January 16, 2018
I thought this book was going to be a much different story as a crime story it is really good with some paranormal tossed in. I thought there was going to be more of a paranormal sci-fi mix this book is not that there are no other paranormal sections no werewolf, vampires, etc it is a story of a Wiccan police detective there are not magical spells etc. it is a Wiccan story communing with nature and spells to the goddess type of magic. It is a nice story and I liked the main character, Maddy and her hair, however, it was not what I was looking at the time so I was unable to invest in the story. As a crime mystery, it had good elements the case was interesting and you get a sense of the importance of being a detective from the main character there were parts that seemed tossed together but that is normal in the first book of most series and I think it will find its footing with the right audience. It was a nicer calmer JD Robb Eve Dallas if she was Wiccan and well adjusted.
June 9, 2020
Not really impressed
So what I liked: the main character is intriguing and overall the story is moderately entertaining. Engaging enough that I finished the book. What I did not like: this book is Not up to this duo s usual quality. It lacks depth in all areas. Usually, the characters and setting have a certain realness to them. It enables my imagination to immerse and accept the authors world. Not so this time. Further, I was disappointed by the lack of romance. The MC does have a love interest but the relationship is already established - not developing. And the hair thing? Booring. I expected something more. And last of all I found the portrayal of Christian bigots waaay overdone. I know a$$holes exist but really?? Every Christian is preachy, crazy, and stupid? I was starting to feel personally attacked. I could have overlooked that part if the rest was as good as usual. But sadly I will not be reading the next installment.
So what I liked: the main character is intriguing and overall the story is moderately entertaining. Engaging enough that I finished the book. What I did not like: this book is Not up to this duo s usual quality. It lacks depth in all areas. Usually, the characters and setting have a certain realness to them. It enables my imagination to immerse and accept the authors world. Not so this time. Further, I was disappointed by the lack of romance. The MC does have a love interest but the relationship is already established - not developing. And the hair thing? Booring. I expected something more. And last of all I found the portrayal of Christian bigots waaay overdone. I know a$$holes exist but really?? Every Christian is preachy, crazy, and stupid? I was starting to feel personally attacked. I could have overlooked that part if the rest was as good as usual. But sadly I will not be reading the next installment.
December 9, 2018
I read a quarter of this book and gave up. It's supposed to be a magical police detective mystery. It seems to be instead a diatribe on how Wiccans are persecuted by Christians. Don't get me wrong, I'm totally on the side of the Wiccans in that case - I really dislike proselytizers, but I HATE when authors spend a great deal of time trying to get a message across that is not integral to the of the story. It's soapboxing. Case in point: an entire chapter was spent on a step-by-step explanation of the coven's ritual, but in another chapter, a sentence was all that was devoted to 3-hour marathon sex with her live-in-love that she's considering for baby-daddy. Seriously? That gets one throwaway sentence? The heroine seems to care more about her herb garden than the potential baby-daddy she's been living with for 9 years - that doesn't ring true. I give up.
June 2, 2018
Double bubble, toil, and trouble...nope, not that kind of witch!
Maddy is a homicide detective and wiccan. She takes a lot of stuff from fellow cops regarding her magic, but cops are superstitious so whose to say there isn't magic? Paired with her frizzy red hair that makes her look like Princess Merits she constantly battled jokes and prejudices but gets the job done. What starts out as a hit and run melds into a gruesome murder and jewelry heist with a curse. Maddy and her partner are thrown into a car with weird coincidences, more murder, accidents, and magic as they work to solve the case. Entertaining, funny, and a thoroughly enjoyable book. Can't wait to read the next one!
Maddy is a homicide detective and wiccan. She takes a lot of stuff from fellow cops regarding her magic, but cops are superstitious so whose to say there isn't magic? Paired with her frizzy red hair that makes her look like Princess Merits she constantly battled jokes and prejudices but gets the job done. What starts out as a hit and run melds into a gruesome murder and jewelry heist with a curse. Maddy and her partner are thrown into a car with weird coincidences, more murder, accidents, and magic as they work to solve the case. Entertaining, funny, and a thoroughly enjoyable book. Can't wait to read the next one!
June 18, 2022
This was actually not what I expected. I guess I expected just some variation of Urban Fantasy with a main supernatural main protagonist that also happens to be a detective. However it’s really more of a story about a main protagonist who are a detective but also happens to be a witch.
This books focuses more on the detective aspect of the story than the supernatural. Of course, there is a fair amount of whitchy and supernatural elements as well but it is really a crime/mystery story at its core.
Of course Maddy is using her witchcraft to solve cases but it is more often than not to find clues and other ways of helping her solve cases. Her magic is also much more traditional style witch magic, at least in my mind. It is potion brewing, hexes, casting spells that takes time and such like instead of just throwing fireballs etc.
Although I didn’t really expect this kind of story I did indeed enjoy the crime/mystery blend. The book felt a wee bit slow at times but not so much that it annoyed me. I rather have a good book that is a tad slow than one where I feel that everything is rushed.
Maddy is a likable character and the detective mystery she has to solve is decent enough. Overall it was a enjoyable book. Not more than three stars worth but good enough that I will probably read another book in the series.
This books focuses more on the detective aspect of the story than the supernatural. Of course, there is a fair amount of whitchy and supernatural elements as well but it is really a crime/mystery story at its core.
Of course Maddy is using her witchcraft to solve cases but it is more often than not to find clues and other ways of helping her solve cases. Her magic is also much more traditional style witch magic, at least in my mind. It is potion brewing, hexes, casting spells that takes time and such like instead of just throwing fireballs etc.
Although I didn’t really expect this kind of story I did indeed enjoy the crime/mystery blend. The book felt a wee bit slow at times but not so much that it annoyed me. I rather have a good book that is a tad slow than one where I feel that everything is rushed.
Maddy is a likable character and the detective mystery she has to solve is decent enough. Overall it was a enjoyable book. Not more than three stars worth but good enough that I will probably read another book in the series.
July 29, 2018
This was my first time reading J.R. Rain or Matthew S. Cox read. It was kind of a paranormal police procedural. I love how quirky Maddy Wimsey is. She's a great lead. This book was a very fun read. I think this may be a little under the radar. There aren't a ton of explosions, vampires, shifters, etc. Maddie is kind of an every-day average witch and she's working in the mundane world. She uses her skills subtly, or rather they use her, to help solve cases.
I'll definitely be reading more by these authors!
I'll definitely be reading more by these authors!
May 31, 2019
Poor pacing
Not terrible, but not up to the level I expects from author JR Rain. The cop parts are good, but we waste a lot of the book on really slow descriptions of people, things, place... We get a lot of background dump on characters that aren't really important to the main plot. At one point we have 6+ kindle pages of her making an infused oil to treat poison ivy. Just not good enough for me to justify getting to read the next books in the series.
Not terrible, but not up to the level I expects from author JR Rain. The cop parts are good, but we waste a lot of the book on really slow descriptions of people, things, place... We get a lot of background dump on characters that aren't really important to the main plot. At one point we have 6+ kindle pages of her making an infused oil to treat poison ivy. Just not good enough for me to justify getting to read the next books in the series.
April 24, 2018
A witchy police mystery
If you like mysteries with a touch of the paranormal this book is for you. Maddy Wimsey is a witch and homicide detective who uses her magic to solve murders. I especially liked Maddy's hair! I also love how she uses her magic to gather clues. A good start to the Maddy Wimsey series.
If you like mysteries with a touch of the paranormal this book is for you. Maddy Wimsey is a witch and homicide detective who uses her magic to solve murders. I especially liked Maddy's hair! I also love how she uses her magic to gather clues. A good start to the Maddy Wimsey series.
March 5, 2018
I liked it, as a pretty quick read.
The book was good. My attention didn't drift from the plot. Also the police parts seemed realistic. In general a good read, plus I liked the characters well enough.
The book was good. My attention didn't drift from the plot. Also the police parts seemed realistic. In general a good read, plus I liked the characters well enough.
June 4, 2019
The Devil's Eye (Maddy Wimsey, #1) by J.R. Rain.
This was a free ebook on amazon.com and the blurb sounded interesting. I have read one other book by this author and enjoy the writing style. This is a nice quick read, but not memorable enough for me to read the rest of this series. 3 stars
This was a free ebook on amazon.com and the blurb sounded interesting. I have read one other book by this author and enjoy the writing style. This is a nice quick read, but not memorable enough for me to read the rest of this series. 3 stars
August 3, 2019
It's good or maybe ok
There aren't any earth shattering surprises, really no surprises at all. It's just kind of blah. There are some good parts, even funny parts. But they revolve around sexual or genital humor.
There aren't any earth shattering surprises, really no surprises at all. It's just kind of blah. There are some good parts, even funny parts. But they revolve around sexual or genital humor.
September 3, 2019
Great read!
Wow! Great read and a new favorite character for me. Detective Wimsy appears to be another strong personality to be reckoned with. I believe I will totally enjoy this series.
Wow! Great read and a new favorite character for me. Detective Wimsy appears to be another strong personality to be reckoned with. I believe I will totally enjoy this series.
March 3, 2020
Yet another great read by a compilation of my favourite author's.
Loved getting to know this new feisty main character, the storyline was great..
As usual was completely gutted when reading the last page.
Another un-putdownable read.
Looking forward to reading any future sequels..5☆
Loved getting to know this new feisty main character, the storyline was great..
As usual was completely gutted when reading the last page.
Another un-putdownable read.
Looking forward to reading any future sequels..5☆
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2020
I wanted to love it
I'm such a huge fan of J.R. Rain so I wanted to love this book. But more than once I had to force myself to keep reading. I hate leaving things unfinished so I may go for book 2 hoping it will be better than the first.
I'm such a huge fan of J.R. Rain so I wanted to love this book. But more than once I had to force myself to keep reading. I hate leaving things unfinished so I may go for book 2 hoping it will be better than the first.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews