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Southern Psychic Sisters Mysteries #1
Dead and Butter
A witchin' new series from USA Today bestselling author A. GARDNER!
Ember Greene, savvy businesswoman and troubled psychic, returns to her family's bakery in southern Alabama after her sister mysteriously disappears.
The magical folks of Misty Key have always lived in harmony. But that all changes when a maid at the local hotel is murdered, and a rogue witch is to blame. Desperate to find her sister and keep the peace in her hometown, Ember channels her psychic gifts to solve the case. Although, balancing psychic abilities, family drama, and a corporate job in NYC is easier said than done. Her search takes her from the gulf coast to gator-ridden swamps, and with the help of a cynical medium, a hopeless shifter, and a bloodhound named Yogi, she learns that Misty Key is the heart of a supernatural experiment - one that could destroy Misty Key and all of its inhabitants.
Will Ember find her sister and stop a magical serial killer before she loses everything?
Book 1 in the Southern Psychic Sisters mystery series! A light-hearted cozy mystery featuring quirky small-town characters, magic, and recipes. This book does not contain cliffhangers, graphic violence, gore, or profanity.
Ember Greene, savvy businesswoman and troubled psychic, returns to her family's bakery in southern Alabama after her sister mysteriously disappears.
The magical folks of Misty Key have always lived in harmony. But that all changes when a maid at the local hotel is murdered, and a rogue witch is to blame. Desperate to find her sister and keep the peace in her hometown, Ember channels her psychic gifts to solve the case. Although, balancing psychic abilities, family drama, and a corporate job in NYC is easier said than done. Her search takes her from the gulf coast to gator-ridden swamps, and with the help of a cynical medium, a hopeless shifter, and a bloodhound named Yogi, she learns that Misty Key is the heart of a supernatural experiment - one that could destroy Misty Key and all of its inhabitants.
Will Ember find her sister and stop a magical serial killer before she loses everything?
Book 1 in the Southern Psychic Sisters mystery series! A light-hearted cozy mystery featuring quirky small-town characters, magic, and recipes. This book does not contain cliffhangers, graphic violence, gore, or profanity.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 28, 2017
1529 people are currently reading
802 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
June 9, 2019
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Book 1 in the Southern Psychic Sisters mystery series! A light-hearted cozy mystery featuring quirky small-town characters, magic, and recipes. This book does not contain cliffhangers, graphic violence, gore, or profanity.
The books began in New York City, where Ember Green is on the cusp of obtaining a grand promotion that she has dedicated herself toward achieving for years. Then, BOOM! Life changes on a dime and she is swept back in time when her sister is reported missing. Her mother reveals her dreams reflect there is not much time left for her to live otherwise.
Ember must fight to redevelop family relationships, make a decision about her psychic gifts, and find her sister, all while chancing the loss of her job and promotion.
Then the reader is introduced to a whole community of paranormal activity in Misty Keys, Alabama, where Ember had grown up in a family of seers. She begins sleuthing immediately and finds herself in precarious situations, but she is able to unearth clues slowly. Her gift had been intermittent but leads her to the conclusion proudly.
This is a clean book with a H.E.A. that explains more about the people in the town. This introduction to the series was well written and filled with intrigue that deserves a well-done applaud.
Book 1 in the Southern Psychic Sisters mystery series! A light-hearted cozy mystery featuring quirky small-town characters, magic, and recipes. This book does not contain cliffhangers, graphic violence, gore, or profanity.
The books began in New York City, where Ember Green is on the cusp of obtaining a grand promotion that she has dedicated herself toward achieving for years. Then, BOOM! Life changes on a dime and she is swept back in time when her sister is reported missing. Her mother reveals her dreams reflect there is not much time left for her to live otherwise.
Ember must fight to redevelop family relationships, make a decision about her psychic gifts, and find her sister, all while chancing the loss of her job and promotion.
Then the reader is introduced to a whole community of paranormal activity in Misty Keys, Alabama, where Ember had grown up in a family of seers. She begins sleuthing immediately and finds herself in precarious situations, but she is able to unearth clues slowly. Her gift had been intermittent but leads her to the conclusion proudly.
This is a clean book with a H.E.A. that explains more about the people in the town. This introduction to the series was well written and filled with intrigue that deserves a well-done applaud.
September 25, 2018
The disappearance of Ember Greene’s sister, Aqua, sent Ember home from New York and her corporate job, to her family in Misty Key where she and her sister Stevie would summon their psychic abilities to search for Aqua. When Ember found the dead maid at the local hotel, her suspicions of a rogue witch were aroused.
The need to find the witch before they caused more problems – plus find Aqua – were paramount to Ember. Could she and Stevie do it? Or would the witch’s magical powers overcome even their paranormal abilities?
Dead and Butter by A. Gardner is the first in the Southern Psychic Sisters Mystery series, and I don’t think it was really my sort of thing! It wasn’t too bad, but I found it just a little crazy at times! But, that said, for fans of the paranormal, the psychic and all the witchy things, I’m sure you’d love it! And I do like the cover ;)
The need to find the witch before they caused more problems – plus find Aqua – were paramount to Ember. Could she and Stevie do it? Or would the witch’s magical powers overcome even their paranormal abilities?
Dead and Butter by A. Gardner is the first in the Southern Psychic Sisters Mystery series, and I don’t think it was really my sort of thing! It wasn’t too bad, but I found it just a little crazy at times! But, that said, for fans of the paranormal, the psychic and all the witchy things, I’m sure you’d love it! And I do like the cover ;)
May 30, 2019
2.25-2.5 stars
Not bad, not great.. in the middle for me. The writing was good but I never felt fully immersed into the world of Misty Key.
The powers and cultures were intriguing and in one case entertaining. There were a few I would have loved to hear more about.
Pros:
Stevie, Ember, and Louis were my favorites.
The idea of the Lunar Bakery
The twist at the end with the culprit I didn't expect.
Cons:
Some things/people weren't fleshed out enough for me to properly care about them.
More telling than showing at times.
At times the plot felt rushed.
The villain's screen time was mostly off screen and the on screen time wasn't very compelling.
Bit rough around the edges but it was an entertaining read despite what I said above. I won't b e continuing with the series but still give it a whirl if you are interested.
Would recommend?: To those who wanted an introduction to cozy mysteries most likely but anyone else.. not sure *shrugs*
Not bad, not great.. in the middle for me. The writing was good but I never felt fully immersed into the world of Misty Key.
The powers and cultures were intriguing and in one case entertaining. There were a few I would have loved to hear more about.
Pros:
Stevie, Ember, and Louis were my favorites.
The idea of the Lunar Bakery
The twist at the end with the culprit I didn't expect.
Cons:
Some things/people weren't fleshed out enough for me to properly care about them.
More telling than showing at times.
At times the plot felt rushed.
The villain's screen time was mostly off screen and the on screen time wasn't very compelling.
Bit rough around the edges but it was an entertaining read despite what I said above. I won't b e continuing with the series but still give it a whirl if you are interested.
Would recommend?: To those who wanted an introduction to cozy mysteries most likely but anyone else.. not sure *shrugs*
February 24, 2021
This was a good start to a series.
December 23, 2018
Those who haven’t seen my reviews - it gets a 4 simply for writing and publishing a book if it’s not horrid / doesn’t hit my hot buttons (e.g.. cliffhanges, TSTL ..).
So, with a book title like this you expect humor - there is none in this book, zip nada zilch. Everyone’s intense/unhappy, dire situation, no witty repartee.
The story / mystery was fine, the writing fine, the characters fine - the whole thing fine. (Yes, I’m aware better writing tips always demand you lose that word). But, nothing that makes me want to continue with this author or series.
So, with a book title like this you expect humor - there is none in this book, zip nada zilch. Everyone’s intense/unhappy, dire situation, no witty repartee.
The story / mystery was fine, the writing fine, the characters fine - the whole thing fine. (Yes, I’m aware better writing tips always demand you lose that word). But, nothing that makes me want to continue with this author or series.
not-for-me-dnf
November 5, 2019No rating because I abandoned this book at 36% (or page 100 of 270) in.
Business lady who hires and fires for a NYC company returns to Alabama because her sister disappeared. From a family of clairvoyants. Nobody knows where she is.
The reader, after 20% into the book, doesn't know anything either. Why the sisters don't like each other, why the female protagonist ran away to NYC, what exactly the mental gift is she has, why people are acting as if following a badly written script, ...
Reasons for not finishing:
- Sloppy editing
- Story does not move forward
- Numerology as psychic talent is really really boring, at least how it is used here
Business lady who hires and fires for a NYC company returns to Alabama because her sister disappeared. From a family of clairvoyants. Nobody knows where she is.
The reader, after 20% into the book, doesn't know anything either. Why the sisters don't like each other, why the female protagonist ran away to NYC, what exactly the mental gift is she has, why people are acting as if following a badly written script, ...
Reasons for not finishing:
- Sloppy editing
- Story does not move forward
- Numerology as psychic talent is really really boring, at least how it is used here
March 31, 2018
Awesome Book!!!
January 20, 2019
I enjoyed reading this cozy mystery. It took longer than I expected only because I fell ill while reading it and wasn’t able to read as much. I did want to get back to it so I knew I was hooked. I like the characters though it was a kind of slow warm up to them and the town for me. I think, for me, that was because there was tension among the sisters, Ember and Stevie. I needed to see who, if either, I was going to trust. In the end I liked both and was happy to see the relationship repairing. I do plan on continuing with this series. The mystery was written welll. I didn’t guess the killer until the big reveal. This is the first book in the series and the way the threads were woven, my recommendation is to read the series in the order in which it was written. There is a fairly easy wheat bread recipe included. If your a baker, it will be a tasty recipe for you.
February 7, 2018
I have loved every book that I have read by A. Gardner so when I had the chance to review this I jumped at it. It was amazing. I loved the characters and the storyline. I can't wait to read the next one in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
Want to read
November 3, 2019Freebie on 3rd November 2019
November 3, 2019
2.5 stars
July 22, 2021
Enjoyable cozy mystery.
September 9, 2022
Great
This was a good book not heavy reading read a lot of it before bed can't wait for next book
This was a good book not heavy reading read a lot of it before bed can't wait for next book
September 5, 2020
I really enjoyed this book! I love the family dynamic in a book, working together, and having a happy ending. It was very entertaining and not hokey at all. I plan to seek out more books in this series.
February 18, 2022
4.5 stars
August 13, 2018
First in series and new to me author. Have to say, I really enjoyed this one. It moved right along and kept me interested the whole way. I'm glad I have book two here waiting to be read as I can see lots of possibilities moving forward.
Ember Greene is an unwilling psychic from the south who is ruthlessly working her way up the corporate ladder in New York when she is called home because her little sister is missing. What follows is a race against time to find who the culprit is and to bring her sister home safely. Lots of action, some of it pretty icky, and the conclusion is not obvious until close to the end.
Ember Greene is an unwilling psychic from the south who is ruthlessly working her way up the corporate ladder in New York when she is called home because her little sister is missing. What follows is a race against time to find who the culprit is and to bring her sister home safely. Lots of action, some of it pretty icky, and the conclusion is not obvious until close to the end.
April 28, 2018
I seemed to be hooked on short books with magical characters. I started this new series yesterday. I think I like them because they are short, entertaining and very light reading. I don't want anything too deep at this time in my life and I want to be able to pick up something and set it down at any time without losing the thread if it is several days before I can get back to it. This series is about psychic sisters in Alabama but there are other magical creatures who are part of the storyline. This book was enjoyable so I am on to the next one in the series.
February 1, 2018
It was ok. Writing was smooth, character development ok. It did lack in a little bit of world building. The plot was ok and the mix of paranormal on point. The overall book didn’t seem to excite me. While reading the story I got into it but if I had to put it down I didn’t rush back to pick it up.
March 1, 2018
This was a new author I discovered on Amazon and in 1 of my Facebook groups. I really enjoyed this book and the next one as well. Lots of laughs, a little mystery and just an overall fun read.
December 1, 2017
A great paranormal first book with murder, attempted murders and a missing sister!
A wonderful start to a new series. Ember Green kept a horrible secret for a long time and ran away from her home town of Misty Key, Alabama to a high power job in NYC. She is in line for a major promotion since she is so good with numbers. As a seer numbers is her gift. She gets calls at work from her mother, but she will not answer until she gets home from work. Then all of a sudden a call comes from the police in Misty Key. It appears her youngest sister is missing. Well of course she feels she has to go home. She had promised her little sister she would always be there for her, so with guilt she returns to her home town to another sister, Stevie, who doesn't want her around and resents the fact that she ran away from her home and family, and her mother, who just wants Ember and Stevie to get along so they could find Aqua, their lost little sister. There is so much in this first book of the series, there is the Clairs, a group that governs the Seers (which Ember tries to hide from because she feels she doesn't deserve to be a Seer), there is the family dynamic and how the characters evolve, there's the choices Ember has to make between Misty Key and her high powered job, there is a strange a murder and attempted murders, there is the missing sister and a witch hiding in the town doing the damage. No witches are supposed to be there. There is Thad. Can't wait to see how this series progresses! There is so much more I want to know! A must read first book in a promising series. I received an ARC from the author, but the opinions expressed here is stricly my own.
A wonderful start to a new series. Ember Green kept a horrible secret for a long time and ran away from her home town of Misty Key, Alabama to a high power job in NYC. She is in line for a major promotion since she is so good with numbers. As a seer numbers is her gift. She gets calls at work from her mother, but she will not answer until she gets home from work. Then all of a sudden a call comes from the police in Misty Key. It appears her youngest sister is missing. Well of course she feels she has to go home. She had promised her little sister she would always be there for her, so with guilt she returns to her home town to another sister, Stevie, who doesn't want her around and resents the fact that she ran away from her home and family, and her mother, who just wants Ember and Stevie to get along so they could find Aqua, their lost little sister. There is so much in this first book of the series, there is the Clairs, a group that governs the Seers (which Ember tries to hide from because she feels she doesn't deserve to be a Seer), there is the family dynamic and how the characters evolve, there's the choices Ember has to make between Misty Key and her high powered job, there is a strange a murder and attempted murders, there is the missing sister and a witch hiding in the town doing the damage. No witches are supposed to be there. There is Thad. Can't wait to see how this series progresses! There is so much more I want to know! A must read first book in a promising series. I received an ARC from the author, but the opinions expressed here is stricly my own.
December 29, 2022
This is a great new series I started. It’s about psychics and sisters and other magical beings.
Ember Greene is the main Magical being - she is a seer whose specialty is reading numbers and defining their appearance. Number four is “bad luck”, so when it appears to her she knows something is wrong.
Ember leaves her high exec job in New York to go not only visit her sister, Stevie and mother, but also to help locate her other sister, Aqua who is missing…Maybe dead or just kidnapped. There are many twists and turns and magical hoopla in a non magical world, but the sisters are on the Kidnapping case!
I actually just finished reading the second book in this series and like this book I wish there was more magic. That’s ok, there’s enough going on to hold my interest.
Book 2 is “Mississippi Blood Cake” because a vampire (aka bloodsucker) is involved.
PS - I forgot to mention there is a murder in this book and the next one! There will probably be another in book 3 Dead Velvet Cheesecake.
Ember Greene is the main Magical being - she is a seer whose specialty is reading numbers and defining their appearance. Number four is “bad luck”, so when it appears to her she knows something is wrong.
Ember leaves her high exec job in New York to go not only visit her sister, Stevie and mother, but also to help locate her other sister, Aqua who is missing…Maybe dead or just kidnapped. There are many twists and turns and magical hoopla in a non magical world, but the sisters are on the Kidnapping case!
I actually just finished reading the second book in this series and like this book I wish there was more magic. That’s ok, there’s enough going on to hold my interest.
Book 2 is “Mississippi Blood Cake” because a vampire (aka bloodsucker) is involved.
PS - I forgot to mention there is a murder in this book and the next one! There will probably be another in book 3 Dead Velvet Cheesecake.
January 12, 2020
Enjoyed the book and the many quirky characters. I will read the next one in the series to see if it continues to enterain me!
From Amazon (edited): Ember Greene, a savvy businesswoman and troubled psychic returns to her family's bakery in southern Alabama after her sister mysteriously disappears. Desperate to find her sister and keep the peace in her hometown, Ember channels her psychic gifts to solve the case. Although, balancing psychic abilities, family drama, and a corporate job in NYC is easier said than done. Will Ember find her sister and stop a magical serial killer before she loses everything?
Book 1 in the Southern Psychic Sisters mystery series! A light-hearted cozy mystery featuring quirky small-town characters, magic, and recipes. This book does not contain cliffhangers, graphic violence, gore, or profanity.
From Amazon (edited): Ember Greene, a savvy businesswoman and troubled psychic returns to her family's bakery in southern Alabama after her sister mysteriously disappears. Desperate to find her sister and keep the peace in her hometown, Ember channels her psychic gifts to solve the case. Although, balancing psychic abilities, family drama, and a corporate job in NYC is easier said than done. Will Ember find her sister and stop a magical serial killer before she loses everything?
Book 1 in the Southern Psychic Sisters mystery series! A light-hearted cozy mystery featuring quirky small-town characters, magic, and recipes. This book does not contain cliffhangers, graphic violence, gore, or profanity.
February 5, 2019
Ember Greene goes back home to help find her missing sister Aqua. Like most of us returning home after a long time away, she has some issues to confront. The psychic sisters was interesting. Ember had issues with her gift and was really unsure of herself. By the end she is readmitted as a Seer (if you feel I gave something away by saying that then series are probably not for you).
Title didn't have anything to do with the book though, except for the fact that the sisters owned a bakery. Writing is good. Character development is decent. It still did not grab me like many books do.
I got the book as part of my Kindle Unlimited. I wouldn't go out and actually buy the next book in the series but if I got it "free" on Kindle, then yes I would probably continue on with the series.
Title didn't have anything to do with the book though, except for the fact that the sisters owned a bakery. Writing is good. Character development is decent. It still did not grab me like many books do.
I got the book as part of my Kindle Unlimited. I wouldn't go out and actually buy the next book in the series but if I got it "free" on Kindle, then yes I would probably continue on with the series.
July 4, 2019
Ember Greene, troubled psychic, returns to her family's bakery in southern Alabama after her younger sister, Aqua mysteriously disappears.The magical folks of Misty Key have always lived in harmony. But that all changes when a maid at the local hotel is murdered, and a rogue witch is to blame. Ember and her older sister Stevie work together to find her sister and keep the peace in her hometown, Ember channels her psychic gifts to solve the case. Although, balancing psychic abilities, family drama, and a corporate job in NYC is easier said than done. I liked the story because it's about family.
This is a nice cozy mystery featuring quirky small town characters, magic, and recipes. This book does not contain cliffhangers, graphic violence, gore, or profanity.
This is a nice cozy mystery featuring quirky small town characters, magic, and recipes. This book does not contain cliffhangers, graphic violence, gore, or profanity.
January 19, 2020
Sort of a luke warm story, easy read. No humor or characters you absolutely love, in fact I kept having to re-read sections to try and remember who was talking. Drama was even muted somewhat, a bit of screaming and shaking, and gun play notwithstanding.
I dislike stories where the heroine can't solve the mystery or escape without getting captured, kidnapped, hurt or shot. In this one, there are quite a few characters all going into a scary and dark place and instead of staying together -they all go their separate ways (jeez...has none of these characters ever seen a horror flick?).
I finished the story with a "who cares" attitude because I hadn't really loved any of the characters and probably won't reay any more in the series.
I dislike stories where the heroine can't solve the mystery or escape without getting captured, kidnapped, hurt or shot. In this one, there are quite a few characters all going into a scary and dark place and instead of staying together -they all go their separate ways (jeez...has none of these characters ever seen a horror flick?).
I finished the story with a "who cares" attitude because I hadn't really loved any of the characters and probably won't reay any more in the series.
July 21, 2022
This was a fun story to read! The premise is that Ember, a clairvoyant with unreliable powers returns from her high-powered job in New York city to her hometown in the South because her sister has gone missing. Ember has spent many years trying to ignore her past and live without magic.
Ember finds a dead body and her mother is having clairvoyant dreams that her sister Aqua's time is running short. Ember starts looking into things on her own.
I did enjoy this book and the magical world of beings associated with it. I liked how there were also humans in the mix and this was not based purely on magical beings.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something a little different.
Ember finds a dead body and her mother is having clairvoyant dreams that her sister Aqua's time is running short. Ember starts looking into things on her own.
I did enjoy this book and the magical world of beings associated with it. I liked how there were also humans in the mix and this was not based purely on magical beings.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something a little different.
January 13, 2018
Ember Greene is summoned back to her home town of Misty Keys, Alabama when her mother informs her that her younger sister has been kidnapped. Not only is her sister missing, her mother has had dreams that time is running out to safely bring her home.
Ember has been dwelling in New York as she tries to find a distance from her own devils. One being her inner knowledge of her father's death prior to it's happening.
This is a paranormal mystery and it was a very good book for a first novel in a series. The author had all the elements of a good mystery and it's solution. The characters are well developed and you gain an interest in their lives. I look forward to reading book number two.
Ember has been dwelling in New York as she tries to find a distance from her own devils. One being her inner knowledge of her father's death prior to it's happening.
This is a paranormal mystery and it was a very good book for a first novel in a series. The author had all the elements of a good mystery and it's solution. The characters are well developed and you gain an interest in their lives. I look forward to reading book number two.
February 21, 2023
Good
When Ember’s younger sister Aqua disappears, she leaves New York and heads home to Alabama to help look for her.
Her numerology talent might prove useful if she could only rely on it, and while her older sister might be angry at her, they will have to combine their skills to unveil the truth.
This is an enjoyable cosy paranormal mystery, with an interesting take on magical abilities and beings.
It’s a quick read, with a heroine whose abilities with numbers is particularly unusual, and some intriguing side characters.
This is a good read for those who like paranormal mystery stories.
When Ember’s younger sister Aqua disappears, she leaves New York and heads home to Alabama to help look for her.
Her numerology talent might prove useful if she could only rely on it, and while her older sister might be angry at her, they will have to combine their skills to unveil the truth.
This is an enjoyable cosy paranormal mystery, with an interesting take on magical abilities and beings.
It’s a quick read, with a heroine whose abilities with numbers is particularly unusual, and some intriguing side characters.
This is a good read for those who like paranormal mystery stories.
December 7, 2018
Not my usual choice of reading but...
To tell the truth i wanted to read the book because I liked the cover. If I don't like the cover of a book I simply don't read it. Kinda like it food doesn't look good i am not Flintstones it. Although books about witches and the like aren't my reading choices I read this one and found it to be well written, the characters interesting and the plot kept me reading just to see how it would end. I will read the next one because I have seen the cover and liked it. The titled got my interest going. Covers and titles are beacons for me.
To tell the truth i wanted to read the book because I liked the cover. If I don't like the cover of a book I simply don't read it. Kinda like it food doesn't look good i am not Flintstones it. Although books about witches and the like aren't my reading choices I read this one and found it to be well written, the characters interesting and the plot kept me reading just to see how it would end. I will read the next one because I have seen the cover and liked it. The titled got my interest going. Covers and titles are beacons for me.
December 5, 2017
Hilarious! Sometimes a girl just has to accept her inner oddity. Ember doesn't want to be odd and she doesn't want to be in the "family" business - she wants a high power life in New York city. But the Universe wants her back in her home town keeping the books for the family bakery, keeping the peace between the magical folk in town and rescuing her kidnapped little sister. Hi-jinks and recipes, who could ask for more.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews