Midnight Magic

A Ghost & Abby Mystery #1

by Jo-Ann Carson

Midnight Magic: A Ghost & Abby Mystery
Ghostly Charms, Magic Spells and Secrets.

As the janitor in a haunted house, single mom Abby Jenkins has many contacts with the living and the dead in the small Pacific Northwest town of Sunset Cove, which puts her in a perfect position to solve local mysteries. Or so she thinks. Hired to find diamonds hidden in a haunted manor she gets help from a Viking ghost with existential issues. Will she survive? This book contains bad-boy ghosts, mischievous magic, and a woman who knows what she wants in a Viking hayloft.

***
Midnight Magic is a spin-off story from my novella, A Viking Ghost for Valentine’s Day, but it can be read as a stand-alone.

Genres: Paranormal, Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Amazon

198 pages, Paperback

First published November 13, 2017

About the author

Jo-Ann Carson
~A little bit of magic~
Jo-Ann Carson is an award-winning author who loves the magic of storytelling. She writes evocative settings, strong characters, and fast-paced plots. Her current project, Fangsters, is a six book, urban fantasy series about a sorceress blackmailed into running an academy for delinquent, teenage vampires.
To date, Jo-Ann Carson has published 37 stories. Her latest series are: Fangsters, the Dial Witch Trilogy, The Perfect Brew Trilogy, the Ghost & Abby Mysteries, and the Gambling Ghosts Novellas.
A firm believer in the magic of our everyday lives, Jo-Ann loves watching sunrises, walking the beaches with her poodle near her home in the Pacific Northwest, and reading books by a crackling wood fire. You can find more about her on her website.

Website / Goodreads / BookBub / Facebook / Pinterest

Reviews

[Jody McGrath · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a light, whimsical,paranormal romance/mystery. Abby is a widowed mother of three who lives in the haunted town of Sunset Cove. She is in love with and committed to her partner ghost Viking Erich. Even though the two cannot make physical contact they have vowed to be together. Erich is looking for a way to be human again, but Abby is completely against it, having been told it goes against everything good in the world. Anyways, the two of them have opened up a PI business, in the attic of a haunted tea house and have their first client. A very wealthy, snobby woman who wants Abby to find hidden diamonds in the haunted mansion she has just inherited. Can Abby and Erich find the diamonds? What is haunting the mansion? Can Erich find a way to be human again?

This is book 1 in the Ghost and Abby mystery series but I felt like I was walking into a series that had already begun. I later found out that it began in a short story. You don't have to read it, to enjoy this book, but knowing their was something before explains why it felt like a lot of the story had been told.

Abby was very likable. The only thing that slightly annoyed me was she was always talking about her kids but she never seemed to spend any time with them. But the book would be pretty boring if she was at home with her three kids all the time. Erich was so hard headed, but sweet. I just wanted to smack him in the head with a frying pan though. You see him make these mistakes that are going to take him down a bad path, but he is too arrogant to see his own follies. Vikings!

There is sex and sexual talk in this book, which was more graphic than I expected. It didn't bother me. It was sort of funny in parts. I guess I just didn't see it coming for some reason. I would recommend this book to paranormal romance readers or paranormal mystery readers.

*I requested a copy of the book from Netgalley and have given an unbiased and honest review*

[Joanne Guidoccio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having thoroughly enjoyed Ms. Carson’s Gambling Ghosts series, I was excited to learn that the naughty Viking ghost and cash-strapped widow would be featured in a two-book series. In Midnight Magic, the romance between the star-crossed lovers continues with more interesting twists, among them a treasure hunt for missing diamonds, encounters with sorcerers and vampires, and black magic spells. An intriguing storyline filled with fantastical characters and a surprise ending...a recipe for success!

[Marta Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in the mood for something light and original and spotted this. It's my first time reading something by this author but definitely won't be the last. Such a quirky, fun story and yet there's genuine emotion written into this book . Yes it's amusing but it's also poignant as the central couple clearly do love each other. The only problem is Eric is dead whilst Abby is very much alive!
This story essentially revolves around a case that investigator Abby has taken on and yes I know there's a plethora of books featuring private investigators but stick with it because there are lots of interesting touches here. First we have the obviously star crossed lovers angle but it's mixed in with haunted houses, witches and unusual vampires. Add in a quest that leaves Abby changed irrevocably and let's not forget that Eric will do just about anything to be with Abby and her children. Yes she's a mum, a janitor and a fledgling investigator but Abby is also very much human with fears, flaws and occasionally a fiesty temperament. This story has certainly sparked my interest in the rest of this series and I happily recommend it.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the start to a new series, A Ghost & Abby Mystery Series, where ghosts and magic take center state. Abby is the janitor in a haunted tea shop and runs a small PI office on the top floor with the help of her ghost partner, viking Erich. Abby and Erich met in a novella, A Viking Ghost for Valentines Day but this book is an easy read without the novella. There are two additional stories in the series and I'm looking forward to reading them. The story is sensual and funny.

[C. McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abby Jenkins is one fabulous mom who happens to be in love with a Viking--a long dead one. Their romance would be perfect if only they could really embrace, but that's not possible, not yet. However, when there's an opportunity for Eric to come to life for one night of passion, he takes it. Unfortunately, this decision might lead to some very dark business. We won't know just how dark until the next book in the series.

In the meantime, Abby sets out to support her family with a new detective business, and that tale takes off like a jet. The story was fun, and it entertained me from start to finish. I think I'm now a fan and will read more of Ms. Carson's work when I want a good ghostly read with a few laughs.

I received this book in a giveaway, and I liked it enough to read and review it honestly.

[Brent Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been involved in the Amazon Top Reviewer community for years, and in the course of that I've been exposed to dozens and dozens of self-published books by hopeful nascent authors. Sadly, most of those efforts are poorly written messes full of bad writing -- comprising every sort of mistake you can imagine.

A few are jewels in the rough, where I enjoy the book, and when possible and I think the author would like the feedback, I note a few things that might help improve their writing.

Exactly four times in eight years of exploring self-published authors, I've come across work that the NY houses should have found and latched on to.

Jo-Ann Carson is my fourth discovery for that list.

Midnight Magic is exquisitely executed prose. I've done a lot of writing, and some people tell me that I'm a pretty good writer. But I would shrink with trepidation from the prospect of writing a scene that simultaneously gives a reader shivering goosebumps and makes them chuckle. That's talent.

Now, along with that talent for scene crafting comes a ripping good story, with imaginative characters and settings which breathe life fully into the author's make-believe world(s). I'd be tempted to enumerate some of the interesting and amusing touches in the book, but it would be a disservice. I know from my own experience that you'll much more enjoy coming across those interesting surprises on your own.

We have in Midnight Magic an appealing heroine, metaphysical friends and encounters, nasty creatures, and humorous relationships that I won't detail per my preceding paragraph. LOL The story immediately grabbed me, and it didn't let up. Haunted houses have received countless treatments, and you'll quickly encounter one here that won't remind you that you've read about them before.

I found everything here to be fresh and inventive, and I'm most certainly looking forward to more about these characters and from this author.

Well done, and certainly recommended.

[Sandee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a bit darker than I expected with some fairly gross descriptions of the supernaturals and the situations. Also it is titled as the first book in the series but all the relationships have been established in another series by this author. I haven't read the other series. I certainly enjoyed this book as the first in a series. It was easy to understand but I was frustrated in places at having being left out of the previous stories that led to current situations. The characters are warm and the story interesting.

[Jacqui Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has everything! Ghosts, guardian spirits, warlocks, bloodsuckers, howling hounds, bats, rats, spiders, a haunted mansion, an ancient grimoire, a spunky private investigator, a super sexy Viking, the inclusion of two of my favorite characters from the Gambling Ghosts series (Azalea and goth-goddess Joy) plus a divinely wicked smile-until-your-cheeks-hurt humor. Loved tagging along with Abby Jenkins as she solves her first case and gets more than she could ever have imagined from her client "Ms. Power Suit" Charisma Dubois. Loved everything about this book and can’t wait to read more in this series!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Original review posted on my blog From Ink to Paper

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Book rating a 3.5 out of 5.

I am torn on this book, I have to say I liked it more in the beginning and then by the end I was slightly annoyed with it. I think one thing that started this was when Abby got the second voice in her head and they started talking to each other. It just seemed like a weird move and was more annoying than funny or helpful to the plot.

I liked the idea of the book and what it was trying to go for. However, in the realm of other mysteries with ghosts I don’t know that I would pick this above others. It has potential though and I feel like knowing what happens next would be good. You are left with a couple slight cliff hangers wonder what is going to happen to Abby and Erich; I did like the chemistry that they with each other. I thought that in the beginning Abby made me laugh with her personality and everything, just until that spark showed up.

The supporting characters were pretty good, you don’t have a ton of background but that is okay. I think my favorite was the gross draguer because I was just imagining what she looked like. Although it seemed like they were meaning more vampire like and that isn’t what I pictured her as, instead I imagined more of a zombie like corpse but etherial like a ghost.

The writing overall was well done, the story was easy to follow and it moved along nicely. There was romance, some twists, some sarcastic banter, and some adventure. I do think the ending left you wanting to find out what is going to happen with the twists that have happened to Abby and Erich. So I would definitely like to continue on to see where it goes.

[Shiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of Midnight Magic (A Ghost & Abby Mystery Book 1) by Jo-Ann Carson from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially intrigued by the summary and curious/amused at the prospect of a janitor slash super sleuth. I am happy to report that the book did not disappoint!

The good: a plot that moves swiftly and was NOT a dime a dozen snoozefest. This book had a well-woven story, entertaining characters who kept the reader engaged, and a spunky protagonist (Abby Jenkins) that you'll want to root for.

The not-so-good: the story did meander a little with secondary plot threads that weren't essential to the storyline. They weren't bad, but the novel may have been better if it was tightened up.

All in all, reading Midnight Magic (A Ghost & Abby Mystery Book 1) by Jo-Ann Carson was an enjoyable way to spend a snowy winter evening, and I am happy to have had the opportunity to do so. I look forward to reading future novels by Jo-Ann Carson.

[wonderfullyweird88 · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first instalment in Jo-Ann Carson’s A Ghost & Abby Mystery series. I did find myself confused at the opening of this book as a lot of the story seemed to have happened before the book even began. I discovered that there is a short story that precedes this book that provides the back story to the relationship.
I like to have all the information when starting a book. The book should either work as a standalone or I need to have read the beginning in the series. For this reason I had to stop reading the book and search out the short story. It was difficult to find, I actually had to go to the author’s website as the title is not listed with the others in this series. It’s called A Viking Ghost for Valentine’s Day and is also part of Ms Carson’s Gambling ghosts series.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. For more reviews please visit my blog:
http://www.wonderfullyweird88.com/

[Krystyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be careful what you wish for as the results might surprise you.

A good enjoyable read but seemed to flounder a bit. Being a janitor does not keep her and her children as well as she would want. Therefore she turns her hand to PI work in the hopes that this will provide her with more funds. Her first case is the missing diamonds in the haunted manor. Can she and her ghostly lover find the diamonds? Throw in an undead vampire, evil witches, a missing grimoire, a Guardian angel and stir well. The characters are well described and grow on you and the plot (although it got stuck slightly) picked up and gave you a good read. I suppose it could be called a mystery but that was a slightly thin one. Nevertheless a good read.

[Susan Bernhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magic is afoot in Jo-Ann Carson's latest fantasy novel. As I read "Midnight Magic", I was in awe of Ms. Carson's imagination. I was taken in by the fantastical creatures in the book and the involved story of Abby, night janitor of a haunted teahouse turned P.I. and Eric, the Viking ghost love of her life. The plot is involved and intriguing and Carson makes her characters and the magical world around them seem real.

This was a terrific first story in a promising new series A Ghost & Abby Mystery Book. I have the second in the series pre-ordered "I Messed Up Christmas" (A Ghost & Abby Mystery Book 2).

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

*** I received an e-copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for my honest review

Abby Jenkins isnt your typical single mom. For one thing she works as a janitor in a haunted tearoom. For another, she has a really hot boyfriend who just happens to be a viking ghost. As if she didn't already have enough on her plate, she has decided to open up a detective agency. Her first client is a woman looking for diamonds hidden in the mansion she inherited.... a haunted mansion.
This book is a very light read with lots of humor. I am interested in checking out her other books now.

[Holly Lenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midnight Magic is a cute supernatural story about a single mom who is dating a ghost, works in a haunted tea house, and decides to become a private investigator. The story is lots of fun even though it is a bit silly, and there are a couple times when the main character does really stupid things.

This book has sex in it as well as light cussing.

The narrator of the audiobook gives a cheerful, fun reading that suits the story nicely.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was apparently a spinoff from a short story, but having not known that going in, I don't think you need to read that story to appreciate this one. If you like ghost hunting stories, this is worth checking out.

Abby is a single mother (widowed) who is just trying to user her abilities to make ends meet. While her primary job is a janitor for a haunted tea house, she also has some sort of affinity for the paranormal. It's this ability that gets her a customer in the form of a woman hunting for diamonds in her recently inherited mansion. Said mansion is also haunted by some mean ghost that makes searching the mansion more difficult.

While the story started out a little slow, it picks up with layers of mystery and a subplot dealing with Abby and her Viking ghost boyfriend's relationship. I think that might be the only thing that I sort of missed by not reading the previous short. We join their relationship already in progress and intense enough for him to risk everything to be with her (in exactly the way you're thinking). There is some level of romance and smut, but the book is primarily and mystery and sets up Abby's even more interesting paranormal predilections. Future books should be able to dive right into that drama without the build up that this book went through.

[Mikayla Serrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always looking for new romance paranormal book. This being because this past year I really discovered my liking to them. I stumbled across Midnight Magic and thought the plot sounded like nothing I have ever read before in the past. This book was such an interesting take on the typical private investigator plot. It has a little bit of paranormal for everyones taste from sexy viking ghosts to blood sucking beings to witches.

The book started off with Abby, the main character, looking to start up her new private investigation service in the town of Sunset Cover. Her current job is being a janitor and is not enough to support her children, especially since her boyfriend is a viking ghost and cannot make any money. Then it switches to her boyfriend who is seeking out a way to become human once again so that he may be with Abby. Bring in a dark sorcerer and a investigation job to find secret jewels and you have the perfect concoction for a page turning paranormal book.

I really enjoyed the ideas and the concepts that the author put into the making of this book. I love when I can find a story that truly intrigues me and is out of the box thinking compared to other that you find in its genre. If an author tries to mimic others with a slight difference it really turns me off from wanting to read it.

I would definitely suggest this to anyone looking for a new paranormal read. I am sure I will end up read the next one in the future!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun, quick, and easy read! I wasn't sure what to expect with this book, but I really enjoyed it! I requested it from Netgalley because of the ghost aspect of things and discovered that it's a bit more sci-fi than the typical paranormal books that I read. Turns out, that didn't bother me as much as I thought it would!

Abby can see ghosts, and her boyfriend is a long dead Viking who helps her. She works in an enchanted tea house and while trying to get her PI business off and running, inadvertently released some dagurs (vampire like zombies) into her small town. Her and her troop of friends (both dead and alive) work together to get rid of them.

This book really is a perfect blend of sci fi without overly geeking out and Jo Ann Carson is a great writer with moments in there where her writing was...well, pure magic. She's definitely someone I will read again and I'm looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review.

[Allyson Abu-Hajar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a witty, fun read! Abby Jenkins works as a janitor in a haunted house to provide for her three children. Abby, also, has the ability to see the dead. Trying to expand and make a name for herself as a detective, Abby takes on a client, Charisma Dubois, who wants her to find a stash of diamonds in a house she inherited.

There is a catch, the house is haunted by a draugr, likened to vampires and feeds off the blood of humans. Abby, along with her ghost boyfriend and partner, Eric Eklund, set out to find the diamonds. In doing so, they find themselves making a bargain with the draugr, who has plans of their own. Eric makes a deal with a witch, something that is forbidden to do. Lots of magic involved!

[BobaFett114 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute read!

This is a spin-off of another series. I would read that series first, there is a lot of backstory. Ahhh lands her first case! However, she has to deal with a nasty draugr and a magic book. Eric is determined to find a way to be human again even if it means doing something dark. Lots going on in the book!

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fall in love with a ghost!

This story by Jo-Ann Carson hit just the right balance between love story and mystery. Set in the Pacific Northwest, you could actually believe that the haunted tea house and Graystone Manor existed. You will fall in love with the characters Abby and Eric as they work side by side to solve the mystery of the missing diamonds.

[Helena Korin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Midnight Magic (a Ghost and Abby Mystery, Book One)
Abby, the cleaning lady of Azalea’s haunted tea house is back, tackling her first assignment as a private eye. Never far from her side is Eric, her sexy Viking ghost. He will do almost anything to spend time in Abby’s bed - in human form, but he does have a moral compass. Abby has been hired to find a missing cache of diamonds and that’s when the fun begins with ghosts, vampires, a bubbling pot cooking up a witch’s brews of evil potions, a haunted house and an ancient grimoire [that’s a manual of black magic spells, had to look it up]. Abby never gives up on her quest but a series of plot twists, inspired by magic make for an unexpected ending - and bode well for the next book in this series, “I messed up Christmas”.

[Penny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have not read a book previously by this author, but after reading this one, I will definitely read more. This book was a fun foray into magic, ghosts, and mayhem. I really liked Abby and Eric, although I have to admit at times I would have liked to yell at them for making a few dumb decisions, but this served to make the characters more real to me. And, yes, since Eric is a Viking, he has some antiquated ideas about women, but he handled Abby well. I hope that in the next installment we get to know more about the side characters, especially Jill and Azalea. I really think they would be fascinating. There was a good plot, and although the mystery wasn’t the center of the book, it kept you entertained but I do think this book was more character-driven. If you like light paranormal mysteries/paranormal romance with great characters, you will like this one. Highly recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and JRT Publications/Xpresso Book Tours for the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.

[InD'tale Magazine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a unique take on the paranormal, not to mention, a very cute story.

Read full review in the 2018 March issue of InD'tale Magazine.

[Jill DeBellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The lady and hunky ghost

This was a new author for me and I found I enjoyed the story. I want to read more just to find out more about Abby and her Viking hunk of a ghost, Eric.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midnight Magic

Very enjoyable, Sweet easy read. I enjoyed the plot and found it exciting and interesting. Looking forward to the next book I series.

[Kat Piparo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a light, whimsical,paranormal romance/mystery. A fun, quick, and easy read!

[Janet Angela beardsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the characters!

Well this is so different a story and all the characters backgrounds are told, and there are so many things going on at the same time in the story, I will certainly read more of her books!

[Bernadette Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery and mayhem

Loved the characters, although reading about something that happened but did not was strange. Lots of strange goings on with a ghost who wants to be alive again, dangerous ghosts who want to eat humans and a local mystery. It helps the ghost who wants to live again but is sexy as. The main character is a modern day woman who has a soft but scared side.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.