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Dreamwalker #5

Confound It

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While hosting out-of-town guests at her Georgia home, Dreamwalker Baxley Powell is called upon to help investigate a suspicious fire. One of her guests, close friend and fellow dreamwalker Deputy Sam Mayes, accompanies her to the scene. A meth cook is dead, and when Baxley visits her beyond the Veil of Life, she determines that the woman was murdered. Baxley pities Mandy Patterson, a single mother with aspirations for her teenage son Doodle. Unconcerned about the death of a criminal, the authorities pursue the drug-supply chain angle. Baxley worries about Doodle and vows to find out who killed his mother. As the case grows more baffling, Baxley struggles against her attraction to Sam. Although her husband is missing and declared dead, she does not feel free to love again until she is sure of his fate. Two suspects have the strongest motive, but Baxley has reason to believe they are pawns in a deeper game. And unless she can stop them, the world will never be the same. Book 5 in the Dreamwalker Mystery series.

232 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2018

7 people are currently reading
42 people want to read

About the author

Maggie Toussaint

41 books404 followers
A scientist by training, a romanticist at heart, Maggie Toussaint loves to solve puzzles. Whether it’s the puzzle of a relationship or a who-dun-it, she tackles them all with equal aplomb and wonder. Maggie writes romantic suspense, contemporary romance , and science fiction for Muddle House Publishing, cozy mystery for Camel Press, Henery Press, and Muddle House.

She has five published romantic suspense novels: House of Lies (won the 2006 Readers Choice Award for Best Romantic Suspense), No Second Chance (won 2 cover awards), Seeing Red (LASR book of the week), Muddy Waters ( Beacon finalist), Hot Water (EPIC finalist, cover art winner), and Rough Water.

Her mystery titles include In For A Penny, On the Nickel, Death, Island Style, Murder in the Buff, Dime If I Know, No Quarter, Gone and Done It, Bubba Done It, Doggone It, Dadgummit, Confound It, Dreamed It, All Done With It, Seas the Day, Spawning Suspicion, and Shrimply Dead. She also wrote a romantic mystery novella series, The Lindsey & Ike Mysteries.

Her next release, SNUFFED OUT, is tentatively scheduled for January 2023 under the pen name of Valona Jones.

Her works blend mystery and romance, often with a dash of humor.

She's a member of Southeast Mystery Writers of America, Sisters In Crime, and Guppies. She was awarded the WRW Magic Crystal Award in 2004. She also won Silver Falchion Awards, the National Readers Choice Award and the EPIC ebook Award. She's been a finalist for Georgia Author of the Year three times.

Visit her at www.maggietoussaint.com

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Leslie aka StoreyBook Reviews.
2,913 reviews214 followers
June 11, 2018
I have not read the previous books in this series so when I picked this up I must not have realized it was the 5th in the series. While this book could be read on its own, it is very helpful to read the previous books to understand Baxley and her talents and the other characters. There is enough detail about past books where it is not hard to understand the characters, but as is with any series you are better starting off at the beginning!

That all said, this was quite a change from the cozies books I normally read. It felt more "hardcore" vs cozy. I'm not sure if I can pin it down exactly, but it was a feeling that I had while reading the book. I enjoyed getting to know Baxley and her ability to find out from the dead what exactly happened or get answers to questions that their loved ones might have back on earth. The spirits are not always cooperative as Baxley discovers when visiting the spirit realm.

The mystery itself was well written and while I suspected who the "bad guy" was, I didn't know why. This character just set off my radar...but when it was revealed with the all the details - WOW is all I can say! Quite a twist that perhaps I might have expected had I read the first four books but perhaps not.

There is a romance between Baxley and Sam, but Baxley holds back due to her missing husband. There is some resolution to that situation in this book and it will be interesting to see where it goes from here.
Profile Image for Nancy.
Author 40 books668 followers
June 3, 2018
This next installment in the Dreamwalker mystery series finds psychic Baxley Powell investigating the murder of Mandy Patterson, a meth lab cooker and a single mom. Suspects abound among the woman’s friends and family, including her recalcitrant son, greedy sister, abusive boss, and weird neighbor. A voodoo practitioner enters into the equation, but Baxley can’t figure out how. Baxley relies on her boyfriend, Deputy Sam Mayes, to merge their powers and collect information from beyond the Veil. His presence forces Baxley to confront the issue of her missing husband. Can she let him go to face a new future with Sam? Readers will need all their powers of acuity to guess whodunit until the final surprise at the end. A quick, easy read spiced with a supernatural twist!
836 reviews10 followers
June 11, 2018
Another Wonderful Read!

Dreamwalker & Police Consultant Baxley Powell returns for another mystery. This time Baxley is called on to help solve the murder of a meth-cooker. What is usually a normal investigation quickly becomes much more. Throw in possible voodoo, pigs, & more paranormal activity & you have the ingredients for a great story. Add in love interest Sam Mayes who comes for just a weekend visit, but hopes to get Baxley to face a new future. The author ties up a lot of loose ends in this book. The ending touched me. I hope this is not the last book in this series. I would miss Baxley greatly.
Profile Image for Karla Brandenburg.
Author 37 books156 followers
April 20, 2018
Where to begin. Let me first say, as a privileged advance reader for this novel, I didn’t want the experience to end. I am a devourer of books, reading from beginning to end, but this is one I wanted to savor.

Baxley Powell is a Dreamwalker and as such, she is a psychic consultant to the police department. When a meth lab goes up in smoke, she’s called on to find out what happened. What happens next carries her through a maze of interconnected crimes and through a series of suspects to find out whodunit. The ending will surprise you.

Assisted by the friend Baxley met in the last Dreamwalker book, she learns ever more about her “superpowers” that allow her to cross between the realms of the living and the dead. The two of them share a spiritual symbiosis which protects them and sharpens their skills. This book brings us the answer to “Who is the Watcher,” and oh, my beating heart, she finds resolution to her greatest desire – she finds out what happened to her missing husband, who has been presumed dead and who she refuses to acknowledge as such.

Expertly crafted, there are so many good things about this book, from the mystery of what happened to the meth lab, to love of animals, to protecting our children and wanting the best for them, love of family, and more. This book has earned a place not only on my e-reader, but also on my bookshelf in hard cover/paperback to be read again and again.
Profile Image for Stanley McShane.
Author 10 books59 followers
June 12, 2018
Baxley Powell, owner of "Pets and Plants" has the calling. She discovered the ability to cross the Veil of Life between the living and the dead. Baxley is the widow of a serviceman, declared deceased, and is trying to raise their daughter alone. However, she has not yet felt the emotional release from him and is reluctant to engage in a new romantic interest.

In this installment of the series, Mandy Patterson is found in the ruins of her mobile home following a devastating meth fire. Mandy leaves a son, Doodle, a possible cash stash, feuding neighbors, and a dangerous drug link. A possible romantic interest, Deputy Sam Mayes, is someone with whom she's discovered can join her psychic abilities to present an even stronger front. Sam Mayes and Toby Duncan are up for a visit with her and her friend Charlotte, but are soon embroiled in the murder investigation of Mandy after she is contacted by Sheriff Thompson. She has worked with Sheriff Thompson before as a psychic consultant.

There appears to be some jealousy from Mayes toward the Sheriff, although unnecessary. Mayes sometimes comes on a little too harsh in his drive to secure her commitment. Still, the draw to his psychic ability to meld with hers is strong. Baxley is busy sorting rumors, following leads, and confronting twists and turns in the well-plotted storyline. The minutia, however, slows the pace somewhat from time to time.

While there is some background information, this installment does not fully develop the protagonist. Supporting characters are interesting but also not fully developed. This is my first experience with this author and series and while the story does hold interest, if not total engagement, the paranormal slant to the mystery and the southern setting keeps you flipping pages. Recommended for those who enjoy paranormal mysteries, supernaturals, and women sleuth protagonists with a few bits of sci-fi and fantasy licks. I received this ebook in exchange for participation in a book tour and greatly appreciated the opportunity to read and review. 3.5/5 stars

See my full review of this and many others on https://rosepointpublishing.com
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,209 reviews61 followers
June 26, 2018
“Confound it” earns 5/5 Dangerous Dreamwalks…Marvelous!

Baxley is more than willing to help anyone find answers from their departed love ones. Today a new client has arrived with an emotional request, as do most coming to use her talents. Cipriona Marsden is hoping to get information to help gain an early release for her Granny Elmira who is in jail for killing Cipriona’s father, who many believe to have been deserving of his fate since he may have killed his wife years earlier. But, crossing over into the realm of the dead, she is disturbed by the man’s claim of innocence, love for his wife, and pointing the finger to his daughter and mother; they “are thick as thieves.” Although Baxley is currently helping the police with an arson that resulted in a death, circumstances arise that question if thereare more connections hidden.

I was totally engaged with Maggie Toussaint’s “Confound It,” the newest book in her Dreamwalker series. My introduction leaps well into the series, but I was prepared that much as transpired in the storyline and character development. I noticed several references, no spoilers, to previous events and investigations, issues with ‘beyond the veil’ Rose, tattoos and hair color changes, and perilous, near death experiences by her and her father, and although they fed my eagerness to read more from the series, my enjoyment was not negatively effected. I remained very engaged with Baxley’s ever-increasing psychic abilities, her smoldering sexual attraction and strong psychic connection to Sam Mayes, the murder mystery, the visits to the land of the dead, and the twists, turns, and ultimately exciting conclusion. I greatly enjoyed Baxley who has realistic flaws and fears, yet her strength of conviction and loyalty are what spurs her on. It's fine for newbies to start with book five, but you’ll be compelled to read the rest of the series.

"Disclosure: I received an ARC. My review is voluntary with honest comments and insights."
Profile Image for Laura.
3,205 reviews348 followers
June 10, 2018
The title of this book hits the nail on the head. A common meaning of the word "confound" is to cause surprise or confusion, especially by acting against expectations. Baxley Powell doesn't exactly act against others' expectations but she continues to grow and expand and surprise even herself with her psychic abilities. Also the clues and suspicions regarding her latest investigation, as a consultant to the local police, are confounding, as well as certain reactions by different law enforcement factions.

When a meth lab explodes, is it more important to discover the truth, especially when a woman is dead and her teenage son is endangered, or should it be more important to discover the CHAIN this lab was just one part of. Is her death just a sideline, an event as well as a clue?

Along with ethical questions and investigative techniques, Baxley is wondering about her personal status. Her husband has been declared dead, leaving her legally able to pursue a new relationship. She, herself, has shadows of doubt and guilt.

Confound It will stretch your own ability to believe and shake your confidence in what you know to be true. This is a wonderful series that will probably be best understood and appreciated if you read the books in order. That is not to say you won't find this a great read by itself. You just won't get to see how Bax is growing and changing.

I enjoyed the setting and the contributions of the supporting characters. The mystery itself was complex enough to keep me guessing. when the trailer first exploded I thought for sure the victim was going to be Bax's latest psychic client. That person is involved, but not the way I expected. I appreciated being surprised.

Maggie Toussaint is a talented writer with a curious mind. I love how she makes the reader eagerly look forward to being both stumped and satisfied.

Profile Image for Kristina Anderson.
4,066 reviews82 followers
May 29, 2018
Confound It by Maggie Toussaint is the fifth A Dreamwalker Mystery. Baxley Powell and her best friend, Charlotte welcome Toby Duncan and Sam Mayes for a weekend visit. The next morning Baxley gets an early morning call from Sheriff Wayne Thompson asking for her assistance with a case. The day before someone had set fire to a doublewide trailer where Mandy Patterson lived with her son, Doodle. It turns out that Mandy had been cooking meth, but her death was not an accident. While inside the home, Baxley is able to see how Mandy died. The authorities are more concerned with drugs than with the victim. Baxley wants justice for Mandy and closure for her son, Doodle. With help from Deputy Sam Hayes, Baxley dives into the case to track down a killer. There are a host of suspect including the nutty aunt, the controlling drug dealer, the crazy neighbor, and the son. But this is no ordinary case and it will challenge Baxley’s abilities. In addition, Baxley is fighting her attraction to Sam. While her husband has been declared dead, Baxley cannot move forward with Sam until she is sure of his fate.

Confound It is not a standalone novel. You do need to read the previous novels in A Dreamwalker Mystery series to understand Baxley, her family and friends as well as her abilities. I thought the Baxley is a well-developed with unique abilities. Baxley discovers something new about her talents in Confound It. I like that the author keeps changing things up, so it does not become stale or predictable. I did find Confound It to be a bit wordy. The author does include background details and information from the previous books which slows down the pace. There are quite a few secondary quirky characters which adds to the Southern charm. The mystery is multi-layers and readers will be surprised at the end. The paranormal elements enrich this mystery novel along with the Native American characters. I could have done without the jealousy Sam Mayes felt towards Sheriff Wayne Thompson (Baxley reassures him several times without success). I do want readers to be aware that there is foul language and an intimate scene in Confound It. The end of Confound It will have readers teary.
Profile Image for James Jackson.
Author 27 books121 followers
June 24, 2018
I received an electronic ARC of this book. This series just keeps getting better and better. I’m not one who must read a series in order, and each book is a standalone, but as with many series, a reader who has read the series in order will have a deeper understanding of the continuing characters and their motivations.

My preference runs toward the darker side of mysteries, and although Confound It has many cozy attributes, it is a bit darker and includes some language that would have earned me a mouth full of soap when I was young and that I occasionally use now that I’m old. One thing that makes it stand apart from other series is that Baxley Powell is a Dreamwalker. She crosses realms and speaks with the dead—who are not always delighted to speak with her. These “walks” come with a price.

This novel is a quick read (because I didn’t want to put it down). It twists and turns, multiple story lines, good folks and bad make it an enjoyable read. It resolves some prior storylines (a reason why you might want to read the series in order) but leaves plenty of room for the story to continue.

I look forward to Dreamwalker #6.
Profile Image for LK Hunsaker.
Author 23 books48 followers
June 8, 2018
Maggie Toussaint is one of my must-read authors. One of the biggest reason is that her voice, a friendly, fun, intriguing, thoughtful voice shines through her work so beautifully it's nearly like sitting around a campfire listening to a practiced Storyteller.

Counfound It is the most recent release of the Dreamwalker Mysteries, which is my favorite of her series and lines. They are cozy mysteries, but with a huge twist that makes them unlike any other I've read: They revolve around a regular kind of gal who loves plants and animals and nature, has plenty of self-doubt to battle, and who also happens to be able to communicate with the dead, not through your typical seance, but by going to meet them on their own realm. There's also the fact that her military husband was reported missing some time back and she has trouble accepting this while raising their young daughter.

Confound it was hard to put down. The characters are so believable it's impossible not to care about them. The research is impeccable from all I can tell (and I'm a research junkie). And the chemistry is hard to resist, not only for Baxley, but also for the reader. Another well-woven story that leaves you wishing the next was already on your shelf ready to go.
765 reviews3 followers
July 20, 2018
Dreamwalker, police consultant, and pet and plant sitter Baxely Powell is hosting a company at her house when she gets called to investigate a suspicious fire and death of a suspected meth cook. The police aren’t too interested in investigating the death of a criminal, but when Baxley “visits” the dead woman beyond the Veil of Life, she learns the woman was murdered. Being a single parent herself, Baxley empathizes with the dead woman, and, worried about the woman’s 16-year-old son, she vows to find out who killed the woman.

I very much enjoyed the fifth entry in this well-written paranormal mystery. I like my paranormal elements to have plausibility, and Toussaint never disappoints. She writes in such a that the events in the dream world seem just as real as the events in Baxley’s day-to-day life. There is a nice balance between the mystery elements, the romance, the suspense, and the day-to-day character development.

I like watching the relationship between Baxley and Native American deputy Sam Mayes. They’re a good match – he has skills similar to hers, so he supports her work. She can’t quite open herself to a relationship with Sam because she thinks her presumed dead husband is still alive. She’s tried to find him in the dreamworld, and has been unsuccessful so far, and if he were dead, she’d be able to find him. That’s her gift, finding dead people and helping them resolve unresolved issues so they can go into the light. Also, she’s not a hit-it-and-quit-it kind of woman, so she’s conflicted. Her struggles seem very real to me. I also enjoy the relationship between Baxley and her daughter, Larissa. They have the kind of relationship I wish I had had with my mother.

I am very attached to these characters and this series, and I once again found myself thinking about the book when I was doing other things. The ending was a satisfying surprise, and I was sad when I finished because I knew I’d have to wait for the next installment. I hope Baxley and her family and friends are around for a long time. Oh, I find this series best read in order.
Profile Image for Linda Morelli.
112 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2018
Dreamwalker Baxley Powell has two guests at her Georgia home, one of which is Deputy Sam Mayes, a fellow dreamwalker. When she and Sam are asked to investigate a suspicious fire, they discover that the fire was caused by a meth lab and resulted in the death of Mandy Patterson. Baxley learns the woman was cooking meth in order to provide a better life for her teenage son, Doodle.

Baxley is upset that the authorities prefer to concentrate on the drug aspect of the fire, and because she’s a mother and concerned about Doodle’s fate, Baxley visits the woman on the other side of the Veil of Life. Meanwhile, Doodle is placed in his aunt’s care, someone is casting voodoo spells on Baxley, and Sam becomes even more determined to protect Baxley in a case that grows more dangerous by the minute.

My full review can be found at: http://myshelf.com/mystery/17/confoun...
Profile Image for Dawn Delle.
22 reviews
October 1, 2018
Like rescuing a dog, can't stop at one!

I just recently found the Dreamwalker series and once I started I couldn't stop. I read them all. It was a mad binge but worth it. My only negative about the whole series is Charlotte. She annoys me to no end. I guess there is a best friend for everyone. I would recommend the series in order and to anyone who likes paranormal, psychics, no uncomfortable sex scenes.
997 reviews25 followers
August 27, 2018
I look forward to each new book in this series.
I find the premise fascinating and well written, the characters interesting and worth being concerned about.
The addition of the tension with Mayes adds to the "fun".
Profile Image for Lora.
34 reviews
March 3, 2019
Stumbled on this read in a Oh my Gracious there is going to be snow excursion to the library. Read parts of it and cleared the library shelves of the books in the Dreamwalker series. They kept me entertained and delightfully confused.
Profile Image for Tammy.
1,113 reviews1 follower
May 11, 2019
Interesting and action packed.
Profile Image for Jane Reads.
190 reviews29 followers
July 17, 2018
Confound It by Maggie Toussaint is amazing! Let me tell you a little about it. Confound It is the fifth book in the Dreamwalker Mystery Series. It takes place a few weeks after Dadgummit, and a few months after Doggone It.

Sam Mayes and Toby Duncan, two sheriff's deputies introduced in Dadgummit, have come from North Georgia to coastal Sinclair County to visit Baxley and her BFF Charlotte. Their visit is supposed to be strictly pleasure, but after the deputies volunteer to help investigate a suspicious fire, their trip turns into a working vacation.

Baxley helps with the investigation as well, both in her role as Dreamwalker and as department consultant. She can detect if someone is lying or telling the truth — and there are a lot of lies being told by the suspects.

Confound It, like the other Dreamwalker Mysteries, has an extremely original and unique plot. I am continually impressed by the imagination of Author Maggie Toussaint. Not only has she created the detailed, realistic world of Sinclair County, Georgia, she has also built an intricate world of dreamwalking, with all its rules and layers. And entities. Supernatural entities, which are detailed and realistic, as well.

I was pulled into Baxley's world on the very first page, and there I stayed until the very moving and touching conclusion. I couldn't put Confound It down, and read it in one sitting. The climax is thrilling, with an unexpected whodunit — and there's so much more I'd like to say about the villain and the climax, but....

I absolutely adore Confound It, and recommend it to fans of paranormal cozy mysteries everywhere. I think fans of Barbra Annino's Stacy Justice Mysteries and Heather Webber's Lucy Valentine Novels will especially enjoy Confound It by Maggie Toussaint. Confound It has earned our highest rating of Five Stars.


Note: I received a complimentary copy of Confound It in exchange for my honest review. All opinions shared are 100% my own.

Originally published on my blog Jane Reads
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