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Essex Witch Museum Mystery #3
Strange Fascination
It's summer in Adders Fork. The sun is out, the sky is blue and things are going swimmingly for Rosie Strange. The Essex Witch Museum has been relaunched with a new Ursula Cadence wing and picnic grounds. Then developers roll into the sleepy village to widen the road. When the centuries-old Blackly Be boulder, said to mark the grave of a notorious witch, is moved, all hell breaks out. Within hours a slew of peculiar phenomena descends and, when a severed head is discovered atop the boulder, the locals storm the Museum to demand someone take action. Can Rosie and Sam unravel the mystery? And what of the ancient treasure that could drastically change someone's fortunes and offer a motive for murder?
341 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 3, 2018
30 people are currently reading
424 people want to read
About the author
Syd Moore
16 books201 followersBefore embarking on a career in education, Syd worked extensively in the publishing industry, fronting Channel 4’s book programme, Pulp. She was the founding editor of Level 4, an arts and culture magazine, and is co-creator of Super Strumps, the game that reclaims female stereotypes.
Syd has also been a go go dancer, backing singer, subbuteo maker, children’s entertainer and performance poet, She now works for Metal Culture, an arts organisation, promoting arts and cultural events and developing literature programmes.
Syd is an out and proud Essex Girl and is lucky enough to live in that county where she spends her free time excavating old myths and listening out for things that go bump in the night.
Syd has also been a go go dancer, backing singer, subbuteo maker, children’s entertainer and performance poet, She now works for Metal Culture, an arts organisation, promoting arts and cultural events and developing literature programmes.
Syd is an out and proud Essex Girl and is lucky enough to live in that county where she spends her free time excavating old myths and listening out for things that go bump in the night.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
September 20, 2018
Strange Fascination is the third in the quirky Essex Witch Museum mystery series but it can also be read as a stand alone. When developers move a boulder known as the ‘Blackly Be’ which supposedly lies over the grave of a witch, strange things start to happen. Stir in a couple of bodies and a murder and the cauldron is bubbling nicely.
This series of books is fun to read with Strange Fascination being no exception. There are some zany characters and they are written with a sense of humour. The mystery side in this particular book is very intriguing, although it takes a little time to get going. I like that there are one or two true facts contained within the fiction. The ‘will they, won’t they’ relationship between the two main characters, Rosie and Sam, continues. If I was Sam, I’d run a mile - Rosie is like some sort of man eater, she makes me cringe and roll my eyes at times with her euphemisms and metaphors. Just get on with it, guys! 😍. There is also progress with another thread running through the series - an old family mystery, the disappearance of Rosie’s grandmother, Ethel Rose.
All in all an entertaining, enchanting and enjoyable read. I look forward to more of Rosie and Sam’s witchy adventures.
This series of books is fun to read with Strange Fascination being no exception. There are some zany characters and they are written with a sense of humour. The mystery side in this particular book is very intriguing, although it takes a little time to get going. I like that there are one or two true facts contained within the fiction. The ‘will they, won’t they’ relationship between the two main characters, Rosie and Sam, continues. If I was Sam, I’d run a mile - Rosie is like some sort of man eater, she makes me cringe and roll my eyes at times with her euphemisms and metaphors. Just get on with it, guys! 😍. There is also progress with another thread running through the series - an old family mystery, the disappearance of Rosie’s grandmother, Ethel Rose.
All in all an entertaining, enchanting and enjoyable read. I look forward to more of Rosie and Sam’s witchy adventures.
September 13, 2020
UPDATE Feb 25 2019
It's been two weeks since I read this and I already forgot what the mystery was, which to me goes to show that it's just not a very good one. Rather forgettable. All I can remember is how much I hated reading this. So, I'm taking off a star because frankly, it does not deserve it. I don't know what I was thinking.
ORIGINAL REVIEW Feb 12 2019
I realize my opinion is an unpopular one, given the glowing reviews and star ratings this book has, but I really can't help myself. I also want to add that I haven't read the previous books (and I don't think I will after this), and thus I'm not sure if the issues I had with this book are due to my having skipped two volumes, although I don't think so.
Strange Fascination straight up sucked.
I picked it up because it seemed promising. A paranormal mystery. Witches. Essex. Great reviews. Beautiful cover. It checked quite a bit of my boxes. Unfortunately, it was a big disappointment.
Now, I'm giving it 2 stars because the mystery at the heart of the story was engaging enough and it helped me power through until the end, even though there's a big part of me that wants to give it only 1. It would be unfair.
There are so many things wrong with this book that I don't know where to start. Let me give it a try.
First of all, did the editor fall asleep when reading this? There are way too many typos, missing commas and spaces and ridiculous grammatical errors in Strange Fascination, and frankly, they were a bit distracting. It takes you out of the story, and I felt a little bit cheated that I was presented with an unfinished version of the novel. I mean, at least that's what it feels like.
Second, I legit thought Syd Moore was a guy up until I started reading reviews, and I'll explain why. It's written from a first person female perspective, and it felt so absolutely unrealistic that I was convinced the author just didn't know how girls think. Rosie "flutters her eyelashes" way too often, and cares way too much about the exclusivity of footwear, and thinks too much about how hot Sam is. And that would have been all well and good if she was portrayed as... that type of character, but instead we are supposed to believe she's a strong independent woman, a feminist, a tough cookie. Come on. I was so annoyed at her that I wanted to scream into a pillow every time I turned the page.
Third, the "romance". Oh. My. God. Why, why do you need to bring up Sam's six pack - which apparently you can see through a tight shirt? - when you're going through new clues? It defuses every ounce of tension and suspense and cheapens the plot. And frankly, it trivializes the character of Sam.
Sam. Oh, Sam. The hunk of beef with brains. He's supposed to hold all the knowledge in the universe about History and witches and yet is okay with Rosie opening a chest that's been buried for hundreds of years without the proper care for its conservation? It almost seems as if Ms. Moore only gave him the exact knowledge to advance the plot, and nothing more. But that doesn't matter, right? His only job is to be a piece of eye candy for Rosie to stare at.
Rosie. Jesus, talk about annoying. This could be an issue with the writing rather than her character, but it seems like all she thinks, or says, is just a way to fill up space. To be funny for the sake of funny. It seems rather strident and forced. And as I understand it (again, this is the only book I've read in the series), Sam is the brains in this story. She had no prior knowledge of Essex's witchy History and such, and yet, people keep asking for her advice? For her help? And she talks like she actually knows what she's talking about and ugh. I mean, what's the matter with you? People accuse you of things and demand you take care of the sudden witch problems and you just sit there and take it? You're "too shocked" to say anything other than "is that so"? For the love of God.
This book sucked. It sucked, it sucked. I don't DNF books as a rule, because I want to give them an honest effort before deciding whether I liked them or not, but I almost abandoned my rule multiple times. I'm so happy it's over.
PS. I apologize if you liked this book and this review made you angry. I'm very happy that you were able to enjoy it and frankly, kind of jealous. It was not for me, although I wish it was. It was so promising.
It's been two weeks since I read this and I already forgot what the mystery was, which to me goes to show that it's just not a very good one. Rather forgettable. All I can remember is how much I hated reading this. So, I'm taking off a star because frankly, it does not deserve it. I don't know what I was thinking.
ORIGINAL REVIEW Feb 12 2019
I realize my opinion is an unpopular one, given the glowing reviews and star ratings this book has, but I really can't help myself. I also want to add that I haven't read the previous books (and I don't think I will after this), and thus I'm not sure if the issues I had with this book are due to my having skipped two volumes, although I don't think so.
Strange Fascination straight up sucked.
I picked it up because it seemed promising. A paranormal mystery. Witches. Essex. Great reviews. Beautiful cover. It checked quite a bit of my boxes. Unfortunately, it was a big disappointment.
Now, I'm giving it 2 stars because the mystery at the heart of the story was engaging enough and it helped me power through until the end, even though there's a big part of me that wants to give it only 1. It would be unfair.
There are so many things wrong with this book that I don't know where to start. Let me give it a try.
First of all, did the editor fall asleep when reading this? There are way too many typos, missing commas and spaces and ridiculous grammatical errors in Strange Fascination, and frankly, they were a bit distracting. It takes you out of the story, and I felt a little bit cheated that I was presented with an unfinished version of the novel. I mean, at least that's what it feels like.
Second, I legit thought Syd Moore was a guy up until I started reading reviews, and I'll explain why. It's written from a first person female perspective, and it felt so absolutely unrealistic that I was convinced the author just didn't know how girls think. Rosie "flutters her eyelashes" way too often, and cares way too much about the exclusivity of footwear, and thinks too much about how hot Sam is. And that would have been all well and good if she was portrayed as... that type of character, but instead we are supposed to believe she's a strong independent woman, a feminist, a tough cookie. Come on. I was so annoyed at her that I wanted to scream into a pillow every time I turned the page.
Third, the "romance". Oh. My. God. Why, why do you need to bring up Sam's six pack - which apparently you can see through a tight shirt? - when you're going through new clues? It defuses every ounce of tension and suspense and cheapens the plot. And frankly, it trivializes the character of Sam.
Sam. Oh, Sam. The hunk of beef with brains. He's supposed to hold all the knowledge in the universe about History and witches and yet is okay with Rosie opening a chest that's been buried for hundreds of years without the proper care for its conservation? It almost seems as if Ms. Moore only gave him the exact knowledge to advance the plot, and nothing more. But that doesn't matter, right? His only job is to be a piece of eye candy for Rosie to stare at.
Rosie. Jesus, talk about annoying. This could be an issue with the writing rather than her character, but it seems like all she thinks, or says, is just a way to fill up space. To be funny for the sake of funny. It seems rather strident and forced. And as I understand it (again, this is the only book I've read in the series), Sam is the brains in this story. She had no prior knowledge of Essex's witchy History and such, and yet, people keep asking for her advice? For her help? And she talks like she actually knows what she's talking about and ugh. I mean, what's the matter with you? People accuse you of things and demand you take care of the sudden witch problems and you just sit there and take it? You're "too shocked" to say anything other than "is that so"? For the love of God.
This book sucked. It sucked, it sucked. I don't DNF books as a rule, because I want to give them an honest effort before deciding whether I liked them or not, but I almost abandoned my rule multiple times. I'm so happy it's over.
PS. I apologize if you liked this book and this review made you angry. I'm very happy that you were able to enjoy it and frankly, kind of jealous. It was not for me, although I wish it was. It was so promising.
May 16, 2018
I am really really enjoying this series. Haven't read a book in a while but when it came through my emails that it was being released I bought it straight away.
If you enjoyed the first couple of books then you will enjoy this just as much. Got to admit when I heard it was only going to be a trilogy after reading the second book I was a little bit gutted as the characters have been written well and it seemed the witch museum could have many more secrets to spill.
So when I read there was another one due this year it was awesome.
Please continue to write these.
If you enjoyed the first couple of books then you will enjoy this just as much. Got to admit when I heard it was only going to be a trilogy after reading the second book I was a little bit gutted as the characters have been written well and it seemed the witch museum could have many more secrets to spill.
So when I read there was another one due this year it was awesome.
Please continue to write these.
September 25, 2023
Important to note: I picked this up from the bargain section of my local bookshop without realising it was third in the series, once I realised I had to come into Goodreads to find out because it’s really not made obvious on the book itself. The story does ‘stand alone’ but in the way a tv drama does - you feel like you’re missing the bigger picture storyline somewhat.
Down to the book itself: really love the concept, really didn’t love the execution. I could elaborate but this is what it really boils down to, so I won’t.
Down to the book itself: really love the concept, really didn’t love the execution. I could elaborate but this is what it really boils down to, so I won’t.
January 24, 2020
Oh wow! The writing style and quality of this one was hugely improved from the first two. And I loved those books, so that is saying a lot! It really felt like the author allowed more time to slow down and let the story tell itself through description instead of just back and forth dialogue, which resulted in excellent pacing. The family history moved so much closer to resolution too. Excited to start book 4!
April 9, 2024
I read this book first so perhaps that did upset the rhythm of things. I did enjoy it, sort of but I found the main Character really difficult to like. I also felt it was dragged out, over descriptive and built up to a real dull ending.
November 29, 2019
Absolutely bloody fantastic!
August 9, 2019
Very good addition to the series, with a lot more of a look into Rosie's history which was interesting, although left the supposed 'Blackly Be' storyline slightly lacking. A really fun series.
April 15, 2018
3.5*
Strange Fascination brings to a close Syd Moore’s“Essex Witch Museum” trilogy. The overarching story which links the three novels features as protagonist Rosie Strange, a sceptical, feisty benefit fraud inspector who unexpectedly inherits from her grandfather Septimus the eponymous witch museum in the small village of Adders Fork. This strange (ahem) legacy will lead Rosie to discover long-buried secrets related to her family and to rethink her ideas about the supernatural. Each of the instalments in the trilogy also sees Rosie and the museum's curator Sam Stone ending up embroiled in a criminal investigation with occult overtones. In "Strange Fascination", the 'mystery' revolves around the Blackly Be boulder, said to mark the final resting place of a notorious witch. Against the villagers' better judgment, developers try to move the boulder, leading to a flurry of otherworldly phenomena. And a very real murder.
I had enjoyed reading Strange Sight - the trilogy's second volume - and had particularly liked the well-judged balance between ingredients of supernatural fiction and the "whodunnit". In comparison, I found this instalment rather disappointing. I felt that the action took rather longer to take off, and whilst Rosie's narrative voice is as witty and endearing as ever, the constant attempt at humour drains the tension out of what could have been genuinely scary episodes. This was less evident in the previous novel, whose emphasis was more on the "crime" than on the "supernatural" element.
On the other hand, this novel cannot be fairly considered on its own, but is best assessed in the light of its predecessors. In this regard, Strange Fascination is undoubtedly effective. It teases out the secrets and enigmas of Rosie's ancestors and, thanks to some imaginative plotting, ties up all the loose ends and red herrings planted in the previous novels. Lovers of history and folklore will also enjoy the references to history of witchcraft and folk beliefs, subtly woven into plot.
June 2, 2021
Sam and Rosie are back! And I think this is my favourite... so far!! The story was full of fun, darkness and the community coming together to try and thwart developers who are determined to move a centuries-old boulder - the locals know what happened the last time the boulder moved and it wasn't a good thing!! But when do developers ever listen to locals??!
Rosie has the locals on her side this time with the relaunch of the new look Witch Museum - the free bar may have helped on launch day! She's settling more into the witch way of life and starts to delve a bit further into her own family history as there is so much she doesn't really know about.
The locals remember all the strange goings on when the boulder was moved before, said to be the resting place of a witch, so they will do all they can to try and stop it happening again. And when bones and artifacts are found at the boulder site, the police bring Rosie and Sam in again and their help is needed even more when the head of one of the protestors turns up on the boulder.
This is a book that feels really relevant with heritage sites being ignored for the sake of development - and money! And once again Rosie and Sam are at the thick of the goings on - Rosie seems to be becoming a regular patient at the local hospital with the danger she finds herself in!
This is one of those series that makes you feel part of the action and goings on! I love spending time with the characters and getting that glimpse of the supernatural mixed with modern life. Fabulous!
Rosie has the locals on her side this time with the relaunch of the new look Witch Museum - the free bar may have helped on launch day! She's settling more into the witch way of life and starts to delve a bit further into her own family history as there is so much she doesn't really know about.
The locals remember all the strange goings on when the boulder was moved before, said to be the resting place of a witch, so they will do all they can to try and stop it happening again. And when bones and artifacts are found at the boulder site, the police bring Rosie and Sam in again and their help is needed even more when the head of one of the protestors turns up on the boulder.
This is a book that feels really relevant with heritage sites being ignored for the sake of development - and money! And once again Rosie and Sam are at the thick of the goings on - Rosie seems to be becoming a regular patient at the local hospital with the danger she finds herself in!
This is one of those series that makes you feel part of the action and goings on! I love spending time with the characters and getting that glimpse of the supernatural mixed with modern life. Fabulous!
June 2, 2018
The longest of the three 'Essex Witch Museum Mystery' books, the plot is more to do with Rosie's family background than it really is to do with the Blackly Be boulder and the treasure hoard, but I liked that. Normally I'm bored when I'm expecting a book to have a quickly paced plot and it doesn't, but this book pulled it off for me - and some of the twists and turns still caught me by surprise.
The third in the series, with the fourth coming out in October, 'Strange Fascination' seems to me to be the one in which the characters and background are really allowed to be fleshed out and developed. More for Rosie than Sam, but Sam's own background will undoubtedly be fleshed out later in the series - and in this book, we finally meet Rosie's friend Cerise, an entertaining character who was worth the wait. The book also relocates the series to Adder's Fork, which was a strong move; the local charm comes through far more strongly in the writing than the intrigue of London did in the second book.
Overall, 'Strange Fascination' gives itself the time to really delve into a local drama, both past and present, and the extra time spent pays off. The characters are as funny and endearing as always, and I finished the book liking Rosie more than I had for the other two. If you're reading the books for Sam, you'll probably be disappointed, but if you enjoyed the Witch Museum itself and all its mysteries, 'Strange Fascination' is a fantastic addition to the series.
The third in the series, with the fourth coming out in October, 'Strange Fascination' seems to me to be the one in which the characters and background are really allowed to be fleshed out and developed. More for Rosie than Sam, but Sam's own background will undoubtedly be fleshed out later in the series - and in this book, we finally meet Rosie's friend Cerise, an entertaining character who was worth the wait. The book also relocates the series to Adder's Fork, which was a strong move; the local charm comes through far more strongly in the writing than the intrigue of London did in the second book.
Overall, 'Strange Fascination' gives itself the time to really delve into a local drama, both past and present, and the extra time spent pays off. The characters are as funny and endearing as always, and I finished the book liking Rosie more than I had for the other two. If you're reading the books for Sam, you'll probably be disappointed, but if you enjoyed the Witch Museum itself and all its mysteries, 'Strange Fascination' is a fantastic addition to the series.
September 23, 2018
Having read the first two in the Essex Witch Museum series, I was really looking forward to this third instalment. It didn’t disappoint! I’ve said in previous reviews of the series that I’m not a fan of the main character, but now that I’m getting to know a bit more about her, she’s growing on me. Sure, there are still plenty of euphemisms and she’s still pretty shallow, but there’s also a caring Rosie coming through who is more ‘human’ and much more likeable.
This story sees Rosie and museum creator Sam deal with some bizarre goings on in the village of Adders Fork after developers attempt to move the Blackly Be - a large stone said to mark the grave of a notorious witch, Black Anne. I’m not revealing any more because ‘spoilers’! But what I loved about this book was the introduction of some new characters, some endearing and some kooky, which was much needed in the series. I also enjoyed getting to know more about Rosie’s family history, with its own mysteries. Book three hasn’t let me down!
This story sees Rosie and museum creator Sam deal with some bizarre goings on in the village of Adders Fork after developers attempt to move the Blackly Be - a large stone said to mark the grave of a notorious witch, Black Anne. I’m not revealing any more because ‘spoilers’! But what I loved about this book was the introduction of some new characters, some endearing and some kooky, which was much needed in the series. I also enjoyed getting to know more about Rosie’s family history, with its own mysteries. Book three hasn’t let me down!
September 24, 2018
Strange fascination by Syd Moore.
It’s summer in Adders Fork. The sun is out, the sky is blue and things are going swimmingly for Rosie Strange, thank you very much. The Essex Witch Museum has been relaunched with a new Ursula Cadence wing and picnic grounds.
Then developers roll into the sleepy village to widen the road. When the centuries-old Blackly Be boulder, said to mark the grave of a notorious witch but now in the car park of the Seven Stars, is moved, all hell breaks out. Within hours a slew of peculiar phenomena descends and, when a severed head is discovered atop the boulder, the locals can take no more and storm the Museum to demand someone take action.
Can Rosie and Sam unravel the mystery? And what of the ancient treasure that could drastically change someone’s fortunes and offer a motive for murder?
Omg this was an absolutely fantastic read. I loved rosie and Sam. Brilliant. I really hope there will be more to come. 5*. I would give more if I could. Highly recommended.
It’s summer in Adders Fork. The sun is out, the sky is blue and things are going swimmingly for Rosie Strange, thank you very much. The Essex Witch Museum has been relaunched with a new Ursula Cadence wing and picnic grounds.
Then developers roll into the sleepy village to widen the road. When the centuries-old Blackly Be boulder, said to mark the grave of a notorious witch but now in the car park of the Seven Stars, is moved, all hell breaks out. Within hours a slew of peculiar phenomena descends and, when a severed head is discovered atop the boulder, the locals can take no more and storm the Museum to demand someone take action.
Can Rosie and Sam unravel the mystery? And what of the ancient treasure that could drastically change someone’s fortunes and offer a motive for murder?
Omg this was an absolutely fantastic read. I loved rosie and Sam. Brilliant. I really hope there will be more to come. 5*. I would give more if I could. Highly recommended.
September 23, 2018
Recap: Rosie Strange & Essex Witch Museum curator Sam are embroiled in another local mystery, this time with connections to Rosie's own past.
Review: 3.5 stars I enjoyed reading the character of Rosie and I loved the inner monologue she had when she was trying to be clever etc but I was dismayed to discover she has got no further in her will they won't they relationship with Sam. I've read book one but hadn't got round to book two before book three fell into my lap and I should've because I was definitely missing some key information. That said, the twists and turns in this book kept me guessing up until the end. The thing is, I want to visit the Essex Witch Museum, despite the fact it doesn't exist so I shall definitely be going back for book two and checking out book four! They'd better kiss by then!!!
Review: 3.5 stars I enjoyed reading the character of Rosie and I loved the inner monologue she had when she was trying to be clever etc but I was dismayed to discover she has got no further in her will they won't they relationship with Sam. I've read book one but hadn't got round to book two before book three fell into my lap and I should've because I was definitely missing some key information. That said, the twists and turns in this book kept me guessing up until the end. The thing is, I want to visit the Essex Witch Museum, despite the fact it doesn't exist so I shall definitely be going back for book two and checking out book four! They'd better kiss by then!!!
September 16, 2018
If you liked the others in this series you will love this one!! Rosie Strange solves another mystery whilst she runs the Essex Witch Museum. A new development in the village means that builders move a stone said to mark the grave of Black Anne - a notorious witch - and things start to go very badly wrong. There are unexplained happenings and lots of mysteries...
This book covers Rosie’s family history, the village history and lots of historical facts about witches. It’s a good tale but I was lost trying to keep up with the numerous members of Rosie’s family and the many characters who are mentioned historically. I also found that because I had not read the early novels too much was unexplained. 3 stars from me but probably 5 if you have read her other books.
This book covers Rosie’s family history, the village history and lots of historical facts about witches. It’s a good tale but I was lost trying to keep up with the numerous members of Rosie’s family and the many characters who are mentioned historically. I also found that because I had not read the early novels too much was unexplained. 3 stars from me but probably 5 if you have read her other books.
May 26, 2018
Again, another decent read.
However, I was somewhat deflated by the resolution to the Ethel-Rose quandary. Good grief.
Also, please Ms Moore, quit “dissing” vegetarians. It’s old, our-dated and quite frankly, offensive. If you’re happy to suggest that people who care about animal welfare, the environment and their health are nuts, then you really should get your own head checked. This just adds to my continued discomfort with Rosie’s character. She’s rather unpleasant and condescending and I loathe that.
I have noted down the next instalment in my to reads despite my complaints as I do enjoy these quirky cosys.
However, I was somewhat deflated by the resolution to the Ethel-Rose quandary. Good grief.
Also, please Ms Moore, quit “dissing” vegetarians. It’s old, our-dated and quite frankly, offensive. If you’re happy to suggest that people who care about animal welfare, the environment and their health are nuts, then you really should get your own head checked. This just adds to my continued discomfort with Rosie’s character. She’s rather unpleasant and condescending and I loathe that.
I have noted down the next instalment in my to reads despite my complaints as I do enjoy these quirky cosys.
January 20, 2019
Mostly fun, although I probably didn’t enjoy it as much as the previous one in the series: it was a bit ‘messy’ in the middle with a few too many strands. I like the main plot line and the characters and the endings are always quite satisfying. It was good to see some resolution to a couple of issues which had come up in the previous book (although some things remain unexplained). I am never a fan of main characters who dont share information with each other (leading to confusion and misdirection). Had the main characters communicated a bit more it would have been less messy and for me, more fun.
January 14, 2021
It's not brilliant storytelling but it is easy to read and enjoyable. So this was another easily digestible little tale from the Essex Witch Museum. It centres around the same reasonably lovable characters, (I find Rosie a little irritating, if I'm honest), contains the usual variation of near death scrapes gotten into, with the usual 'saved at the last minute' trope but nonetheless interesting enough to keep me reading when I don't want to try to too hard with a book.
A good beach holiday read.
A good beach holiday read.
January 16, 2025
This is the only standalone book in the series, and I have only read this one to see if it would entice me to read more! Unfortunately it was very difficult to follow, with random characters popping up all the time. As a standalone book, it shouldn’t be so difficult to work out what’s happening all the time. I also thought that the ending was unpredictable but in a bad way - it didn’t build suspicion to anyone for the murder, it was a very sudden reveal. It has not made me want to read any others in the series.
May 17, 2018
Best yet! I have fallen for Rosie Strange and her curator. Syd Moore, again, had me in stitches! laughing at her play on words. For me, reading her Strange books are like hanging out with one of my best galpals. Soooo, dear Ms Syd Moore, could you possibly keep us satiated with MORE Rosie Strange books? pretty please.
PS: The mystery is also nicely spun with no detail left out. There Are some mysteries unsolved too. This is the third in the series.
PS: The mystery is also nicely spun with no detail left out. There Are some mysteries unsolved too. This is the third in the series.
September 15, 2018
This is the first of the series, The Essex Witch Museum Mysteries, that I have read and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I loved the humour the main character brought to the narrative. The rest of the character's personalities stood out and I could see them as individuals. I did get slightly confused trying to remember dates and facts, but got there, and I appreciate the amount of research that must have been put into the book. All in all a great read.
May 14, 2018
Great read!
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Love Syd Moore's Witch Museum mysteries.
If you like your reading light, funny and very well written with a touch of the supernatural then this is for you.
Have enjoyed her previous books and am looking forward already to the next instalment.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Love Syd Moore's Witch Museum mysteries.
If you like your reading light, funny and very well written with a touch of the supernatural then this is for you.
Have enjoyed her previous books and am looking forward already to the next instalment.
July 6, 2018
The Essex Witch Museum is a series that’s quite fun to read but it’s not my most favourite. This one, Strange Fascination, felt a bit too long and it felt like it only really properly got going about half way through. This one looks more into the disappearance of Rosie’s grandmother, as well as a series of events that occurs when a rock covering a witch’s grave is moved.
September 20, 2018
Another entertaining outing for Sam and Rosie. This one definitely felt like it worked better than book 2, and was more engaging.
I still feel as though the narrator's voice for Rosie prematurely ages her, but overall the performance is good.
It feels like a long wait for the next book, expected in Spring 2019.
I still feel as though the narrator's voice for Rosie prematurely ages her, but overall the performance is good.
It feels like a long wait for the next book, expected in Spring 2019.
May 7, 2019
This one dipped a bit for me-- there was a lot of build-up for a very quick resolution. I am planning to stick with this series, but I sometimes feel like the books spin their wheels a lot. The plot of this one could've been a bit tighter. That said, these books remain such a fun, delightful read when I'm on my lunch break.
June 18, 2019
Whimsical, intriguing, and likable characters that kept the book going at a good pace. Not one of race through but one I was eager to pick up every evening and read the mystery slowly unraveling. Not the type of genre I'd usually go for but so endearing I would read the whole series (needless to say I believe I started in the wrong place - enjoyable nonetheless). Glad I stumbled upon this book.
May 31, 2020
I tried to give this book a go via ebook and audiobook and it was not for me. The elements of mystery and intrigue were interesting but i don't think that they were used well enough. This was interesting for 45% of the book seemed to fall flat in places.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2021
I think I'm a tiny bit in love with this series. It's like the perfect sassy compatriot to the Lychford series by Cornell.
I don't even know why I love Rosie as much as I do. But she is so unbelievably human both in her flaws and her charm.
I loved the build up of the flowers from book 2 and the tragic answers of book 3.
I am hopefully going to be all caught up on this series this year.
I don't even know why I love Rosie as much as I do. But she is so unbelievably human both in her flaws and her charm.
I loved the build up of the flowers from book 2 and the tragic answers of book 3.
I am hopefully going to be all caught up on this series this year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2021
Del tre i serien, inte den bästa av dem. Det är alltid roligt att följa Rosies inre monolog och frispråkighet i dialog. Uppfriskande kul hur Moore tar sig an en sorts "female male gaze" med en blinkning. Tre böcker in börjar det dock bli lite tjatigt med hela will-they-won't-they-grejen med museiintendenten. Nu är jag dock redan djupt nergrottad i serien, så det är bara att läsa vidare.
December 21, 2023
I bought this book at a thrift shop after seeing that it had a pretty good rating. After reading 100 pages and putting the book down forever, i'm still wondering why it had so many great reviews. I'm so sorry, but I feel like it's the same writing style as my 13 years old self writing one direction fan fiction.
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