Welcome to Starry Hollow, where spells were made to be broken.
When Ember Rose is tasked with covering the birthday party of a wealthy 200-year-old matriarch for the local paper's society section, she doesn't bank on the guest of honor dying before the cake is served. It quickly becomes clear that the matriarch's death wasn't due to natural causes and Ember finds herself embroiled in yet another mystery. On top of that, Marley is about to turn the (literal) magical age of 11, a day she's been anticipating since her arrival in Starry Hollow, but all is not going according to plan. In fact, nothing is going according to plan, including Ember's tumultuous love life. As much as she wants her personal issues to be relegated to background noise until she can solve the murder, they have a way of turning up the volume and demanding her attention.
Will Ember manage to reveal the killer's identity before the killer silences her forever?
Annabel Chase is the author of urban fantasy and cozy mystery novels. She would love to live in a magical town where she can shop at Ready-to-Were for the the perfect outfit, flirt with hot angels and vampires, and cook gourmet meals without exerting any effort. Visit her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Annabel-Chas... or on her website at www.annabelchase.com.
What a lovely house, not a bad place to end a long life.' The sheriff arched an eyebrow. 'That all depends on how it ended.'"
5✨
I absolutely adore the Starry Hollow series by @annabelchaseauthor. It's one of my all time favourites. I love Ember, she's such a fun MC and I've loved watching her grow throughout the books! This was my favorite one so far in the series! I don't envy Ember one little bit with the almighty choice she has to make. Werewolf or Vamp? Sexy sherrif or Sexy author? Oh Lord, can't she have both?
Ps, I'd choose Alec Hale, he has my entire heart and I think I'm in love with him.
It took me a while to get around to reading this, but I enjoyed it a lot. Ember Rose is as funny as ever, and I really like her family. It was nice to see Marley get her magic (eventually) and I enjoyed watching the murder investigation take place. Great series! Glad it's in Kindle Unlimited. 4 stars.
Well, this one was quite the story! It centers more on Marley and her birthday which implies magic descending upon her but things don’t always work out the way we want. A matriarch gets murdered, Ember is deep into the case and things with Granger are moving forward. That ending though is one the best/worst ever! Yes, it can be both and you’ll find out after you read this!
Yet more fun from Ember, Marley and the folk in Starry Hollow. Tensions are running high on the relationship front from all sides and Marley turns 11 so the most anticipated event of her life 'might' take place. Will she or won't she come into her magic? All was fun and murderous as always and arghhh!!! That ending. Please don't make us wait too long for the next book.
Magic & Malice: Starry Hollow Witches 07 Chronological order is not necessary but recommended.
Three stars. It is a good read and worth your time.
In a Nutshell:
Ember Rose, the descendant of the one true witch and a journalist in Starry Hollow, uncovers and investigates the death of Hattie Rollins-Mahoney, a wealthy 200-year-old matriarch she would feature. It turns out that Hattie’s death was not an accident but murder. And it appears that everyone has reason to hate Hattie. Meanwhile, Marley, her daughter, is turning 11 and facing challenges. Will her magic appear?
The Protagonists:
I love the character of Ember Rose. Finding out she has magical powers and wealth has not dented her New Jersey feisty attitude. She will not conform or allow her aunt to spoil her daughter, Marley. Ember also carries the issues of mistrust from her past, and her dedication to solving mysteries often affects her personal life and relationships. Feisty, impulsive, loyal with a sense of justice—what’s not to love? Ember Rose is relatable—flawed yet determined. Her curiosity and resourcefulness make her a captivating lead.
Why Read It?:
I have enjoyed each of the books in this series. I was very much looking forward to this one to see if Marley comes into her magical powers as witches do at age eleven. In this story, you will find Ember deeply investigating the murder and moving things forward with her beau, Granger, the Werewolf Sheriff. That ends joyously for some and in heartbreak for others.
Starry Hollow is an enchanting backdrop, a world where spells and curses are part of daily life. It hosts a cast of quirky characters, hidden secrets, and Aunt Hyacinth, the one witch who rules them all.
While the cosy mystery elements keep the plot engaging, the magical world-building allows for moments of exploration and depth.
I liked the new character Bonkers, but I hope they will not disappoint. I was excited by introducing the snarky familiar Raoul, but the relationship and character haven’t settled. The interplay between witch and familiar is salty and uncaring.
Rushing to the next book…
Book Rating
Sexual Content: U Language: U Violent: U Would I read the next one or reread it?: Definitely
My rating system (* = star) 0* Could not finish this book (waste of time) 1* Finished the book but didn’t like it. 2* Finished the book it was okay. 3* A good read worth your time. 4* An excellent read, often with a novel concept or unusual plot. 5* A magnificent read. A prominent example of the genre.
Awesome. Being asked to cover the birthday of a 200 year old matriarch she sets out on her first society reporting job. However a falling chandelier and then a poisoning soon puts a dampener on things. Granted the matriarch ruled her family with an acerbic tongue and an iron fist - but murder! Now the search is on for who did it. Whilst at the same time she is hoping that her daughter's birthday doesn't end in disaster and that her magic comes in as everyone expects. Her relationship with the sheriff is also poised on the next important step - the sleepover as her vampire seems happy in his relationship. Will things progress as they should? What will happen if Marley doesn't get her magic? A great plot that will leave you wondering as to the killer and all the other delicious schemes that are running through the book. Love the characters and Bonkers sounds as if they will be another great snarky character like Raoul.
Quick Info Standalone/Cliffhanger?: Part of a Series?: ---------------------------------- Meeting the Characters Ember Rose Marley Alec Hale Granger Nash ---------------------------------- What happens? Ember is covering a society piece while Alec is out of the office. Her subject for the piece dies during the festivities and suddenly becomes a murder investigation. Meanwhile she has to deal with her cousin's marriage not being so rosey and lovely and her aunt finding a new beau. Final thoughts This was an emotional roller coaster at the end. The murder was interesting and I'm looking forward to the next book. - Though I've already read it I just forgot to review this one... Would I read again?: Yes Would I read this author again?: Yes
Hattie Rollins-Mahoney is about to celebrate her two hundredth birthday with her family and Ember is sent to write it up for the paper. She gets far more than she bargained for however as Hattie's worse than Aunt Hyacinth and nothing is good enough for her.
Having avoided a falling chandelier Hattie raises a toast with a special drink she saves for her birthday only to drop dead.
Meanwhile Marley is struggling to come to terms with her own birthday and her nonexistent magic.. can therapy help her understand that it's ok to be human?
Ember keeps digging into the family as it appears that everyone has reason to loathe Hattie.. can she pick out the guilty party.. or will her mixed feelings about Granger and Alec get in the way?
I was really thinking you would do something novel but no blame a husband. So much more interesting, if Hattie had just killed herself to see how her family would respond. But no had to do the ridiculous murder. Ember has no new friends, boring boy friends, and she could have had new partners. The great build up on the candy store ladies. What a bunch of neat stories from what was in their basement, but you just killed them. Again a great new friend the snake lady who was tricked by her friend to kill her. But no you made a fake attempt to kill Ember. Too bad I was hoping you'd kill her to break the boredom. There are tons of writers who do the murder a book story. I was hoping for more.
Nothing worse than having to arrange a birthday party for a matriarch and then having her die during the party. If that's not enough pressure on Ember then there's also the matter of her daughter soon turning eleven and, hopefully, coming in to her magical abilities.
Raoul, her familiar, is becoming more important and more capable. Things don't go so well on the investigation section, Marley has an important moment and Alec is still around.
It's always interesting how, in series like this, people tend to be killed off but life still goes on without everyone trying to leave the town. The investigation is interesting but I think what is going on with Raoul and Marley are becoming of major interest to the series.
Ember is assigned to cover the 200th birthday of a Starry Hollow matriarch. The family is almost a carbon copy of Embers – 2 sisters, one divorced, a playboy son and a granddaughter that is different. The strange evening ends with a murder which Ember will be looking into along with Granger, While looking into the death, Ember is also waiting for Marley’s eleventh birthday and the appearance of magic. A stressful situation. This book has a good mystery looking for the culprit, lots of things about Marley’s birthday – will she get magic or won’t she, more growth in the characters, surprises and humour. Just like the other books in this series, it is a fun, quick, enjoyable read.
Ember Rose is amusing as she gets through her day. Her heart yearns for one man, as she moves forward with another. A two hundred year old woman is murdered on her birthday. A mean spirited woman, who had more enemies than friends and Ember has a front row seat. She is not only reporting it for the paper but also investigating. As her daughter's birthday approaches, high hopes for her magic to emerge is causing anxiety and stress. Its a fun read and a simple who dun it. Its a story of family and relationships, as well as learning life lessons.
Wow this book was amazing. Ember Rose is sent to do a report on the birthday party of a 200 year old woman when suddenly the woman falls down dead. It quickly becomes apparent that she was murdered. The murder affects the people around Ember in very different ways. Marley's 11th birthday is upon them when it will be revealed whether she has magic or not. The twist at the end throws a spanner in her decision of moving forward in her relationship with Nash. I can't wait til the next book to find out what Ember decides to do. Fabulous book.
This murder occurs at a 200th birthday party, where the birthday "girl" dies of what looks like a heart attack but is actually poison. Meanwhile, Marley's 11th birthday doesn't do what she hoped. The ending - OMG. (Of course the murder was solved; that's not what Imean.) I guess the disadvantage of reading a whole series-so-far all at once ("binge-reading"?) is that now I have to wait for the next book to be published.
I love the series. Then again I love all of her series. Oliver series are written in the same magical world and on occasion crossover. They all have a great cast of characters and are in the cozy mystery style. Each book has a mystery to solve trouble to get into and entertaining hijinks intermixed among them all. You will not be disappointed with any of her books. Check them all out
Oh, Ember...she's slowly growing into her powers. Still hung up on both of her suitors, even though she is in a "relationship" with one of them, and the other one is in a " relationship " with someone else. Marley might be getting her powers as her birthday is approaching. On top of all this, a 200 year old morgen is murdered. You have to read it to find out what happens!!
I have been totally enjoying this series, but this one contains two of my least favorite elements of a story - a love triangle that won't end (I don't like any of my characters to have their tender little hearts broken!) and a cliff hanger. Despite that, I enjoyed the usual well-written story, a great cast of characters, plenty of witty and snarky dialogue and an always entertaining time with Ember Rose!
Ember is tasked with covering the birthday of a two hundred year old high society woman Hattie. At the birthday party Hattie is almost killed by a chandelier but in the end it was a heart attack that killed her. Ember witnesses the whole thing and now she signs on the help the sheriff when they find Hattie was murdered. Marley's birthday is a couple of days away and Ember is scared her powers won't manifest.
I am re- reading this series again and it is a fun and light hearted read. I enjoy the humor.
I am a little tired of the Alec vs granger dynamics. How old is she? 14? Who’s been there for her in all ways? And one “oops sorry I’ve been a jerk” from Alec and she’s willing to start stringing granger sling again? He should dump her and find someone who cares enough to commit.
I'm still enjoying this series, but 7 books in the love triangle is getting a little tiresome. Ember is an experienced woman capable of handling everything on her plate, yet she is presented as incapable of making a romantic decision? Please. It seems I have confidence in her character than the author does!
I'll likely continue with the series but I need a break to avoid getting frustrated. The books are very easy to read and the characters are *mostly* likable and engaging.
I liked that the family seemed to be moving forward. The aunt focuses on her own love life. Rick and Linea relationships seem to be progressing. Ember finally cut Granger loose. He didn't deserve to be second choice to anyone.
I don't know if Alec is really ready for a relationship. You can go from not expressing his emotions and running away from conflict to just being ready and open to a relationship. They both should do individual therapy before they start dating.
First, there is the murder of a 200 year old morden at a family gathering to be solved. Secondly, Amber Rose’s daughter is old enough to get her witch powers-or is she? And lastly there is a love triangle with Amber, Granger and Alec. What is a girl to do - possibly multi-task? Can’t wait for the next installment......
I have to say how disappointed I was by the ending to this series of books, although I have said all along I've considered this entire series as light entertainment I was very disappointed by the way Annabel rushed the way the series ended, I expected more, I'm sorry but reviews are about true opinions.
Love is in the air, young Marley awaits her eleven birthday and the possibility of her own magical life as a witch. This storyline is so well developed, I like all the characters and the town. Great read between family members and magical people. Truly a joy to read.
This series is truly a must read. Each episode goes on the last and there’s always a mystery in the vault
This time Marley turns 11 and looks for her magic but can’t seem to find it. Is she truly her father’s child or her mothers. We also have a murder mystery to solve that has twists and turns of its own so sit back relax and enjoy
It’s Marley’s 11th birthday, and she’s due to come into her magic, but will she? If that weren’t even for Ember to worry about, there’s been another murder in Starry Hollow: the matriarch of a family just like Embers. Thrills, chills, and excitement galore! I figured out the killer’s identity before Ember. Let’s see how you do! A must read!
This one really caps the earlier books! That's how it's supposed to be, better and better! Marley is a wreck about her up coming birthday. Mom is a wreck for Marley and the tight spot she, herself, is in. Ya gotta read this one! Best if read in order and this is #7.