Book three in the Paranormal Investigation Bureau series.
Lily decides to go undercover to catch a killer when her art teacher goes missing. But has she targeted the right man?
She also gets a not-so-nice surprise when a man wanting revenge for his brother's death comes for her.
So much for witches having it easier. Having magic was supposed to be fun, but what does she know? Someone pass Lily a cappuccino, and this time, make it a double.
I love reading and writing. I'm a mother to two teens and two Siamese cats. I've got an associate degree of creative writing and am a full-time author. I write paranormal cosy mysteries with heroines who are quirky, kind, and love to right wrongs and get justice. I also love to make people laugh and give them an awesome escape, which is why I tell stories.
After book 2 I started right with book 3. I am having a lot of fun with this series and this is another great read in this series. This one had a great mystery, a bit more like most cozy mysteries, but still with some great twists. I also like seeing Lily trying to find her way with being a witch and she helps out with this investigation by going undercover.
In this book Lily is taking art lessons, when the teacher goes missing, she and her witch friends start to investigate. I really liked this mystery, first there is the mystery of what happened to the art teacher and why. Is she still alive or not and why did she disappear? There are a bunch of possible suspects, but it takes a while before the pieces come together and was kept guessing for a long time and only once Lily makes an observation it all falls on it's place. There are some unexpected twists. It is quite the sad mystery, especially when everything comes to light. And there's a scene that made me quite sad. But the mystery was quite intriguing altogether and I liked how it was different from the previous ones.
Lily is still a great character to follow, she is learning new spells and magic in this book, which was great to see. But also gets into trouble sometimes and I felt for her when one of her spells had an unintended side effect as she didn't fully understand what she was doing or how to stop it. The whole familiar thing was quite intriguing as Lily meets another witch's familiar in this book and I hope she might get her own familiar later on in the series. Her photography is again an important part of the plot and I like her photography powers.
I still can't make myself care about the romance sadly. I am trying but I just don't feel the romance. I don't get what Lily sees in William and I think there isn't one scene in this book were he was nice to her. He was either ignoring her or being rude. I had hoped to have some sweet or touching scenes between her and William, but there isn't any of that. Then there is a bit of added drama with William's ex showing up, who is a bit mean to Lily and Lily trying to move on by going on a date with someone else and it just didn't work for me. The romance is my least favorite part of this series, but luckily it's only a small part.
There is a bit of continuing mystery going on about what happened to Lily's parents and this book only gives a few pretty small pieces in tat regard. And there's the plot line about what's going on in the PIB, which got quite a bit of attention in this one. The tensions in the company are obvious and I am not fully sure yet what's going on there but it will be interesting to see how that plays out.
To summarize: I had fun reading this books. It continues to be a great series and I am looking forward to book 4. The mystery was a good one and kept me guessing, with some unexpected twists. It was a bit more sad at places than I had expected, but it did make sense. I enjoy following Lily as she is trying to get a handle on her new powers. The romance slowly continues as well, in this book Lily tries to get over William by going on a date with someone else and William's ex returns, who is quite mean to Lily. I don't really care about the romance, but luckily it's only a small part. There are also some ongoing mysteries that continue throughout the series, which are quite interesting too.
Intriguing and will make want to read straight through it! It had me on the edge of my seat at times. I finally put it down only because my phone kept falling out of my hands, because I kept falling asleep at 5am. I stayed up till it was in my book list just so I could read it the minute it was available. This series is THAT good! I’m sick of reading of stupid main characters that always make such lame choices. Lily so far has only made a few. And not such obvious ones as so many other books. I can’t wait to read the next and I hope this series goes on.
So.. here is my brutally honest review on the book. I started with book one, I just needed a break from a crime series I was reading as I didn't want to get bored. I wasn't looking for anything amazing but Dionne's book 1 popped up on my facebook 'buy for 99p' , read the blurb and thought... this is a nice easy read, it was indeed a good read but I still wasn't invested, I found Lily a tad annoying at times with her childish quirks (like poking her tongue out at people) but I continued onto book 2, again liked the read and the little twists but I could take it or leave it...
However I am now on book 3 and have gotten to know the characters more & I honestly couldn't put this down, the first 2 books i would have said were 3 stars for me but looking back on the whole series, the 3 books have tied together nicely. I am now getting to know Lily and her little quirks and you know you get a good author when whilst your reading, its almost as if your watching it in images play out in front of you.
Well done to the author because my view has completely changed and I have already invested in book 4 with no problems what so ever. These books really are nice reads and I like the dynamic set through the books and the little snippets we get of other characters.
You feel the emotions Lily does and find yourself rooting for her, I also LOVE Olivia and wish she was my friend!
So overall, 5 stars for this book because this is the groundbreaking book of the series for me, the one that really changed my perception and become to love the genre of 'cosy mysteries'
Decisions, Decisions: I loved the depth of feelings that Lily goes thru in each of her personal relationships. Her friendship with Olivia is still on track. Her developing relationship with her sister-in-law Millicent is going very well and even though there is a hiccough in her relationship with William due to Dana, I believe that relationship will be stronger for it.
Fun and fast paced - good for some light entertainment
I am enjoying this series. There's a touch of magic, a touch of suspense, and a touch of romance. It's well worth a few dollars for some fun entertainment and escape.
Binge reading the series. An interesting twist on cozy mysteries - paranormal witches. I really like Lily and the cast of characters surrounding her. I’m so glad I caught this series a few books in so I didn’t have to wait for the next one to come out.
Still loving Lily but this book broke my heart for her. Lily does a great job solving this murder. We meet her new nemesis. I need to keep reading. This series is my new addition.
The most involved book in the series so far. Lily continues to learn and use her powers, as well as struggling with very human angst and trying to not let that get in the way.
This one involves a local artist and a local art gallery. But beware! No one is quite what they seem!
I really enjoyed the first two books, and this was even better. With an added decent mystery added along with all the fun character interactions. Will be starting book 4 soon.
Have really enjoyed reading this series so far and can't wait to read more in this series loved the characters and the storyline so it's a well deserved five stars and I would recommend this book to everyone
I'm loving Lister's witchy verse and have no hesitation in recommending this series. I shall be buying and reading the next book as soon as I finish this review. Thank you Dionne, this is a proper treat. :)
Lily is learning just fast enough to meet challenges, just enough to be dangerous to those trying to kill her.This one will make me finish the series just to find out
I’m addicted to this series.... I love Lily and her unique ability to see the past through her lens. This series’ story line is unlike any others I’ve read. Also, the relationship between William and Lily has me guessing and I’m anxiously awaiting book #4!
I've read all of this series this week. I've thoroughly enjoyed them so far!
The characters are well written - no-one could possibly be team-Dana (see well written characters).
In this book, we learn a little more of Lilys talent, delve a little deeper into Will and her other PIB friends and enjoy watching someone elses coffee addiction (rather than my own).
Good clean paranormal mysteries I'd recommend if you need some light entertainment.
I am having so much fun with this series! I cannot put it down. I love the world and the way that the world is being built up gradually with a bit more being added in each book. I love Lily - she is a great main character and the rest of the characters are also amazing. They all feel like they fit perfectly. I can't wait to pick up book 4.
An artist goes missing, her familiar is poisoned, Lily has work to do to uncover the secrets. Is everyone who they appear to be, who inherits her art now she's gone?
Bloody fabulous. A wonderful investigation is carried out in this book. The series arc is moving together beautifully, and I love Lily so much. She constantly makes me laugh, and my heart also hurts for her.
I’m officially obsessed with this series! I read the last two so fast and preordered this one. I had never preordered a book before but I love this series! I love the characters and ship Lily and Will! I love how original the series is! I can’t put the books down and finish them in one sitting! I’ve preordered the next book and can’t wait to read it! Keep them coming! This is becoming my favorite series!
Um Zeit miteinander zu verbringen, melden sich Lily und ihre neue beste Freundin Olivia zum Aktmalkurs an. Doch schon nach der zweiten Stunde verschwindet die Hexe, die den Kurs leitet mitsamt ihrem Seelentier. Dieses taucht kurze Zeit später wieder auf, ohne seine Meisterin, was Lily und die PUB dazu verleitet, die Ermittlung aufzunehmen.
Währenddessen taucht in der PUB Wills Exfreundin auf und will offenbar dort anknüpfen, wo sie die Beziehung in den Sand gesetzt hat. Und sehr zu Lilys Leidwesen ist sie sich nicht sicher, ob sie bei Will nicht Erfolg hat, denn dieser sendet immer noch gemischte Signale. Und auch wenn alle ihre Freunde behaupten, dass Will Hals über Kopf in Lily verliebt sein muss, weist er sie immer wieder zurück.
Ihr Privatleben ist allerdings nicht das einzige, in dem ein absolutes Chaos herrscht. Auch der Fall wird immer verwirrender. Und ihre wachsenden Kräfte tun ihr möglichstes, um die Dinge noch mehr zu komplizieren. Und auch die abtrünnigen Magier nutzen jede Gelegenheit, um an Lily heranzukommen.
Auch im dritten Band sprühen wieder Funken. Sowohl in Hexen-, als auch in Liebesdingen. Wir steigen immer tiefer in die magische Welt ein, die Dionne Lister erschaffen hat und Band um Band mit Leben füllt. Die Beziehung zwischen Lily und ihrem Agent Griesgram wird immer kompliziert, anstatt leichter und wir fiebern so mit, besonders als seine Ex Dana Piranha auf der Bildfläche erscheint und immer wieder gegen Lily wettert.
Wie immer leichte humorvolle Unterhaltung und wie immer gibt es eine Leseempfehlung von mir.
Yet another brilliant episode in Dionne Lister's Paranormal Investigation Bureau Cosy Mystery series. Book number three, it's a page turner from start to finish. I love the way Dionne combines humour, mystery, and plots that keep the reader enthralled, a real pleasure to read! Full of great characters with cheeky fledgling Aussie witch Lily Bianchi getting to grips with her magic, and her emotions, in her new home in England. Another 5 star read for me. Book 4 here I come!
Dionne Lister is a very accomplished writer who manages to introduce humour into her stories in a way that I find makes for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend this series!
Lily and her friend Liv have decided to take some art classes together. When the teacher goes missing after one of them the PIB gets involved after they find her familiar wandering the streets alone. The investigation takes one odd turn after another and turns into a tangled web of greed, lies and confusion. Crazy mystery but definitely engaging. Not a fan of the new agent/ old girlfriend Dana. She’s a witch with a b. Lots of tension in the ranks of the PIB wonder what is going to come of it. Really enjoying the series as a whole so far.
The characters in this book are believable, I would love to live in a world where there are witches.....maybe I do? The story has plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested, plus the unrequited love of our main character. I will miss Knight, he had such a wonderful personality. Suddenly he was no longer there, the ending was very sweet. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a lot of escapism. I am now going to get the fourth book. Thank you Dionne Lister.