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Wisteria Witches #9

Wisteria Warned

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Zara Riddle is another year older, and busier than ever. She's a powerful witch, a skilled librarian, and the World's Best Mom - according to her coffee mug. It's no wonder the town's detective keeps seeking her help. If you want something done, ask a busy person!

Zara partners again with Detective Bentley to investigate a call about a missing person. The caller, a sweet little old lady named Temperance Krinkle, claims to have psychic abilities. Zara and Bentley have to laugh when it turns out the missing "person" is a tiny figurine from a dollhouse. But then a local resident disappears for real, and the so-called psychic with the attic full of creepy dollhouses doesn't seem so funny anymore.

Now Zara and Bentley, witch librarian and vampire detective, must use their skills to unravel a mystifying crime. That is, when they aren't using their skills to drive each other crazy.

Getting to the bottom of this case is going to take every resource in Wisteria, from Zara's coworkers at the library, to the police department, plus City Hall, and the supernatural agents at the Department of Water and Magic. This conspiracy runs deep. Miles deep. When the entity behind all the scheming is revealed, there will be justice. And it won't be pretty.

305 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 26, 2019

512 people are currently reading
390 people want to read

About the author

Angela Pepper

60 books592 followers
USA Today Bestselling author Angela Pepper lives with her family in the rainy Pacific Northwest, surrounded by spoiled kitties, deer, raccoons, and the biggest woodpeckers you've ever seen.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
Profile Image for Montzalee Wittmann.
5,237 reviews2,343 followers
August 24, 2019
Wisteria Warned
Wisteria Witches Mysteries: Daybreak, Book 2
By: Angela Pepper
Narrated by: Tiffany Williams
Series: Wisteria Witches Mysteries, Book 9
This is an audible book I requested and the review is voluntary. I really enjoy this fun series, it hasn't lost its appeal and it remains fresh! The characters are always developing, the world building is wonderful and solidly reinforced with each book, lots of humor scattered throughout the story, the fantasy itself is unique and interesting, and the plot is complex with unpredictable situations and lots of special interest going on at key points! Always multiple layers of things happening! Great fun, action, and supernatural hijinks.
The narration is performed with great feeling, distinctive voices, and delivers the humor perfectly!
Profile Image for Arunimaa.
230 reviews226 followers
May 5, 2023
3.75

Unfortunately, compared to the rest of the series, I felt a little disappointed by this one and the one before this. I am not able to strictly put my finger on it but it may be possible that it was because the story was taking a turn that I was sceptical about.

Don't get me wrong, the story was engaging, funny and all of those things that its predecessors were. But what it also was along with everything was rushed at some parts. I had not envisaged Bentley and Zara's relationship development happening the way it did. I wanted it to happen nice and slow and all of a sudden it's there and it just seems a little rushed? Sure, some parts were extremely sweet but the fact that the romance picks off immediately after he turns into a vampire does not sit well with me. And everyone's gonna ignore the awkward bits about him being with his mom for a bit and the whole .

Nonetheless, I had fun. I always do, with this series. Plus the cover for this installment is so much better!
109 reviews2 followers
May 19, 2019
A bit confusing

I found this book a bit confusing compared to the other books I've read in the series but that may be because it's been so long since I read the other books. Overall still a good read
Profile Image for Eden.
2,225 reviews
December 31, 2020
2020 bk 402: When Detective Bentley gets a call to investigate a psychic, he takes Zara along to check out the woo-woo. While there, they get a call that the woman and Zara's next door neighbor's son are missing. with lots of red herrings and other blocks put in their way by the Department of Water, solving this mystery is not easy.
Profile Image for Laurie Franco.
482 reviews9 followers
October 8, 2020
I love this series

This one was a bit different as we have Corvin being kidnapped and Zara and Bentley FINALLY getting closer. There were a few sad moments and a MAJOR reveal at the end and I cannot wait to see where it leads! Looking forward to starting the next book!!
Profile Image for Wolf (Alpha).
922 reviews12 followers
January 29, 2024
This book dragged a little more than the others. The mystery of a person missing and the underground people destroyed all the evidence. I didn’t believe the old lady at first because how can you say there’s a person missing before it even happens. I felt bad for the woman when the truth came out because she didn’t really have a choice in what she did. I was glad they were able to find the people missing and bring them back safely.
Profile Image for Anima.
2,752 reviews52 followers
April 30, 2019
The best in the series yet! Lots of answers about our fave characters, even some new ones add to the magic of Wisteria. Zara works with Bentley, again, to research a missing woman and possibly something more nefarious. If you've read Zinnia's series you'll recognize characters and events that tie-in nicely to our story. The series is an extension, or spinoff, off Wisteria Witches series. It helps to read all the books but Pepper leaves enough clues and reminders to not confuse anyone. I always enjoy this fast paced magical series with mystery, humor and the possibility of romance. My copy was given by the author, the review written voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jessica Zimmer.
81 reviews5 followers
June 11, 2019
I truly hate to say this, because I adore this world ... but this is by far the weakest in the series so far. Everything I love about these books feels like it's slowly being spread too thin and watered down. I noticed it started to shift for me when I read Zinnia's books. There was a lot of plot, but the characters and world wasn't nearly as vibrant as the books with Zara as the lead.

Unfortunately, for me, it's crept over to the Zara novels as well. There's very little interaction between Zara and Zoey, who are the heart and soul of the series for me. What's there (not unlike book 2 of this mini-series) feels shoved in as an afterthought, rather than a subplot of it's own that's given enough space to bloom. I noticed Zara was turning into something of an inattentive mom and it's only gotten worse. Zoe is going through a lot in this one, since it picked up days after meeting her biological father, starting a new job, perhaps having her first romance, and losing someone she loves dearly.

But none of this is given much page time, as the book is too busy switching POV between characters, and having Zara dwelling on her new crush, rather than focus on her daughter's needs. Zara's job, the biological dad, and anything else are basically thrown overboard for the romance and the main plot. It sucked so much richness and humor of the story, that I found, for a series that usually leaves me feeling full and joyful, I was left wanting instead.

The romance, which might of continued as a pleasant pace, now feels too fast and shallow after a plot twist thanks to Zara's mother. Now that it's hard to believe whether their connection is real, or something pushed into overdrive by the plot. It felt *very forced*, and again, I can't tell if Zara truly loves him, or is under some kind of spell. There's also the loose thread that Zara's first love and baby daddy is back in town, yet for the cliffhanger of the last book, he has zero page time.

This novel felt like the author was trying really hard to cut the fat of the older novels, and make room for the new Zara. That's all well and good, but as someone who genuinely loves their sendoff was incredibly jarring and sad. Not in a, "Oh they're going off to bigger and better things, I'm so happy for them" bittersweet kind, but more like a, "Holy sh*t they're getting the axe because the author doesn't need them anymore". It felt harsh and disappointing after spending several books with this family.

I don't know if Ms. Pepper is simply churning books out too fast, or if something else is going on that's caused such a shift in her writing style. She's written 9 books in less than two and half years -- and that's JUST in the Wisteria series. I think she has two other series that are also on-going. I hope book 10 proves me wrong, but I'm concerned that my love for the Riddles may be running out of steam.
Profile Image for Jim Marsh.
197 reviews11 followers
August 29, 2019
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.


Zara and Bentley are back on the case! After the events of the last book - can things ever be the same? How has the relationship between Zara and Bentley bene affected?


There is a lot happening in this book. It feels like we're rushing towards the series finale. Revelations and reveals galore - without sacrificing the charming character relationships that make Wisteria tick. the heartwarming moments, humor and mystery you've come to know and expect are still in full force but truths are coming out and connections are falling into place. Sadly Zinnia is absent for this adventure but we do get to see her coworkers from City Hall get pulled into the storyline and other major shifts from the status quo before the end of the novel with another stunning cliffhanger from Angela Pepper.

If you've read the previous 8 books in the series then this builds on them in fantastic ways.

Tiffany Williams is always a delight. She does exceptional work here integrating more characters and their voices from the City Hall books, keeping them recognizable from Rosemary Benson's performance while still making them her own. She also gets to have some fun with accents. She continues to bring this colorful world to life.

I can't wait for the next book in the series!
47 reviews
May 4, 2019
The Wisteria Witches series is the only paranormal mystery series that I can stomach, and that's because it lacks the cutesy/quirky irritation of many other paranormal cozies. Is this series, in fact, 'cozy'? Perhaps not. Perhaps it's just a paranormal murder mystery series.

Either way, it's fantastic.

This one might be my favourite so far thanks to the twists that lead the reader down a garden path without even noticing, only to realise that we've totally misread a situation and, if we hadn't been making Big Fat Assumptions along with the characters, we might have realised a few things sooner!

If this seems cryptic, it's because I don't want to give spoilers. But Bentley himself points out how his assumptions have misled him, and the twist at the end leading into the next book shows that Zara makes her own assumptions too, based on her feelings about Bentley.

One spoiler, though:

Bentley is hot and I look forward to seeing how things play out with him for Zara, especially given the complications with her mother...
Profile Image for Lidia.
509 reviews6 followers
September 22, 2019
This is my review of the audio version as posted on Audible:

It's nother fun adventure with Zara... :)
My comeback to Wisteria was - as all my "visits" there - a real fun; so much so that it kept me listening very late at night - in fact I listened to the whole book in one sitting:)

As usual, Zara gets involved in an investigation that turns and twists all the way to the end:) She uncovers secrets, learns things about her friends and acquaintances that surprise her (and us) and she never loses her quirky sense of humour... Her banter with Detective Bentley is what makes the book such a fun, light listen/read:)

Interpretation by Ms Williams is fantastic; she adds life to the already energetic story, making the characters shine through her narration. She does voices really well and they perfectly match the characters' personalities. The pace of her reading is also very good - I didn't feel the need to speed it up:)

DISCLAIMER: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Profile Image for Michelle Page.
50 reviews2 followers
May 2, 2019
While this book is written differently than the previous ones, it did not take away from the story. I actually think the multiple POV’s helped make the story flow even better. This book brings a lot of threads together and let me says I loved The Who is Zara dating thread, about time! I love watching Zara become more comfortable as a witch, and watching Zoey grow. I like that Zara’s amateur sleuthing has turned into something legit that she a Bentley do together. I am actually glad to see the twist with the Moore family, I think it frees Zara up for so much more. There is also a twist at the end that I did not see coming, but looks intriguing. I did receive this book as an ARC, but would have read it either way. I have read every book in the Wisteria setting. These witches are entertaining, quirky, and quick in both wit and sleuthing. Don’t just read this book read all of them! Once you start you can’t get enough.
Profile Image for Angela Griffin.
1,682 reviews5 followers
August 6, 2020
Excellent

Zara is a good witch...in spite of everything! She can't even carve out a bit of time to adjust to life changes (her baby growing up, a new love interest who's also newly undead, and newly discovered paranormals, to name a few) before she's maneuvered into what may be the true apocalypse! The presentation of multiple viewpoints adds dimension and makes for a very unusual read from this author. Ehat amazing mastery of several different subplots, woven into a cohesive story...and there's still more to tell!! Will it hurt more to discover a deadbeat apparently cared more the second time around? What else will Zoey manifest? Who will purchase the newly available real estate? Is anyone concerned about naming the car? And have ALL the guilty been identified in the Krinkle case? I'm in a hurry to get back to these Wisteria witches!
Profile Image for Paula Dyches.
855 reviews17 followers
September 6, 2020
Snarky, Sassy, Super Fun Witchy Mystery

I love this series! I have to admit I'm a much better fan of Zara then Aunt Zinnia, she just has more spark and sass which adds so much to the comic relief!

** Quick parental warning - 17+ readers, this story has some sexual attraction, insinuations, although there are no sex scenes it is a more prevalent topic in this book.

This particular book starts out with Zara and her new boyfriend the detective (newly created vampire) investigating two disappearances. The narration is phenomenal and so entertaining that she made an already captivating, and funny mystery even more difficult to put down.

—I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
1,190 reviews9 followers
April 26, 2019
This book answered a lot of questions in the series. The book has views from different characters, it was nice way to tell overall story. I am not going to give anything away from this book. Love the chemistry with Zara and Bentley, answers regarding Corvin and Kathy, not sure the ending with the Moore's and Chessa, but the story need to move on. Maybe they will be back. You will see the a big surprise in story for Zara at the end of book. I could not put this book down until the final page, looking forward to book 10.
I highly recommend this book. This author really knows how to get reader from the first page, with a nice steady pace to the storyline,
81 reviews
May 8, 2019
This book really explained the characters and creatures in the series and how they fit together in Wisteria. An old woman has created doll houses with actual crime scenes where the events have already happened - or predicts they are about to happen. Zara and Detective Bentley (my favorite vampire) must race to solve the mystery and keep the crises from actually happening. If you like paranormal, witches, vampires, etc. you will really enjoy this book. There is a lot of family, fun, love and mystery in this book. I received this book from the author to read and provide an honest review. (I only read series and/or books I really like.)
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,846 reviews9 followers
May 16, 2020
I enjoy this series and had the opportunity to listen to this book. Zara is a hoot.

The story picks up days after Zoe, Zara’s daughter, has met her biological father, started a new job, and losing someone.

An old woman creates doll houses with future crime scenes. Zara, Bently & Chessa are trying to solve this and what happened to Corvin, in dog form & his walker.

I am enjoying getting to know the characters. I am always ready to learn about other paranormal creatures such as: sprites, wyverns, djinns, witches, shifters, gorgons, and vampires.

There are a few surprises throughout the story but watch out for the one at the end of this book.
Profile Image for Ashley Hedden.
5,259 reviews43 followers
June 24, 2021
Wisteria Warned (Wisteria Witches #9) was a great read by Angela Pepper. Zara Riddle is a powerful witch, a skilled librarian, and now the town’s detective is seeking her help. Detective Bentley and Zara partner again to investigate a call about a missing person. The caller is an old lady who claims to have psychic abilities. It turns out that the missing person is actually a tiny figurine from a dollhouse. Unfortunately after that a real local resident disappears. Although Zara and Bentley drive each other crazy, they know they must unravel the crime. I really enjoyed reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.
1,024 reviews19 followers
May 1, 2019
Cannot wait for the next book in the Wisteria series. They just keep getting better and better. Zara has changed a lot since the beginning of the series and it is all for the better. Zoey has embraced her shifter capabilities and is growing up strong and confident. Bentley, is of course changing in other ways which are very mysterious. Enjoyed the different way this book was narrated, it made it more entertaining. Want more books in this series, looking forward to reading more about Wisteria.
Profile Image for Stephanie Villere.
1,401 reviews7 followers
May 9, 2019
This is Wisteria Warned written by Angela Pepper. You are going to love the world of Wisteria! It’s fun and crazy with lots of paranormal zaniness going on! Zara Riddle will be your next best friend and you can’t help but wish you were a fly on the wall in her crazy world. Every time we turn around Ms Pepper is revealing a new kind of shifter to us, one that we have never read about in any other book. It’s a completely original book about witches and tons of nutty characters that will keep you guessing! Love this series!!
Profile Image for Roberta.
1,217 reviews18 followers
March 13, 2020
I particularly loved this audiobook. It had all the things I like so much about this series - the characters, the humour, the snark (especially between Zara and Zoe - have I mentioned how much I love their relationship), the mystery and the magic. It was not easy to see what was going on with this story, but the conclusion was so, so satisfying, the culprit was someone I’ve long found creepy! I can’t say any more without spoilers.

The narration from Tiffany Williams was absolutely spot on, as always. She takes an excellent, enjoyable book, and raises it to a whole new level. I also didn’t find Zara’s father’s accent (I’ve forgotten his name) as irritating this time around. I’m unsure if it’s just that there’s so little of it, or I was just less irritable, or whether it’s actually changed.

This series just gets better and better, I definitely recommend it, and specifically enjoying it via the audiobooks.
Profile Image for Teresa Perrott.
151 reviews1 follower
Read
July 25, 2020
Fantastic series

This one is strongly featuring Bentley and Zara. There are even more strange going one in Wisteria including surges of magic, does have something to do with Mrs Krinkle 's claims she has premonition dreams that make her design crime scenes before they happen! Or is there more to the matter and what does the DWM 'S AI have to do with it? Will Zara and Bentley keep flirting or will Persephone Rose make a move on him? What is her story? I loved the twists again and certainly was not expecting the last twist
278 reviews1 follower
April 17, 2023
Fun, fast read

The Wisteria Witches Mystery books are fun, entertaining, and fast reads. The characters in this book are introducing their magical selves to each other, so we are getting more background on many of the main characters. This book revolves around the kidnapping of a local townsperson and Zara's neighbor's son, Corvin. Zara and Detective Bentley are finally able to solve the crime, but only after avoiding a near magical apocalypse. Some minor continuity issues keep this book from a higher rating.
260 reviews
May 21, 2019
Great!

I absolutely loved this book! Zara is a really fun, irreverent single mother who has discovered that she is a witch. Her family has numerous other supernatural types in it and her favorite detective is a vampire! Throughout all of the recent madness in her life, she is thrown into one mystery after another. I love the humor, the world building, and the mysteries in this series and highly recommend it!
145 reviews
May 29, 2019
Wisteria Warned continues the saga of the Riddle family. Sara finally gives in to her attraction to her detective as they try to solve the latest crime. You are kept guessing first this person than that one as the guilty party. Some questions from previous books are answered. The story is well written and keeps you reading till the end. As usual you will be wishing the story could continue. We will have to be patient and wait for the next book. A good quick read you should enjoy it.
Profile Image for Heather.
31 reviews
October 17, 2019
Another fun book

Angela Pepper tackles a different approach to her storytelling in this book. While it still focusses on Zara, we got little bits scattered throughout the book from the perspective of several of the other characters. This allowed for information to be revealed to the reader without Sara having to know about it. And an interesting reveal in the final chapter that I look forward to reading more about in the next book.
62 reviews1 follower
May 20, 2020
A Not Ending

Anothernightime journey for me, unsure if it's insomnia, age-related or just an unputdownable book. This was a lovely twisty turny journey that i've thoroughly enjoyed giggling and worrying through with characters that come alive in my head. I also love the Author's Notes at the end of each book and almost feel as I know Angela because she draws you into her world.
Profile Image for Linda Thomas.
842 reviews9 followers
February 8, 2022
Zara her daughter Zoey, and Bentley get caught in a dangerous series of murders.

Zara get pulled into investigating murders with Bentley, and trying to keep Zoey and the neighbors out of the middle of them. But they keep getting dragged back in just as the rest of this strange town of witches, gorgons, shifter, vampire, and other assorted monsters keep popping up or in as you go on. They just can’t help it. They are the story after all!
Profile Image for Safari.
311 reviews1 follower
April 29, 2022
A fast paced action packed fantasy adventure.

This was another great adventure in the Wisteria Witches Mysteries. We get a few chapter's with the point of view from characters other than Zara, which helps answer some of the mystery shrouding a few of the favourites. Another great read from Angela Pepper. Can't wait for what will be an Emmy award winning TV show one day. I live in hope Netflix or Amazon will produce it.
21 reviews
April 23, 2024
Wisteria Warned a fun book.

Wisteria Warned is a charming book to read. I enjoyed the twist and that made this book so fun to read. I loved characters this book and how they all interweave in each other's lives. I was sad to see that the Moores were leaving Wisteria. I was interested in how their lives were changed and where they went. How Corvin aged as a hellhound and his future laid.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews

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