The first two book in the popular Casino Witch Mysteries series.
Of Murders and Mages: Casino Witch Mysteries 1 Three ways that Ella's life is totally messed up: 1. Her new coworker is as cranky as he is attractive 2. A mischievous cat has decided she needs a familiar 3. She just found out she's a witch who can read the emotional hologram of a magical death (and isn't that a mouthful) And oh yeah, there's five dead bodies, and no one knows how they are connected. Now she’s drawn into a madcap investigation at the casino where she's managed to snag a job. She must navigate learning her new mage abilities, a topless burlesque show, a jealous girlfriend, gamblers of all varieties, and magical chocolate cake, all while not setting herself or others on fire before the murderer makes her the next victim.
Which Mage Moved the Cheese? Casino Witch Mysteries 2 Ella's Super Awesome Guide to Paranormal Cheese: 1. You eat it, but there are weird side effects. 2. The ingredients can be really gross. 3. You don't use it to squash people.
When the ex-president of the Paranormal Cheese Council is found dead under the world's largest wedge of cheese, Ella is on the case! Unable to admit who she really is, she goes undercover. But can she, her klutzy sidekick, and the world's most arrogant familiar escape the Booby-Trapped Queso of Doom, or stop eating the magically addictive beer-cheese fondue without giving things away to the anonymous villain?
Nikki Haverstock is a writer who lives on a cattle ranch high in the Rocky Mountains. She has studied comedy writing at Second City and has published 6 cozy mysteries that are heavy on the humor.
Before fleeing the city, she hosted a competitive archery reality show, traveled the world to study volcanoes, taught archery and computer science at a university and now works on her family’s ranch herding cattle. Nikki has more college degrees than she has sense and hopefully one day she will put one to work.
Nikki likes to write comedy pieces that focus on the everyday humor of one-uppers, annoying family members and strange behavior of the ultra-rich. She tried stand up but the cattle weren’t impressed.
I think 3 and a half stars. The protag's friend, esp, acts around 15, but i like the dynamic between her and the protag.
The magic is Harry Potterish (which i'm not a fan of, but it was well described and quite funny at times.)
Each book's mystery pulled me forward--funny and compelling--tho they're overshadowed by stuff i'm not a fan of--a little too much slapstick, a little too many TSTL decisions. And the magical community seems to consist mainly of Mean- Girl types (male and female.)
In particular: The love interest. He's a childish, sullen, self-absorbed, privileged bully-boy. I was NOT a fan, and i would not have picked up book next (they come in bundles of two, it seems.)
Then, turns out the late-20-something protag is a virgin. For no particular reason, and with no particular desire to be. But now she's gotta stay that way for the foreseeable future for...reasons.... ::puts book down and backs away carefully::
My favorite part is that she can eat all she wants after performing magic. I need this in my life. But really this is a lighthearted, humorous murder mystery set of books, if you can imagine that. I really like and got familiar with all the characters, except Olivia, not much fleshing out on her. Great entertainment and a pretty difficult mystery to solve. And now I need more info on a Monday.
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This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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As you can tell from my individual reviews, I'd have been delighted to have the box-set from the start! ----- Of Murders and Mages: Casino Witch Mysteries 1 ~~ “Potions, spells, protections, talismans—So all that stuff is real?”
Each author imagines the world beyond a bit differently. Certain conceits and concepts commonly held, such as vampires' fear of sunlight, are either accepted or rejected because *everyone knows*; and therefore the myth is embraced in either case. Witches and magic have not been as clearly defined, giving scope for imagination but thus requiring the rules be laid out for the reader. Anything playing against the stereotype becomes fodder for plot. If your parents are witches or, in Ms Haverstock's novel, mages, then you are likely to have the latent or expressed capabilities, too. So we are invited to step into a world in which mages not only exist but control the casinos in town (Nevada but NOT Las Vegas). As our heroine asks as she learns about her own abilities, “Potions, spells, protections, talismans—” “So all that stuff is real?”
But we aren't *just* dealing with magic--we are entering the world of gambling, spiced up with a murder mystery. Charming (and some not so charming) and believable characters, interesting plot, light and fun dialogue, and a hint of romance all combine to create a delightful story. Sad to have finished; but I am now looking forward to book 2! ----- Which Mage Moved the Cheese?: Casino Witch Mysteries 2 ~~ Lucy & Ethel Solve Crimes
Starting out as a campy farce, our story gets serious as heroine Ella Marie attempts to unravel a magical murder mystery while discovering her own talents and place in the world of spells, potions and runes. The continuity of some of the characters is enhanced by having read book 1, but this story can stand alone. Ella and sidekick Vanessa seem to seriously channel both Lucy and Ethel as well as Thelma and Louise. Told with a light touch and a great deal of humor!
Book 1 is so funny and I really enjoyed reading it. A casino ran by mages had a murder in their hands but what was the reason? Ella is a new witch but didn't know it and was training with other mage at the casino. Fantastic characters.
Book 2 is funny also and I really enjoyed reading it! Ella was a new witch in training with mages that owned a casino. A murder occurred with a big piece of cheese and Ella was brought in to help find the murderer. Vin was in the family and doing the security for the casino and was sweet on Ella. Who did the murder? Why? Money, greed, jealously,magic? Find out how the investigation goes. Good reading.
Book 1 - Of Murders and Mages - 4 stars Ella thought she was just an accountant with a 'knack' for identifying dodgy associates. When a magical cat adopts her, she finds out about the mystical powers of her father -powers it seems she may have inherited. She gets drawn in to the investigation of 5 murders. Nicely written [Reviewed on Goodreads and Kobo on Nov 10, 2022] Book 2 - Which Mage Moved the Cheese? Ella is slowly learning her new mage abilities. A cheese convention and a murder tests her skills. Fun characters [Reviewed on Goodreads on 4 Feb, 2023]
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Tightly written and very fast paced, the first two volumes of the Casino Witch series sets a high bar. I want more, lots and lots more! The world building information is on a needs to know basis, so the story stays fluid and nimble. Ella's all in leap into the magical world is unique to the genre in that her stumbles along the way feel very familiar and natural. Identifying with her bold embrace, but limited by her limited knowledge, this reader hung on for the magical romp.
Enjoyable and exciting! Man, oh man, does she take a step she didn't understand! I guess we'll see how it works out later , but for now she has to catch up with her training. Disappointment and heartbreak are hard to handle separately but she gets them at once. Poor thing! She's determined and that says a lot for her. It's gonna be a rough road! On to the next! Way too many errors to get four stars. Needs a company editor.
I liked the humour that followed Ella and Vanessa throughout the two books, although there is plenty of drama too. Ella has been sheltered from childhood by her father, and knows nothing about her abilities. She meets members of her family, who tell her that she is a Mage. I liked the characters, especially Ella, Vanessa and Big
good story, read books in order to keep up with the who,what, and why's. The back ground is very helpful. I liked how our (female) heroine was able to stand up, over come, while learning her new mage powers, meeting other mages who will help train her in using her powers. New friends, frenemies, as well as enemies.
What a wild ride. This casino is owned and full of witches, mages, villains, and cats. Oh, and don't forget a few murders too. I got to travel with Ella as she learned of her powers and progressed to be able to control them. This book is much more than a throw of the dice. Very enjoyable and makes me glad I only go to the casino for the buffets.
I thoroughly enjoyed book 1 and 2. It definitely made you think and try to figure out what was going on. I would have rated it a 5, but I am sad with how book 2 ended because I was hoping that the MMF and who I thought was MMC would be able to finally be together. I haven't decided yet to get book 3&4, but know I will eventually.
Interesting premise and magical world-building. Not as good a mystery as some of the author's other series. I found it hard to relate to the main character especially in book 2, with her romantic interest and going along with her friend who has so many bad ideas..
This book was a blast. Seriously quirky and unexpected. I bought the next set before I had even finished this. I’m going to recommend this to my Mom, and sister. Good clean fun.
DNF Glad this was free because I'd be pissed if I paid for this drivel! Needs a good edit. This chic has no backbone and just does what these complete strangers tell her to do while withholding vital info that even her father didn't tell her. Unrealistic and rididulous, don't bother.
A quite unique take on magic and witches and a strong creativity make this series one of those little gems that are a pleasure to read more than once. Highly recommended!
Wow!!! what a storyline with an ending I was not expecting. It was a fun read & the situations the girls found themselves in were so funny. I can't wait to keep reading this series to find out what happens next.
Ella is a freelance accountant and is working in a casino when she finds out she us a mage. Her relationships are growing stronger and she tries to find murderers while learning magic. I am ready to read more.
This is a new to me author. I am impressed with the writing and plot. The world building is great and gets my imagination going. Looking forward to more books from this author.
A light, easy read. No high stakes. Great palette cleanser. Undecided if I'll continue the series but likely at a later date when I need another quick and easy story! ...could do without Vanessa, though.
Book one was the best in my opinion. It started off slow but quickly turned to action. Book two was hard to get into. It felt like jumping from scene to scene while trying to find a needle in a haystack.