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A Pet Psychic Mystery #2
Lady Luck Runs Out
Fall tourist season in St. Pete has kicked into high gear for Darwin Winters, pet psychic, but that doesn't stop her from getting tangled up in a new murder investigation.
Rose Faraday, a gypsy fortune teller, has succumbed to a rattlesnake bite in her own condo. After a run-in with the victim's traumatized cat, Darwin knows it was no freak accident. Can she find a way to prove it? Or will the killer get lucky and get away with murder?
Rose Faraday, a gypsy fortune teller, has succumbed to a rattlesnake bite in her own condo. After a run-in with the victim's traumatized cat, Darwin knows it was no freak accident. Can she find a way to prove it? Or will the killer get lucky and get away with murder?
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2012
153 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Shannon Esposito
27 books147 followersShannon Esposito lives in a magical Gulf Coast town with fluorescent sunsets, purple dragonflies and the occasional backyard alligator. Her mysteries transport readers to Florida without the hefty price of airfare. Although she knew from the age of five she wanted to be a writer, she briefly entertained the idea of being a scientist, until she found out it involved math, which gives her hives.
She shares this little corner of paradise with her husband, twin boys and dogs. If she's not writing, you'll find her coddling one of the above, hiding with a book or daydreaming with her toes in the sand.
Get a free full-legnth mystery when you sign up for my newsletter at murderinparadise.com
She shares this little corner of paradise with her husband, twin boys and dogs. If she's not writing, you'll find her coddling one of the above, hiding with a book or daydreaming with her toes in the sand.
Get a free full-legnth mystery when you sign up for my newsletter at murderinparadise.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
January 16, 2020
This is a 3.5 star read.
September 7, 2017
I'm enjoying this series. This time Darwin's little sister comes for a visit and while on a haunted tour, they find a cat who shows Darwin her owner was murdered by a snake. Turns out the victim was a psychic and her son is a bit scary and wants Darwin's help in finding his mother's killer.
You find out a lot more about Darwin's gift and family. There is trouble in her romance with Will since he is such a non-believer and a good mystery.
You find out a lot more about Darwin's gift and family. There is trouble in her romance with Will since he is such a non-believer and a good mystery.
February 17, 2016
enjoyable read. Although sometimes there is a certain suspension of disbelief in how things turn out, investigation wise. The flow is fine but Darwin's approach to confrontations needs polishing up.
January 7, 2018
Lady Luck Runs Out
A Pet Psychic Mystery, Book # 2
Shannon Esposito
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Fall tourist season in St. Pete has kicked into high gear for Darwin Winters, pet psychic, but that doesn't stop her from getting tangled up in a new murder investigation.
Rose Faraday, a gypsy fortune teller, has succumbed to a rattlesnake bite in her own condo. After a run-in with the victim's traumatized cat, Darwin knows it was no freak accident. Can she find a way to prove it? Or will the killer get lucky and get away with murder? (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Darwin is a hardworking, honest, caring person and she does not like to see anyone or any animal suffer. I enjoyed spending time with her and her friends Frankie and Sylvia. And it was nice to meet Darwin’s sister, Mallory, and get to know her better. We also got to know a little more about Darwin’s family history and learn a little more about her psychic ability and her “gifted” family. And it was good to see her detective boyfriend, Will, trying to keep an open mind about her psychic abilities.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy entertaining read. She is very talented in her descriptive writing and I could really picture the community and her pet boutique in my mind. She is also very talented creating suspense with the written word. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough twists and turns and red herrings thrown in to make this a difficult mystery to solve.
I highly recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. With great characters, a psychic protagonist, humor and a well plotted mystery, this book has it all. I cannot wait to read the next one in the series.
A Pet Psychic Mystery, Book # 2
Shannon Esposito
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Fall tourist season in St. Pete has kicked into high gear for Darwin Winters, pet psychic, but that doesn't stop her from getting tangled up in a new murder investigation.
Rose Faraday, a gypsy fortune teller, has succumbed to a rattlesnake bite in her own condo. After a run-in with the victim's traumatized cat, Darwin knows it was no freak accident. Can she find a way to prove it? Or will the killer get lucky and get away with murder? (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Darwin is a hardworking, honest, caring person and she does not like to see anyone or any animal suffer. I enjoyed spending time with her and her friends Frankie and Sylvia. And it was nice to meet Darwin’s sister, Mallory, and get to know her better. We also got to know a little more about Darwin’s family history and learn a little more about her psychic ability and her “gifted” family. And it was good to see her detective boyfriend, Will, trying to keep an open mind about her psychic abilities.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy entertaining read. She is very talented in her descriptive writing and I could really picture the community and her pet boutique in my mind. She is also very talented creating suspense with the written word. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough twists and turns and red herrings thrown in to make this a difficult mystery to solve.
I highly recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. With great characters, a psychic protagonist, humor and a well plotted mystery, this book has it all. I cannot wait to read the next one in the series.
March 6, 2019
The snake attack
Not as good as the first book. The plot just seemed a bit far fetched and I also hate snakes. The characters however are changing and it was good to not only meet a member of her family but also to have her tell Will her secret.
Her sister has come to visit due to a dream she had where her father told her she would need to save Darwin's life. A ghost tour sounds like a good idea until her sister gets bored and manifests an orb which in turn scares a cat. A cat whose owner might be in trouble as the cat saw a shadowy figure put a snake into the condo. The two go off in search of the owner, calling Will and after saying that she saw a snake a body is found. A body of a psychic. She starts investigating and teams up with the psychic's son. Another death and now having no choice she tells Will. Will he understand? What is different about the psychic's son? Will they find out how the two deaths occurred and why?
Not as good as the first book. The plot just seemed a bit far fetched and I also hate snakes. The characters however are changing and it was good to not only meet a member of her family but also to have her tell Will her secret.
Her sister has come to visit due to a dream she had where her father told her she would need to save Darwin's life. A ghost tour sounds like a good idea until her sister gets bored and manifests an orb which in turn scares a cat. A cat whose owner might be in trouble as the cat saw a shadowy figure put a snake into the condo. The two go off in search of the owner, calling Will and after saying that she saw a snake a body is found. A body of a psychic. She starts investigating and teams up with the psychic's son. Another death and now having no choice she tells Will. Will he understand? What is different about the psychic's son? Will they find out how the two deaths occurred and why?
November 16, 2018
I really enjoyed this story. Darwin's baby sister, Mallory, comes for a visit although it turns out, she was directed there because she's supposed to help Darwin in some way. While the two are on a ghost tour, a black cat named Lady Luck attaches herself to the girls so they try to return her to her home. That's where they discover what looks like foul play so Darwin calls her detective friend, Will. They soon discover that Rose Faraday, Lady Luck's owner, has succumbed to a rattlesnake bite. Darwin investigates trying to come up with some evidence that Will can use to prove it was a murder.
February 23, 2020
Good story.
I thought this book was better than the first one and that one was very good. Characters warm, loyal and likeable. Darwin is finally seeing the benefits of practicing her family " gifts ". She is accepting who she is without shame. Plot had plenty of intensity and surprises. Will needs to wake up and have a little more faith in Darwin. Satisfying conclusion.
I thought this book was better than the first one and that one was very good. Characters warm, loyal and likeable. Darwin is finally seeing the benefits of practicing her family " gifts ". She is accepting who she is without shame. Plot had plenty of intensity and surprises. Will needs to wake up and have a little more faith in Darwin. Satisfying conclusion.
April 15, 2023
I'm really adoring this series. Darwin is such a cute heroine and I loved seeing her interact with her sister Mallory in this one.
I'm also loving the drama surrounding when Detective Blake will finally find out about Darwin's abilities. The tension was killing me.
Give me more Darwin! I will never not be in the mood to read a book in this series.
I'm also loving the drama surrounding when Detective Blake will finally find out about Darwin's abilities. The tension was killing me.
Give me more Darwin! I will never not be in the mood to read a book in this series.
March 26, 2025
A cozy mystery with a fun premise (pet psychic!), cute romance, & found family. This is the 2nd in the series & I haven't read the 1st, but I understood what was going on pretty well.
I will say that as far as the audiobook goes, I was NOT a fan of the narrator's southern accent.
I will say that as far as the audiobook goes, I was NOT a fan of the narrator's southern accent.
March 21, 2019
This is a fun series. I wasn't excited about the snake aspect of this book, but it was a fast read.
July 15, 2019
Loved it!
Couldn't put it down staying up late at night to finish reading to the end! Glad it worked out with Will but hope she stays friends with Zach.
Couldn't put it down staying up late at night to finish reading to the end! Glad it worked out with Will but hope she stays friends with Zach.
August 18, 2019
really good series
September 23, 2019
Good book ,lots of detail and fun characters.
November 20, 2020
Audiobook
I liked the supernatural component, just the right amount without going over the top.
I liked the supernatural component, just the right amount without going over the top.
March 31, 2019
So far still liking this series. Adding a couple new characters of interest. Wanting to see where this goes. Not sure I am liking her detective love interest but we shall see.
February 2, 2019
Love the Concept
I Love the idea of a psychic who can understand an animal's trauma. Especially a pet psychic hiding her talents and working with animals in a daily basis in a pet spa. The mysteries are excellent, complex, and involve active sleuthing throughout the book.
I Love the idea of a psychic who can understand an animal's trauma. Especially a pet psychic hiding her talents and working with animals in a daily basis in a pet spa. The mysteries are excellent, complex, and involve active sleuthing throughout the book.
January 11, 2025
I really like this mystery series. The stories are tight, the mysteries good, and this one was unusual. The solving of the murder was done by logical means and the cop did not want her involved. But he told her that, he didn’t yell at her. I like how he dealt with stuff between them. It made sense.
The characters were interesting. I like that there are mysterious people that remain that way from book to book. I also like that they weren’t all introduced in the first book but new ones come and go.
The cat was great. I also like how she communicates with animals, through feelings and flash images. It feels more realistic than some other series. I also like that she explained she can catch intense emotions of people, too, although primarily animals, because in the previous book, she did that a couple of times and I think once here. I hope the next one is a dog again. Maybe both dogs and cats?
There are international tourists so it’s not just white Americans. Who knows if the visitors aren’t white but at least there’s more diversity.
(One nitpick: I really hate the expression “he hits like a girl.” The strongest female is not as strong as the strongest male but many women are very strong. And regardless “girls” can know how to fight.)
I definitely will read the sequel very soon.
The narrator, Stephanie Einstein, is excellent. Most of the time I remained immersed in the narrative and was jerked out remembering it was one person only a couple of times. Her southern accent is excellent.
The characters were interesting. I like that there are mysterious people that remain that way from book to book. I also like that they weren’t all introduced in the first book but new ones come and go.
The cat was great. I also like how she communicates with animals, through feelings and flash images. It feels more realistic than some other series. I also like that she explained she can catch intense emotions of people, too, although primarily animals, because in the previous book, she did that a couple of times and I think once here. I hope the next one is a dog again. Maybe both dogs and cats?
There are international tourists so it’s not just white Americans. Who knows if the visitors aren’t white but at least there’s more diversity.
(One nitpick: I really hate the expression “he hits like a girl.” The strongest female is not as strong as the strongest male but many women are very strong. And regardless “girls” can know how to fight.)
I definitely will read the sequel very soon.
The narrator, Stephanie Einstein, is excellent. Most of the time I remained immersed in the narrative and was jerked out remembering it was one person only a couple of times. Her southern accent is excellent.
January 3, 2013
Just finished Lady Luck Runs Out and I love it. Darwin's sister arrives to save the day before a problem even turns up. It turns out her missing father has sent her to to protect Darwin from an unknown danger. Disappointed that Darwin has turned from her gifts, the eighteen year old Mallory takes some time to reconnect with her older sister but plans to stay around until she is needed.
When a black cat jumps on Mallory in a panic during tour of haunted placed, Darwin receives images of a man putting a rattlesnake into someones house. The sister go to the address on the cat's tags and can not see anything but find a hole in a screen so Darwin calls her Detective boyfriend. Who check around the neighborhood and finds enough cause to enter the house where, naturally the find a dead body.
Darwin's need to find the murderer without revealing her talents draws her into a tangle of suspicion and suspicious characters including Zach, the son of the dead woman. The stress of working behind Will's back put a strain on their relationship, forcing Darwin to make a tough decision about about their relationship and about her us of her abilities. The mystery takes precedence over the romance but the problems between Darwin and Will weave throughout the story.
I enjoyed getting to know Mallory but would like to have seen more of Frankie in this book. She was one of the highlights of the first book in the Pet Psychic Mystery Series, Karma is a Bitch.
This one will be a 5 on all regular review sites.
June 17, 2016
Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...
1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.
2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.
3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.
4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.
5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.
April 4, 2013
What a delightful mystery! Even though there is one before it in the series, this is the first one that I've read, but it didn't take me long to feel at home with the backstory of Darwin and her discomfort with her unique psychic abilities, especially how they mesh with the important people in her life.
In the midst of Darwin's own struggles with her identity, she's investigating a mysterious death that involves a traumatized black cat, exotic, dangerous snakes, and all kinds of skullduggery. In the best mystery tradition, it's sometimes tough to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys. The ending is absolutely gratifying. A fun read!
In the midst of Darwin's own struggles with her identity, she's investigating a mysterious death that involves a traumatized black cat, exotic, dangerous snakes, and all kinds of skullduggery. In the best mystery tradition, it's sometimes tough to distinguish the good guys from the bad guys. The ending is absolutely gratifying. A fun read!
March 30, 2013
I was delighted to discover that a second Pet Psychic book was out. This is a great read, especially around Halloween. This story has all the appropriate trappings, including a black cat, a fortune teller, and lots of unexpected twists and turns! But for me, the quality of a book is always about the characters. Ms. Esposito does not disappoint here. I especially liked the way she develops Darwin's relationship with her sister and with her handsome but skeptical detective boyfriend.
This is a fun cozy mystery series with an interesting paranormal twist. Looking forward to the next installment.
This is a fun cozy mystery series with an interesting paranormal twist. Looking forward to the next installment.
October 17, 2016
Darwin gets involved in solving another murder in this second in the Pet Psychic series. Once again a pet helps her to "see" what happened. Rose Farraday was murdered when someone let a rattlesnake into her home and her cat, Lucky helps Darwin to see that it was a "someone" who let that rattlesnake into the home. Darwin also has a visit from her younger sister, Mallory, who is much more open about their pyschic ability. Some of the characters I loved in the first book appear in this one. And there is a strange new character, Farraday's son who is very mysterious. Meanwhile Darwin still battles whether to allow her boyfriend, Will to know the truth about her gifts.
June 12, 2019
The Pet Psychic Mysteries series is one of those books that are fun to read and leave you feeling good. Darwin has a power that speaks to her through visions. When she touches a pet that has been through some sort of trauma, she visualizes what the trauma is. This naturally leads to trouble as she tries to help the animal.
Unfortunately, her boyfriend is a homicide detective who has a hard time believing in her psychic abilities. This relationship leads to some comic situations and fun sleuthing. Solid writing, strong characters, and lots of humor.
Unfortunately, her boyfriend is a homicide detective who has a hard time believing in her psychic abilities. This relationship leads to some comic situations and fun sleuthing. Solid writing, strong characters, and lots of humor.
November 17, 2012
A well-written and entertaining story. I look forward to reading more about Darwin (our heroine) and her family and friends. I certainly hope that we have not seen the last of Zach!
Ms. Esposito's depiction of the snakes that slither in and out of scenes is measured and sensible. Refreshing to read a book that avoids the hyperbole so often connected with the mere mention of serpents. Hats off to Ms. Esposito for that achievement.
Ms. Esposito's depiction of the snakes that slither in and out of scenes is measured and sensible. Refreshing to read a book that avoids the hyperbole so often connected with the mere mention of serpents. Hats off to Ms. Esposito for that achievement.
February 2, 2014
2014-02-01. I enjoyed this one although not as much as the first one in the series. All the snakes and dark stuff weren't exactly my cup of tea. However, I really enjoyed meeting her little sister and hope some future books feature other family members.
September 5, 2015
Murder Mystery Solved by Pet Psychic with help of Cat
I enjoy a good mystery with intrigue and lots of suspects and this did not disappoint. New characters intruded and more background on psychic/witch and who her pure magical father really is.
I enjoy a good mystery with intrigue and lots of suspects and this did not disappoint. New characters intruded and more background on psychic/witch and who her pure magical father really is.
February 6, 2016
Being a "dog person" I particularly love this series. It was great meeting her younger sister and their relationship. The detective is still around as well as her other friends. A great paranormal read. Especially if you like snakes and psychics.
March 19, 2013
really love dropping into these books - really easy to read, nice books for a lazy afternoon.
August 26, 2015
Entertaining
Kept me interested throughout the whole story. Very different ideas for a cozy mystery. Darwin is cute and tough girl
Kept me interested throughout the whole story. Very different ideas for a cozy mystery. Darwin is cute and tough girl
October 30, 2015
I enjoyed this book it took a few dark turns which added substance to the plot line which explained a little bit more of what type of magic we're dealing with! Great book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews