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Riga Hayworth #1
The Alchemical Detective
This metaphysical detective has a murder to solve. But will a devilishly handsome casino owner get in the way?
There’s a storm on the horizon. Riga’s lost her magic and has come to Lake Tahoe for a fresh start and to spend quality time with her new love. But life for a metaphysical detective is never that simple.
Someone’s killing psychics in Lake Tahoe, and the police think Riga may be connected to the murders. The best way to prove her innocence? Catch the killer herself… if she can escape the monster-hunting “reality” show she’s committed to for long enough. And as the killer circles closer, she may become his next target…
If you love talking gargoyles, smart mysteries, and mature heroines with complicated lives, you’ll love this series. Because this complicated, 40-something detective isn’t like the others... Pick up this page-turning supernatural mystery today!
There’s a storm on the horizon. Riga’s lost her magic and has come to Lake Tahoe for a fresh start and to spend quality time with her new love. But life for a metaphysical detective is never that simple.
Someone’s killing psychics in Lake Tahoe, and the police think Riga may be connected to the murders. The best way to prove her innocence? Catch the killer herself… if she can escape the monster-hunting “reality” show she’s committed to for long enough. And as the killer circles closer, she may become his next target…
If you love talking gargoyles, smart mysteries, and mature heroines with complicated lives, you’ll love this series. Because this complicated, 40-something detective isn’t like the others... Pick up this page-turning supernatural mystery today!
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 17, 2012
707 people are currently reading
801 people want to read
About the author
Kirsten Weiss
110 books1,302 followersKirsten Weiss writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries. Her heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. Or for a visit to the local pie shop.
She is best known for her cozy and witch mystery novels. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…
Kirsten sends out original short stories of mystery and magic to her mailing list. If you’d like to get them delivered straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up for her newsletter at kirstenweiss.com
Feel free to follow her on Twitter @KirstenWeiss or Bookbub, get in touch on Facebook, post a picture of this book to Instagram and tag her @kirstenweissauthor, or send her an email. She’ll answer you personally…which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
She is best known for her cozy and witch mystery novels. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…
Kirsten sends out original short stories of mystery and magic to her mailing list. If you’d like to get them delivered straight to your inbox, make sure to sign up for her newsletter at kirstenweiss.com
Feel free to follow her on Twitter @KirstenWeiss or Bookbub, get in touch on Facebook, post a picture of this book to Instagram and tag her @kirstenweissauthor, or send her an email. She’ll answer you personally…which may be a good or a bad thing, depending on your perspective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
July 27, 2013
Book Info: Genre: Paranormal mystery
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: fans of paranormal/supernatural mysteries.
Trigger Warnings: murder, assault
Animal Abuse: a cat is killed, a dog runs away to avoid the same fate
My Thoughts: So, this book is set near Lake Tahoe rather than in San Francisco, where Riga usually lives. I rather like this setting. It sounds like a lovely place.
I was very amused by several things in this book, but mostly Riga's sometimes silliness, like when she was looking around the office of a murder victim and didn't see anything, and thought this: “Well, what had she expected to find? A note from the killer jammed beneath the door? She checked, hopeful.” I was also amused to learn that Martin Luther strongly approved of alchemy, so I guess Lutherans can rest assured that the practice of alchemy is a-okay in their dogma.
The editing wasn't too bad—I have definitely seen much worse—but there were a couple weird things, like a door swagged with crime scene tape. What? Swagged? I think she must have meant swathed. Most of the problems I saw were details, aesthetic choices, and confusion over when to capitalize and not capitalize titles, nothing too terribly distracting or unusual or egregious. Plus I was extremely impressed to find the correct use of not only the term “magnate” (which I have seen spelled “magnet”) and mic (for microphone, not the commonly misused “mick”).
All in all, a great continuation of the series, despite Riga's too stupid to live behavior when she felt she had discovered who the killer was. At least she had a backup plan, but why do these people always go to face the killer with no weapons or additional people? Still, if you like mysteries featuring metaphysical/paranormal/supernatural elements, you'll like this.
Series Information: Riga Hayworth Paranormal Mysteries
Book 1: The Metaphysical Detective, review linked here where formatting allowed
Book 2: The Alchemical Detective, picked up on Amazon during KDP promotion
Book 3: The Shamanic Detective, picked up on Amazon during KDP promotion
Book 4: The Infernal Detective, received from author for review
Disclosure: I picked up a copy on Amazon during a KDP promotion. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: A psychic has been murdered in an occult ceremony and the police pay a visit to Riga Hayworth, metaphysical detective. But this time, she’s not a consultant on the case, she’s a suspect.
There’s a storm on the horizon. Riga’s lost her magic and has come to Lake Tahoe to recover and spend quality time with her new love. But life for Riga is never that simple. A psychic’s been murdered, and the police believe Riga has a connection to the crime. They’re right. And if that’s not enough, Riga is drafted as the host of a reality TV show about the local lake monster, and her niece is rejecting her metaphysical abilities. Juggling demons, daimons, and angry tarot card readers, Riga must catch a killer before she becomes the next target.
Reading Level: Adult
Recommended for: fans of paranormal/supernatural mysteries.
Trigger Warnings: murder, assault
Animal Abuse: a cat is killed, a dog runs away to avoid the same fate
My Thoughts: So, this book is set near Lake Tahoe rather than in San Francisco, where Riga usually lives. I rather like this setting. It sounds like a lovely place.
I was very amused by several things in this book, but mostly Riga's sometimes silliness, like when she was looking around the office of a murder victim and didn't see anything, and thought this: “Well, what had she expected to find? A note from the killer jammed beneath the door? She checked, hopeful.” I was also amused to learn that Martin Luther strongly approved of alchemy, so I guess Lutherans can rest assured that the practice of alchemy is a-okay in their dogma.
The editing wasn't too bad—I have definitely seen much worse—but there were a couple weird things, like a door swagged with crime scene tape. What? Swagged? I think she must have meant swathed. Most of the problems I saw were details, aesthetic choices, and confusion over when to capitalize and not capitalize titles, nothing too terribly distracting or unusual or egregious. Plus I was extremely impressed to find the correct use of not only the term “magnate” (which I have seen spelled “magnet”) and mic (for microphone, not the commonly misused “mick”).
All in all, a great continuation of the series, despite Riga's too stupid to live behavior when she felt she had discovered who the killer was. At least she had a backup plan, but why do these people always go to face the killer with no weapons or additional people? Still, if you like mysteries featuring metaphysical/paranormal/supernatural elements, you'll like this.
Series Information: Riga Hayworth Paranormal Mysteries
Book 1: The Metaphysical Detective, review linked here where formatting allowed
Book 2: The Alchemical Detective, picked up on Amazon during KDP promotion
Book 3: The Shamanic Detective, picked up on Amazon during KDP promotion
Book 4: The Infernal Detective, received from author for review
Disclosure: I picked up a copy on Amazon during a KDP promotion. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis: A psychic has been murdered in an occult ceremony and the police pay a visit to Riga Hayworth, metaphysical detective. But this time, she’s not a consultant on the case, she’s a suspect.
There’s a storm on the horizon. Riga’s lost her magic and has come to Lake Tahoe to recover and spend quality time with her new love. But life for Riga is never that simple. A psychic’s been murdered, and the police believe Riga has a connection to the crime. They’re right. And if that’s not enough, Riga is drafted as the host of a reality TV show about the local lake monster, and her niece is rejecting her metaphysical abilities. Juggling demons, daimons, and angry tarot card readers, Riga must catch a killer before she becomes the next target.
October 26, 2016
This is an interesting series, with the metaphysical descriptions the absolute best part of the books. The search for Tessie, the cable news crew, and Riga's magical issues were the highlights of this book. While the relationship between Riga and Donovan has grown from book one to book two, most of their interactions were brief and not as well developed as other aspects of the book. Overall, another enjoyable mystery read with an intriguing paranormal twist.
July 8, 2012
Got this as a free download and enjoyed it tremendously. Great characters, interesting magical systems, fast pace and a definitely addicting read.
This is the second of the series and will be going back to read the first of the series, although I did not feel 'handicapped' that I had not read the first book prior to picking this one up. There is enough detail that I never felt lost with the ongoing plot.
Only one issue for me ... cliffhanger ending again ... which I hate! I downgraded my rating by one star for that, will see how the ending is in the first book and will probably read the third book when it comes out. If all three books end up with a cliffhanger ending, I won't continue. For those readers who have no problem with cliffhanger endings, this will probably be a great read ... for those who detest them, be aware this is the case.
This is the second of the series and will be going back to read the first of the series, although I did not feel 'handicapped' that I had not read the first book prior to picking this one up. There is enough detail that I never felt lost with the ongoing plot.
Only one issue for me ... cliffhanger ending again ... which I hate! I downgraded my rating by one star for that, will see how the ending is in the first book and will probably read the third book when it comes out. If all three books end up with a cliffhanger ending, I won't continue. For those readers who have no problem with cliffhanger endings, this will probably be a great read ... for those who detest them, be aware this is the case.
October 4, 2022
Riga Hayworth (named by her parents because she looks like the actress Rita Hayworth) is a metaphysical detective and California-licensed private investigator. A case goes wrong and she loses her powers and goes to Lake Tahoe to lick her wounds and spend time with her hot boyfriend/casino owner. Someone is killing psychics in Tahoe and the deputies think Riga may be connected. She investigates to save her own skin.
This was a fun book. Some of the metaphysical stuff bored me, but I just paged past those parts, and some of the “magic” was a little hard to swallow, but I liked the characters enough to let those roll off me.
Riga is intriguing – 40-something, with a French gargoyle familiar named Bridgette. Bridgette is a great sidekick. Riga’s been around more than one block more than one time and is frequently the only adult in the room. She’s a realist with a strong sense of right and wrong. There’s a fun subplot that involves Riga and her niece working on a reality TV show that chases monsters. In spite of her quirky talents, or maybe because of, she has a good working relationship with the police, which is a breath of fresh air.
This book had a nice balance of magic, storytelling, mystery, and character development. I appreciated the adult nature of the relationship between Riga and Donovan, the casino owner. And by adult I mean that they shared each other’s lives, and had each other’s backs. He never tried to do the “there, there,” pat her on the head thing. The characters drew me in and I grew to care about them quickly. I will read more in this series.
Weiss also writes the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Mysteries, the Tea and Tarot Cozy Mysteries, the Wits’ End Cozy Mysteries, the Pie Town Cozy Mysteries, and my personal favorite, the Doyle Witch Mysteries. Something for everyone.
This was a fun book. Some of the metaphysical stuff bored me, but I just paged past those parts, and some of the “magic” was a little hard to swallow, but I liked the characters enough to let those roll off me.
Riga is intriguing – 40-something, with a French gargoyle familiar named Bridgette. Bridgette is a great sidekick. Riga’s been around more than one block more than one time and is frequently the only adult in the room. She’s a realist with a strong sense of right and wrong. There’s a fun subplot that involves Riga and her niece working on a reality TV show that chases monsters. In spite of her quirky talents, or maybe because of, she has a good working relationship with the police, which is a breath of fresh air.
This book had a nice balance of magic, storytelling, mystery, and character development. I appreciated the adult nature of the relationship between Riga and Donovan, the casino owner. And by adult I mean that they shared each other’s lives, and had each other’s backs. He never tried to do the “there, there,” pat her on the head thing. The characters drew me in and I grew to care about them quickly. I will read more in this series.
Weiss also writes the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Mysteries, the Tea and Tarot Cozy Mysteries, the Wits’ End Cozy Mysteries, the Pie Town Cozy Mysteries, and my personal favorite, the Doyle Witch Mysteries. Something for everyone.
August 2, 2020
Excellent!
I Loved Riga and her sense of humor. For readers who love Charlie Davidson, they will love this series too!
I Loved Riga and her sense of humor. For readers who love Charlie Davidson, they will love this series too!
February 8, 2019
This is billed on Amazon as the first book in the series, but there is evidently an entire story that happens before this one. The result makes for some unfortunate gaps in both the flow and the heroine's relationship with her boyfriend. I found it a cute story, but without any real depth; interesting enough to keep turning the pages, but ultimately predictable.
The author slid in the apparently requisite F-bomb, then excused herself by telling the character that used it not to swear, which I found exasperating and unnecessary. (And another book that won't make it to my Flinch-Free list…)
I've been to Tahoe and loved the area, but the place descriptions all sounded terribly generic.
The romance—I found forced. Gorgeous heroine plus gorgeous love interest does not equal dynamic relationship in my opinion. I'm sure Donovan is a nice guy, but he does not shine in this installment. Frankly, I wonder why he's interested in Riga at all.
I did enjoy seeing Riga fumbling with her lost magic, trying to regain it and function with a crippled version of it. It's refreshing to have a heroine who isn't automatically equal (or better) against her opponent.
I also enjoyed the gargoyle with the French accent and the possibility of history and secrets that she still holds. She was a fun—and sometimes funny—addition.
The book ends on a sharp cliffhanger (Are there people that actually enjoy that?)—making it more like a serial than an actual open-and-shut case (if you'll pardon the pun).
A quick, uncomplicated read for weekend.
The author slid in the apparently requisite F-bomb, then excused herself by telling the character that used it not to swear, which I found exasperating and unnecessary. (And another book that won't make it to my Flinch-Free list…)
I've been to Tahoe and loved the area, but the place descriptions all sounded terribly generic.
The romance—I found forced. Gorgeous heroine plus gorgeous love interest does not equal dynamic relationship in my opinion. I'm sure Donovan is a nice guy, but he does not shine in this installment. Frankly, I wonder why he's interested in Riga at all.
I did enjoy seeing Riga fumbling with her lost magic, trying to regain it and function with a crippled version of it. It's refreshing to have a heroine who isn't automatically equal (or better) against her opponent.
I also enjoyed the gargoyle with the French accent and the possibility of history and secrets that she still holds. She was a fun—and sometimes funny—addition.
The book ends on a sharp cliffhanger (Are there people that actually enjoy that?)—making it more like a serial than an actual open-and-shut case (if you'll pardon the pun).
A quick, uncomplicated read for weekend.
June 19, 2018
This is the 2nd book in the Riga Hayworth series and I enjoyed this one as much as the first one!!! Once again, Riga takes you on a wild ride of realistic and paranormal experiences. She is (pretty sure) she is in love with a man named Donovan so he is always in her thoughts and with her and without her through this fantastic story. While there has been a couple murders that Riga must help solve, she also gets involved with the filming of a story about a possible lake monster named "Tessie" which has been a mystery in Lake Tahoe. In doing this, she is challenged by going underwater and engaging in a multitude of experiences doing that. Her niece (Pen) comes into play in this story and she shares the genetic gifts that not only Riga but other people in this story also share. Since Pen is a teenager Riga and Riga loves her very much... must also find ways to relate with her, provides ways to worry about her and involve her in this myriad of challenges. Kirsten Weiss never ceases to me for me in so many ways in the same book. Keep reading...
In this fabulous, page turner, Riga uses alchemy that she is very familiar with and gives the reader a chance to not only look into what it is but how it wraps around her and helps her every step of the way. Or almost every step of the way along with many other experiences and theories (and truths) to get her to her destination of not only solving the murders but helping her friends and saving her own life many times over. I didn't think I would like stories with paranormal activity but Kirsten Weiss has a super special way of presenting it that makes it so very real and perhaps it is! I highly encourage this book and the many others that follow it (a total of 8 that I plan on following as well). Once you think you have the story overwith and a great ending what happens last will lead you to very much want to continue on with this series!!!
In this fabulous, page turner, Riga uses alchemy that she is very familiar with and gives the reader a chance to not only look into what it is but how it wraps around her and helps her every step of the way. Or almost every step of the way along with many other experiences and theories (and truths) to get her to her destination of not only solving the murders but helping her friends and saving her own life many times over. I didn't think I would like stories with paranormal activity but Kirsten Weiss has a super special way of presenting it that makes it so very real and perhaps it is! I highly encourage this book and the many others that follow it (a total of 8 that I plan on following as well). Once you think you have the story overwith and a great ending what happens last will lead you to very much want to continue on with this series!!!
August 12, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed it
I have a fondness for police procedural television - it can be fun to try to figure out the killer before the writers want you to.
Such is the case with this book, although I have to say that in this case, I didn’t see it coming. Anytime I had a suspect, the trail petered off … and there were lots of trails that lead off into the deep woods, never to be seen again.
Our MC is a metaphysical detective; she can see ghosts, summon demons and perform magic. Problem is - she’s losing her magic. Even small acts have unintended outcomes, like the time she wants to pick a lock - unobtrusively, of course - but ends up melting it into a batch of slagged metal.
She’s been haunted by the death of a demon that she killed, worried that she didn’t really end his life. Also stressed about money, she accepts a short-term job as an expert for a tv show investigating the paranormal.
The show, persecution of a group of tea-and-tarot readers, unusual deaths, a new romance, suspicion by the police that she knows more than she’s letting on because “isn’t it convenient that you’re always here where the warm bodies are” create an exciting muddle to sort through for amateur armchair sleuths like me.
I found the style of writing enjoyable, the characters believable, the plot interesting to follow and the situation unusual. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
I have a fondness for police procedural television - it can be fun to try to figure out the killer before the writers want you to.
Such is the case with this book, although I have to say that in this case, I didn’t see it coming. Anytime I had a suspect, the trail petered off … and there were lots of trails that lead off into the deep woods, never to be seen again.
Our MC is a metaphysical detective; she can see ghosts, summon demons and perform magic. Problem is - she’s losing her magic. Even small acts have unintended outcomes, like the time she wants to pick a lock - unobtrusively, of course - but ends up melting it into a batch of slagged metal.
She’s been haunted by the death of a demon that she killed, worried that she didn’t really end his life. Also stressed about money, she accepts a short-term job as an expert for a tv show investigating the paranormal.
The show, persecution of a group of tea-and-tarot readers, unusual deaths, a new romance, suspicion by the police that she knows more than she’s letting on because “isn’t it convenient that you’re always here where the warm bodies are” create an exciting muddle to sort through for amateur armchair sleuths like me.
I found the style of writing enjoyable, the characters believable, the plot interesting to follow and the situation unusual. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 7, 2017
The second book gives you a little more of the characters and brings them more personality and presence. You get more of a feeling for who they are and how they are going to grow in the future. Because we move to a new location you do not really get anything from that. The location descriptions are pretty generic and you never really get a feeling for the area. The story is interesting but they keep referring to a past event which has never been explained in a way that would make it very relevant to the any situation.
Riga has lost her magic and has gone to Lake Tahoe to hopefully get it back and spend some quality time with her new love, Donovan Mosse. Donovan owns a Casino which is being run by his cousin Reuben who is not happy to have Donovan back on the premises.
When a psychic is murdered the police seek out Riga, they believe she may be a suspect though they know she has consulted for the police in the past. Things go from bad to worse as a film crew hires Riga who uses them as stepping stone to investigate what seems to be murders related to her past. Can she avoid being a victim herself.
Decent enough to keep the story moving forward but would really like to have some details on this past.
Riga has lost her magic and has gone to Lake Tahoe to hopefully get it back and spend some quality time with her new love, Donovan Mosse. Donovan owns a Casino which is being run by his cousin Reuben who is not happy to have Donovan back on the premises.
When a psychic is murdered the police seek out Riga, they believe she may be a suspect though they know she has consulted for the police in the past. Things go from bad to worse as a film crew hires Riga who uses them as stepping stone to investigate what seems to be murders related to her past. Can she avoid being a victim herself.
Decent enough to keep the story moving forward but would really like to have some details on this past.
March 16, 2018
Alchemy changes one thing into another by the application of, perhaps, a little pressure, a little focus on an underlying reality, a little magic… But protagonist Riga has lost her magic (presumably in the first book of this series, since Alchemical Detective is the second). She’s hiding out near Lake Tahoe, testing the residue of her skills, talking to her stony friend, and hoping her wards will keep the bad guys out.
Throw in an amply rich boyfriend, a niece who wants to pretend she can’t see ghosts, a monster in the lake, and a dead psychic, and the stage is set. Demons and tarot cards, murder, TV show and plot—it’s all in this fast-flowing urban fantasy, together with cool reminders that alchemy was not always considered evil (Martin Luther wrote “I like [it] well”), and all that can’t be explained isn’t always magic. There again, a lot that can’t be explained might be. And there might be a power beyond what Riga has known.
Intriguing, with thoughtful introspection, rather odd math (hey, I can’t help looking at numbers), and a nice real-world/different world feel, it’s an enjoyable read with some curiously universal question of how much of ourselves we hide to be with others.
Disclosure: I was given an ecopy and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Throw in an amply rich boyfriend, a niece who wants to pretend she can’t see ghosts, a monster in the lake, and a dead psychic, and the stage is set. Demons and tarot cards, murder, TV show and plot—it’s all in this fast-flowing urban fantasy, together with cool reminders that alchemy was not always considered evil (Martin Luther wrote “I like [it] well”), and all that can’t be explained isn’t always magic. There again, a lot that can’t be explained might be. And there might be a power beyond what Riga has known.
Intriguing, with thoughtful introspection, rather odd math (hey, I can’t help looking at numbers), and a nice real-world/different world feel, it’s an enjoyable read with some curiously universal question of how much of ourselves we hide to be with others.
Disclosure: I was given an ecopy and I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
April 5, 2021
Kirsten Weiss is one of my favorite authors. She has eight series and I've read at least one book from seven of them. Each is exceptionally unique from the others in premise at least. Some are of the earthly nature and others, like this one, are of the paranormal leaning.
This is intriguing world-building too. Riga is a metaphysical detective, it says so on her business card, in a world that has magic in it, but not everyone knows about it. They still seem to take her at face value, though, when she tells the world what she does for a living. The cops seem to take more issue with her as a private investigator like most cops do with most PIs. They don't seem to blink at the other part of the job description.
The book moves quickly, not much time for rest and relaxation for Riga and the crew of the paranormal reality show she's been hired to help. She's also investigating murders along the way and everything seems to be tied together somehow. I did have a feeling I knew whodunit not long after the character was introduced, then I forgot about it and looked at all the other suspects.
ps, I was right and/but everything about it rocked. And there's an animated gargoyle.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
This is intriguing world-building too. Riga is a metaphysical detective, it says so on her business card, in a world that has magic in it, but not everyone knows about it. They still seem to take her at face value, though, when she tells the world what she does for a living. The cops seem to take more issue with her as a private investigator like most cops do with most PIs. They don't seem to blink at the other part of the job description.
The book moves quickly, not much time for rest and relaxation for Riga and the crew of the paranormal reality show she's been hired to help. She's also investigating murders along the way and everything seems to be tied together somehow. I did have a feeling I knew whodunit not long after the character was introduced, then I forgot about it and looked at all the other suspects.
ps, I was right and/but everything about it rocked. And there's an animated gargoyle.
I can definitely recommend this book, series and author.
January 31, 2017
The Alchemical Detective is book #2 in the Riga Hayworth paranormal romance mysteries. The book is easily a stand alone read.
Metaphysical detective Riga Hayworth has come to Lake Tahoe for some rest and relaxation as she works on regaining her lost magical abilities. Urged to consider alchemy by a french stone gargoyle Riga finds her studies disrupted by a reality TV show offer of an investigation into tales that the lake is home to Tessie, an unknown monster.
Peace and quiet is also shattered when a local palm reader is found murdered. Riga finds herself a person of interest for the police and suddenly she's asked not to leave town. Her own investigations lead her to daemon involvement in the murder and as the body count rises Riga considers the Tessie project might well be linked to the murders.
I liked the paranormal aspects of the book, they were explained well and I didn't feel lost, the magic was believable. I also liked the ghosts who were part of the story, I'm a fan of interactive ghosts. Riga was a relateable character, I like her independence and non nonsense attitude. Enough suitable lose ends to leave the reader thinking and has me looking up the next book in the series.
Metaphysical detective Riga Hayworth has come to Lake Tahoe for some rest and relaxation as she works on regaining her lost magical abilities. Urged to consider alchemy by a french stone gargoyle Riga finds her studies disrupted by a reality TV show offer of an investigation into tales that the lake is home to Tessie, an unknown monster.
Peace and quiet is also shattered when a local palm reader is found murdered. Riga finds herself a person of interest for the police and suddenly she's asked not to leave town. Her own investigations lead her to daemon involvement in the murder and as the body count rises Riga considers the Tessie project might well be linked to the murders.
I liked the paranormal aspects of the book, they were explained well and I didn't feel lost, the magic was believable. I also liked the ghosts who were part of the story, I'm a fan of interactive ghosts. Riga was a relateable character, I like her independence and non nonsense attitude. Enough suitable lose ends to leave the reader thinking and has me looking up the next book in the series.
November 24, 2019
Book 1 or not Book 1?
According to the cover this is book 1 but apparently there is a book before this one. This is the first book I have read in this series about a metaphysical detective who has lost her powers. Interesting read about Riga Hayworth and her boyfriend Donovan, Riga's annoying gargoyle Bridgette, bodyguards and film crew. Riga is trying to find the murderer of women in the Tea and Tarot club, at the same time as being filmed trying to locate a possibly mythical lake monster, Tessie Tahoe.
Recommended for fans of paranormal mysteries, demons, magic, alchemy etc. I did enjoy this book but admit I got a little lost with the intricacy of the alchemy text parts. I was a bit disappointed it ended on a cliffhanger which means I would be forced to get the next book. (I found this as a free promotion through BookBub, which is a great way to find new authors)
According to the cover this is book 1 but apparently there is a book before this one. This is the first book I have read in this series about a metaphysical detective who has lost her powers. Interesting read about Riga Hayworth and her boyfriend Donovan, Riga's annoying gargoyle Bridgette, bodyguards and film crew. Riga is trying to find the murderer of women in the Tea and Tarot club, at the same time as being filmed trying to locate a possibly mythical lake monster, Tessie Tahoe.
Recommended for fans of paranormal mysteries, demons, magic, alchemy etc. I did enjoy this book but admit I got a little lost with the intricacy of the alchemy text parts. I was a bit disappointed it ended on a cliffhanger which means I would be forced to get the next book. (I found this as a free promotion through BookBub, which is a great way to find new authors)
January 27, 2020
The publisher's description, like all too many these days, may set readers up with the wrong expectations. I do not read much fantasy, unless it is light and humorous, and the blurb made me think this was one of those. It is not. It is a fantasy detective novel, well done of its type, and people who enjoy that genre will probably like it. I liked it enough to finish it and became interested enough in the characters to toy with the idea of reading more...toy with the idea, but I probably will not follow through.
BTW my biggest problem with such fantasies is they seem unfair. Unlike a normal mystery, the reader doesn't know the rules; as we ponder what is going on, the author springs a new type of demon or a new magical trick on us to get us to the next scene. I find it annoying. Others find it fun.
BTW my biggest problem with such fantasies is they seem unfair. Unlike a normal mystery, the reader doesn't know the rules; as we ponder what is going on, the author springs a new type of demon or a new magical trick on us to get us to the next scene. I find it annoying. Others find it fun.
September 22, 2018
Maybe closer to 3.5 stars.
I liked the heroine; she was smart, slightly older than the average heroine (like me!), and was invited to film a tv show. It was fun.
I didn't love the author's decision to indicate the gargoyle sidekick's accent substituting "ze" for "the" - it became a distraction over the course of the book. And, although the alchemy-related stuff was important, the "quotes" in the book were honestly also a bit distracting. The MC would read them and then explain them to the reader. It didn't work for me.
I appreciated that the main story completely wrapped up by the end and then there was a clear teaser into book two.
Note that I didn't read book 1 before this one, and had no trouble following who the characters were, so this was fairly standalone.
I liked the heroine; she was smart, slightly older than the average heroine (like me!), and was invited to film a tv show. It was fun.
I didn't love the author's decision to indicate the gargoyle sidekick's accent substituting "ze" for "the" - it became a distraction over the course of the book. And, although the alchemy-related stuff was important, the "quotes" in the book were honestly also a bit distracting. The MC would read them and then explain them to the reader. It didn't work for me.
I appreciated that the main story completely wrapped up by the end and then there was a clear teaser into book two.
Note that I didn't read book 1 before this one, and had no trouble following who the characters were, so this was fairly standalone.
November 25, 2019
There's a LOT of fantasy out there these days, so readers (such as myself) can afford to be picky and there's lots of stuff that I start and do not finish.
I not only finished this one, but bought the next one.
The universe that Riga Hayworth lives in is one of those "it's our current world, and most people just don't notice or ignore all of the magic stuff". Riga is constantly asking herself "do I tell this person the truth, or something they're prepared to believe".
I really like Riga and her friends and fiance. She's one of those "trouble magnet" characters, so the story is constantly full of action and adventure. It isn't great literature, but it is very interesting and entertaining.
I not only finished this one, but bought the next one.
The universe that Riga Hayworth lives in is one of those "it's our current world, and most people just don't notice or ignore all of the magic stuff". Riga is constantly asking herself "do I tell this person the truth, or something they're prepared to believe".
I really like Riga and her friends and fiance. She's one of those "trouble magnet" characters, so the story is constantly full of action and adventure. It isn't great literature, but it is very interesting and entertaining.
November 30, 2019
Genre: Urban fantasy, detective
Summary: Riga is a metaphysical detective who has lost the ability to control her magic (this clearly happened in a different book, but this novel stands alone). As members of the Tarot club start turning up dead, Riga juggles solving the crime, watching her niece, her relationship with her boyfriend Donovan and her TV special. Will she be next? Can she get her powers back?
Review: This is a thoroughly enjoyable wizard-detective novel with a female lead. It was refreshing to see a lead character in their forties. The writing is excellent and the characters are interesting. I would definitely read more of this series.
Summary: Riga is a metaphysical detective who has lost the ability to control her magic (this clearly happened in a different book, but this novel stands alone). As members of the Tarot club start turning up dead, Riga juggles solving the crime, watching her niece, her relationship with her boyfriend Donovan and her TV special. Will she be next? Can she get her powers back?
Review: This is a thoroughly enjoyable wizard-detective novel with a female lead. It was refreshing to see a lead character in their forties. The writing is excellent and the characters are interesting. I would definitely read more of this series.
November 2, 2021
Riga Hayworth is a metaphysical detective with a California investigators license. She is in Tahoe, NV to try to redeem some of the magic powers she lost during her last case. Another reason she chose Tahoe is to be close to Donovan, the casino owner she is seeing . Upon her arrival, the mystery begins.
Why are people who believe in the metaphysical and make their living by various metaphysical practices dying? Riga bends her intellect and knowledge to discovering the cause; while enjoying romance with Donovan.
Suspend your belief in the physical, or embrace your belief in the metaphysical, magic, and the fantastical while you enjoy this tale.
Why are people who believe in the metaphysical and make their living by various metaphysical practices dying? Riga bends her intellect and knowledge to discovering the cause; while enjoying romance with Donovan.
Suspend your belief in the physical, or embrace your belief in the metaphysical, magic, and the fantastical while you enjoy this tale.
January 14, 2022
Hocus Pocus and Reality
A rogue magus, a lake monster, a witch and a gargoyle come together in an intriguing murder mystery. Forget about gigantic lake sturgeons or prehistoric possibilities, and investigate the stench of daemons, rogue magic and reality shows. This is a delightful tale set at beautiful Lake Tahoe rather than in the wilds of Scotland. I loved the characters. especially Riga, whose magical ability to unlock doors is more likely to melt their locks. This wonderful new paranormal deective has the indomitable spirit of Nancy Drew and a gargoyle sidekick. Loved it
A rogue magus, a lake monster, a witch and a gargoyle come together in an intriguing murder mystery. Forget about gigantic lake sturgeons or prehistoric possibilities, and investigate the stench of daemons, rogue magic and reality shows. This is a delightful tale set at beautiful Lake Tahoe rather than in the wilds of Scotland. I loved the characters. especially Riga, whose magical ability to unlock doors is more likely to melt their locks. This wonderful new paranormal deective has the indomitable spirit of Nancy Drew and a gargoyle sidekick. Loved it
March 8, 2018
This was a new series for me, and it was entertaining. Riga Hayworth is staying in a friend's Lake Tahoe cabin when she gets an opportunity to be part of a paranormal investigator's TV show. There have been some murders in the area, and they seem to focus on people in the local New Age scene.
Riga's no ordinary investigator, though; she's also got a talking gargoyle named Brigitte and some paranormal skills of her own.
This was a fun cozy mystery with elements of historical alchemy sprinkled throughout. I'm curious enough to try some of the others soon.
Riga's no ordinary investigator, though; she's also got a talking gargoyle named Brigitte and some paranormal skills of her own.
This was a fun cozy mystery with elements of historical alchemy sprinkled throughout. I'm curious enough to try some of the others soon.
December 29, 2019
While as a whole I liked the story parts of it bothered me and I found took away from the story....mainly the quotes from the books dealing with alchemy. A quote here or there would have been fine but I found the whole long paragraphs excessive and distracting from the story as they didn't help with development at all. I liked that the characters were not perfect but at times were spacey and not all that smart especially about their safety. Often true about people. I received this as a free book and am voluntarily leaving my honest review.
December 30, 2018
This is one of my favorites. Maybe I like the Loc Ness scenario. Again, great cast of characters. It's hard to have so many yet make them distinct enough that I never got lost. Weiss is a pro at this. I love the secondary romance between friend and bodyguard.
This was was a little more dark than the previous. Worked for me.
I did guess the bad guy.
At this point, I'm reading them in order, buying one after another.
This was was a little more dark than the previous. Worked for me.
I did guess the bad guy.
At this point, I'm reading them in order, buying one after another.
February 3, 2020
Love love LOVE all the Lake Tahoe references as that area is a part of my stomping grounds growing up in California! Have literally never read a contemporary book having anything to do with Lake Tahoe so that was really refreshing -- then add in paranormal/magic/mystery and romance and that's my catnip! There are also references to the East Bay and San Francisco also, which is my home turf! Really enjoyed and I will continue the series.
May 6, 2023
Different type of story
I ran across this book looking for something to read. It sounded interesting and it actually was! An interesting book. I liked all of the characters. I could never pronounce Riga in my head correctly so I had to refer to her as Rita. This book has substance. A good storyline, and good characters. It also brought a different aspect to paranormal books. Alchemy.
I ran across this book looking for something to read. It sounded interesting and it actually was! An interesting book. I liked all of the characters. I could never pronounce Riga in my head correctly so I had to refer to her as Rita. This book has substance. A good storyline, and good characters. It also brought a different aspect to paranormal books. Alchemy.
May 14, 2023
interesting magic information
While characters are quite likable and seem to have good relationships, they also seem disconnected. Too many secrets and independent actions - when all done, characters come together, love each other, want a full life together. It will be interesting to see if Riga and Donovan can actually make a go of it or will they be one cliffhanger after another.
While characters are quite likable and seem to have good relationships, they also seem disconnected. Too many secrets and independent actions - when all done, characters come together, love each other, want a full life together. It will be interesting to see if Riga and Donovan can actually make a go of it or will they be one cliffhanger after another.
July 27, 2017
I love mysteries. Although cozies aren't my first choice, I do enjoy reading a book without the hard language or graphic sex, but sometimes a cozy mystery is just too uneventful. This book was an exception to that, I found it exciting and attention grabbing.
Aside from a few glaring errors, it was very well written.
Aside from a few glaring errors, it was very well written.
October 31, 2019
Imaginative
Really enjoyed this introduction into the Riga Hayworth series. Thank you Brigitte, the real heroine, for letting me know about the series. Now, I’ll have to read the rest of the books. Strong characters, lots of magickal history and murders to solve. Great read.
Really enjoyed this introduction into the Riga Hayworth series. Thank you Brigitte, the real heroine, for letting me know about the series. Now, I’ll have to read the rest of the books. Strong characters, lots of magickal history and murders to solve. Great read.
November 7, 2019
Good story, similar to Charlaine Harris’ writing
Great characters, good storyline and good explanation of magic practices. The magic techniques are so well described that they could be real. The characters are true and believable. The storyline will keep you enthralled for a long time.
Great characters, good storyline and good explanation of magic practices. The magic techniques are so well described that they could be real. The characters are true and believable. The storyline will keep you enthralled for a long time.
January 6, 2020
I started a series with the second book without realizing it because it was free. Oops! Not a bad book for jumping in in the middle of the story. I don't really feel a strong urge to continue with the series, but it was not bad. I enjoyed the Lake Tahoe setting and it probably is earning an extra star for that.
January 7, 2020
CW: Pet death
Fun mix of magic & detective story with a solid independent woman MC. There’s a love interest, but that relationship doesn’t control her life or the storyline, really enjoyed how they each lived their own lives. Bridget the Gargoyle is a delightful sarcastic accident waiting to happen. I hope to see more of her in future books!
Fun mix of magic & detective story with a solid independent woman MC. There’s a love interest, but that relationship doesn’t control her life or the storyline, really enjoyed how they each lived their own lives. Bridget the Gargoyle is a delightful sarcastic accident waiting to happen. I hope to see more of her in future books!
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