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Eleanor Wilde Mystery #3
Curses Are for Cads
Just as fake medium Eleanor Wilde begins falling for Nicholas Hartford III and his endearing family, she’s summoned to a remote Scottish castle where an unusual assignment to locate a haunted trove of treasure threatens Eleanor’s budding romance, her livelihood . . . and her life!
As Sussex’s resident witch and pseudo psychic, Eleanor has grown accustomed to somewhat strange requests for supernatural aid. So when Nicholas‘s university pal, Sid Stewart, writes from the family’s remote castle in Scotland, begging for Ellie’s services as a medium, Ellie is only delighted to help.
Apparently, the recently deceased patriarch of Sid’s family, Glenn Stewart, died before divulging the whereabouts of an important cache of family heirlooms. The Stewart clan hopes a clairvoyant can contact him from beyond the grave. Of course, Ellie can’t actually commune with the dead. But faking it is the name of her game. She’s not worried, until . . .
Aboard the train for Oban, Ellie discovers that fellow medium Birdie White is also heading to the Outer Hebrides to assist the Stewarts. Birdie is a master in the art, serving as a spiritual consultant to royalty and even assisting Scotland Yard on occasion. Ellie might not trust the woman’s motivations, but Birdie’s skills are unquestionable.
But while Birdie is busy speaking with the dead, Ellie plans to talk to living suspects—namely, the other residents and employees of the spooky Stewart estate, who know a lot more than they’re letting on. Amid swirling rumors of cursed treasure, whispered tales of ghostly pirates, and a recent spate of preternatural murders, in order to catch the killer Ellie must confront the most terrifying possibility of all—her gift may be real . . .
As Sussex’s resident witch and pseudo psychic, Eleanor has grown accustomed to somewhat strange requests for supernatural aid. So when Nicholas‘s university pal, Sid Stewart, writes from the family’s remote castle in Scotland, begging for Ellie’s services as a medium, Ellie is only delighted to help.
Apparently, the recently deceased patriarch of Sid’s family, Glenn Stewart, died before divulging the whereabouts of an important cache of family heirlooms. The Stewart clan hopes a clairvoyant can contact him from beyond the grave. Of course, Ellie can’t actually commune with the dead. But faking it is the name of her game. She’s not worried, until . . .
Aboard the train for Oban, Ellie discovers that fellow medium Birdie White is also heading to the Outer Hebrides to assist the Stewarts. Birdie is a master in the art, serving as a spiritual consultant to royalty and even assisting Scotland Yard on occasion. Ellie might not trust the woman’s motivations, but Birdie’s skills are unquestionable.
But while Birdie is busy speaking with the dead, Ellie plans to talk to living suspects—namely, the other residents and employees of the spooky Stewart estate, who know a lot more than they’re letting on. Amid swirling rumors of cursed treasure, whispered tales of ghostly pirates, and a recent spate of preternatural murders, in order to catch the killer Ellie must confront the most terrifying possibility of all—her gift may be real . . .
288 pages, Hardcover
First published October 27, 2020
19 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Tamara Berry
9 books500 followersTamara Berry is an Edgar Award winning author of cozy mysteries. She has a B.A. degree in English Literature from Eastern Washington University. In addition to books, she has mad love for all things TV, movies, and pop culture.
She also writes romances under the pennames Lucy Gilmore and Tamara Morgan.
She also writes romances under the pennames Lucy Gilmore and Tamara Morgan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
August 12, 2024
This is a cozy mystery, and this is the third book in the Eleanor Wilde Mystery series. I found this books pacing to be off a little for me. The beginning is fast pace, and I like it a lot. The middle the pacing slow down a lot, and I found it not keeping my attention. The ending picked up the pacing again, and I liked the ending. Overall I found the book just ok. I wish the characters where more developed and the pacing was better, but I did not hate the book. I am lucky to receive an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Publishing Corporation) or author (Tamara Berry) via NetGalley, but this review is my own honest opinion about how I feel about the book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
October 11, 2020
I have to admit that I accidentally requested this review book. It's book #3 in the Eleanor Wilde Mystery series. I am usually a book-series-must-be-read-in-order sort of person....so it was a departure for me to jump into a cozy series at book 3. While it did take me awhile to figure out the characters and their history....I did get sucked into the story and the humor pretty easily. And now I can backtrack and start at book 1!
The basics: Eleanor is a fake medium. She visits clients homes, and puts on a real performance of ridding them of whatever spirits or demons might be plaguing them. For a price. In the end, she justifies her fakery because the client's feel more secure with their homes evil spirts "exorcised' and she has the money she needs to live. Win-Win, right? This time, Eleanor and her boyfriend are asked to visit a castle to search for cursed gold.
The story definitely kept my attention from start to finish. The plot moved at a nice pace. There was lots of action, humor and twists to keep things moving. I like the characters and the premise. The story is just entertaining and fun! Perfect relaxing cozy read!
I'm definitely taking the time to go back and read this series starting at book one! This is the first book by Tamara Berry that I've read and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book!
**I voluntarily read this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
The basics: Eleanor is a fake medium. She visits clients homes, and puts on a real performance of ridding them of whatever spirits or demons might be plaguing them. For a price. In the end, she justifies her fakery because the client's feel more secure with their homes evil spirts "exorcised' and she has the money she needs to live. Win-Win, right? This time, Eleanor and her boyfriend are asked to visit a castle to search for cursed gold.
The story definitely kept my attention from start to finish. The plot moved at a nice pace. There was lots of action, humor and twists to keep things moving. I like the characters and the premise. The story is just entertaining and fun! Perfect relaxing cozy read!
I'm definitely taking the time to go back and read this series starting at book one! This is the first book by Tamara Berry that I've read and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book!
**I voluntarily read this book from Kensington. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
July 19, 2021
Curses Are for Cads
By: Tamara Berry
Evil Spirits
Exorcism
Curses
This is such a fun and funny book I enjoyed reading over an afternoon - cozies just lifts my spirits when I am stressed or feeling down. Something about the characters, the plot and the situations our characters are put up against are sometimes a true riot and laugh out loud moments. I loved this story and even though this was book three in the series, I easily backtracked and figured things out very quickly.
This Eleanor Wilde Mystery Series is about our main character Eleanor who is a fake psychic under the guise of "Eleanor's Cleaning Service" in Sussex, a quaint English village. In this episode, Eleanor's services is needed in a friend's Scotland castle to uncover the Stewart family's cursed gold. Well fake it til you make it, but an expert medium was also called to the castle. This was so hilarious and incredibly well written.
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for their next cozy read.
By: Tamara Berry
Evil Spirits
Exorcism
Curses
This is such a fun and funny book I enjoyed reading over an afternoon - cozies just lifts my spirits when I am stressed or feeling down. Something about the characters, the plot and the situations our characters are put up against are sometimes a true riot and laugh out loud moments. I loved this story and even though this was book three in the series, I easily backtracked and figured things out very quickly.
This Eleanor Wilde Mystery Series is about our main character Eleanor who is a fake psychic under the guise of "Eleanor's Cleaning Service" in Sussex, a quaint English village. In this episode, Eleanor's services is needed in a friend's Scotland castle to uncover the Stewart family's cursed gold. Well fake it til you make it, but an expert medium was also called to the castle. This was so hilarious and incredibly well written.
I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for their next cozy read.
October 25, 2020
Curses Are for Cads
is the 3rd book in the Eleanor Wilde Mystery series.
Eleanor Wilde is an American bogus psychic who has set herself up as the local town witch under the guise of Eleanor's Cleansing Service in a quaint English village in Sussex. When her beau, Nicholas Hartford III's university pal, Sid Stewart, asks for her services as a medium, Ellie is only too delighted to help. She travels to the family's remote castle in Scotland to uncover the Stewart's cursed gold, fully aware that she will need to fake it, but isn't troubled until she discovers that fellow medium, Birdie White, will also be assisting the Stewart family... and Birdie is an expert in her area.
Curses Are for Cads was my 1st in this series. Although it was book three, I had no difficulties keeping up with characters and events and it worked for me as an individual story. Protagonist Eleanor was a great character who I liked immensely from the first few pages. She was fiery and had a knack for dramatising her witchy persona, instilling collywobbles or relief within her audience. Along with Birdie's desire for attention, an electricity power loss that cut the castle off from the mainland, and the family's hidden secrets, Eleanor really had a job on her hands!
The setting was haunting and gothic and having two mediums competing for the family's attention while trying to upstage one another was a perfect fit for this spooky and mysterious story. There was no shortage of comedy or engaging chapters so I was thoroughly invested in finding out what would happen next. The great cast of characters, including two troublesome twins, helped to zhoosh up this mystic cozy. Tamara Berry really impressed me with her fluid writing; the details of the plot were very well-executed, and the story was amusing and easy to follow. I was kept guessing until the very end and really enjoyed this witchy adventure. I am looking forward to reading book 4, as well as the others from the series. If you adore a great cozy mystery, don't miss out on Curses Are for Cads!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
Eleanor Wilde is an American bogus psychic who has set herself up as the local town witch under the guise of Eleanor's Cleansing Service in a quaint English village in Sussex. When her beau, Nicholas Hartford III's university pal, Sid Stewart, asks for her services as a medium, Ellie is only too delighted to help. She travels to the family's remote castle in Scotland to uncover the Stewart's cursed gold, fully aware that she will need to fake it, but isn't troubled until she discovers that fellow medium, Birdie White, will also be assisting the Stewart family... and Birdie is an expert in her area.
Curses Are for Cads was my 1st in this series. Although it was book three, I had no difficulties keeping up with characters and events and it worked for me as an individual story. Protagonist Eleanor was a great character who I liked immensely from the first few pages. She was fiery and had a knack for dramatising her witchy persona, instilling collywobbles or relief within her audience. Along with Birdie's desire for attention, an electricity power loss that cut the castle off from the mainland, and the family's hidden secrets, Eleanor really had a job on her hands!
The setting was haunting and gothic and having two mediums competing for the family's attention while trying to upstage one another was a perfect fit for this spooky and mysterious story. There was no shortage of comedy or engaging chapters so I was thoroughly invested in finding out what would happen next. The great cast of characters, including two troublesome twins, helped to zhoosh up this mystic cozy. Tamara Berry really impressed me with her fluid writing; the details of the plot were very well-executed, and the story was amusing and easy to follow. I was kept guessing until the very end and really enjoyed this witchy adventure. I am looking forward to reading book 4, as well as the others from the series. If you adore a great cozy mystery, don't miss out on Curses Are for Cads!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.
March 29, 2021
Fun & funny !!! This series makes me happy in many ways mostly because it’s so unusual 💜 More contact between the two main people would be lovely !
December 31, 2020
In the latest addition to the “An Eleanor Wilde Mystery” series, Curses Are for Cads; fake psychic Eleanor is being put to the test. Eleanor was supposed to be spending a holiday with Nicholas on a beach; instead, she is on her way to a castle in Scotland, alone. She is on a mission to find a hidden treasure but unexpectedly is joined by another psychic on the train ride. When her new companion predicts a death on the train, Eleanor is skeptical until she sees a vision of the death, and shortly after, a man dies. She knows that she is a fake, but maybe her new friend isn’t.
Eleanor is an evolving character who still has some growing to do, which is a wonderful thing. Other returning characters are in this book but do not play as prominent a role as they usually would. Which is something I didn’t care for. I enjoy the interaction between Eleanor and Nicholas’s family, and not having this somehow made the story less exciting. However, it appears as though the author is taking Eleanor from a fake psychic to a real one, and this is something I had hoped for from the beginning of the series. After all, she can talk to her dead sister; the step from fake to actual isn’t a giant leap.
For most of the book, readers aren’t sure that a murder occurred, and neither is Eleanor, but she investigates as if it were and concludes that her instincts are correct. Being a psychic has its good and bad points, and she realizes quickly that she may not be able to fake her way through this one; she needs real help from her dead sister but isn’t getting it. She needs answers, and soon before someone else, including her, becomes the next victim. The actual victim is mentioned throughout the story, but readers may not get a good sense of who he was. However, the motive is evident and as old as time.
Throughout Curses Are for Cads, there are clues and suspects that readers should pick up on from the start, but the evidence may not be as straightforward as it could be. Overall the story is interesting and keeps the reader’s interest, although it does slow down a bit here and there. I like the way Eleanor’s psychic abilities are changing and how she is growing. The ending was inspiring and could be a big surprise for some readers.
Eleanor is an evolving character who still has some growing to do, which is a wonderful thing. Other returning characters are in this book but do not play as prominent a role as they usually would. Which is something I didn’t care for. I enjoy the interaction between Eleanor and Nicholas’s family, and not having this somehow made the story less exciting. However, it appears as though the author is taking Eleanor from a fake psychic to a real one, and this is something I had hoped for from the beginning of the series. After all, she can talk to her dead sister; the step from fake to actual isn’t a giant leap.
For most of the book, readers aren’t sure that a murder occurred, and neither is Eleanor, but she investigates as if it were and concludes that her instincts are correct. Being a psychic has its good and bad points, and she realizes quickly that she may not be able to fake her way through this one; she needs real help from her dead sister but isn’t getting it. She needs answers, and soon before someone else, including her, becomes the next victim. The actual victim is mentioned throughout the story, but readers may not get a good sense of who he was. However, the motive is evident and as old as time.
Throughout Curses Are for Cads, there are clues and suspects that readers should pick up on from the start, but the evidence may not be as straightforward as it could be. Overall the story is interesting and keeps the reader’s interest, although it does slow down a bit here and there. I like the way Eleanor’s psychic abilities are changing and how she is growing. The ending was inspiring and could be a big surprise for some readers.
October 28, 2022
Another great addition to the series. Elenor’s powers are growing, if only she could harness them. This story takes place away from the village and in an island belonging to one of Nicholas’ school friend. Searching for cursed family jewels and trying to contact the ghost of the family patriarch. Elenor encounters another medium, dead bodies along the way, mischievous twins, family curses and secrets and more danger. If only she can solve the mysteries before she becomes the next victim
November 3, 2021
This is a cozy mystery, the 3rd book in the Eleanor Wilde Mystery series. I liked it a lot. I hadn’t read any of the previous books, but I don’t think it mattered. The main character was funny, she knows she’s a fraud but she relieves her clients fears of their supernatural fears so in her mind she earns her fee.
I enjoyed the writing, and the pacing was perfect. I recommend this book, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I enjoyed the writing, and the pacing was perfect. I recommend this book, 4 stars.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 9, 2020
While this is a light fiction book, it was entertaining and just fun enough for me to give it 5 stars.
Madame Eleanor is a fraud, just ask her. Sure, she agrees to come to your home and exorcise whatever evil spirit is plaguing you; for a fee of course. The money is well spent, she leaves her clients relieved of their worries, the houses free of evil spirits, everyone more at ease. Only Madame Eleanor and her now boyfriend, Nicholas know that these results are the effect of some well timed electronic sounds, perhaps a well nailed board where there was once a loose step, that sort of thing.
How then, do you ask, does she justify charging people a fee for performing these mostly worldly tasks in what she sells as an “otherworldly” manner? She would say it’s because by carefully listening and understanding, prowling the premises to find the source of noise, other strictly mundane tasks, she gathers an understanding of her clients and the best way to alleviate their current sense of stress and fear.
What about her dead sister’s voice? You ask. She doesn’t have an explanation for that. She just knows that sometimes Winnie now speaks to her, when she least expects it, and sometimes offers good information. Of course, sometimes she offers caution, which Madame Eleanor, Ellie to her friends, ignores. How did this come about? For that you need to read the first book in the series.
In this, the third book in this delightfully quirky series, Madame Eleanor is offered the chance to find a hoard of cursed gold somewhere in an isolated castle, located in the oceans of the Hebrides. For this opportunity she gladly forgives her boyfriend for canceling their snorkeling trip to Malta. Of course, that’s before he is called to the Minister of Education and sends her on ahead via a train instead of his luxurious private plane. This is just the beginning of numerous unpleasant surprises in store for Madame Eleanor.
Once at the castle, she begins to suspect that the original owner died, not of a heart attack but was murdered. Between that and having another “medium” attach herself to Ellie on the train and accompany her on to the castle are just the start of her stumbling blocks. In a tale that includes missing luggage, two charming, rascal twin boys, a brother and sister who wholeheartedly believe in the existence of the gold and it’s “curse”, Ellie has almost more than she can handle. Good thing she really is as good as she thinks when it comes to ferreting out the truth, understanding others, and, just perhaps, in having a little help from “beyond” although she would be quick to question that.
The book itself is well written, quick paces, and wonderfully light entertainment. The story builds to a well-executed crescendo, which will have the readers staying up late, if not for the entire book, at least for the last few chapters. If you enjoy mysteries with a dash of humor and, maybe, a bit of the paranormal, then this is the series for you. While this mystery stands alone, this series is definitely one that is best enjoyed by starting at the beginning and reading the books in order. It gives you a chance to develop a greater understanding of Ellie’s relationships with some recurring characters.
I would like to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this novel. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
Madame Eleanor is a fraud, just ask her. Sure, she agrees to come to your home and exorcise whatever evil spirit is plaguing you; for a fee of course. The money is well spent, she leaves her clients relieved of their worries, the houses free of evil spirits, everyone more at ease. Only Madame Eleanor and her now boyfriend, Nicholas know that these results are the effect of some well timed electronic sounds, perhaps a well nailed board where there was once a loose step, that sort of thing.
How then, do you ask, does she justify charging people a fee for performing these mostly worldly tasks in what she sells as an “otherworldly” manner? She would say it’s because by carefully listening and understanding, prowling the premises to find the source of noise, other strictly mundane tasks, she gathers an understanding of her clients and the best way to alleviate their current sense of stress and fear.
What about her dead sister’s voice? You ask. She doesn’t have an explanation for that. She just knows that sometimes Winnie now speaks to her, when she least expects it, and sometimes offers good information. Of course, sometimes she offers caution, which Madame Eleanor, Ellie to her friends, ignores. How did this come about? For that you need to read the first book in the series.
In this, the third book in this delightfully quirky series, Madame Eleanor is offered the chance to find a hoard of cursed gold somewhere in an isolated castle, located in the oceans of the Hebrides. For this opportunity she gladly forgives her boyfriend for canceling their snorkeling trip to Malta. Of course, that’s before he is called to the Minister of Education and sends her on ahead via a train instead of his luxurious private plane. This is just the beginning of numerous unpleasant surprises in store for Madame Eleanor.
Once at the castle, she begins to suspect that the original owner died, not of a heart attack but was murdered. Between that and having another “medium” attach herself to Ellie on the train and accompany her on to the castle are just the start of her stumbling blocks. In a tale that includes missing luggage, two charming, rascal twin boys, a brother and sister who wholeheartedly believe in the existence of the gold and it’s “curse”, Ellie has almost more than she can handle. Good thing she really is as good as she thinks when it comes to ferreting out the truth, understanding others, and, just perhaps, in having a little help from “beyond” although she would be quick to question that.
The book itself is well written, quick paces, and wonderfully light entertainment. The story builds to a well-executed crescendo, which will have the readers staying up late, if not for the entire book, at least for the last few chapters. If you enjoy mysteries with a dash of humor and, maybe, a bit of the paranormal, then this is the series for you. While this mystery stands alone, this series is definitely one that is best enjoyed by starting at the beginning and reading the books in order. It gives you a chance to develop a greater understanding of Ellie’s relationships with some recurring characters.
I would like to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this novel. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
October 11, 2020
Wow, Wow, Wow! "Curses Are for Cads" by Tamara Berry is a light and humorous mystery novel and the third novel in the Eleanor Wilde mystery series. While it can be read as a standalone, this is definitely a series worth reading from the beginning just to enjoy the numerous shenanigans Eleanor manages to get herself into.
Eleanor is immediately likable from the first few pages. She's sassy, fiery, and has a flair for dramatizing her witchy abilities to either instill fear or comfort within her target audience. But even her wild performances are nothing in comparison to Birdie, another mystic sent to the same isolated island where it is believed a family's treasure has been cursed. The family's only hope for peace is to find the treasure and have the cursed removed by none other than Eleanor Wilde. This proves to be difficult with Birdie's desire for attention, an unfortunate power outage that cuts them off to the mainland, and a family with hidden secrets.
This was such a fun mystery novel to read! The setting was perfectly gloomy and gothic to match the theme of hunting missing treasure. Having two mediums compete for the family's attention while trying to constantly outdo one another was a perfect addition to a suspenseful and mysterious novel centered on a gruesome curse with drastic consequences. With these two mediums, there was no shortage of comic relief or suspenseful scenes that will have readers engrossed throughout the novel to find out what will happen next.
"Curses Are for Cads" is highly recommended for readers who enjoy light mysteries that can still be terrifying with a side of good humor. The expected publication date is October 27, 2020. Add it to your reading lists and Halloween reads!
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review of "Curses Are for Cads" by Tamara Berry.
Eleanor is immediately likable from the first few pages. She's sassy, fiery, and has a flair for dramatizing her witchy abilities to either instill fear or comfort within her target audience. But even her wild performances are nothing in comparison to Birdie, another mystic sent to the same isolated island where it is believed a family's treasure has been cursed. The family's only hope for peace is to find the treasure and have the cursed removed by none other than Eleanor Wilde. This proves to be difficult with Birdie's desire for attention, an unfortunate power outage that cuts them off to the mainland, and a family with hidden secrets.
This was such a fun mystery novel to read! The setting was perfectly gloomy and gothic to match the theme of hunting missing treasure. Having two mediums compete for the family's attention while trying to constantly outdo one another was a perfect addition to a suspenseful and mysterious novel centered on a gruesome curse with drastic consequences. With these two mediums, there was no shortage of comic relief or suspenseful scenes that will have readers engrossed throughout the novel to find out what will happen next.
"Curses Are for Cads" is highly recommended for readers who enjoy light mysteries that can still be terrifying with a side of good humor. The expected publication date is October 27, 2020. Add it to your reading lists and Halloween reads!
Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing me with a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review of "Curses Are for Cads" by Tamara Berry.
October 21, 2020
4.5 stars
This was a unique mystery where the main character wasn't the traditional good girl. Eleanor Wilde is a charlatan who surprisingly does have psychic powers.. She goes to an island at the request of her boyfriend to uncover cursed gold.
This story was a fun read. Especially loved the character of Birdie, the uncooth psychic who ingratiates herself into the roose.
Loving this series so much. Love how mixed Eleanor's feeling are and how truly complex the mystery was. Almost felt like a historical cozy. Definitely a series I want to continue with.
I received this as an ARC for an honest review from NetGalley. TY!
This was a unique mystery where the main character wasn't the traditional good girl. Eleanor Wilde is a charlatan who surprisingly does have psychic powers.. She goes to an island at the request of her boyfriend to uncover cursed gold.
This story was a fun read. Especially loved the character of Birdie, the uncooth psychic who ingratiates herself into the roose.
Loving this series so much. Love how mixed Eleanor's feeling are and how truly complex the mystery was. Almost felt like a historical cozy. Definitely a series I want to continue with.
I received this as an ARC for an honest review from NetGalley. TY!
October 22, 2020
This is #3 in the Eleanor Wilde series, the first of which I absolutely loved for it tone. Eleanor Wilde is a medium, and a supposedly a self-aware fake one who actually has some actual talent. In this one she ends up going to an island where the owner has just passed away (is it murder?), supposedly has hidden gold somewhere. She is called upon to search for the gold and deal with Gloria ma's curse. Another medium, extremely outlandish, meets up with her on her way to the island. Eleanor has her hands full trying figure out all the players and motives. While this one is not my favorite in the series as it starts a little slow then gets a little frenetic, it still is an enjoyable cozy with interesting characters and a solid mystery that I was not able to guess. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book In exchange for an honest review.
October 23, 2020
The case of the dueling psychics? An allegedly real psychic (Birdie White), an admittedly scam psychic (Eleanor Wilde), a probable murder (or two) in a spooky Scottish castle, and a supposedly cursed family with a long history of swindling and pirates. And Gloriana's Curse. It starts out slow to set up for the mischief to come, but then it speeds up rapidly like the Energizer Bunny. The mystery is well plotted and has enough twists and red herrings to keep one guessing, the tone is both atmospheric and mischievous, and the characters are both fascinating and fun. It turned out to be a really good read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
December 18, 2021
Eleanor Wilde returns to her ghost exorcising days in this third installment of the series. The characters are engaging and downright delightful and will draw you in from the start. Perfect for a winter’s afternoon by the fire.
November 19, 2023
I am really enjoying this series about a fake psychic medium. Good mystery, funny lines thrown in here and there, and great narration.
December 22, 2023
The twist definitely got me
April 1, 2023
Really about a 3.5. Some good twists, and Berry creates memorable characters and settings. Solid entry in the series.
October 18, 2020
Reading about a fake medium is always fun, but this is taken to a new level with the addition of another medium, also possibly a fake. Getting trapped in an island castle with no power and deadly curse is no match for our heroine, though. Reading how Madame Eleanor get out of these situations is always amazing to me. Always a good read.
October 27, 2020
Everything about this series, and this book in particular is so unique and enjoyable. Our favorite not to real psychic is back and in trouble again. All of the beloved characters are back and better than ever. Family heirlooms, and a real psychic add to this story making the mystery even more robust. Definitely a different and amazing read.
December 29, 2020
Delightful with the pirate theme. it had some twists that tied it all together.
April 28, 2025
There’s just something about these books that are so atmospheric with a great mystery. I quite enjoyed this one.
May 28, 2022
Eleanor Wilde is the resident witch in Sussex. While the townspeople are still getting used to her and speculating all the way about her motives, one thing is sure: her beau Nicholas is truly smitten. He wants to take her on a two-week vacation to Malta, and she's excited to go. That is, until Nicholas shows up telling her that plans have changed: they're going to Scotland to help an old university chum of his. Ellie's on board with the plan until she shows up at his castle the next morning, all packed and ready to go...and there's no Nicholas. He had to leave on business, but bought her a train ticket to her destination.
Not happy about the train, she still has a job to do for the Stewarts, who want her to find their missing heirlooms -- the ones that their father forgot to tell them the location before he died. But she's stunned while aboard and a woman comes barging in her train car and plops next to her, telling her that she's also a medium and on her way to the Stewarts. Yet when they arrive, no one expected Birdie White, and even Eleanor wants to know what she's doing there. It doesn't take long before Ellie figures it out, and she finds herself attempting to stay one step ahead of the flamboyant fake. But will she be able to, when Birdie seems to know everything Ellie is doing?...
This is the third book in the series, and I really wanted to like it as much as I did the previous one. However, Birdie herself kept me from doing so. She was heartily dislikable in my opinion. I dreaded every scene she was in; and discovering some of the things she did to Eleanor made me dislike her ever more. I do wish Ellie had given her a big bop in the nose...
Nicholas was mostly absent from most of the book; and I would have liked to have seen their relationship prosper, but it appeared (to me, at least) that Ellie was thinking of ways to keep him at arms' length. None of her reasons made sense; it was obvious he loved her, and she should have just reciprocated or left him.
The mystery itself was very well done, and I did like the resolution that Ellie brought to everyone. It was thoughtful and believable, and that's the idea all along of what a conclusion should be. While this was not my favorite book, I do look forward to the next in the series and hope it will be better. Still, it is a very good read and I recommend it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.
Not happy about the train, she still has a job to do for the Stewarts, who want her to find their missing heirlooms -- the ones that their father forgot to tell them the location before he died. But she's stunned while aboard and a woman comes barging in her train car and plops next to her, telling her that she's also a medium and on her way to the Stewarts. Yet when they arrive, no one expected Birdie White, and even Eleanor wants to know what she's doing there. It doesn't take long before Ellie figures it out, and she finds herself attempting to stay one step ahead of the flamboyant fake. But will she be able to, when Birdie seems to know everything Ellie is doing?...
This is the third book in the series, and I really wanted to like it as much as I did the previous one. However, Birdie herself kept me from doing so. She was heartily dislikable in my opinion. I dreaded every scene she was in; and discovering some of the things she did to Eleanor made me dislike her ever more. I do wish Ellie had given her a big bop in the nose...
Nicholas was mostly absent from most of the book; and I would have liked to have seen their relationship prosper, but it appeared (to me, at least) that Ellie was thinking of ways to keep him at arms' length. None of her reasons made sense; it was obvious he loved her, and she should have just reciprocated or left him.
The mystery itself was very well done, and I did like the resolution that Ellie brought to everyone. It was thoughtful and believable, and that's the idea all along of what a conclusion should be. While this was not my favorite book, I do look forward to the next in the series and hope it will be better. Still, it is a very good read and I recommend it.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.
November 9, 2023
October and November for me are always months I do all of the mysteries and thrillers I can get my hands on! With the leaves falling and the crisp weather, I’m in the mood for a cozy mystery this weekend and I’ve got the perfect one!
In CURSES ARE FOR CADS, fake medium Eleanor Wilde begins falling for Nicholas Hartford III and his endearing family, meanwhile she’s summoned to a remote Scottish castle where an unusual assignment to locate a haunted trove of treasure threatens Eleanor’s budding romance, her livelihood...and her life!
ABOUT THE BOOK: As Sussex’s resident witch and pseudo psychic, Eleanor has grown accustomed to somewhat strange requests for supernatural aid. So when Nicholas‘s university pal, Sid Stewart, writes from the family’s remote castle in Scotland, begging for Ellie’s services as a medium, Ellie is only delighted to help.
Apparently, the recently deceased patriarch of Sid’s family, Glenn Stewart, died before divulging the whereabouts of an important cache of family heirlooms. The Stewart clan hopes a clairvoyant can contact him from beyond the grave. Of course, Ellie can’t actually commune with the dead. But faking it is the name of her game. She’s not worried, until...
Aboard the train for Oban, Ellie discovers that fellow medium Birdie White is also heading to the Outer Hebrides to assist the Stewarts. Birdie is a master in the art, serving as a spiritual consultant to royalty and even assisting Scotland Yard on occasion. Ellie might not trust the woman’s motivations, but Birdie’s skills are unquestionable.
But while Birdie is busy speaking with the dead, Ellie plans to talk to living suspects—namely, the other residents and employees of the spooky Stewart estate, who know a lot more than they’re letting on. Amid swirling rumors of cursed treasure, whispered tales of ghostly pirates, and a recent spate of preternatural murders, in order to catch the killer Ellie must confront the most terrifying possibility of all—her gift may be real...
In CURSES ARE FOR CADS, fake medium Eleanor Wilde begins falling for Nicholas Hartford III and his endearing family, meanwhile she’s summoned to a remote Scottish castle where an unusual assignment to locate a haunted trove of treasure threatens Eleanor’s budding romance, her livelihood...and her life!
ABOUT THE BOOK: As Sussex’s resident witch and pseudo psychic, Eleanor has grown accustomed to somewhat strange requests for supernatural aid. So when Nicholas‘s university pal, Sid Stewart, writes from the family’s remote castle in Scotland, begging for Ellie’s services as a medium, Ellie is only delighted to help.
Apparently, the recently deceased patriarch of Sid’s family, Glenn Stewart, died before divulging the whereabouts of an important cache of family heirlooms. The Stewart clan hopes a clairvoyant can contact him from beyond the grave. Of course, Ellie can’t actually commune with the dead. But faking it is the name of her game. She’s not worried, until...
Aboard the train for Oban, Ellie discovers that fellow medium Birdie White is also heading to the Outer Hebrides to assist the Stewarts. Birdie is a master in the art, serving as a spiritual consultant to royalty and even assisting Scotland Yard on occasion. Ellie might not trust the woman’s motivations, but Birdie’s skills are unquestionable.
But while Birdie is busy speaking with the dead, Ellie plans to talk to living suspects—namely, the other residents and employees of the spooky Stewart estate, who know a lot more than they’re letting on. Amid swirling rumors of cursed treasure, whispered tales of ghostly pirates, and a recent spate of preternatural murders, in order to catch the killer Ellie must confront the most terrifying possibility of all—her gift may be real...
October 28, 2020
Madame Eleanor (Ellie Wilde) is a fake. And a delightful one, at that. Here she is in her third mystery and is preparing to go on a snorkeling vacation with her very wealthy boyfriend, Nicholas. Ellie is a fake psychic and many call her a witch, a real one. That's fine with her as her talent as a 'psychic' pays the bills and makes her customers happy. I see her as sort of a therapist - people want the spirits banished, she snoops around, figures out what is amiss and fixes it. Stress relieved and the clients continue their lives. Sometimes there's a homicide or several to be investigated along the way. As a new way of life, Ellie is happy that she left The States and settled into life in Sussex. But about that snorkeling vacation? Not so much.
When Nicholas tells her that the vacation plans have changed, she is fine with that as the new plans involve a lost stash of heirlooms, a curse and a recently deceased father (might it have been murder?). As she says, "there's a ghost somewhere in the Outer Hebrides that needs my attention" It turns out that the new plan is to travel to a remote castle on the private island of Airgead in the Outer Hebrides. The first hitch? Nicholas won't be traveling with her and she won't be flying. It's a long train trip plus the fishing boat that will get her to the island. So much for his private jet. On the train she crosses paths with Birdie who is also a psychic and is going to the same island, same reason. That's going to present a bit of a challenge for Ellie.
This was just the sort of escape I needed, full of humor, great characters and a well crafted mystery. The setting was properly spooky, too. Great for your Halloween TBR list. It works fine as a stand alone but be ready to get your hands on the previous two mysteries and binge read them. You're in for a real treat.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
When Nicholas tells her that the vacation plans have changed, she is fine with that as the new plans involve a lost stash of heirlooms, a curse and a recently deceased father (might it have been murder?). As she says, "there's a ghost somewhere in the Outer Hebrides that needs my attention" It turns out that the new plan is to travel to a remote castle on the private island of Airgead in the Outer Hebrides. The first hitch? Nicholas won't be traveling with her and she won't be flying. It's a long train trip plus the fishing boat that will get her to the island. So much for his private jet. On the train she crosses paths with Birdie who is also a psychic and is going to the same island, same reason. That's going to present a bit of a challenge for Ellie.
This was just the sort of escape I needed, full of humor, great characters and a well crafted mystery. The setting was properly spooky, too. Great for your Halloween TBR list. It works fine as a stand alone but be ready to get your hands on the previous two mysteries and binge read them. You're in for a real treat.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 7, 2020
Tamara Berry's Curses Are for Cads is the third book in her Eleanor Wilde Mystery series. I have fallen in love with this series from book one and simply can't get enough of Eleanor's shenanigans.
Ellie is the self proclaimed fake medium, who is really a masterful observer of people and can read them very well. When her boyfriend asks her to go to the remote island to help out his school friend, she doesn't hesitate, even though it means cancelling their trip to Malta. Talking to ghosts and looking for buried treasure don't come around every day.
On the journey and during her stay on the island, she will encounter many apparitions from this side of the realm and meet some good and some very bad characters, some will try to help her out but others will do anything in their power to stop her from completing her job.
Just like every other book, this one is bursting with the crazy, quirky and funny characters. They add so much flair to the stories and make them unique. They are so exaggerated they are almost caricatures of real people.
One of the things I like best in this series is that the author is constantly revealing "secrets" of the trade. She does it so wittily and charmingly you can't help but love her. It is my firm belief that in the next installments she will realize and admit to herself that she has the real power and use it properly.
I would like to see her relationship with Nick progress more and even though this is a light paranormal cozy mystery I don't think a bit of romance would hurt.
This is a very atmospheric book, with howling winds and crashing seas, dark rooms and evilness all around that is so easy for the reader to feel it to and be spooked.
All though this is not my favorite book in the series it is still great fun and I can't wait for the next installment.
Ellie is the self proclaimed fake medium, who is really a masterful observer of people and can read them very well. When her boyfriend asks her to go to the remote island to help out his school friend, she doesn't hesitate, even though it means cancelling their trip to Malta. Talking to ghosts and looking for buried treasure don't come around every day.
On the journey and during her stay on the island, she will encounter many apparitions from this side of the realm and meet some good and some very bad characters, some will try to help her out but others will do anything in their power to stop her from completing her job.
Just like every other book, this one is bursting with the crazy, quirky and funny characters. They add so much flair to the stories and make them unique. They are so exaggerated they are almost caricatures of real people.
One of the things I like best in this series is that the author is constantly revealing "secrets" of the trade. She does it so wittily and charmingly you can't help but love her. It is my firm belief that in the next installments she will realize and admit to herself that she has the real power and use it properly.
I would like to see her relationship with Nick progress more and even though this is a light paranormal cozy mystery I don't think a bit of romance would hurt.
This is a very atmospheric book, with howling winds and crashing seas, dark rooms and evilness all around that is so easy for the reader to feel it to and be spooked.
All though this is not my favorite book in the series it is still great fun and I can't wait for the next installment.
October 21, 2020
This was a fun read. Ellie is a medium sort of who is joined by another sort of medium to help lay a curse on a remote Scottish island. As Sussex’s resident witch and pseudo psychic, Eleanor has grown accustomed to somewhat strange requests for supernatural aid. So when Nicholas‘s university pal, Sid Stewart, writes from the family’s remote castle in Scotland, begging for Ellie’s services as a medium, Ellie is only delighted to help.
Apparently, the recently deceased patriarch of Sid’s family, Glenn Stewart, died before divulging the whereabouts of an important cache of family heirlooms. The Stewart clan hopes a clairvoyant can contact him from beyond the grave. Of course, Ellie can’t actually commune with the dead. But faking it is the name of her game. She’s not worried, until . . .
Aboard the train for Oban, Ellie discovers that fellow medium Birdie White is also heading to the Outer Hebrides to assist the Stewarts. Birdie is a master in the art, serving as a spiritual consultant to royalty and even assisting Scotland Yard on occasion. Ellie might not trust the woman’s motivations, but Birdie’s skills are unquestionable.
But while Birdie is busy speaking with the dead, Ellie plans to talk to living suspects—namely, the other residents and employees of the spooky Stewart estate, who know a lot more than they’re letting on. Amid swirling rumors of cursed treasure, whispered tales of ghostly pirates, and a recent spate of preternatural murders, in order to catch the killer Ellie must confront the most terrifying possibility of all—her gift may be real . . .
Apparently, the recently deceased patriarch of Sid’s family, Glenn Stewart, died before divulging the whereabouts of an important cache of family heirlooms. The Stewart clan hopes a clairvoyant can contact him from beyond the grave. Of course, Ellie can’t actually commune with the dead. But faking it is the name of her game. She’s not worried, until . . .
Aboard the train for Oban, Ellie discovers that fellow medium Birdie White is also heading to the Outer Hebrides to assist the Stewarts. Birdie is a master in the art, serving as a spiritual consultant to royalty and even assisting Scotland Yard on occasion. Ellie might not trust the woman’s motivations, but Birdie’s skills are unquestionable.
But while Birdie is busy speaking with the dead, Ellie plans to talk to living suspects—namely, the other residents and employees of the spooky Stewart estate, who know a lot more than they’re letting on. Amid swirling rumors of cursed treasure, whispered tales of ghostly pirates, and a recent spate of preternatural murders, in order to catch the killer Ellie must confront the most terrifying possibility of all—her gift may be real . . .
July 4, 2021
I totally enjoyed this book, especially the main character of Eleanor Wilde. This is both a good pirate story and a closed room mystery (though in this case it has everyone isolated in a castle on an island). The two mysteries (where is the gold and who is the murderer) are intriguing and the solutions to both were a total surprise. The surprise is partly due to a misdirection of the reader but also a misdirection of Mistress Eleanor herself. Did the author cheat a bit on the latter? Possibly in hindsight, but still it led to a most exciting and nail-biting ending.
In the three books read to date the reader is learning more about Eleanor’s character and her supposedly bogus yet also authentic psychic abilities. Sure, she admits she can put on a good show, largely based on her close observations of people and place, but as we see in this book, there is a bit of true paranormal in her abilities. Even she is taken aback by it.
I’m looking forward to the next stop on the Mistress Eleanor adventure tour.
In the three books read to date the reader is learning more about Eleanor’s character and her supposedly bogus yet also authentic psychic abilities. Sure, she admits she can put on a good show, largely based on her close observations of people and place, but as we see in this book, there is a bit of true paranormal in her abilities. Even she is taken aback by it.
“An isolated house party might make a good setting for conjuring the dead, but it’s not ideal when you wan answers to real, important, life-or-death questions. As much as you might like to pretend we’re here for the former, I think we can both agree that the real results will come from the latter.”
I’ve said just about all I can on the subject without writing out a detailed confession of every fake ghost I’ve conjured in the name of quasi-science.
I’m looking forward to the next stop on the Mistress Eleanor adventure tour.
October 21, 2020
Curses are For Cads is a great parnormal mystery.. While I didn't realize when I requested it that it was part of a series, it can definitely be read as a standalone. I really enjoyed reading this and would definitely like to read the first two in the series..
Eleanor is a fake medium, but the whole villiage she lives in believes that she is a real witch. In fact the children tend to flock to her and follow her around waiting for her to do something witchy.. She uses her fake powers for good though. When her boyfriend Nicolas asks her to help a friend of his talk to their dead father and ask the location of missing treasure she couldn't pass it up.
Eleanor arrives at the Scottish castle and within a day weird things begin to happen.. While the family is telling Eleanor the story behind the missing treasure that is actually cursed..The power goes out, and cousin Otis shows up and scares the crap out of everyone..
People start dying and Eleanor is having visions.. It was non stop fom the beginning to the end.. and kept me sucked in.. The curse seems to be working against everyone.. or is it actually someone else behind it all trying to find the treasure for themselves.. I had no idea what what going to happen from one minute to the next and was surprised with the reveal at the end..
Eleanor is a fake medium, but the whole villiage she lives in believes that she is a real witch. In fact the children tend to flock to her and follow her around waiting for her to do something witchy.. She uses her fake powers for good though. When her boyfriend Nicolas asks her to help a friend of his talk to their dead father and ask the location of missing treasure she couldn't pass it up.
Eleanor arrives at the Scottish castle and within a day weird things begin to happen.. While the family is telling Eleanor the story behind the missing treasure that is actually cursed..The power goes out, and cousin Otis shows up and scares the crap out of everyone..
People start dying and Eleanor is having visions.. It was non stop fom the beginning to the end.. and kept me sucked in.. The curse seems to be working against everyone.. or is it actually someone else behind it all trying to find the treasure for themselves.. I had no idea what what going to happen from one minute to the next and was surprised with the reveal at the end..
January 24, 2021
Princess Fuzzypants here: Eleanor is stranded on a secluded island off the coast of Scotland dealing with a centuries old curse and a rather over the top psychic. The curse involves treasure stolen from Elizabeth I and as her reputation as a medium has spread, Ellie’s rich beau Nicholas has offered her services to the family of a friend. Instead of going with her, Nicholas is called elsewhere so she shares a long train ride with Birdie.
As a fake medium herself, Ellie is convinced Birdie is bogus but she does seem to know things before they occur and she seems determined to out-medium Ellie. That is until Birdie realizes that Ellie, for all her sleight of hand, is the real thing with her sister providing the spectral link. And it seems like her powers are growing. When Birdie falls ill, she confesses all to Ellie but before she gets to the truth, Birdie is murdered. Now Ellie has two spirits whispering in her ear.
Lots of atmosphere and twists and turns in the story as Ellie unravels not one but two murders and all sorts of dark secrets. Can she also lift the curse? You will have to read the book to find out. Five purrs and two paws up.
As a fake medium herself, Ellie is convinced Birdie is bogus but she does seem to know things before they occur and she seems determined to out-medium Ellie. That is until Birdie realizes that Ellie, for all her sleight of hand, is the real thing with her sister providing the spectral link. And it seems like her powers are growing. When Birdie falls ill, she confesses all to Ellie but before she gets to the truth, Birdie is murdered. Now Ellie has two spirits whispering in her ear.
Lots of atmosphere and twists and turns in the story as Ellie unravels not one but two murders and all sorts of dark secrets. Can she also lift the curse? You will have to read the book to find out. Five purrs and two paws up.
June 25, 2021
Even though these Eleanor Wilde Mysteries are definitely in the Cozy Mysteries genre, they are a cut above the norm, in my estimation. The writing is much more sophisticated and the motivation and intelligence of the main character are deeper than the normal amateur sleuth of cozies. It does have the hallmarks of all cozies: a "rose-tinted crime" and "feel-good murder"; cutsey titles for each of her books; an upbeat, optimistic, light-hearted, quick read; romance with no explicit sex; a quirky, likeable, funny female protagonist.
Madame Eleanor agrees to help find the lost treasure that the owners need to keep contained so the curse on it is neutralized. Their father's death and then the death of their legal counselor who was on his way to the island are attributed to the Gloriana curse. Where Ellie has been invited and actually has psychic ties to her dead sister (not that she is all that helpful), another medium shows up and what fun ensues with them both trying to outdo the other--and try to find where the treasure has been hidden and keep everyone safe, since spiritual consultant Birdie has prophesied someone would die.
Madame Eleanor agrees to help find the lost treasure that the owners need to keep contained so the curse on it is neutralized. Their father's death and then the death of their legal counselor who was on his way to the island are attributed to the Gloriana curse. Where Ellie has been invited and actually has psychic ties to her dead sister (not that she is all that helpful), another medium shows up and what fun ensues with them both trying to outdo the other--and try to find where the treasure has been hidden and keep everyone safe, since spiritual consultant Birdie has prophesied someone would die.
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