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Hex Falls #1
Hopeless Pocus
Violet Vance is convinced she is cursed. Born the only non-magical member of her very family in over a hundred years, she has always struggled to fit in. Now she’s lost her dream job as rookie crime investigator—dubbed the only trainee in the history of the force, unable to solve a single mystery—and has been encouraged to leave detective work behind her. Forever.
Seriously, did they need to be that harsh?
Seeking a new start, Violet moves to nearby Hex Falls, where she plans to become an interior decorator. But as soon as she arrives, strange things begin to happen. Starting with the discovery of a severed rabbit’s foot in her driveway and ending in a head rolling out onto the carpet of her first-ever decorating job.
What’s an ex-crime-investigator turned decorator to do?
Just let a good murder lay there unsolved?
Seriously, did they need to be that harsh?
Seeking a new start, Violet moves to nearby Hex Falls, where she plans to become an interior decorator. But as soon as she arrives, strange things begin to happen. Starting with the discovery of a severed rabbit’s foot in her driveway and ending in a head rolling out onto the carpet of her first-ever decorating job.
What’s an ex-crime-investigator turned decorator to do?
Just let a good murder lay there unsolved?
352 pages, ebook
Published March 5, 2020
888 people are currently reading
819 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Rivers
6 books16 followersThis author is also published under the pen name Ruby Rivers.
I write light-hearted cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist. Come join me in Hex Falls, it'a a Hex of a place! Coming soon: A genie becomes a super sleuth in my new Wish Upon A Mystery Series. Think I Dream of Genie meets Murder She Wrote. Then... join me in 1920 for my first-ever historical cozy series-Lottie Lindberg Mysteries.
Check out when and what's coming up on my website.
I write light-hearted cozy mysteries with a paranormal twist. Come join me in Hex Falls, it'a a Hex of a place! Coming soon: A genie becomes a super sleuth in my new Wish Upon A Mystery Series. Think I Dream of Genie meets Murder She Wrote. Then... join me in 1920 for my first-ever historical cozy series-Lottie Lindberg Mysteries.
Check out when and what's coming up on my website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
October 31, 2020
Not sure where to start. The storyline being absurd or the fact that the continuity is so off its hard to read. One of the aunts is referred to as cousin a few times, or someone clutching a drink then the next paragraph being told to get a drink. Turning on a shower but never taking it. Mentioning a red x on the door then reading about how it got there and acting like they never heard about it before. And don't get me started on the stupid spell words belly boo, belly high, Ali Ali away. And the juvenile exclamations are enough to make you gag. Hard time finishing the book and will not read the rest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2020
I didn't like anything about this book.
I really hate the books where there are emotionally abusive older relatives that are keeping secrets from the younger one. Why do authors keep revisiting this? I wish they would explain this in the synopsis of the book so I can just skip it.
Also, WTAF with the stupid sheriff? Is he supposed to be charming? He comes off as an immature idiot. Well, since the MC also comes off that way (in spite of being so old), then they're a perfect match.
Horrible book.
I really hate the books where there are emotionally abusive older relatives that are keeping secrets from the younger one. Why do authors keep revisiting this? I wish they would explain this in the synopsis of the book so I can just skip it.
Also, WTAF with the stupid sheriff? Is he supposed to be charming? He comes off as an immature idiot. Well, since the MC also comes off that way (in spite of being so old), then they're a perfect match.
Horrible book.
April 2, 2020
The premise was somewhat absurd. Plots that are absurd at the base can frequently be redeemed by stellar characters: zany, quirky, charming, endearing. Unfortunately, even the characters were absolutely absurd and annoying. Could not finish.
February 28, 2022
Hopeless Pocus, a cozy paranormal mystery by Ruby Rivers, is a story about a recently fired investigator who moves to Hex Falls for a career change – interior design – and fresh start away from her smothering family. Unfortunately, her entire extended helicopter family follows her, shadowing her every move because of a secret – a secret she isn’t aware of and the reason her family has been so overprotective of her.
Soon, Violet is tasked with more than just decorating houses. Her first client is a ghost, and it becomes Violet’s mission to free his spirit from the legendary Murder Manor and solve the mystery of his death.
I love books full of magic and mystery and going into this one, I felt it had so much promise. I wanted to like this story but struggled to get through it. I realize this book is the first in the series and with the first book is a lot of character introduction and world-building, so maybe the later installments will pick up. It was a little long for a category “cozy mystery” which affected the pacing ( and my interest).
Without dwelling on what I didn’t like, here’s what I enjoyed:
Dysfunctional family dynamics
Zany, over-the-top characters (I absolutely loved Aunt Connie)
Magic & Mischief
Ghosts – “I see dead people”
Witches!
Humor
Family secrets
Female Sleuth
I know cozy mysteries are light, fluffy reads that are mildly cartoonish and I can appreciate that, but Reggie the talking fox was a bit too much for me. I can accept floating aunts and ghosts with neck wounds, but I guess I draw the line at talking animals. Just one of those silly things I can’t stretch my brain past, I guess.
Overall, it was an okay read. 3/5 stars
Soon, Violet is tasked with more than just decorating houses. Her first client is a ghost, and it becomes Violet’s mission to free his spirit from the legendary Murder Manor and solve the mystery of his death.
I love books full of magic and mystery and going into this one, I felt it had so much promise. I wanted to like this story but struggled to get through it. I realize this book is the first in the series and with the first book is a lot of character introduction and world-building, so maybe the later installments will pick up. It was a little long for a category “cozy mystery” which affected the pacing ( and my interest).
Without dwelling on what I didn’t like, here’s what I enjoyed:
Dysfunctional family dynamics
Zany, over-the-top characters (I absolutely loved Aunt Connie)
Magic & Mischief
Ghosts – “I see dead people”
Witches!
Humor
Family secrets
Female Sleuth
I know cozy mysteries are light, fluffy reads that are mildly cartoonish and I can appreciate that, but Reggie the talking fox was a bit too much for me. I can accept floating aunts and ghosts with neck wounds, but I guess I draw the line at talking animals. Just one of those silly things I can’t stretch my brain past, I guess.
Overall, it was an okay read. 3/5 stars
October 26, 2023
The book was ok. It could have been much shorter & still gotten the point across. By the end, there were so many minor characters who had been introduced I was recognizing names but not who they were. Which may or may not be why I don't know what happened with the witch from the Coven? Was she part of the final major scene or was that plot line carried over to the next book? (Which I won't be reading)
It was also annoying that it took 3/4 of the book before you found out the big secret Violet's family was keeping from her. At 33 years old. *insert eye roll here* As a child, sure, keep the secret. But at some point tell the girl & stop making sure a big deal out of everything. So much focused on keeping the secret instead of developing the characters.
Overall it was cute & cheeky. It definitely leads up to a decent book series. But as a stand alone it left something to be desired but didn't leave enough for me to want to continue the series.
It was also annoying that it took 3/4 of the book before you found out the big secret Violet's family was keeping from her. At 33 years old. *insert eye roll here* As a child, sure, keep the secret. But at some point tell the girl & stop making sure a big deal out of everything. So much focused on keeping the secret instead of developing the characters.
Overall it was cute & cheeky. It definitely leads up to a decent book series. But as a stand alone it left something to be desired but didn't leave enough for me to want to continue the series.
June 17, 2023
This was fun. I didn't have many expectations of this novel but it was cute, well written and kept me wanting to read it to find out what happens next.
I liked the beginning witch and her family of witches that are trying to teach her and protect her at the same time.
Will keep an eye out for the next book.
I liked the beginning witch and her family of witches that are trying to teach her and protect her at the same time.
Will keep an eye out for the next book.
August 7, 2023
Investigating Ghosts
Raised to believe she's the only normal person in her family, Violet moves to Hex Falls to start a new life away from witchcraft and the paranormal, only to find herself hired as a decorator by a ghost.
A series of misunderstandings and mishaps that form her new life are the mainstay of this cosy mystery.
Great fun and amusing characters. Very enjoyable.
Raised to believe she's the only normal person in her family, Violet moves to Hex Falls to start a new life away from witchcraft and the paranormal, only to find herself hired as a decorator by a ghost.
A series of misunderstandings and mishaps that form her new life are the mainstay of this cosy mystery.
Great fun and amusing characters. Very enjoyable.
May 31, 2021
Violet was born into a magical family, yet she's the only one who has no powers of her own. She tries to make a life for herself among mortals, but she gets fired from her job as an investigator. Looking to make a new start with her second career choice, interior decorating, Violet moves to the town of Hex Falls. There, everyone embraces the cheesiness of all things paranormal to entice visitors. Little do they know, there really are things that go bump in the night. Violet's excitement is dimmed when her helicopter family buys the large old mansion next door to her tiny cottage. Is there no getting away from them?! However, when Violet learns that she really is a witch who has yet to come into her powers, her family's hovering begins to make sense. Aunts Kit and Kat, along with glamorous Cousin Viv have been trying to shelter and protect Violet, lest she meet the fate of her mother.
Violet didn't think her life could get any weirder until she is hired to renovate the other old mansion in town...one that hasn't been touched in over a hundred years due to the owner's untimely murder. Weirder still, it's the owner, Sotheby, or rather his ghost, who has hired Violet. She can now see ghosts, her familiar, a fat fox named Reggie, has begun following her around, and Sotheby has asked her to solve his murder. Making things more complicated, Violet must still keep the truth of actual paranormals hidden from the mortals, dodge her nosy neighbor, and butter up the cranky research librarian. When the sheriff, a good-looking yet slow-witted hunk named Jeremy begins to show interest in her, Violet has more on her plate than she can manage...which is when her powers decide to manifest.
There was quite a bit going on in the story; unfortunately, it did not blend together well. The plot sort of bounced around, and editing was a hot mess. Some things were never fully explained and others never resolved. I understand it's the first part of a series, but certain things should not have been left hanging. I cannot stand the trope of overprotective family smothering an adult; thus reading about it here got my hackles up. Jeremy was so damned dumb that it begs the question of how he came to be in law enforcement. Violet's drunken Auntie Connie was more of a caricature than a character. In fact, none of the characters was portrayed well. The solution to the main plot was so convoluted that it made no sense. This is why it took me over a week to slog through this. Guh.
The story was entertaining, but its narrative was sloppy for lack of a better word. Giving it two stars.
Violet didn't think her life could get any weirder until she is hired to renovate the other old mansion in town...one that hasn't been touched in over a hundred years due to the owner's untimely murder. Weirder still, it's the owner, Sotheby, or rather his ghost, who has hired Violet. She can now see ghosts, her familiar, a fat fox named Reggie, has begun following her around, and Sotheby has asked her to solve his murder. Making things more complicated, Violet must still keep the truth of actual paranormals hidden from the mortals, dodge her nosy neighbor, and butter up the cranky research librarian. When the sheriff, a good-looking yet slow-witted hunk named Jeremy begins to show interest in her, Violet has more on her plate than she can manage...which is when her powers decide to manifest.
There was quite a bit going on in the story; unfortunately, it did not blend together well. The plot sort of bounced around, and editing was a hot mess. Some things were never fully explained and others never resolved. I understand it's the first part of a series, but certain things should not have been left hanging. I cannot stand the trope of overprotective family smothering an adult; thus reading about it here got my hackles up. Jeremy was so damned dumb that it begs the question of how he came to be in law enforcement. Violet's drunken Auntie Connie was more of a caricature than a character. In fact, none of the characters was portrayed well. The solution to the main plot was so convoluted that it made no sense. This is why it took me over a week to slog through this. Guh.
The story was entertaining, but its narrative was sloppy for lack of a better word. Giving it two stars.
May 15, 2021
Engrossing
Great storylines, wonderful characters come alive on these pages, filled with magic snark and humor there are even ghosts and a little romance. There are enough twists and turns to keep you turning pages till the end, a fun enjoyable read, well worth a look, Baz.
Great storylines, wonderful characters come alive on these pages, filled with magic snark and humor there are even ghosts and a little romance. There are enough twists and turns to keep you turning pages till the end, a fun enjoyable read, well worth a look, Baz.
January 9, 2024
When the author can't even bother to use non-gendered pronouns for a character she created, after having that character ask that people use non-gendered pronouns, I can't be bothered to finish a story that was barely holding my interest.
October 29, 2022
Delightful
What a wonderful mystery. I suspected who the murderer was but had to go thru the evidence with our delightful new witch and heroine to find out how it all played out. I see a ghostly romance in the future.
What a wonderful mystery. I suspected who the murderer was but had to go thru the evidence with our delightful new witch and heroine to find out how it all played out. I see a ghostly romance in the future.
November 12, 2020
Book started out good but then got weird when she goes to renovate an old house. Wasn’t worth finishing.
April 4, 2020
Over the top fun
Nobody tells Violet ANYTHING. At 33 years old she deserves some answers. But that’s easier said than done. Wanting a new start, Violet moves to Hex Falls. But things don’t go as planned…
I really loved the style. Easy-to-read. Lots and lots of humor. Hard to put down. It has that one-more-chapter-ability, that can’t-put-it-down-factor. It was spooky and a little creepy, but only in a lighthearted way. Super exciting! The characters are almost all of them a bit over the top, but it does make it fun. Almost slapstick-kinda-fun at times. Fun moments, especially with Aunts Kit and Kat and cousin Viv. And I laughed out loud at Aunt Connie.
I enjoyed this book, but I do think there’s room for improvement. I think the characters were a bit too caricatural, I think they could use a bit more development and a bit more kindness. Now ALL of the characters are eccentric and out-there. Too crazy, too much. Except maybe for Sotherby. A bit more balance and I think this could be a real winner of a series. So, don’t expect subtlety, but expect over the top silly fun. This is not a cozy where kindness and softness play a big role, but silliness and over the top fun. If you’re in the mood for that, then why not pick this book up?
Nobody tells Violet ANYTHING. At 33 years old she deserves some answers. But that’s easier said than done. Wanting a new start, Violet moves to Hex Falls. But things don’t go as planned…
I really loved the style. Easy-to-read. Lots and lots of humor. Hard to put down. It has that one-more-chapter-ability, that can’t-put-it-down-factor. It was spooky and a little creepy, but only in a lighthearted way. Super exciting! The characters are almost all of them a bit over the top, but it does make it fun. Almost slapstick-kinda-fun at times. Fun moments, especially with Aunts Kit and Kat and cousin Viv. And I laughed out loud at Aunt Connie.
I enjoyed this book, but I do think there’s room for improvement. I think the characters were a bit too caricatural, I think they could use a bit more development and a bit more kindness. Now ALL of the characters are eccentric and out-there. Too crazy, too much. Except maybe for Sotherby. A bit more balance and I think this could be a real winner of a series. So, don’t expect subtlety, but expect over the top silly fun. This is not a cozy where kindness and softness play a big role, but silliness and over the top fun. If you’re in the mood for that, then why not pick this book up?
April 3, 2021
Being a mere mortal in a family of paranormals has always made Violet Imogene Vance feel as though she was missing something. She has always felt like an outcast even with two loving aunts and cousin who adore her. Wanting to get away and be on her own has led her to Hex Falls where she will live in the tiny home she recently purchased. Her wish is to lead a normal life as an interior decorator. Discovering that her aunts and cousin have followed her to Hex Falls and bought a home near her is distressing to Violet. How will she ever learn to be independent if she is never left alone? When hired to completely restore the grand Tatyana Antonio mansion, Violet is thrilled. Maybe her glee is premature as she faces the owner of the mansion who is very pale, loves the dark, and did his head just roll onto the carpet? Who is this man? What he tells her makes her realize that what she has been told all her life may have been a lie. Maybe Violet is not just a mere mortal but something more. This has been a fun book, with a woman wanting independence, family members who hover and an overweight talking fox who claims to be her familiar. I loved this book. This is my honest, voluntary review of an advanced reader copy of this book.
October 21, 2023
Violet Vance is the dunce of a magical family - or at least she thinks she is as she is the only one with no powers. All members of her family have been magical for the past century - except her. She simply does not fit in, even though she loves them all very much. They do, however, drive her slightly crazy with their constant interference in her life (cousins, aunts, etc. and onward).
Her dream is to do police detective work and while she loves her job as a rookie crime investigator, she finds herself fired due to incompetence, which only makes her feel a million times worse.
She decides there's nothing to do but get away from all of it, the relatives, the town, and everything she's known, and start living life on her own. Thus she finds herself weirdly drawn to Hex Falls. To her utter dismay, her family follows her shortly thereafter. Lying about being an interior designer, she takes on a huge job making over a mansion where a murder was committed long ago - a murder one unbelievably handsome ghost and his housekeeper want her to solve so they can move on.
I loved the book and the characters. Violet was easy to like a lot, and her busybody nosy neighbor reminded me of one we had when I was growing up, binoculars and all. Bird watching my foot!
Her dream is to do police detective work and while she loves her job as a rookie crime investigator, she finds herself fired due to incompetence, which only makes her feel a million times worse.
She decides there's nothing to do but get away from all of it, the relatives, the town, and everything she's known, and start living life on her own. Thus she finds herself weirdly drawn to Hex Falls. To her utter dismay, her family follows her shortly thereafter. Lying about being an interior designer, she takes on a huge job making over a mansion where a murder was committed long ago - a murder one unbelievably handsome ghost and his housekeeper want her to solve so they can move on.
I loved the book and the characters. Violet was easy to like a lot, and her busybody nosy neighbor reminded me of one we had when I was growing up, binoculars and all. Bird watching my foot!
April 26, 2020
This is a new author for me. I love the title of this book, Hopeless Pocus. It conjured up visions of fun. I was not disappointed. I enjoyed the main characters, Violet, her cousin Viv and their aunts. Violet is just finding out she is a witch in this book and is getting her decorating business going while settling into a new home. Viv and the aunts are setting up a paranormal B&B that I definitely want to stay in. The sheriff was a toss up for me. He has funny but I’m not certain about the hunky but dumb part. I was thinking it’s an act to find out more about the paranormals as he is suspicious. I don’t buy dumb in a sheriff though I do buy into the Andy Griffith personality. I’m really curious to see how he develops as well as Violet’s nosy neighbor. There was an uncle introduced towards the end who also peaks my curiosity. The mystery was a bit different from the usual but that’s all I’m saying about that. Over all this was a fun start to a new series with a lot of potential to be seriously entertaining. I’m looking forward to more.
There were some spelling issues. The author is aware and is in the process of fixing them.
There were some spelling issues. The author is aware and is in the process of fixing them.
March 24, 2022
At 27% through the book I was ready to abandon it and read something else. But all the high ratings it got convinced me that it must get better.
What really irritated me so far: the aunts and cousin acting like obnoxious squabbling 3-year-olds with the constant “I didn’t, you did,” type back and forth arguing got old really fast. I suppose it was supposed to be snark but instead came off as horribly juvenile. The sheriff asking Violet for a date then acting like a teenager going out for the first time going so far as to click up his heels while saying “I’ve got a date,’ (I would assume he was close to Violet’s 33 years of age). Violet not realizing that her new ‘client’ was a ghost (which was obvious from the first ½ page) and her actions when it finally dawned on her. This from a 33 year-old woman who was raised by witches and one of them able to see ghosts. The asinine over-reaction was so stupid I wanted to quit right then.
However, I didn’t and it did get marginally better. The writing actually improved with more of an actual plot, the characters didn’t act so childish (most of the time), and it had a really good ending. Which is why I’m giving 3 stars instead of 2.
What really irritated me so far: the aunts and cousin acting like obnoxious squabbling 3-year-olds with the constant “I didn’t, you did,” type back and forth arguing got old really fast. I suppose it was supposed to be snark but instead came off as horribly juvenile. The sheriff asking Violet for a date then acting like a teenager going out for the first time going so far as to click up his heels while saying “I’ve got a date,’ (I would assume he was close to Violet’s 33 years of age). Violet not realizing that her new ‘client’ was a ghost (which was obvious from the first ½ page) and her actions when it finally dawned on her. This from a 33 year-old woman who was raised by witches and one of them able to see ghosts. The asinine over-reaction was so stupid I wanted to quit right then.
However, I didn’t and it did get marginally better. The writing actually improved with more of an actual plot, the characters didn’t act so childish (most of the time), and it had a really good ending. Which is why I’m giving 3 stars instead of 2.
March 26, 2021
"Why is everything I’ve ever been told about anything, turning out to be a myth?"
Violet Imogene Vance feels cursed. All she ever wanted to be is an investigator, but she got fired and ran to a tiny town far from her family in hopes to truly start her life without their influences- read meddling- only to find they followed her! And, they're rude enough to invade her life in paranormal ways. What's a mortal to do when you are the only one in well over 100 years of family?
Hex Falls.Intrigued by both the handsome sheriff and her first major restoration job, Violet encounters other strange "things" as she enters the very run down house to meet her client. It's a lot more to deal with than the actual job, running back almost as long as her family tree. Can she restore peace?
This was a very addictive, well written mystery. I found myself sucked in very quickly and wanting more at the end. Ruby Rivers is a great writer and I am happily looking for other books in this series. 5/5
Violet Imogene Vance feels cursed. All she ever wanted to be is an investigator, but she got fired and ran to a tiny town far from her family in hopes to truly start her life without their influences- read meddling- only to find they followed her! And, they're rude enough to invade her life in paranormal ways. What's a mortal to do when you are the only one in well over 100 years of family?
Hex Falls.Intrigued by both the handsome sheriff and her first major restoration job, Violet encounters other strange "things" as she enters the very run down house to meet her client. It's a lot more to deal with than the actual job, running back almost as long as her family tree. Can she restore peace?
This was a very addictive, well written mystery. I found myself sucked in very quickly and wanting more at the end. Ruby Rivers is a great writer and I am happily looking for other books in this series. 5/5
August 3, 2022
Violet's been living her mediocre life. Born into a magical family without powers of her own, she tried to carve out a living as a detective but was unable to solve any cases. Parting from that job she moves to Hex Falls in a bid to get away from her meddlesome relatives only to find that they've followed her. Suddenly things fall into place: she gains her powers and begins a career as an interior decorator at a spooky house known locally as Murder Manor. Things take a strange turn when her new employer requires her former services as an investigator.
I liked the overall premise of the book, but I would have edited it differently. Everything seemed to take too long to happen. Conversations were spun out way beyond my tolerance level. I loathed how people treated each other, especially in a family as unique as Violet's. Furthermore, I honestly can't see the dumb-as-a-rock sheriff gaining enough votes to secure the office.
Clearly, this isn't a series aimed at my demographic. Too bad, because I dug the cover.
I liked the overall premise of the book, but I would have edited it differently. Everything seemed to take too long to happen. Conversations were spun out way beyond my tolerance level. I loathed how people treated each other, especially in a family as unique as Violet's. Furthermore, I honestly can't see the dumb-as-a-rock sheriff gaining enough votes to secure the office.
Clearly, this isn't a series aimed at my demographic. Too bad, because I dug the cover.
June 5, 2023
The basic plot was interesting but the story was all over the place! Some of the characters were hilarious and some were just vague.
Amazon synopsis:
True story: I was born into a paranormal family and I'm not paranormal. Or so everyone thought, including me? Then on my thirty-third birthday, my fingers began to twitch and my nose to itch, and well...I was followed home by a strange talking fox who claimed to be my familiar.
But the slime really hit the cauldron when I accepted my first-ever decorating job. Yeah, I know, I should have run screaming the minute I learned the place was called Murder Manor—but I needed the money, so...you know.
The door swung open and my life entirely changed. Every single aspect of it. You see, the client—who appeared oddly translucent in different lights and had the coldest breath ever—claimed to foresee my manifest destiny. How did this guy know anything? He also informed me he required my help in solving an age-old cold case murder...that just happened to occur on the premises.
As if that wasn't all enough, the chill really left my freezie when he made it known the ancient cold-case murder...was personal.
Amazon synopsis:
True story: I was born into a paranormal family and I'm not paranormal. Or so everyone thought, including me? Then on my thirty-third birthday, my fingers began to twitch and my nose to itch, and well...I was followed home by a strange talking fox who claimed to be my familiar.
But the slime really hit the cauldron when I accepted my first-ever decorating job. Yeah, I know, I should have run screaming the minute I learned the place was called Murder Manor—but I needed the money, so...you know.
The door swung open and my life entirely changed. Every single aspect of it. You see, the client—who appeared oddly translucent in different lights and had the coldest breath ever—claimed to foresee my manifest destiny. How did this guy know anything? He also informed me he required my help in solving an age-old cold case murder...that just happened to occur on the premises.
As if that wasn't all enough, the chill really left my freezie when he made it known the ancient cold-case murder...was personal.
August 21, 2023
So in this book you have a woman who was born into a family of witches but who seems to have none of the abilities at all. She tries her hand at being an investigator but that also doesn't work out for her.
So, she moves to somewhere else to start over. She decides to become an interior decorator and gets hired to redo Murder Manor.
That should have given her an inkling of things were going to be weird.
There's an important necklace, a sheriff that might and might not become a love interest, workers that vanish, a troublesome neighbor, a guy who talks to her which normally wouldn't be a problem but he's dead, a ghost, a fox who follows her and some other things she has to deal with.
So, moving there might not have been the best choice for her. So, she can leave the town and try somewhere else or stay there and try to adapt.
It's a neat book. I like the manor and her character seems to be done well.
So, she moves to somewhere else to start over. She decides to become an interior decorator and gets hired to redo Murder Manor.
That should have given her an inkling of things were going to be weird.
There's an important necklace, a sheriff that might and might not become a love interest, workers that vanish, a troublesome neighbor, a guy who talks to her which normally wouldn't be a problem but he's dead, a ghost, a fox who follows her and some other things she has to deal with.
So, moving there might not have been the best choice for her. So, she can leave the town and try somewhere else or stay there and try to adapt.
It's a neat book. I like the manor and her character seems to be done well.
September 4, 2023
Teenage years for me were late 90s early 00s, and I have to admit this book reminded me of Sabrina the teenage witch, and I say this in a good way. The characters were loud, bold, and a little clichés, but it worked, and I was tremendously entertained. The only character I didn't like was Jeremy. What can I say? I love my men gorgeous AND smart. He didn't have to be that stupid 😭 The plot was great. The murder mystery was actually spooky, and I ended up being more interested in this storyline than the "becoming a witch" one. In fact, it felt at times I was reading two different stories. It just didn't mesh well. I would get into one, and then it would switch to the other, and I was never happy when it happened. It's the first of many in the series, and although I won't rush to read the second one, I will definitely put the second one on my TBR. It's a 4.5 for me, and I believe it was more fair to give 5 than 4.
October 3, 2025
Violet has always felt out of place in her magical family because she doesn’t have any powers. She tries to make a living as a detective, but she can’t solve any cases. Tired of her family and her failed career, she moves to a small town called Hex Falls to start fresh. But, of course, her family follows her. To her surprise, Violet suddenly gets magical powers and starts a new job as an interior decorator at a spooky house called Murder Manor. Things get weird when her new boss asks her to help solve a mystery.
I liked the idea of the story, but it took way too long for anything to happen. The conversations between the characters were stretched out and felt too long. I also didn’t like how Violet was treated by her family. The sheriff was too silly for me, and I didn’t believe he could win an election. This book probably isn’t for me, but it might be better for other readers. It’s a shame, though, because I loved the cover.
I liked the idea of the story, but it took way too long for anything to happen. The conversations between the characters were stretched out and felt too long. I also didn’t like how Violet was treated by her family. The sheriff was too silly for me, and I didn’t believe he could win an election. This book probably isn’t for me, but it might be better for other readers. It’s a shame, though, because I loved the cover.
April 10, 2021
Poor Violet. Her family has always sheltered her and interfered in her life. Now she has moved to start over only discover they are her neighbors. Everyone is hinting that there is more to her than they want to say and she needs to find out fast. When she gets her first job as a decorator, she also finds out that she can see and talk to ghosts. Even the ghost hints that there is more than she knows. Why does everyone else know and Violet doesn't? As she is discovering she has powers, she is also trying to find out why the ghost was murdered. There is also someone who is hunting her. Can she solve a decades old murder, protect herself and have a life?
June 6, 2024
Though formulaic, this story fails even at that. Older relatives - witches, of course - keep the secret of mother's life/death/powers/challenges from younger woman who doesn't know she's a witch. This one (and it's star-dropping typos) is worse than most because the main character (certainly not a heroine) is such a useless addition to the story. Additionally, other relatives pop in with no explanations for the enmity in the family.
Further, this young(er) woman claims to run an interior decorator business, with no contacts at all in the town to get work done, *if* tradesmen were willing to work at the place. The form of payment is contrived, the "boyfriend" is an idiot (not even a useful idiot), and the story is so full of timeline errors as to make it ludicrous.
Further, this young(er) woman claims to run an interior decorator business, with no contacts at all in the town to get work done, *if* tradesmen were willing to work at the place. The form of payment is contrived, the "boyfriend" is an idiot (not even a useful idiot), and the story is so full of timeline errors as to make it ludicrous.
March 28, 2021
Hmm, being an investigator & not being good at it...a family of witches & thinking you’re not one of them growing up...Violet wants a new start & even that doesn’t seem to work out or will it...a new town, a strange house, a sheriff...possible love attraction or not...a mystery that needs to be solved, finding out you actually are a witch, Violet’s life is anything but quiet...Read the book & you’ll be laughing at the family if witches in no time & see how the mystery is solved ... Ruby Rivers is an awesome author who knows how to keep you guessing....
February 28, 2022
Hopeless Pocus
Ohh what a dreamy magical paranormal witchy cozey mystery murder a wonderful start to a new series. What adorable and frustrating characters to come together in a mysteriously challenging way followed up by your neighborhood snooping gossipy neighbor and extended dysfunctional family as well as familiar. All in all keeping you enthralled and constantly laughing out loud. A truly beautifully written cozey to be acquired today so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have. 🙂 😊 Kat
Ohh what a dreamy magical paranormal witchy cozey mystery murder a wonderful start to a new series. What adorable and frustrating characters to come together in a mysteriously challenging way followed up by your neighborhood snooping gossipy neighbor and extended dysfunctional family as well as familiar. All in all keeping you enthralled and constantly laughing out loud. A truly beautifully written cozey to be acquired today so you yourself can enjoy it as much as I have. 🙂 😊 Kat
June 19, 2020
Creative and Fun
The characters in this series have lots of personality that feels a bit like the Adamms family. The author has a fantastic imagination. Violet doesn't wait around for others to save her but takes charge of a situation which I like in my heroines. This is a refreshing change from overly sweet cozies that are common in this genre. The paranormal aspect is a bit darker but overly so. Excellent start to this new humorous mystery series.
The characters in this series have lots of personality that feels a bit like the Adamms family. The author has a fantastic imagination. Violet doesn't wait around for others to save her but takes charge of a situation which I like in my heroines. This is a refreshing change from overly sweet cozies that are common in this genre. The paranormal aspect is a bit darker but overly so. Excellent start to this new humorous mystery series.
September 29, 2020
Liked it? NO I loved it!!!
This book was phenomenal from beginning to end!! I could not put it down! I sat on the couch like a lazy wart until I finished it. It was that good. It had a great assortment of characters. The mystery kept unfolding throughout the book till the end! I laughed so hard, till my cheeks hurt! You have to read this book! I'm starting on the next book in the series immediately. THANK YOU SO MUCH!😁❤
This book was phenomenal from beginning to end!! I could not put it down! I sat on the couch like a lazy wart until I finished it. It was that good. It had a great assortment of characters. The mystery kept unfolding throughout the book till the end! I laughed so hard, till my cheeks hurt! You have to read this book! I'm starting on the next book in the series immediately. THANK YOU SO MUCH!😁❤
May 3, 2021
Magical mayhem
A magical adventure full of fun, suspense, surprises, secrets, and betrayal! Who could be so evil, that they destroy the lives of so many? Leaves their ghosts stuck in time until their murder was solved, no closure, no rest for over a hundred years! Even with evil dodging her steps, her past keeps interfering with her future! She still must solve this cold case!
A magical adventure full of fun, suspense, surprises, secrets, and betrayal! Who could be so evil, that they destroy the lives of so many? Leaves their ghosts stuck in time until their murder was solved, no closure, no rest for over a hundred years! Even with evil dodging her steps, her past keeps interfering with her future! She still must solve this cold case!
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