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Pet Psychic #2
Friday Night Bites
Runway rivalries. An arcane arachnid. Can she unravel this designer death?
Pet psychic Jolene needs some excitement to keep her mind off her downward spiral. So when her dreamy police crush asks her to interview a massive eight-legged murder witness, the former shifter signs on despite the risks. With an enchanted sweatshop owner and a testy trendsetter both dying from the same venom, Jolene fears their crafty assassin has spun a complex web…
Following the officer and his lie-sniffing German Shepherd into a labyrinth of clues, she cuts through a suspect list full of jealous rivals and bitter enemies. But when their investigation shines a light on the frayed corners of the black market, Jolene worries she’s pulled the wrong thread…
Can she stitch up the case before she gets sewn into a body bag?
Friday Night Bites is the second book in the charming Magic Market paranormal cozy mystery series. If you like clever wit, supernatural settings, and lighthearted whodunits, then you’ll love Erin Johnson’s enchanting tale.
Buy Friday Night Bites for a delectable detective treat today!158 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 3, 2019
681 people are currently reading
755 people want to read
About the author
Erin Johnson
90 books718 followersA native of Tempe, Arizona, Erin spends her time crafting mysterious, magical, romance-filled stories that’ll hopefully make you laugh.
In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).
In between, she’s traveling, napping with her dogs, eating with her friends and family, and teaching Pilates (to allow her to eat more).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
March 10, 2020
Audio- the audio of this is amazing. Hannah Somerville does an amazing job with both this series and the spells and caramels series.
The characters are really brought to life an it's a joy to listen to.
Book-
I am loving this new series, and it's new characters, the chemistry between them all makes for such an enjoyable read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
The characters are really brought to life an it's a joy to listen to.
Book-
I am loving this new series, and it's new characters, the chemistry between them all makes for such an enjoyable read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 29, 2023
At first I thought that Friday Night Bites would be just like Pretty Little Fliers in terms of the lack of context surrounding the magical world, but more of Jolene's situation started to reveal itself, especially in her relationships. As such, I liked this installment a lot more than the first one. Where the first book made it seem like Jolene was a very passive agent in her own life, Friday Night Bites creates a stronger and more complete picture of her as a person, and especially as a person with a past and backstory that the reader truly wants to know more about.
I appreciate that we learn more about Jolene's relationships in this one as well. It's hard to tell what, exactly, her relationship with Will is or what it stems from. Clearly, they're two hidden-identity shifters , but how did they get to know each other in the first place, and was their ousting and fall from grace and loss of powers related to each other's? And how did Heidi come to be involved? Then there's her relationship with Peter and all the secrets she has to keep from him. It's like the Bizzy Baker series but with higher stakes.
And I do appreciate that the stakes are so high for Jolene. Normally there isn't much tension between cozy mysteries other than a will-they, won't-they slow burn romance, so I like the darker implications this one has as a series, with Jolene having to make a lot of choices about how to approach her background as a shifter with both Peter the cop and Ludolf the unsavory shifter gang leader. I like that this one takes place in an area that is more well-known for crime in the magical world, rather than an idyllic small town, because it enhances the stakes and almost makes the story more relatable to a wider audience. In this way, it makes the stakes between books more real, especially with who the cast seems to be in the next book in the series.
I probably will buy Game of Bones at some point as I do want to find out a lot more about the world and the background that's been hinted at.
I appreciate that we learn more about Jolene's relationships in this one as well. It's hard to tell what, exactly, her relationship with Will is or what it stems from. Clearly, they're two hidden-identity shifters , but how did they get to know each other in the first place, and was their ousting and fall from grace and loss of powers related to each other's? And how did Heidi come to be involved? Then there's her relationship with Peter and all the secrets she has to keep from him. It's like the Bizzy Baker series but with higher stakes.
And I do appreciate that the stakes are so high for Jolene. Normally there isn't much tension between cozy mysteries other than a will-they, won't-they slow burn romance, so I like the darker implications this one has as a series, with Jolene having to make a lot of choices about how to approach her background as a shifter with both Peter the cop and Ludolf the unsavory shifter gang leader. I like that this one takes place in an area that is more well-known for crime in the magical world, rather than an idyllic small town, because it enhances the stakes and almost makes the story more relatable to a wider audience. In this way, it makes the stakes between books more real, especially with who the cast seems to be in the next book in the series.
I probably will buy Game of Bones at some point as I do want to find out a lot more about the world and the background that's been hinted at.
January 19, 2024
I liked this one better than the first one; there was more investigating and less “setting the scene” so it was easier to get lost in the mystery. Still not a fan of the “talking” dog – I find her unlikeable – or her relationship with Jolene, but I can overlook it. These mysteries are the perfect length so no filler, just solid detective work. There’s a lot about their world that I still don’t understand so I hope they start to expand on this in the next book. Also, not a fan of the sound effects in the audio version (doors slamming, etc.) but it doesn’t happen too often.
January 29, 2023
(Book 2 of the Pet Psychic Kindle collection)
2023 Grade B-
This fantasy mystery probably falls in the cozy category but it is a little too harsh and negative for me to agree. As is common with the second book of a series, there is not a lot of character expansion. I got tired of the protagonist repeating how tragic her life has been, and did skip paragraphs that dwelled on that. I also got tired of the antagonism between the dog and the protagonist, and the mention of the mafia boss which seemed superfluous. Otherwise, the prose is quite florid, vibrant, and enjoyable. The mystery is quite good although one of the clues was pretty obvious. I kept waiting for the investigators to catch on, but then I deal with a lot of animals and know the signs. Pretty much a fun easy read.
2023 Grade B-
This fantasy mystery probably falls in the cozy category but it is a little too harsh and negative for me to agree. As is common with the second book of a series, there is not a lot of character expansion. I got tired of the protagonist repeating how tragic her life has been, and did skip paragraphs that dwelled on that. I also got tired of the antagonism between the dog and the protagonist, and the mention of the mafia boss which seemed superfluous. Otherwise, the prose is quite florid, vibrant, and enjoyable. The mystery is quite good although one of the clues was pretty obvious. I kept waiting for the investigators to catch on, but then I deal with a lot of animals and know the signs. Pretty much a fun easy read.
January 17, 2024
As cozy mysteries go this one has some interesting elements with the magic and shifter angles thrown into the mix. I do not particularly like the main character but her cop friend is likable. I do not like his dog or her dynamic with it. That being said I am willing to keep chugging on with the series. I have hope it will get more engaging as secrets are revealed. Two books in and I really feel like I do not have an understanding of the world and really hope that changes with the next book.
November 5, 2019
This is the second book in the series of the Magic Market Mysteries and Jolene is helping the hottie Officer Peter Flint out with another murder mystery......but this time two Fashion Moguls have been murdered just before a Fashion Show and they believe it was by spider venom!
Okay just a little recap on Jolene if you didn’t read the first book in the series .....she’s from Bijour Mer an orphan that grew up in the Darkmoon Market District, that was a Lawyer until a rival found out she was an Owl Shifter, she was cursed, magic stripped away and is able to speak to animals now in their language. Hence her being a Pet Psychic back in the Darkmoon Market District!
Jolene goes under cover for the Police, working in one of the sweat shops owned by one of the murdered Fashion Moguls that just happened to be a Witch and her familiar was a humongous Spider!
Jolene is all thumbs when it comes to sewing on a machine in the sweat shop and has to rip out her work several time and ends up stabbing herself with a seam ripper....so it’s time for break, now to get down to business and find some clues!
You’ll have to pick up this book to find out if Jolene is able to help Bijour Mer Police solve the murder mystery in the world of magical folks!
Okay just a little recap on Jolene if you didn’t read the first book in the series .....she’s from Bijour Mer an orphan that grew up in the Darkmoon Market District, that was a Lawyer until a rival found out she was an Owl Shifter, she was cursed, magic stripped away and is able to speak to animals now in their language. Hence her being a Pet Psychic back in the Darkmoon Market District!
Jolene goes under cover for the Police, working in one of the sweat shops owned by one of the murdered Fashion Moguls that just happened to be a Witch and her familiar was a humongous Spider!
Jolene is all thumbs when it comes to sewing on a machine in the sweat shop and has to rip out her work several time and ends up stabbing herself with a seam ripper....so it’s time for break, now to get down to business and find some clues!
You’ll have to pick up this book to find out if Jolene is able to help Bijour Mer Police solve the murder mystery in the world of magical folks!
November 16, 2019
The cutthroat fashion business
Another good read. But still waiting for her to get some of her powers back and to get rid of the hex put on her by a rival. Yes in certain respects she is a strong character but in others she is weak as a kitten. You know what they say - pride comes before a fall and the longer she keeps her magicless a secret , the harder she will fall. The plot is an obvious one, which is a shame. We could have done with some more suspects.
When a fashion designer dies on the catwalk of her show and then the owner of a sweatshop dies, Peter asks for her help in reading the familiar of the sweatshop owner before it too dies. She certainly wasn't expecting a massive spider. Then there is the problem of the link between the two deaths. Throw in fake handbags, tyranny and murder. Can she and Peter find the killer? Will Daisy ever make friends?
Another good read. But still waiting for her to get some of her powers back and to get rid of the hex put on her by a rival. Yes in certain respects she is a strong character but in others she is weak as a kitten. You know what they say - pride comes before a fall and the longer she keeps her magicless a secret , the harder she will fall. The plot is an obvious one, which is a shame. We could have done with some more suspects.
When a fashion designer dies on the catwalk of her show and then the owner of a sweatshop dies, Peter asks for her help in reading the familiar of the sweatshop owner before it too dies. She certainly wasn't expecting a massive spider. Then there is the problem of the link between the two deaths. Throw in fake handbags, tyranny and murder. Can she and Peter find the killer? Will Daisy ever make friends?
January 25, 2020
Another fantastic book by Erin Johnson
Once again Johnson has written a great paranormal cozy book with lots of unique creative elements. Jolene and Daisy's dialogue is smart and humorous with the human being the antagonist and the dog being all strait lace and serious. Totally opposite of most paranormal books and it works wonderfully. I would like to see a little quicker progression in the overall storyline but the book is excellent.
Once again Johnson has written a great paranormal cozy book with lots of unique creative elements. Jolene and Daisy's dialogue is smart and humorous with the human being the antagonist and the dog being all strait lace and serious. Totally opposite of most paranormal books and it works wonderfully. I would like to see a little quicker progression in the overall storyline but the book is excellent.
January 21, 2024
The guy is disgusting and filled to the brim with malice, and I wish you could arrest him for murder, but… I don’t think he did it.
I was kind of hoping that by the time that I finished Erin Johnson's 2nd Pet Psychic Magical Mysteries book, namely "Friday Night Bites" that I would now ready to fully embrace the cozy pacing and gee golly-ness of the whole series. And while I still think the main characters and the world we've been introduced to are interesting, I'm left instead feeling more - well, not frustrated but definitely not satisfied - at what I thought was again a very formulaic approach with far too much repetition. Even the overall mystery wasn't all that mysterious and with the extremely brief reading time for this rather short novella, I'm thinking this will be it for me for the foreseeable future.
You know the old saying. When life gives you lemons, you move back to the slums and live in squalor.
Now part of my consternation (is that better?) lies in the simple fact that we get our hopes up for a real "big spider" experience… but that winds up being finished before we can even start to gather any real clues as to the latest shenanigans happening in or on the magical island of Bijou Mer and particularly the neighborhood de jour, namely, the Darkmoon District. We're left instead to make our way through fashion house wars and the interplay with what I assume is the area's most successful sweatshop. It's far less interesting than it sounds, no matter how many suspects we - or even a handy mouse or two - can identify.
The eight shiny round eyes blinked in unison. "You speak… spider?"
And yes, again, and again, and again, we kept hearing at various paces from page to page (wait… that sounds way too familiar!) about Jolene's past losses and the inherent danger she was putting herself into by her actions. And most certainly, Peter continues his Dudley Do-Right impression with all the grace and aplomb possible. But don't worry: there is still AN ABUNDANCE OF NUDGING going on. Mostly then with shoulders but even sometimes with - gasp - elbows as well! Now that's saucy! Heck, even Daisy manages to be the most repetitive dog in the business, as her 'issues' with Jolene just won't stop. To make a horrible pun: please, throw us a bone!
Nothing to see here… just a woman and dog exchanging insults.
So okay, again, readable but still obviously following a given formula. Let's be honest: folks that push out dozens of books in such a short career are known for this and that's great, because true fans eat it up like leftovers from a street vendor (I think that happened a few times, too). It's comfortable AND cozy and we can all see the direction the series is going in. I think though that perhaps picking up Book 2 right after I finished Book 1 and having them then both done with in the last 24 hours was just a bit much for me. I may re-visit the series in the future but for now I think I'll leave anything with the word "cozy" in the description to the Royal Persons' (no discrimination here) Auxiliary Club. I would suggest enjoying with a bit of aged sherry. Toodles!
Note: no "date read" added owing to length of book (I try not to count too many short books in my yearly total, so I'm just combining books 1 and 2 this time in terms of statistics)
I was kind of hoping that by the time that I finished Erin Johnson's 2nd Pet Psychic Magical Mysteries book, namely "Friday Night Bites" that I would now ready to fully embrace the cozy pacing and gee golly-ness of the whole series. And while I still think the main characters and the world we've been introduced to are interesting, I'm left instead feeling more - well, not frustrated but definitely not satisfied - at what I thought was again a very formulaic approach with far too much repetition. Even the overall mystery wasn't all that mysterious and with the extremely brief reading time for this rather short novella, I'm thinking this will be it for me for the foreseeable future.
You know the old saying. When life gives you lemons, you move back to the slums and live in squalor.
Now part of my consternation (is that better?) lies in the simple fact that we get our hopes up for a real "big spider" experience… but that winds up being finished before we can even start to gather any real clues as to the latest shenanigans happening in or on the magical island of Bijou Mer and particularly the neighborhood de jour, namely, the Darkmoon District. We're left instead to make our way through fashion house wars and the interplay with what I assume is the area's most successful sweatshop. It's far less interesting than it sounds, no matter how many suspects we - or even a handy mouse or two - can identify.
The eight shiny round eyes blinked in unison. "You speak… spider?"
And yes, again, and again, and again, we kept hearing at various paces from page to page (wait… that sounds way too familiar!) about Jolene's past losses and the inherent danger she was putting herself into by her actions. And most certainly, Peter continues his Dudley Do-Right impression with all the grace and aplomb possible. But don't worry: there is still AN ABUNDANCE OF NUDGING going on. Mostly then with shoulders but even sometimes with - gasp - elbows as well! Now that's saucy! Heck, even Daisy manages to be the most repetitive dog in the business, as her 'issues' with Jolene just won't stop. To make a horrible pun: please, throw us a bone!
Nothing to see here… just a woman and dog exchanging insults.
So okay, again, readable but still obviously following a given formula. Let's be honest: folks that push out dozens of books in such a short career are known for this and that's great, because true fans eat it up like leftovers from a street vendor (I think that happened a few times, too). It's comfortable AND cozy and we can all see the direction the series is going in. I think though that perhaps picking up Book 2 right after I finished Book 1 and having them then both done with in the last 24 hours was just a bit much for me. I may re-visit the series in the future but for now I think I'll leave anything with the word "cozy" in the description to the Royal Persons' (no discrimination here) Auxiliary Club. I would suggest enjoying with a bit of aged sherry. Toodles!
Note: no "date read" added owing to length of book (I try not to count too many short books in my yearly total, so I'm just combining books 1 and 2 this time in terms of statistics)
April 12, 2020
I really enjoyed this book and just love the series. It is so much fun, I love the interaction between the main character and Daisy the dog, the way they wind each other up, it's good for a laugh and is highly entertaining. I enjoyed the mystery side to the story too and the fact that it kept you guessing as to who the killer was. In my opinion the author is very talented at waving a web of intrigue and both of her series set in the make believe world of Bejumere where anything can happen, are excellent. This series certainly has cast a spell over this listener.
Jolene is once again asked by the handsome police man to help consult on one of his cases. A woman has been killed by spider bite and the only witness is a gaint spider that is knocking on deaths door, he needs Jolene to find out as much as she can before it is to late. The women owned a sweat shop making clothes and ripped of fashion accessories. A fashion designer also died on the same night, of a heart attack. Could the two death be related? Jolene goes under cover to try and find out the truth and at the same time tries to keep her shifter life a secret. But when you work with a lie sniffing dog some secrets could prove to be to hard to keep, especially if her two worlds collide.
I really like the narrator she puts so much effect in to her story telling that it is an enjoyable experience.
Jolene is once again asked by the handsome police man to help consult on one of his cases. A woman has been killed by spider bite and the only witness is a gaint spider that is knocking on deaths door, he needs Jolene to find out as much as she can before it is to late. The women owned a sweat shop making clothes and ripped of fashion accessories. A fashion designer also died on the same night, of a heart attack. Could the two death be related? Jolene goes under cover to try and find out the truth and at the same time tries to keep her shifter life a secret. But when you work with a lie sniffing dog some secrets could prove to be to hard to keep, especially if her two worlds collide.
I really like the narrator she puts so much effect in to her story telling that it is an enjoyable experience.
December 12, 2021
As this book opens, Jolene heads to her friend Will's and interrupts him without thinking. In the room with him are some of the head Shifter's goons. She's successfully avoided this type of encounter for a long time. However, there are some things that get noticed anyway. Like her helping the police. As if hearing about it isn't enough, Peter and his partner Daisy show up there looking for her.
There's been a murder and the main suspect is dying. Li Fan the victim has a giant spider familiar, it's spider venom that killed her Peter needs Jolene to find out why the spider would essentially kill itself in such a way.
I have to say I don't think I could have been as calm and collected as Jolene when she entered the room with that spider.
The case gets even more convoluted when the connect this murder to another uptown. It seems the designer who used Li Fan's facilities died on the catwalk at the end of her show.
Plenty of suspense, and without magic Jolene is pretty much defenseless around all these magic beings. Somehow, she manages though. I really wish she would tell Peter what happened to her.
In the meantime, I am going to start the next book.
There's been a murder and the main suspect is dying. Li Fan the victim has a giant spider familiar, it's spider venom that killed her Peter needs Jolene to find out why the spider would essentially kill itself in such a way.
I have to say I don't think I could have been as calm and collected as Jolene when she entered the room with that spider.
The case gets even more convoluted when the connect this murder to another uptown. It seems the designer who used Li Fan's facilities died on the catwalk at the end of her show.
Plenty of suspense, and without magic Jolene is pretty much defenseless around all these magic beings. Somehow, she manages though. I really wish she would tell Peter what happened to her.
In the meantime, I am going to start the next book.
July 6, 2025
This novel is a delightful second instalment in the Magic Market Mysteries series, blending whimsy, murder, and magical fashion in a sparkling paranormal cozy.
Jolene Hartgrove once again uses her unique gift as a pet psychic to investigate a string of venomous murders with a giant spider as the key witness.
The plot is clever and fresh, unfolding with humour and emotional resonance as Jolene navigates a competitive magical fashion world full of secrets and sabotage.
Erin Johnson’s writing shines with snappy dialogue, colourful world-building, and a protagonist whose arc grows stronger with each chapter.
The interplay between Jolene and Detective Peter Flint adds charm and tension, while Erin renders the animal characters with surprising warmth and wit.
The novel’s pacing lags in a few mid scenes, and the author could develop some secondary characters further. However, these are minor flaws in an otherwise very enjoyable mystery.
Recommended for readers who enjoy magical cozies with heart, humour, and a touch of the unexpected.
A magical, feel-good mystery that’s hard to put down.
Jolene Hartgrove once again uses her unique gift as a pet psychic to investigate a string of venomous murders with a giant spider as the key witness.
The plot is clever and fresh, unfolding with humour and emotional resonance as Jolene navigates a competitive magical fashion world full of secrets and sabotage.
Erin Johnson’s writing shines with snappy dialogue, colourful world-building, and a protagonist whose arc grows stronger with each chapter.
The interplay between Jolene and Detective Peter Flint adds charm and tension, while Erin renders the animal characters with surprising warmth and wit.
The novel’s pacing lags in a few mid scenes, and the author could develop some secondary characters further. However, these are minor flaws in an otherwise very enjoyable mystery.
Recommended for readers who enjoy magical cozies with heart, humour, and a touch of the unexpected.
A magical, feel-good mystery that’s hard to put down.
March 12, 2023
Venom
Bijou Mer is a magical kingdom off the coast of France. Dark moon District is the seedy part of town. That’s where Jolene lives on comes from. She a cursed shifter who lost her magic, ability to shift, her fancy pants job as a lawyer, her fancy apartment and her fiancé (ex-fiancé). She is hired to be a police consultant for the gift of talking to any species of the animal kingdom. An unintended consequence of the curse. Thing is, Peter, the officer who hired her has a lie detecting dog, Daisy. Daisy knows Jolene is a shifter and can’t tell Peter. She is,however, happy to bark out all of Jolene’s lies and half truths. Since shifters are second rate citizens and not trusted, Jolene wants to keep her secrets. Since it didn’t work out for her the first time.
While all that is going on she is asked to interview a giant spider who is dying about who killed her and her witch. This leads to a wild goose chase to find the venom the killer used. Can she grasp onto the life she lost with the curse? Will her two lives, the one in the slums and the one that has her rising above them clash because of this investigation? Can she survive if the mix?
Bijou Mer is a magical kingdom off the coast of France. Dark moon District is the seedy part of town. That’s where Jolene lives on comes from. She a cursed shifter who lost her magic, ability to shift, her fancy pants job as a lawyer, her fancy apartment and her fiancé (ex-fiancé). She is hired to be a police consultant for the gift of talking to any species of the animal kingdom. An unintended consequence of the curse. Thing is, Peter, the officer who hired her has a lie detecting dog, Daisy. Daisy knows Jolene is a shifter and can’t tell Peter. She is,however, happy to bark out all of Jolene’s lies and half truths. Since shifters are second rate citizens and not trusted, Jolene wants to keep her secrets. Since it didn’t work out for her the first time.
While all that is going on she is asked to interview a giant spider who is dying about who killed her and her witch. This leads to a wild goose chase to find the venom the killer used. Can she grasp onto the life she lost with the curse? Will her two lives, the one in the slums and the one that has her rising above them clash because of this investigation? Can she survive if the mix?
May 5, 2020
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and any opinion expressed herein is my own.
This is the second book in the Magic Market Series [which is set in the same world as the Spells and Caramels series but no overlapping characters - yet]. It is a standalone book with no cliffhanger ending.
This series is fun, light-hearted, and humorous. The main character, Jolene, has no magical powers in a magical world and spends a lot of time trying to disguise her lack of abilities to humorous effect. I love the interactions between Jolene, possible love interest Peter and his dog Daisy - some of the zingers between Daisy and Jolene are just magical.
The narrator, Hannah Sommerville, is the same narrator for the Spells and Caramels series. She is a lot of fun to listen to and her joy in narrating the series is infectious.
This is the second book in the Magic Market Series [which is set in the same world as the Spells and Caramels series but no overlapping characters - yet]. It is a standalone book with no cliffhanger ending.
This series is fun, light-hearted, and humorous. The main character, Jolene, has no magical powers in a magical world and spends a lot of time trying to disguise her lack of abilities to humorous effect. I love the interactions between Jolene, possible love interest Peter and his dog Daisy - some of the zingers between Daisy and Jolene are just magical.
The narrator, Hannah Sommerville, is the same narrator for the Spells and Caramels series. She is a lot of fun to listen to and her joy in narrating the series is infectious.
December 5, 2020
“So what if she gets caught and cleaned? At least she’s having some fun.”
Book 2 is just as wonderful as book 1. I read it in every free moment I had. Each character is unique and well developed. The plot is enjoyable. Jolene misses her old life and the consultant work gives her enjoyment and adventure. I do have a problem with Daisy. Every dog is able to identify some key words and Daisy is smarter than your average dog so she should be able to understand some of what Peter and Jolene are saying. I also think that the covers are misleading since Jolene has yet to wear high heals or a black dress. Heidi and Will are fun too. There were some twists. The Darkmoon area that Jolene lives in sounds scary. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries, paranormal, or pet stories. I look forward to reading book 3.
Book 2 is just as wonderful as book 1. I read it in every free moment I had. Each character is unique and well developed. The plot is enjoyable. Jolene misses her old life and the consultant work gives her enjoyment and adventure. I do have a problem with Daisy. Every dog is able to identify some key words and Daisy is smarter than your average dog so she should be able to understand some of what Peter and Jolene are saying. I also think that the covers are misleading since Jolene has yet to wear high heals or a black dress. Heidi and Will are fun too. There were some twists. The Darkmoon area that Jolene lives in sounds scary. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries, paranormal, or pet stories. I look forward to reading book 3.
December 8, 2020
A giant spider familiar.
A sweat shop making designer bags.
And the disgusting heroine is at it again, working with the cute cop and the annoying dog to solve a crime. We are supposed to believe that said cute cop would be interested in a woman who hasn't washed her clothing in weeks and only showers maybe once a week. A woman who has hair so gross and tangled that she has to cut the hair tie out? SERIOUSLY? COME ON!!
I am rather annoyed that the story is so well-written and the characters so likable that I am not willing to put these books down....yet.....that whole disgusting lack of hygiene is bothersome though.
The hatred of shifters is not interesting and not a good plot point. It makes zero sense and has gone beyond annoying.
A sweat shop making designer bags.
And the disgusting heroine is at it again, working with the cute cop and the annoying dog to solve a crime. We are supposed to believe that said cute cop would be interested in a woman who hasn't washed her clothing in weeks and only showers maybe once a week. A woman who has hair so gross and tangled that she has to cut the hair tie out? SERIOUSLY? COME ON!!
I am rather annoyed that the story is so well-written and the characters so likable that I am not willing to put these books down....yet.....that whole disgusting lack of hygiene is bothersome though.
The hatred of shifters is not interesting and not a good plot point. It makes zero sense and has gone beyond annoying.
January 28, 2022
The title made more sense this time, but I have the same problem with the dog. Yes, she's spelled to smell truths and falsehoods, but she's still a dog. I've never met a dog that wasn't better at reading people than this one. She's been reduced to a sarcastic lie detector and I'm really starting to be annoyed by it.
Still waiting for Jolene's life to turn around at least a little, but so far it's looking worse than ever. I've committed to reading at least one more book, so here's hoping things start to improve for her because the constant gloom and doom of her life is wearing a little thin. She can't see a light at the end of the tunnel, and neither can I. That's fine in the short term, but the second book ended on an even more depressing note than the first.
Still waiting for Jolene's life to turn around at least a little, but so far it's looking worse than ever. I've committed to reading at least one more book, so here's hoping things start to improve for her because the constant gloom and doom of her life is wearing a little thin. She can't see a light at the end of the tunnel, and neither can I. That's fine in the short term, but the second book ended on an even more depressing note than the first.
March 3, 2021
Jolene, Peter, and the truth-sniffing Daisy are back for another fun romp through Darkmoon. If murder and mayhem can be fun. This time, or intrepid pet psychic needs to solve the murders of two women dead by spider bite, and the spider was the familiar of one of the women. When the witch dies, so dies her familiar.
Daisy the Dog still dislikes Jolene intensely, and the feeling is pretty mutual. Fortunately, the spider is already dying by the time we meet her (him?), and there are plenty of people who want the witch dead. But the Fashion Designer? Not so many. Or, are there?
No nightmare if read at night before turning the light off. Just a fun read with fun characters.
Daisy the Dog still dislikes Jolene intensely, and the feeling is pretty mutual. Fortunately, the spider is already dying by the time we meet her (him?), and there are plenty of people who want the witch dead. But the Fashion Designer? Not so many. Or, are there?
No nightmare if read at night before turning the light off. Just a fun read with fun characters.
January 9, 2022
Jolene still won't admit to police officer Peter that she is really a shape shifting owl and has lost her magical powers due to a curse. He has invited her to be his date to the policeman's ball but she tells him she will think about it (stay tuned for the next episode). She does not trust him to react well to her secret.
First a fashion house owner, then the owner of a sweat shop are poisoned by snake venom. The police think the sweat shop owner's familiar, a gigantic spider, is to blame, even though the spider dies right after the witch (as per tradition, as the spider knew, so why would he kill her?)
First a fashion house owner, then the owner of a sweat shop are poisoned by snake venom. The police think the sweat shop owner's familiar, a gigantic spider, is to blame, even though the spider dies right after the witch (as per tradition, as the spider knew, so why would he kill her?)
March 14, 2022
Fashionably Dead
Jolene is drawn into her second consultancy job when Fan Li, sweatshop owner, dies from what appears to be a bite from her own familiar; a giant spider. The bond between witch and familiar is such that there's only a tiny window of time before the spider follows it's witch into the great beyond and it's imperative to get as much information as possible.
But Jolene is still hiding her shifter status from Peter and with Daisy able to sniff a lie he's well aware she's not telling him everything.
When Jolene literally catches the killer and a reporter catches the moment on camera the game may well be up.
Jolene is drawn into her second consultancy job when Fan Li, sweatshop owner, dies from what appears to be a bite from her own familiar; a giant spider. The bond between witch and familiar is such that there's only a tiny window of time before the spider follows it's witch into the great beyond and it's imperative to get as much information as possible.
But Jolene is still hiding her shifter status from Peter and with Daisy able to sniff a lie he's well aware she's not telling him everything.
When Jolene literally catches the killer and a reporter catches the moment on camera the game may well be up.
April 20, 2021
Great Second Book in the Series
Sometimes, the second book in a series is a bit of a disappointment. Fortunately, this was not. The story continued in a believable arc with plenty of new complications to peek your interest. Jolene struggles to solve another murder while really having trouble balancing the two sides of her life. Having a truth knowing dog around definitely makes her life more complicated.
There is some great character development and a gradual expansion of the people who will impact Jolene’s life.
Sometimes, the second book in a series is a bit of a disappointment. Fortunately, this was not. The story continued in a believable arc with plenty of new complications to peek your interest. Jolene struggles to solve another murder while really having trouble balancing the two sides of her life. Having a truth knowing dog around definitely makes her life more complicated.
There is some great character development and a gradual expansion of the people who will impact Jolene’s life.
August 25, 2021
Omg, Daisy and Jolene’s repartee is hilarious
As a dog lover, especially of GSDs, it was hard for me to imagine anyone who didn’t like them. But it makes for the perfect comedic dialogue. It makes Daisy into the straight man to Jolene’s hilarity; she’s the Martin to Jolene’s Lewis.
Beyond that, this is a great little whodunit, one that had enough red herrings that I didn’t guess the bad guy until the big reveal. I love these stories for the quick, light, and entertaining reads they are.
As a dog lover, especially of GSDs, it was hard for me to imagine anyone who didn’t like them. But it makes for the perfect comedic dialogue. It makes Daisy into the straight man to Jolene’s hilarity; she’s the Martin to Jolene’s Lewis.
Beyond that, this is a great little whodunit, one that had enough red herrings that I didn’t guess the bad guy until the big reveal. I love these stories for the quick, light, and entertaining reads they are.
July 21, 2023
Once again, another home run
So this second book wasn’t as amusing as the first, nor was the puzzle to be solved quite as complex, nonetheless this is still a top-notch, good fun read.
There’s a lot more introspection and inner angst gong on here, but that too makes sense as our heroine gets in ever deeper into her relationship with the police. The only thing I didn’t like about this is the extreme animosity between her and Daisy. It makes logical sense, but my inner child would love for them to be best friends. Alas, it’s not to be, at least not yet.
So this second book wasn’t as amusing as the first, nor was the puzzle to be solved quite as complex, nonetheless this is still a top-notch, good fun read.
There’s a lot more introspection and inner angst gong on here, but that too makes sense as our heroine gets in ever deeper into her relationship with the police. The only thing I didn’t like about this is the extreme animosity between her and Daisy. It makes logical sense, but my inner child would love for them to be best friends. Alas, it’s not to be, at least not yet.
April 30, 2020
I enjoyed Friday Night Bites. I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for an honest review. Jolene is at it again. Peter needs her help with a giant spider problem. Of course Jolene and his police dog Daisy are trading insults all through the book. The book makes you smile and laugh out loud all the way to the end, and by the time you know it, you have all the facts to solve the mystery. The narrator is great. I recommend this story.
May 9, 2020
Another great book in the Magic Market Mysteries. This time Peter asks Jolene to interview a giant spider that is a familiar to a witch. A witch that's dead from spider venom. It looks like an open and shut case at first but the spider reminds Jolene, if her witch dies, so does the spider. These books are great fun and Jolene and Peter are getting a little closer. Too bad she holding back some pretty big secrets. Off to the next book in this series.
May 27, 2020
I'm actually pretty impressed with this story. I'm not sure I'm really on-board with the MC keeping her secrets, but this means that I actually CARE about the characters, and that makes it a good book. The storyline had a lot of layers. Didn't see the culmination coming. The interplay with Daisy is getting pretty hilarious. For someone who can talk to animals, she doesn't really seem to like them very much. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
September 25, 2021
This was another good book and the second in the series. I bought the four book set, so there is no way to show I bought each of the books. The continuing story is enjoyable and reads easy. The world building is fun to watch and the main characters become more endearing with each book. The plot is easily followed and the writing keeps the reader engrossed. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the paranormal genre.
August 6, 2024
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title within the series set box. (Audible Membership)
Two fashion icons dead both with what appeared to be poisoning from a spider, which had been the familiar to one of the dead women.
So, who was responsible? The spider was at death's door when our animal psychic was able to question it. From there, a merry dance was led to find a killer.
Two fashion icons dead both with what appeared to be poisoning from a spider, which had been the familiar to one of the dead women.
So, who was responsible? The spider was at death's door when our animal psychic was able to question it. From there, a merry dance was led to find a killer.
April 22, 2020
Needs a shower 🚿!!!
Jolene, owl shifter, magicless, fake pet psychic is working with Peter, the policeman and his truth loving German shepherd, Daisy. Although the storyline is interesting, and the plot moves quickly. All I wanted was Jolene to take a shower, clean herself and her hair, and change her clothes. The description of her being so filthy makes me a little sick.
Jolene, owl shifter, magicless, fake pet psychic is working with Peter, the policeman and his truth loving German shepherd, Daisy. Although the storyline is interesting, and the plot moves quickly. All I wanted was Jolene to take a shower, clean herself and her hair, and change her clothes. The description of her being so filthy makes me a little sick.
August 4, 2020
Another quick and easy read. Jolene is during to pick up some better qualities the more she hangs around Peter. Love the interaction between her and Daisy! Still questionable hygiene which grosses me out but, I guess it's understandable given her circumstances. I'm getting drawn into Jolene's life more which is interesting.
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