Down and Dirty

Witches Be Crazy #4

by Constance Barker

Helga is called on to identify some rare artifacts at a museum in New Orleans. Dr. Whitman fancies himself the next Indiana Jones, but someone doesn't care for his way of collecting and displaying certain archeological finds. The adventurer finds himself on the wrong end of someone's wrath and now Helga and Jason are tasked to find who had it in for Dr. Whitman.

Several folks didn't like the way Dr. Whitman scoured and pillaged through sacred Indian remains, including the head of the Chitimacha tribe. A fellow archeologist and chief rival is also on the suspect list. But could the killer be something more supernatural? Such as a disgruntled spirit who doesn't care for the mishandling of ancient remains?

***Find out in the 4th installment of the Witches Be Crazy Cozy Witch Mystery Series***

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy, Cozy Mystery

144 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2020

About the author

Constance Barker lives in the Midwest with her husband and two Akitas where she can look out from her screened porch onto a wooded area brimming with activity. Since she was a young girl she read mysteries, often given to her by her grandmother. She loved figuring out who the culprit was and sometimes she was right and other times startled at who the author picked as the assailant. Now she enjoys writing mysteries herself. When she isn't writing stories, she can be found in her favorite vacation spot, Las Vegas or shopping for bargains.

Reviews

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helga was heading for the museum of natural history to meet with the curator, Antoine Leferbre. He had some artifacts and wanted to make certain of their authenticity. She had helped him before and he assumed she was a historian. But actually she authenticated items based on what they said to her after she whispered the spell that allowed them to speak. She was able to authenticate all but a flintlock pistol and a coin. As she left the building, two men walked in. One was Jacob, a high school friend of hers who had become the best homicide detective in the police department. The other man was Dr. Whitman, the city’s most famous archeologist. He was known to smuggle items out of the countries where they were discovered or even from other states and got to exhibit them while the legal battles went on. Jacob told her privately that Dr. Whitman went into the Atchafalaya swamp and found some things and the Chitimacha tribe, who lays claim to the swamp, wants their stuff back. Now he’s getting threats, so Jacob is his bodyguard.

When Antoine calls Helga back to see the new display, they find a dead body instead -- Dr. Whitman! Jacob wants Helga to touch the murder weapon to find out who did this, but she can’t identify anyone. Can the two of them find the murderer? Could it have anything to do with Dr. Whitman’s stealing from the sacred Indian remains?

I love these mysteries! The story line is good and will pull the reader into the mystery. There are a few suspects, and the repercussions of this one threaten Helga’s income. Grab your copy and follow along as she and Jacob try to solve this one!

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helga goes to their museum of natural history in New Orleans. She can sort of communicate with artifacts. Dr. Whitman is an archaeologist but also a smuggler. Some of the local Native American people are angry with him for taking what they consider to be their artifacts to put on display.

This includes mummified remains of their people.

The professor ends up dead, someone tries to kill her, here store is vandalized and she and her ghosts will have to work hard to find out just who is behind the murder.

The book is related to the on-going discussions of tribal artifacts and remains and who actually owns them. This is just part of a world-wide discussion of artifacts taken from one country and kept and displayed in another country, such as Grecian marble material taken from Greece and kept in a British museum.

Is the matter decided by the 'finders keepers' idea or should all such things be returned to their native countries? If such a thing is done, though, then what would museums have left to display other than things from their own country?

My own opinion is most of these artifacts were taken in the past by colonial powers and should belong to the country they were taken from but could be allowed to be displayed in other museums for some kind of fee paid to the country of origin.

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indiana Jones he is not, but that seems no reason to kill him. Guess our heroine is on the job again trying to figure out what really happened.

This is book four of the series but it works fine as a standalone.

Hmmm, cozy witch mysteries. This is becoming something of a weakness for me as I really enjoy the combination of mystery and magic. I have found that these stories often include a good dose of humor and this one was no exception. I enjoyed the bit of archaeology thrown into this story, as well as the usual crazy cast of characters. Overall, a fun weekend read and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who knew that a museum display could be handled so poorly that it would spawn a murder? The Native American tribe in New Orleans, unhappy with the exhibit, adds a powerful motive for the murder of the professor creating the display. Yet there are other archaeology professors and museum personnel to be considered. When Helga is asked to help by police detective Jacob, she agrees readily.

In this book, Helga was more "in the field" than usual. It was interesting to learn about the tribe's influences and beliefs. It was also nice to watch Helga authenticate antiquities. Red herrings, unusual investigation techniques, family and good friends all combined to make terrific story.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never get tired of reading this series. This book dealt with ethics and morals regarding a group of people and respecting their history and relics. This applies to all of us and while I don’t like all that politically correct stuff, respect is totally different. I liked how it was addressed here. And yes, I know murder is wrong, sometimes a person really isn’t going to be missed if they are. The crime still has to be solved and in this case it turns out the person was totally cray cray! I still couldn’t believe it, even as I was reading it! So good!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mike Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series

Entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters and an entertaining storyline. A young woman who happens to be a witch. Owns a antique shop in New Orleans. She has a special talent of being able to draw information from items that she touches. Being able to do this allows her to tell if an antique is real or fake and much much more. She has a knack for solving mysteries as well. Follow along as her and her friends seem to always stumble into murder mysteries and other trouble. Very entertaining. Check it out

[sherri jones-teachout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who killed the archeologist? Dr. Whitman was a dishonest and shady archeologist, and treated his assistants badly. So when he is murdered in the museum there are several suspects. And especially the local native American tribe who he stole artifacts and mummies from. And as usual Helga helping her best friend Jacob to solve the murder puts her in danger. Now she has to find the murderer before her business is ruined, as she has already lost a few clients. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helga appraises some artifacts at a museum. Dr. Whitman, whose display includes pillaged remains, is murdered. His enemies seem to be a professional rival, protestors, and those Dr. Whitman has betrayed. Helga and Jason get closer to the truth, and closer to danger. I especially liked when Helga’s ghostmates introduce themselves to a new friend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Heather Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 4 of the Witches Be Crazy Cozy Witch Mystery Series. I love this series and book 4 did not disappoint. I love the characters throughout this series and they are well developed. I found the plot well written with a great flow. I would recommend reading the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun cozy mystery! I really enjoyed it... It is witty and clever, with great characters and a super mystery!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Willow Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another good book by this author. I have read a few and all have been good books. Will she ever connect with Jacob and become a couple is what I am wondering lol

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[tburbr]

Highly entertaining characters and an engaging story line made this a fun read. One of my favorites so far from this author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very cool mystery. Not only do we get to see more of Helga’s abilities but there are new friends and opportunities for her! I loved the incident with the poltergeist, that was just awesome! I can’t wait to read what Helga gets into next!

[Pamela Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute

I enjoyed this book it was a cute story I think Ms Barker is a great writer of cozy mystery!

[Matthew Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

This book was fantastic like all of your mystery series and I am really excited about your next book in any of your series.

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and different

[Michelle Tempted By Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one just got weird I am not sure that I but the romance either.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

I love this series, it shows that hard work, using your head and thinking things thru can get you results.

[Darlena D Doak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it

Constance Baker is on of the best author's. She is easy to read and her stories are to the point. She keeps you guessing till the end.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and easy cozy mystery.

[JANE VAN HORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book This is another read book by Constance Barker. I love the characters and how the story is unfolding. Can't wait for the next book.