Down in Flames

Witches Be Crazy #5

by Constance Barker

Cursed Books and the Ghost of a Witch

When a witch friend of Helga's passes on, she's shocked to see her old friend's ghost attempting to apparate. However, Julie's ghost is having difficulty staying in ghost form so close to her death. Is she trying to warn Helga? Was her death not natural?

Julie owned many books, many first collections that are being auctioned off. Several people purchase the various books, but when they are murdered in the same way as the characters in the books, Helga's radar goes off. Are the books cursed? Did Julie curse the books before her death?

Helga must tread lightly to discover what happened to her friend and why a strange curse has been exacted on certain personal items of Julie's estate. Could the descendants of an ancient Indian tribe be involved? They've been protesting at the museum. Could the museum curator have a hand in creating turmoil for the tribe and as a result the curse? Or is Julie's daughter Jean an unlikely suspect? Perhaps she has her own secrets.

Genres: Paranormal

165 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 28, 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

[Scarolet Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down in Flames by Constance Barker is a fantastic story that I have read. This is book number five out of six in this fantastic series that I am so hooked on and love read it. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about cozy mysteries.

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

[Aimee Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helga is grieving the lose of her good friend and Mentor Julie. Helga finds out the her friends daughter Jean, sold her mothers book collection. Helga knew Julie would never wanted to sell them. While speaking to Jacob, he gets a call about a crime. Jacob informs of who was murders and the theft that occurred. Jacob asks for Helga's help with this investigation. While helping Jacob, Helga will also help Julie's daughter with running her mother store.
Helga will have her hands full with everything that is going on. Helga will have to address her feeling for Jacob, will she admit to feeling more for him. While Helga and Jacob want to be more than friends. They will have to solve the ongoing murders before any one else gets hurt.

This was a funny book to read. You will get pulled into the story the author has put together. Helga has a lot on her plate and decisions she must make. You will enjoy as trying to figure out who the murder is and why they did it. Looking forward to see where Helga, Jacob and others are in the next book.

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

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helga actually had some "girl time" with Gwen and Penelope! And time with Jacob that didn't involve dead people...but that was short lived! A friend, antique book seller, and fellow witch had died recently and her inept daughter took over the business. In order to make ends meet, she sold off a special collection of first edition mysteries. Now people who bought those books are being murdered, and Jacob needs her help as word gets out that there is a curse on anyone who broke up the set! It becomes personal when her shop is broken into and trashed, and when she and Jacob interrupt a murder scene. Are the books cursed? Who will be the next victim?

Exciting, not creepy, and a good puzzle would be how I would describe this murder mystery. I enjoyed the book and the many book sellers and interesting characters. I liked how Jacob is trying to make a deeper relationship out of their friendship! I am looking forward to the next story already!

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Julie, an older witch friend of Helga's dies, her daughter Jean takes over the bookstore. She had to sell off some of the first collections to get more money so she doesn’t have to close the bookstore. Unfortunately, those who purchased these valuable books were dying in the same way as the characters! Julie’s ghost keeps trying to apparate, but she doesn’t have the hang of it and hasn’t been able to communicate with Helga or Jean to tell them if the books are cursed or what to do about it.

Helga’s high school friend Jacob, now the local detective, asks for her help in looking into this. Were the books themselves cursed? Did Julie curse the books before her she died? Was her death natural or was she murdered?

I really enjoy these mysteries! The story line is good and will pull the reader into the mystery. Grab your copy and follow along as she and Jacob try to solve this one!

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

The killer’s modus operandi? Copying the murders found in famous classics. Helga’s friend Julie died, and now a serial killer has started killing people who purchased Julie’s antique books at an auction. And the killer is using the same method to kill as the people killed in each book. But other than Jean, Julie’s daughter who had to sell the collection to pay for her mom’s funeral (and wants to eventually get the collection back together), and the person who purchased most of the books, who would do this? The killer is someone Helga and Jacob would never suspect but they have to hurry, already three people have been murdered and Helga has been targeted. And will either Helga or Jacob finally admit their feelings to each other and finally go on a date? We’ll see. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don't judge a book by its murder, but then this mystery is turning into non-fiction. Hopefully our heroine can get to the bottom of things before they reach the last chapter of her story.

This is book five 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. A book mystery within a mystery book provides a fun and intriguing plot. The story is well written, easy to read with a well developed setting and characters. Overall, it makes for a fun weekend read and I continue to look forward more books in this series.

Highly recommended.

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

[Sassy Beta Reading & Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 4 in the Witch Mystery series and so far so good. Constance Barker does it again with this good series addition. This is a cozy paranormal mystery. Each book can be read as a stand alone, but the underlying story line is progressive. It does help to have read the whole series, but it is not necessary.

Written as a 1st person, single pov with a completed mystery ending and a touch of budding romance.

Good story line, great re-occurring characters, good detailed descriptions and comical dialogue.

Would I recommend this book? Yes

Would I read more from this author? Yes

Sassy Beta Reading and Review

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

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helga's back. There's a death and an added ghost at the antique store. There's a matter of a bunch of books belonging to the dead person, books that end up being part of her estate and it's settlement. Problem is, those getting the books tend to die.

Not conducive to enjoying what you are reading.

So, typical problem for Helga. Find out if there is a curse on the books and, if there is, who put the curse on and why. Or, are some of the books very valuable and someone is taking them to sell them later? Or do some contain important secrets that someone else might want to use? And, does a cat help catch the killer? Or is there even a killer and not just a curse gone awry?

Another good book in the series.

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beloved friend dies and her prized, loved, book collection is sold by her daughter. But are the books 1st like the rumor going around says? When the buyers of the books start dying and the books disappearing only to be replaced with worthless copies, it is anyone’s guess if it’s the curse or not.
I absolutely love these characters! And I’m glad that a little bit of the romance is possibly moving forward. Guess will know more in the next book! A very, very fun read and I can’t wait for more!

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

[Pete · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helga is an enjoyable character, an antiques shop owner who is also a witch, and she shares her shop with a couple of very entertaining ghosts, there are also other thoroughly enjoyable characters.
The story is an intriguing tale about the murder of people who have bought rare books and the methods tie in with the plots of the books they bought.
A very readable story and a worthy continuation of this fun series.
I received an advance copy of the book, but have voluntarily written this honest review.

[Mike Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series

A very entertaining supernatural cozy mystery series. A great cast of characters in an entertaining storyline. In the city of New Orleans a young witch who owns a antique shop or she has a few resident ghosts that hang around. Among other supernaturals in town her best friend is a police officer who can see ghosts. Follow along as she helps solve mysteries murders and other trouble in the city. A fun group of characters that you will learn to love and want to read about. Check it out

[Lucrecia Tolbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Down in Flames had my heart pounding more than any other book in this series has. Helga faced danger straight on and she put on a brave face despite how she really felt. That takes some real strength. The plot of the story was well thoughtout, planned, and executed, it would be nice to read a series where the lead character and the detective do not begin a romantic relationship. This seems to be a constant theme with cozy mysteries.

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

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Helga’s witch friend Julie dies, several books sold from her Estate are being stolen, and murders are being committed fitting with the books endings. Can Helga and her policeman friend Jacob figure out who is the killer? Love the series and the book is a great read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer Laird-Lord · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this series, good characters. I like the plot of antique book dealers and the mystery. I would recommend this book.

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

[tburbr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Constance Barker has entertained me with another well written book. The story line and characters were engaging and I can't wait to see what happens next.

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

[Willow Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this authors books. The characters are awesome and the books are very well written. Looking forward to more from her

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

[JANE VAN HORN · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great book in a great series. Helga and gang are at it again. I can't wait for the next book.

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whoa. This was a good one! I did not guess who the culprit was at all! I enjoy reading about Helga’s adventures and I adore Andromeda! I can’t wait for the next book!

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining

[Cleocutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story with an interesting mystery to solve and plenty of diverse characters. The story flows well and keeps you interested.

[Connie Marie Poulson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written series

Helga is such a wonderful detective and friend, I am happy Jacob finally asked her on a date. Looking forward to the next book and hope this will continue!

[Matthew Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner

I have a hard time putting down one of your books when I start to read the characters and the story line are excellent.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this series

I have become a huge fan of Constance Barker books. I enjoyed reading this series. They take me to a magical place.

[Michelle Tempted By Books]

I wish I knew more about Julie, she just appears as a dead person without any real intro. This book has all of the same issues as the previous and is starting to make the series a trudge.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous

I love reading this series, I can't wait to see what happens next. Mystery, friendship, magically, and ghosts are waiting for you

[Darlena D Doak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marvelous

Just love this series. It is very well written. There is a touch of romance. It keeps you guessing till then end. A cute little cozy.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was rumoured that Julie had cursed her precious antique books so that they would always find their way back to her if stolen, given, bought or spirited away in any form. And when her daughter sold them off to help pay for Julie's funeral, those who bought them came to a horrendous end, and the antique books were replaced by modern editions. Could some demonic presence be doing this?

Another fun read from Barker. I like the resident ghosts in Helga's shop, they are always fun and I am rooting for Helga and Jacob to get together romantically - after all they are besties and their relationship has lasted much much longer than most marriages! And I love Andromeda - not much of a chatter but each word is loaded with meaning!