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Private Eye Witch #1-9
Private Eye Witch Cozy Mystery Boxed Set: Books 1 - 9
The new private investigator in town has a secret…and it definitely spells trouble for everyone.A paranormal cozy mystery series from USA Today Bestselling Author Stacey AlabasterRuby Swift has given up her career as a teacher and is pursuing her lifelong dream of being a private investigator. When faced with apparent magical powers, she begins down a path that could spell trouble for everyone involved…criminals, the town, and even herself. Can she learn to channel her powers for good or will they get the best of her and everyone involved?The Private Eye Witch Cozy Mystery Boxed Set contains all nine books in the Private Eye Witch Cozy Mystery series. If you like fun paranormal mysteries, you will love Ruby Swift and her magical adventures.Books This Spells Trouble, A Cold Spell,Buy and Spell,Sit a Spell,Stop and Spell the Roses,This Spells Doom,Mis-Spelled,Cast a Spell,A Killer SpellDownload the Private Eye Witch Cozy Mystery Boxed Set and start solving your next supernatural mystery (or nine) today!Always FREE on Kindle Unlimited
- GenresMystery
962 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2020
812 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Stacey Alabaster
76 books131 followersI have always loved a good mystery. From my early years watching Murder She Wrote to more recent shows like Monk, Psych, and my absolute favorite BBC show ever, Sherlock, I have studied what it takes to make an entertaining mystery. I am truly blessed to be able to write and share my own mysteries with you. I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I loved writing them :)
If you want to keep up with all my new releases, be sure to sign up for my mailing list at FairfieldPublishing.com/cozy-newsletter
If you want to keep up with all my new releases, be sure to sign up for my mailing list at FairfieldPublishing.com/cozy-newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
October 7, 2020
So Enjoyable!
I enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries, so I'm surprised that I had not heard of this author before. But I am so glad that I found her, as I enjoyed this box set immensely. I was struck right away by the author's easy, breezy conversational style that made the viewpoint character come alive as I've rarely seen in cozies. It truly felt as if we were living her life with her. At the beginning of the series, the heroine is making big changes in her life, starting her own private investigation business... and she's discovered she's a witch! I love that this book took place in Australia. I don't think I've ever seen another cozy mystery series set in Australia, so it added to the level of fun. As these are cozies, there is a mystery or more to solve in each book and a quirky cast of characters, both human and witch, and I enjoyed watching the heroine find the clues, get a little lost at times, and get stuck in with her new life. None of the stories is particularly long and can be enjoyed in a lazy afternoon. A great escape during troubling times… and a great paranormal cozy box set.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
I enjoy paranormal cozy mysteries, so I'm surprised that I had not heard of this author before. But I am so glad that I found her, as I enjoyed this box set immensely. I was struck right away by the author's easy, breezy conversational style that made the viewpoint character come alive as I've rarely seen in cozies. It truly felt as if we were living her life with her. At the beginning of the series, the heroine is making big changes in her life, starting her own private investigation business... and she's discovered she's a witch! I love that this book took place in Australia. I don't think I've ever seen another cozy mystery series set in Australia, so it added to the level of fun. As these are cozies, there is a mystery or more to solve in each book and a quirky cast of characters, both human and witch, and I enjoyed watching the heroine find the clues, get a little lost at times, and get stuck in with her new life. None of the stories is particularly long and can be enjoyed in a lazy afternoon. A great escape during troubling times… and a great paranormal cozy box set.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
February 26, 2021
Hot mess
The series revolves around Ruby Sparrow; a newly qualified Private Investigator who lives in Swift's Valley, Australia. Ruby has recently changed careers from teaching third grade and has just set herself up in business. Two days in she rescues a talking cat, takes on a missing person case and then Geraldine who she thinks is a prospective client informs her that she is actually a witch. It's a poor start and it really seems to stay at that level of weak dialogue and random revaluations throughout.
Several rather large plot holes appear.. a few of which follow..
Initially we have no information about Ruby's background; all we know is that she lives in an isolated farmhouse up the mountain, no neighbours and a "homestead farm" with a few animals, chickens, cows etc, that bizarrely seem to require no real input from Ruby, or anyone else until about halfway through the series, apart from her regular plum picking sessions. She mentions that she can survive by selling her produce but as she never actually engages in any farming activity it's nonsense.
Ruby is now apparently being taught random spells and potions by Geri and meets the coven who don't appear to want her. Repeatedly she's told that she can't interact with humans and must give up her job but no consequences occur when she continues. She must also pass tests, set by Geri, at regular intervals in front of the coven. Cannot have a broomstick until she passes a test and yet somehow suddenly without any reference to said broomstick or test is flying off on her own.
During the first novel Ruby is hexed to have bright red hair and be freezing cold no matter the weather. The red hair is consistent but the the author seems to forget entirely about the ice cold part of the hex and there's no resolution.. we never discover who performed the hex or why.
At no point during the first few novels does Ruby question her family history, mention that her mother is alive, wonder why she's reached the age of 27 knowing nothing.. etc etc.. Ruby clearly states that she descends from a line of witches when she has no idea if that is true or not, when her mother finally appears it's one of the weakest storylines in the series. Just in case you are going to read it I won't say anything more about this other than its a hot mess that is left hanging..
Each "mystery" is solved without any real detective work, guilty parties are arrested with no evidence, everything is a series of wrong guesses, the weakest of motives seems to be all Ruby needs to jump into solving the case.
She has a boyfriend, Akiro, who is wooden and rarely speaks to her with anything remotely approaching affection. A best friend come part time employee, Vicky, who is a failure at spells, potions etc and who she's only known since Geri appeared. Apart from these two she appears to have no other friends or acquaintances, no past.. Vicky is funny if nothing else.
Pretty much every novel lacks any kind of plot to follow. Many have huge holes or nonsensical theories.
It ends with the weirdest of all.. I can't find enough words for all the things wrong with it.. the denouement is ridiculous and the epilogue? Laughable.
Why did I not stop reading? Because I really wanted it to improve, to get answers to the plot holes and then nearer the middle out of a kind of disbelief that this received 4.5 stars overall.. but how?
There are some really wonderful books out there in this genre but all too frequently the cozy seems to relate to a lack of attention to detail and sloppy writing.. books churned out too quickly and consequently lacking in depth and originality
The series revolves around Ruby Sparrow; a newly qualified Private Investigator who lives in Swift's Valley, Australia. Ruby has recently changed careers from teaching third grade and has just set herself up in business. Two days in she rescues a talking cat, takes on a missing person case and then Geraldine who she thinks is a prospective client informs her that she is actually a witch. It's a poor start and it really seems to stay at that level of weak dialogue and random revaluations throughout.
Several rather large plot holes appear.. a few of which follow..
Initially we have no information about Ruby's background; all we know is that she lives in an isolated farmhouse up the mountain, no neighbours and a "homestead farm" with a few animals, chickens, cows etc, that bizarrely seem to require no real input from Ruby, or anyone else until about halfway through the series, apart from her regular plum picking sessions. She mentions that she can survive by selling her produce but as she never actually engages in any farming activity it's nonsense.
Ruby is now apparently being taught random spells and potions by Geri and meets the coven who don't appear to want her. Repeatedly she's told that she can't interact with humans and must give up her job but no consequences occur when she continues. She must also pass tests, set by Geri, at regular intervals in front of the coven. Cannot have a broomstick until she passes a test and yet somehow suddenly without any reference to said broomstick or test is flying off on her own.
During the first novel Ruby is hexed to have bright red hair and be freezing cold no matter the weather. The red hair is consistent but the the author seems to forget entirely about the ice cold part of the hex and there's no resolution.. we never discover who performed the hex or why.
At no point during the first few novels does Ruby question her family history, mention that her mother is alive, wonder why she's reached the age of 27 knowing nothing.. etc etc.. Ruby clearly states that she descends from a line of witches when she has no idea if that is true or not, when her mother finally appears it's one of the weakest storylines in the series. Just in case you are going to read it I won't say anything more about this other than its a hot mess that is left hanging..
Each "mystery" is solved without any real detective work, guilty parties are arrested with no evidence, everything is a series of wrong guesses, the weakest of motives seems to be all Ruby needs to jump into solving the case.
She has a boyfriend, Akiro, who is wooden and rarely speaks to her with anything remotely approaching affection. A best friend come part time employee, Vicky, who is a failure at spells, potions etc and who she's only known since Geri appeared. Apart from these two she appears to have no other friends or acquaintances, no past.. Vicky is funny if nothing else.
Pretty much every novel lacks any kind of plot to follow. Many have huge holes or nonsensical theories.
It ends with the weirdest of all.. I can't find enough words for all the things wrong with it.. the denouement is ridiculous and the epilogue? Laughable.
Why did I not stop reading? Because I really wanted it to improve, to get answers to the plot holes and then nearer the middle out of a kind of disbelief that this received 4.5 stars overall.. but how?
There are some really wonderful books out there in this genre but all too frequently the cozy seems to relate to a lack of attention to detail and sloppy writing.. books churned out too quickly and consequently lacking in depth and originality
September 26, 2020
I have loved every series written by this author and this one is just as fantastic! We are treated to a wonderful mix of characters that our protagonist, Ruby has to deal with one way or the other. Ruby, seeing teaching is not for her decides to pursue her "dream" job of being a private investigator. In the beginning, Ruby finds out some really life changing things about herself! She has powers. Each book contains a mystery Ruby has to solve with lots of twists and turns and red-herrings. Sometimes her powers can be in the way and sometimes it helps. Written with great descriptions of the Australia and adding humor, a little romance and lots of magic and mystery, you just can't put this series down until you've read all 9 books! Thank you Stacey for another wonderful series! I received and ARC from Booksprout but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own!
September 25, 2020
The Private Eye Witch Cozy Mystery Boxed Set contains all nine books in the Private Eye Witch Cozy Mystery series. Titles include: This Spells Trouble, A Cold Spell, Buy and Spell, Sit a Spell, Stop and Spell the Roses, This Spells Doom, Mis-Spelled, Cast a Spell, and A Killer Spell. You can never lose with a great mystery filled with magic, romance, and humor!
This intriguing set of cozy mysteries will provide strong story lines that hold the reader’s attention as they move through the action and build up suspense. The characters we meet are interesting and likable. Grab your copy of this fun and magical cozy Box Set for a fresh walk down the cozy path of fun paranormal mysteries with Ruby Swift and her magical adventures.
This intriguing set of cozy mysteries will provide strong story lines that hold the reader’s attention as they move through the action and build up suspense. The characters we meet are interesting and likable. Grab your copy of this fun and magical cozy Box Set for a fresh walk down the cozy path of fun paranormal mysteries with Ruby Swift and her magical adventures.
September 28, 2020
Since we live in times that are VERY complicated, depressing, and unsettling right now...this box set is just the spot of relaxation and fun to make one feel entertained. I’ve always enjoyed books written by Stacey Alabaster. The Protagonist in this series, Ruby, searches clues, finds answers, and learns about herself as she sleuths her way though each story. Loved the way Australia is described throughout...it creates quite a picture of what I might see if I was fortunate enough to visit. Each story has a bit of magic, a little romance, and plenty of mystery. I highly recommend this series for anyone who loves cozy mysteries and a little magic thrown together!
September 24, 2020
A charming collection.
What a bargain for $.99 you get nine simply wonder cozy mysteries if you like cozies this is one deal you should not pass up. The books are chock-full of romance, mystery, intrigue, strong heroines with a touch of humor, a bit magic, and happy endings you could not ask for more. Stacey Alabaster is a new author for me and this will not be the last book I read by this talented writer. I am happy to recommend this charming collection. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
What a bargain for $.99 you get nine simply wonder cozy mysteries if you like cozies this is one deal you should not pass up. The books are chock-full of romance, mystery, intrigue, strong heroines with a touch of humor, a bit magic, and happy endings you could not ask for more. Stacey Alabaster is a new author for me and this will not be the last book I read by this talented writer. I am happy to recommend this charming collection. I did receive a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to review it.
September 21, 2020
I highly recommend you aquier this collection of witchy goodness. Stacey Alabaster has created a great set of caracters to fallow through these PI witchy cozey mysterys from familiars, shifter,best friends, eval humans to the nastiest witch. And a fare few other surprises along the way. Each mystery is funnier and more intriguing than the last. SO time to jump into the world of Ruby and the life of a " Private Eye Witch " so you yourself can enjoy reading it as much as I have. ☺😉🤔🙄😏😀😊Kat
September 28, 2020
This box set is a great way to read all the stories about Ruby and her career change from teacher to private investigator, and her parallel discovery of her magical witch abilities. This author always produces interesting plots and characters and this series doesn't disappoint on these points. For me the strongest aspect of these stories are the mysteries themselves which are inventive and very enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 29, 2020
Bewitching
I enjoyed these books that had Ruby finding out that she was a witch with a familiar, Indy, the cat. I liked all the adventures that she had, especially with her friend,Vicky, who was also a witch. Ruby was also a P.I. which landed her in hot water at times. The characters were well developed and mostly believable. A good read for the reader who loves cosy mysteries with a twist.
I enjoyed these books that had Ruby finding out that she was a witch with a familiar, Indy, the cat. I liked all the adventures that she had, especially with her friend,Vicky, who was also a witch. Ruby was also a P.I. which landed her in hot water at times. The characters were well developed and mostly believable. A good read for the reader who loves cosy mysteries with a twist.
October 19, 2020
I enjoyed this book set, although, I found it a little slow moving at times.
9 books is a lot of reading to do in one hit and that maybe the reason that I found it slow going.
I like the idea of a private eye witch and that the witch is a learner.
I would like to have seen a book that goes along the line of the discovery of her family and fills it out a bit more. This detail was a little quickly passed by. Overall, good reading.
9 books is a lot of reading to do in one hit and that maybe the reason that I found it slow going.
I like the idea of a private eye witch and that the witch is a learner.
I would like to have seen a book that goes along the line of the discovery of her family and fills it out a bit more. This detail was a little quickly passed by. Overall, good reading.
December 3, 2020
Fun read with witches and a talking cat
Ruby and Indy are a good team with help from
Musician Vickie, lots of 'villains ' no gore, but quite a few odd typos. Ruby is a PI and a witch who doesn't use her powers to investigate, seems odd, but whatever. She's learning to be a Pi and a witch and goes through a lot of anxiety about both and her own worth. Almost like a coming of age ta!e but she's almost 30.
Ruby and Indy are a good team with help from
Musician Vickie, lots of 'villains ' no gore, but quite a few odd typos. Ruby is a PI and a witch who doesn't use her powers to investigate, seems odd, but whatever. She's learning to be a Pi and a witch and goes through a lot of anxiety about both and her own worth. Almost like a coming of age ta!e but she's almost 30.
December 26, 2020
Definitely a “good read”
This series is a fun read. Each book has a distinct beginning and end yet they flow together seamlessly.
The characters are all different and easily identifiable with interesting traits. The storylines are fun mysteries to try to solve before you get to the detective’s conclusion.
I really enjoyed the series and hated seeing the end but it was a satisfying conclusion.
This series is a fun read. Each book has a distinct beginning and end yet they flow together seamlessly.
The characters are all different and easily identifiable with interesting traits. The storylines are fun mysteries to try to solve before you get to the detective’s conclusion.
I really enjoyed the series and hated seeing the end but it was a satisfying conclusion.
May 19, 2021
Private Eye Witch (Boxed set, books 1 thru 9) by Stacey Alabaster struck me as a good bargain. It provided a good story from start of the main protagonist's gaining her license to be a private investigator in book 1 to the end of the story in book 9. I liked the books (or the book if you just consider the linked stories as chapter or parts of a rather long but engrossing book). I think you may also.
September 25, 2020
The author has given us a wonderful collection of mysteries. Ruby is excited to have earned her PI license and open an office. However, things are not always what they seem. Each story pulls you in and never lets go.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 26, 2020
Fun, Fun, Fun!
Read with a smile on my face. Believable characters, of course you've already accepted witches as reality or you'd not be reading these stories! A turtle familiar that isn't, or is he? He does talk, finally. Lovely escape from the misery that the daily news has become.
Read with a smile on my face. Believable characters, of course you've already accepted witches as reality or you'd not be reading these stories! A turtle familiar that isn't, or is he? He does talk, finally. Lovely escape from the misery that the daily news has become.
October 4, 2020
Private Eye Witch Cozy Mystery Boxed Set by Stacey Alabaster is an awesome box set that I have read. This awesome box set was written by a brand new author for me to read. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about cozy mysteries and mysteries in their stories.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 5, 2020
Ruby Swift is a great character in this set of entertaining and whimsical whodunit books. All the books are fun to read and keep you entertained until the very last page. Great set of paranormal cozy mystery books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 25, 2020
Ruby is starting a new career as a PI. She also discovers she has some special abilities. As she investigates each case, she learns more about herself. This mega collection is the entire series and is mega fun. I especially enjoyed the friendship she has with Vicky.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 17, 2020
Private Eye Witch Cozy Mystery Books 1-9
I loved these stories. They combined my like for murder mysteries and witch stories. The characters were interesting and fun. Indy became so real to me I wanted to let her. Sorry how she found out about her birth parents the way she did. Will read more of Stacey Alabaster stories.
I loved these stories. They combined my like for murder mysteries and witch stories. The characters were interesting and fun. Indy became so real to me I wanted to let her. Sorry how she found out about her birth parents the way she did. Will read more of Stacey Alabaster stories.
June 29, 2021
Ruby the P.I...
The story of Ruby and her life as a witch and a P.I. unfolds through this really good collection by Stacey Alabaster.
I've read a few 'cozy mystery' series, and this gave me something much diffirent to what I'd read before.
I'd highly recommend this for readers of witch stories, and/or cozy mystery series
The story of Ruby and her life as a witch and a P.I. unfolds through this really good collection by Stacey Alabaster.
I've read a few 'cozy mystery' series, and this gave me something much diffirent to what I'd read before.
I'd highly recommend this for readers of witch stories, and/or cozy mystery series
Read
March 22, 2022Very good series. I read all nine books straight through!
I really liked Ruby but I think she should have confronted her mother, May. I would like to have known why she left Ruby on the couch without any explanation. Otherwise I enjoyed reading the series. Sorry there will not be any other books with this character.
I really liked Ruby but I think she should have confronted her mother, May. I would like to have known why she left Ruby on the couch without any explanation. Otherwise I enjoyed reading the series. Sorry there will not be any other books with this character.
September 21, 2020
This box set had everything romance, mystery, intrigue, a little magic, and happy endings, and strong heroines. Delighted by the humor, intrigue and overall interest.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 26, 2020
I really enjoyed reading this series. It was great. I love the characters and the best part was how it ended. I loved the ending!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 26, 2020
Fun boxed set at a great price! Ruby has just opened the doors of her private eye business when she learns she’s a witch. These books are skillfully written and fast-paced, with an interesting cast of characters. I received this set free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
September 26, 2020
This tells of an extraordinary journey of a young woman to be a detective as well as a witch. Ruby seems to be a bumbling witch and makes friends with another witch who doesn’t seem to fit in. Together these two have a bunch of crazy adventures. It was fun to read! I loved it!
September 29, 2020
I enjoyed all these stories in this set. Each story is well written and the characters blend well together...except those that get killed of course! I recommend this box set to anyone who is looking for a 'fun read' stories. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this box set from Booksprout.
October 18, 2020
This boxed set has 9 books. They are a fun and exciting mix of detective stories and magical witchcraft. It was a very entertaining series and made for fun and relaxing change of pace.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 27, 2020
Weirdly written
These books had a weird writing style. Somethings were told in great detail and other just stated baldly. It ended strangely with a lot of loose ends. Only read the whole thing because I wanted answers that never received.
These books had a weird writing style. Somethings were told in great detail and other just stated baldly. It ended strangely with a lot of loose ends. Only read the whole thing because I wanted answers that never received.
December 15, 2020
This was a fun little mystery book. A couple of good twists, lots of laughs. Good humor on both the humans and witch antics. Good book to read if you want to just let go and enjoy a good book no brainer fun book.
December 31, 2020
Good Book Series
This was a fantastic exciting series. I was caught from beginning to end. The last book really excited me when Ruby said at the end she was getting married and maybe going to L.A. Thanks for a good read.
This was a fantastic exciting series. I was caught from beginning to end. The last book really excited me when Ruby said at the end she was getting married and maybe going to L.A. Thanks for a good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews