A Dab of Sorcery

The French Quarter Witch #2

by Constance Barker, Corrine Winters

Hi, I'm Georgie, and I have my hands full with Xavier, the witch hunter. He wants to close down my art gallery, proclaiming that I'm pushing dark magic on my patrons. Of course he hasn't dealt with Miss Hallie when she's ready to go all medieval on his hiney. And that's putting it nicely.

But when a jazz singer is stabbed to death, I must put on my sleuth hat and assist local detective Raphael. Marcel, my monocled familiar, is also on the hunt. Well, after some coercion with a few cat treats.

Lady Languish was an up and coming young singer, but who would want her dead? Could it be a spurned lover, a rival singer or someone much more dark and mysterious?

***Find out in the Second Book in the French Quarter Witch Mystery Series***

165 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2021

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

[Wannee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun Paranormal Witchy Cozy Mystery.

A Dab of Sorcery is the second book in the French Quarter Witch Mystery Series.

Georgie, owner of L'Art Vivant gallery in New Orleans that serve the community both magic and mortal, and Veronique, Georgie's best friend and assistant at the gallery, are busy getting the next exhibition ready to celebrate New Orleans current women jazz singers while Xavier, the witch hunter, is trying to stop the exhibit and close Georgie's gallery by creating rumor and riling up the public that the art gallery promotes dark magic and should be shut down.

When Lady Languish, Veronique's favorite jazz singer, was killed stabbing by a long knife and hung across Georgie's gallery wall, Georgie and Raphael, the Warlocks Detective, need to investigate and have to work fast to solve the murder before her business is ruined or Veronique leaving New Orleans for good.

Who killed Lady and why left her body in Georgie's galley??? Is it the anonymous stalker who keep bugging her or the bitter lyricist who sued Lady for the song but ended up losing in the end or a rival singer or other sinister person hiding in the dark???

I really enjoy this book, a fast-paced story line that keeps you entertained as you try to figure out the mystery, the twists and turns were abundant in this fun and light heart cozy mystery with magic and little bit of romance in the air. It is very entertaining and I am looking forward to the 3rd book in the series.

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

[Barbara Hackel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back in her NOLA art gallery, L'Art Vivant, Georgie is getting her next exhibition finalized. It's a tribute to the current women jazz singers in New Orleans, including the popular Lady Languish, Veronique's favorite singer. When Veronique discovers the body of Lady mounted on the wall at the gallery, she is despondent. Immediately Raphael and Georgie start investigating. Only everyone claims to like Lady, leaving the two frustrated after not finding any solid clues. But a police detective doesn't give up easily, and neither does Georgie.

This second book of the series is peppered with characters that are hard to decide if they have valid motives or means. Laced with spontaneous attacks on Georgie, the mystery is cleverly confusing until the very end. It's the kind of book that compels you to keep reading because you can't quite decide who or why. Much talk about witchcraft/magic, but not a book about witchcraft-it's more detective work, although a little magic is involved.

A most enjoyable continuation of an interesting series!

[Douglas Williamson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our heroine runs an art gallery in New Orleans and dabbles in a bit of detective work. Oh, and she is also a witch with some very supernatural friends. All of which amounts to a lot of fun.

This is book two of the series.

Okay, we have a witch mystery here, but there are a lot of elements going into it which take some getting used to. I really like the characters as they are very eclectic and generally have a good sense of humor. The setting is good as well and I look forward to getting to know it better in future books. The mystery here is a good one with lots of intriguing elements that kept me turning pages. Overall, a nice continuation of the series and I look forward to seeing what our heroine gets into next.

Highly recommended.

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

[Judy Gittleson Hendrickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgie and her art gallery come under scrutiny when the theme of current jazz singers is highlighted by the body of her favorite singer, strung across the gallery wall. Marcel, her cat familiar and Detective Raphael join her is searching for clues. Hooked from the very beginning, this storyline has so many possible clues and red herrings. The characters are sassy and unique. The ending pulls it all together and I did not see that coming. Very well done.

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

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgie is the owner of an art gallery in New Orleans. A local jazz singer is found stabbed and Xavier is still trying to get Georgie’s art gallery shut down. Detective Raphael and Georgie’s cat familiar Marcel help Georgie figure out who is behind the murder. A great read, best enjoyed if the first book in the series has been read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

an art exhibition showing appreciation for women in jazz garners some unexpected and unwelcome attention

Between dealing with the efforts of a dastardly witch hunter, trying to solve this latest series of crimes and exploring her own heart, Georgie, her familiar and friends are kept very busy

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

[Lucrecia Tolbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgie has her hands full with this case and Xavier. She is more than capable of handling both.

This book is filled with mystery, a witty familiar, and a range of emotions that the characters face. Readers beware that you can feel all of their emotions too.

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

[Ilene G> · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this mystery. Georgie, her friends and her familiar are good characters. The plot is good with surprises.One character I could do without is Xavier. He is a witch-hating creep I would like to see Georgue sue him the next time he accuses or implies she is an evil witch who murders people..

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun witch cozy mystery.. I really liked it.. It is very clever and unique, with all kinds of great characters..

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

[Phthon · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a nasty murder. How horrible for Veronique to find her idol that way. I do like Marcel’s ability to know if the truth is being told. Very useful. I really hope Xavier gets his comeuppance. He is a horrible little man. I can’t wait for the next book!

[Rebecca Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Georgie and her friends are such wonderful characters.
I really loved reading this awesome book.
Highly recommend reading this wonderful book.

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

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Just keeps getting better! It was sad when Lady was murdered. She was much loved, especially in the jazz community. After a lot of twists and turns, Georgie finally puts the last piece of the puzzle together. I loved her reveal!

[Cleocutie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good mystery that combines the mystery with magic and well done characters. The plot keeps you interested as well.

[stephanie huntington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and entertaining

[Matthew Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

I have enjoyed this latest book of yours the characters,humor and your story line are excellent and fun to read.

[Suzanne Homeier-poe · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was good. I enjoyed it.