Untimely Departure

Mystic Inn #4

by Stephanie Damore

It's Christmas time in Silverlake, and everyone is feeling jolly,
that is until a suspicious visitor arrives.

I have to be honest, Daniel McEwen's presence has me on edge.
Or maybe it's his sharp fangs that have me running in the other direction. But when a dead body turns up, and it's clearly a setup, I know I can't hang the vampire out to dry—Aunt Thelma taught me better than that, which is why Vance and I are teaming up to tackle this case and clear our friend's name. Unfortunately, more than one person wants the truth to remain a secret, and they'll do whatever it takes to keep us quiet. Can we trace the clues and bring the real killer to justice, or will there be more than one untimely departure?

Genres: Audiobook, Fantasy, Mystery

216 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 30, 2021

About the author

I'm a mystery author with a soft spot for romance and humor, too. I love all things girlie with a dollop of danger, have a strong affinity for the color pink (especially in diamonds and champagne), and, not to brag, but chocolate and I are in a pretty serious relationship.

My books are fun and flirty, and feature smart and sassy sleuths. If you love books with a dash of spice and twist of whodunit, you're going to love my work!

Reviews

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silverlake is having a fair at the high school and all is going so well when Daniel McEwen, who had left the town and became a well-known musician quietly returns. He is changed from witch to vampire and he came back to see if there is a cure he had heard about to change him back. When he enters the high school looking for his mother, when he is confronted by his former mentor music teacher and is screamed at because she saw his change. Daniel is now a vampire and no one in Silverlake like vampires, but he is convinced the witches in town can help him change back. But, things go from bad to worse for Daniel as the music teacher is found dead outside the gym with two puncture wounds on her neck when she was found by Angelica as Daniel whizzed by her. Daniel finds Angelica alone and begs her to help him find who murdered the teacher because he swears he didn't do it. Of course she and her boyfriend, Vance decide to investigate. With so many twists and turns and red-herrings you keep turning pages trying to figure things out. Just when you think you've got it...you haven't! This is a fun book in a well-written enjoyable series. I love the characters and how their personalities are so different like Grandma Thelma, owner of the hotel, and her loud and feisty friend, Clemmie, the ghost with the most, Percy who hangs out and helps at the hotel and of course our main stars, Angelica and Vance! This is a series not to be missed! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Mooncat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, unlike last time, we got into the murder case right away. Unlike other times, it was sadly pretty obvious early on who the murderer was. So following Angelica and Vance through their investigation was rather boring. Also, I don’t feel like we got all the information we should have gotten, like why exactly the murderer tried to make people forget about the case when after remembering again the folks still didn’t have any useful clues to offer.
It’s a short read. I just felt like there is too much repetition, too many mistakes and not enough closure in the end for this short read. So two stars it is.
And what happened to Rocky? In the last book, Vance adopted the adorable gargoyle, now he wasn’t mentioned even once. If he turned back to stone it could have at least been mentioned. Which is a shame, I truly liked the little fellow.

[Doty Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read books in order.
When a " famouse " person returns to Town where he was raised-he has changed, now he has gone from a witch to a vampire.
He returned home, because he has heard of a cure for Vampirism, who else could he turn to but the best witches he knows to help find this cure? The a very manipulative, unlikable woman is found murdered, drained of her blood, who else are they going to think did the deed/ The returning man who is now a vampire? What would a returning vampire do-run!
He enlist the one person and her boyfriend to prove his innocents, he has an Ace in-the-Hole.
for the cure to work, he must have never ingested Human blood or it doesnt work.. now the race is on find, make , and take the cure to prove he's not guilty-before he gets staked!

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's back to Silverlake, Percy the poltergeist and all the others. Daniel is now a vampire which is upsetting various people. Things go bad when he is suspected of murdering someone. There's a missing will, an outbreak of memory loss for some people and the drive to find the vampire that turned Daniel.

The female vampire who also really has the hots for him, by the way.

So, all that needs to be done is find a way to restore people's memory, find Victoria and get her to come to the town, prove Daniel is innocent and find the actual killer.

It's enough to keep everyone busy and keeps the reader entertained.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series! When a woman who has made many enemies is found dead, there are plenty of suspects. The Sheriff has it all wrong and it is up to Angelica to make the town safe, again. This book is both complex and charming, with well developed characters, a nice twisty plot and expert storytelling. I enjoyed this delightful tale and am looking forward to the next book. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to write a voluntary, unbiased review.

[Aimee Bower · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angelica runs into her old high school friend, she is shocked by what has happened to him. Angelica sees him get argument with some residents. His grandmother doesn't seem to be taking the news well. When one of the people are found dead, her friend is the prime suspect. Angelica doesn't think he did and will try to find the real culprit.

This such a wonderful read. I am really enjoying all the characters and the world this author created. I can't wait for the next book in series.

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the first 3 books enough to buy the full series after that and then of course #4 was a dud for me. This was the shortest so far, barely 150 pages, and so many plot holes and mistakes it really became irritating. I really think this series would have benefitted by being 4-5 larger, more detailed, books and well edited before published. I think I'm going to take a break from them for awhile.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series. Sweet romance, magic and mystery in a town with wonderful characters. A very unlikeable woman is murdered, a vampire is framed, and there are plenty of suspects. But someone is also messing with peoples’ memories making is harder for Angie to figure out what’s really going on. Always fun to spend time in Silverlake. Looking forward to the next adventure.

[Alison Ramsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enchanting

Once again Angelica and Vance work together to solve a murder that the sheriff has erroneously decreed "solved". We have vampires, grudges, enchantments that make people forget, potions, pickpockets, lots of suspects, and a contest to win. Wow. Delightfully enchanting story telling.

[Emily Stafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters

Sally's two daughters keep getting into mischief....and breaking laws. Thankfully between doing it for a good cause and people kind enough to forgive a child no charges have been filed yet. So many theories to start but like a good detective they eliminate them one by one till they find the guilty party.

[Crystal Morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super as usual

I love this series as you feel connected to the characters without a lot of empty writing. Every story is direct and no nonsense. Aunt Thelma and Percy are my favorites!!!

[Angela Smith]

Love this series!

Another great read in this series! I totally love it! Great writing draws me right into the story, I love visiting this cozy magical town! I love all the characters, all the magic elements, and how unpredictable it is! I can’t wait for the next book!

[Rhonda Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Mystery

I did like the storyline. In this book I felt the ending was a little rushed. It would have been nice to see the wrap up with Daniel, since the mystery was about him.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun mystery from the mystical town of Silverlake.
Angelica is on the hunt when a friend who has been turned into a vampire is falsely accused of murder.

[Dschaper54 · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Fun

There’s always a new adventure and another crime to solve, just mix in a little magic and paranormal hi-jinx. Great installment.

[Andjela Filipovic · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, I will continue listening to books in this series, they keep my attention.

[Alexandra Edmondston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet!! I hope vampires become more of a staple to the stories, but what happens with Daniel? I hope his storyline is finished in book 5. A very touching ending as well!

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was kind of short and not as good as the other books.

[Jeni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 rounded down

[Jennifer Wertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Untimely Departure is a fantastic paranormal cozy mystery. It is fun and interesting. I love the characters. The plot is engaging and suspenseful. The mystery has many twists to keep you guessing until the end. I really enjoyed this book.

[Bernadette Cinkoske · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Untimely Departure, the folks in Silverlake are in an uproar since the vampire who came to town murdered a woman liked by very few. If you accept this widely held view, you are really in for some surprises. Someone is fogging people's memories. There are pick pockets in town. This well written cozy mystery has several story lines, many possible suspects, multiple motives, some red herrings and lots of surprises! I was up a bit too late because I could not put the book down!